Military news

• What the explosive testimony of a minister reveals about Britain’s war in Afghanistan – and its rogue special forces | Frank Ledwidge

  12-03-2024 14:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The probe into 80 alleged SAS killings heard evidence from Johnny Mercer and highlighted the urgent need for oversightThe Afghanistan inquiry is getting into gear at the Royal Courts of Justice. Led by the judge Charles Haddon-Cave, this public inquiry was convened to investigate about 80 killings allegedly committed by the SAS in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. Proceedings took a dramatic turn last month when the minister for veterans’ affairs, Johnny Mercer, gave evidence.It was aston
  
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• British army unsure if injured runaway horses will return to duties

  27-04-2024 14:30 via theguardian.com
  
  Vida and Quaker from the Household Cavalry are recovering from surgery after four horses broke loose in LondonThe army has said it is too early to know for sure if two military horses that suffered serious injuries after running loose through London will return to duties.Seven horses and six soldiers from the Household Cavalry were on an extended exercise in Belgravia on Wednesday when the horses were spooked by builders moving rubble. Continue reading...
  
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• Fresh inquest recommended into 1971 McGurk’s bar bombing in Belfast

  26-04-2024 16:20 via theguardian.com
  
  Attorney general decides atrocity that killed 15 people merits further scrutiny amid new evidenceNorthern Ireland’s attorney general has recommended a new inquest into a bombing by loyalist paramilitaries that killed 15 people, including two children, in Belfast in 1971.Brenda King decided the massacre at the Catholic-owned McGurk’s bar, in north Belfast, merited fresh scrutiny amid new evidence about the location of army observation posts near the atrocity. Continue reading...
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn’s call for ‘peace’ plays into the hands of anti-western dictators | Letter

  25-04-2024 19:31 via theguardian.com
  
  To support arms for Ukraine and defending Red Sea shipping is part of Labour’s anti-fascist tradition, writes Paul MasonTwo years ago in Madrid, I watched Jeremy Corbyn launch a pan-European campaign to end arms supplies to Ukraine. As he did so, a friend in the Ukrainian army sent me a photo of the machine gun that he’d been issued with: it was made in 1944. If the west had not poured billions of pounds worth of arms and ammunition into Ukraine, its people would have been massacred
  
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• Croatia gets French fighter jets in major arms purchase

  25-04-2024 18:55 via defencetalk.com
  
  DefenceTalkCroatia took delivery Thursday of six Rafale fighter jets it has bought from France in the country’s biggest arms purchase since its 1991 war of independence. The used warplanes — the first part of a 12-jet deal — touched down in the capital Zagreb, heralding a major overall of Croatia’s air force, which is replacing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/croatia-gets-french-fighter-jets-in-major-arms-purchase-80236/
  
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• China warns US military support for Taiwan increases ‘risk of conflict’

  25-04-2024 17:17 via defencetalk.com
  
  DefenceTalkChina warned on Wednesday that US military support for Taiwan only increased the “risk of conflict” along the strait, after the US Congress allocated $8 billion in military support for the island. “I’d like to emphasize that the United States and Taiwan strengthening military ties will not bring about security for Taiwan,” foreign ministry spokesman […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-warns-us-military-support-for-taiwan-increases-risk-of-conflict
  
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• UK’s first ever memorial to LGBT armed forces personnel to be built

  25-04-2024 10:09 via theguardian.com
  
  Fighting with Pride charity will lead work for memorial at National Memorial Arboretum in StaffordshireThe UK’s first memorial commemorating the “lost legion” of LGBT people who have served in the armed forces is to be built at the National Memorial Arboretum.The memorial will be built after a charity spearheading efforts to get justice for veterans affected by the pre-2000 ban on LGBT people serving in the UK armed forces was awarded a £350,000 grant. Continue reading...
  
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• Runaway horses in ‘serious condition’ after bolting through central London

  25-04-2024 09:54 via theguardian.com
  
  Animals ran through rush-hour streets, colliding with vehicles and leaving four people in hospitalTwo of the military horses that broke loose during a morning exercise and bolted through central London on Wednesday are in “serious condition”, a minister has said.The runaway horses, including one white horse drenched in blood, ran through the rush-hour streets of the capital, colliding with vehicles and resulting in four people being taken to hospital. Continue reading...
  
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• Sarah Akinterinwa on Rishi Sunak’s pledge to increase defence spending – cartoon

  24-04-2024 18:17 via theguardian.com
  
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• Four taken to hospital after military horses break loose in central London

  24-04-2024 14:34 via theguardian.com
  
  Witnesses describe ‘total mayhem’ as horses run through centre of UK capital during rush hourFour people have been taken to hospital after several military horses broke loose during a morning exercise and bolted through central London, colliding with vehicles.Astonished witnesses described “total mayhem” as the runaway horses, including one white horse drenched in blood, ran through the rush-hour streets. Continue reading...
  
