Saturday, July 14, 2012

East Africa: Amisom Strikes Al Shabaab Training Camp

The Somalia National Army troops and their African Mission in Somalia counterparts yesterday morning launched an operation to capture al Shabaab's main training camp in Lanta-Buro in Somalia. The attack on Lantaâ-Buro, which is 40km west of Mogadishu, is expected to cripple the operations of the al Qaeda-linked insurgents and limit their ability to train recruits.

The move to take the camp comes at a critical time for the capital as it prepares to host a National Constituent Assembly which will adopt a provisional constitution and end 12 years of transitional government. Lanta-Buro hosted political prisoners during the Siad Barre regime but was converted into a major terrorist training camp by the al Shabaab.

AMISOM Force Commander, Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti, said the operation would enhance security in the capital by denying the terrorists a base from which to launch attacks. "AMISOM is committed to supporting the peace process in Somalia and this operation will not only bring relief to the population in that particular area, but will also help create a safer environment in the capital," he said. Our aim is to ensure that the people of Somalia can continue to pursue national reconciliation free of the fear of terrorist attack," he added.

AMISOM has been pushing the insurgents further out of Mogadishu since the UN Security Council boosted its numbers to over 17,000 and helped Somalia's Transitional Federal Government to secure major al Shabaab controlled towns such as Afgooye, Afmadow, Fafadun, Marka, Baidoa and most recently Balaad. Kenya Defence Forces were last week officially inducted into AMISOM although they were included by the UN Security Council in February after launching operations against the insurgents in October 2011.


from allAfrica/The Star(Nairobi)
By Dominic Wabala, 13 July 2012

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District security chief murdered in Kandahar province

According to local authorities in southern Kandahar province, unknown gunmen assassinated security chief for 15th district in southern Kandahar city on Saturday.

The officials further added the incident took place around 9 am local time at Deh-Khwaja area in Kandahar city while Misteri Rahmatullah security chief for 15th district of southern Kandahar city was on his way towards his work place.

Provincial governor spokesman Javid Faisal confirming the report said the assailant militants managed to flee the area and Afghan security forces have launched a search operation to detain those involved behind the attack.

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

In the meantime local security officials in Kandahar province announced at least 6 people including three Afghan civilians and three Taliban militants were killed at Shahwali-Kot district.

Provincial police chief Gen. Abdul Razaq said militants murdered three Afghan civilians for supporting the Afghan government in Boji area last night.

Gen. Abdul Razaq further added Afghan security forces killed three Taliban militants on Friday afternoon at Kajor area in this province.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Sat Jul 14, 1:55 pm

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40 armed insurgents killed and 28 others arrested by ANP



Publish Date: Jul 14, 2012
40 armed insurgents killed and 28 others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched nine joint clearance operations in Bamyan, Baghlan, Kandahar, Zabul, Logar, Ghazni, Paktiya, Herat and Helmand provinces.

As a result of these operations, 40 armed insurgents were killed and 28 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 10 AK-47 assault rifles with 10 magazines, three rocket launchers, seven different types of mines, seven hand grenades, 60 kilograms of explosive materials and three motorcycles.

Additionally, three mine planters were killed by their own explosives while they were planting a roadside mine in the Mali Zai village, Khairkot District of Paktika province, last night.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused an explosives-rigged motorcycle in the Shabarghan City capital of Jowzjan province.
Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained four individuals accused of theft and murder in the 9th and 11th Districts of Kabul-City.


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Militants gun down Shindand district mayor

HERAT CITY (PAN): A district mayor was killed by the Taliban militants while he was returning home from the mosque in the western province of Herat, an official said on Saturday.

Police spokesman Noor Khan Nekzad told Pajhwok Afghan News that gunmen sprayed Shindand Mayor Abdul Salam with bullets in a bazaar of the district. He was rushed to hospital but died on the way.

A shopkeeper in the vicinity was also killed in the shooting. Provincial council member Mohammad Tariq confirmed the mayor’s death, who had been in the post for the past three years. Prior to that, he was a district governor.

As usual, Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the assassination.

from Pajhwok
by Ahmad Quraishi on Jul 14, 2012 - 12:37

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Suicide bomber kills top official, 22 more at Afghan wedding

Afghan officials stand at the site of attack in Samangan province July 14, 2012.
REUTERS/Stringer
(Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed a prominent anti-Taliban politician and 22 other guests at a wedding reception in the northern Afghan province of Samangan on Saturday, officials said.


