2 killed, 7 injured in rocket attack in Afghan Kapisa province

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KABUL, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two civilians were killed and seven others were injured Wednesday when two rockets fired by suspected Taliban insurgents hit a house in the country's Kapisa province.

"A mother along with her three-year-old child was killed and seven members of the same family injured as two rockets fired by enemies of peace hit their house in Alasay district of Kapisa province this morning," the country's Interior Ministry said in a press release.

The incident occurred at around 11:30 a.m. local time Wednesday, the release said, adding that all the injured were shifted to a hospital by Afghan police shortly after the attack.

The release blamed Taliban insurgents for the attack.

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ISAF commander joins president of Afghanistan in condemning rocket attack in Kapisa province

KABUL, Afghanistan – Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, joins Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai in condemning a rocket attack on a residence in the Allasai district of Kapisa province that killed a woman and a child. The two rockets launched by insurgents in a deliberate attack also injured seven other innocent civilians.

"Continued deliberate attacks on the people of Afghanistan that result in the brutal murder of defenseless women and children clearly show that this heartless insurgency has no moral compass whatsoever," said General Allen. "I join President Karzai in extending my deepest sympathies to the families of those who were killed, and in praying for the fastest recovery of those who were injured in this needless tragedy."

"Mullah Omar's deafening silence and inaction in stopping these ongoing attacks against innocent Afghan civilians shows that his foot soldiers are now giving the orders while he and his inner circle reside in comfort, allowing the killing of their own brothers and sisters," Allen continued. "We vow to eradicate those who commit these evil acts, and we further pledge to the people of Afghanistan that we will stop at nothing to see that those responsible for these evil crimes are held to account."

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R.I.P. - Capt. Joshua C. Pairsh

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Capt. Joshua C. Pairsh, 29, of Equality, Ill., died Jan. 22 in the United States of a non-combat related illness.  He was assigned to 4th Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Washington, D.C.

            For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Forces Reserve public affairs office at 504-697-8309.

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Statement by Secretary Panetta on Hostage Rescue Operation in Somalia

Statement by Secretary Panetta on Hostage Rescue Operation in Somalia

            Last night U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted, by order of the President of the United States, a successful mission in Somalia to rescue two individuals taken hostage on October 25, 2011. Ms. Jessica Buchanan, an American citizen employed by the Danish Demining Group, and her Danish colleague, Mr. Poul Thisted, were kidnapped at gunpoint by criminal suspects near Galcayo, Somalia.

            Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Thisted have been transported to a safe location where we will evaluate their health and make arrangements for them to return home.

            This successful hostage rescue, undertaken in a hostile environment, is a testament to the superb skills of courageous service members who risked their lives to save others.  I applaud their efforts, and I am pleased that Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Thisted were not harmed during the operation.  This mission demonstrates our military's commitment to the safety of our fellow citizens wherever they may be around the world.

            I am grateful to report that there was no loss of life or injuries to our personnel.

            I express my deepest gratitude to all the military and civilian men and women who supported this operation.  This was a team effort and required close coordination, especially between the Department of Defense and our colleagues in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  They are heroes and continue to inspire all of us by their bravery and service to our nation.

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13 militants 3 Afghan soldiers killed in Afghan operations

At least 13 militants were killed following military operations by Afghan and NATO-led International Coalition Security Forces during the past 24 hours.

Afghan Interior Ministry following a press release on Wednesday said, the militants were killed during operations in Kabul, Laghman and eastern Kapisa provinces of Afghanistan.

The source further added, at least 9 militants were injured and 6 others were detained during the operations.

The statement also said, Afghan security forces seized some weapons and ammunitions including drugs during the operations.

In the meantime officials in Afghan Defense Ministry following a press release said, at least 7 Afghan National Army soldiers were killed and injured during military operations in Afghanistan.

The officials further added, at least 3 Afghan soldiers were killed during the operation in Zherai district of southern Kandahar province and two others were injured.

