Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Kenya to revive police reservists in Garissa to fight al-Shabaab

Français : Le comté de Garissa au Kenya et les...
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Kenyan government is planning to revive the Kenya Police Reserve (KPR), a programme to train and arm a civilian corps, to help fight al-Shabaab militants from within the local community in Garissa. 

Garissa has borne the brunt of al-Shabaab's attacks in Kenya after the Kenya Defence Forces sent troops into Somalia in October 2011.

Led by Police Inspector General David Kimaiyo and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo, the National Advisory Security Committee has been investigating a series of such attacks in April. During a meeting on April 20th, the committee recommended engaging citizens in urban Garissa for anti-terrorism operations.

The KPR was formed in 1948 to assist the police in maintaining law and order across Kenya.
In 2004, former Police Commissioner Major General Mohammed Hussein Ali disbanded and disarmed the KPR in Kenya's urban areas after its officers were linked to violent crimes and corruption. He kept the force intact in rural areas, however, to combat cattle rustling and banditry.

Continue & read more the full article on the SABAHI website

By Bosire Boniface in Garissa  

May 13, 2013

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Ansar al-Sharia chief threatens Tunisia

[AFP/Fethi Belaid] Abou Iyadh urged supporters to stand firm in a recent Facebook post.
The head of Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia on Sunday (May 12th) threatened to wage "war" against the government.

"To the tyrants who think they are Islamists... know that the stupid things you are doing are dragging you to war," AFP quoted the statement from Abou Iyadh (real name Seif Allah Ibn Hussein) as saying.


The Abou Iyadh statement was posted on Ansar al-Sharia's Facebook page after Tunisian authorities moved to crack down on salafist activity in the wake of skirmishes with al-Qaeda militants along the Algerian border.

Clashes broke out between security forces and salafists in some poor neighbourhoods near the capital after the authorities prevented the salafists from setting up preaching tents and from delivering sermons.

Sami Essid, one of the leaders of Ansar al-Sharia, condemned recent statements by Interior Minister Lotfi Bin Jeddou about banning preaching tents, charitable convoys and Qur'anic schools.

"He has declared war on Muslims in Tunisia," he said.

"The third annual congress of Ansar al-Sharia will be held in Kairouan again and opposite Uqba Ibn Nafi Mosque on Sunday (May 19th)," he confirmed.

"Abou Iyadh, a leader of Ansar al-Sharia who is wanted by the security forces, won't attend the third annual congress of the group," Essid added. "The only reason for that is that he loves Tunisia and doesn't want to confuse his supporters if he gets arrested by the security forces before them."

In his Sunday statement, Abou Iyadh said that Ansar al-Sharia's young people "would not hesitate to sacrifice for their religion in the land of Kairouan".

Ansar al-Sharia spokesperson Seifeddine Rais told Shems FM on Tuesday that the salafist group expects 30,000 to 40,000 people to attend its Kairouan congress.
(not the end)
Continue to read the full story at MAGHAREBIA site
By Yasmin Najjar and Jemal Arfaoui in Tunis for Magharebia – 14/05/2013
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Explosion kill three U.S. soldiers in Kandahar province

According to local authorities in southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan, at least three US soldiers were killed following a roadside improvised explosive device explosion in this province.
Provincial governor spokesman confirming the report said the incident took place after a convoy of the coalition security forces struck a roadside bomb in Zherai district.

The explosion also wounded several others.

A spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) told AFP, “We can confirm that three soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan today (Tuesday).”

Maj. Bryan Purtell, ISAF spokesman said the earlier death toll of four had been revised down and a recovery operation was taking place at the scene.

The coalition and local Afghan officials confirmed that all the victims were Americans.

This comes as three Georgian troops were killed following militants attack on a military base in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan on Monday evening.

No group has so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.

