At least 4 killed, 18 wounded in bomb attacks in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 18 wounded in three car bomb explosions in central Iraq on Sunday, the police said.

In the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a car bomb went off near a police patrol in the central district of Karrada and killed a police officer and a policeman, a police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Two policemen and three civilians were also wounded by the blast, which destroyed a police vehicle and caused damage to the nearby buildings, the source said.

In a separate incident, a booby trapped car went off near a Shiite shrine in the town of Madain, some 30 km southeast of Baghdad, killing two civilians and injuring nine others, a local police source anonymously told Xinhua.

Iranian pilgrims at the shrine were among the wounded people, the source said.

In the central-eastern province of Diyala, Mohammed Jawad al- Timimi, chief of the provincial traffic police directorate, escaped unharmed a car bomb explosion near his convoy near the provincial capital city of Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, a provincial police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The blast apparently narrowly missed Timimi's convoy, wounding four passers-by instead, the source said.

Earlier in the day, the police reportedly said 14 people were killed and 26 wounded in a series of bomb and gunfire attacks, including six car bombs, on Sunday morning.

Violence and sporadic high profile attacks are still common in the Iraqi cities despite the dramatic decrease of violence over the past few years.

from XINHUA
2012-09-30 18:13:12

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Kenya navy shells Somali town after rebels announce retreat

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Kenyan warships shelled the southern Somali port of Kismayu overnight after al Qaeda-linked rebels said they had abandoned the city, residents said on Sunday.

Stunned by an assault by sea, air and ground forces late on Friday night, al Shabaab rebels fled the city that had been their key source of revenue, retreating to surrounding forests and towns.

The shells may have been targeting any remaining pockets of resistance or military installations in the city that was the rebels' last stronghold.

"The ships were firing deafening shells to the outskirts last night but several shells landed on houses," said Samira Ismail, a local mother of four.

Al Shabaab said two children were killed and other people injured by the shells, a statement rejected as propaganda by Kenyan military spokesman Col. Cyrus Oguna.

Kenyan and Somali troops sent to retake Kismayu from the rebels were still in the town's outskirts, Oguna said, proceeding carefully in case al Shabaab's claim that it had abandoned the city was a ploy to lure them into a trap.

"The troops are consolidating and making plans to expand into the southern part of the city," Oguna told Reuters.

"A lot of caution must be exercised here. We don't want to get into a situation where we start to lose troops here and there."

continued here...

from REUTERS
By Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar
Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:20pm GMT

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Gunmen shot dead high-ranking intelligence officer in Yemen's Aden

ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen shot dead a high-ranking military intelligence officer in Yemen's southern port city of Aden on Sunday morning, a government official told Xinhua.

The masked assailants, who were on a motorcycle, shot and killed Ahmed al-Barakani, a colonel in the domestic military intelligence agency in Aden's neighborhood of Tawahi before fleeing the area, the local government official said, requesting anonymity.

He said the incident happened when about two gunmen opened fire on the officer's vehicle while he was getting out of the intelligence compound in Tawahi.

"The perpetrators of this criminal attack are cowards... An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and it was unclear who the shooters were," the government official added.

Sunday's attack is the latest of a series of assassinations that targeted Yemeni military officers since the unrest began last year.

Attacks and raids have been continuing since the country's political turmoil last year, as scores of al-Qaida militants took control of certain areas in the restive south, but were later purged in a U.S.-backed army offensive.

On June 20, Yemen's military officials announced seizing al- Qaida's last bastion in the country's troubled south following the military assault.

However, local military and anti-terrorism experts said the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch is still a major threat to the impoverished Arab country.

The United States and neighboring oil-rich Saudi Arabia have beefed up anti-terror cooperation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office, to help his administration overcome security challenges and combat the resurgent branch of al-Qaida network in particular.

from XINHUA
2012-09-30 16:16:21

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Sep. 30., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 30) - Today, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the death of Asad, an al-Qaida associated Taliban leader, following an operation in Darah-ye Pech district, Kunar province, Friday.

Asad was a Marawara-based Taliban leader also affiliated with the Tehrik-Nefaz-i-Shariat-Muhammadi, a Pakistani militant group and known supporter of the Afghan Taliban. Asad engaged in numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and was believed to be planning additional strikes in the days leading up to his death.

Prior to the attack, the security force positively identified Asad and several armed militants engaging in insurgent activity. After confirming the imminent threat, the security force conducted a precision air strike, killing Asad and two additional insurgents.

