WEBVTT 00:02.019 --> 00:04.019 All right . Well , good afternoon , 00:04.019 --> 00:06.186 everyone . I have just a few things at 00:06.186 --> 00:08.186 the top and we'll get right to your 00:08.186 --> 00:10.390 questions . The Department of Defense 00:10.399 --> 00:12.455 continues to monitor developments in 00:12.455 --> 00:14.566 the Middle East on Sunday . September 00:14.566 --> 00:16.566 1st Secretary Austin spoke with his 00:16.566 --> 00:18.455 Israeli counterpart , Minister of 00:18.455 --> 00:20.677 Defense Yoav Gallant regarding Israel's 00:20.677 --> 00:22.899 recovery of the remains of six hostages 00:22.899 --> 00:25.510 in Gaza murdered by Hamas , including 00:25.520 --> 00:27.464 the 23 year old American citizen , 00:27.464 --> 00:30.139 Hirsh Goldberg . Poland . The secretary 00:30.149 --> 00:32.371 passed along his deepest condolences to 00:32.371 --> 00:34.205 the families of all of the slain 00:34.205 --> 00:36.619 hostages and he expressed outrage at 00:36.630 --> 00:38.630 their vicious , illegal and immoral 00:38.630 --> 00:41.790 execution at the hands of Hamas . The 00:41.799 --> 00:44.290 secretary affirmed that Hamas leaders 00:44.299 --> 00:46.529 must be held accountable for the murder 00:46.540 --> 00:48.880 of these innocent civilians . And 00:48.889 --> 00:51.000 Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant 00:51.000 --> 00:52.945 once again reaffirmed their mutual 00:52.945 --> 00:54.778 commitment to swiftly reaching a 00:54.778 --> 00:57.000 ceasefire deal to secure the release of 00:57.000 --> 00:59.167 all the remaining hostages . A readout 00:59.167 --> 01:01.389 of the secretary's call has been posted 01:01.389 --> 01:04.309 to defense.gov separately on September 01:04.319 --> 01:06.489 1st US , Centcom forces partnered with 01:06.500 --> 01:08.556 Syrian Democratic forces captured an 01:08.556 --> 01:10.900 Isis leader and facilitator Khaled 01:10.919 --> 01:13.489 Ahmed Al Dal who was assessed as 01:13.500 --> 01:16.349 helping Isis fighters after escape from 01:16.360 --> 01:20.139 a Raqqa detention facility in Syria Sam 01:20.550 --> 01:22.717 issued a press release with additional 01:22.717 --> 01:24.828 details . So I'll refer you to that . 01:24.828 --> 01:26.772 But the operation highlights Sam's 01:26.772 --> 01:28.717 ongoing efforts to support our SDF 01:28.717 --> 01:30.883 partners to mitigate threats of future 01:30.883 --> 01:32.849 escapes by Isis detainees from SDF 01:32.860 --> 01:35.360 detention facilities in Syria and to 01:35.370 --> 01:37.426 ensure the enduring defeat of Isis . 01:37.959 --> 01:40.292 Turning to the Red Sea on September 2nd , 01:40.292 --> 01:42.292 Iranian backed Houthis attacked two 01:42.292 --> 01:44.292 crude oil tankers transiting the vi 01:44.292 --> 01:46.419 this vital waterway . The Panama 01:46.430 --> 01:48.650 flagged and owned Greek operated motor 01:48.660 --> 01:50.827 vessel Blue Lagoon , one was struck by 01:50.827 --> 01:52.882 two anti ship ballistic missiles and 01:52.882 --> 01:54.882 the Saudi flag owned and operated a 01:54.882 --> 01:56.938 motor vessel . Amjad was struck by a 01:56.938 --> 01:59.160 one way attack on crude aerial system . 01:59.250 --> 02:01.589 This of course follows the August 21st 02:01.599 --> 02:03.766 attack of the Greek owned motor vessel 02:03.766 --> 02:05.988 Delta Union . These reckless attacks of 02:05.989 --> 02:09.229 terrorism by the Houthis continue to 02:09.240 --> 02:11.070 destabilize regional and global 02:11.080 --> 02:13.302 commerce while threatening the lives of 02:13.302 --> 02:15.413 innocent civilian Mariners as well as 02:15.413 --> 02:17.302 maritime ecosystems . Currently , 02:17.302 --> 02:19.524 private companies are examining salvage 02:19.524 --> 02:21.747 options in the Southern Red Sea for the 02:21.747 --> 02:23.969 disabled motor vessel , Delta Sen which 02:23.969 --> 02:25.913 is still on fire and threatens the 02:25.913 --> 02:27.969 possibility of a major environmental 02:27.969 --> 02:30.191 disaster . The US will continue to work 02:30.191 --> 02:32.358 with international partners and allies 02:32.358 --> 02:34.191 to protect maritime commerce and 02:34.191 --> 02:36.080 mitigate potential impacts to the 02:36.080 --> 02:38.302 environment . Despite the irresponsible 02:38.302 --> 02:40.302 and careless actions of the Iranian 02:40.302 --> 02:42.247 backed Houthis and finally looking 02:42.247 --> 02:44.358 ahead , Secretary Austin and chairman 02:44.358 --> 02:46.413 of the joint Chiefs of staff General 02:46.413 --> 02:48.580 Brown will travel to Ramstein air base 02:48.580 --> 02:50.636 in Germany on Thursday to host an in 02:50.636 --> 02:52.747 person meeting of the Ukraine defense 02:52.747 --> 02:54.858 contact group on September 6th . This 02:54.858 --> 02:57.136 will be the 24th meeting of the U DC G . 02:57.136 --> 02:59.024 Since Secretary Austin formed the 02:59.024 --> 03:01.191 international group in April of 2022 . 