SOFREP Daily: North Korea Sends More Artillery Systems to Russia, US Marine Corps F-35C Makes Combat Debut in Yemen, Israel Targets Pro-Iran Fighters

Good Morning! Here’s your daily rundown on what’s going on in defense and global affairs to keep you up to speed this Thursday, November 21.

North Korea Sends More Troops, More Guns to Aid Russia

North Korea has ramped up its support for Russia in the Ukraine war, sending artillery systems and deploying thousands of its troops.

South Korea’s spy agency revealed Wednesday that North Korea provided 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launch systems, with some troops now fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine’s Kursk region.

This comes amid growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang as both face tensions with the US and its allies.

Reports suggest North Korean personnel are helping Russian troops operate the new weapons, and their involvement threatens to escalate the conflict.

North Korea has sent at least 50 self-propelled artillery systems (SPGs) and 20 modernized multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Russia.

It is expected that Russia will use this weaponry in battles in the Kursk region, where the occupiers have also concentrated a… pic.twitter.com/bcf4qL6pPH

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) November 16, 2024

Meanwhile, as previously reported, Ukraine has already used US-supplied long-range missiles in strikes on Russian territory, further intensifying the war.

North Korea’s ICBMs Show Range but Lack Proven Nuclear Strike Ability

Despite years of missile testing, North Korea has yet to prove it can successfully deliver a nuclear warhead to the US mainland, according to Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command.

Speaking at the Brookings Institution on Tuesday, Paparo acknowledged North Korea’s progress, particularly with its recent Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, which demonstrates the potential to reach the entire US mainland.

However, there’s no evidence that Pyongyang can yet combine a nuclear warhead with an ICBM capable of surviving the rigors of launch and reentry.

Under Kim Jong Un, North Korea continues advancing its missile and nuclear programs, positioning itself as a key ally to Russia in its war against Ukraine while escalating tensions with the US, South Korea, and Japan.

Kim has criticized the US-Japan-South Korea alliance, calling it an “Asian version of NATO,” and vowed to enhance North Korea’s nuclear arsenal to counter perceived threats.

While the full capability to strike the US remains unproven, North Korea’s growing arsenal still poses significant threats to American interests, including its ability to target South Korea, where 30,000 US troops are stationed, and to launch missiles over Japan.

US Sends Aid to Ukraine and Israel, Drains Indo-Pacific Reserves

The US is feeling the strain on its weapons stockpiles as it continues to send billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine and Israel, which could limit its ability to respond to a potential conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific.

Paparo admitted to the audience at the Brookings Institution in Washington on Tuesday that while earlier conflicts didn’t affect reserve levels, the current pace of aid is “eating into stocks.”

This includes advanced air defense systems and ammunition, leaving reserves thinner than the US Indo-Pacific Command official considers adequate.

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of #USINDOPACOM, participated in an insightful fireside chat today at @brookingsinst. He discussed the critical importance of the #IndoPacific region to global security and more. pic.twitter.com/cQA22yUCp0

— U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) November 20, 2024

China, meanwhile, is intensifying its military activities around Taiwan, ramping up exercises and maintaining near-daily operations with warships and aircraft near the island.

The US is committed to helping Taiwan defend itself, even as it juggles massive military aid commitments elsewhere.

Ukraine has received over $60 billion in aid since Russia’s invasion, while Israel is drawing from US air defense systems and munitions to counter Hamas and Hezbollah.

Paparo emphasized the need to replenish stockpiles, noting that US readiness for a possible Indo-Pacific conflict has been impacted by these commitments.

US Marine Corps F-35C Makes Combat Debut with Yemen Airstrikes

The US Marine Corps’ F-35C Lightning II has officially entered the combat scene, launching its first-ever airstrikes earlier this month against weapon storage sites in Houthi-controlled Yemen.

These strikes, conducted between November 9 and 10, targeted anti-ship missiles used by the Iran-backed Houthis to threaten commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The F-35C jets, part of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) out of Miramar, California, took off from the USS Abraham Lincoln in the US Central Command area.

Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) support operations against Iran-backed Houthis in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/8Y4yqsAepd

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 12, 2024

This milestone marks a significant moment for the F-35C, demonstrating its ability to operate in contested airspace and deliver precision strikes.

