Sunday, June 24, 2012

R.I.P. - Lance Cpl. Eugene C. Mills III

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

             Lance Cpl. Eugene C. Mills III, 21, of Laurel, Md., died June 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

             For more information, media may contact the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at 910-450-6575.

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Bicycle bomb kills 1 in Ghazni

According to local authorities in eastern Ghazni province at least 1 Afghan civilian was killed and another one was injured following an explosion in this province.

The incident took place in Ali Lala area in eastern Ghazni city after explosives planted in a cycle went off on Sunday afternoon.

Provincial governor spokesman Sabawoon said the explosive device was planted by anti-government armed militant groups and all the victims of the last are Afghan civilians.

In the meantime provincial hospital chief Baaz Mohammad said at least two people including an Afghan man and kid who were injured following the blast were taken to the hospital.

No group including the Taliban militants have so far claimed responsibility behind the incident. Taliban militants and other anti-government armed groups frequently use improvised explosive device as the weapon of their choice to target Afghan and coalition forces which normally leads to civilians casualties.

Ali Lalai area is considered to be a busy place in eastern Ghazni city and there are fears of increase in casualties as a result of today’s blast.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Sun Jun 24, 3:24 pm
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Taliban district chief arrested in Bamiyan province

According to local authorities in Bamiyan province of Afghanistan, Afghan security forces detained Taliban district chief in Saighan.

The officials further added Mullah Abdul Kabir was arrested by Afghan security forces along with some weapons and ammunition including 1 RPG, 2 missiles, 120 rounds of AK-47 and PK ammos, some explosive materials and 3 remote controls.

Provincial security media office chief Ahmad Aliyar said Taliban district chief Mullah Abdul Kabir was arrested after carrying out a failed suicide bomb blast to target Saighan district chief.

Mr. Aliyar further added Afghan security forces seized some documents from Mullah Abdul Kabir which shows he had conducted his classes in a religious school “Jame Ashhad-ul-Tawhid” in Peshawar city of Pakistan and was later send to Bamiyan province of Afghanistan.

In the meantime Mullah Abdul Kabir said a number of religious clerics of Afghanistan is also being trained in religious Madrasas in Pakistan.

He said he was elected as district chief for Saighan while he was being trained in Peshawar city of Pakistan.
Districts of Bamyan.
Districts of Bamyan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mullah Abdul Kabir also said Taliban group was being supported and organized by United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) and 25 other Islamic and Western nations.

According to local security officials, this is the second time Afghan security forces arrest nominated Taliban leader in Bamiyan province of Afghanistan.

Afghan security forces arrested nominated Taliban provincial governor Mullah Burhanuddin for Bamiyan province last yet.

Taliban militants group yet to comment regarding the report.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Sun Jun 24, 12:09 pm
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20 armed insurgents killed and 7 others arrested by ANP



Publish Date: Jun 24, 2012
20 armed insurgents killed and seven others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched four joint clearance operations in Kunar, Nangarhar, Helmand and Uruzgan provinces.

As a result of these operations, 20 armed insurgents were killed and seven others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 13 different types of weapons, 498 heavy rounds, 13 different types of mines, 60 kilograms of explosive materials, eight magazines, six radio handsets, 1400 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and five motorbikes.

In the meantime, Afghan National Police arrested a mine planter while he was planting a roadside mine in the Zazai Maidan District of Khost province.
 
Crimes:
Afghan National Border Police arrested three individuals accused of using fake passports in the Kabul International Airport, yesterday.
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Nigeria: JTF Kills Four Suspected Boko Haram in Kano

The Joint Task Force in Kano Saturday killed four suspected militants in their hideout at Janbulo quarters of Rijiyar Zaki general area of Kano metropolitan during an afternoon raid.

The JTF raided a house believed to have been the operational base of the militants and uncovered a Honda vehicle which has been primed for a suicide mission.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt Ikedichi Iweha, who confirmed the operation, said: "A raid operation was carried out resulting in a gun duel, at the end of which four suspected terrorists were killed in their hideout, located at Jan-block of Rijiyar Zaki general area"

Iweha , who said the operation was carried out based on tips from the public, called on the residents of the state to continue supporting the security agencies with useful information so as to make Kano free from terrorists.

