Global Conflict Reporting

Tag: News

  • Iran and United States send threats over Iranian nuclear capabilities.

    By Scott Jackson

    April 2nd, 2025

    The past couple days have seen a rise in the already complicated tensions between the United States and Iran. US president Donald Trump threatened that bombs would fly “like they have never seen” unless Iran agreed to come to negotiations regarding Irans nuclear capabilities. The threat comes as a number of B-2 Spirit long-range strategic bombers were not so quietly flown to Diego Garcia, an island strategic airbase located on the Indian Ocean.

    “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump told NBC News over the weekend, adding “it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”

    6 US Air Force B-2 “Spirit” shown here on satellite imagery taken in the last day.

    This remote airbase has long been used to station bombers for strikes into the Middle East region. The bombers arriving highlights a recent buildup of US military forces in the Middle East, mostly air and navy assets. Two US carriers were ordered to the region, the USS Harry S Truman already in the area as well as the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) which will arrive in the upcoming weeks.

    Stock image. Carrier and her strike group.

    Iran neglected to the offer of direct negotiations with the US however said they are open to indirect negotiations. While they claim to not be pursuing nuclear weapons right now, they say that if they are targeted for attack by the U.S. or Israel they would be forced to pursue nuclear weapons. They also made threats against the multiple US forces in the Middle East and furthermore claimed they would attack any base used by the Americans to attack Iran. This was likely to dissuade America’s allies from allowing America to launch attacks from their airbases. While Irans capabilities are obviously miles behind what the US can bring to a fight, that doesn’t make them completely toothless. Iran has massive stocks of missiles and drones, including ballistic missiles. One specific threat was made by an unnamed Iranian official and reported by Tehran Times. The threat was towards the Diego Garcia airbase which is around 3700km away from southern Iran. Irans longest range missile has a reported range of around 2500km meaning they would need to decrease the payload in these missiles to cut off some of the weight and extend ranges. On top of that IRGC Navy Commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri suggested on March 29 that Iran may close the Strait of Hormuz if the United States and Israel attack Iran. And of course threats have been leveled towards Israel threatening another missile attack if they were targeted.

    Trump sent a letter on March 5th to Iran that brought up the discussion of negotiations over Irans nuclear projects however president Trump also demanded that Iran curtail its missile program and stop supporting terror groups in the region (Hamas, Houthis, Hezbollah, etc). I A senior Iranian military official stated on March 29 that Iran will “never negotiate” on its missiles or the “capabilities” of the Axis of Resistance.

  • North Korea officially shows off its new Airborne Early Warning/Command and control aircraft.

    Yet unnamed North Korean AEW&C’s

    By. Scott Jackson

    March 28th, 2025

    North Korean leader Kim Jong Un revealed the country’s new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) jet at an event at Pyongyang International Airport.

    The plane is designed around the body of a Ilyushin Il-76 Candid, the same plane used for the Russian’s Beriev A-50 “Mainstay” and the Chinese Shaanxi KJ-2000 “Mainring”. The name of the new North Korean airplane has not been released as of yet.

    Russian “Mainstay “ flanked by two Russian MiG-31’s.
    Chinese “Mainring”

    One thing noticed about the North Korean version of this aircraft is that it lacks the normal amount of antenna one would usually expect in these types of planes. This could signal a lack of features found in Russian and Chinese version. Another difference, at least to the Russian Mainstay is that the radome on top does not spin. This is similar to the Chinese version. Fixed radomes like this house 3 fixed phased array radars that each cover 120 degrees of the sky for a fill 369 degrees.

    North Korean leader Kim Jung Un climbs aboard new NK AWAC’s.
    Diagram showing the degrees of coverage from the plane.

    Images of the interior of the plane were also released showing at least seven individual workstations and several flatscreens for displaying mission data. AEW&C aircraft typically have large crews for operating the radar as well covering traffic control duties for friendly aircraft and mission control for different units. The exsist acne of this plane has been known for over a year as satilite pictures were released showing the plane under construction. The Warzone has an older write up on the possible capabilities of North Korean AEW&C’s that I would like to include.

    Kim Jung Un tours the interior of the NK Airborne Early Warning & Command airplane.

    “While it’s questionable to what degree more complex battle management and command and control functions could be mastered by North Korea, and hosted aboard an AEW&C aircraft, the ability to extend airborne radar coverage over considerable distances would be a great advantage, either providing prior warning of a potential attack from South Korea and/or tracking incoming aircraft and missiles during at least the opening moments of a conflict. The data it collects could also be shared with surface-to-air missile operators to help provide extra warning to enhance their operations. More importantly, it would provide a new tool for daily surveillance of North Korean and South Korean airspace and an avenue to learn to better perfect AEW&C capabilities.”