A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed or property damaged as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

North

Today, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the arrest of a Taliban leader during a security operation in Sar-e Pul district, Sar-e Pul province, Saturday. The detained leader is believed to have supported and directed improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district. Prior to his arrest, the detainee reported directly to senior Taliban leaders while exercising command and control within the province to coordinate insurgent attacks.

Additionally, he is suspected of purchasing and distributing supplies for future attacks. The security force also detained an additional five suspected insurgents during the operation.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force confirmed today the arrest of a Taliban attack leader during an operation in Pul-e 'Alam district, Logar province, Saturday. The detained Taliban leader is suspected of having played a key role in the procurement, planning and execution of IED attacks against coalition and Afghan security forces. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani IED expert in Tsamkani district, Paktiya province, today. The detained explosives expert is suspected of having procured large amounts of IED-building materials, coordinated the shipment of those materials throughout the region, and imported multiple anti-aircraft weapons. In addition to directing ambush-style attacks against Afghan National Police, he is believed to be directly responsible for the construction of numerous remote-controlled IEDs, planned their use, and facilitated their delivery. The security force also detained seven other suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms as a result of the operation.

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the arrest of a Haqqani IED attack leader in Sharan district, Paktika province, Friday. The detained Haqqani leader is suspected of having played a direct role in the construction and distribution of IEDs, in addition to directing their use in attacks throughout the region. He was also known to seek additional weapons, including ammunition and mortars. At the time of his arrest, the Haqqani leader was believed to have been planning an attack against high-level Afghan government officials. The security force also detained two additional suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms as a result of the operation.

Taliban insurgents shot an Afghan civilian in Junabi Kheyl village, Muqor district, Ghazni province Friday while Afghan and coalition special operation forces were conducting a security meeting. The man was injured from PKM machine gun fire after the Taliban attacked the combined force at the meeting. The Afghan and coalition troops treated and stabilized the man at the location, and fought off the attack. The injured man was further transported by local villagers to a hospital in Ghazni City.

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Sep. 30., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces located three weapons caches and cleared four improvised explosive devices, and four insurgents died when their IED detonated prematurely during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Sept. 29.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Ghazni District.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered two weapons caches, one in Ghazni District and one in Andar District. The caches contained 36 fuses, 33 mortar rounds, 29 recoilless rifle rounds,
20 rocket-propelled grenades and 570 pounds of homemade explosives.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Khowst District and one in Manduzai District.

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Sabari District. The cache contained small arms, ammunition and IED-making materials.

Kunar province
Four insurgents died when their IED detonated prematurely in Darah Ye Pech District.

Laghman province
Afghan National Army soldiers killed four insurgents during an engagement in Mehtar Lam District.

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police found and safely cleared an IED in Bati Kot District.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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16 Armed Taliban Killed, 10 Wounded and 22 Arrested by ANP (30.Sept.2012.)

Publish Date: Sep 30, 2012

16 Armed Taliban Killed, 10 Wounded and 22 Arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 10 joint clearance operations in Sar-e-Pul, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Maidan Wardak, Logar, Herat, Farah, Ghor and Helmand provinces.

As a result of these operations, 16 armed Taliban were killed, 10 wounded and 22 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 3035 kilos of opium, two rocket launchers, eight different types of weapons, four different types of mines, 5560 kilos of chemicals and one vehicle.

 

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained two individuals accused of theft in the 13th District of Kabul-City.

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ISAF statement on attack yesterday in Wardak

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs
Courtesy Story

KABUL, Afghanistan – Yesterday, one International Security Assistance Force service member and one ISAF-contracted civilian employee were killed in an exchange of fire in Wardak province. Three Afghan National Army soldiers are also reported to have died.

What was initially reported to have been a suspected Insider Attack is now understood to possibly have involved insurgent fire. The incident occurred while an ISAF unit was manning a temporary check point in an area near an Afghan National Army unit. According to ISAF and ANA reporting, after a short conversation took place between ANA and ISAF personnel firing occurred which resulted in the fatal wounding of an ISAF soldier and the death of his civilian colleague. In an ensuing exchange of fire three ANA personnel are reported to have died.

We deeply regret the loss of life in this tragic incident. Our deepest sympathies are with the families of our personnel who were killed.

The incident is now being jointly investigated by ANA and ISAF personnel.