03:01.729 --> 03:03.785 The secretary and chairman will join 03:03.785 --> 03:05.562 ministers of defense and senior 03:05.562 --> 03:07.451 military officials from nearly 50 03:07.451 --> 03:09.562 nations to discuss the ongoing war in 03:09.562 --> 03:11.600 Ukraine and the continued close co 03:11.610 --> 03:13.388 ordination by the international 03:13.388 --> 03:15.388 community to deliver to Ukraine the 03:15.388 --> 03:17.554 support it needs to defend itself with 03:17.554 --> 03:19.388 that . I'll be glad to take your 03:19.388 --> 03:21.332 questions . We'll go to a P Tara . 03:21.332 --> 03:23.499 Thanks General Ryder . I wanted to ask 03:23.499 --> 03:25.221 about the two marines who were 03:25.221 --> 03:27.332 assaulted in Turkey if you could give 03:27.332 --> 03:29.332 us an update on their condition and 03:29.332 --> 03:31.443 speak in general about their um their 03:31.443 --> 03:33.499 reaction to the assault , not making 03:33.499 --> 03:35.721 escalating it into something bigger and 03:35.721 --> 03:35.710 what sort of impact it might have on 03:35.720 --> 03:37.609 future shore leave or future port 03:37.609 --> 03:39.831 visits in Turkey . Uh Yeah , thanks for 03:39.831 --> 03:41.998 asking the question . Uh So , first of 03:41.998 --> 03:44.331 all , uh the , the two marines are safe . 03:44.331 --> 03:46.550 Uh They were aided by other marines in 03:46.559 --> 03:49.350 the area and subsequently taken to a 03:49.360 --> 03:51.304 local hospital for evaluation as a 03:51.304 --> 03:54.179 precaution uh but were not injured . Uh 03:54.190 --> 03:56.357 And they have subsequently returned to 03:56.357 --> 03:59.029 the US S wasp . Um I can tell you that 03:59.039 --> 04:00.872 local Izmir police and the naval 04:00.872 --> 04:02.817 Criminal Investigative Service are 04:02.817 --> 04:04.983 cooperating in an investigation of the 04:04.983 --> 04:07.059 incident . Uh No marines have been 04:07.070 --> 04:08.959 detained by authorities and those 04:08.959 --> 04:10.626 involved are cooperating with 04:10.626 --> 04:13.860 investigators uh in terms of uh the 04:13.869 --> 04:16.100 reaction of the marines , uh certainly 04:16.109 --> 04:18.165 very proud of the professionalism of 04:18.165 --> 04:20.619 our service members . Uh And , and most 04:20.630 --> 04:22.920 importantly that they're safe . Uh This 04:22.929 --> 04:25.649 is clearly a troubling incident . Uh We 04:25.660 --> 04:27.660 are grateful for the support of the 04:27.660 --> 04:29.660 Turkish authorities who are looking 04:29.660 --> 04:31.604 into this and I'll , I'll leave it 04:31.604 --> 04:33.660 there . Will it have any um residual 04:33.660 --> 04:35.827 impact such as uh leave or the ability 04:35.827 --> 04:38.049 to go outside the gate at Incirlik ? Uh 04:38.049 --> 04:40.649 That's really a question for the , the 04:40.660 --> 04:43.160 local commanders and , and US U COM . 04:43.170 --> 04:45.420 Of course , every situation is judged 04:45.429 --> 04:47.559 based on its own merits . Force 04:47.570 --> 04:49.626 protection is always a consideration 04:49.626 --> 04:51.903 and any commander has the authority to , 04:51.903 --> 04:54.014 to make those kinds of decisions . Um 04:54.014 --> 04:56.070 But again , I'd refer you to that to 04:56.070 --> 04:58.292 Ucom for anything on that . Thank you . 04:58.292 --> 05:00.181 Good Iris . Um Over the weekend , 05:00.181 --> 05:02.350 Britain suspended 30 arms export 05:02.359 --> 05:04.570 licenses to Israel essentially because 05:04.579 --> 05:06.746 they couldn't certify that it would be 05:06.746 --> 05:09.299 used uh uh under International 05:09.309 --> 05:11.420 Humanitarian law . Does the secretary 05:11.420 --> 05:13.531 believe that every weapon that the US 05:13.531 --> 05:16.029 is providing to Israel um is being used 05:16.040 --> 05:17.873 uh correctly under international 05:17.873 --> 05:20.151 Humanitarian law . Yeah , thanks Idris . 05:20.151 --> 05:22.262 Um As you know , our state department 05:22.262 --> 05:24.980 has processes to look into uh those 05:24.989 --> 05:27.045 kinds of questions the same as we do 05:27.045 --> 05:30.230 for any security assistance uh that we 05:30.239 --> 05:32.239 provide to other nations around the 05:32.239 --> 05:34.350 world . Those processes are ongoing . 05:34.350 --> 05:36.910 Um As of now , uh we have not 05:36.920 --> 05:38.976 determined at this point that Israel 05:38.976 --> 05:41.198 has violated international humanitarian 05:41.198 --> 05:43.364 law . But those assessments to include 05:43.364 --> 05:45.476 those of the State Department looking 05:45.476 --> 05:48.149 at allegations are still ongoing . Just 05:48.160 --> 05:50.149 follow up , you mentioned the um I 05:50.279 --> 05:53.750 think it was the Amjad . Um the the 05:53.760 --> 05:56.589 shipping company that owns , it said it 05:56.600 --> 05:58.869 was not targeted in the Red Sea had not 05:58.880 --> 06:01.089 been hit and was continuing under its 06:01.140 --> 06:04.109 own power to its destination . So my 06:04.119 --> 06:06.440 understanding it is continuing on . Uh 06:06.450 --> 06:09.420 it still has the crew on as , as far as 06:09.429 --> 06:11.540 any uh additional questions on that , 06:11.540 --> 06:15.119 I'd refer you to sin com . Correct . 