The JTF operation at the hideout which lasted about two hours recovered large arms, ammunitions and high explosives.

Eyewitness told reporters that "We were all in a state of shock over the unusual discovery at the premises of a magnificent building at Jan-bulo, believed to be the hideout of the suspected militants."

It could be recalled that the latest incident came a day after the discovery of explosives at a Mosque during Juma'at prayers at Fagge quarters, which the police promptly defused before it could wreak havoc.

from allAfrica
via ThisDay
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June 24., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban explosives expert in Gardez district, Paktiya province, today.

The detained explosives expert led an improvised explosive device network and provided IED training to insurgents operating throughout the region. He was also responsible for several IED attacks Afghan and coalition forces.

During the operation, the security force seized one pistol, one grenade launcher, multiple rocket-propelled grenades, explosives and IED components.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed one of the insurgents killed Friday during an operation in Baghlan-e Jadid district, Baghlan province, was the Taliban leader Saifullah. Saifullah was involved in multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Baghlan-e Jadid. He provided suicide vests, improvised explosive devices and other explosives, to insurgents throughout the region. The Afghan and coalition security force also confirmed that one of the suspected insurgents detained during the operation is the insurgent IED expert Mullah Ehsan.

East

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed one of the insurgents detained during an operation Wednesday, in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, is a Haqqani leader. He was responsible for planning and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition and forces throughout the district and had more than two dozen insurgents under his control.

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, conducted an operation to detain a Haqqani leader in Sabari district, Khost province, today. The Haqqani leader has been directly involved in multiple improvised explosive device and direct-fire attacks against coalition forces in the area. During the operation, the security force detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized several AK-47’s, mortar equipment and ammunition.

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Taliban commander killed over illicit relation charges

Districts of Parwan.
Districts of Parwan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
According to local authorities in northern Parwan province, a local Taliban commander accused of having illicit relations with an Afghan woman was killed by Taliban militants in this province.

Shinwari district chief Abdul Rahil confirming the report said the Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Qadir was killed along with the Afghan woman over illicit relations charges late Friday night.

Mr. Rahil further added the accused Afghan woman was being traced by the Taliban militants for the last few months.

He also said the deceased Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Qadir was also accused of disclosing information regarding another Taliban leader Mullah Izatullah who was killed by security forces in Seyar Gerd district.

According to district chief Abdul Rahil the Taliban militants attacked the house of Mullah Qadir and shot dead the Afghan woman along with the local Taliban commander in his house.

Taliban militants group yet to comment regarding the report.

Mullah Izatullah a prominent Taliban leader in Ghorband valley and was killed following a military operation around 2 weeks back in northern Parwan province.

Ghorband valley is considered to be one of the volatile regions in northern Parwan province where Taliban militants are openly operating in a number of its districts.

A member of the Bamiyan provincial council member Jawad Zahak was also kidnapped and killed by Taliban militants in Ghorband valley last year.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Sat Jun 23, 4:32 pm
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Zarqawi's nephew killed in Yemen drone strike


A Jordanian member of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula who was the nephew of former al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi was killed in a drone strike earlier this year, according to a martyrdom statement that was released by a jihadist.

A jihadist close to Muhammad Fazi al Harasheh, who was also known as Abu Hammam al Zarqawi, released the martyrdom statement on the al Qaeda-linked Ansar al Mujahideen forum on June 20. The statement was translated by the SITE Intelligence Group.

The date and location of Abu Hammam's death were not disclosed. He was initially reported to have been killed in a landmine attack, in a statement released on jihadist forums on May 8, according to SITE. The US is known to have conducted 13 drone strikes in southern Yemen between the beginning of April and the date his death was announced. Three of those strikes took place in Abyan province, where Abu Hammam was known to operate.

According to the jihadist, "spies" aided in the killing of Abu Hammam in a drone strike as he traveled in a vehicle.