Related articles

• NATO soldier, civilian, killed in Afghan "insider" attack (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)

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Kenya Church Grenade Attack Kills Child, Wounds Others

Kenyan police say a grenade attack at a church in the capital, Nairobi, killed a nine-year-old boy and wounded three other children on Sunday.

Police chief Moses Ombati says he believes the attack is tied to sympathizers of al-Shabab militants in Somalia.

On Friday, Kenyan forces battling al-Shabab in Somalia pushed into Port Kismayo, forcing the Islamist militants to retreat from the largest remaining stronghold.

Police say the children in Kenya were at a Sunday school service at Saint Polycarp Church in Nairobi when someone hurled a grenade into the building.

``We were just worshipping God in church when we suddenly heard an explosion and people started running for their lives but unfortunately we came to realize that the explosion had injured some kids who were taken to hospital and unfortunately one succumbed,'' said worshipper Irene Wambui.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack.

Kenya has seen a series of similar attacks on churches since it sent troops into Somalia last year.

In July, gunmen threw grenades and opened fire inside two churches in the eastern town of Garissa, killing 17 people.

President Raila Odinga suggested the attacks were meant to spark tensions between Muslims and Christians.  And he said the violence stemmed from terrorism, not religious conflict.

from VOA News
September 30, 2012

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NATO soldier, civilian, killed in Afghan "insider" attack

(Reuters) - A member of the NATO-led force in Afghanistan and a civilian contractor have been killed in the latest "insider" attack by a member of the Afghan security forces, the coalition said on Sunday.

The attack, which took place in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, came after the United States said joint operations with Afghan forces were returning to normal.

Joint operations were halted two weeks ago after a surge of attacks on the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) by its Afghan allies. At least 52 ISAF service members have been killed this year in "green-on-blue" attacks.

It was too early to say what impact the latest incident would have on plans to restore joint operations with Afghan troops to normal, a spokesman for ISAF said.

The attack took place in the Sayed Abad district of the Wardak province, according to local police sources, who said a gun battle broke out between coalition soldiers and Afghans when an Afghan National Army member opened fire on American troops.

Three members of the Afghan National Army were also killed in the firefight, while three other U.S. citizens and one Afghan were wounded, police spokesman Wali Mohammad said on Sunday.

If the U.S. deaths are confirmed by Department of Defense, Saturday's insider killing would take U.S. civilian and military deaths in Afghanistan to over 2,000.

"We appreciate the sacrifice of our fallen heroes, every death is tragic and important - none more than any other," ISAF said in a statement after Saturday's attack.

from REUTERS
KABUL | Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:04am EDT
(Reporting by Jessica Donati; additional reporting by Mirwais Harooni in Kabul and Mustafa Andalib in Ghazni; Editing by Robert Birsel and Daniel Magnowski)

Related articles

• NATO soldier killed in insider attack in eastern Afghanistan (khaama.com)
• NATO soldier, civilian, killed in Afghan "insider" attack (news.yahoo.com)
• NATO: Two killed in 'insider' attack (cnn.com)

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Two killed in suicide bomb attack on Yemeni official

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

(Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed himself and a bystander in south Yemen on Saturday in an attempt to assassinate a government official who had targeted al Qaeda militants, a security source said.

The attacker walked up to the parked car of Mohammed Aidarous, head of a "popular committee" of tribal volunteers who helped the army oust militants from the town of Lawdar in Abyan province this year.

Aidarous, the local government official in charge of Lawdar, was not in the vehicle, but a bystander was also killed in the blast, the source said. Four people in the car and five passers-by were injured.

The source identified the bomber as 20-year-old Ali Mohammed Hossain from Abyan province.

Yemen has been in turmoil since an uprising against Ali Abdullah Saleh, who finally stepped down as president in February. The Arabian Peninsula state borders top oil exporter Saudi Arabia and lies on major world shipping lanes.

The army has expelled militants from Abyan towns occupied last year. But al Qaeda has struck back with assassination attempts against officials, some successful, and a suicide bombing of a military parade in May that killed 100.

Four members of Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC) were killed in an ambush outside Sanaa on Friday night, the party said on its website. Eight were wounded.

It was not clear if the group was targeted because of its party affiliation. A tribal source in al-Jawf where some of the men worked said the ambush could have been a tribal vendetta.

Saleh remains head of the GPC, which retains half the seats in cabinet. His relatives control key military and security units.