    They went in to include.

    “Ultimately, an airborne radar, as found in an AEW&C aircraft, provides a ‘look down’ capability that can spot aircraft, cruise missiles, or drones among the ground clutter and is far less restricted by high terrain compared to ground-based radars. No such radar was previously available to North Korea.”

    “On the other hand, there are no signs that North Korea is converting more than a single Il-76 for the AEW&C mission, which means this kind of coverage would be necessarily limited.”

    A shot of the plane under construction back in 2024.
    Shot from earlier this year.

    It’s likely but unclear how much support North Korea received from China or Russia in the construction of the craft. One thought is that Russia provided help with the project in exchange for North Koreas recent aid in Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. North Korea earlier sent around 10,000 soldiers to help in Russia Kursk region and just recently it was announced that 2,000 more were being dispatched to the region.

  • Four United States soldiers disappeared for an exercise in Lithuania.

    By. Scott Jackson

    Match 27th, 2025

    An ongoing story in Europe as 4 US soldiers have gone missing during a training exercise being carried out in Pabradė, a town near the border between Lithuania and the Belorussian border. The four were all apart of 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and based at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

    A comment from the commanding general

    “I would like to personally thank the Lithuanian Armed Forces and first responders who quickly came to our aid in our search operations,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, the V Corps commanding general. “It’s this kind of teamwork and support that exemplifies the importance of our partnership and our humanity regardless of what flags we wear on our shoulders.”

    The army later put out a statement that the crews M88 Hercules armored vehicle they had last been seen in had been found submerged in a body of water and that recovery efforts were ongoing. Members of the U.S. army as well as the Lithuanian army are working to recover the vehicle with the help of civilian agencies.

    It’s very likely that the crew was in the vehicle when it was submerged as they probably would have showed up by now. The army would understandably want to notify the families and recover the body’s before any announcement is made.

    Our thoughts are with the families and those who knew them.

  • US Pentagon orders second Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East.

    By. Scott Jackson

    March 23rd, 2025

    The U.S. Department of Defense has ordered the USS Carl Vinson(CVN-70) to the Middle East after its current deployment ends. All this is with the backdrop of a nonstop U.S. offensive on Iranian backed Houthi terrorist in Western Yemen,ongoing for over a week.

    USS Carl Vinson Transitions the Philippines Sea Jan. 2 2022.

    Currently the USS Carl Vinson along with her CSG have been assigned to the 7th fleet in the East Asia region but will leave for the Middle East soon. The CSG is expected to take two-three weeks to arrive when it will join the USS Harry S. Truman already in the region. The Truman has been carrying out daily strikes on Houthi targets. Truman’s deployment was scheduled to end soon but was extended at least a month, possibly longer.

    Recent footage showing operations from the USS Harry S Truman Strike group as they carry out strikes against the Houthis.

    The USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is at last sighting made up of Ticonderoga-Class Guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59)as well as the Arleigh Burke-Class Guided Missile Destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114).

    Makeup of the Carl Vinsons Air Wing.

    The USS Carl Vinson was the Navy’s test bed for integrating 5th generation fighter jets into the Carrier Air wing. Specifically adding F-35C’s Lightning II which are capable of being launched from the Carrier. The F-35’s are a great addition to the fleet, adding an impressive Multi-Mission capable airframe to an already dominant group of war fighting planes. The officers of the Carl Vinson noted that the F-35 paired really well with the electronic attack capabilities of the EA-18G Growler. Using them together in combined operations made for a hard to beat team, heavy jamming and EW mixed with the amazing stealth of the F-35.

  • Yemen and Iran vow to escalate after U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.

    Yemen and Iran vow to escalate after U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.

    By. Scott Jackson

    March 16, 2025

    Last night the U.S. launched a wave of airstrikes across Houthi controlled territory in Yemen. Videos released by US Central Command social media showed F/A-18 Super Hornets launched from the USS Harry S. Truman carrying a number of munitions, mostly Joint Standoff Weapons or JSOW’s, a glide bomb capable of being launched outside of the range of standard air defenses. Also involved in the attack on Houthi positions was the USS Gettysburg (CG-64), a Ticonderoga-Class Guided missile cruiser and apart of the USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group. An unidentified destroyer also took part in the attack.

    The Houthis, showing solidarity with Hamas during their war with Israel started attacking any shipping in the Red Sea with connections to the US, Israel or their allies. While the U.S. navy was sent to defend Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea, two ships were sunk and more received damage with over a hundred ships being targeted. Hundreds of drones and missiles were shot down and 2 sailers were killed. These attacks stopped once the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has been signed but the Houthis threatened to start again, earlier this week.