06:15.359 --> 06:17.637 But they're saying they weren't . Yeah , 06:17.637 --> 06:20.480 the information I have is factually 06:20.489 --> 06:22.656 correct as I know it . But of course , 06:22.656 --> 06:24.545 uh again , I refer you to sin for 06:24.545 --> 06:26.920 further details . Thank you Joseph . 06:26.929 --> 06:29.829 And then we'll go to Carl . Um Last 06:29.839 --> 06:32.959 week , we asked if the Israelis had 06:32.970 --> 06:35.026 informed you all ahead of their West 06:35.026 --> 06:37.081 operations in the West Bank . Um You 06:37.081 --> 06:39.248 got the department was still trying to 06:39.248 --> 06:41.414 gather more information as to what was 06:41.414 --> 06:43.526 going on or what they were doing . Do 06:43.526 --> 06:43.119 you guys have any answers or 06:43.130 --> 06:45.241 information as to what they're trying 06:45.241 --> 06:47.440 to do ? Uh Thanks Joseph . I , I don't 06:47.450 --> 06:50.170 have any uh updates provide as , as we 06:50.179 --> 06:52.579 highlighted in the readout that we put 06:52.589 --> 06:54.679 out uh between in the call between 06:54.690 --> 06:56.912 Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant . 06:56.912 --> 07:00.600 Um Secretary did convey his condolences 07:00.609 --> 07:02.720 for the three Israeli police officers 07:02.720 --> 07:04.498 that were killed in an apparent 07:04.498 --> 07:06.498 terrorist attack in the West Bank . 07:06.498 --> 07:08.553 Also , he expressed his concern over 07:08.553 --> 07:10.665 the rising tensions and the increased 07:10.665 --> 07:13.070 terrorist activity there . Um We have 07:13.079 --> 07:15.339 of course made very clear from a US 07:15.350 --> 07:17.649 government standpoint , uh our policy 07:17.660 --> 07:20.269 as it relates to the West Bank uh and 07:20.279 --> 07:22.850 when it comes to uh settler violence 07:22.859 --> 07:26.420 and um you know , no expansion of , of 07:26.429 --> 07:30.320 settlements on um back to 07:30.329 --> 07:33.750 the has there . I mean , it's been 07:33.760 --> 07:36.049 about , I think eight or nine months 07:36.059 --> 07:38.829 since the uh since the US began strikes 07:38.839 --> 07:41.010 on Houthi targets and trying to deter 07:41.500 --> 07:44.190 further attacks , we're continuing to 07:44.200 --> 07:46.033 see those attacks . I mean , you 07:46.033 --> 07:48.144 mentioned two tankers that were hit , 07:48.144 --> 07:50.311 we got the Soviet Union potentially uh 07:50.311 --> 07:53.480 spilling uh creating an environmental 07:53.489 --> 07:56.929 disaster . Is there any re evaluation 07:56.940 --> 08:00.450 from the department um to potentially 08:00.459 --> 08:03.089 alter the campaign or to change 08:03.100 --> 08:05.267 different types of military operations 08:05.559 --> 08:08.609 to further deter , to send a message or 08:08.619 --> 08:10.730 degrade further these capabilities of 08:11.250 --> 08:13.306 it ? It's a great question and I can 08:13.306 --> 08:15.028 tell you that we're constantly 08:15.028 --> 08:17.083 evaluating the situation and it goes 08:17.083 --> 08:19.194 back to what it is that we're working 08:19.194 --> 08:21.959 to do , uh which is to preserve freedom 08:21.970 --> 08:24.160 of navigation and to degrade and 08:24.170 --> 08:27.390 disrupt uh Houthis capabilities . And 08:27.399 --> 08:29.566 we're doing that we are disrupting and 08:29.566 --> 08:31.788 degrading . And you can see this in the 08:31.788 --> 08:33.899 uh in the press releases that Centcom 08:33.899 --> 08:36.409 puts out in terms of uh degrading some 08:36.419 --> 08:38.530 of their capabilities and also taking 08:38.530 --> 08:40.308 self defense strikes to prevent 08:40.308 --> 08:42.586 missiles from launching . Uh That said , 08:42.586 --> 08:44.808 obviously , as evidenced by what I read 08:44.808 --> 08:47.030 out earlier , uh some of those missiles 08:47.030 --> 08:49.030 and some of those drones are making 08:49.030 --> 08:50.975 their way through . Um We're gonna 08:50.975 --> 08:53.197 continue to work with the international 08:53.197 --> 08:55.197 community to protect those shipping 08:55.197 --> 08:57.086 lanes . Uh But the onus is on the 08:57.086 --> 08:59.086 houthis again to look at the impact 08:59.086 --> 09:01.197 that they're having , not only in the 09:01.197 --> 09:03.419 short term , but on the long term as it 09:03.419 --> 09:02.719 relates to the environment , the 09:02.729 --> 09:05.109 economy and the the safety of those 09:05.119 --> 09:07.230 that are transiting this important uh 09:07.230 --> 09:09.119 waterway . So we're , we're gonna 09:09.119 --> 09:11.500 continue to keep after it . Recognizing 09:11.510 --> 09:13.566 that again , the strategic objective 09:13.566 --> 09:15.677 here is freedom of navigation through 09:15.677 --> 09:17.677 this vital waterway . Thanks Carl . 