Saleh was succeeded by his deputy Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has U.S. backing for a transition process that tries to balance the interests of groups including a Shi'ite Islamist movement in north Yemen, southern secessionists and tribal and Sunni Islamist groups who benefitted under Saleh's rule.

from REUTERS
ADEN | Sat Sep 29, 2012 3:03pm BST
(Reporting by Dhuyazen Mukhashaf and Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Andrew Hammond; Editing by Angus McDowall in Riyadh and Jason Webb in London)

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5 insurgents detained in Kandahar

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): Two commanders were among five insurgents detained by intelligence operatives in southern Kandahar province, an official said on Saturday.

The National Directorate of Security official said the detainees included Maulvi Abdul Hai, accused of killing an intelligence operative some time ago. The five were shown to media representatives.

Abdul Hai told reporters he had been active against the government under the command of Haji Agha, a Taliban commander in Dand district. He confessed to killing the intelligence official in the Mir market area of Kandahar City on the directives of his leaders.

Officials said a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and a pistol were recovered from Abdul Hai.

Another detainee, who introduced himself as Najmuddin, a resident of Badghis province, said he led an eight-member rebel group.

Gul Mohammad, alias Sufi, said he headed a 10-member militant group. Mohammad added he had been sent to Afghanistan by his Pakistani mentors to organise attacks against Afghan and international troops.

from Pajhwok
by Bashir Ahmad Naadim on Sep 29, 2012 - 19:14   

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2 Afghan police, 20 militants killed in Afghan violence

According to local authorities in western Herat province of Afghanistan, at least 2 Afghan police officers were killed following an explsoion at Adraskan district.

The officials further added two other police officers were also injured following the blast.

Adraskan district security chief Sher Aqa Alokozai confirming the report said the incident took place early Saturday morning after a police vehicle struck with the roadside bomb at Mir Ali area.

No group including the Taliban militants has so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.

In the meantime Afghan interior ministry following a statement on Saturday announced more than 20 militants were killed following military operations by Afghan security forces.

The source further added Afghan security forces also detained more than 21 other militants during the operations which were conducted in Kabul, Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, Logar, Ghazni, Khost, Paktika, Paktiya and Helmand provinces of Afghanistan.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the reports.

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - Sat Sep 29, 3:57 pm

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Sep. 29., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed a known Haqqani leader during a security operation in Baraki Barak district, Logar province, Friday.

The Haqqani leader, Ghairat, was suspected of having coordinated numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Baraki Barak. In the days leading to the operation, he was believed to be preparing an improvised explosive device for an attack against Afghan and coalition forces within the district.

The security force positively identified Ghairat and another militant engaging in insurgent activity in an isolated area and conducted a precision airstrike, killing both Ghairat and the insurgent.

A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and no property was damaged as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force detained multiple suspected insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Sar-e Pul district, Sar-e Pul province, today. The leader is believed to be responsible for planning and executing improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district.

South

Afghan Special Police and coalition forces seized more than 3,000 kilograms (6,600 pounds) of narcotics and removed multiple insurgents from the battlefield in an operation in Garm Ser district, Helmand province yesterday. The partnered forces interdicted a number of vehicles along a known narcotics smuggling route, recovering 2,360 kilograms of dry opium, 265 kilograms of hashish, 250 kilograms of brown heroin, 160 kilograms of wet opium, and weapons with ammunition. After stopping the vehicles, the combined force was fired upon by the occupants, who then returned fire, killing several insurgents and detaining the others. The value of the seizure is estimated at $2 million. The vehicles and drugs were destroyed on site. No civilians, ANSF or coalition forces were injured during the operation.

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, arrested a number of suspected Taliban insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban facilitator in Kandahar district, Kandahar province, today. The facilitator is suspected of acquiring bomb-making materials while organizing the movement of weapons and explosives for insurgent attacks across Panjwa’i district, Kandahar.

East

Afghan and coalition forces conducted a security operation in search of an al-Qaida associated Taliban leader, resulting in the death of a number of armed insurgents, in Darah-ye Pech district, Kunar province, Friday. During the operation, the security force observed three armed individuals engaging in insurgent activity. After ensuring no civilians were in the area, the security force killed the insurgents with a precision airstrike. The al-Qaida associated leader is suspected of directing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces while facilitating the movement of weapons throughout the region. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and no property was damaged as a result of the operation.

During an operation in search of a Taliban attack leader, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a number of suspected insurgents in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today. The Taliban leader is believed to provide weapons and rockets to insurgents while coordinating the re-supply of ammunition throughout the district.

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Sep. 29., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed an insurgent, detained one and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Sept. 28.