At leas two other Afghan soldiers were injured during military operations in Elasai district of eastern Kapisa province, officials said.


from KHAAMA

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ISAF kill insurgents during operation in Faryab province

Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Kot district, Faryab province, today.

International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan following a press release on Wednesday said, the leader is an explosives expert and suicide-attack network facilitator who targets senior Afghan government officials throughout Almar district.

The source further added, during the operation, two insurgents exited a building and fired at the security force. Several remaining insurgents barricaded themselves inside the building and also opened fire. The security force responded to the immediate threat and returned fire, killing the insurgents.

According to ISAF officials, the security force confiscated several AK-47 assault rifles, eight grenades, four chest racks, one machine gun and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

No civilians were injured during the operation, ISAF confirmed.

Meanwhile, Afghan led and coalition supported security force conducted an operation in search of a weapons dealer and facilitator in Tarin Kwot district, Uruzgan province on Monday.

According to ISAF officials, the security force discovered several weapons and weapon parts during the operation. All items were confiscated. Two suspected associates of the weapons dealer were detained for further questioning.
In a separate operation at Dand district, Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered two drug caches while conducting an operation Monday.

ISAF officials following the press release said, the caches contained approximately 22,000 pounds (10,000 kilograms) of hash.

The security force destroyed all drugs on site without incident. The security force detained one suspect for questioning.

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Jan.25., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 25) – A combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Kot district, Faryab province, today.

The leader is an explosives expert and suicide-attack network facilitator who targets senior Afghan government officials throughout Almar district.

During the operation, two insurgents exited a building and fired at the security force. Several remaining insurgents barricaded themselves inside the building and also opened fire. The security force responded to the immediate threat and returned fire, killing the insurgents.

The security force confiscated several AK-47 assault rifles, eight grenades, four chest racks, one machine gun and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

No civilians were injured during the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South
An Afghan led and coalition supported security force conducted an operation in search of a weapons dealer and facilitator in Tarin Kwot district, Uruzgan province, Monday. The security force discovered several weapons and weapon parts during the operation. All items were confiscated. Two suspected associates of the weapons dealer were detained for further questioning.

UPDATE TO PR# 2012-01-S-036: In Dand district, Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered two drug caches while conducting an operation Monday. The caches contained approximately 22,000 pounds (10,000 kilograms) of hash. The security force destroyed all drugs on site without incident. The security force detained one suspect for questioning.

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9 killed in clashes in NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Seven militants and two soldiers of the Pakistan Army got killed while several others injured in clashes between militants and security forces in Kurram tribal region of northwest Pakistan on Tuesday evening, local media reported.

According to the report by local Urdu TV Dunya, the clashes broke out when militants attacked Pakistani soldiers in Jogi area of Kurram agency, a main area at Pak-Afghan border lands, killing two soldiers and injuring two others.

In the retaliatory attack by the Pakistan Army, seven militants got killed and ten others sustained injuries.

Both sides used heavy weapons including rockets and mortars in the clashes.

The Pakistan Army has cleared most of the Kurram region from the Taliban militants, however, some of the areas are still under the control of militants from where they carry out attacks on the Pakistan Army and pro-government tribal people.

The forces have been conducting major operation against the militants in Kurram and the nearby Orakzai region over the past few months, and they are making progress in areas where militants are still active.

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R.I.P. - Cpl. Christopher G. Singer

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Cpl. Christopher G. Singer, 23, of Temecula, Calif., died Jan. 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

            For additional information news media representatives may contact the 1st Marine Division public affairs office at 760-725-8766.

