Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Car bomb kills 25 in southern Iraq - officials


Iraq map karbala
Iraq map karbala (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
(Reuters) - A car bomb in a busy market in the southern Iraqi city of Diwaniya killed at least 25 people and wounded 50 others on Tuesday, police and a provincial council official said, the latest in a series of sectarian attacks.

Earlier in the day, two roadside bombs targeting Shi'ite pilgrims killed four people and wounded 21 near the central Iraqi city of Kerbala, hospital and police sources said.


In Diwaniya, 150 km (125 miles) south of Baghdad, police announced a partial curfew and closed all entrances to the city.

The bombing took place near a Shi'ite mosque where pilgrims gather on their way to Kerbala to celebrate the birthday of one of the most important imams - al-Mahdi - this week.

Attacks have increased in Iraq in recent weeks, raising fears that the country may slip back into widespread violence between Iraqi Sunni and Shi'ite muslims.

Last month at least 237 people were killed and 603 wounded mainly in bomb attacks, according to a Reuters tally, making June one of the bloodiest months in Iraq since U.S. troops withdrew at the end of last year.

The deadliest attack occurred on June 13 when bombers targeting Shi'ite pilgrims killed more than 70 people.

Sunni insurgents often attack Shi'ite targets to try to reignite violence that killed tens of thousands of people in 2006-2007. Iraq's al Qaeda wing has claimed some of the recent bombings against Shi'ites.

(Additional reporting by Suadad al-Salhy and Ali al-Rubaie; Editing by Louise Ireland)

from Reuters

DIWANIYA, Iraq | Tue Jul 3, 2012 10:40am BST
 





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82 armed insurgents killed, 8 wounded and 4 others arrested by ANP



Publish Date: Jul 03, 2012
82 armed insurgents killed, eight wounded and four others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 12 joint clearance operations in Kabul, Jowzjan, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Maidan Wardak, Logar and Ghazni provinces.

As a result of these operations, 82 armed insurgents were killed, eight wounded and four others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 2kg of opium, 10 different types of weapons, three PKM machine guns, 14 different types of mines, three radio handsets, 74 light and heavy rounds, 80 kilograms of explosive materials, 11 hand grenades and two motorcycles.
 
Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained four individuals accused of using fake documents in areas surrounding of Kabul-City.

In the meantime, Afghan National Border Police arrested a man with fake passport in the Kabul International Airport, yesterday.

The ANP encourages all citizens to report suspicious activities and criminal acts.
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July 03., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in Shiray Kajaki and Baghran districts, Helmand province, Saturday.

During the operation, the security force discovered a number of storage compounds containing narcotics, improvised explosive device components, weapons and ammunition.

The items found in those compounds included 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of poppy seed, five kilograms (11 pounds) of wet opium, a quantity of IED components, 700 rounds of 7.62mm and a many weapons.

While conducting the search operation, the Afghan and coalition security force was attacked by multiple groups of insurgents. The security force returned fire and later confirmed they had killed numerous insurgents.

The security force destroyed all the items in place.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

East

Afghan and coalition forces confirmed that the al-Qaida leader known as Hanzallah was killed during a security operation in Watahpur district, Kunar province, Sunday. Hanzallah was a Saudi national and al-Qaida leader who acted as a military advisor to insurgents in Kunar, Nuristan and Laghman provinces and provided them with improvised explosive device training. Hanzallah was one of several al-Qaida terrorists killed during the security operation.

Afghan and coalition forces conducted a security operation in Bermal district, Paktika province, today. During the operation, Afghan and coalition forces identified a group of armed insurgents. The security force engaged the armed insurgents with a precision airstrike, killing several of them. A follow-on assessment confirmed the airstrike had not harmed any civilians or damaged any civilian property.

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July 02., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed 16 insurgents, detained 15 and cleared eight improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 2.

Ghazni province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces killed two insurgents during a small arms engagement in Giro district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed four insurgents during a small arms engagement in Andar district.

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Qarah Bagh district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Ab Band district.

Khowst province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained one insurgent during an engagement in Gurbuz district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained three insurgents during an engagement in Khowst district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Sabari district.

Kunar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed one insurgent during a small arms engagement in Watahpur district.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained two insurgents during an engagement in Sar Kani district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed four insurgents during an engagement in Charkh district.

Paktika province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained two insurgents during an engagement in Sar Rowzah district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Paktiya province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed three insurgents during a small arms engagement in Shwak district.

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained two insurgents during an engagement in Zurmat district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Wardak province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared three IEDs, killed two insurgents and detained five during an engagement in Qarah Bagh district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Sayyadabad district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.


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Australian soldier killed in Chorah Valley

An Australian Special Forces soldier has been killed as a result of a small arms engagement in the Chorah Valley, Afghanistan, yesterday afternoon (2 July 2012).


The soldier was shot in the chest during an engagement with insurgents while on a partnered mission with the Afghan National Security Forces to target a known insurgent commander.

The Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley extended his sympathy to the soldier's family and friends.

"Words cannot ease the overwhelming grief they feel today but I hope they can find comfort in the knowledge that this soldier served his country with pride and distinction," General Hurley said.

The patrol's advanced first aider provided immediate assistance and continued attempts to resuscitate the wounded soldier until he was evacuated by helicopter to the Role 2 Medical Facility in Tarin Kot.



"Sadly, despite the best efforts of all, attempts to resuscitate the soldier were unsuccessful," General Hurley said.

