- Pentagon releases classified strategy for countering drones
December 6, 2024
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has signed a classified strategy that aims to create a unified and comprehensive approach across the Defense Department to countering drones, an acknowledgment of the systems’ growing impact on modern warfare. While the strategy’s details will remain classified, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Thursday that the document focuses ...
- Children at Risk: The Dangerous Impacts of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas
December 6, 2024
Conflicts across the globe illustrate the devastating humanitarian consequences when urban areas become theatres of war. The use of explosive weapons in these environments carries numerous implications for civilians, including children. What is being done at the international level, and what further action can states take? With many contemporary armed conflicts occurring in populated areas, weapons ...
- Sweden jails 3 over explosives planted at Israeli defense firm
December 5, 2024
A Swedish court on Thursday jailed three men for planting explosives outside an Israeli military technology firm in Gothenburg in June, the ruling said. Two insulated flasks packed with plastic explosives were found outside the offices of Elbit Systems, known for its unmanned aerial systems, in Sweden’s second-largest city on June 4. The national bomb squad ...
- Czechs have raised over €8 million for drones for Ukraine in one year
December 5, 2024
The Czech initiative to raise funds for the purchase of drones for the Ukrainian military has raised more than CZK 203 million (over €8 million) to date. Skupina D, an organisation that organises a fundraiser called Drone Nemesis, on Thursday, as reported by European Pravda, citing Radio Prague International. The organisation also introduced a new project ...
- Pakistan: Levies officer’s vehicle damaged in Qila Abdullah explosion
December 5, 2024
The vehicle of a senior Levies officer was attacked in an explosion in Qila Abdullah Bazaar, on Wednesday. Officials said that an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted close to a senior Levies officer’s vehicle, parked in front of Nadra office, and detonated it with a remote control. The vehicle was badly damaged in the powerful ...
- Chinese Vessel Hijacked off Somalia
December 5, 2024
Armed men, suspected to be pirates, have hijacked a Chinese fishing vessel off the northeast coast of Puntland, Somalia. At least 18 crew members were onboard at the time of the hijacking. The European Union’s anti-piracy naval force confirmed that the vessel is now under the control of the pirates, who are armed with AK-47s and ...
- Demining Ukraine’s Farmland: Progress, Adaptation, and Needs
December 5, 2024
More than one thousand days into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination on Ukrainian farmland remains a complex and pervasive challenge for Ukraine’s farmers and government, its allies, and the global mine action community. Yet progress, both in survey and clearance operations and in coordinating support among Ukraine’s partners, ...
- Nigeria: Lakurawa terrorist group responsible for Zamfara explosion
December 5, 2024
The Zamfara State Police Command has identified members of the Lakurawa terrorist group as responsible for the deadly explosion that occurred on the Gusau-Dansadau road in Maru Local Government Area. The incident occurred under a bridge along the Gusau-Dansadau road, sparking widespread speculation that the explosive device was planted by suspected bandits. However, Dalijan stated that ...
- Syrian rebels enter Hama, pushing army from key city
December 5, 2024
Syrian rebels ousted pro-government forces from Hama on Thursday, bringing the insurgents a major new victory after a lightning advance across northern Syria and dealing a new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies. The Syrian army said it was redeploying outside the city “to preserve civilians lives and prevent urban combat” ...
- INTERPOL: More than 28,000 kg of explosives, 3,400 IEDs seized in South America
December 5, 2024
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – An operation in South America has resulted in the seizure of more than 28,000kg of explosive materials, 3,400 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and thousands of other components used in their manufacture. Operation Claymore (11 August – 11 October 2024) brought together law enforcement from nine countries to target the theft, smuggling and ...
- UK Government support for the explosive ordnance disposal community
December 4, 2024
A debate on UK Government support for the explosive ordnance disposal community is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 11 December 2024. The debate will be opened by Helen Maguire MP. Read more… Source: House of Commons Library Sign up for Counter-IED Report Newsletter Related:
- DR Congo: Unknown flu-like disease kills at least 79 people
December 4, 2024
At least 79 people have died from an unknown disease that is causing flu-like symptoms in south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministry says. The health ministry says the majority of people who have died are between the ages of 15 and 18. More than 300 people have been infected with patients exhibiting symptoms like ...