09:17.677 --> 09:19.732 First of all , up with what you told 09:19.732 --> 09:21.732 Tara , you said the two marines are 09:21.732 --> 09:23.677 safe . There have been some social 09:23.677 --> 09:25.732 media reports saying that three were 09:25.732 --> 09:27.954 assaulted . You're tracking two . I was 09:27.954 --> 09:30.010 tracking that 22 US marines from the 09:30.010 --> 09:31.954 24th maritime expeditionary unit . 09:31.954 --> 09:34.010 Thank you , Pat . Um And then on the 09:34.010 --> 09:36.232 Russian ballistic missiles that hit the 09:36.232 --> 09:38.604 Military Institute of Communication in 09:39.715 --> 09:41.937 Poltava . I'm sorry if I'm messing that 09:41.937 --> 09:44.159 up . Does the Pentagon know where those 09:44.159 --> 09:46.159 missiles originated ? And does this 09:46.159 --> 09:48.179 attack , has it shifted the thought 09:48.190 --> 09:49.968 process here at the Pentagon of 09:49.968 --> 09:52.134 potentially allowing Ukrainians to use 09:52.134 --> 09:54.460 attacks to hit missile sites inside 09:54.469 --> 09:56.580 Russia ? Yeah , thanks . I don't have 09:56.580 --> 09:58.747 any information to provide in terms of 09:58.747 --> 10:00.858 the specific origin of those missiles 10:00.858 --> 10:02.969 other than again , as you highlight , 10:02.969 --> 10:05.191 these are Russian missile attacks . And 10:05.191 --> 10:07.780 again , just demonstrates the brutality , 10:07.789 --> 10:11.590 the viciousness of these assaults to 10:11.599 --> 10:15.090 include on civilian infrastructure . Uh 10:15.119 --> 10:17.460 and as , as we go into the winter 10:17.469 --> 10:19.820 Russia targeting uh infrastructure , 10:19.869 --> 10:22.289 energy , infrastructure uh that will be 10:22.299 --> 10:25.099 vital uh as it gets colder in Ukraine . 10:25.510 --> 10:28.979 Um we have been working very diligently 10:28.989 --> 10:31.211 for a very long time now to continue to 10:31.211 --> 10:33.322 work with the international community 10:33.322 --> 10:35.433 on providing air defense capabilities 10:35.433 --> 10:37.600 for Ukraine . And we'll continue to do 10:37.600 --> 10:39.656 that as it relates to our long range 10:39.656 --> 10:41.489 strike policy . I don't have any 10:41.489 --> 10:43.600 announcements to make in terms of any 10:43.600 --> 10:45.711 change in policy and just one more is 10:45.711 --> 10:47.729 US S Georgia in the Saor , the US S 10:47.739 --> 10:50.619 Georgia is still underway . Thank you . 10:51.239 --> 10:53.461 Let me go to the phone here . Let go to 10:53.461 --> 10:55.630 uh Wall Street Journal , Eric Sigman . 10:57.119 --> 10:59.659 Hi Pat . Thanks for doing this . Um I 10:59.669 --> 11:02.320 wanted to follow up on the F-16 crash 11:02.330 --> 11:05.020 in Ukraine last week . Is the US 11:05.030 --> 11:07.190 participating in any way in this 11:07.200 --> 11:10.099 investigation ? And will there be any 11:10.109 --> 11:12.165 changes made to the training program 11:12.165 --> 11:14.442 after this crash ? Yeah , thanks Laura . 11:14.442 --> 11:17.309 So uh like like any sovereign nation uh 11:17.320 --> 11:20.770 that has any type of incident , uh they 11:20.780 --> 11:22.859 would be the lead for conducting an 11:22.869 --> 11:26.669 investigation . And so uh Ukraine uh is 11:26.679 --> 11:28.623 leading the investigation . So I'd 11:28.623 --> 11:31.770 refer you to them to talk about um you 11:31.780 --> 11:33.836 know , a any details associated with 11:33.836 --> 11:36.169 that broadly speaking , I will tell you , 11:36.169 --> 11:38.002 you know , a across the aviation 11:38.002 --> 11:40.349 community in general . Uh And this is a 11:40.359 --> 11:42.526 generalized statement here . Um You're 11:42.526 --> 11:45.570 always going to learn uh from various 11:45.580 --> 11:48.809 uh incidents uh or engagements that get 11:48.820 --> 11:51.042 applied back into lessons learned . But 11:51.042 --> 11:53.376 as it pertains to this particular crash , 11:53.376 --> 11:55.431 I , I just don't have any details or 11:55.431 --> 11:58.260 specifics to provide at this time . Let 11:58.270 --> 12:00.630 me go to the room . Eric . Yeah . But 12:00.640 --> 12:02.751 do you have an update on the seven US 12:02.751 --> 12:04.973 service members who were injured in the 12:04.973 --> 12:07.390 raid that us and Iraqi forces conducted 12:07.760 --> 12:11.739 late last week ? Those injuries ? Yeah , 12:11.750 --> 12:13.583 thanks , sir . Um I I don't have 12:13.583 --> 12:15.639 specifics to provide to you today in 12:15.639 --> 12:18.859 terms of um the causes of the injuries . 