Ghazni Province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Ghazni District and one in Qarah Bagh District.

Paktika Province
Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared an IED in Bermal District.

Afghan Uniformed Police killed an insurgent during an engagement in Zarghun Shar District.

Paktiya Province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Zurmat District. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Parwan Province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Bagram District.

Wardak Province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Maidan Shahr District and one in Sayyidabad District.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Kismayo Hasn’t Fallen Yet....

English: Kismaayo City, Somalia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kismayo Hasn’t Fallen Yet; Even If It Had, It Wouldn’t Be the End of the Shabab

from the "Inside The Shabab Insurgency" blog
Posted on September 28, 2012

In the early hours of the morning today, reportedly mostly Somali forces – according to Somali sites – were dropped by Kenyan landing ships on the beaches on the outskirts of Kismayo, the southern Somali port city that is the main target of the Kenyan war against the Shabab.

Some Somali sites report that the amphibious force is in the hundreds, but whatever their number, one thing is clear: they have not taken Kismayo contrary to what most news sites are parroting.

The source of the false news that Kismayo had fallen was a Kenyan army spokesman, Cyrus Oguna who had said that the city had “fallen with minimum resistance”. It is easy to jump the gun when, you know, you are not the one really shooting the gun.

As I have written before, losing Kismayo is not such a big deal to the Shabab: they may actually end up making more from discreet “Jihad donations” that they will collect from businesses in the region once they are forced to fully withdraw than from the port itself.

Kismayo is the second biggest city in southern Somalia, after Mogadishu. Holding it has more of a psychological effect than anything.

The battle for Kismayo is not the decisive battle that would decide the fate of the Shabab in southern Somalia, and it is not their “last stronghold” as some news sites report. The Shabab control another port city, Barawe, and many important towns in south and central Somalia. Simply put: the Shabab can drive from Kismayo all the way to near Galka’yo in central Somalia without going through enemy territory. How is that for a “last stronghold”?

it's not finished yet, read more on the blog:
"Inside The Shabab Insurgency"

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R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Orion N. Sparks, Sgt. Jonathan A. Gollnitz

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died Sept. 26, in Pul-E Alam, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an insurgent wearing a suicide vest detonated the device near their patrol. These Soldiers were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Schweinfurt, Germany.

            Killed were:

            Staff Sgt. Orion N. Sparks, 29, of Tucson, Ariz., and

            Sgt. Jonathan A. Gollnitz, 28, of Lakehurst, N.J.

            For more information, please contact the U.S. Army Europe public affairs office in Heidelberg, Germany at 011-49-162-271-6685.

---

from TucsonSentinel.com:

by Dylan Smith

A Tucson soldier, Army Staff Sgt. Orion N. Sparks, was killed Wednesday in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense said Friday.

Sparks, 29, and another soldier were killed in Pul-E Alam, Afghanistan, when an insurgent wearing a suicide vest detonated the bomb near their patrol.

The soldiers were serving with the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. The Schweinfurt, Germany-based unit was deployed in Logar province in eastern Afghanistan.

Including Sparks' death, 52 troops with Southern Arizona connections have been killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars—20 in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion of that country.

The other soldier who was killed in the incident was identified as Sgt. Jonathan A. Gollnitz, 28, of Lakehurst, N.J.

Both men were members of Anvil Troop, according to the 1st Squadron's Facebook page.

Sparks "touched the lives of many soldiers during his time in Anvil. He is remembered as a contagious optimist who was always in good spirits. Someone that could relate to soldiers on a personal level and helped guide them through life. Orion was an outstanding trainer of soldiers and a leader who was not afraid to get his hands dirty and lead from the front. A true NCO to the end. He was a cornerstone in Anvil Troop," said a statement posted by Lt. Col. Whit Wright, the 173rd Airborne's commander.

"Several other paratroopers were wounded, one severely, in the same incident," Wright wrote.

---

from app.com:
By Charles Webster

A soldier from the Buffalo, N.Y. area originally reported to be from Lakehurst was killed Wednesday in Afghanistan, according to an announcement Friday by the Department of Defense.

Sgt. Jonathan A. Gollnitz, 28, of Fedonia, N.Y. and Staff Sgt. Orion N. Sparks, 29, of Tucson, Ariz. died Wednesday in Pul-E Alam, Afghanistan of injuries suffered when an insurgent wearing a suicide vest detonated the device near their patrol. The two soldiers were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Schweinfurt, Germany, according to the department announcement.