By Bashar Ahmad
MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan | Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:52am BST

Read more and for more photos visit Reuters article
 

The bomber blew himself up as he hugged lawmaker Ahmad Khan Samangani, who was celebrating his daughter's marriage, police said. The blast also killed the provincial intelligence chief and a senior police commander.

Samangani was close to Uzbek warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, and commanded thousands of men in the area. The Uzbeks are part of an uneasy coalition of minority tribes that fight the Taliban in their area.

The attack, among the most lethal in recent months, raises the risk of greater insecurity in the relatively peaceful province, analysts said.

At least 23 people were killed and 60 others wounded, said a statement from President Hamid Karzai condemning the attack.

"The enemies of Afghanistan once again targeted mujahideen figures who strive for national unity," Karzai said.

The wounded were in critical condition and the death toll could rise, said regional police spokesman Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai.

Samangani had told guards at the party not to inconvenience guests with security searches, said provincial police chief Khalil Andarabi.

The Taliban, which has been behind a series of suicide attacks this year, denied responsibility. The group often distances itself from attacks with high civilian death tolls.

"We don't have a hand in this," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. "Ahmad Khan (Samangani) was a former commander of the mujahideen, he was notorious and many people could have had problems with him."

Samangani, an ethnic Uzbek, fought against the Soviets in the 1980s, and against the Taliban during their 1996-2001 rule. He may have had enemies other than the Taliban, said Kabul-based political analyst Waheed Mujhda.

"Former warlords have frequently been targeted in the past," he said. "Ahmad Khan Samangani was a strongman in terms of security for Samangan province. His loss will certainly affect security in that region."

Witnesses described scenes of carnage.

"I saw parts of bodies, blood all over the reception," said Ahmad Jawed, a guest at the wedding. "Many wounded people were crying for help."

Another witness, Barat Khan, said: "It took some 15 minutes for the smoke to clear, then I saw bodies and pools of blood."

Afghanistan is experiencing some of the worst violence since the Taliban government was toppled by U.S.-led Afghan forces more than a decade ago.

In a separate incident on Saturday, a police official was gunned down in the southern city of Kandahar, the governor's spokesman said.

On Friday, a car bomb killed a leading female politician, Hanifa Safi. No one has claimed responsibility.

(Additional reporting by Mohammad Hamed and Miriam Arghandiwal in Kabul; Writing by Hamid Shalizi; Editing by Daniel Magnowski)
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July 14., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Maidan Shahr district, Wardak province, today.

The Taliban leader provides the insurgents throughout the district with the financing and weapons necessary to conduct attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

As the Afghan and coalition security force approached the leader’s suspected location, a group of insurgents attacked them. The security force returned fire killing several insurgents.

As a result of the operation, the combined security force detained several insurgents and multiple weapons.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to arrest a senior Taliban leader in Chahar Bolak district, Balkh province, today. During the operation, the security force killed one insurgent and detained two suspected insurgents.

In Archi district, Kunduz province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Taliban leader today. The Taliban leader is responsible for planning and coordinating attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region. As a result of the operation, several suspected insurgents were detained.

South

An Afghan and coalition security force conducted a security operation to detain a Taliban leader in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, yesterday. The Taliban leader provides weapons, ammunition and explosives to insurgents in the region and is responsible for multiple attacks against coalition troops. During the operation, the force detained multiple suspected insurgents.

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July 13., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces detained five insurgents and cleared five improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 13.

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

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Gelan district and one in Giro district.

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

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Khugyani district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Sharan district.

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

Paktiya province
Two insurgents self-detonated an improvised explosive, killing themselves in the process, in Shwak district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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July 13., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force conducted a security operation to apprehend a high-level Haqqani leader in Giyan district, Paktika province, today.

During the operation, the security force was attacked by a group of armed insurgents who fired at them with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. The security force returned fire and killed several of the attackers. No civilians were harmed in the exchange.

The security force also detained multiple suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

In Andar district, Kunduz province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to arrest the Taliban military leader of the district today. During the operation, the security force killed one insurgent after he shot at them as they approached the Taliban leader’s suspected location. No civilians were harmed in the exchange. As a result of the operation, the Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected insurgents, and seized multiple firearms and grenades.

