Day: October 14, 2024

According to NATO, around 2,000 military personnel will participate in the Steadfast Noon exercises, operating from eight air bases across Europe.

Over the next two weeks, training will be conducted at air bases in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as over the North Sea, in the airspace of the United Kingdom and Denmark.

The exercises will involve more than 60 aircraft from 13 NATO countries, including modern fighter jets capable of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs stored in Europe, long-range bombers, surveillance planes, and refueling aircraft.

“Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of Allied security,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said. “Steadfast Noon is an important test of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent and sends a clear message to any adversary that NATO will protect and defend all Allies.”

NATO’s nuclear exercise is a routine and recurring training activity that happens every October. Steadfast Noon involves 2,000 military personnel from eight airbases and a variety of aircraft types, including nuclear-capable jets, bombers, fighter escorts, refuelling aircraft and planes capable of reconnaissance and electronic warfare. This year’s exercise involves flights mainly over host countries Belgium and the Netherlands and in airspace over Denmark, the United Kingdom and the North Sea. Planning for the exercise began a year ago and thirteen Allies will send aircraft to take part in the drills.

🚨Update: Moscow on notice!! Massive NATO nuclear exercise launches on Monday in Central Europe, in preparation for war with Russia!! pic.twitter.com/aleNOBUNNl

— US Civil Defense News (@CaptCoronado) October 14, 2024

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North Korea is getting ready to blow up roads that cross the heavily militarised border with South Korea, Seoul said on Monday, amid an escalating war of words after the North accused its rival of sending drones over its capital Pyongyang.

North Korean troops were working under camouflage on the roads on their side of the border near the west and east coasts that are likely preparations to blow up the roads, possibly as early as on Monday, South Korea’s military spokesman said.

Kim announced a major policy shift last year, when he redefined the South as a hostile state rather than a temporarily occupied part of Korea. In practical terms, this means that Pyongyang no longer seeks unification of the nation, which was divided after the 1950s civil war and a US-led international intervention.

Last week, Pyongyang accused Seoul of sending drones into its airspace and warned that its military was preparing to open fire if a similar incident happens again. The robotic aircraft reportedly dropped propaganda leaflets on three separate occasions this month, including Friday.

BREAKING:

Korea JoongAng Daily: Kim Jong-un orders artillery units in DMZ area to be on full alert

Eight artillery brigades have received the order. The order comes amid rising tensions with South Korea. pic.twitter.com/5u0WZtbwP6

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 13, 2024

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The exercises will practice assaults against targets on the island, as well as blocking key ports and areas, according to the PLA

Beijing has launched joint army, navy, air force, and rocket force exercises around the island of Taiwan, a military spokesperson announced on Monday.

The combined drills will test the Chinese forces’ joint capabilities and serve as a warning to Taiwanese separatist forces on the island, Senior Captain Li Xi, a spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, said.

“On October 14, the PLA Eastern Theater Command is dispatching its army, navy, air force, and rocket force troops to conduct joint military drills code-named ‘Joint Sword-2024B’ in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south, and east of Taiwan Island,” Li announced.

Earlier in the day, China began the Joint Sword-2024B military drills around Taiwan to practice jointly assaulting, blocking and taking control of key ports and areas of the island, according to spokesman for the PLA Eastern Theatre Command Li Xi.

Update:

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has convened a national security meeting in response to large-scale drills by Beijing’s forces around the self-governing island.

In a statement on Monday, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo said that the Taiwanese military was “fully monitoring” Beijing’s exercises, adding that Taipei remains committed to “maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.”

“China should face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China [Taiwan] and respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a democratic and free way of life,” she said, vowing that the island would “continue to defend the free and democratic constitutional system” in the face of “external threats.”

🚨 **BREAKING: Chinese Military Surrounds Taiwan, North Korea Mobilizes**

Reports indicate that the Chinese military has fully surrounded Taiwan, intensifying fears of an impending conflict. In a parallel development, North Korea has mobilized its forces, raising tensions… pic.twitter.com/TRt6Pf37kQ

— 𝕏 (@AlertChannel) October 14, 2024

China’s military has started a new round of war games with ships and aircraft operating near Taiwan. Beijing said that the wargames were aimed at sending a “stern warning” to “separatist” forces on the self-ruled island.

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