🇩🇪 🇺🇸 🇾🇪 #German Frigate Reportedly Fires on #American Reaper Drone Over #RedSea:
According to German media outlets BILD and Der Spiegel, the German Sachsen-class frigate Hessen mistakenly fired two SM-2 missiles at an American MQ-9 Reaper while operating in the Red Sea, however, both missiles malfunctioned and did not reach the drone.
The incident would technically mark the Hessen’s first engagement of an aerial target if confirmed. This was followed by the successful interception of two #Houthi drones with RAM missiles, marking its first engagement against Houthi forces. Via theatlasnews.co/brief/2024/02/28/german-frigate-reportedly-fires-on-american-reaper-drone-over-red-sea/
According to German media outlets BILD and Der Spiegel, the German Sachsen-class frigate Hessen mistakenly fired two SM-2 missiles at an American MQ-9 Reaper while operating in the Red Sea, however, both missiles malfunctioned and did not reach the drone.
The incident would technically mark the Hessen’s first engagement of an aerial target if confirmed. This was followed by the successful interception of two #Houthi drones with RAM missiles, marking its first engagement against Houthi forces. Via theatlasnews.co/brief/2024/02/28/german-frigate-reportedly-fires-on-american-reaper-drone-over-red-sea/
🇺🇸 🇾🇪 🇧🇧 The #UnitedStates Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported that three crew were killed and four others were left wounded, three critically, following a #Houthi missile strike against the Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned commercial bulk carrier M/V True Confidence in the Red Sea earlier today.
Coalition vessels responded to the scene as the crew abandoned ship after the vessel sustained “significant damage.”
The Houthis released a statement earlier that attacks against vessels will continue “until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.”
This marks the first fatalities since Houthi forces began attacks against commercial shipping vessels in the region in November. Retaliatory air and missile strikes by #American naval forces are expected to be carried out in the coming hours. Via theatlasnews.co
Coalition vessels responded to the scene as the crew abandoned ship after the vessel sustained “significant damage.”
The Houthis released a statement earlier that attacks against vessels will continue “until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.”
This marks the first fatalities since Houthi forces began attacks against commercial shipping vessels in the region in November. Retaliatory air and missile strikes by #American naval forces are expected to be carried out in the coming hours. Via theatlasnews.co
🇳🇪 🇺🇸 🇷🇺 #Niger Cuts Military Ties with #UnitedStates:
On Saturday, Niger’s military junta announced it would immediately sever military cooperation with the UnitedStates and ordered the removal of #American forces stationed in the country for counter-terrorism operations, signaling another shift away from western powers as the junta seeks greater support from #Russia.
A Nigerien military spokesman, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, announced during a press conference on March 17th his country’s intention to cut military ties with the United States with ‘immediate effect.’ In a televised address, Abdramane stated that the U.S. delegation failed to follow diplomatic protocol and did not inform the Nigerien government of its agenda: “The Nigerien government, taking into account the aspirations and interests of its people, decides in any case to denounce with immediate effect the agreement relating to the status of U.S. military personnel and civilian employees of the US Department of Defense on the territory of the Republic of Niger. A diplomatic correspondence will be addressed to the US party to this effect.” “Also, the government of Niger forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people,” said Abdramane.
The announcement comes just days after AFRICOM Commander Michael Langley and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee visited Junta leadership.
Despite the decision, AFRICOM confirmed to Stars and Stripes that American forces are still in country, largely located at the Air Base 201 near Agadez, which has been a hub for counter-terrorism drone operations in the Sahel, which has been a growing hotbed for jihadism in recent years.
Following a coup led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, which deposed Niger’s elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, the U.S. military, which previously had around 1,100 personnel in the country, reduced its force to an estimated 648. These remaining forces were concentrated Airbase 201, which cost around $100 million to build, although operations were significantly reduced after Tchiani took power. Both MQ-9 Reaper armed drones and C-17 Globemaster III transport planes operate out of the airbase.
