Latest news with #MichaelKurilla
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hegseth authorizes voluntary departure of military dependents from across Middle East amid rising tensions
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. military dependents from locations across the Middle East, a major move as tensions spike across the region. A U.S. defense official told Fox News on Wednesday: "The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the CENTCOM AOR." The authorization affects U.S. bases throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility, which includes key flashpoints like Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. It, however, mainly affects dependents who live in Bahrain near the U.S. Navy base. Here's How Many Us Service Members Are Spending The Holidays Away From Home Deployed Overseas Bahrain has a higher population of U.S. military dependents than other countries in the area. Read On The Fox News App No U.S. uniformed service members in the Middle East will be evacuating, two U.S. defense officials told Fox the Department of Defense (DOD) has not cited a specific threat, the move comes as Iran-backed militias increase activity and regional instability grows. A U.S. official confirmed to Fox News that the head of U.S. Central Command, General Michael Kurilla, postponed a Thursday morning testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill due to rising tensions in the Middle East. Us Forces Target Houthi Weapons Storage Facilities In Yemen Over The Weekend: Centcom "CENTCOM is working in close coordination with our Department of State counterparts, as well as our Allies and partners in the region to maintain a constant state of readiness to support any number of missions around the world at any time," the official voluntary departures aren't rare, they typically kick in when a security environment worsens. U.S. doctrine, such as JP 3‑68, explicitly provides for the voluntary departure of command-sponsored dependents at government expense whenever threats article source: Hegseth authorizes voluntary departure of military dependents from across Middle East amid rising tensions
Yemen Online
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
U.S. Central Command reveals Killing of Houthi Drone Expert in Iraq
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed the killing of a Houthi-affiliated expert in an airstrike targeting a site inside Iraqi territory, where he was reportedly working alongside members of Kataib Hezbollah and Lebanese Hezbollah to provide technical support in drone operations. The announcement came from General Michael Kurilla during a hearing before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, where he stated that the strike was carried out in April 2024 and was part of Washington's broader efforts to 'contain Iranian regional influence and prevent advanced weapons from reaching militia groups.' Kurilla emphasized that, despite receiving heavy blows, the Houthi group still poses an "active threat to international navigation" in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait. He also revealed that approximately 80% of Houthi military supplies arrive via maritime smuggling routes originating in Iran. Additionally, he disclosed the existence of a confidential agreement recently reached between the U.S. and the Houthis, in which both sides agreed to suspend attacks—maritime and aerial respectively—allowing four American destroyers to safely transit through the Red Sea. Observers note that this incident highlights the increasing level of cooperation between Iran-aligned militias in the region and reflects the expanding reach of Houthi operations beyond Yemen's borders, amid continued instability across multiple conflict zones.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pak valuable ally in terror fight: US Centcom chief Michael Kurilla
US Central Command chief praises Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts, particularly its partnership with the Taliban against ISIS in tribal areas. He highlighted Pakistan's role in the arrest and extradition of an ISIS-K planner involved in the 2021 Kabul airport attack. The General advocates for increased cooperation with Pakistan as the Taliban grapples with internal security challenges. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: In remarks that have raised eyebrows, the US Central Command chief has highlighted Pakistan's "value as a partner" in countering terrorism and made a case for increasing cooperation with the country to take on terror outfits. The General also said Pakistan has a 'phenomenal partnership' with Taliban in going after ISIS operatives in tribal areas and that the US has been providing a statement before the US Senate Committee on Armed Services, Gen Michael Kurilla said that ISIS-K remains active in tribal areas on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and that Pakistan's value as a partner will increase as the Taliban faces security challenges within its borders."The actions of our Pakistani partners that led to the arrest and extradition of Mohammad Sharifullah, the ISIS-K planner behind the 26 August 2021 suicide attack at Abbey Gate that killed 13 US service members and 160 civilians, highlights Pakistan's value as a partner in countering Central and South Asia terror external operations threats worldwide, and it will only increase as the Taliban continues to face security challenges within its borders," the officer also said that Pakistani Army Chief Gen Asim Munir called him after the arrest of the terrorist and asked him to inform the Defence Secretary and US President. Gen Kurilla has been regularly meeting Munir in the past few months"ISIS-K has been disrupted through pressure by both the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though they continue to retain a significant network and freedom of manoeuvre in the tribal areas," he remarks come as India has embarked on global efforts to showcase Pakistan as a nation that supports terrorists and uses terrorism as a tool of statecraft. India has sent seven all-party delegations on a world tour to highlight Pakistan's continued support for terror outfits.