    Video shows the USS Gettysburg (CG-64) and an unidentified Arleigh Burke Guided Missile Destroyer launching a TLAM (Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missile) during last nights attack. Right now there are 3 Arleigh Burke’s in the CENTCOM area and it could be any of the 3. The USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), the USS Stout (DDG-55), and the USS Sullivan (DDG-68).

    The U.S. and UK previously struck Yemen during the last U.S. administration, however this strike was carried out by the U.S. military alone. It is the Trump Administrations first strike against the Houthis. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made sure to point out that these strikes were not one off retaliation strikes as carried out by the last administration.

    We’re not going to have these people controlling which ships can go through and which ones cannot, and so your question is, How long will this go on? It will go on until they no longer have the capacity to do that.

    Secretaey of State Marco Rubio.

    Video shows a strike on a target in Houthi territory.

    Last nights attacks were reported to have struck neighborhoods in Sanaa’s northern Shouab district and at least 4 strikes on the Eastern Geraf neighborhood that holds the Houthi headquarters for its political bureau as well as other military facilities.

    Other strikes were reported in the southwestern Dhamar providence and the capital of the area, also called Dhamar. No specific target is known in that region.

    Irans response to the strikes was a statement from foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, who posted on Twitter and urged the U.S. tj stop its airstrikes, and said that Washington could not dictate Iran’s foreign policy. An Iranian General, Hossein Salami denied that Iran was backing the rebel group. Iranian weapons shipments have been coming into Yemen for sometime, the Houthis would not survive without financial and military help from Iran.

    After reaching out to The Navy as well as CENTCOM’s press office the only response I received so far was from the navy who referred me to several social media post and directed me to contact CENTCOM, who has yet to respond to my inquiries. This was the response even the larger media company’s were receiving so no surprise there. Mainly I’m interested in post strike assessment as well as what was targeted specifically. I assume missile and drone production and storage but there is really no way to know as the Houthis aren’t saying. When I know more, so will you.

  • US targets Houthi territory in Yemen with wave of airstrikes.

    US targets Houthi territory in Yemen with wave of airstrikes.

    By. Scott Jackson

    March 15, 2025

    The U.S. has launch a wave of airstrikes on the Houthi sites in Yemen with confirmation that at least some of the strikes struck in Sanaa.

    “Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom,”

    US President Donald Trump during the strike. He also said,

    “Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft, and targeted our troops and Allies. ”

    And..

    “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.”

    While Houthi attacks in international shipping had stopped since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas todays attack is in response to a statement put out by the Houthis two days ago saying that any Israeli or U.S. linked ship that came close to Yemen would be attacked in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Houthi spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e said on Twitter that the Houthi threat to attack these ships would be in place until Israel resumed Gaza crossings, as well as aid delivery’s into the region.

    Houthi militants had spent over a year, since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 7th, 2023 attacking any ship with (and some without) any link to Israel and the U.S. with several ships being damaged by anti-ship ballistic missile or drone attacks. The U.S., in response, deployed several CSG’s (Carrier Strike Groups) into the region to counter this Houthi threat. US carrier aircraft conducted a number of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Currently the Harry S. Truman is deployed to the area, having resumed her deployment after some repairs from an accident that occurred in the Suez.

    A Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile. The Houthis were the first to fire an ASBM in anger.

    This video shows the strikers launching from the USS Harry S. Truman. A mix of F/A-18 Super Hornets for air cover as well as for the actual strike task. These are accompanied by growlers who will cover all electronic warfare and jamming.

    Cue up “Danger Zone”

    This short video shows the strike on Sanaa. Houthi sources claim 13 killed and another 9 wounded. They also report an additional strike north of Sanaa near the border near Saudi Arabia.

    U.S. President Trump issued a direct warning to Iran for their support to the Houthis, promising to hold them “fully accountable” for the actions of the Houthis, Irans proxy. This comes two weeks after a letter was sent from the U.S. to Iran offering a path to restarting bilateral talks.

  • Moscow report 69 drones shot down in massive Ukrainian drone wave attack (Videos)

    Moscow report 69 drones shot down in massive Ukrainian drone wave attack (Videos)

    By. Scott Jackson

    March 11th, 2025

    Early on Tuesday morning Ukraine targeted the Moscow region with its largest drone attack on the Russian capital since the start of the war, damaging high rise buildings and leaving at least 2 dead and 20 wounded including several children. Additionally, air traffic at all 4 of Moscow’s airport and the city’s train system was suspended and delayed.

    The drones approved the city in several waves according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin who put out a statement to local and international media.

    I‘ve added some videos of the attack taken by locals and local news.

    The scene from around the city as hundreds of drones attack Moscow and the regions around it.

