The Trump administration is signaling its readiness to put “boots on the ground” in Syria and Iraq to defeat the Islamic State and secure a stronger place for the United States in the negotiations on the future of both countries. It is a risky approach because of the presence of military forces from Russia, Iran, the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah and Turkey as well as various Syrian factions, including Kurds seeking to carve out an independent state along the Turkish border.
Category: US Marine Corps
The Latest: Syrian Kurds see force boosting in push on IS
The Latest on the developments related to Syria’s civil war and the expected push against the Islamic State group’s main stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria : U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces say they have enough fighters to take the Islamic State group’s de facto capital of Raqqa in northern Syria. The spokeswoman for the Syrian Democratic Forces said on Friday that their numbers are increasing, with residents of areas newly liberated from IS joining the ethnically mixed force.
US commander signals larger, longer US presence in Syria
Thursday that there will be a larger and longer American military presence in Syria to accelerate the fight against the Islamic State group and quell friction within the complicated mix of warring factions there. Gen. Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, told senators Thursday that he will need more conventional U.S. forces to insure stability once the fight to defeat Islamic State militants in their self-declared capital of Raqqa is over.
U.S. Is Sending About 400 Marines To Syria
The Marines will join the approximately 500 U.S. troops already in Syria, such as these U.S. forces on the western outskirts of the northern Syrian city of Manbij on Sunday. Delil Souleiman /AFP/Getty Images hide caption The Marines will join the approximately 500 U.S. troops already in Syria, such as these U.S. forces on the western outskirts of the northern Syrian city of Manbij on Sunday.
US troops seem poised to take a prominent role in attacking the ISIS capital
US military forces seem poised to take a prominent role in the long-awaited battle to take down Raqqa, Syria, the capital of the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Though the Pentagon has long downplayed the role of US ground troops in the fight against the ISIS terror group in Iraq and Syria, recent deployments of many more ” boots on the ground ” suggest they may be front-and-center in the coming months.
US troops seem poised to take a prominent role in attacking the ISIS capital
US military forces seem poised to take a prominent role in the long-awaited battle to take down Raqqa, Syria, the capital of the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Though the Pentagon has long downplayed the role of US ground troops in the fight against the ISIS terror group in Iraq and Syria, recent deployments of many more ” boots on the ground ” suggest they may be front-and-center in the coming months.
US Marines have arrived in Syria for Raqqa battle
US Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit attach a concrete barrier to a CH-53E Super Stallion during helicopter external load training at Arta Beach, Djibouti. Photo / Marine Corps Marines from an amphibious task force have left their ships in the Middle East and deployed to Syria, establishing an outpost from which they can fire artillery guns in support of the fight to take back the city of Raqqa from Isis.
Turkish, US, Russian military chiefs discuss Syria tensions
The top generals from Turkey, the United States and Russia met Tuesday in Turkey to discuss mutual suspicions over northern Syria military operations, as Russia’s military announced a two-week long cease-fire between rebels and the government in the suburbs of the Syrian capital, Damascus. The Russian military said a cease-fire has been in place since Tuesday, March 6, and will extend until March 20, for the Eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus, but activists reported a number of airstrikes and artillery strikes by government forces, killing two civilians.
Pentagon presenting counter-IS plan to White House
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is presenting the White House with a plan to “rapidly defeat” the Islamic State group, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday. The strategy includes significant elements of the approach President Donald Trump inherited, while potentially deepening U.S. military involvement in Syria.
US envoy vows no mass deportation to pacify Mexico
Top US envoys on a working visit to Mexico on Thursday tried to allay fears that their government was preparing to massively deport undocumented migrants back across the border. The reassurances came during a joint press conference by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, following their meeting with Mexico’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Interior, Luis Videgaray and Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, in Mexico City.
Why Trump Should Sanction China
As Trump’s Secretary of Defense James Mattis tours Asia to pledge support to our allies, the best form of reassurance would be action against China’s provocative moves in the region. Secretary of Defense James Mattis is now ending his “Mission Reassurance,” the first foreign trip by a Trump administration official.
Iraqi interpreter finally arrives in U.S.
Munther Alaskry first bonded with American Marines over a shared love of Metallica. He later cleared roads of bombs for U.S. troops and translated for them, helping the military navigate his war-torn country.
Pentagon chief: US has no plans to increase Mideast forces
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday the U.S. cannot afford to ignore destabilizing moves by Iran, but has no plans to respond by increasing American military forces in the Middle East. Mattis spoke at a joint news conference in Tokyo with his Japanese counterpart, Tomomi Inada.
Iraqi interpreter says he’s ‘blessed’ to be in U.S. after ban
Hassan Alaskry, the son of Munther Alaskry, surveys the arrival area as his sister Dima, and mother Hiba Alaskry arrive at New York’s JFK International Airport. NEW YORK – Munther Alaskry and his family were just hours away from their dream as they boarded the final leg of a flight to the United States after waiting seven years for visas.
Today in History Wednesday, Feb. 01, 2017
On Jan. 30, 1948, Indian political and spiritual leader Mohandas K. Gandhi, 78, was shot and killed in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse , a Hindu extremist. In 1815, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in agreeing to purchase the personal book collection of former President Thomas Jefferson to replace volumes lost when the British burned the U.S. Capitol and its congressional library during the War of 1812.
South Korean, U.S. Marines tussle in snow in what North brands “madcap” drill
South Korean and U.S. Marines react as they participate in a winter military drill in Pyeongchang, South Korea, January 24, 2017. South Korean and U.S. Marines demonstrate their martial arts skills in a winter military drill in Pyeongchang, South Korea, January 24, 2017.
US Official Says 300 US Marines Will Deploy in Afghanistan
Approximately 300 United States Marines will be deployed to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces in the southern province of Helmand. A Resolute Support Mission spokesman, U.S. Navy Capt.
World briefs: False report triggers recoil in Germany
It was every God-fearing Christian’s worst nightmare about Muslim refugees. “Revealed,” the Breitbart News headline screamed, “1,000-Man Mob Attack Police, Set Germany’s Oldest Church Alight on New Year’s Eve.”
Face to Face
Like many authors, Charles Henderson writes about what he knows best. A retired United States Marines officer, Henderson has written six books, each woven with a military theme.
Taliban ramp up attacks in southwestern Afghanistan as NATO casualties hit a low
The Taliban have continued their assault on Afghanistan’s southwestern Helmand province with fresh attacks in two key districts, Afghan security forces said, as NATO announced that its forces last year suffered the fewest casualties since the U.S. invasion in 2001. The latest round of fighting began Dec. 31 in Sangin and Marjah districts, a provincial spokesman said.
Enhanced Energy: ONR Global Seeks More Powerful Electronic Devices
Washington, DC – Groundbreaking energy research from the United Arab Emirates, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research Global , is the focus of an article published this week in the acclaimed Nature Magazine journal “Scientific Reports.” Dr. Ammar Nayfeh’s article reveals unique use of zinc oxide to improve semiconductors and energy output in electronic devices.