ARMED FORCES DAY MAY 18, 2013 USA

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days.
The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.

---

from MARINES.MIL:

ARMED FORCES DAY 2013

Date Signed: 5/06/2013
ALMARS Active Number: 016/13

R 061212Z MAY 13
UNCLASSIFIED/
ALMAR 016/13
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS(UC)/F002//
SUBJ/ARMED FORCES DAY 2013//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, AMERICANS HAVE OBSERVED ARMED FORCES DAY TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR THE COURAGE AND SELFLESS SACRIFICE OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM. THOSE WHO PROUDLY SERVE IN OUR NATION'S MILITARY FORCES ACCEPT A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY; ONE THAT ENTAILS PERSONAL HARDSHIP, RISK AND SACRIFICE.
2. ON THIS ARMED FORCES DAY, LIKE SO MANY IN OUR PAST, ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE SERVICE MEMBERS REMAIN VIGILANT IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM. AROUND THE WORLD, MARINES, SAILORS, SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN CONTINUE TO COMBAT TERRORISM, PARTNER WITH ALLIES, RESPOND TO CRISES, AND PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE. THESE SERVICE MEMBERS, WHO MAKE UP LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE U.S. POPULATION, CONTINUE TO KEEP AMERICA STRONG AND SECURE.
3. AS WE HONOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREATEST MILITARY IN THE WORLD, TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON ALL WHO SERVE AND HAVE SERVED, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO GAVE ALL IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM. TO ALL MARINES WHO HAVE EVER WORN OUR CLOTH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FIDELITY AND SERVICE TO COUNTRY AND CORPS.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS! JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS./

Read More

Afghan District Police Chief Killed in Farah

An Afghan police chief has been killed after two militants riding on motorcycles opened fire on his vehicle in western Afghanistan.

Abdul Ghani, police chief of Khak-e Safid district in Farah Province, was killed instantly outside his home late on May 17.

Provincial spokesman Abdul Rahman Zhawandai said that Ghani was rushed to hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.

Ghani had led an anti-Taliban campaign in Farah that had resulted in the killing or capture of several local Taliban leaders.

No one has assumed responsibility for the attack.

The Afghan Defense Ministry said in a statement that four Afghan army soldiers also died in Farah when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Bakwa district.

The attacks come as the Taliban has stepped up its attacks against international and Afghans security forces ahead of NATO’s pullout next year.

Afghan forces have assumed responsibility for security in most of the country, with foreign troops stepping back to an advisory role.

from RFE/RL
Last updated (GMT/UTC): 18.05.2013 10:19

Related articles

• Afghan Police Chief Assassinated (afghanistannews.net)
• Afghan Police Chief Assassinated (voanews.com)
• Afghan police chief shot dead outside home (sfgate.com)

Read More

In Several Joint Clearance Operations, Nine Armed Taliban Killed (May 18.2013.)

Publish Date: May 18, 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 Herat, Ghazni, Zabul, Kandahar, Baghlan, Nangarhar and Helmand provinces, as a result nine armed Taliban were killed and 15 other armed Taliban were arrested by Afghan National Security Forces.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and defused some amount of light and heavy rounds ammunition and IEDs.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused an anti-vehicle mine placed by enemies of Afghanistan for destructive activity in Uruzgan province.

Counter Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained seven suspects accused of theft and selling alcoholic beverages in the 6th, 9th and 15th Districts of Kabul-City.

Read More

Deadly Explosions in Khost and Paktika provinces on Saturday

An Afghan border police guard was killed and three others were injured during the first explosion which took place in eastern Khost city of Afghanistan.

Provincial security chief Mohammad Yaqoub said around six Afghan civilians were also injured following the blast.

In the meantime a separate explosion took place in eastern Paktika province of Afghanistan, killing one person and injuring four others. The explosion took place in Yahya Khel district.

Provincial governor media office following a statement said the incident took place around 7am local time after a tractor vehicle struck with a roadside bomb.

The statement further added three Afghan kid and a woman were among those injured following the blast.

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

There has been a considerable growth in violence across the country since Taliban group announced its summer offensive in April, and vowed to carry out attacks against the Afghan and coalition security forces, government officials and diplomatic institutions across the country.

from KHAAMA
By Mirwais Adeel - 18 May 2013, 1:49 pm

Read More

May 18., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed 17 insurgents and found and safely cleared three improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, May 17.