    All of this comes after Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s failed meeting with US president Donald Trump in which the two plus the Bice President JD Vance argued on live tv about the state of the war. After that meeting all US aid shipments to Ukraine were canceled along with all US supplied intel. The cancelation of the intel and supplies has been reversed but not before Russia made large gains taking back dozens of settlements that were held by Ukraine for months inside of Kursk. Tomorrow I’m going to do an overall update on the date of the war in Ukraine on all fronts, so stay tuned for that.

  • Cargo vessel collided with a Tanker in the North Sea.

    By.Scott jackson

    March 10, 2025

    U.S. flagged tanker M/V Stena Immaculate, which had been chartered out by U.S. military Sealift command to carry around 220,000 barrels of Jet fuel for the U.S. military according to a spokesperson for the command. The ship was at anchor off the coast of England near Hull and Leeds when a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship Solong collided with the tanker. The incident sparked a massive fire in both ships as the Jet A1 fuel carried by Stena Immaculate ignited. Maritime tracking data confirms that the Solong failed to slow down or maneuver before the impact. An investigation will reveal more details but will take days or weeks to complete.

    Photo from nearby as fire tugs attempt to fight the blaze from the Jet fuel.

    A distress call was made by crew from the Stena Immaculate explaining what had happed and asking for ships with fire fighting equipment for assistance. The call also warned that the crew was evacuating. As of the last update from the scene 39 crew from the ships had been rescued, with most being hospitalized, all but one have since been released.

    A look at the final position of both ships from Maritime Traffic data.

    While jet fuel leaking into the coast of England and the North Sea might seem like a big deal(and it is) jet fuel will evaporate quickly and what doesn’t will be degraded rather quickly. The other problem is the cargo being carried by the Solong. Sodium Cyanide also known as cyanide salt has several industrial uses like extracting gold and metal from ores and being used in fumigation of ships and warehouses. However it’s highly toxic to animals and humans and can cause death rapidly.

    Data showing the hours leading up to and the accident as well as the accident on maritime traffic.

  • US helicopter crashes in Honduras.

    By.Scott Jackson

    March 6th,2025

    A US Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk operated by the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment under Joint Task Force-Bravo crashed in Honduras on Wednesday.

    I reached out to US SOUTHCOM for any info they could give me and received this via email.

    Pilots flying a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter made a precautionary emergency landing approximately five miles east of Soto Cano Air Base at 9:34 a.m. Wednesday.  All five crew members were evaluated by medical personnel, and no significant injuries have been reported. The aircrew was performing routine training in the area. An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the incident. The aircraft and aircrew are assigned to 1-228th Aviation Regiment out of Soto Cano Air Base near Comayagua, Honduras.

    Steven Mcloud (SOUTHCOM Media relations officer)

    The crashed Sikorsky Uh-60 Blackhawk.

    The Blackhawk received significant damage on impact appearing to have snapped its tail off. The fuselage appears mostly intact, likely saving the crews life, although injuries were initially reported. Those injuries haven’t been confirmed but were reported by other outlets who spoke with Carlos Padilla, head of Air Navigation at the Honduran Civil Aeronautics Agency (AHAC).

    Before the crash the crew had declared an emergency Mayday distress signal according to AHAC.

    Video of the aftermath of the crash.

    The military will conduct its investigation and depending on the findings will release its report sometime in the future. Whether this crash was mechanical or pilot error is yet to be determined.

  • South Korean fighter jet accidentally drops bombs on South Korean town.

    South Korean fighter jet accidentally drops bombs on South Korean town.

    By. Scott Jackson

    03/06/2025

    At 10:04am local time, Thursday, during a training exercise, a South Korean fighter jet, a KIA KF-16 dropped 8 bombs on the town of Pocheon in South Korea, near the border with North Korea.

    Some of the damage shown as well as a quick snap of the aftermath of the explosion.

    While only one of the bombs is thought to explode the damage destroyed a church and several other buildings. Thankfully although a reported 7 that were injured, some in critical condition and were hospitalized, there were no fatalities. All injured remained conscious, many involved had bone fractures and breaks and one man caught shrapnel in his neck while driving.

    A South Korean Air Force official said ” Our KF-16, abnormally dropped 8 shells of MK-82 bombs, it landed outside of firing range.” The Air Force continued that they would be investigating the incident and apologized for the damage cause.

    Korean KF-16 the licensed South Korean version of the F-16.
    MK-82

    Rumors were pretty heavy across social media last night, most people were trying to push a narrative that the U.S. accidentally bombed a South Korean town which isn’t true. The U.S. and South Korea havent trained together yet since the new presidential administration and will be conducting their first drills on March 10-20 as reported several days ago by AP. Ever since twitter did away with the old way it used to do verifications, you very often will see supposedly verified blue check mark accounts, lying for clicks. Just something to be aware of.