The department listed Gollnitz’s hometown as Lakehurst but he was actually a Fredonia, N.Y. native, according to his Aunt Kimberly Gollnitz.

Gollnitz was stationed, at one time, at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, now Joint Base: McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, prior to his enlistment in the U.S. Army more than three years ago, she explained.

Lt. Col. Whit Wright, commander of the airborne cavalry unit, characterized the deaths in a prepared statement as the tragic loss of two talented, young leaders.

“Sgt. Gollnitz quickly filled a gap in the platoon's junior leadership. Bringing a quiet professionalism to his work, he was able to build a strong team of soldiers that trusted and respected him. Jonathan was also able to communicate with soldiers on a personal level and would often speak of his son and his plans for the future,”

Several other paratroopers were wounded, one severely, in the same incident, Wright added.

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Sep. 28., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An International Security Assistance Force patrol rescued three Afghans who were being held hostage by Taliban in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province yesterday.

The ISAF unit, Task Force Arrowhead, observed a number of insurgents load three men, bound and blindfolded, onto a trailer towed by a tractor and move toward a small village. The ISAF patrol pursued and stopped the tractor, at which point the insurgents attempted to flee.

Task Force Arrowhead troops freed the hostages and detained three of their captors, who were later identified as Taliban members.

ISAF learned the three men had been held by the Taliban for up to six days.

The freed men were released by ISAF to Panjwa'i district officials.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a number of suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, today. The Taliban leader is suspected of facilitating the movement of weapons throughout the region and reported directly to senior Taliban leaders in order to coordinate insurgent attacks.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained one suspected insurgent and seized several kilograms of illegal narcotics during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Washer district, Helmand province, today. The leader is alleged to serve as a link between senior Taliban leaders and local attack cells, directing insurgent activity throughout the district.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force killed multiple armed insurgents during an operation to arrest a senior Haqqani facilitator in Gelan district, Ghazni province, today. As the security force approached the Haqqani facilitator’s suspected location, armed insurgents attacked the Afghan and coalition troops with heavy machine gun fire. The coalition troops returned fire, killing several armed insurgents. No civilians were harmed in the exchange. The senior Haqqani facilitator is believed to be directly involved in several attacks throughout the region, many involving improvised explosive devices, and suicide bombers, resulting in civilian casualties. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents and seized multiple assault rifles, a heavy machine gun and several explosives, including rocket-propelled grenades, as a result of the operation. The weapons and explosives were safely destroyed away from all civilian structures.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested one of the leaders of the Haqqani insurgent network for Sharan district, Paktika province, today. The arrested leader is suspected of being directly involved in the planning of multiple insurgent attacks, in addition to acquiring weapons and explosives for Haqqani fighters. At the time of his arrest, the Haqqani leader was believed to have been planning an imminent suicide attack in the district. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents as a result of the operation.

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Haqqani explosives facilitator in Bak district, Khost province, today. The arrested facilitator is alleged to be directly involved in the acquisition and emplacement of improvised explosive devices and rockets for attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in the district. Prior to his arrest, the Haqqani facilitator was believed to have transported several IEDs intended for future attacks in the region. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent and seized IED-making equipment as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a number of suspected insurgents and seized several firearms during an operation to detain a senior Haqqani leader in Sayyid Karam district, Paktiya province, today. The senior Haqqani leader is suspected of directing attacks and coordinating the acquisition of weapons and funding for insurgent activity throughout the province.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a number of suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms during an operation in search of a Haqqani improvised explosive device attack leader in Sharan district, Paktika province, today. The Haqqani leader is believed to be directly involved in the acquisition and emplacement of IEDs for insurgent attacks throughout the region.

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Sep. 28., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces detained an insurgent, located a weapons cache and cleared two improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Sept. 27.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Ghazni district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces wounded an insurgent during an engagement in Andar district. The wounded received medical care and then was transferred to a base for questioning.

Khowst province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Gurbuz district.

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police found and safely cleared an IED in Surkh Rod district.

Paktika province
Afghan Border Police discovered a weapons cache in Terwo district. The cache contained seven anti-vehicle IEDs and IED making materials.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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13 Iraqi police killed in Tikrit prison clashes

Clashes killed at least 13 policemen at a prison in the Iraqi city of Tikrit that was seized by militants but has since been retaken by security forces, officials said on Friday.

And at least 83 prisoners were able to escape during the unrest, the officials said.