12:18.869 --> 12:21.580 Uh uh I'm tracking seven total were 12:21.590 --> 12:23.812 injured . Six have returned to duty for 12:23.812 --> 12:26.780 minor inju injuries . Uh in some cases 12:26.789 --> 12:29.909 to include suspected TB I . Uh one 12:29.919 --> 12:33.010 service member was uh taken to launch 12:33.030 --> 12:35.252 to a regional medical center for follow 12:35.252 --> 12:39.179 on care uh in stable condition . Uh And 12:40.000 --> 12:42.000 that's about all I have on that and 12:42.000 --> 12:43.919 just as a follow up us , special 12:43.929 --> 12:46.151 operations forces took the lead in this 12:46.151 --> 12:48.373 operation . An initial attack which was 12:48.373 --> 12:51.119 carried out over at least two days and 12:51.130 --> 12:53.280 they were targeting apparently a very 12:53.289 --> 12:56.260 senior ISIS leader involved in the 12:56.270 --> 12:58.437 planning of external operations in the 12:58.437 --> 13:01.130 Middle East Europe and elsewhere . Can 13:01.140 --> 13:03.919 you identify who that leader is and how 13:03.929 --> 13:07.140 serious this operation was given ? It's 13:07.150 --> 13:09.630 pretty unusual at this point in Iraq 13:09.640 --> 13:11.696 for us forces to take the , at least 13:11.696 --> 13:13.807 initially to take a lead in a mission 13:13.807 --> 13:15.918 like this . Yeah , I'm not gonna have 13:15.918 --> 13:18.239 any other information to provide beyond 13:18.250 --> 13:20.472 what's in the press release . Um That , 13:20.472 --> 13:22.549 that Sam put out , you know , and in 13:22.559 --> 13:24.909 that I would underscore the fact that 13:24.919 --> 13:27.390 again , this operation targeted ISIS 13:27.400 --> 13:30.710 leaders uh to disrupt and degrade their 13:30.719 --> 13:32.886 ability to plan , organize and conduct 13:32.886 --> 13:35.108 attacks against Iraqi civilians as well 13:35.108 --> 13:37.163 as us citizens , allies and partners 13:37.163 --> 13:39.275 throughout the region and beyond . Uh 13:39.275 --> 13:41.979 And so , uh again , we'll continue to 13:41.989 --> 13:44.409 work with our partners around the world 13:44.419 --> 13:46.619 to include the Iraqis when it comes to 13:46.630 --> 13:48.797 protecting the homeland and addressing 13:48.797 --> 13:51.429 threats like ISIS . Thank you , Charlie . 13:52.549 --> 13:54.549 Thank you , General . The Ukrainian 13:54.549 --> 13:56.660 Defense Minister was here last week . 13:56.660 --> 13:59.500 He said that he set forth specific 13:59.510 --> 14:02.099 targets that could be hit within Russia 14:02.750 --> 14:04.861 Zelensky . Once again today , pleaded 14:04.861 --> 14:07.359 for those longer range weapons and for 14:07.369 --> 14:10.440 the permission to use them . Is that 14:10.450 --> 14:13.289 under discussion ? And when might we 14:13.299 --> 14:15.669 hear anything more about it ? Yeah , 14:15.679 --> 14:17.735 thanks Charlie . Um I , I don't have 14:17.735 --> 14:19.846 any announcements to make in terms of 14:19.846 --> 14:21.457 any changes in policy . As I 14:21.457 --> 14:23.623 highlighted , uh Secretary Austin will 14:23.623 --> 14:25.919 have the chance to meet uh with 14:25.929 --> 14:29.130 Ukrainian , uh you know , our Ukrainian 14:29.140 --> 14:31.251 partners and international partners . 14:31.590 --> 14:33.869 Uh This later this week at Ramstein 14:33.880 --> 14:36.158 where we'll be very focused on , again , 14:36.158 --> 14:38.460 better understanding Ukraine's security 14:38.469 --> 14:40.580 assistance needs and how best to meet 14:40.580 --> 14:43.270 those . Um But in terms of any changes 14:43.280 --> 14:46.659 to our policy . I'm not going to have 14:46.669 --> 14:48.780 anything to provide again . There has 14:48.780 --> 14:51.270 been no changes and as it relates to 14:51.280 --> 14:53.359 potential Ukrainian operations , I'm 14:53.369 --> 14:55.369 just not going to speculate or talk 14:55.369 --> 14:57.536 about potential future . S Thanks very 14:57.536 --> 15:00.179 much . Yes , sir . Thank you a quick 15:00.190 --> 15:02.520 question about the latest attack that 15:02.700 --> 15:04.922 Isis claimed in Kabul , as you may know 15:04.922 --> 15:07.489 yesterday , a suicide attack occurred 15:07.500 --> 15:11.109 in Kabul and killed some people and 15:11.119 --> 15:15.059 injured more people . So Isis 15:15.070 --> 15:17.619 claimed a responsibility for that . Uh 15:17.630 --> 15:21.039 How , what is the Pentagon's position 15:21.049 --> 15:23.216 last week ? I think you mentioned that 15:23.559 --> 15:26.830 Isis is a threat from Afghanistan . Uh 15:26.840 --> 15:29.539 Can we understand the scale of the 15:29.549 --> 15:32.799 threats that the Pentagon assessed in 15:32.809 --> 15:36.090 terms of the threats that Isis posing 15:36.330 --> 15:39.520 against the United States national 15:39.530 --> 15:42.739 interest or the United States partners 15:42.750 --> 15:45.159 in the region perhaps ? Yeah . Again , 15:45.169 --> 15:48.760 I I've seen the reports about the Isis 15:48.770 --> 15:50.919 attacks in Afghanistan . I'd have to 15:50.929 --> 15:53.599 refer you to , you know , the Taliban 15:53.609 --> 15:56.109 to talk about that broadly speaking . 15:56.380 --> 15:59.599 Uh again , as I just highlighted as it 15:59.609 --> 16:02.760 relates to Syria . Isis continues to 16:02.770 --> 16:06.479 pose a threat um whether it be Isis 16:06.489 --> 16:09.919 K or Isis and its other manifestations . 