VIF Information Alerts - 06 January 2020

Pakistan rules out use of its soil in Middle East conflict
Published: The Dawn

06 Jan 2020

Pakistan on Sunday reaffirmed its resolve not to become a part of any conflict in the region and renewed its offer for mediating in the Middle East crisis.
The offer was formally conveyed by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a telephonic conversation with his counterparts from Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.Click here to read... [2]

Small battle groups will fit well in theatre commands, says Army chief
Published: The Economic Times

06 Jan 2020

The new integrated battle groups (IBGs), which have now been tested on the western and eastern fronts for their capability to mobilise fast and hit hard, "will fit well" into the proposed creation of unified theatre commands in the country, says Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
The creation of the agile and self-contained IBGs, each with around 5,000 soldiers and a varying mix of infantry, tanks, artillery, air defence, signals, engineers and other support units, is part of the ongoing restructuring of the 13-lakh strong Army's entire war-fighting machinery to ensure a better offensive punch.Click here to read... [3]

Iran Challenges Trump, Announcing End of Nuclear Restrictions
Published: The New York Times

05 Jan 2020

When President Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, he justified his unilateral action by saying the accord was flawed, in part because the major restrictions on Iran ended after 15 years, when Tehran would be free to produce as much nuclear fuel as it wanted.
But now, instead of buckling to American pressure, Iran declared on Sunday that those restrictions are over — a decade ahead of schedule. Mr. Trump’s gambit has effectively backfired.Click here to read... [4]

Islamist group al Shabaab says 7 aircraft damaged in attack at Kenya base used by US forces
Published: Hindustan Times

05 Jan 2020

Somalia’s al Shabaab militant group attacked on Sunday a military base in Kenya used by both U.S. and Kenyan forces and published pictures of masked gunmen standing next to an aircraft in flames.
US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed an attack on the Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu county, close to the Somali border. The Kenyan military said the attack was repelled and that four militants had been killed. There were no immediate reports of Kenyan or US casualties.Click here to read... [5]

US resumes Pak's participation in American military training, says top official
Published: The Statesman

04 Jan 2020

US President Donald Trump has authorised the resumption of Pakistan’s participation in an American military training and educational programme in order to strengthen military-to-military cooperation on shared priorities, senior diplomat Alice Wells said on Saturday.
“The overall security assistance suspension for Pakistan remains in effect,” Dawn news reported citing a tweet by Ms Wells, the in-charge of South Asia affairs at the US State Department.Click here to read... [6]