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

Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed 12 insurgents during operations in the Qara Bagh district.

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

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Mandozai district.

Nangarhar province
Afghan National Security and Coalition Forces killed five insurgents during operations in the Hesarak district.

Read More

5/17/13: R.I.P. - Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, Spc. William J. Gilbert

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

            The Department of Defense announced today the death three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

            Killed were:

            Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, of Hesperia, Calif., assigned to 766th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Stewart, Ga.

            Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, Mass., and

            Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., both assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

            For more information pertaining to Sgt 1st Class Baker media may contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at 912-210-9375.

            For more information pertaining to Spc. Daehling and Spc. Gilbert media may contact the Fort Bliss public affairs office at 915-472-0287.

---

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, of Hesperia, Calif., assigned to 766th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Stewart, Ga. He died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. Baker joined the Army in October 2004. He was on his second deployment. His awards include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals, both posthumous.
 
---
 

Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. He died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Will was a student/athlete at La Serna High School where he graduated in 2007. He was a pitcher on the varsity baseball team for four years and also played football. Spc Gilbert was an Infantryman who entered the Army from Los Angeles, August 2010. He received Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He arrived at Fort Bliss, his first permanent duty station, in January 2011. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He is survived by his spouse. This was his first combat tour.

---
 

Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, Mass., assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. He died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Spc Daehling was an Infantryman who entered the Army from Boston, September 2010. He received Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He arrived at Fort Bliss, his first duty station, in January 2011. Daehling’ awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal. He is survived by his spouse. This was his first combat tour.

Related articles

• RIP SFC Jeffrey C Baker, SPC Mitchell K Daehling, SPC William J Gilbert (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24,Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24 (goodsoldiersorg.wordpress.com)
• http://freedomremembered.com/

Read More

5/17/13: Bombs Targeting Iraqi Sunnis Kill Scores

People gather at the scene of a bomb attack in Baquba, northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2013.

A series of bomb attacks has targeted Sunnis in Iraq, killing at least 70 people and increasing fears of renewed sectarian conflict.
 
The deadliest blast Friday struck Sunni worshippers who were leaving a mosque in Baquba, just north of Baghdad, and was followed by a second explosion as people gathered to help the wounded. At least 41 people were killed in the twin bombings.

Later in the day, a roadside bomb exploded during a Sunni funeral procession in Madain, south of Baghdad, killing eight people.

In Baghdad, a bomb went off in the mainly Sunni neighborhood of Amariyah, killing at least 19 people.

And a bomb went off in a cafe in the city of Fallujah, killing two people.

Friday's attacks follow a wave of bombings in Iraq this week that left more than 100 people dead.

On Thursday, 25 people were killed in separate car bombings in Shi'ite neighborhoods of Baghdad and Kirkuk. And at least 33 were killed on Wednesday in bombings in the capital and other cities.

Prime Minister Nouri-al-Maliki is blaming the deaths on rising sectarian violence that has plagued the country since security forces raided a Sunni protest camp near Kirkuk last month.

Authorities say the raid raised sectarian tensions to their highest point since the pullout of U.S. troops in late 2011.

The United Nations is calling the last month the deadliest in Iraq since June 2008, when more than 700 people were killed.

from VOA News
May 17, 2013

Related articles

• Bombs against Iraqi Sunnis kill 49 (dawn.com)
• Two blasts at Iraqi Sunni mosque kill 43 - Reuters UK (uk.reuters.com)
• Bombs against Iraqi Sunnis kill 49 (bigpondnews.com)
• Deadly blasts outside Iraqi mosque (bbc.co.uk)

Read More

5/17/13: Twin blasts rock Kandahar, 9 killed over 50 injured

Districts of Kandahar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Twin heavy explosions rocked southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan on Friday evening.

Provincial governor spokesman, Gen. Abdul Razaq confirming the report said the incident took place late Friday evening in Aino Meena city after a suicide bomber detonated explosives packed in a vehicle.

Gen. Razaq further added another explosion took place in the same area after a vehicle packed with explosives was detonated using a remote control.

He said at least six people including three Afghan security forces were killed and around 70 others were injured following the blasts.

Aino Meena is one of the popular cities in the country which has been constructed by president Hamid Karzai’s brother.

No group has so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.