16:09.929 --> 16:12.159 So we will continue to work with 16:12.179 --> 16:14.359 international allies and partners to 16:14.369 --> 16:15.980 address that threat and take 16:15.980 --> 16:18.690 appropriate action . Thank you . Thank 16:18.710 --> 16:21.479 you very much . This administration has 16:21.489 --> 16:23.539 claimed that Hamas has been largely 16:23.549 --> 16:25.630 destroyed . That's why the Israeli 16:25.640 --> 16:28.219 government can be confident in signing 16:28.229 --> 16:30.451 the ceasefire agreement . But according 16:30.451 --> 16:32.340 to the latest statements from the 16:32.340 --> 16:34.451 Israeli government , the Philadelphia 16:34.451 --> 16:36.673 Corridor seems to be the sticking point 16:36.673 --> 16:38.785 is that also your military assessment 16:38.785 --> 16:41.169 that the retention of that corridor is 16:41.179 --> 16:44.229 key to further success or food 16:44.239 --> 16:46.940 prevention of further terrorist attacks . 16:46.960 --> 16:49.200 Is that your assessment as well ? Just 16:49.210 --> 16:52.640 like the Israeli governments ? So I I 16:52.650 --> 16:55.270 appreciate the question . Um And as 16:55.280 --> 16:57.447 you've seen that , you know , from the 16:57.447 --> 16:59.558 White House and others , uh that is a 16:59.558 --> 17:01.890 point of discussion as it relates to 17:01.900 --> 17:04.709 ongoing cease fire negotiations . What 17:04.719 --> 17:07.339 I'm not gonna do though is uh provide 17:07.349 --> 17:10.949 my personal tactical assessment of the 17:10.959 --> 17:12.959 battlefield . I think taking a step 17:12.959 --> 17:15.578 back a few things here . Number one , 17:15.609 --> 17:18.218 we fully support and recognize Israel's 17:18.229 --> 17:20.340 right to defend itself and to prevent 17:20.340 --> 17:22.568 the kinds of attacks we saw on October 17:22.578 --> 17:26.239 7th . Uh And so I , I'll leave it up to 17:26.279 --> 17:29.859 uh the Israelis to talk about how best 17:29.869 --> 17:33.448 to do that again , recognizing the fact 17:33.458 --> 17:36.708 that uh we all want to see uh a cease 17:36.718 --> 17:39.318 fire as quickly as possible and the 17:39.328 --> 17:41.859 hostages released and returned home . 17:42.109 --> 17:43.887 Uh And so I know that that will 17:43.887 --> 17:45.890 continue to be a , a topic of 17:45.900 --> 17:47.956 discussion within those negotiations 17:47.956 --> 17:50.178 and I'll just leave it at that . Let me 17:50.178 --> 17:52.289 go back to the phone here , Jeff Shog 17:52.289 --> 17:54.510 task and purpose . Uh Thank you . Uh 17:54.520 --> 17:57.140 Military officials recently said the 17:57.150 --> 17:59.094 number of ISIS attacks in Iraq and 17:59.094 --> 18:01.430 Syria is on pace to double what they 18:01.439 --> 18:03.530 were last year . Uh As far as the 18:03.540 --> 18:05.770 defense department is concerned is ISIS 18:05.780 --> 18:07.979 a growing threat and I just 18:07.989 --> 18:09.822 clarification . Did you say that 18:09.822 --> 18:12.260 Georgia has not arrived in this Saor 18:12.270 --> 18:14.437 yet ? Thank you . Yeah , thanks Jeff . 18:14.437 --> 18:16.659 On your last question . Uh That Georgia 18:16.659 --> 18:18.714 is still underway again . We'll keep 18:18.714 --> 18:20.937 you updated in terms of its location uh 18:20.937 --> 18:24.619 and arrival and the SAM A or on Isis 18:24.630 --> 18:27.869 attacks . Um You know , again , it's , 18:27.880 --> 18:30.939 it's not a monolith and so , uh with , 18:30.949 --> 18:33.290 without getting into a broader 18:33.300 --> 18:35.579 geographic discussion on all the 18:35.589 --> 18:38.810 various tenants of ISIS focused on Iraq 18:38.819 --> 18:42.520 and Syria . Uh I think ISIS is not the 18:42.530 --> 18:44.689 threat that it was 10 years ago , but 18:44.699 --> 18:46.755 certainly something that needs to be 18:46.755 --> 18:49.319 taken very , very seriously . Uh And as 18:49.329 --> 18:51.380 highlighted in the central command 18:51.390 --> 18:55.119 press release uh uh over the weekend , 18:55.579 --> 18:59.319 you have over 9000 ISIS detainees being 18:59.329 --> 19:02.910 held in 20 sdf detainee facilities in 19:02.920 --> 19:06.890 Syria , uh which essentially uh creates 19:06.900 --> 19:08.678 a significant challenge for the 19:08.678 --> 19:10.678 international community in terms of 19:10.678 --> 19:12.789 repatriating uh those detainees . And 19:12.789 --> 19:15.609 so that work continues uh uh in earnest 19:15.619 --> 19:18.510 via Centcom uh and our partners in the 19:18.520 --> 19:20.469 region as through uh as well as 19:20.479 --> 19:22.750 throughout the world . Thank you . Come 19:22.760 --> 19:25.130 back to them . Yes , ma'am . Nat . Um 19:25.140 --> 19:27.251 Thanks Pat , I just want to follow up 19:27.251 --> 19:29.196 on the questions about uh the deep 19:29.196 --> 19:32.189 strike capabilities for Ukraine claims 19:32.199 --> 19:34.421 that they need this for their offensive 19:34.421 --> 19:36.939 in Kursk . What's the US view on that ? 