The violence at the prison comes after al-Qaeda’s Iraqi front group announced a campaign to regain territory and said it aimed to help its jailed members escape.

Salaheddin provincial deputy governor Ahmed Abdul Jabbar told AFP by telephone that the Tikrit prison had been retaken from militants who seized it on Thursday night, but that 83 prisoners escaped.

A hospital official in Tikrit, the ancestral home of slain dictator Saddam Hussein, said 13 police were killed and 34 wounded in the violence.

A source in the Salaheddin police command meanwhile said 15 policemen and seven prisoners were killed, and put the number of escaped prisoners at about 100.

“We took control of the prison, and the gunmen handed over their weapons,” the official said.

Accounts differed on the specifics of the unrest, but it appears militants attacked from outside the prison, while inmates may have seized weapons from guards inside.

A police lieutenant colonel said Thursday that a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb at the gate of the prison, after which it was assaulted by gunmen.

And a traffic police lieutenant colonel who was near the scene of the attack said militants blew up a portion of the prison fence, and that between 30 and 40 prisoners were able to escape.

A police colonel meanwhile said that riots broke out in the prison, while witnesses in the area said prisoners seized the guards’ weapons, and that more than 100 of them escaped and fought security forces in the surrounding area.

The tactics reportedly employed in the assault were reminiscent of those used in attacks in July and August.

Gunmen attempted to use bombs to breach a prison gate in Taji, north of Baghdad, on Aug. 1, after using similar tactics on the anti-terrorism directorate in the capital the day before in an attack the interior ministry said was an attempt to free inmates.

Al-Qaeda’s front group the Islamic State of Iraq said in July that it was launching a “new military campaign aimed at recovering territory.”

An earlier message posted on jihadist forums said the ISI would begin targeting judges and prosecutors, and try to help its prisoners break out of jails.

from AL ARABIYA 
Last Updated: Fri Sep 28, 2012 12:23 pm (KSA) 09:23 am (GMT)

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Somalia: KDF Finally Takes Over Kismayu Port

Nairobi — Kenyan Defense Forces have finally taken control of Kismayu port in Somalia following heavy battle with the militants on Friday morning.

Military Spokesman Col Cyrus Oguna said the town was liberated at 2 am with jets and ground forces.

"We have taken control of the town. Our forces are already Kismayu," Oguna said.

Several Al Shabaab militants were killed in the attack but the exact casualty figures are yet to be released. "The damage will be assessed and we will give you all the information available."

KDF is now urging residents of Kismayu to move out of the battle ground to avoid falling casualty.

"Residents are advised to avoid areas where KDF & SNA troops are to avoid collateral damage," a tweet posted by the Kenyan Military said with a blaring message "KDF TROOPS HAVE TAKEN CONTROL OF KISMAYU!!!"

More details to follow…

from allAfrica/Capital FM
By Bernard Momanyi, 28 September 2012

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Young rebel surrenders after killing comrades

SHIBERGHAN (PAN): A young rebel on Thursday surrendered to security forces after shooting dead his two senior comrades in the Qush Tapa district of northern Jawzjan province.

The 19-year-old Mahazuddin, who surrendered himself in Traghali village, said he killed the two group leaders after they attempted to sexually abuse him.

"The two asked me for a sex favour this morning, something that made me very angry and I turn my gun on them and killed them," he said, identifying the dead as Mullah Kamal, a local Taliban leader, and Mullah Shafiq, a resident of Quetta city of Pakistan.

Mahazuddin said the slain individuals were loyal to a rebel commander in the district, Maulvi Janan.

An intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mahazuddin had turned in a Kalashnikov, a pistol and a motorbike to security forces.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed Mahazuddin was a member of the movement, calling him a short-tempered person. He said Mahazuddun's claim was aimed at disgracing the Taliban as they had no leaders in the name of Mullah Kamal and Mullah Shafiq in the district.

from Pajhwok
by Muhammad Jan Tamkin on Sep 27, 2012 - 20:21

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45 militants killed in one-day Afghan operations: gov't

KABUL, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- A total of 45 Taliban militants were killed during military operations in different Afghan provinces within the past 24 hours, the country's Ministry of Interior Affairs said Thursday.

"Afghan National Police in collaboration with the army and the NATO-led coalition forces launched six joint cleanup operations in Kunduz, Uruzgan, Wardak, Ghazni, Ghor and Helmand provinces, killing 45 armed Taliban insurgents and detaining 32 other suspects over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement providing daily operational updates to the media.

