At least 4 killed, 18 wounded in bomb attacks in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 18 wounded in three car bomb explosions in central Iraq on Sunday, the police said.

In the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a car bomb went off near a police patrol in the central district of Karrada and killed a police officer and a policeman, a police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Two policemen and three civilians were also wounded by the blast, which destroyed a police vehicle and caused damage to the nearby buildings, the source said.

In a separate incident, a booby trapped car went off near a Shiite shrine in the town of Madain, some 30 km southeast of Baghdad, killing two civilians and injuring nine others, a local police source anonymously told Xinhua.

Iranian pilgrims at the shrine were among the wounded people, the source said.

In the central-eastern province of Diyala, Mohammed Jawad al- Timimi, chief of the provincial traffic police directorate, escaped unharmed a car bomb explosion near his convoy near the provincial capital city of Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, a provincial police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The blast apparently narrowly missed Timimi's convoy, wounding four passers-by instead, the source said.

Earlier in the day, the police reportedly said 14 people were killed and 26 wounded in a series of bomb and gunfire attacks, including six car bombs, on Sunday morning.

Violence and sporadic high profile attacks are still common in the Iraqi cities despite the dramatic decrease of violence over the past few years.

from XINHUA
2012-09-30 18:13:12

Read More

Kenya navy shells Somali town after rebels announce retreat

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Kenyan warships shelled the southern Somali port of Kismayu overnight after al Qaeda-linked rebels said they had abandoned the city, residents said on Sunday.

Stunned by an assault by sea, air and ground forces late on Friday night, al Shabaab rebels fled the city that had been their key source of revenue, retreating to surrounding forests and towns.

The shells may have been targeting any remaining pockets of resistance or military installations in the city that was the rebels' last stronghold.

"The ships were firing deafening shells to the outskirts last night but several shells landed on houses," said Samira Ismail, a local mother of four.

Al Shabaab said two children were killed and other people injured by the shells, a statement rejected as propaganda by Kenyan military spokesman Col. Cyrus Oguna.

Kenyan and Somali troops sent to retake Kismayu from the rebels were still in the town's outskirts, Oguna said, proceeding carefully in case al Shabaab's claim that it had abandoned the city was a ploy to lure them into a trap.

"The troops are consolidating and making plans to expand into the southern part of the city," Oguna told Reuters.

"A lot of caution must be exercised here. We don't want to get into a situation where we start to lose troops here and there."

continued here...

from REUTERS
By Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar
Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:20pm GMT

Read More

Gunmen shot dead high-ranking intelligence officer in Yemen's Aden

ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen shot dead a high-ranking military intelligence officer in Yemen's southern port city of Aden on Sunday morning, a government official told Xinhua.

The masked assailants, who were on a motorcycle, shot and killed Ahmed al-Barakani, a colonel in the domestic military intelligence agency in Aden's neighborhood of Tawahi before fleeing the area, the local government official said, requesting anonymity.

He said the incident happened when about two gunmen opened fire on the officer's vehicle while he was getting out of the intelligence compound in Tawahi.

"The perpetrators of this criminal attack are cowards... An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and it was unclear who the shooters were," the government official added.

Sunday's attack is the latest of a series of assassinations that targeted Yemeni military officers since the unrest began last year.

Attacks and raids have been continuing since the country's political turmoil last year, as scores of al-Qaida militants took control of certain areas in the restive south, but were later purged in a U.S.-backed army offensive.

On June 20, Yemen's military officials announced seizing al- Qaida's last bastion in the country's troubled south following the military assault.

However, local military and anti-terrorism experts said the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch is still a major threat to the impoverished Arab country.

The United States and neighboring oil-rich Saudi Arabia have beefed up anti-terror cooperation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office, to help his administration overcome security challenges and combat the resurgent branch of al-Qaida network in particular.

from XINHUA
2012-09-30 16:16:21

Read More

Sep. 30., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 30) - Today, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the death of Asad, an al-Qaida associated Taliban leader, following an operation in Darah-ye Pech district, Kunar province, Friday.

Asad was a Marawara-based Taliban leader also affiliated with the Tehrik-Nefaz-i-Shariat-Muhammadi, a Pakistani militant group and known supporter of the Afghan Taliban. Asad engaged in numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and was believed to be planning additional strikes in the days leading up to his death.

Prior to the attack, the security force positively identified Asad and several armed militants engaging in insurgent activity. After confirming the imminent threat, the security force conducted a precision air strike, killing Asad and two additional insurgents.