The commander of VMFA-314, Lt. Col. Jeffrey “Wiki” Davis, described the deployment as showcasing the aircraft’s “warfighting advantage.”

While the exact type of munitions used remains unclear, the F-35C is capable of carrying Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and air-to-air missiles.

This achievement adds to the combat history of the F-35 series, with the F-35B and F-35A having seen action in previous conflicts against ISIS and the Taliban.

The deployment of the F-35C comes amidst heightened regional tensions following Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023 and ongoing US efforts to counter threats from groups like the Houthis.

US Coast Guard Adds New Oil Exploration Support Vessel to Strengthen Arctic Presence

The US Coast Guard is gearing up to add a commercial icebreaker, the Aiviq, to its fleet by the end of the year, Military.com reported on Wednesday.

Originally an oil exploration vessel, the Aiviq is being refitted in Mississippi and will be homeported in Juneau, Alaska, with plans to begin Arctic operations by early 2026.

This move is part of a broader US effort to bolster its Arctic presence as geopolitical tensions rise and climate change opens up new shipping routes.

Currently, the US Coast Guard operates two icebreakers: the Healy, which patrols the Arctic, and the aging Polar Star, the only heavy icebreaker capable of navigating Antarctica.

Icebreaker ‘Aiviq’ to Join U.S. Coast Guard Before End of Year to Bolster Arctic Presence https://t.co/fHV5GBYHtO

— USARC (@US_ARC) November 15, 2024

To modernize its capabilities, the Coast Guard is working on the Polar Security class icebreakers, with construction on the first ship, the Polar Sentinel, which is expected to begin by the end of the year.

The Arctic is becoming a hotspot for global activity, with recent joint patrols by Chinese and Russian ships near Alaska and increased military flyovers by both nations.

The US Department of Defense’s 2024 Arctic Strategy emphasizes the importance of monitoring and responding to such developments, with the Aiviq playing a key role in maintaining presence and deterring adversaries.

Despite limited investment in the Aiviq, Coast Guard officials stress the need for visibility in the Arctic.

The vessel will dock at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pier in Juneau, which requires significant maintenance.

Meanwhile, Congress is urging the Coast Guard to push for more funding to meet its operational priorities and address infrastructure challenges.

US Blocks UN Ceasefire Resolution, Citing Hamas Concerns

The US vetoed Wednesday a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, arguing that it would embolden Hamas.

The resolution demanded an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire” and the release of all hostages, but Washington insisted on linking any ceasefire to hostage release.

Israel’s UN ambassador praised the veto, claiming the resolution would have led to more terror and bloodshed.

The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel that killed over 1,200 people, has escalated into a humanitarian catastrophe. Gaza’s death toll has reached nearly 44,000, with millions displaced.

While some nations expressed regret over the veto, Hamas accused the US of being complicit in the aggression.

The UN Security Council has struggled to unite on the issue, with repeated vetoes from the US, Russia, and China.

Past attempts at ceasefire resolutions, including a US-backed multi-stage plan, have failed.

Diplomats hope for potential flexibility from President Joe Biden in his remaining weeks in office.

Israel Targets Pro-Iran Fighters in Deadly Palmyra Strike

Israeli airstrikes in Palmyra, Syria, killed 71 pro-Iranian militants, including fighters from Hezbollah and Iraq’s Al-Nujaba movement, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Thursday.

The strikes, which targeted three sites, included a meeting of pro-Iranian leaders.

Syria’s defense ministry reported 36 deaths and over 50 injuries while condemning the attacks as “brutal aggression.”

An eyewitness footage shows massive smoke plumes rising in the historic Syrian city of Palmyra following an Israeli strike. At least 36 people were killed in the attack, local officials say. #Israel #Syria

Read more: https://t.co/2NrvbxpQgI pic.twitter.com/XLN2oqzF2N

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) November 21, 2024

Israel has not commented on the strikes but has consistently vowed to prevent Iran from expanding its influence in Syria.

Palmyra, famous for its ancient ruins, avoided damage to its historical landmarks during the attack, according to Syrian officials.

These are the deadliest strikes in Syria since tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in September.