Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Afghan Commander Says 13 Foreign Militants Killed

KANDAHAR -- An Afghan military commander claims to have killed 13 Pakistani and Arab militants during an ongoing military sweep in Ghazni province.

General Daud Wafadar, commander of Afghan National Army forces in Ghazni, told REF/RL Radio Mashaal on April 25 that the militants were killed in a joint Afghan-NATO operation that began one day earlier.

Wafadar said the operation targeted the Qarabagh district of Ghazni, which is partly controlled by Afghan Taliban fighters.

Afghan troops are conducting the ground operations with air support from NATO.

Wafadar says a key militant leader, Qari Nusrat, also has been captured by Afghan government troops.

Authorities in Ghanzi recently warned of possible infiltrations by Arab, Pakistani, and Chechen militants.

from RFE/RL
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R.I.P. - CWO Nicholas S. Johnson, CWO Don C. Viray, Sgt. Chris J. Workman, Sgt. Dean R. Shaffer

DOD Identifies Army Casualties
            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died April 19, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, when their Black Hawk (UH-60) crashed.  The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

            Killed were:

            Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas S. Johnson, 27, of San Diego, Calif.

            Chief Warrant Officer Don C. Viray, 25, of Waipahu, Hawaii.

            Sgt. Chris J. Workman, 33, of Boise, Idaho.

            Sgt. Dean R. Shaffer, 23, of Pekin, Ill.

            For more information related to this release, media may contact the 25th Infantry Division public affairs office at 808-655-6351.

            CORRECTION:  April 24, 2011 -- The unit name is corrected from 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.


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Chief Warrant Officer 2 Johnson’s awards and decorations include the Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, Army Service Medal and the Aviator Badge. Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Johnson joined the Army September 18, 2003 and became a UH-60 Pilot December 12, 2008.

Johnson was a 2002 graduate of Chino High School in San Bernardino County, said Chino Valley Unified School District Spokeswoman Julie Gobin. Public records show he lived in San Diego County between March 2003 and September 2008.

This was Johnson’s first deployment.

He was married with one child.
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Chief Warrant Officer 2 Viray’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge and the Aviator Badge. Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Viray joined the Army June 26, 2007 as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot.

Viray attended Waipahu High School before transferring during his junior year to Roosevelt High in November 2002. He participated in ROTC at Roosevelt until graduating in June, 2004. Viray worked as a helicopter mechanic with the Hawaii Army National Guard, and later joined the Army where he fulfilled his dream of serving his country as a pilot. Viray's father Leo Viray is a retired Army veteran with more than 25 years service.

This was Viray’s second deployment.
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Sgt. Shaffer’s awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Aviator Badge. Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Sgt. Shaffer joined the Army June 12, 2007 as a UH-60 Black Hawk Repairer.

Shaffer, who served in JROTC and joined the Army after graduation, was in his second tour of duty in Afghanistan after previous service in Iraq when he was killed in the crash that apparently was caused by bad weather.

This was Shaffer’s second deployment.
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Sgt. Workman’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Basic Parachutist Badge. Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Sgt. Workman joined the Army November 24, 2009 as a chemical operations specialist.

The family of Sergeant Workman have requested privacy at this time but released the following statement.
“Chris was a highly energetic, self reliant man. He was very outgoing and had many friends from throughout Idaho, to include his college friends from Idaho State University. He came from a large Greek and Italian family and had many family members from around Idaho and the Northwest. He loved his family very much, especially his wife Camille and his stepson Cole Hayes. He also loved his dog, a beagle named Lucky. While stationed with the Army in Hawaii, he loved to go to the beach, swim and climb the volcanoes there. He was very fit and his favorite thing to do was fitness and bodybuilding. We want the world to know he will be missed by his loving family and by all who knew him.”
While he joined the Army in 2009 when he lived in Boise, where he was working at the time, Sgt. Workman grew up in the Rupert area of Idaho and graduated from Minico High School in Minidoka County. Workman was pusthumously promoted to Sergeant.

This was Workman’s third deployment.