A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed or property damaged as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

North

Today, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the arrest of a Taliban leader during a security operation in Sar-e Pul district, Sar-e Pul province, Saturday. The detained leader is believed to have supported and directed improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district. Prior to his arrest, the detainee reported directly to senior Taliban leaders while exercising command and control within the province to coordinate insurgent attacks.

Additionally, he is suspected of purchasing and distributing supplies for future attacks. The security force also detained an additional five suspected insurgents during the operation.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force confirmed today the arrest of a Taliban attack leader during an operation in Pul-e 'Alam district, Logar province, Saturday. The detained Taliban leader is suspected of having played a key role in the procurement, planning and execution of IED attacks against coalition and Afghan security forces. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani IED expert in Tsamkani district, Paktiya province, today. The detained explosives expert is suspected of having procured large amounts of IED-building materials, coordinated the shipment of those materials throughout the region, and imported multiple anti-aircraft weapons. In addition to directing ambush-style attacks against Afghan National Police, he is believed to be directly responsible for the construction of numerous remote-controlled IEDs, planned their use, and facilitated their delivery. The security force also detained seven other suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms as a result of the operation.

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the arrest of a Haqqani IED attack leader in Sharan district, Paktika province, Friday. The detained Haqqani leader is suspected of having played a direct role in the construction and distribution of IEDs, in addition to directing their use in attacks throughout the region. He was also known to seek additional weapons, including ammunition and mortars. At the time of his arrest, the Haqqani leader was believed to have been planning an attack against high-level Afghan government officials. The security force also detained two additional suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms as a result of the operation.

Taliban insurgents shot an Afghan civilian in Junabi Kheyl village, Muqor district, Ghazni province Friday while Afghan and coalition special operation forces were conducting a security meeting. The man was injured from PKM machine gun fire after the Taliban attacked the combined force at the meeting. The Afghan and coalition troops treated and stabilized the man at the location, and fought off the attack. The injured man was further transported by local villagers to a hospital in Ghazni City.

Read More

Sep. 30., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces located three weapons caches and cleared four improvised explosive devices, and four insurgents died when their IED detonated prematurely during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Sept. 29.

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

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered two weapons caches, one in Ghazni District and one in Andar District. The caches contained 36 fuses, 33 mortar rounds, 29 recoilless rifle rounds,
20 rocket-propelled grenades and 570 pounds of homemade explosives.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Khowst District and one in Manduzai District.

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Sabari District. The cache contained small arms, ammunition and IED-making materials.

Kunar province
Four insurgents died when their IED detonated prematurely in Darah Ye Pech District.

Laghman province
Afghan National Army soldiers killed four insurgents during an engagement in Mehtar Lam District.

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police found and safely cleared an IED in Bati Kot District.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

Read More

16 Armed Taliban Killed, 10 Wounded and 22 Arrested by ANP (30.Sept.2012.)

Publish Date: Sep 30, 2012

16 Armed Taliban Killed, 10 Wounded and 22 Arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 10 joint clearance operations in Sar-e-Pul, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Maidan Wardak, Logar, Herat, Farah, Ghor and Helmand provinces.

As a result of these operations, 16 armed Taliban were killed, 10 wounded and 22 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 3035 kilos of opium, two rocket launchers, eight different types of weapons, four different types of mines, 5560 kilos of chemicals and one vehicle.

 

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained two individuals accused of theft in the 13th District of Kabul-City.

Read More

ISAF statement on attack yesterday in Wardak

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs
Courtesy Story

KABUL, Afghanistan – Yesterday, one International Security Assistance Force service member and one ISAF-contracted civilian employee were killed in an exchange of fire in Wardak province. Three Afghan National Army soldiers are also reported to have died.

What was initially reported to have been a suspected Insider Attack is now understood to possibly have involved insurgent fire. The incident occurred while an ISAF unit was manning a temporary check point in an area near an Afghan National Army unit. According to ISAF and ANA reporting, after a short conversation took place between ANA and ISAF personnel firing occurred which resulted in the fatal wounding of an ISAF soldier and the death of his civilian colleague. In an ensuing exchange of fire three ANA personnel are reported to have died.

We deeply regret the loss of life in this tragic incident. Our deepest sympathies are with the families of our personnel who were killed.

The incident is now being jointly investigated by ANA and ISAF personnel.

Related articles

• NATO soldier, civilian, killed in Afghan "insider" attack (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)

Read More

Kenya Church Grenade Attack Kills Child, Wounds Others

Kenyan police say a grenade attack at a church in the capital, Nairobi, killed a nine-year-old boy and wounded three other children on Sunday.