Since taking power during a coup in July 2023, the junta has ended military cooperation with #France as junta officials continue to meet with Russia for greater military and economic cooperation. Via theatlasnews.co
On Saturday, Niger’s military junta announced it would immediately sever military cooperation with the UnitedStates and ordered the removal of #American forces stationed in the country for counter-terrorism operations, signaling another shift away from western powers as the junta seeks greater support from #Russia.
A Nigerien military spokesman, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, announced during a press conference on March 17th his country’s intention to cut military ties with the United States with ‘immediate effect.’ In a televised address, Abdramane stated that the U.S. delegation failed to follow diplomatic protocol and did not inform the Nigerien government of its agenda: “The Nigerien government, taking into account the aspirations and interests of its people, decides in any case to denounce with immediate effect the agreement relating to the status of U.S. military personnel and civilian employees of the US Department of Defense on the territory of the Republic of Niger. A diplomatic correspondence will be addressed to the US party to this effect.” “Also, the government of Niger forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people,” said Abdramane.
The announcement comes just days after AFRICOM Commander Michael Langley and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee visited Junta leadership.
Despite the decision, AFRICOM confirmed to Stars and Stripes that American forces are still in country, largely located at the Air Base 201 near Agadez, which has been a hub for counter-terrorism drone operations in the Sahel, which has been a growing hotbed for jihadism in recent years.
Following a coup led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, which deposed Niger’s elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, the U.S. military, which previously had around 1,100 personnel in the country, reduced its force to an estimated 648. These remaining forces were concentrated Airbase 201, which cost around $100 million to build, although operations were significantly reduced after Tchiani took power. Both MQ-9 Reaper armed drones and C-17 Globemaster III transport planes operate out of the airbase.
Since taking power during a coup in July 2023, the junta has ended military cooperation with #France as junta officials continue to meet with Russia for greater military and economic cooperation. Via theatlasnews.co
Atlas News
🇮🇷 🇸🇾 🇮🇱 #BREAKING Three #IRGC Generals Killed in #Damascus Air Strike: #Iran state media have confirmed that the following IRGC officials were killed in the suspected #Israeli airstrike that targeted a diplomatic annex next to the Iranian Embassy in Damascus…
SITREP: Damascus Airstrike
IRGC commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi, one of the most senior leaders in the Quds Force, was killed today during an Israeli airstrike in #Damascus, #Syria, that targeted a consular annex directly next to the Iranian embassy, along with two other generals and other unidentified casualties.
Zahedi’s death comes as one of the most significant assassinations against the IRGC since the killing of Qassam Soleimani in 2020 by the #UnitedStates and marks a major escalation in tensions between #Israel and #Iran.
Iran has vowed a “harsh” response against Israel, which remains to be seen.
Two likely response measures are expected, however, such as Iranian missile strikes against Iraqi #Kurdistan or increased attacks against #American forces in the region by Iran-backed militia forces.
Iran has previously launched missiles against what it claims are “Israeli spy centers” in #Erbil in response to Israeli airstrikes targeting IRGC leadership. Kurdish officials have denied that Israeli intelligence operates in the city.
Likewise, Iran-backed militia forces have historically increased attacks against American forces in the region in response to Israeli military activity in Syria. Via theatlasnews.co
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Iranian Ambassador Hossein Akbari condemned Israel and said as many as seven people were killed, but first responders were still searching for any other bodies under the rubble. He said two police officers who guard the building were wounded.
Akbari vowed revenge for the strike “at the same magnitude and harshness.”
In comments to the media after meeting Akbari, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said “several” people were killed. Mekdad in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, condemned Israel over the attack.
Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years.
IRGC commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi, one of the most senior leaders in the Quds Force, was killed today during an Israeli airstrike in #Damascus, #Syria, that targeted a consular annex directly next to the Iranian embassy, along with two other generals and other unidentified casualties.
Zahedi’s death comes as one of the most significant assassinations against the IRGC since the killing of Qassam Soleimani in 2020 by the #UnitedStates and marks a major escalation in tensions between #Israel and #Iran.