They also found and seized weapons, the statement said, without saying if there were any casualties on the side of security forces.

The Taliban insurgents, who have been waging an insurgency for more than one decade, have yet to confirm the death of their men.

The Afghan forces and some 100,000 NATO-led coalition troops have intensified cleanup operations against Taliban and other militants throughout the country recently but the insurgents in retaliation responded by carrying out suicide attacks and roadside bombings especially in the southern and eastern parts of the country.

Two civilians were killed and two other civilians were wounded when an explosive device fixed in a motorcycle went off in a bazaar in Musa Qala district of southern Helmand province on Wednesday afternoon, provincial police spokesman Farid Ahmad Farhang told Xinhua on Thursday morning.

from XINHUA
2012-09-27 13:25:11

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R.I.P. - Gunners Mate 2nd Class Dion Rashun Roberts

DOD Identifies Navy Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Gunners Mate 2nd Class Dion Rashun Roberts, 23, of North Chicago, Ill., died Sept. 22 as a result of a single vehicle accident in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to an East Coast Naval Special Warfare Unit.

            For more information, media may contact Naval Special Warfare Command public affairs office at 619-522-2816.

---

from NEWS SUN:

Updated: September 27, 2012 3:36AM

NORTH CHICAGO — The young sailor from North Chicago who died in Afghanistan on Saturday was the victim of a single-vehicle accident, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Department of Defense.

Gunners Mate 2nd Class Dion Rashun Roberts, 23, a 2005 graduate of North Chicago High School, was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom when he was killed in the eastern city of Jalalabad, according to the statement. He was assigned to the East Coast Naval Special Warfare Unit.

Roberts, the son of John and Janice Roberts of the 1800 block of Elizabeth Avenue, also leaves behind a sister and nephew. He was due to return from a six-month deployment in October. Navy officials told the family that Roberts was killed during a training exercise.

He is the first native of North Chicago to die in the War on Terror. Twenty-eight servicemen with Lake County ties have died since 2001.

Roberts, a Navy petty officer, was recalled as charming, charismatic and friendly by friends and relatives.

“He was very highly thought of,” said North Chicago High School Principal Eric Gallagher, who said Roberts was a student in the school’s Academy of Finance, and that he was on the volleyball and tennis teams.

Roberts was also a leader in NJROTC. He enlisted in the Navy as a high school senior and went through boot camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes.

“He had a strong character,” recalled a close friend, Aamin Stokes, who said he enlisted with Roberts on Valentine’s Day, but later changed his mind.

“He was one of a kind, an extraordinary personality,” Stokes said. “He could make any situation the most hilarious.”

Related articles

• RIP PO2 Dion R Roberts (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• 23-year-old sailor dies in Afghanistan (wtkr.com)
• Virginia Beach-based sailor killed (wavy.com)

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Sep. 27., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of al-Qaida facilitator during a security operation in Marawarah district, Kunar province, Sunday.

During the operation the security force observed Al-Qaida facilitator Abdul Rauf, also known as Iftikhar, engaged in insurgent activity. After ensuring no civilians were in the area, the security force engaged Abdul Rauf with a precision airstrike, killing him and two other insurgents.

Abdul Rauf was a Pakistani al-Qaida facilitator who coordinated the movement of foreign fighters into the country, as well as constructing improvised explosive devices for attacks against security forces.

A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and no civilian structures were damaged.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban facilitator in Washer district, Helmand province, today. The facilitator is alleged to coordinate the movement of insurgent fighters and weapons, as well as coordinating attacks across northern Helmand. The security force also seized multiple assault rifles and several kilograms of illegal narcotics as a result of the operation.

Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, recovered a cache of weapons, improvised explosive devices and components during a security operation in Qalat district, Zabul province yesterday. During the operation the partnered forces recovered a number of pressure plate IEDs, 260 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, 100 kilograms of potassium chloride, 25 kilograms of homemade explosive, 15 kilograms of aluminum powder, rocket propelled grenades, ammunition, and two Afghan National Security Forces uniforms.

East

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, killed a number of insurgents during an operation to arrest a Haqqani leader in Sabari district, Khost province, today. The leader is believed to be responsible for conducting multiple rocket-propelled grenade attacks on Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region. As the Afghan-led security force approached the Haqqani leader’s suspected location, multiple armed insurgents maneuvered to attack the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force positively identified the threat and engaged killing the armed insurgents. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents and seized multiple assault rifles and military equipment believed to be intended for future attacks. No civilians were harmed during the operation.

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