Monday, December 24, 2012

Somalia: Al Shabab Fighters Killed in Security Operations

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)
Baidoa 24 Dec. 12 (Shabelle)-- Somali national army in Bay region in south west of the nation have killed members of the militant group of Alshabab in well coordinated military raids in villages in and around that province.

In an exclusive interview with Shabelle media Network, governor of Bay region, Mr. bdifatah Geesy has told that the ongoing military raids against hide-outs for Alshabab in Bay region were successful and would continue till the group is fully cleared from all parts in that region.

Mr. Geesey said that the latest operation, fighters from Alshabab were killed in the village of Basali which is near Aw diinle district.

With high moral, Somali government forces now seem to able to face Alshabab after they successfully pushed the group from urban areas clearly with a help from the Arican union forces and forces from the neighbouring nations of Ethiopia and Kenya.

from allAfrica/Shabelle
By Maalik_eng, 24 December 2012

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Video: Holiday Message from General John R. Allen

ISAFMEDIA

Published on Dec 23, 2012
New Year Message from General John R. Allen, Commander, International Security Assistance Force -- Afghanistan and United States Forces -- Afghanistan


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Top Taliban leader, Obaidullah killed in Nangarhar province

A senior Taliban leader was killed following a joint military operation by Afghan and coalition security forces in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force following a statement announced, “During an operation in Sherzad district, Nangarhar province, Sunday, an Afghan and coalition security force killed Obaidullah, one of the top Taliban leaders in the district.”

The source further added, “Obaidullah, also known as Saifullah, directed the Oct. 12 indirect fire attack at Forward Operating Base Fenty. He was responsible for laundering money to fund Taliban attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces and facilitated the movement of weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials throughout Nangarhar province.”

Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader in Khanabad district, Kunduz province, Sunday, ISAF said following the statement adding that the leader was directly involved in the planning of improvised explosive device attacks on government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials, as well as Afghan and coalition security forces. He was also a financial facilitator who coordinated funding to support the insurgency.

In a separate operation a Taliban leader was detained by an Afghan and coalition security force in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today. The leader commanded a Taliban direct action cell within Nad ‘Ali district. He coordinated the execution of multiple improvised explosive device and direct action attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

ISAF following the statement also said, Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Jalalabad district, Nangarhar province, today. He was directly involved in anti-Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan attack planning. During the operation, the security force also detained one suspected insurgent.

Taliban militants group yet to comment regarding the reports.

from KHAAMA
By Mirwais Adeel - December 24 2012, 10:20 am

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8 militants killed in Laghman offensive

Districts of Laghman.
Districts of Laghman. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
JALALABAD (PAN): Eight militants were killed and 18 others wounded during operations in different parts of eastern Laghman province, an official said on Monday.

The operations were conducted by Afghan forces in Abuzai, Ramal, Katal, Maidani, Shaheed Baba, Noora, Syed Qala, Agha Kalai, Basram and Badiabad areas.

As a result of the offensives, militants were driven from the areas, the governor’s spokesman, Sarhadi Zwak, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Two policemen were also killed and three others injured during the operations that led to the seizure of 22 anti-personnel landmines and two missiles.

But Khyber Zaheer, introducing himself as a local militant commander, rejected the gubernatorial spokesman’s claim regarding insurgent casualties.

from Pajhwok
By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Dec 24, 2012 - 18:41   

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10 Afghan police join Taliban group in Badghis


According to local authorities in western Badghis province of Afghanistan, at least 10 Afghan local police officers joined the Taliban militants group.

A local security official speaking on the condition of anonymity said the local police officers also took the weapons with them.

The source further added they joined Taliban militants in Chehl-Gazi area at Abkamari district.

He did not disclose further information regarding the identities of the police officers who joined Taliban militants.

Afghan police officers have joined Taliban militants for several times however this is the first a group of 10 police officers are surrendering to Taliban militants.

Badghis is relatively a peaceful province in western Afghanistan but anti-government armed militant groups have recently increased their activities in a number of districts recently.

Local residents in Abkamari district are saying that the police officers have joined Taliban group based on a plan which was already taken by the officers.

Abkamari is among the volatile districts in western Badghis province of Afghanistan where Taliban militants are frequently carrying out insurgency activities.

Taliban militants group yet to comment regarding the report.

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - December 24 2012, 1:31 pm

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Dec. 24., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – During an operation in Sherzad district, Nangarhar province, Sunday, an Afghan and coalition security force killed Obaidullah, one of the top Taliban leaders in the district.