He was married and had one child.
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“Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of our fallen heroes,” said Maj. Gen. Kurt Fuller, commanding general, 25th Infantry Division. “Although the 25th Combat Action Brigade family has suffered a huge loss, they still continue their mission with the utmost courage and resolve.”
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Hawaii's senior senator on Capitol Hill issued a statement on the identification of the soldiers. Once again, the tragedies of war have taken four from our Tropic Lightning Division, all of them Hawaii heroes; one of them, Hawaii born. These brave Army airmen must never be forgotten, said Sen. Daniel Inouye. Their contributions to our nation and to our world’s security are beyond measurement. Having watched the death and injury of my brothers in arms, I understand, too well, what this loss means to their fellow soldiers and families. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.
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R.I.P. - Sergeant Valerian Khujadze

Sgt Valerian Khujadze, who was serving with the NATO-led ISAF operation in Helmand Province, has been killed by an (IED) improvised explosive device.

Sgt Khujadze of the 31st Battalion was patrolling when the IED exploded and he died from his injuries, Georgian TV station Rustavi2 reported.

He had been serving in the Georgian Armed Forces since 2004 and took part in the peacekeeping mission in Iraq.

In 2011 he was awarded the Medal for Participation in Peacekeeping Operations.

The Ministry of Defence have expressed condolences to Sgt Khujadze's family, who will receive a package of social assistance in accordance with Georgian legislation.

Sgt Khujadze was the fifth Georgian soldier to die in Helmand Province this year and the 16th Georgian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.

mod.gov.ge
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Georgia is a staunch ally of the United States with ambitions to join NATO and currently has 800 troops serving in Afghanistan, according to the alliance's website -- a major contribution from a small country of 4.4 million people.

Georgia's parliament voted in December to send another battalion to Afghanistan, which is expected to almost double the country's contingent there.

Tbilisi's NATO aspirations have infuriated neighbour Russia, which fought a brief war with Georgia in 2008.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said earlier this month that Georgia had become a “model partner” for the alliance but there was still a “long road” towards membership.
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5 Afghan soldiers killed, 3 injured in Ghazni and Herat

Afghan defense ministry following a statement on Wednesday announced at least 8 Afghan national army soldiers were killed and injured in eastern Ghazni and Herat provinces of Afghanistan.
The statement further added, 7 Afghan national army soldiers were killed and injured in eastern Ghazni province and 1 Afghan national army soldier was injured in western Herat province.
At least 5 of the Afghan army soldiers were killed and 2 others were injured following an improvised explosive device explosion at Shah Ghasi village in central Ghazni city, officials said.
In a separate incident at an Afghan army soldier was injured after militants opened on Afghan soldiers at Shindand district in western Herat province.

from KHAAMA
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R.I.P. - 1st Lt. Jonathan P. Walsh, Pfc. Michael J. Metcalf

Left: Jonathan P. Walsh, Right: Michael J. Metcalf
DOD Identifies Army Casualties
            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died April 22 in Paktia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

            Killed were:

            1st Lt. Jonathan P. Walsh, 28, Cobb, Ga.

            Pfc. Michael J. Metcalf, 22, Boynton Beach, Fla.

            For more information contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at 910-432-0661/0662 or 910-813-3891.


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Metcalf graduated from St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wis. While there, he played on the baseball team and volunteered his time on campus. He graduated a Sergeant Squad Leader. Before entering the military academy, he attended Park Vista High School for a little over one year. Metcalf's mother and grandmother, Anne Foistine, both of suburban Boynton Beach, said he had many friends and was loved by all. He enjoyed playing all sports, especially surfing and skim boarding, and bull riding near Lake Okeechobee, they said.
Metcalf attended Park Vista Community High School in Lake Worth before transferring to St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisc., where he graduated in 2008. After working different jobs, Metcalf joined the Army a little more than a year ago.

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1st Lt. Jonathan P. Walsh, 28, Cobb, Ga., died April 22 in Paktia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.


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

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed three insurgents and captured five suspects in eastern Afghanistan during operations throughout the past 24 hours, April 24.

Laghman province
A coalition airstrike killed three armed insurgents emplacing an improvised explosive device in Mehtar Lam. An explosive ordnance disposal team disabled the IED and brought it to a controlled area for detonation.