Iran has vowed a “harsh” response against Israel, which remains to be seen.
Two likely response measures are expected, however, such as Iranian missile strikes against Iraqi #Kurdistan or increased attacks against #American forces in the region by Iran-backed militia forces.
Iran has previously launched missiles against what it claims are “Israeli spy centers” in #Erbil in response to Israeli airstrikes targeting IRGC leadership. Kurdish officials have denied that Israeli intelligence operates in the city.
Likewise, Iran-backed militia forces have historically increased attacks against American forces in the region in response to Israeli military activity in Syria. Via theatlasnews.co
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Iranian Ambassador Hossein Akbari condemned Israel and said as many as seven people were killed, but first responders were still searching for any other bodies under the rubble. He said two police officers who guard the building were wounded.
Akbari vowed revenge for the strike “at the same magnitude and harshness.”
In comments to the media after meeting Akbari, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said “several” people were killed. Mekdad in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, condemned Israel over the attack.
Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years.
Atlas News
🇸🇾 🇺🇸 Reports of Drone Attack Against #UnitedStates Al-Tanf Garrison in #Syria: https://theatlasnews.co/brief/2024/04/01/reports-of-drone-attack-against-al-tanf-garrison-in-syria/
🇺🇸🇮🇷🇸🇾 #UnitedStates officials have confirmed to Politico that #American forces intercepted an explosive drone targeting the al-Tanf base in #Syria earlier today, marking the first attack by #Iran-backed Shia militias against American forces in the region since February 4.
From October 2023 to February 2024, Katai'b Hezbolloh and elements of the Islamic Resistance carried out over 150 rocket and drone attacks against American forces in #Iraq and Syria, including the deadly drone strikes on the T-22 outpost in #Jordan on January 28, which left three American soldiers dead, and on al-Omar oilfield in Syria on February 4, which left seven #Kurdish fighters dead.
The timing of the attack comes just hours after seven IRGC officers, including key Quds Force leadership, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in #Damascus targeting a consular annex next to the Iranian Embassy.
As Atlas had assessed earlier, Iran-backed militia elements would likely resume attacks against American forces following the strike, as Iranian proxy forces have historically increased attacks against American forces in retaliation for Israeli military activity against Iran. Via theatlasnews.co
From October 2023 to February 2024, Katai'b Hezbolloh and elements of the Islamic Resistance carried out over 150 rocket and drone attacks against American forces in #Iraq and Syria, including the deadly drone strikes on the T-22 outpost in #Jordan on January 28, which left three American soldiers dead, and on al-Omar oilfield in Syria on February 4, which left seven #Kurdish fighters dead.
The timing of the attack comes just hours after seven IRGC officers, including key Quds Force leadership, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in #Damascus targeting a consular annex next to the Iranian Embassy.
As Atlas had assessed earlier, Iran-backed militia elements would likely resume attacks against American forces following the strike, as Iranian proxy forces have historically increased attacks against American forces in retaliation for Israeli military activity against Iran. Via theatlasnews.co
🇮🇷🇮🇱🇺🇸 #Iran Has Asked the #UnitedStates to “Step Aside”, Attack on #Israel Expected Soon:
On April 6, the President of Iran’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Political Affairs, Mohammad Jamshidi, wrote on X that Iran had delivered a message to the #American government that asked them to “step aside” and that had “warned the U.S. not to get dragged into Netanyahu’s trap”, according to Bloomberg.
According to Jamshidi, the U.S. responded by asking Iran to “not hit American targets”. When asked about Jamshidi’s post, a spokesperson for the State Department told CNN, “We responded by warning Iran not to use this as a pretext to attack US personnel and facilities. We did not ‘ask.’”
A senior administration official described the US’ warning to Iran as: “Don’t think about coming after us.”
The Iranian government pledged to punish Israel for the recent killing of seven senior officers of the Islamic Republican Guard Corps at the Iranian consulate in Syria.