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• Military horses running loose in central London caught by police

  24-04-2024 12:14 via theguardian.com
  
  Pictures and videos of riderless horses in centre of English capital shared on social mediaMilitary horses have bolted through central London after a number of the animals got loose.Army personnel and horses have been hurt and vehicles damaged when chaos broke out on Wednesday morning. Reports indicated that up to five people have been injured. Continue reading...
  
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• All Nato nations should match UK’s defence spending target, says Shapps

  24-04-2024 11:11 via theguardian.com
  
  Defence secretary says PM will make case for spending boost at Nato’s 75th anniversary summit later this yearUK politics – latest updatesAll Nato countries should boost their defence spending to 2.5% of their GDP to meet the demands of a “more dangerous world”, the UK’s defence secretary has said.Grant Shapps said the prime minister would make the case at Nato’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington DC this summer, after accepting that while the UK was the big
  
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• Rishi Sunak says increased military budget puts UK spending on 'war footing' – video

  23-04-2024 17:29 via theguardian.com
  
  Rishi Sunak has announced that UK defence spending would be boosted to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. 'Over the next six years, we’ll invest an additional £75bn in our defence. And it will be fully funded with no increase in borrowing or debt,' he said on a visit to Poland, adding that UK spending would be put on a 'war footing'UK to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, Sunak saysUK politics – latest updates Continue reading...
  
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• UK to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, Sunak says

  23-04-2024 15:47 via theguardian.com
  
  PM announces plan to increase spending to £87bn a year by 2030 on visit to PolandUK politics – latest updatesBritain will boost its defence spending to 2.5% of national output by the end of the decade, Rishi Sunak has announced on a visit to Poland, as he warned the UK had to be equipped to meet the challenges of an increasingly dangerous world.The prime minister’s plan, under which the UK would steadily increase defence spending to £87bn a year by 2030, comes after month
  
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• Rishi Sunak promises UK’s largest ever military support package for Ukraine

  22-04-2024 23:30 via theguardian.com
  
  PM pledges equipment including 400 vehicles, 1,600 weapons and 4m rounds of ammunition, plus £500m in fundingUkraine war – live updatesRishi Sunak has promised the UK’s largest ever military support package for Ukraine as he warned that Vladimir Putin would “not stop at the Polish border” if Russia won the war.The prime minister will visit Poland on Tuesday to discuss European security and the threat from Russia with the Polish leader, Donald Tusk, and the Nato secr
  
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• Global defence budget jumps to record high of $2440bn

  22-04-2024 01:01 via theguardian.com
  
  For the first time, government military spending increased in all five geographical regions, Sipri thinktank findsGlobal military expenditure has reached a record high of $2440bn (£1970bn) after the largest annual rise in government spending on arms in over a decade, according to a report.The 6.8% increase between 2022 and 2023 was the steepest since 2009, pushing spending to the highest recorded by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) in its 60-year history. Contin
  
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• Bloody Sunday: families decry move not to prosecute 15 ex-soldiers for perjury

  19-04-2024 17:35 via theguardian.com
  
  Decision extinguishes one of few remaining hopes of legal action over killing of 13 civil rights demonstrators in Derry in 1972Relatives of Bloody Sunday victims have condemned a decision not to prosecute 15 former soldiers for perjury, calling it an affront to the rule of law.Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) on Friday announced the 15 army veterans plus a former alleged member of the Official IRA would not face prosecution for allegedly giving false evidence to the Bloo
  
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• Bloody Sunday families decry decision not to prosecute 15 veterans for perjury

  19-04-2024 17:35 via theguardian.com
  
  Move extinguishes one of the last hopes of legal action over killing of 13 civil rights demonstrators in Derry in 1972Relatives of Bloody Sunday victims have condemned a decision not to prosecute 15 former soldiers for perjury, calling it an affront to the rule of law.Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) on Friday announced the 15 army veterans plus a former alleged member of the Official IRA would not face prosecution for allegedly giving false evidence to the Bloody Sunday
  
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• UK aims to boost economic defences against security risks

  18-04-2024 17:25 via defencetalk.com
  
  DefenceTalkBritain must strengthen its defences against economic security risks amplified by globalization, especially those emanating from China, Iran and Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden warned Thursday. Businesses and universities are “vulnerable” because of the opening up of the global economy, Dowden said in a speech to the Chatham House international affairs think-tank in London. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-aims-to-boost-economic-defences-against-securit
  
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• Russian ‘cyber sabotage’ a global threat: security firm

  18-04-2024 17:21 via defencetalk.com
  
  DefenceTalkA cyber group with links to Russian military intelligence is set to become a significant global threat after playing an increasing critical role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a leading cybersecurity firm warned Wednesday. Google-owned Mandiant said in a report that it is seeing nefarious operations by the group referred to as “Sandworm” in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-cyber-sabotage-a-global-threat-security-firm-80222/
  
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• NASA chief warns of Chinese military presence in space