Obaidullah, also known as Saifullah, directed the Oct. 12 indirect fire attack at Forward Operating Base Fenty. He was responsible for laundering money to fund Taliban attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces and facilitated the movement of weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials throughout Nangarhar province.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader in Khanabad district, Kunduz province, Sunday. The leader was directly involved in the planning of improvised explosive device attacks on government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials, as well as Afghan and coalition security forces. He was also a financial facilitator who coordinated funding to support the insurgency.

South

A Taliban leader was detained by an Afghan and coalition security force in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today. The leader commanded a Taliban direct action cell within Nad ‘Ali district. He coordinated the execution of multiple improvised explosive device and direct action attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Jalalabad district, Nangarhar province, today. He was directly involved in anti-Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan attack planning. During the operation, the security force also detained one suspected insurgent.

During a security operation in search of a Haqqani leader in Musa Khel district, Khost province, today, an Afghan and coalition security force detained four insurgents. The Haqqani leader is responsible for distributing, planning and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces within the district. During the operation, the security force seized multiple firearms with associated gear.

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Dec. 24., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces detained two insurgents and cleared three improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Dec. 23.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Bak district.

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

Kunar province
Afghan Uniformed Police found and safely cleared one IED in Chapah Darah district.

Paktya province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Zormat district.

Operations in RC-East are ongoing.

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Afghan policewoman kills US adviser

Security adviser shot at ceremony in Kabul police headquarters, as five Afghans are killed in separate 'insider attack'.

An Afghan policewoman has shot and killed a US security adviser in the Kabul police headquarters, NATO and local officials say.

A senior police official told Al Jazeera that the shooting occurred at 10:15am local time (05:45 GMT) on Monday.

The policewoman approached the adviser as he was walking in the heavily guarded police chief's compound in a bustling area of the capital. She then drew a pistol and shot him once, a senior police official told the Reuters news agency.

The woman, a member of the police's gender equality team, is in custody, officials said. Mohammad Daoud Amin, Kabul's deputy police chief, said an investigation is under way to determine whether the killing was intentional or accidental.

Amin said Nargis, a mother of four, had worked with a human rights department of the police for two years and had earlier been a refugee in Pakistan and Iran. She could enter the compound armed because as a police officer she was licensed to carry a pistol, he said.

Mohammad Zahir, head of the police criminal investigation department, described the incident as an "insider attack", in which Afghan forces turn their weapons on US-led coalition troops they are supposed to be working with. If confirmed to be such an attack, the shooting would be the first time that a female member of Afghanistan's security forces has turned her weapon on a member of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) or a foreign contractor.

Afghan police killed

Meanwhile, local officials in Jawzjan province said five Afghan local police were killed in a separate insider attack late on Sunday night at a checkpoint in Qush Tepa district.

The attacker then stole his colleague's weapons and fled to join the Taliban, said Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani, the deputy provincial governor.

At least 62 international troops and advisers have been killed in 47 incidents by Afghan soldiers or police this year. NATO forces, due to mostly withdraw from the country by 2014, have speeded up efforts to train and advise Afghan military and police units before the pullout.

"Afghans have borne the brunt of insider attacks, and while the interior ministry does not provide exact statistics on such attacks, the number of Afghan security personnel killed in insider attacks is believed to be at least triple that of the number of foreigners killed," reported Al Jazeera's Jennifer Glasse in Kabul.

"For NATO these insider attacks are of great concern, because the crux of their exit strategy has been training the Afghan security forces and building capacity, but as they withdraw, they rely increasingly on smaller teams, on these contractors [...] to help the Afghans stay on the right track.

"An attack like this inside police headquarters in the centre of Kabul isn't going to do anything to help those efforts."

NATO says about 25 percent of the attacks are caused by Taliban infiltrators but the rest stem from personal animosities and cultural differences between Western troops and their Afghan allies.

read more from ALJAZEERA 
Last Modified: 24 Dec 2012 11:11
----

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – A contracted civilian employee of the International Security Assistance Force died after being shot by a woman wearing an Afghan police uniform in Kabul, Afghanistan, today.

The incident is currently under investigation.

It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities, and not discuss casualties or their conditions.

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Somalia: Puntland Frees 22 Pirate Hostages, Arrests 8 Soldiers for Hijacking

Galkayo — Puntland government forces rescued 22 hostages after a two week standoff with Somali pirates holding the MV Iceberg 1 off of the coast of Puntland's Mudug region, Garowe Online reports.

According to a Puntland government press release, the MV Iceberg 1 vessel and its 22 hostages were released safely on Sunday.

The press release stated that the Puntland forces conducted an operation but did not elaborate on how the operation occurred.