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U.S. Marine Cpl. Christopher Singer, 23, a Chaparral High School graduate, died from injuries sustained in a firefight Saturday while serving in Afghanistan, family members said Monday.
Singer, a member of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, was shot while on patrol near Sangin, a dangerous province in southern Afghanistan, said Singer's uncle, Steve Welty. He was attended to by a medic and a corpsman at the scene. They were flying him to a hospital and he died on the operating table, Welty said.
Singer, a member of Chaparral High's class of 2007, joined the Marines shortly after graduation. Welty said Singer had long sought to be a member of the Corps. He could frequently be found wearing camouflage gear when he was growing up, and he used to play Marine with his friends. He also participated in Chaparral's Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program. From the time he was the littlest guy, he always wanted to be a Marine, Welty said. Singer, a Christian who loved working on antique engines with his grandfather, spent much of his early military career at Camp Pendleton and the base at Twentynine Palms, serving as a military police officer during that stint. After his recovery from a knee injury and his re-enlistment in August, he was deployed to Afghanistan in September.
Before leaving, Welty said, Singer left a message with his wife, Brooke Singer, the mother of their 2-year-old daughter, Briyana. He said, 'If I die, I don't want people to mourn me. I want people to know I did everything I wanted to do in life and died doing what I loved,' Welty said.
Brooke and Christopher Singer, the son of Marlene Shaw and Greg Singer, were married on Jan. 29, 2009. Singer was a football fan who listed allegiances to both the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers on his Facebook page. Welty, a Chargers fan, said that when the Patriots beat the Chargers, however, Singer would let him hear about it. Like many members of his generation, Singer played video games such as Halo and Call of Duty. Welty said the skills he picked up playing Call of Duty, in particular, came in handy when Singer was going through basic training in San Diego. He was one of the best in his group at shooting targets while on the move, Welty said.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nathaniel Kiser, a former roommate and one of Singer's best friends, said he lived with Brooke and Christopher Singer at Camp Pendleton after returning from a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. Like Singer, Kiser is a combat engineer, a role with the Corps that includes sweeping for mines, demolition, construction and a host of other jobs.
Kiser said he a got a chance to talk to Singer on the phone a couple of times during his deployment and he said it seemed his friend was really taking to field work, even though much of it is extremely dangerous. I love this. I love doing this stuff, he recalled Singer saying. During their time together on base, Kiser said he spent a lot of time with the Singers, playing Halo with Brooke and Christopher, rocking out to whatever was cranking on the radio and getting dressed up for nights on the town.

There also were quieter moments, he said. Sometimes, if one the friends had had a bad day, they would just go for a walk. We'd cheer each other up and stuff, he said. Although it felt good to share stories of the good times, Kiser said he was struck by the finality of those memories. We're not going to have him anymore, he said. Funeral arrangements have not been completed, but Welty said Singer will be buried at Riverside National Cemetery.
The family, which includes sister Jessica Shaw and brother Jordan Singer, also is working on setting up a trust for Briyana. Anyone interesting in contributing can send an email to fund4briyana@gmail.com
U.S. Marine Corps First Lt. Sin Carrano said Monday that Singer received the Marine Corps Good Conduct medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal and the National Defense Service medal.

(Call staff writer Aaron Claverie at 951-676-4315, ext. 2624. Like The Californian's Temecula Facebook page and follow The Californian's Temecula Twitter feed @Temecula_CAL to get breaking local news and top stories of the day. )

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Militants attack NATO and Afghan military bases in Khost

According to reports, Afghan and NATO-led International Coalition Security Forces military bases were targeted by missile attacks in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Militants attacked two military bases in Yaqoobi(Yaqoubi) and Ali Sher districts at eastern Khost province.

Coalition forces officials in eastern Khost province confirmed the reports and said Afghan and NATO troops did not suffer any casualties during the incident.

The Islamic Party (Hezb-e-Islami) led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar claimed responsibility behind the missile attack on a military base in Ali Sher district while Taliban militants group claimed responsibility for missile attack at Yaqoobi(Yaqoubi) district of eastern Khost province.

The two militants groups claims to have incurred casualties to Afghan and NATO troops following missile attacks on the two military bases.

Local security officials in eastern Khost province denied claims by militants for Afghan and NATO troops casualties.

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4 militants killed by Afghan army in Paktika province

According to local authorities in eastern Afghanistan, at least four militants were killed following armed clashes with the Afghan National Army soldiers in eastern Paktika province.

