US drone strike kills 2 AQAP fighters in central Yemen

By Bill Roggio - May 19, 2012 - LWJ

The US killed two al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula operatives in a drone airstrike in central Yemen yesterday as fighting for control of major towns and cities in the south heats up.

The unmanned Predators or the more heavily armed Reapers struck a convoy in the central province of Baydah yesterday afternoon, killing a Yemeni and a Somali fighter, according to AFP. The identities of those killed have not been disclosed, and AQAP has not released a statement confirming or denying the deaths.

Somali fighters from Shabaab are reported to have entered Yemen to support al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and its political front, Ansar al Sharia, as AQAP attempts to consolidate control in the south and fight the military. On April 11, Yemeni officials claimed that Somalis, Saudis, and Pakistanis were among those killed during fighting in Lawdar in Abyan province. And on April 21, the military claimed that 10 Saudi and three Somali fighters were killed while fighting in Abyan.

Baydah province is known to have an AQAP presence. The terror group seized control of Rada'a in Baydah in January but later withdrew after negotiating a peace agreement with the local government.

The Yemeni government has launched a major offensive designed to clear AQAP from the larger cities and towns in southern Yemen. Hundreds of civilians, AQAP fighters, and Yemeni troops have been killed during fighting over the past week. Yemeni troops have clashed with AQAP fighters outside of Lawdar, and claimed to have ejected the terror group from the city. Yemeni troops are also engaged in fighting with AQAP fighters outside of Jaar, and officials have said they expect to defeat AQAP there within days. Heavy fighting has been reported in Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan, which has been under AQAP control for one year.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/05/us_drone_strike_kill_5.php#ixzz1vRkp5CxT

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• US drone strike kills 2 AQAP fighters in central Yemen (longwarjournal.org)

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10 tribesmen, 18 al-Qaida fighters killed in clashes in Yemen's south

ADEN, Yemen, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Fierce clashes between pro- government tribesmen and al-Qaida militants broke out in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Sunday, leaving at least 10 tribal fighters and 18 terrorists killed, a military official said.

Fierce battles erupted at dawn in the outskirts of the insurgents-controlled town of Jaar in Abyan and continued until Sunday afternoon, the local military official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

About 10 anti-Qaida militiamen and 18 terrorists have been killed in the ongoing clashes, the official said.

The pro-government tribal fighters, with support of government forces, were forced to retreat on Sunday after they entered Jaar where saw the most deadly fighting in the past week, he added.

An army commander told Xinhua anonymously that intensified air strikes resumed after army troops met with sharp resistance from the al-Qaida militants in Jaar's suburbs.

"We reached to the town's suburbs but we cannot get into it. Al- Qaida have tough and well-trained fighters," the army commander said, adding that intensified air bombing will help us and secure our advances on the ground.

The Yemeni army and tribal militia have launched all-out attacks against strongholds of the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Abyan since last week with the help of U.S. military experts.

Local officials said that dozens of U.S. counter-terrorism experts helped the Yemeni army set strategies against the AQAP.

Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, who took office in February, pledged that large-scale attacks will continue to strike al-Qaida bastions "until we have eradicated their presence in every village."

Government troops fighting al-Qaida militants have gained ground in current battles and advanced towards al-Qaida strongholds, the Yemeni military said.

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Somalia: Seven Dead in Mogadishu Bomb Blasts

Mogadishu — At least seven people, most of them soldiers were killed on Saturday in series of bomb blasts in the Somali capital,Mogadishu, witnesses said.

According to witnesses, the first explosion, which was used a roadside remote-controlled landmine hit AMISIOM convoy traveling at sheik Ali Abdulle area, on the outskirts of Mogadishu, causing an unconfirmed casualties.

The second blast, which was also a landmine, occurred at Gubta village, targeting Somali government soldiers based in the area. Five soldiers were confirmed killed in the attack, Locals told Shabelle Media from the scene of the blast

Two grenade bomb attacks rocked early hours on Saturday in the main market of Bakaro, a busy commercial market in Somali capital,Mogadishu which reportedly targeted at Somali soldiers who were pulling down illegal buildings in Bakara market, killing at least two of them.