On Dec. 10, Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) attacked pirates holding the MV Iceberg after receiving information that the hostages and pirates were in the same vicinity.

"For a long time, the pirates kept the hostages apart at different locations, but information received by Puntland security agencies indicated that the crewpersons have been returned to the MV Iceberg 1," read a Puntland press release during the standoff, on Dec. 15.

After a failed attempt to rescue the hostages a blockade of the vessel ensued. The PMPF killed three pirates and captured 3 others trying to bring arms and ammunition to the pirates in Gaar'ad village days later.

The hostages who been held for close to 3 years finally regained their freedom on Sunday, after many reports of physical abuse at the hands of pirates.

"After 2 years and 9 months in captivity, the hostages have suffered signs of physical torture and illness. The hostages are now receiving nutrition and medical care," according to the Puntland press release.

8 Puntland soldiers to face military tribunal

In a separate case, a group of soldiers guarding a North Korean registered vessel MV Daesan found dumping spoiled cement near from Bossaso on Nov. 17 was briefly hijacked by the soldiers guarding the ship at the Port of Bossaso.

The 8 soldiers are currently being held in jail and will appear before military tribunal, according to the Puntland government press statement.

Puntland government administers northeastern regions of Somalia since the state government was established in 1998.


from allAfrica/Garowe Online
23 December 2012

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Ansar al-Din, MNLA sign deal in Algiers

[AFP/Farouk Batiche] Members of Ansar al-Din and the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) sign agreement in Algiers.
Malian rebel groups Ansar al-Din and the MNLA vow to reject terrorism and work together towards securing the areas they control.


from MAGHERABIA
By Hayam El Hadi for Magharebia in Algiers – 23/12/12


Two Malian rebel groups on Friday (November 21st) said they were committed to suspending hostilities and holding peace talks, despite condemning the UN's approval of plans for an African-led intervention to reconquer the country's Islamist-held north, AFP reported.

Ansar al-Din and the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) signed a seven-point partnership agreement in Algiers under which both parties rejected terrorism and opposed the use of military force in northern Mali.

The two groups have also engaged in talks with Mali's interim government after pledging earlier this month to respect the country's territorial integrity and root out terrorism.

Algeria, with the mediation of Burkina Faso, succeeded in getting Ansar al-Din and the MNLA to reach a deal.

Ansar al-Din's Mohamed Ag Akharib and the MNLA's Bey Diknan pledged to "refrain from any action which may lead to situations of conflict and from all forms of hostility in the areas under their control and to make every effort to honour this commitment".

After the deal was signed, both parties hailed Algeria's efforts to promote dialogue. While in Algiers, Ag Akharib said that his group "reiterates its desire for and commitment to a peaceful resolution" and praised "Algeria's efforts to resolve the Malian crisis through dialogue".

The two groups announced their intention to take steps to free hostages, provide emergency humanitarian assistance to communities and to facilitate the free movement of people and goods. Additionally, they pledged to send in forces to maintain the security of the areas they control.

Ten Europeans and three Algerians remain held hostage in northern Mali, kidnapped by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and its offshoot the Movement for Tawhid and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) since September 2010.

The two Malian groups jointly condemned Resolution 2085 adopted on Thursday by the UN Security Council, which unanimously approved the deployment of a 3,300-strong international force in northern Mali for one year. The resolution also authorised "all necessary measures" to help the Malian government regain its full territorial integrity.

But the 15-member council insisted that military force could only be used after political efforts were exhausted. It said military plans would have to be refined and approved before any offensive started.

The Security Council also called on the transitional authorities in Bamako to re-establish constitutional order and hold elections before April 2013.

It urged them to engage in "credible" negotiations with groups in the north, including the side-lined Touaregs.

A move toward a military offensive would come in a second phase.

Mali's government hailed the Security Council decision on the intervention plan as a sign that the world would not abandon the country.

"We are grateful to the international community, a consensus has been reached on the Malian situation," said advisor to Mali's interim president Dioncounda Traore.

"We are going to wage war against the terrorists and continue to negotiate with our brothers who are ready for dialogue", he added.

Another Mali politician, Mustapha Cisse, said the UN vote showed "the willingness of the international community not to abandon Mali to its own devices".

Ansar al-Din and the MNLA instead called for a "peaceful, lasting and final solution to the conflict in accordance with Islamic principles and in harmony with the true values of the people of Azawad, respecting all basic freedoms without distinction and universal rules concerning human rights".

Ag Akharib asked "Algeria and the international community to help the people of Mali in their quest for a solution to this crisis, by political rather than military means".