Militants attacks have been rampant since Taliban group announced its summer offensive in April, and vowed to carry out attacks against the Afghan and caolition security forces, government officials and other diplomatic institutions across the country.

from KHAAMA
By Ghanizada - 14 May 2013, 9:13 pm

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Pirates Free Sailors Kidnapped Off Nigeria

Map of the Gulf of Guinea, showing the chain o...
Map of the Gulf of Guinea(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Pirates have released five Russian and Polish nationals kidnapped from a cargo ship last month off the coast of Nigeria.

The ship's German operator confirmed Tuesday all five crew members were released on May 11, that they are in good health and have returned to their home countries.

The company did not say if a ransom was paid, but ship owners often hand over large sums to free abducted sailors.

The crew members were kidnapped April 25, when 14 heavily armed pirates forced their way into the cargo ship's citadel, a strong room designed to protect the crew from attack.

Piracy is increasing in West Africa's Gulf of Guinea, with gunmen frequently targeting oil ships to steal crude and seize foreign hostages for ransom payments.

The International Maritime Bureau has recorded 19 piracy incidents off Nigeria this year.

from VOA News
May 14, 2013

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In Several Joint Clearance Operations, 11 Armed Taliban Killed (May 14.2013.)



Publish Date: May 14, 2013
 
Counterterrorism:
In past 24 hours, Afghan National Police conducted several joint clearance operations with the cooperation of Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces to clean some of the areas from terrorists and enemies of peace and stability of Afghanistan.
 
The operations were conducted in Nangarhar, Parwan, Kunduz, Kandahar, Logar, Herat and Helmand provinces, as a result 11 armed Taliban were killed, five wounded and eight other armed Taliban were arrested by Afghan National Security Forces.
 
Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered, confiscated and defused some amount of light and heavy rounds and three explosives rigged motorcycles.
 
During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused two different of mines placed by enemies of Afghanistan for destructive activities in Uruzgan and Jowzjan provinces.

Counter Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained seven suspects accused of murder and theft in the Paghman, 4th and 13th Districts of Kabul-City.
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May 14., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force killed a mid-level Taliban leader, Jalal, during an operation in Khanabad district, Kunduz province, today.

Jalal was in charge of a group of fighters responsible for improvised explosive device, rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He was also involved in trafficking weapons and suicide vests, in addition to engaging in kidnapping and reconnaissance operations.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and two other insurgents during an operation in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, today. The leader and his subordinates are responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He manages numerous weapons caches in the local area used to supply Taliban cells prior to conducting insurgent operations.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator during an operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today. The facilitator is responsible for procuring and distributing weapons and military equipment to insurgent groups in Nad ‘Ali and Nahr-e Saraj districts. The facilitator also leads a group of fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized one AK-47, two pistols, four magazines and ammunition as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force wounded one insurgent during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, yesterday. The leader directs the movement of Taliban fighters, IED materials, weapons, ammunition and supplies. He also has operational control of a group of insurgents responsible for attacks against Afghan civilians in the local area, as well as Afghan and coalition forces.

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today the arrest of a senior Taliban leader during an operation in Marjeh district, Helmand province, yesterday. The leader is in charge of at least seven separate groups of Taliban insurgents responsible for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces throughout Helmand province. He is involved in all stages of operations, including procuring weapons and ammunition, planning attacks and executing those plans. He and his insurgent fighters are also involved in kidnapping Afghan National Security Force members.

West

Afghan National Army Special Forces enabled by coalition forces killed one insurgent and wounded another after they were observed emplacing an IED along a patrol route used by Afghan and Coalition Security Forces in Shindand district, Herat province, yesterday. Following the engagement two additional insurgents were killed by their own IED as they were traveling back toward the location of the first IED.

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May 14., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed two insurgents, detained three suspected insurgents and found and safely cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, May 13.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces killed two insurgents during operations in the Gelan district.

Coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Khawja Omari district.

Kapisa province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Tag Ab district.

Kunar province
Coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Marawara district.

Laghman province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs during operations in the Qarghaee district.