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
US CENTCOM chief calls Pakistan ‘phenomenal partner' in ongoing fight against militancy
KARACHI: The head of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla, this week praised Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counterterrorism efforts, citing continued operations against militant groups and active intelligence-sharing between the two countries. Pakistan and the United States have a long, if at times turbulent, history of counterterrorism cooperation dating back to the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Islamabad was a key partner during the US-led war in Afghanistan, and over the years has captured and handed over numerous Al-Qaeda operatives to US authorities. In a more recent high-profile case, Pakistani officials last year arrested and extradited a Daesh militant accused of planning the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, which killed 13 American service members and more than 160 Afghan civilians during the US military withdrawal. 'They're in an active counter-terrorism fight right now and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counter-terrorism world,' Kurilla said during a testimony before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington on Tuesday. Kurilla pointed to recent Pakistani operations targeting Daesh (ISIS-Khorasan), particularly in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. 'Through a phenomenal partnership with Pakistan, they have gone after Daesh Khorasan (Daesh) killing dozens of them through a relationship we have with them providing intelligence. They have captured at least five Daesh Khorasan (Daesh) high value individuals,' he said. 'So, we are seeing Pakistan with limited intelligence that provided them go after them using their means to do that and we're seeing an effect on Daesh (Daesh).' Kurtis added that both Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban were conducting parallel operations against Daesh along the border. Kurilla also noted the close personal coordination between military leaders, recalling that Pakistan's army chief had informed him directly of a major capture. 'Field Marshal Asim Munir called me to tell me they had captured one of the Daesh-K individuals,' he said. While Pak-Us relations have often been strained by mutual mistrust — particularly over drone strikes, militant sanctuaries, and geopolitical alignment — security cooperation between the two militaries has persisted, especially in the intelligence domain. Pakistan and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to counterterrorism cooperation during a bilateral dialogue held in Washington in May. The talks focused on threats from groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh, both of which remain active in the region. Another round of counterterrorism talks is scheduled to take place later this month between Islamabad and Washington as part of broader efforts to rebuild ties and coordinate on shared security priorities. US officials have increasingly acknowledged Pakistan's role in containing regional terrorist threats, even as Islamabad faces internal challenges from a resurgent TTP and growing political and economic instability.
The Wire
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Pakistan a ‘Phenomenal Partner' in Counterterrorism, Says US Centcom Chief; Urges Strong Ties With Both India, Pakistan
New Delhi: The Commander of the United States Central Command (Centcom), General Michael Kurilla described Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world,' crediting Islamabad with a series of successful operations against ISIS-Khorasan and advocating for continued US engagement with both Pakistan and India. His comments come at a time when India has been working to persuade the international community that Pakistan remains at the centre of terrorist activity. Following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the Modi government has sent parliamentary delegations across the world to lobby with government officials, lawmakers and civil society actors to directly condemn Pakistan and push for its diplomatic isolation. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 10, Kurilla's comments were part of a wider argument that US strategy in South Asia should not be limited by zero-sum thinking. 'We have to have a relationship with Pakistan and with India,' he said. 'I do not believe it is a binary switch that we can't have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India. We should look at the merits of the relationship for the positives that it has.' 'Pakistan continues to hunt ISIS-K' These remarks came at the end of a broader response on ISIS-Khorasan, which he described as one of the most active terrorist organisations currently attempting to conduct attacks around the world, including against the US. He noted that through a 'phenomenal partnership' with Pakistan, dozens of ISIS-K fighters had been killed, and five high-value individuals had been captured, including Mohammad Sharifullah 'Jafar' , believed to be involved in the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul. '…the first person he called, (Pakistan) Chief of the Army staff (Asim) Munir was me and said, 'I've caught him. I'm willing to extradite him back to the United States. Please tell the Secretary of Defense and the President'.' In his written testimony , Kurilla further stated that 'Pakistan continues to hunt ISIS-K in their border areas, executing dozens of operations to kill and capture multiple leaders, including the mastermind of the Abbey Gate attack that claimed 13 American lives.' He also highlighted the arrest and extradition of Mohammad Sharifullah, calling it evidence of 'Pakistan's value as a partner in countering CASA terror EXOPs threats worldwide.' He added that it will 'and it will only increase as the Taliban continues to face security challenges within its borders'. During his first speech to Congress after beginning his second term , US President Donald Trump only mentioned Pakistan positively. While he criticised several countries for imposing high tariffs on US exports, he praised Pakistan for capturing and extraditing the terrorist involved in the attack that killed 13 US troops during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Following last month's military exchanges between India and Pakistan, Trump also publicly claimed credit for helping bring about a ceasefire. This statement drew irritation in New Delhi, but no strong protests, which has long opposed any third-party involvement in Kashmir. Trump has also not condemned Pakistan for the terror attack, frequently equating both New Delhi and Islamabad, and even stating that Pakistan has ' very strong leadership '. 'They are in an active counterterrorism fight right now' Despite recent success in degrading ISIS-K capabilities, Kurilla warned that the group remains a potent threat with ambitions beyond the region. 'These are the same individuals that did the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow. They did the attack in Kerman, Iran, and they've attempted other attacks,' he said. He added it continues to manoeuvre along the Afghan-Pakistan border. 'Sometimes they'll try and go back into Afghanistan. We have the means to be able to collect, but for the most part right now they're hanging out right in that border area of Pakistan,' he said. General Kurilla also referenced the heavy toll that terrorism has taken on Pakistan itself, noting that 'in the beginning of 2024, Pakistan had over 1,000 terrorist attacks in the western area, killing about 700 security [personnel] and civilians and [leaving] 2,500 wounded.' 'They are in an active counterterrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world,' he said, praising Pakistan again. His assessment stands in stark contrast to the Indian position, as articulated again by External affairs minister S Jaishankar has insisted that Operation Sindoor targeted Pakistan's terror infrastructure directly. In an interview with a Brussels-based media outlet , he was asked why India's narrative was not resonating more strongly in international circles. 'Let me remind you of something – there was a man named Osama bin Laden. Why did he, of all people, feel safe living for years in a Pakistani military town, right next to their equivalent of West Point? I want the world to understand – this isn't merely an India–Pakistan issue. It's about terrorism. And that very same terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you,' he said on Wednesday. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