The officials further added, the militants were killed during clashes in Barmal district of eastern Paktika province.

A media official of the Afghan National Army 203 National Security Brigade Sadat Gul Hotak said, Afghan National Army soldiers also seized some weapons and ammunitions during the clashes with the militants group.

Mr. Hotak further added, Afghan National Army soldiers and Afghan civilians did not suffer any casualties during the clashes.

Taliban militants group yet to comment regarding the report.

from KHAAMA

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Shabaab suicide bomber targets Ethiopian troops

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By Bill Roggio - January 24, 2012 - LWJ

A Shabaab suicide bomber attacked an Ethiopian military compound in western Somalia today, killing an unknown number of troops. Shabaab claimed credit for the attack.

The attack took place in the city of Beledweyne near the border of Ethiopia. Shabaab said the suicide bomber from the "Martyrdom Brigade" targeted "a building known as the Regional Headquarters which housed the Ethiopian army," and claimed more than 200 Ethiopian troops and their officers were stationed there, according to a statement provided by the SITE Intelligence Group.

A local security official told the BBC that Ethiopian soldiers shot and killed the suicide bomber at the gate of the compound. The blast was sufficiently large enough to cause most of the building to collapse, however.

Ethiopian officials have not disclosed the number of casualties. African countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi, which have forces in Somalia, often underreport their casualties.
Shabaab claimed that "33 Ethiopian soldiers, including 4 senior commanders" were killed "and up to 72 injured and the number is steadily increasing." The figures provided by Shabaab could not be confirmed, and the terror group is known to exaggerate the results of its operations.

Shabaab said that today's suicide attack "is part of the new strategy adopted by the Mujahideen as a bold response to the increasingly hostile enemies that have invaded Somalia." Shabaab withdrew from Beledweyne weeks ago after Ethiopian forces reentered Somalia in force. Shabaab has also withdrawn from most of the capital of Mogadishu after African Union forces went on the offensive last summer. Shabaab has launched suicide attacks, and conducted ambushes and assassinations in the capital.

Today's suicide attack in Somalia is the second in the war-torn country in the past week. On Jan. 19, a suicide bomber killed six people at a refugee camp in Mogadishu.
Shabaab, which has close ties to al Qaeda and serves as its affiliate in East Africa, and its predecessor, the Islamic Courts Union, have carried out more than 30 suicide attacks in Somalia since they sought to control the country in 2006. At least two of those suicide attacks were carried out by American citizens.

The US has been targeting senior al Qaeda and Shabaab leaders in drone strikes and special operations raids. Just last weekend, US drones killed Bilal al Berjawi, a senior al Qaeda leader who also served as a top commander for Shabaab, in a strike near Mogadishu.

African Union forces have launched offensives against Shabaab on three fronts over the past year, but Shabaab still holds much of central and southern Somalia [see map from BBC]. Ugandan and Burundian troops control of much of Mogadishu after battling Shabaab forces starting last summer. In the fall, Kenyan troops invaded southern Somalia, and took over some border areas. Later in 2011, Ethiopian troops entered Somalia and seized Beledweyne and the surrounding areas.

For more information on Americans and foreigners who are fighting for Shabaab, see LWJ report, American Shabaab fighter and commander pictured together. For more information on Shabaab's links to al Qaeda, see LWJ reports, Somalia's Shabaab vows allegiance to new al Qaeda emir Zawahiri, and Al Qaeda leaders play significant role in Shabaab.

Sources:
Somalia's al-Shabab attack Ethiopian base in Beledweyne, BBC
Somalia: Suicide blast targets Ethiopian military base in Belet-weyn town, Mareeg Online
Truck bomb explodes at Ethiopian base in Somalia, AP

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/01/shabaab_suicide_bomb_3.php#ixzz1kQCWWfGf

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• Shabaab suicide bomber targets Ethiopian troops (longwarjournal.org)

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