The soldier’s family has been notified and are receiving support from Defence.

The 40 year old Special Forces soldier was a member of the Perth based Special Air Service Regiment. He enlisted in the Army in 1990 and joined the Special Air Service Regiment in 1995 deploying on six operations during a career spanning more than 20 years.

This was his seventh tour to Afghanistan over an 11 year period.

The soldier's family has requested that personal details not be released at this time and we ask that you respect their privacy.

An ADF military dog was also shot and killed during the engagement.


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R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Robert A. Massarelli, Sgt. Michael J. Strachota

DOD Identifies Army Casualties
            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died June 24, in Kandahar, Afghanistan.  They were assigned to the 96th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood, Texas.

            Killed were:

            Staff Sgt. Robert A. Massarelli, 32, of Hamilton, Ohio, and

            Sgt. Michael J. Strachota, 28, of White Hall, Ark.

            For more information, media may contact the III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs Office at 254-286-5139.

---
from todaysthv:

Sgt. Michael Strachota of Pine Bluff killed in Afghanistan

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) - A Pine Bluff soldier is dead after an accident in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Michael Strachota was killed in Kandahar in Afghanistan over the weekend. He was stationed at Ft. Hood with the Army.
According to his father, government officials say Strachota was driving a truck and there was some kind of accident. He was scheduled to come home July 5 for his son's third birthday.
He is survived by his wife and his son. His body is being taken to Dover Air Force Base from Afghanistan.
--
White Hall Native Dies in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom
 
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Mike Ross, D-Prescott, today issued the following statement in response to the passing of Sergeant Michael Strachota, who died on June 24, 2012, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  According to initial reports, Sgt. Strachota died of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

Sgt. Strachota was assigned to the 96th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood, Texas. Sgt. Strachota’s wife and son reside in Killeen, Texas. His mother resides in Star City, Arkansas, and his father and grandmother reside in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Statement from U.S. Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott:
“Our state and nation lost a true patriot in the passing of Sergeant Michael Strachota.  His passing comes much too soon and he will be deeply missed.  All Americans owe Sergeant Strachota their eternal gratitude for his service to our nation. There is no way we can ever thank Sergeant Strachota or his family enough for his service, but we can honor his legacy and life and pledge together to support all of our men and women in uniform who heroically serve this great country of ours. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, son, parents, grandmother, and the rest of his family and friends during this very difficult time.”


--------
 from kypost:


HAMILTON, Ohio - Family members have confirmed that Staff Sgt. Robert A. Massarelli died in Afghanistan over the weekend.
According to his mother, Mary Massarelli, the 32-year-old Hamilton native died on Sunday, June 24 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
He is survived by his parents, Pat and Mary Massarelli, and brothers Mike and Ben.
Services are pending, according to the Colligan Funeral Home.


--
from journal-news:
By Ed Richter and Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writers 9:49 PM Friday, June 29, 2012 

 A soldier with Hamilton ties was remembered for his dedication and his sense of humor.
Staff Sgt. Robert A. Massarelli, 32, whose parents live in Hamilton, was reportedly in a truck when it was hit by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and died June 24 after being evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, according to a Facebook post from the 96th Transportation Company.
Massarelli grew up in Michigan, but listed his parents’ home in Hamilton as his residence.
He is the son of Pat and Mary Massarelli of Hamilton. Massarelli also had two brothers, Mike and Ben Massarelli.
The Department of Defense had not released the official notice of Massarelli’s death as of Friday afternoon. His mother confirmed her son’s death on Thursday night and the family has declined further comment.
Massarelli grew up in Kentwood, Mich., a suburb of Grand Rapids, and was a 1998 graduate of East Kentwood High School.
He was assigned to the 66th Transportation Company based in Kaiserslautern, Germany and also served in the 96th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Batallion, 4th Sustainment Brigade that is based at Fort Hood, Texas.
Massarelli was apparently one of two soldiers who were killed in the attack, the other being Sgt. Michael Strachota of Pine Bluff, Ark., according to the Grand Rapids Press.
The two men were flown stateside this week and their bodies were transferred to their respective families at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, according to the Grand Rapids Press.
Sgt. Laura Bulvas said in past years she worked in the same platoon as Massarelli with the 66th Transportation Company. She said Massarelli always maintained a sense of humor.
“Sgt. Massarelli wasn’t the type of guy that wanted to be in the spotlight, he was often in the background but everyone knew him for his quirky sense of humor,” Bulvas said. “Sgt. Massarelli was truly a genuine guy, he always had good intentions in everything that he did. He will truly be missed.”
Michael Zoerhoff, assistant superintendent of human resources for Kentwood Public Schools in Michigan, said Robert Massarelli was an East Kentwood Falcon his entire life from elementary school through high school.
“We’re saddened about his death and grateful for his service,” Zoerhoff said.
Zoerhoff said Massarelli was a dedicated student that rarely missed a day. During high school, Massarelli was a part of the school’s residential construction program to build a home for the community.
“He was one of those good, hard-working kids; like a soldier,” Zoerhoff said.
Masarelli is the third man with Butler County ties to die in Afghanistan this year. Marine Sgt. John P. “JP” Huling, 25, of West Chester Twp. died May 6, and Army Cpl. Nicholas Olivas, 20, of Fairfield, died on May 30.
Services are pending at the Colligan Funeral Home in Hamilton.
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