Khowst province
Afghan Uniform Police detained three individuals in Khowst district who are suspects in a recent indirect fire attack on a coalition force base. The individuals were transported to a base for questioning.

Coalition forces detained one suspect armed with an AK-47 in Shamal district. The detainee was brought to a base for questioning under ANA custody.

ANA soldiers and coalition forces detained one suspect with matching biometrics in Sarabi district. The detainee was found near an IED discovery.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Nigeria: JTF Bursts Another Boko Haram Bomb Factory, Kills Three

The Joint military Task Force (JTF) in the wee hours of yesterday invaded a suspected Boko Haram bomb factory at Haye, a suburb of Hotoron Arewa Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, arrested a number of persons and carted away bomb-making materials.

Elsewhere in Maiduguri, Borno State, the sect suffered another misfortune as three of its suspected members were killed by the JTF.

Conducting reporters round the house, spokesman of the JTF, Lieutenant Ikedichi Iweha, said two women and a couple of children found in the house were rescued by the task force and taken away.

"The main person that we are looking for was not arrested because he was not in the house but we have rescued women and children from the house before the operation carried out by the operatives," Iweha said.

According to him, "Pressure is consistently being mounted on them by the security, and people should not be afraid as security agencies are trying to ensure that Kano is safe and we are always appealing to people to report any suspicious person or movement in their community."

He said items recovered at the house included improvised explosive device (IEDs), assorted containers, prime drum, liquid substances, charcoal and a film leaflet of Osama bin Laden with the inscription: 'Osama bin Laden dead at last'.

"Two women and a couple of children that we have rescued have been taken away for investigation, and the house will be brought down using military armoured carrier," he added.

The spokesman of the JTF expressed appreciation to the general public, adding that "people should not be afraid to alert the security agencies with information about suspicious people or their movements because we want to make sure that Kano is safe."

It was observed that two armoured personal carriers (APC) and other military vehicles were used to cordon off the house, while the residents were seen saluting the military for their wonderful job in the area.

Meanwhile, the JTF in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday killed three suspected Boko Haram members in a stolen vehicle.

THISDAY gathered that the suspected members of the sect were killed at the Molai military post, located at the outskirts of Maiduguri while attempting to flee in a stolen vehicle.

A military source revealed that the victims were planning to launch attacks on Biu town in the stolen vehicle.

Spokesman of JTF in the state, Lt-Col. Sagir Musa, in a press statement said: "Following a distress call, the Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order 1 at 12 noon on Monday, encountered Boko Haram terrorists that snatched a vehicle and were moving towards Biu. In the process, there were exchanges of gun fire at the military posts where three suspected terrorists were killed."

He added that the stolen vehicle, in which the suspects were fleeing, was also recovered and returned to the owner in Maiduguri.

He said the JTF was on top of the security situation in the state, urging residents and other members of the general public to continue to cooperate with the security task force and other security agents by providing information on the sect members' hideouts and their modus operandi.

Also confirming the incident, the Field Operations Officer of the JTF in Borno State, Col. Victor Ebhaleme, said: "Three suspected Boko Haram terrorists who went to rob some residents of their valuables were killed in a shootout while trying to flee the scene."

Ebhaleme, who spoke on phone, also said: "With the way we are cracking down on the Boko Haram terrorists, we strongly believe that their end is in sight. Some of them have now resorted to armed robbery and other forms of criminality, but we will surely fish them out."

In a related development, one Stephen Pam, a staff member of Borno State House of Assembly was killed by suspected Boko Haram members.

Pam, according to sources, was killed at his residence in Galadima, within Maiduguri metropolis.

In another attack by the sect, two brothers were killed at Kofa Mela part of the town, which is opposite the Maiduguri New Prison.

The sect was said to have also killed a welder at the notorious Abbaganaram part of the city yesterday.

The killing at Galadima, Kofa Mela and Abbaganaram areas which are on the same axis of the town caused heavy traffic along that axis as vehicles were made to undergo serious check on the popular Ibrahim Imam Way.

However, information could not be got from relevant authorities as the erratic telecommunications network made it impossible to reach the officers.

In a related development, unknown gunmen, on Monday night, killed and set three persons ablaze in Barkin Ladi Local Government area of Plateau State. This is the second of such attacks in one week.