East


An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a high level Taliban leader in Charkh district, Logar province, today. The leader reports directly to the senior Taliban leader in Charkh and provides insurgents with weapons and other lethal aid for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition troops.

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July 12., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces detained four insurgents and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 12.

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

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained an insurgent while investigating an IED find in Surkh Rod district. The IED was safely cleared and the insurgent was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained two insurgents while investigating an IED find in Surkh Rod district. The IED was safely cleared and the insurgents were transferred to a base for questioning.

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

Paktiya province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Shwak District and one in Sayyid Karam district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Sayyid Karam district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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R.I.P. - Spc. Sterling W. Wyatt

DOD Identifies Army Casualty
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Spc. Sterling W. Wyatt, 21, of Columbia, Mo., died July 11, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

            Wyatt was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

            For more information pertaining to this release, media may contact the I Corps public affairs office at 253-477-3048 or 253-370-9861.


Lewis-McChord soldier killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan


Posted by Alexa Vaughn
July 12, 2012 at 4:20 PM

Spc. Sterling Wyatt, based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, died Wednesday of wounds sustained from an enemy improvised explosive device detonation. (Army photo)

A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier, 21-year-old Spc. Sterling W. Wyatt, died Wednesday of wounds from a roadside bomb in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, according to the military base.

This was Spc. Wyatt’s first deployment, which he started in December 2011, according to a military base release. Spc. Wyatt, a native of Columbia, Mo., entered the Army in November 2010 and arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in March 2011.

He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

He had earned following awards and decorations:  National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Medal, Certificate of Achievement, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
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July 12., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan Provincial Response Company Ghazni supported by coalition forces seized a large cache of explosive materials in Ghazni district, Ghazni province Saturday.

The cache consisted of more than 10,000 kilograms (22,000 pounds) of ammonium nitrate, 3,300 meters (10,827 feet) of detonation cord and 281 sticks of dynamite.

The combined force destroyed all materials in place. No civilians were harmed during the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South
An Afghan and coalition security force conducted a search operation for a Taliban explosives expert in Nawah-ye Barakzai district, Helmand province, today. The explosives expert constructs and emplaces improvised explosive devices throughout the region. The operation resulted in the detention of one suspected insurgent and the seizure of explosive materials.

East

Afghan and coalition forces conducted a search operation for Omar, a Taliban leader in Charkh district, Logar province, Tuesday. Omar served directly under senior Taliban leaders and was known as an explosive specialist who was directly involved in several attacks in recent months that had resulted in the death of multiple Afghans. At the time of the operation Omar was attempting to acquire multiple rockets for insurgent attacks. After positively identifying Omar and one additional insurgent the forces engaged them with a precision airstrike, killing both. A follow-on assessment of the area determined no civilians were harmed and no civilian property was damaged.

In Maidan Shahr district, Wardak province, an Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban weapons dealer and seized 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of explosives, today. The detained weapons dealer acquired and provided weapons, including grenades, sniper rifles and assault rifle components to the Taliban for use in attacks throughout the region.

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July 11., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition detained four insurgents, located two weapons caches and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 11.

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

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Muhammad Aghah district

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Muhammad Aghah district. The cache contained mortar rounds, a land mine and homemade explosives being used for IEDs.

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

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Yosuf Khel district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared four IEDs, two in Sharan district and two in Yosuf Khel district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent while investigating a weapons cache in Mata Khan district. The cache contained small arms and ammunition and grenades. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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R.I.P. - SSgt.Seija, Spc.Alecksen, Spc.Williams, Pfc.Adkins, Pfc.Pardo, Pfc.Stambaugh

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

            They died July 8, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit in Maidan Shahr, Wardak province, Afghanistan, with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 978th Military Police Company, 93rd Military Police Battalion, Fort Bliss, Texas.

            Killed were:

            Staff Sgt. Ricardo Seija, 31, of Tampa, Fla.,

            Spc. Erica P. Alecksen, 21, of Eatonton, Ga.,

            Spc. Clarence Williams III, 23, of Brooksville, Fla.,

            Pfc. Trevor B. Adkins, 21, of Spring Lake, N.C.,

            Pfc. Alejandro J. Pardo, 21, of Porterville, Calif., and

            Pfc. Cameron J. Stambaugh, 20, of Spring Grove, Pa.

            For more information the media may contact the 1st Armored Division public affairs office at 915-203-3769 and 254-371-5704.

---

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