Algerian diplomats have sought to bring about a peaceful end to the crisis in Mali. Efforts have been made to convince neighbouring countries of the need to preserve Mali's integrity.

The conflict has so far displaced more than 400,000 people, according to the UN.

from MAGHERABIA
By Hayam El Hadi for Magharebia in Algiers – 23/12/12

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R.I.P. - Cdr. Job W. Price

DOD Identifies Navy Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

            Cdr. Job W. Price, 42, of Pottstown, Pa., died Dec. 22 of a non-combat related injury while supporting stability operations in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.  Price was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit in Virginia Beach, Va.

            This incident is currently under investigation.

            For further information related to this release, please contact the Naval Special Warfare Group Two Public Affairs Office at 757-763-2007.

---
from The Mercury, Pottstown: 
(i selected this report, because all others talking about the "apparent suicide", this one is talking about Cdr.Job Price)

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Pottstown High School graduate Navy SEAL Cdr. Job W. Price, 42, died Saturday while serving in southern Afghanistan.

A statement from the Naval Special Warfare Group Two said Price died of non-combat related injuries while supporting stability operations.

The exact cause of death is currently under investigation, according to the Navy.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that a U.S. military official said the death “appears to be the result of suicide.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the death is still being investigated.

Price is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and daughter Jillian, 9, of Virginia Beach.

Price was a senior commander with the Virginia Beach, Va.-based SEAL Team 4, which trains Afghan local police to stave off the Taliban in remote parts of Afghanistan. The East Coast-based SEAL team is based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story, Va.

The son of Harry and Nancy Price of Pottstown, Price was a 1989 graduate of Pottstown High School, where he was a standout varsity wrestler and member of the football team, both of which won PAC-10 championships in his senior year. He was also an academic standout and member of the National Honor Society.

He was a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Price was honored last year as a Pottstown School District Honor Roll Honoree.

In a statement Sunday night to Pottstown School District staff, John Armato, school district director of community relations, described Price as “self-motivated, focused, and disciplined.He refused to accept anything but his best effort but could always have the ability to laugh at himself and with others.”

Price’s father Harrywas a member of the school board for a number of years and a founding member of the Foundation for Pottstown Education, according to Armato.

“Job understood the importance of placing the greater good above self and dedicated his career to helping to ensure our freedoms,” Armato wrote. “Our country has lost a leader, dedicated patriot, true American hero and protector of our freedoms.”

“He was a motivator and an inspiration,” he added, speaking as a former coach and a friend. “He embodied as an American the qualities that make our country a great country. The nation and Pottstown have suffered a great loss.”

Armato said funeral services are being planned in Virginia Beach.
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Mali Islamists Destroy More Timbuktu Mausoleums

Men work alongside one of Timburktu's historic mud mosques, in Timbuktu, Mali. (file photo)
Islamist militants are tearing down more ancient mausoleums in the northern Malian city of Timbuktu.

Witnesses and tourism officials say rebels from the Ansar Dine group began destroying the mausoleums Sunday with pickaxes.

The militants destroyed several mausoleums in the city in July, after the U.N. cultural agency, UNESCO, put Timbuktu on its list of sites that are in danger.

UNESCO has listed Timbuktu as a World Heritage site for its ancient mosques and shrines, some of which date back to the 15th century.

The sites are revered by many Muslims but Ansar Dine considers them sacrilegious.

Ansar Dine is one of three militant groups that seized control of northern Mali earlier this year, after renegade soldiers overthrew the government.

The groups are trying to enforce a strict form of Islamic law across the territory.  The U.N. and human rights groups have condemned the militants for abuses that include amputations and floggings of alleged criminals.

On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council has authorized the deployment of foreign troops to Mali.

The Economic Community of West African States
is making plans to send a force of between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers to retrain the Malian army and help retake the north.

from VOA NewsDecember 23, 2012
---

from MAGHAREBIA:

 
Mali Islamists launch fresh attacks on Timbuktu shrines

23/12/2012

Islamists occupying Timbuktu were using pickaxes on Sunday (December 23rd) to destroy any remaining mausoleums in the ancient city, an Islamist leader told AFP.

"Not a single mausoleum will remain in Timbuktu, God doesn't like it. We are in the process of smashing all the hidden mausoleums in the area," said Abou Dardar, an Ansar al-Din leader.

In related news, al-Qaeda splinter group Movement for Tawhid and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) said Saturday that it cut off the hands of two people in Gao as part of its interpretation of Sharia, AFP reported. The terror group warned another eight people could face a similar fate.

"It's God's law and no one can stop us from applying it," said Moctar Barry, a leader of MUJAO, which controls the city of Gao.
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