Nangarhar province
Afghan National Security Forces detained three suspected insurgents and recovered two explosive vests, one IED, two hand grenades, four rocket-propelled grenades and an unknown amount of homemade explosives during operations in the Shinwar district. The suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Sar Hawza district.

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South Africa: Hawks Mum On Al-Qaeda Probe Report

Early morning, Karoo, South Africa.
Karoo National Park, South Africa (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Johannesburg —

    The Hawks have declined to comment on a report that police and the State Security Agency (SSA) monitored training of al-Qaeda "terrorists" in South Africa without taking action.


"No comment. It's not our policy to talk about works underway," Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said on Monday, reiterating what he told the online publication Daily Maverick, which published the report.

The Daily Maverick reported that the police's crimes against the state unit and the SSA had been monitoring activities at a farm near the notorious apartheid police hit-squad camp Vlakplaas, outside Pretoria, and at a secluded farm in the Klein Karoo.

"Operation Kanu" was reportedly launched to "investigate extremist Muslim activities" in South Africa, shortly after the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks in the United States, and was crime intelligence driven.

It began at the same time as a parallel investigation into far right-wing activities, called "Operation Waco", which led to the marathon Boeremag treason trial.

British and US intelligence agencies reportedly pressured the South African government into acting against any possible Muslim terrorist threats emanating from within the country, and warned South Africa to stop "pussyfooting" on the issue.

"The fact that no bombs have gone off to date in the country doesn't mean that the threat doesn't exist within South Africa's borders," they reportedly warned.

The Daily Maverick reported that "at the centre of this alleged terrorist network are several members of the well-known and influential Dockrat family".

It traced the family's ownership of fashion chains and noted its choice of a mosque popular among Pakistani and Malawian Muslims.

It reported that Farhad and Junaid Dockrat's names were forwarded to the United Nations' Security Council's Al-Qaeda and Taliban sanctions committee for designation, but that South Africa put an indefinite hold on the designation process.

The Dockrats reportedly denied links to al-Qaeda or any other militant groups.

According to the online publication, three months after they were put on a US "terrorist list" in 2007, the Dockrats moved their operation from Pretoria to the farm, Greylock, in the Klein Karoo.

There, they were monitored by an intelligence team pretending to search for a rare species of Protea.

There was a court dispute over a communal water line and the Dockrats later bought a 70 percent share of the developing Tsitsikamma Golf Estate.

Investment reportedly ground to a halt, and the home owners' association was in dispute with them, claiming Tsitsikamma had been declared a "possible terrorist hotspot" by the US and this was affecting tourism.

In a comment to the Daily Maverick about the Tsitsikamma matter, the company which owns the golf estate said it welcomed all investigations and would fully co-operate with the authorities.

"We trust that the Daily Maverick is not being driven by an Islamophobic attack generated by a commercial venture of the Tsitsikamma Golf Estate, which has been placed under care and maintenance arising from the current economic climate; a fate suffered by numerous golf estates," the company was reported to have said.

from allAfrica/SAPA
13 May 2013

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Deadly blast rocks Kandahar, 10 killed and 12 injured

The incident took place around 12pm local time after a civilian vehicle struck with a roadside bomb between Maruf and Arghistan districts.

Provincial security chief Gen. Abdul Razaq confirming the report said at least 10 civilians including 7 women were killed and 12 others, all women and children were injured.

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

In the meantime provincial security chief Gen. Abdul Razaq blamed Taliban militants for the incident and said the mine was planted by Taliban fighters to target security forces.

Taliban militants frequently use improvised explosive device as the weapon of their choice to target Afghan and coalition security forces which normally leads to civilian casualties.

In the meantime Taliban militants group has increased their insurgency activities after the group announced its summer offensive late last month.

Taliban group under its summer offensive vowed to target Afghan and coalition security forces, government officials and other diplomatic institutions across the country.

from KHAAMA
By Sayed Jawad - 13 May 2013, 3:11 pm

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