NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 12/29/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE TODAY AND TOMORROW)

US MILITARY ATTACKS IN SYRIA AND IRAQ,  MORE DETAILS BELOW BUT THE LEAD STORY FIRST:

A suspect is in custody after a stabbing attack at the home of a Hasidic Jewish rabbi in Monsey, New York.    Five people were wounded in the attack with two hurt critically.

The suspect identified as Grafton Thomas.   He is said to have screamed "I'll get you" as he went after his victims with a machete.....LINK

Saturday night's attack that occurred just before 10 pm Eastern US time was not a question of if for the local Hasidic community but when according to a leader from the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council who spoke with "Israel National News".

This attack the latest in a series of attacks on Orthodox Jews in and around New York City.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo calling the attack "domestic terrorism" and calling for tougher "hate crimes" laws.

New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio increasing security measures in Jewish areas of the city and vowing that schools will teach about opposing "hate".

President Trump describing the attack as "horrific"

More from "Israel National News".....LINK

A photo of the suspect......LINK

US MILITARY ATTACKS REPORTED IN IRAQ AND SYRIA SUNDAY NIGHT ON THE HEADQUARTERS AND OTHER BASES OF AN IRANIAN BACKED MILITIA..

 THE ATTACKS ON THE KATAIB HEZBOLLAH GROUP IN RESPONSE TO A FRIDAY ATTACK ON AN IRAQI MILITARY BASE NEAR KIRKUK THAT KILLED AN AMERCIAN CIVILIAN CONTRACTOR AND WOUNDED SOME US SOLDIERS SLIGHTLY.

ONE OF THE LOCATIONS ATTACKED WAS AL-QAIM, AN IRAQI CITY NEAR THE SYRIAN BORDER.

THE PENTAGON CALLING THE ATTACKS "DEFENSIVE STRIKES".   DEFENSE SECRETARY MARK ESPER SAYS THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL.

MEMBERS OF THE MILITIA GROUPS REPORTED KILLED IN THE ATTACKS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED BY DRONES.    THE TOTAL NUMBER KILLED BELIEVED TO BE 25.

RUSSIA'S "SPUTNIK NEWS" WITH MORE......LINK  IRAN'S PRESS TV ALSO REPORTS.....LINK

"The era of inroads by the Americans has ended and they have to gradually leave the region"

Those the words of Iran's Navy chief Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi commenting on the four day naval exercise taking place involving Iran's navy and warships from China and Russia.

The exercise underway in the Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman.

More from Iran's "Press TV".....LINK

In Yemen at least five people are dead after Iranian backed Houthi forces apparently launched a missile strike during a military parade.

The missile attack hit a graduation ceremony for recruits finishing training for a military force backed by the United Arab Emirates.

The BBC published a story about the attack....LINK

IN A SUBURB OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS TODAY TWO KILLED IN A SHOOTING ATTACK AT A CHURCH.

THE GUNMAN RISING FROM A PEW AND SHOOTING UNTIL HE WAS SHOT DEAD BY AN ARMED MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATION.

OTHER ARMED MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION TRAINED PISTOLS ON THE ATTACKER.

POLICE STILL LOOKING FOR A MOTIVE TONIGHT.

COVERAGE FROM THE FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM INCLUDING THE VIDEO OF WHAT HAPPENED.....LINK

A prisoner exchange in Ukraine today between Ukraine's government and pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country.  Some 200 prisoners involved.

Its part of a process that France, Germany and Russia are involved in to create a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine with hopes for a negotiated settlement later on.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin thanking President Trump for providing information that led to two arrests of Russian nationals planning terrorist attacks.

The two leaders spoke by phone Sunday.

The BBC's version of the story.....LINK     The arrest of the suspects discussed by Russia's Tass News Agency.....LINK

And for now that's the way it really is for Sunday December 29th, 2019.