Provincial governor spokesman for Kandahar province, Javid Faisal said at least 9 people were killed following the explosion and over 50 others were injured.

from KHAAMA
By Ghanizada - 17 May 2013, 8:37 pm

Related articles

• Twin blasts kill 9, wounds 55 in Afghanistan's Kandahar (nation.com.pk)

Read More

5/17/13: 13 Killed in Pakistan Mosque Blasts

Men inspect the mosque damaged by a bomb blast in Baz Darra area of Malakand. PHOTO: RAB NAWAZ/EXPRESS

Black Friday: Blasts tear through Malakand mosques

PESHAWAR / BATKHELA: Two bombs ripped through two separate mosques in the Baz Darra area of Malakand Protected Area on Friday, killing 13 worshippers and wounding over three dozen people.

“Around 1:20pm when people gathered for Friday prayers in the main mosque, Bar Jummat, in Baz Darra village a bomb went off, killing nine worshippers on the spot and injuring over 35,” Deputy Commissioner Amjid Ali Khan told journalists. Another four worshippers, with critical wounds, succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

Residents rushed to pull out victims from the mosque which collapsed due to the impact of the blast, Khan said. Minutes later, a second bomb tore through a nearby mosque, he added. A 70-year-old man, identified as Khalilur Rahman, was trapped under the rubble of the second mosque and died.

Explaining why the second blast was less deadly, Khan said that most of the worshippers had rushed to help the victims of the first blast. “It’s an act of terrorism,” Khan said, adding that they didn’t have intelligence of a possible attack in the region.

Levies forces official Gul Roz Khan said it was a time device which was planted under a praying mat inside the main hall of the mosque. He added that the mosque was reduced to a heap of rubble. Details of the second blast were murky till the filing of this report.

According to Gul Roz, four critically injured people died while being shifted to Dargai Civil Hospital while a state of emergency was declared in Palai Civil Hospital and nearby medical units.

“We have imposed a curfew in the area and mounted a manhunt for the perpetrators,” Gul Roz added.

Dr Naseer of the Palai Civil Hospital said that they have received around 30 injured – five of them, with life-threatening wounds have been referred to hospitals in Peshawar.

Nine injured were shifted to Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital – two of them are said to be in a critical condition.

“I was offering prayers when a loud explosion went off,” Zareen Muhammad, a farmer who was injured in the blast, told The Express Tribune from his hospital bed. “I lost consciousness and when I regained senses I found myself on the hospital bed.”

Another survivor, Inamullah Khan, said that the blast took place during Friday’s sermon of the prayer leader. “Thick smoke and dust filled the main prayers hall. When the smoke cleared I found myself lying amidst many other inured,” he added.

Earlier in the morning, the house of a retired security official was targeted with a bomb by suspected militants in Baz Darra village. The boundary wall and main gate of the house were destroyed in the explosion.

Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan condemned the bombings in strong terms and ordered the authorities to be ‘vigilant’ to avert such incidents in future, said a statement issued by his office.

The provincial information minister, Mussarat Qadeem, also denounced the blasts and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives. In a statement, she said that restoration of peace topped the priority list of the interim administration. She sought people’s cooperation in combating the menace of militancy in the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2013.
By Tribune Correspondent / Rab Nawaz / Photo: Rab Nawaz
Published: May 18, 2013

Related articles

• At least 12 killed in bomb blasts near mosques at Malakand (pakistan.onepakistan.com.pk)
• 21 killed in twin blasts at Malakand mosques - The News International (thenews.com.pk)

Read More

5/17/13: Nigeria: Casualties as military launch air strikes on Boko Haram strongholds

KANO  – Nigeria’s military on Friday attacked Boko Haram Islamist strongholds across the northeast, launching deadly air strikes on insurgent camps, the military said, while residents reported that forces had deployed in border areas to block the militants from fleeing.
Several thousand soldiers have spread across three northeastern states where President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency after Boko Haram seized territory and declared war against the government.

“There have been air strikes since Wednesday,” defence spokesman Brigadier General Chris Olukolade told AFP, specifying that they were continuing Friday.

“Every one of their strongholds is under attack,” he said, adding that he believed “there are a lot of casualties,” without providing a figure.

The offensive is ongoing in all three states put under emergency decree, including Adamawa and Yobe, but Borno state is expected to see the most intense fighting.