19:36.949 --> 19:38.893 Do you agree or disagree with that 19:38.893 --> 19:40.893 assessment ? Well , again , I don't 19:40.893 --> 19:43.116 have any announcements to make in terms 19:43.116 --> 19:45.171 of any change in policy . The policy 19:45.171 --> 19:47.500 hasn't changed . We remain committed to 19:47.510 --> 19:49.979 supporting Ukraine's ability to defend 19:49.989 --> 19:51.989 itself and to protect its sovereign 19:51.989 --> 19:55.869 territory uh as well as uh build its 19:55.880 --> 19:58.670 ability to deter against future Russian 19:58.680 --> 20:00.569 aggression . And so again , we'll 20:00.569 --> 20:02.736 continue to consult regularly with our 20:02.736 --> 20:04.513 Ukrainian counterparts on their 20:04.513 --> 20:06.569 security assistance needs and ensure 20:06.569 --> 20:08.513 they have what they need to defend 20:08.513 --> 20:11.229 themselves . Thank you , sir . Thank 20:11.239 --> 20:13.072 you very much General . Just two 20:13.072 --> 20:16.310 questions . Um In 2018 , I had filed a 20:16.319 --> 20:18.469 story about , uh , these two Afghan 20:18.479 --> 20:20.701 brothers , one of them was Abdul Hoda , 20:21.109 --> 20:23.810 um , that they had , uh , cheated the 20:23.819 --> 20:26.369 Department of Defense for $6 billion 20:26.380 --> 20:29.339 and the trial was going on in , uh , DC 20:29.349 --> 20:31.405 about it . Can you give me an update 20:31.405 --> 20:33.460 about that ? Uh , I , I really don't 20:33.460 --> 20:35.627 have an update . I , I'd have to refer 20:35.627 --> 20:37.682 you to the Department of Justice for 20:37.682 --> 20:39.793 any questions on that . Ok . Um , and 20:39.793 --> 20:43.520 my second question was about , um , uh , 20:44.510 --> 20:46.732 and I asked you this last month as well 20:46.732 --> 20:48.899 about the 13 soldiers that were killed 20:48.899 --> 20:50.732 in Afghanistan at the point of a 20:50.732 --> 20:52.788 drought . According to my journalism 20:52.788 --> 20:54.677 experience , I had suggested that 20:54.677 --> 20:56.843 another inquiry should be done . But , 20:56.843 --> 20:58.843 uh , that's again your department's 20:58.843 --> 21:01.066 decision or not . But President Trump , 21:01.066 --> 21:03.121 former president Trump went to honor 21:03.121 --> 21:05.066 those 13 soldiers at the Arlington 21:05.066 --> 21:07.790 Cemetery . Uh , none of them , none of 21:07.800 --> 21:10.750 the current administration . I saw uh 21:10.760 --> 21:14.530 that paid such a visit . Uh uh uh Does 21:14.540 --> 21:16.849 that upset the Pentagon at all about 21:16.859 --> 21:19.339 the current administration ? And uh 21:20.099 --> 21:22.321 yeah . Well , thanks for the question . 21:22.321 --> 21:24.321 So a few things , first of all , uh 21:24.321 --> 21:26.599 Secretary Austin did issue a statement , 21:26.599 --> 21:28.655 of course , uh on the anniversary of 21:28.655 --> 21:30.949 the Abbey Gate terrorist attack as it 21:30.959 --> 21:33.237 relates to Arlington National Cemetery , 21:33.237 --> 21:35.070 as you'll recall , uh that was a 21:35.070 --> 21:38.689 private uh event hosted by uh gold star 21:38.699 --> 21:40.866 family members that had invited former 21:40.866 --> 21:42.921 President Trump . Uh to that event , 21:42.930 --> 21:45.380 Secretary Austin was not invited to 21:45.390 --> 21:48.160 that . Um But of course , he cares 21:48.170 --> 21:50.489 incredibly deeply about our gold star 21:50.500 --> 21:53.380 families as well as all of our soldiers , 21:53.390 --> 21:55.729 sailors , airmen and airmen and marines 21:55.900 --> 21:57.959 who served in Afghanistan to include 21:57.969 --> 22:00.650 the 13 American heroes who died on that 22:00.660 --> 22:02.771 day . Thank you , sir . And then I'll 22:02.780 --> 22:04.947 come back to you . Thank you General . 22:04.947 --> 22:07.140 Going back to Iraq this weekend when 22:07.150 --> 22:09.550 the Iraqi Prime Minister received with 22:09.560 --> 22:12.650 the top US commander General Ken Leahy 22:13.089 --> 22:15.200 in Baghdad . He said that the ISIS is 22:15.200 --> 22:17.256 no longer pose a threat to the Iraqi 22:17.256 --> 22:19.020 state . Do you agree with that 22:19.030 --> 22:22.849 statement ? Um Look , I , you know , 22:22.859 --> 22:25.089 have provided my perspective on ISIS . 22:25.099 --> 22:27.266 I think it's something that we need to 22:27.266 --> 22:29.266 continue to keep an eye on and make 22:29.266 --> 22:32.290 sure that it does not Resurge to the 22:32.300 --> 22:35.369 levels that it did back in 2014 . Uh 22:35.380 --> 22:37.819 Look , the Iraqi security forces have 22:37.829 --> 22:39.773 done an incredible job in terms of 22:39.773 --> 22:42.760 addressing the ISIS threat . But as I 22:42.770 --> 22:44.992 highlighted , you know , you still have 22:44.992 --> 22:47.103 these challenges in places like Syria 22:47.103 --> 22:49.239 where you , you know , 9000 ISIS 22:49.250 --> 22:51.219 detainees and that has to be taken 22:51.229 --> 22:53.340 seriously . So again , we'll continue 22:53.340 --> 22:55.562 to work with our Iraqi partners as well 22:55.562 --> 22:57.618 as others to address that . And then 22:57.618 --> 22:59.673 the recent joint raid between us and 22:59.673 --> 23:01.840 Iraqi Anbar , the Iraqi government and 23:01.840 --> 23:04.062 even you said that the US has no combat 23:04.062 --> 23:06.173 forces in Iraq . But this time the US 23:06.173 --> 23:08.469 Special Forces in Iraq led that 23:08.810 --> 23:11.790 operation against ISIS . So has the 23:11.920 --> 23:14.709 role of the US US forces role changed 23:14.719 --> 23:17.030 in Iraq ? No , no , it is not . And 23:17.040 --> 23:19.318 again , this was a partnered operation . 