"They were unable to kill him in the battles, so they sent spies to guide them to him," the statement said. "A drone came to bomb the car in which he and one of the brother were riding, and so his pure soul went to its maker."

Abu Hammam traveled to Yemen sometime last year and "entered the ranks of the mujahideen at the end of 2011." He "pledged allegiance to Sheikh Nasir al Wuhayshi," the leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and its political front, Ansar al Sharia. Wuhayshi served as Osama bin Laden's aide de camp prior to traveling to Yemen to wage jihad.

The jihadist who wrote the martyrdom statement described Abu Hammam as "one of the hardest mujahideen on the enemies of Allah," who earned the nickname the "Lion of Zinjibar." According to other fighters, Abu Hammam "killed more than 26 apostates from the vagrants of America, and ... he slaughtered number 26 like a sheep."

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/06/zarqawis_nephew_kill.php#ixzz1yf1vWWb1
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Yemeni army takes control of Qaeda bastion Azzan

Map by Evan Centanni. (www.polgeonow.com)
Yemeni troops took control on Saturday of the southeastern town of Azzan, a known al-Qaeda bastion, after the group’s fighters left it a week ago, an official said.

Thirty-five people, meanwhile, were killed in the southern Abyan province over the past 10 days in explosions from landmines laid by al-Qaeda fighters before they fled from the province, officials said.

“Some 60 vehicles of army and security forces have been deployed across central Azzan,” a local government official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that army warplanes were seen flying over the area.

Witnesses confirmed that Azzan, in the southeastern Shabwa province, was finally handed over to the army by a committee of tribal mediators to whom al-Qaeda fighters had initially passed over control.

State news agency Saba said troops backed by armed militiamen had “claimed a final victory over the al-Qaeda terrorist network, spreading state control to the city and overthrowing what was named the (Islamic) emirate of Azzan.”

On June 17, al-Qaeda militants fled from Azzan, the last town in Yemen where they had established total control.

Al-Qaeda had declared an Islamic emirate in the desert town where hundreds of fighters were believed to have sought refuge after fleeing their strongholds in nearby Abyan province.

President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, quoted by Saba, hailed “the big victory over al-Qaeda elements of evil and terrorism” and urged Yemenis “to join ranks in the face of terrorism and its elements and to confront their criminal plots.”

Taking advantage of a weakening central government control by an Arab Spring-inspired uprising last year, the militants had overrun most of Abyan, capturing Zinjibar, Jaar, Shuqra and several other villages.

But on May 12, Yemen’s military launched an all-out offensive to recapture the province. The army and local militiamen have succeeded in taking over all of Abyan’s towns except for Mahfad where jihadists still have a strong presence.

Landmines which the jihadists laid in Abyan before fleeing have in the past 10 days killed 27 people in the provincial capital Zinjibar and eight more on the outskirts of the town of Jaar, officials said on Saturday.

“Landmine explosions in Zinjibar have left 27 people dead” since the army, backed by local militiamen, drove out Al-Qaeda militants from the capital on June 13, said Zinjibar deputy mayor Ghassan Sheikh.

He said the army has so far been unable to clear all the landmines, adding that the explosives were sown in most streets of Zinjibar.

“Most of Zinjibar’s residents have been unable to return yet” from the main southern city of Aden to their town which has been totally destroyed by the fighting, he said.

On Friday, the new army commander for southern Yemen, Major-General Naser al-Taheri who replaced General Salem Ali Qoton, assassinated by an al-Qaeda suicide bomber last Monday, vowed to keep up the fight.

Qoton’s murder will only “make us more determined... to hunt these terrorist groups in their hideouts until the nation is cleansed from their evil,” Saba quoted him as saying.

Qoton, who had led the five-week-long offensive against the jihadists, was killed along with two of his aides when a Somali suicide bomber threw himself on their vehicle in the regional capital Aden.

U.S. officials have repeatedly described the Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula as the most dangerous of the jihadist network’s worldwide affiliates.

from AL ARABIYA
Saturday, 23 June 2012 
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