WASHINGTON (AA) – The Pentagon announced Monday that detainee Ridah Bin Saleh Al-Yazidi was repatriated from Guantanamo Bay to Tunisia. “Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi (ISN 038) was determined transfer-eligible by a rigorous interagency review process established by 2009 Executive Order 13492,” it said in a statement. Al-Yazidi, 5...
WASHINGTON (AA) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the US largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has condemned the Pentagon for misleading the public about the number of US troops deployed in Syria. “The Pentagon’s admission that 2,000 U.S. troops have been secretly operating in Syria is stunning. T...
WASHINGTON (AA) – The Pentagon has said that there are 2,000 US troops in Syria, more than double the number it had previously acknowledged. Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that in addition to the 900 troops that were deployed to Syria on a longer-term basis to aid in counter-ISIS operations, 1,100 others were sent […]
WASHINGTON (AA) – The situation in Syria is “fragile” and talks with Türkiye are continuing, the Pentagon said Tuesday, amid ongoing tensions over US support for the SDF. Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said communication with Türkiye is focused on “the situation in Syria writ large,” including efforts “...
WASHINGTON (AA) – The Pentagon announced Tuesday the repatriation of Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu from Guantanamo Bay to Kenya. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin notified Congress of his intent to repatriate Bajabu last month. “On Dec. 27, 2021, the Periodic Review Board (PRB) process determined that continued law of war detention of Moha...
The U.S. House has passed the $883.7 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2025, despite the Pentagon’s seventh consecutive audit failure. Critics, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and several House Democrats, condemned the massive military spending, arguing it benefits defense contractors while ignoring pressing domestic issues. ...
WASHINGTON (AA) – The US military is ready to carry out “all lawful orders” of the incoming administration of President Donald Trump, the Pentagon said. In a message to the military, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that the Pentagon will make a “calm, orderly and professional transition” to the next commander in chi...
WASHINGTON (AA) – The White House said Thursday that the outgoing Biden administration will prioritize keeping the government open until President-elect Donald Trump assumes office. Spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said the current administration will continue to deliver assistance for communities affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton a...
WASHINGTON (AA) – The killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israel presents an opportunity to end a “terrible war” in the Gaza Strip, the US defense chief said Thursday. “Sinwar’s death also provides an extraordinary opportunity to achieve a lasting cease-fire, end this terrible war, allow Israelis to return saf...
WASHINGTON (AA) – The US forces were “not directly involved” in Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the Pentagon said on Thursday. “This was an Israeli operation. US forces were not directly involved,” Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters. His remarks came after the Israeli army ...