23:19.449 --> 23:21.505 Uh and as I highlighted earlier , uh 23:21.505 --> 23:23.338 the United States will work with 23:23.338 --> 23:25.393 partners and allies around the world 23:25.393 --> 23:27.338 and if there is a potential threat 23:27.338 --> 23:29.393 against us , national security and , 23:29.393 --> 23:31.569 and uh partner security , we'll work 23:31.579 --> 23:33.690 together to address that threat . But 23:33.690 --> 23:35.819 uh no , no change . Let me go . I'm 23:35.829 --> 23:37.940 sorry , sorry , let me go to Brad and 23:37.940 --> 23:39.885 then I'll come back to you just to 23:39.885 --> 23:42.051 follow up on Ukraine . Can you confirm 23:42.051 --> 23:44.051 if the US is preparing to send long 23:44.051 --> 23:45.996 range cruise missiles to Ukraine ? 23:45.996 --> 23:48.260 There's been some reports about Jasem 23:48.579 --> 23:50.579 if I'm pronouncing that correctly . 23:52.479 --> 23:54.701 Yeah . Yeah . The last question . Yes , 23:54.701 --> 23:56.701 Jass . Yeah , you're pronouncing it 23:56.701 --> 23:58.923 correctly . Um I , I don't have any , I 23:58.923 --> 24:01.090 saw those press reports . I don't have 24:01.090 --> 24:03.368 anything Brad to provide on that again . 24:03.368 --> 24:07.010 No announcements . To make . Uh , yes , 24:07.020 --> 24:09.119 thanks again . Um , we haven't 24:09.130 --> 24:11.119 discussed Iran and Israel or 24:11.130 --> 24:13.609 retaliation in a couple of weeks yet , 24:13.619 --> 24:15.841 two carrier strike groups remain . Um , 24:15.849 --> 24:18.839 has there been any change about the 24:18.849 --> 24:20.849 perceived threat level there ? Uh , 24:20.849 --> 24:23.016 well , what I would tell you , Charlie 24:23.016 --> 24:25.750 is , uh , again , Iran had , has 24:25.760 --> 24:28.079 indicated that it intends to retaliate 24:28.089 --> 24:30.311 so we will continue to take that threat 24:30.311 --> 24:32.599 seriously . Um , and I'll just leave it 24:32.609 --> 24:35.410 there . Have you seen any changes at 24:35.420 --> 24:37.642 all that would have changed in the past 24:37.642 --> 24:39.780 10 days or so ? Right . I , I think 24:39.790 --> 24:41.790 that we need to continue to take uh 24:41.790 --> 24:44.469 that threat seriously and be prepared . 24:44.479 --> 24:46.590 Uh Again , I'm not going to speculate 24:46.590 --> 24:48.349 or , or get into um you know , 24:48.359 --> 24:51.310 potential uh or hypotheticals rather in 24:51.319 --> 24:53.375 terms of when and if they may attack 24:53.375 --> 24:55.486 other than the fact that they've said 24:55.486 --> 24:57.763 publicly that they intend to retaliate . 24:57.763 --> 24:59.819 And so we will continue to take that 24:59.819 --> 25:03.010 seriously . There are reports that that 25:03.020 --> 25:05.020 Russian strike might have come from 25:05.020 --> 25:07.076 Crimea . So just to be clear , there 25:07.076 --> 25:09.187 are no policy restrictions that would 25:09.187 --> 25:11.131 stop Ukraine from striking Russian 25:11.131 --> 25:13.076 launch sites on Crimea because the 25:13.076 --> 25:15.298 department recognizes that as Ukrainian 25:15.298 --> 25:14.900 territory . Is that correct ? That's 25:14.910 --> 25:17.077 correct . Thank you . Let me go to the 25:17.077 --> 25:19.910 phone Heather from us . N I , thanks . 25:19.920 --> 25:21.753 I was just wondering if you , if 25:21.753 --> 25:23.976 there's any policy guidance on which uh 25:23.976 --> 25:26.198 ships that sent com might mention , get 25:26.198 --> 25:28.309 hit by the houthis . Um They released 25:28.309 --> 25:31.000 something this past day . Uh Yes , last 25:31.010 --> 25:33.232 night , about two ships that got hit by 25:33.232 --> 25:35.177 the Houthis that haven't mentioned 25:35.177 --> 25:37.399 other ships in the past . So I was just 25:37.399 --> 25:39.566 wondering if you can explain why these 25:39.566 --> 25:41.454 two ships were mentioned . Yeah , 25:41.454 --> 25:43.566 thanks Heather . I , I'd refer you to 25:43.566 --> 25:45.510 Centcom for specifics , I think uh 25:45.510 --> 25:47.732 again , uh highlighting this at the top 25:47.732 --> 25:47.400 of the briefing again , just 25:47.410 --> 25:50.359 demonstrating the threat that uh the 25:50.369 --> 25:52.880 Houthis continue to pose not only from 25:53.260 --> 25:55.760 a uh mariner safety standpoint , but 25:55.770 --> 25:59.079 also from an environmental and economic 25:59.089 --> 26:01.311 standpoint in the Red Sea . Thank you , 26:02.040 --> 26:04.262 Joseph . I wanted to ask if there's any 26:04.262 --> 26:06.151 updates . There were two civilian 26:06.151 --> 26:08.262 Iranian Mariners that were rescued by 26:08.262 --> 26:11.160 the US military last week . Um Where 26:11.170 --> 26:13.392 are they , what's their status ? Uh I'd 26:13.392 --> 26:15.448 have to refer you to Centcom for any 26:15.448 --> 26:17.503 questions on that . Ok , thanks very 26:17.503 --> 26:18.109 much . Everybody . Appreciate it .