Israel Launches Airstrikes on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities and Command Centers
Israel announced that it had launched coordinated strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities early Friday, in a major operation aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The offensive reportedly killed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, according to the local Tasnim news agency. (Read More)
Israeli Forces Arrest Alleged Hamas Operatives in Southern Syria Raid
Israeli troops entered a village in Southern Syria early Thursday and arrested several individuals the military identified as Hamas operatives. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the raid was carried out by the Alexandroni Brigade in the village of Beit Jinn, located about six kilometers from the Israeli border, outside the area controlled by Israeli forces. (Read More)
Russia’s War Casualties in Ukraine Surpass One Million, Says Kyiv
Ukraine’s military said Russia has lost over 1 million troops since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022. According to daily updates from Ukraine’s General Staff, Russian military losses have reached 1,000,340 troops as of Thursday. The number includes soldiers killed, wounded, or otherwise taken out of combat. (Read More)
US Sends Anti-Drone Weapons Meant for Ukraine to Middle East Forces
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that anti-drone weapons intended for Ukraine have been redirected to American forces in the Middle East. He made the confirmation during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Wednesday morning. The transfer comes as the U.S. confronts escalating threats in the Middle East, particularly from Iran. (Read More)
Navy Secretary Advocates for Right to Repair in Defense Contracts
Military leaders are working to revise contract rules that currently prevent service members from repairing the equipment they use every day. These restrictions stem from agreements with private companies that hold exclusive rights to repair, effectively barring troops from making the fixes themselves. (Read More)
China Unveils Hybrid Tank with Diesel-Electric Power for Mountain Warfare
China appears to be testing a new hybrid tank that combines a diesel engine with electric motors, according to images shared on social media. According to Defence Blog, the prototype appears to be based on the Type 99A, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) most advanced main battle tank, with a 1,500-horsepower engine, a 120mm smoothbore gun, and advanced targeting systems. (Read More)
DHS Confirms MQ-9 Reaper Drone Surveillance Over Los Angeles Protests
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it flew MQ-9 Reaper drones over Los Angeles last weekend to support federal operations during protests that followed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid. Video clips labeled as DHS drone footage were shared on social media by the agency. The footage showed scenes of protests accompanied by the caption: “This is not calm. This is not peaceful. California politicians must call off their rioting mob.” (Read More)
US Expresses Concern Over Syrian Leader’s Safety Amid Engagement with West
The U.S. government is concerned that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa may be targeted for assassination because of his efforts to work with Western nations and create a more inclusive government. Thomas Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria and ambassador to Turkey, told Al-Monitor that the threats from disgruntled militant groups are increasing. “We need to coordinate a protection system around Sharaa,” Barrack said. (Read More)
British Man Is Only Passenger to Survive India Plane Crash | BBC
A British man, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, was the sole survivor of an Air India Boeing 787 crash that killed 241 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Ramesh, seated in 11A, sustained multiple injuries but is stable. The crash claimed the lives of 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons, including several families and community members from the UK. The cause remains under investigation. (Read More)
Alert Line Last week, the economics of war profoundly shifted. Ukraine deployed 117 cheap commercially available drones to disable & destroy 1/3rd of Russia’s Strategic Bomber fleet. The loss in dollar terms to Russia? Estimated at $7Bn. Cost to the Ukraine? Likely less than $250,000, all in. If this isn’t a wake-up call regarding why we need defense acquisition reform, I don’t know what is. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Screenshot from Israeli intelligence...
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. A U.S. Soldier assigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment peers through the scope of a Smartshooter SMASH 2000L attached to an M4A1 carbine rifle (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Magaña) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict US Orders Evacuation from Iraq Embassy as Iran Threatens Regional Bases The United States is evacuating personnel from its embassy in Baghdad in response to Iran’s threats...
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. (AllyE / Shutterstock.com) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Israeli Navy Strikes Yemen’s Houthi-Controlled Hodeidah Port Israel’s navy launched missile strikes on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah on Tuesday, marking the first time it has taken part in attacks against Houthi rebels. The Israeli military said long-range strikes were carried out using advanced Sa’ar 6-class missile ships, which...