- UNIFIL and UNMAS hail partnership in demining in south Lebanon
December 4, 2024
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) today highlighted the achievements realized together in south Lebanon while vowing to continue the dangerous but life-saving undertaking of clearing landmines. UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Michael Beary hailed mine action activities conducted jointly with UNMAS and ...
- Somalia: At least three people killed in blast and shooting attacks
December 3, 2024
At least two people were killed and several others wounded on Tuesday in a bomb attack on a small café in Afgoye town, about 30 km south of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Hassan Ismail, a witness, said an explosive device, believed to be remotely controlled, was hidden inside the tea shop, which is frequently visited by ...
- Texas: Man found with bombs in White Settlement planned to attack church
December 3, 2024
The man detained in White Settlement last week after police found explosives in his vehicle told authorities he was planning to attack a North Texas church, according to a report obtained by the Dallas Morning News. White Settlement police called for Fort Worth bomb squad crews after finding improvised explosive devices, guns and ammunition in the ...
- Ireland: Discovery of suspected pipe bombs linked to violent gang feud in West Dublin
December 3, 2024
Gardaí suspect the discovery of suspected pipe bombs in West Dublin may be linked to a violent feud between gangs in the north Clondalkin area. Ballyfermot Garda Station had to be cleared on Monday when a man walked into the reception area and told a garda at the counter he had discovered a bag containing the ...
- UK: Unexploded ordnance made safe in Portsmouth
December 3, 2024
A piece of unexploded ordnance that led to buildings along a seafront being evacuated has been safely removed. Cordons were put in place in the Pier Road area of in Southsea after police were called at 09:37 GMT. A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said Blue Reef Aquarium, the D-Day Museum, Clarence Pier ...
- Pakistan: Two security personnel injured in Noshki attack
December 3, 2024
Two security personnel were injured in an armed attack by unknown assailants at the gate of a security forces’ camp in Noshki on Monday. In response, the security forces immediately returned fire. A search operation has been launched by the security forces to apprehend the attackers. Security officials thwarted a terror attempt in Gwadar district. Acting ...
- US says it carried out strike against ‘imminent threat’ in Syria
December 3, 2024
The Pentagon has confirmed that the United States carried out a strike against military assets in eastern Syria after a rocket attack near one of its bases. Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder told reporters on Tuesday that the US military struck weapons systems — including rocket launchers and a tank — that “presented a clear and imminent ...
- Japan steps up WWII bomb disposal after recent discoveries near airfields, ports
December 3, 2024
Japanese divers working magnetic surveys for the government at two sites on Okinawa discovered 20 pieces of unexploded ordnance believed to be left over from World War II. Most recently, divers found a 5-inch shell on Nov. 26 in 52-foot waters where the Naha Military Port replacement facility is expected to be built, a spokesman with ...
- US to Send $750M in Anti-Drone Systems and Mines to Ukraine
December 2, 2024
The United States is preparing a new $725 million military aid package for Ukraine, a move intended to propel Kyiv as Russia earmarks 32 percent of its 2025 budget on defense. The assistance includes counter-drone systems, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and antipersonnel land mines, according to U.S. officials who spoke on the ...
- Ukraine has over 4,000 bomb disposal experts and almost 70 mine action operators
December 2, 2024
The Ukrainian government has reported that the number of certified mine action operators in Ukraine has now reached almost 70, while the number of bomb disposal experts has exceeded 4,000. Moreover, more than 150 pieces of specialised mine action vehicles are in operation in Ukraine. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko at the ...
- India: In a first, forces come across ‘HE bomb’ in Chhattisgarh
December 2, 2024
In a first, security forces conducting an anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Sunday unearthed a powerful ‘HE bomb’, which was planted alongside an improvised explosive device (IED), allegedly by members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). During the operation, conducted by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the bomb detection and disposal ...
- An autonomous microbial sensor enables long-term detection of TNT explosive in natural soil
December 2, 2024
Engineered microbes can sense target chemicals and respond with programmed actions, using cell sensors to detect specific chemicals and genetic circuits to convert regulatory signals into observable outcomes1,2,3. Microbial sensors have the potential to carry out autonomous, long-term environmental monitoring inside complex environments, such as soil systems or the human gut, without the need for ...
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