Hospital sources indicated that 10 injured people were admitted in Madina hospital, one female died in the hospital later from her wounds.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

from allAfrica / Shabelle

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Suicide Bomber Targets Convoy of Isaf Troops, 2 children dead, 3 injured

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives near a convoy of Isaf troops in southern Uruzgan on Sunday, wounding six civilians, local officials said.

The incident began around 10:30 am when a convoy of Nato troops were passing through Trinkoot, the capital of Uruzgan, provincial police chief spokesman Fareed Ayal told TOLOnews.

The suicide bomber was walking on foot, he added.

He said that the foreign troops also have some casualties, but he could not provide any exact information.
One official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said two Isaf soldiers were killed in the attack.
An Isaf statement confirmed that two coalition troops were killed in an "insurgents attack in southern Afghanistan on Sunday". Neither the soldiers' nationalities nor the exact location were given in the statement released.
More security forces have arrived in the area and blocked the road, Aval said.
No group, including the Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Taliban said earlier this month that they would be targeting the US and Nato-led forces as part of their "spring offensive".

from TOLONEWS
 
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from Pajhwok:

TIRINKOT (PAN): Two children were killed and three others injured in a suicide bombing in Tirinkot, the capital of central Uruzgan province, on Sunday, an official said.

The provincial police chief said: "It was a suicide attack targeting an ISAF convoy. Two children were killed and several other civilians wounded," Brig. Gen. Matiullah Khan said.

The incident happened at around 11:30 am in the first police district, where the suicide attackers targeted foreign troops, district police chief Lt. Gul Agha told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Agha, also the first district polic head, said foreign soldiers and civilians were injured in the incident. However, he did not reveal the exact casualty figures.

He added the area was cordoned off by foreign troops and no one was allowed to get close to the scene.

A doctor at Uruzgan Civil Hospital, Izzatullah, said five injured children were brought to the hospital and some were in critical condition.

Eye witness Janan said a man in his 20s detonated his suicide vest after approaching the foreign troops near the first police district.

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from KHAAMA:

A spokesman for 404 Maiwand Security Commandment Salim Ehsas said the incident took place at Tarinkowt city around 12:00 pm local time.

He also said the main target of the explosion was a convoy of the coalition security forces which was crossing the area.

Mr. Ehsas said at least 4 coalition security forces and 2 Afghan kids were injured following the explosion.

In the meantime Tarinkowt security chief Gul Aqa said the incident took place after a suicide bomber detonated his explosives, injuring 6 Afghan kids.

Gul Aqa said coalition security forces also suffered casualties following the incident however the exact number of foreign troops casualties were unknown.

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18 armed insurgents killed, one wounded and 23 others arrested by ANP

Publish Date: May 20, 2012

18 armed insurgents killed, one wounded and 23 others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched nine joint clearance operations in Nooristan, Parwan, Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kandahar, Helmand, Logar, Ghazni, and Khost provinces.

As a result of these operations, 18 armed insurgents were killed, one wounded and 23 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated one rocket launcher, nine different types of weapons, 20 heavy rounds, 354 light rounds, eight different types of mines, 13 magazines and one motorbike.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused three anti-vehicle and anti-personnel mines as a result of security operations in the Mughal Zai and Zafar Khil villages, Qalat City capital of Zabul province.

Afghan National Police are working diligently with local leaders and the public to prevent these types of acts from killing and wounding innocent civilians and security forces.

 

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained three individuals accused of murder and theft in the 4th and 5th Districts of Kabul-City.

Working together, we can defeat criminals and create a safer more prosperous future.

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May 20., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed 10 insurgents and detained five suspects during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, May 19.

Kunar Province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces killed four armed insurgents during an engagement in Watahpur District.

Paktika Province
Coalition forces killed four insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers in Sorobi District. The insurgents were posing a threat to a base in the area. Afghan Border Police killed two insurgents and detained one during an engagement in Wazi Kwah District. Three motorcycles and two rocket-propelled grenade rounds were also captured.

Khowst Province
Coalition forces detained four individuals suspected of emplacing an improvised explosive device that killed one Afghan civilian in Khowst District. The suspects were in the area of the blast and tested positive to handling IED materials.

An insurgent-suicide bomber detonated in Terezaye District killing 10 Afghan civilians, one AFP, two Afghan Uniform Police and wounding one Afghan civilian, two ABP and three AUP. The wounded were medically evacuated to a nearby base for treatment.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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