Thursday, September 20, 2012

Mali: Al Qaeda Threatens to Kill French Hostages

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqim) has threatened to execute six French hostages if France intervenes militarily in northern Mali in a message published on a Mauritanian website. The Islamist group threatens "tragedies and catastrophes" for France and its people if France and its African allies take military action in the region.

Four of the hostages, who work for French nuclear giant Areva or for one of its subsidiaries, were kidnapped on 16 September 2010 in northern Niger. Their captors sent out a video of them alive a fortnight ago.

The other two were captured on 24 November 2011 in northern Mali.

In the latest message, which had not been authenticated by the French foreign ministry on Wednesday night, Aqim says it is ready to negotiate but that the French authorities have to make the first move.
The kidnappers tell the prisoners' families that France has failed to "correct its errors" and continues "the occupation of Islamic lands and the struggle against Islam and its people" and, instead, has "called for the invasion Muslim land in Mali".

France is a prime mover in calls for a west African military intervention in northern Mali, which has been taken over by Islamists and Tuareg separatists who know it as Azawad.

"This insane initiative will provoke not only the deaths of the hostages but will sink France in Azawad and will bring it and its people more tragedies and catastrophes", the message says.

Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaoré, who has been involved in trying to resolve the Malian crisis, told France 24 television on Wednesday that no negotiations have taken place but that he was working with the French authorities to try and "build bridges so that a dialogue can really be opened".

A week ago President François Hollande met the hostages' families but they declared afterwards that the meeting had not calmed their fears for their loved ones' lives.

"Does this call mean that ... the kidnappers are becoming impatient?" asks RFI's website in French.
"Are we to understand that they have revised their demands and that negotiations must start on a different basis?"

The Ecowas group of west African states has held further discussion on a possible military intervention in the last few days and is to be debated at the UN on 26 September.

Read or Listen to this story on the RFI website

from allAfrica
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Afghan police kill 19 Taliban fighter, detain 10

KABUL, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The units of Afghan national police backed by the army and NATO-led Coalition forces have killed 19 armed Taliban militants and captured 10 others over the past 24 hours, Interior Ministry said in a statement released here Thursday.

"Afghan National Police backed by the army and Coalition Forces launched three joint clearance operations in Helmand and Kunduz provinces over the past 24 hours during which 19 armed Taliban were Killed, 22 wounded and 10 others arrested by Police," the statement asserted.

However, the statement did not say if there were any casualties on the security forces.

Taliban militants fighting the government are yet to comment.

from XINHUA
2012-09-20 14:01:13

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R.I.P. - Sgt. Nena, Spc. Nelson, Pfc. Bedoy, Pfc. Townsend

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

            They died Sept. 16 in Zabul province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered when their position was attacked with small arms fire. 

            Killed were:

            Sgt. Sapuro B. Nena, 25, of Honolulu, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.,

            Spc. Joshua N. Nelson, 22, Greenville, N.C., assigned to 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Gordon, Ga.,

            Pfc. Genaro Bedoy, 20, of Amarillo, Texas, assigned to 52nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and

            Pfc. Jon R. Townsend, 19, Claremore, Okla., assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

            For more information on Nena, Bedoy and Townsend the media may contact the I Corps public affairs office at 253-477-3048 or after work hours: 253-370-9861.

            For more information on Nelson the media may contact the Fort Gordon public affairs office at 706-791-6001.

---
Sgt. Sapuro Brightly Nena, 25, of Honolulu, Hawaii died Sept. 16th, in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infa
ntry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

The DOD news release only stated that the four died “of injuries suffered when their position was attacked with small arms fire”, however, multiple news sources including "Stars and Stripes" report that the deaths were the result of an insider attack (green on blue).

According to unit records, Sgt. Nena entered the Army in May 2008 and upon completing Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, in MOS 19K (Armor Crewman) he was assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas. While at Fort Bliss he deployed to Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from May 2009- 2010. He arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in August 2010 and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

He deployed to Afghanistan with his brigade in December 2011. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. Sgt. Nena’s civilian and military education includes High School Diploma (2006), Combat Life Savers Course (2010), Military Occupational Specialty: 19K Armor Crewman (2008).

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Army Achievement Medal (two awards), Meritorious Unit Citation (two awards), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (two awards), NATO Medal, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver – Wheeled Vehicles.
---
Specialist Joshua N. Nelson, 22, of Greenville, N.C., died Sept. 16th, 2012 in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to D Company, 297th Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, at Fort Gordon, Ga.