THISDAY gathered that just last week, a councillor in the local government was also attacked and killed by unknown persons.

This time, it was learnt that the Director of Finance and Supply of Jos East Local Government and two others who were in the same car heading towards Gashish village in the local government were attacked.

The local government, which is under emergency rule along with three others in the state, have been under frequent attacks by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen for quite some time.

Sources close to the scene of the attack disclosed that the three occupants were attacked with guns and other dangerous weapons at about 8:30pm.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Special Task Force, Captain Markus Mdahyelya, who confirmed the incident, said: "Three unidentified people were ambushed and killed on Monday in the border area between Barkin-Ladi and Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state."

from allAfrica


By Ibrahim Shuaibu , Michael Olugbode and Seriki Adinoyi, 25 April 2012
http://www.thisdaylive.com/
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Soldier killed, 5 injured in attacks in Iraq

BAGHDAD, April 24 (Xinhua) -- An Iraqi soldier was killed and five people were injured in separate bomb attacks in northern and western Iraq on Tuesday, the police said.

In Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, a booby-trapped car detonated near an Iraqi army vehicle in al-Hadbaa district in northern of the provincial capital city of Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, killing one soldier and wounding an officer and a soldier aboard, a provincial police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Iraqi security forces sealed off the scene while police launched an investigation into the incident, the source said.

In Iraq's western province of Anbar, a roadside bomb went off near a civilian car in al-Tamim district western of the provincial capital city of Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad, wounding three people aboard, a local police source anonymously told Xinhua.

Insurgent attacks continue in the once volatile Sunni Arab area in west of Baghdad that stretches through Anbar province to Iraq's western borders with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

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

COTABATO, Philippines, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were wounded following a grenade explosion on Tuesday night in the restive southern Philippines, police said Wednesday.

The provincial police commander Cornelio Salinas said that two unknown men on board a motorbike tossed a grenade at the house of trader Gerry Gornez at 6:10 p.m. in the township of Midsayap in North Cotabato, wounding three locals identified as Nenita Benitez, 64, Amid Bruno, 15, and Asmirah Daud.

Salinas said the victims were near the steel gate of Gornez house where the grenade exploded.

Tuesday's attack came just weeks after a grenade exploded at a cockpit in nearby Aleosan town, killing three and injuring dozens.
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Haqqani Network leader killed in Khost province

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force officials following a statement on Wednesday announced, a Haqqani Network leader was killed following a joint military operation by Afghan and coalition security forces in eastern Khost province.
The statement further added, the leader, named Namat, organized roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district.
ISAF said, “As the security force approached his suspected location, Namat along with several other insurgents opened fire. The security force returned fire, killing Namat who was armed with an AK-47, a pistol and multiple grenades.”
Following the exchange of fire, multiple additional Haqqani insurgents were detained, ISAF confirmed.
Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the report.

from KHAAMA
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20 armed insurgents killed, four wounded and 11 others arrested by Afghan National Police

20 armed insurgents killed, four wounded and 11 others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 15 joint clearance operations in Kabul, Kapisa, Kandahar, Helmand, Logar, Ghazni, and Paktiya provinces.

As a result of these operations, 20 armed insurgents were killed, four wounded and 11 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 17 different types of weapons, one rocket launcher, one PKM machine gun, 177 light and heavy rounds, 20kg of explosive materials, 11 anti-vehicle mines, one hand grenade, one vehicle and five motorbikes.
 
Counternarcotics:

Afghan National Border Police discovered and confiscated 28 kilograms of opium in Herat province, yesterday.

In the meantime, Afghan National Counternarcotics Police launched several operations in the Sarkhroad, Achin and Shinwar Districts of Nangarhar province and Shindand District of Herat province, yesterday.

As a result of these operations, Afghan National Counternarcotics Police   eradicated 298 acres of poppy crops in surrounding areas of the mentioned areas.
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Apr.25., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Apr. 25) — An Afghan-led security force conducted an operation to detain a Haqqani leader in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province, today. 

The leader, named Namat, organized roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. 