Many have warned that there is a risk of high civilian deaths and Nigeria’s military has been accused of massive rights violations in the past, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

The operation is the largest against Boko Haram since 2009, when soldiers flooded Borno’s capital Maiduguri, killing more than 800 people and forcing the insurgents underground for a year.

In the town of Gamburu Ngala on the border with Cameroon in northern Borno, residents said that heavily armed troops and tanks arrived on Wednesday, sealing off previously unmanned border posts.

Northeast Nigeria, the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, has porous borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger, with criminal groups and militants flowing freely between the countries.

“Since January the border posts have been abandoned…but now these posts have been taken over by soldiers,” said resident Haruna Garba.

Olukolade confirmed that forces had been sent to the region, but would not say whether the borders had been sealed.

Reports of Boko Haram’s presence in Cameroon first emerged in February, following the kidnap there of a French family visiting a game park near the Nigerian border.

The abduction was claimed by Boko Haram and the family was released in April.

Soldiers have surrounded the town of Krenuwa in Marte district, also in northern Borno and one of the areas where Boko Haram has taken power, chased away all government officials and removed Nigerian flags, residents said.

Abur Kullima told AFP Friday that he fled his home in Krenuwa in fear of the coming assault.

He said that after the state of emergency was declared in a national broadcast late Tuesday, Islamist gunmen began moving through the district trying to mobilise people “in preparation to face Nigerian troops.”

“I was so scared for my life and my family’s, which led me to decide to leave,” he told AFP from Gamburu Ngala, where he is staying with a friend.

Anyone who tries to leave Krenuwa is screened by the soldiers who have encircled the town, he said.

Boko Haram has become notorious for blending in with the local population, both in towns and major cities where they have carried out suicide bombings as well as gun and bomb assaults.

The group says it is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, but its demands have repeatedly shifted.

Some believe it has sought closer ties to foreign extremist groups like Al-Qaeda’s North Africa affiliate, but most analysts believe its agenda is primarily domestic.

Nigeria is Africa’s top oil producer but the population remains extremely poor and many of Boko Haram’s fighters are believed to be youths radicalised out of frustration with government corruption.

The conflict is estimated to have cost 3,600 lives since 2009, including killings by the security forces

from VANGUARD

On May 17, 2013 ·12:26 pm

Related articles

• Death Toll Rise, As Military Lunch Offensive Against Bokoharam Strongholds (naijayarnz.wordpress.com)
• News Update: Deadly air strikes on Boko Haram strongholds in all three states... all borders have been sealed! (mojidanisa2.wordpress.com)
• Nigeria launches assault on Islamists (news.com.au)
• Army begins offensive against Boko Haram, raids Sambisa camp (vanguardngr.com)

Read More

5/17/13: R.I.P. - Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea

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

            Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea, 33, of Oakley, Kan., died May 15, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, after drowning while attempting to cross a body of water during combat operations.  He was assigned to the 603rd Military Police Company, 530th Military Police Battalion, 300th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command, Belton, Mo.

            For more information please contact the 200th Military Police Command public affairs office at 301-693-3108 or 612-805-3544.

---

Army Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea, 33, died May 15 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. According to the Department of Defense, Rhea drowned while attempting to cross a body of water during combat operations.

No other details on Rhea's death have been released.

Rhea was from Oakley, Kansas. He was assigned to the 603rd Military Police Company, 530th Military Police Battalion, 300th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command in Belton, Missouri.

Related articles

• RIP SFC Trenton L Rhea (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea, 33 (goodsoldiersorg.wordpress.com)
• Soldier, Kansas native, drowns in Afghanistan (kansas.com)

Read More

May 17., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Taliban leader during an operation in Baghlan-e Jadid district, Baghlan province, May 17.

The senior leader oversees the operations of multiple insurgent cells in Baghlan-e Jadid district. He and his subordinates are responsible for numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also collects illegal taxes from local civilians, facilitates the movement of weapons and military equipment for use in operations, and interfaces with senior insurgent leadership in order to pass operational information to his fighters.

The security force also seized one pistol as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and Coalition security force arrested one insurgent and seized a weapons cache and a large quantity of narcotics during a cordon and search operation in Now Zad district, Helmand province, May 16. The cache consisted 2500 kilograms (5511 pounds) of wet and dry opium, two AK-47 Rifles and 19 AK-47 magazines. All seized Items were destroyed on location.