The DOD news release only stated that the four died “of injuries suffered when their position was attacked with small arms fire”, however, multiple news sources including "Stars and Stripes" report that the deaths were the result of an insider attack (green on blue).

According to unit records, Nelson entered the Army in March 2011 and reported to Fort Jackson, S.C. for Army Basic Training. He received his Advance Individual Training, in MOS 35N (Signals Intelligence analyst) at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. He arrived at Fort Gordon in December 2011 and was assigned to the D Company, 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, then later to D Company, 297th Military Intelligence Battalion. He deployed to Afghanistan in May. This was his first deployment.

His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
---
Pfc. Genaro Bedoy, 20, of Amarillo, Texas, died Sept. 16th, 2012 in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 52nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

The DOD news release only stated that the four died “of injuries suffered when their position was attacked with small arms fire”, however, multiple news sources including "Stars and Stripes" report that the deaths were the result of an insider attack (green on blue), while responding to a call for assistance by an Afghan Police checkpoint that was under attack.

Bedoy is survived by a wife and infant child.
---
Pfc. Jon R. Townsend, 19, Claremore, Okla., died Sept. 16th, in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry
Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

A 2011 high school graduate, Townsend married his wife, Brittany, when he was on leave this spring. The couple spent only a few days together before he returned to Afghanistan, Townsend’s mother, Karen Nelson told Tulsa World newspaper.
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Sep. 20., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Qari Yahya, an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader, during an operation in Qal-al-ye Zal district, Kunduz province, Tuesday.

As the security force approached Qari Yahya’s location, he and another IMU leader maneuvered from the compound and displayed hostile intent toward the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force positively identified the insurgent threat and engaged. Qari Yahya was killed and the other IMU leader was arrested without injury. No civilians were harmed during the operation.

Qari Yahya was directly responsible for facilitating and conducting improvised explosive device attacks throughout Kunduz, in addition to maintaining communication and logistic ties with senior IMU and Taliban leaders.

The security force also detained a few other insurgents as a result of this operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force killed two armed insurgents during an operation to arrest a senior Taliban leader in Balkh district, Balkh province, today. As the security force approached the Taliban leader’s suspected location, two armed insurgents maneuvered toward the Afghan and coalition troops and displayed hostile intent. The security force positively identified the lethal threat and engaged, killing both armed insurgents. No civilians were harmed during the operation. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent and seized multiple firearms and grenades as a result of the operation.

South

An Afghan and coalition force arrested a Taliban informant in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, today. The detained informant is suspected of acquiring and providing information regarding Afghan and coalition security operations to Taliban leaders operating throughout the region, as well as providing guidance for improvised explosive device attacks. The security force also detained one alleged insurgent and seized several kilograms of explosive material as a result of the operation.

East

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, detained a few suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms and during an operation to arrest a Haqqani leader in Bak district, Khost province, today. The leader is believed to coordinate attacks throughout the region, specializing in the use of improvised explosive devices.

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Sep. 20., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed 15 insurgents, detained seven and cleared eight improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Sept. 19.

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

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained three insurgents while clearing an IED in Qarah Bagh District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Khowst Province
Afghan Border Police found and safely cleared an IED in Khowst District.

Laghman Province
Afghan National Army soldiers detained two insurgents during an engagement in Alingar District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Logar Province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared four IEDs in Muhammad Aghah District.

Nuristan Province
Afghan National Security Forces killed 14 insurgents, wounded one and detained one during an engagement in Kamdesh District. The wounded received medical care and was transferred, along with the detained, to a base for questioning.

Paktiya Province
Afghan National Army soldiers killed an insurgent during an engagement in Zurmat District.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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13 ISAF supply trucks torched in Zabul

QALAT (PAN): Thirteen trucks carrying supplies for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were torched on the Kabul-Kandahar highway in southern Zabul province, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident took place at 10pm when militants attacked the convoy in the Arhad Manda area of Shahr-i-Safa district, the town’s administrative head, Khadi Khan, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said 13 vehicles were set alight and at least one person wounded in the attack. The incident occurred because drivers were travelling at night without informing police, he believed.

A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, claimed the insurgents had burnt 13 vehicles and inflicted casualties on several guards of the convoy.

from Pajhwok
by Nasim HotakonSep 19, 2012 - 15:28

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