  18-04-2024 17:19 via defencetalk.com
  DefenceTalkChina is bolstering its space capabilities and is using its civilian program to mask its military objectives, the head of the US space agency NASA said Wednesday, warning that Washington must remain vigilant. “China has made extraordinary strides especially in the last 10 years, but they are very, very secretive,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson told […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nasa-chief-warns-of-chinese-military-presence-in-space-80218/
  
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• Iran warns Israel against attacking nuclear sites

  18-04-2024 17:17 via defencetalk.com
  
  DefenceTalkA senior Revolutionary Guards general threatened on Thursday to target Israel’s “nuclear facilities” if it strikes Iranian atomic sites, state media reported, anticipating retaliation for Tehran’s unprecedented weekend attack. Israel’s military chief has vowed a response to the Iranian aerial attack, which was mostly intercepted, while world leaders have urged de-escalation. Violence involving Iran-aligned groups […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran
  
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• Russia says neutralised 20 drones, 2 missiles

  18-04-2024 17:15 via defencetalk.com
  
  DefenceTalkRussia on Thursday said it had neutralized 20 drones and two ballistic missiles in areas bordering Ukraine, including Rostov where its command headquarters for the Ukraine offensive is located. “During the night, several terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime were foiled,” the defence ministry said. It said it had neutralized 20 drones — 16 of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-says-neutralised-20-drones-2-missiles-80210/
  
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• Sunak considering exemptions to Rwanda bill for some Afghans

  17-04-2024 12:16 via theguardian.com
  
  Lords also press ministers to allow independent Rwanda monitoring as deportation bill returns to CommonsUK politics – latest updatesRishi Sunak’s government is considering concessions on the Rwanda deportation bill to allow exemptions for Afghans who served alongside UK forces, parliamentary sources say.Ministers are also being pressed to give ground to an amendment to the legislation so that the east African country could be ruled unsafe by a monitoring committee. Continue reading..
  
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• Britain has no business intervening in the war in Gaza. So why did it defend Israel against Iran? | Simon Jenkins

  16-04-2024 11:33 via theguardian.com
  
  Our leaders are too eager to revisit the UK’s one-time role as police officer to the world. This isn’t the way to do foreign affairsBritain’s use of its air force to defend Israel against Iran at the weekend was an emphatic intervention in the war in Gaza. It was more than Britain has done for Ukraine. And while the war in Ukraine does at least have implications, albeit distant, for Britain’s long-term defence, Israel’s dispute with Gaza has none. It is not Britain&
  
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• Fate of Middle East hangs in the balance as Israel mulls its next steps

  14-04-2024 06:53 via theguardian.com
  
  Joe Biden is believed to have urged restraint, and Tehran deems the matter ‘concluded’ but ultimately Israel’s response lies in the hands of three prickly rivals in its war cabinet Iran attack on Israel – live updatesFull report: Iran launches hundreds of drones and cruise missiles at Israel in unprecedented attackIran attack – what we know so farThe prospect of a major regional war in the Middle East hangs in the balance on Sunday morning, when Benjamin Netanyahu&r
  
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• Iran launches hundreds of drones and cruise missiles at Israel in unprecedented attack

  14-04-2024 04:09 via theguardian.com
  
  Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on Jewish state involved more than 200 drones and missiles, and raises the risk of a broader regional conflagrationIran launches attack against Israel – liveIran missile and drone attack on Israel – what we know so farIran launched more than 200 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night, in the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state, bringing a years-long shadow war into the open and threatening to
  
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• Iran launches drones and cruise missiles at Israel in unprecedented attack

  14-04-2024 04:09 via theguardian.com
  
  Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on Jewish state involved more than 200 drones and missiles, and raises the risk of a broader regional conflagrationIran launches attack against Israel – liveIran missile and drone attack on Israel – what we know so farIran launched more than 200 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night, in the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state, bringing a years-long shadow war into the open and threatening to
  
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• Iran missile and drone attack on Israel – what we know so far

  14-04-2024 03:35 via theguardian.com
  
  Israel’s military has reported minor damage after Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles towards it late on Saturday Iran attack on Israel – live updatesFull report: Iran launches drones and cruise missiles against IsraelIran has launched dozens of drones as well as cruise missiles towards Israel, the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state in response to the 1 April strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in the Syrian capital of Damascus which ki
  
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• US and UK forces help shoot down Iranian drones over Jordan, Syria and Iraq

  14-04-2024 02:09 via theguardian.com
  
  US defence official says action is part of ‘ironclad commitment to Israel’s security’, with UK’s Royal Air Force also involved in regional operations Iran launches attack against Israel – liveFull report: Israel under fire as Iran launches drones and cruise missilesA hastily assembled coalition including the US and UK has helped Israel shoot down Iranian drones over Jordan, Iraq and Syria in an effort to blunt the attack and prevent an uncontrollable escalation.As a
  
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