According to a senior U.S. government official, the U.S. is on high alert and is actively preparing for a “significant” attack that could come as soon as “within a week”, as reported by CNN. Via theatlasnews.co
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Iranians burn an Israeli flag during a rally in Tehran on April 5, 2024, marking Quds Day and the funeral of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy complex in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Photo by Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters
On April 6, the President of Iran’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Political Affairs, Mohammad Jamshidi, wrote on X that Iran had delivered a message to the #American government that asked them to “step aside” and that had “warned the U.S. not to get dragged into Netanyahu’s trap”, according to Bloomberg.
According to Jamshidi, the U.S. responded by asking Iran to “not hit American targets”. When asked about Jamshidi’s post, a spokesperson for the State Department told CNN, “We responded by warning Iran not to use this as a pretext to attack US personnel and facilities. We did not ‘ask.’”
A senior administration official described the US’ warning to Iran as: “Don’t think about coming after us.”
The Iranian government pledged to punish Israel for the recent killing of seven senior officers of the Islamic Republican Guard Corps at the Iranian consulate in Syria.
According to a senior U.S. government official, the U.S. is on high alert and is actively preparing for a “significant” attack that could come as soon as “within a week”, as reported by CNN. Via theatlasnews.co
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Iranians burn an Israeli flag during a rally in Tehran on April 5, 2024, marking Quds Day and the funeral of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy complex in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Photo by Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters
🇺🇸 Tracking Recent #American MQ-9 Reaper Losses: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/04/29/tracking-recent-american-mq-9-reaper-losses/
Over the past year, the United States has lost several MQ-9 Reaper drones due to adversarial action, whether it be from the Russians, Iran-backed militias in Iraq, or the Houthis in Yemen
While the MQ-9 has built its legacy on counter terrorism operations against non-state actors in permissive environments, the platform is not best suited for contested airspaces.
The MQ-9 flys lower and slower, as well as lacks any stealth components, when compared to manned strike aircraft used by the United States military. With this, the platform is susceptible to more air defense capabilities (i.e. ones supplied by Iran). Even if engaged, the Reaper lacks countermeasures and must be equipped with a Self-Protect Pod to allow for flare of chaff deployment when targeted by SAM systems.
According to the latest available data provide by the United States Air Force, the MQ-9 platform experiences on average 4.9 Class A mishaps per year, or incidents resulting in direct cost totaling $2 million or more, fatality or permanent total disability, or destruction of a DoD aircraft.
Read about individual cases of losses in the full article at theatlasnews.co
Over the past year, the United States has lost several MQ-9 Reaper drones due to adversarial action, whether it be from the Russians, Iran-backed militias in Iraq, or the Houthis in Yemen
While the MQ-9 has built its legacy on counter terrorism operations against non-state actors in permissive environments, the platform is not best suited for contested airspaces.
The MQ-9 flys lower and slower, as well as lacks any stealth components, when compared to manned strike aircraft used by the United States military. With this, the platform is susceptible to more air defense capabilities (i.e. ones supplied by Iran). Even if engaged, the Reaper lacks countermeasures and must be equipped with a Self-Protect Pod to allow for flare of chaff deployment when targeted by SAM systems.
According to the latest available data provide by the United States Air Force, the MQ-9 platform experiences on average 4.9 Class A mishaps per year, or incidents resulting in direct cost totaling $2 million or more, fatality or permanent total disability, or destruction of a DoD aircraft.
Read about individual cases of losses in the full article at theatlasnews.co
theatlasnews.co
Tracking Recent American MQ-9 Reaper Losses | Atlas News
🇺🇦 🇺🇸 M1 Abrams Slavic Style:
Recent photos reveal a #Ukraine-operated M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) outfitted with a combination of #American M-19 Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT) and #Russian Kontakt-1 Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks, along with a counter-drone “cope cage” around its turret. This unique combination of armor modifications has never been seen before on American-made tanks in Ukraine and highlights the need to adapt to drone warfare, especially following recent losses of Abrams tanks on the battlefield.