Afghan Provincial Response Company Helmand, advised by coalition forces, arrested nine insurgents during a cordon and search operation in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand province, May 16. The security force also seized an unknown quantity of ammunition as a result of the operation.

East

Afghan Local Police and Afghan Uniformed Police killed seven insurgents during a clearing operation in Deh Tak district, Ghazni province, May 15. The joint forces conducted the operation to deny the insurgents sanctuary in Rozi Kala and Ali Kala villages.

West

Afghan Provincial Response Company Farah, enabled by coalition forces, arrested seven insurgents and seized a cache of weapons while conducting an arrest in Push-E Rod district, Farah Province, May 16. Following the operation the Afghan and coalition security force recovered one PKM machine gun, over 100 rounds of ammunition and destroyed one RPG rocket. All detainees have been transferred to Afghan law enforcement officials for processing.

Read More

May 17., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed 11 insurgents, detained three suspected insurgents, discovered one weapons cache and found and safely cleared seven improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, May 16.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces killed one insurgent during operations in the Andar district.

Afghan National Security Forces discovered one weapons cache during operations in the Deh Yak district. The cache contained an unknown number of rockets and artillery shells.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Ghazni district.

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

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

Nangarhar province
Afghan National Security Forces detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Muhmand Dara district. The suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces killed five insurgents during operations in the Bermal district.

Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed four insurgents during operations in the Gomal district.

Afghan National Security Forces detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Paktika district. The suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs during operations in the Sar Hawza district.

Afghan National Security Forces killed one insurgent during operations in the Sarubi district.

Afghan National Security Forces detained one suspected insurgent and found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Yosef Khel district. The suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Mayden Shahr district.

Read More

5/16/13: Suicide bomber in Kabul kills 6 Americans, 9 Afghans (Photos+video)

Hizb-i-Islami Gulbuddin suicide bomber in Kabul kills 6 Americans, 9 Afghans

By Lisa LundquistMay 16, 2013 - LWJ

This morning in Kabul, a suicide bomber in an explosives-packed vehicle blew up a two-car American military convoy, killing at least 15 people. Six Americans died in the attack along with nine Afghan civilians, including two children. The attack also injured 42 others, of whom 39 were Afghan civilians.
The attack took place during morning rush hour near the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, according to Dawn.
The International Security Assistance Force issued a press release which stated that "[t]wo International Security Assistance Force service members and four ISAF contracted civilians died following an improvised explosive device attack in Kabul, Afghanistan today." Afghan and ISAF officials confirmed that the ISAF members killed in the attack were American.
Today's attack, which damaged a number of residences and left some civilians so badly burnt they were unrecognizable, is the worst terror attack in Kabul since March, when a suicide bomber killed nine Afghans during a visit by US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Pajhwok Afghan News reported that the powerful blast in a Kabul residential area destroyed dozens of houses and 30 vehicles, including two belonging to foreigners.
The National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan's intelligence agency, has stated that the NDS thwarts a large number of attacks on the capital every week, however.
The attack was claimed by the Hizb-i-Islami Gulbuddin, whose spokesman Haroon Zarghoun told Reuters that the group had targeted American military advisers. "We planned this attack for over a week," he said. He identified the suicide bomber as Qari Qudratullah from central Logar province, Pajhwok reported.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/05/this_morning_in_kabu.php#ixzz2TdcOgBK9

---
 video from Pajhwok:

  ---

 photos from XINHUA/Ahmad Massoud:

---

Read More

5/16/13: Violence Kills 25 in Iraq

Multiple car bombs have exploded in Baghdad, killing at least 12 people in mainly Shi'ite districts of the Iraqi capital. At least 13 more people died in other violence, according to officials.

The blasts Thursday hit the Sadr City and Kamaliya areas, leaving at least 18 other people wounded.

The attacks follow a wave of bombings Wednesday that also struck mainly Shi'ite neighborhoods. Those blasts killed at least 33 people.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed the violence on what he called "sectarian hatred" and what results from a "sectarian mindset."

Continuing violence in Iraq has raised fears of a return to the sectarian fighting that left tens of thousands dead in 2006 and 2007.

Violence has fallen from that peak, but the United Nations said last month was the deadliest in Iraq since June 2008, with 712 people killed and 1,633 wounded in April.

from VOA News

May 16, 2013

Read More

updates coming up later...

latest news coming up later.....back from thursday, 16/05, with the Kabul suicide attack

sorry for the delays

Read More