As the security force approached his suspected location, Namat along with several other insurgents opened fire.  The security force returned fire, killing Namat who was armed with an AK-47, a pistol and multiple grenades. 

Following the exchange of fire, multiple additional Haqqani insurgents were detained. 
In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan: 

South 

In Washer district, Helmand province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a senior Taliban leader today. The leader orders roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. He is also suspected of attempting to use insurgents in his network to infiltrate Afghan National Security Forces in Helmand for assassinations against Afghan officials, Afghan troops and ISAF troops. The security force detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized an AK-47, multiple grenades, explosive materials, and more than 150 pounds of opium as a result of this operation. 

An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detained a senior Taliban leader in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, today. The leader controls insurgent fighters operating in Zharay and Panjwa’i districts and in Kandahar City. He also supplies weapons, ammunition, and equipment to the insurgents under his control and coordinates their attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. The security force detained multiple suspected insurgents as a result of this operation. 

In Nesh district, Uruzgan province, an Afghan and coalition security force detained a senior weapons facilitator, Sunday. The facilitator supplied rockets, ammunition, improvised explosive device components and anti-personnel mines to insurgents throughout Uruzgan. The facilitator was also responsible for multiple attacks against ANSF and coalition forces.  

Combined Afghan and coalition security forces discovered a weapons cache during routine patrol in Zharay district, Helmand province, today. The cache consisted of 71 rocket-propelled grenades, 15 improvised explosive devices, and a heavy machine gun. The seized material was transported to a secure location to be safely destroyed. 

East 

An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani facilitator during an operation in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province, today. The facilitator provided roadside bombs to insurgents in the district for attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. The security force detained one additional insurgent as a result of this operation. 

In Qarah Bagh district, Ghazni province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Taliban explosives expert today. The insurgent constructs and plants roadside bombs along Highway 1 for attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. The security force detained several suspected insurgents as a result of this operation. 

Finally, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Haqqani facilitator in Muhammad Aghah district, Logar province, today. The facilitator provides insurgents with explosive materials for roadside bombs used in attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. The security force detained several suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.
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AQAP commander thought killed in US drone strike


A senior al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula leader who trained at a camp in Afghanistan more than a decade ago was killed in a recent airstrike in southern Yemen. The airstrike is one of two thought to have been carried out by US-operated unmanned strike aircraft over the past several days.

Mohammed Saeed al Umda (also known as Ghareeb al Taizi) is said to be among three AQAP members believed to have been killed in an April 22 drone strike on a convoy in the Al Samadah area, near the border of Marib and Al Jawf provinces, a senior Yemeni official told The Long War Journal.

US officials contacted by The Long War Journal would neither confirm or deny the strike, but one intelligence official said that al Umda "has been in our crosshairs." Airstrikes in Yemen on moving targets such as convoys are typically carried out by the CIA or the US military.

The US officials could not confirm his death. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and its political front, Ansar al Sharia, have not released a martyrdom statement announcing his death.

The Yemeni official said that al Umda provided "logistical and financial support" and "commanded a number of AQAP military operations in Yemen." Al Umda has also been featured prominently in AQAP's propaganda.

Al Umda attended the Al Farouq military training camp in Afghanistan before the downfall of the Taliban regime in 2001. Al Farouq was one of al Qaeda's primary training facilities in pre-9/11 Afghanistan. Foreign recruits were shuttled to the camp, where they were given training on light arms and other basic instruction. Those who were selected for operations in the West or elsewhere were sent to other specialized training camps. Other recruits were selected to fight alongside the Taliban in al Qaeda's Arab 055 Brigade.

Al Umda was involved in the October 2002 suicide attack on the French oil tanker Limburg. He was convicted by a Yemeni court and imprisoned in 2005. In February 2006, he was among 23 al Qaeda operatives to escape from a prison in Sana'a. The Yemeni official said that al Umda is listed as the fourth-most-wanted man in Yemen.

In a second drone strike yesterday in Shabwa province, three AQAP fighters were killed, according to The Associated Press. The unmanned Predators or Reapers fired missiles at a pickup truck traveling in the province. No senior AQAP commanders or operatives were reported to have been killed.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/04/aqap_commander_thoug.php#ixzz1t2S1PkKq
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