The emergence of these modified Abrams tanks underscores the rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare, particularly the significant threat posed by drones and loitering munitions. The adaptations seen on these tanks are a direct response to the increased vulnerability of traditional armored vehicles in the face of advanced aerial threats.
The losses of Abrams tanks in Ukraine, particularly around the Avdiivka frontline, have prompted a reevaluation of their deployment and tactics. According to reports, at least eight of the 31 supplied M1 Abrams have been lost, primarily due to drone and mine attacks. This has led to a tactical reset, with Ukraine pulling back Abrams from frontline operations to reassess and adapt their usage in the face of ubiquitous unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
According to AP, citing Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Admiral Christopher Grady and other unnamed defense officials, the losses have led Ukraine to pull back Abrams from frontline operations to “reset tactics.”
“When you think about the way the fight has evolved, massed armor in an environment where unmanned aerial systems are ubiquitous can be at risk,” Grady said, adding “We’ll work with our Ukrainian partners, and other partners on the ground, to help them think through how they might use that, in that kind of changed environment now, where everything is seen immediately.”
Full article: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/05/24/m1-abrams-gets-slavic-makeover/
@AtlasNewsTelegram
Recent photos reveal a #Ukraine-operated M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) outfitted with a combination of #American M-19 Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT) and #Russian Kontakt-1 Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks, along with a counter-drone “cope cage” around its turret. This unique combination of armor modifications has never been seen before on American-made tanks in Ukraine and highlights the need to adapt to drone warfare, especially following recent losses of Abrams tanks on the battlefield.
The emergence of these modified Abrams tanks underscores the rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare, particularly the significant threat posed by drones and loitering munitions. The adaptations seen on these tanks are a direct response to the increased vulnerability of traditional armored vehicles in the face of advanced aerial threats.
The losses of Abrams tanks in Ukraine, particularly around the Avdiivka frontline, have prompted a reevaluation of their deployment and tactics. According to reports, at least eight of the 31 supplied M1 Abrams have been lost, primarily due to drone and mine attacks. This has led to a tactical reset, with Ukraine pulling back Abrams from frontline operations to reassess and adapt their usage in the face of ubiquitous unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
According to AP, citing Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Admiral Christopher Grady and other unnamed defense officials, the losses have led Ukraine to pull back Abrams from frontline operations to “reset tactics.”
“When you think about the way the fight has evolved, massed armor in an environment where unmanned aerial systems are ubiquitous can be at risk,” Grady said, adding “We’ll work with our Ukrainian partners, and other partners on the ground, to help them think through how they might use that, in that kind of changed environment now, where everything is seen immediately.”
Full article: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/05/24/m1-abrams-gets-slavic-makeover/
@AtlasNewsTelegram
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🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇷🇺 The #Biden administration has given #Ukraine the green light to carry out strikes inside of #Russia using #American-supplied weapons, but only in border areas along the new #Kharkiv front, Politico has reported citing an unnamed #UnitedStates official and two other people familiar with the matter. Blinken confirmed this after.
Up until now, Ukraine could only use American weapons to strike Russian forces inside of Ukraine. The decision, if confirmed, would mark a major policy turning point as several other nations push to allow for western-supplied to be used to strike Russian targets over the border, such as logistic hubs, weapon depots, and staging areas.
The official cited by Politico did stress, however, that the U.S. policy on not allowing Ukraine to use American weapons for strategic long-range strikes deep into Russia has not changed at this time. Via theatlasnews.co @AtlasNewsTelegram
Up until now, Ukraine could only use American weapons to strike Russian forces inside of Ukraine. The decision, if confirmed, would mark a major policy turning point as several other nations push to allow for western-supplied to be used to strike Russian targets over the border, such as logistic hubs, weapon depots, and staging areas.
The official cited by Politico did stress, however, that the U.S. policy on not allowing Ukraine to use American weapons for strategic long-range strikes deep into Russia has not changed at this time. Via theatlasnews.co @AtlasNewsTelegram