Police chief Moses Ombati says he believes the attack is tied to sympathizers of al-Shabab militants in Somalia.

On Friday, Kenyan forces battling al-Shabab in Somalia pushed into Port Kismayo, forcing the Islamist militants to retreat from the largest remaining stronghold.

Police say the children in Kenya were at a Sunday school service at Saint Polycarp Church in Nairobi when someone hurled a grenade into the building.

``We were just worshipping God in church when we suddenly heard an explosion and people started running for their lives but unfortunately we came to realize that the explosion had injured some kids who were taken to hospital and unfortunately one succumbed,'' said worshipper Irene Wambui.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack.

Kenya has seen a series of similar attacks on churches since it sent troops into Somalia last year.

In July, gunmen threw grenades and opened fire inside two churches in the eastern town of Garissa, killing 17 people.

President Raila Odinga suggested the attacks were meant to spark tensions between Muslims and Christians.  And he said the violence stemmed from terrorism, not religious conflict.

from VOA News
September 30, 2012

Read More

NATO soldier, civilian, killed in Afghan "insider" attack

(Reuters) - A member of the NATO-led force in Afghanistan and a civilian contractor have been killed in the latest "insider" attack by a member of the Afghan security forces, the coalition said on Sunday.

The attack, which took place in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, came after the United States said joint operations with Afghan forces were returning to normal.

Joint operations were halted two weeks ago after a surge of attacks on the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) by its Afghan allies. At least 52 ISAF service members have been killed this year in "green-on-blue" attacks.

It was too early to say what impact the latest incident would have on plans to restore joint operations with Afghan troops to normal, a spokesman for ISAF said.

The attack took place in the Sayed Abad district of the Wardak province, according to local police sources, who said a gun battle broke out between coalition soldiers and Afghans when an Afghan National Army member opened fire on American troops.

Three members of the Afghan National Army were also killed in the firefight, while three other U.S. citizens and one Afghan were wounded, police spokesman Wali Mohammad said on Sunday.

If the U.S. deaths are confirmed by Department of Defense, Saturday's insider killing would take U.S. civilian and military deaths in Afghanistan to over 2,000.

"We appreciate the sacrifice of our fallen heroes, every death is tragic and important - none more than any other," ISAF said in a statement after Saturday's attack.

from REUTERS
KABUL | Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:04am EDT
(Reporting by Jessica Donati; additional reporting by Mirwais Harooni in Kabul and Mustafa Andalib in Ghazni; Editing by Robert Birsel and Daniel Magnowski)

Related articles

• NATO soldier killed in insider attack in eastern Afghanistan (khaama.com)
• NATO soldier, civilian, killed in Afghan "insider" attack (news.yahoo.com)
• NATO: Two killed in 'insider' attack (cnn.com)

Read More

Two killed in suicide bomb attack on Yemeni official

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

(Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed himself and a bystander in south Yemen on Saturday in an attempt to assassinate a government official who had targeted al Qaeda militants, a security source said.

The attacker walked up to the parked car of Mohammed Aidarous, head of a "popular committee" of tribal volunteers who helped the army oust militants from the town of Lawdar in Abyan province this year.

Aidarous, the local government official in charge of Lawdar, was not in the vehicle, but a bystander was also killed in the blast, the source said. Four people in the car and five passers-by were injured.

The source identified the bomber as 20-year-old Ali Mohammed Hossain from Abyan province.

Yemen has been in turmoil since an uprising against Ali Abdullah Saleh, who finally stepped down as president in February. The Arabian Peninsula state borders top oil exporter Saudi Arabia and lies on major world shipping lanes.

The army has expelled militants from Abyan towns occupied last year. But al Qaeda has struck back with assassination attempts against officials, some successful, and a suicide bombing of a military parade in May that killed 100.

Four members of Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC) were killed in an ambush outside Sanaa on Friday night, the party said on its website. Eight were wounded.

It was not clear if the group was targeted because of its party affiliation. A tribal source in al-Jawf where some of the men worked said the ambush could have been a tribal vendetta.

Saleh remains head of the GPC, which retains half the seats in cabinet. His relatives control key military and security units.

Saleh was succeeded by his deputy Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has U.S. backing for a transition process that tries to balance the interests of groups including a Shi'ite Islamist movement in north Yemen, southern secessionists and tribal and Sunni Islamist groups who benefitted under Saleh's rule.

from REUTERS
ADEN | Sat Sep 29, 2012 3:03pm BST
(Reporting by Dhuyazen Mukhashaf and Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Andrew Hammond; Editing by Angus McDowall in Riyadh and Jason Webb in London)

Read More