U.S. Condemns Killing Of Aid Worker In Afghanistan

The U.S. State Department has condemned a suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan's Konar Province that killed an employee from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), three soldiers from the International Security Assistance Force, and one Afghan civilian.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said USAID worker Ragaei Abdelfattah's "work over the last year was critical to our efforts to support Afghanistan's political, economic, and security transitions and was an example of the highest standards of service."

Two men wearing suicide vests approached Abdelfattah and the others and detonated their explosives on August 8.

Clinton mentioned Abdelfattah was "so committed" to his work in Afghanistan that he had already volunteered to serve a second year there.

By RFE/RL
August 09, 2012

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• USAID officer killed in Afghanistan (afghanistannews.net)

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Yemeni warplanes bomb al-Qaida camp, 3 killed

Map of Yemen showing Abyan governorate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least three al-Qaida members were killed Thursday afternoon when warplanes bombed their training camp in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, an army officer told Xinhua.

More than three air strikes hit an abandoned al-Qaida training camp in Mahfad town in Abyan province, leaving at least three members of the terrorist group killed and five others injured, the local army officer said on condition of anonymity.

"Warplanes of the Yemeni air forces dropped about six bombs on the al-Qaida base... Initial reports show that three terrorists were killed," the army officer said.

The Yemeni military said earlier in the day that its troops have arrested four al-Qaida militants while they were heading to neighboring Aden province to carry out terror attacks there.

The captured al-Qaida militants had been taken to the 25th Mechanized Army Brigade for further investigation, the country's Defense Ministry said in a brief text message obtained by Xinhua.

Backed by the United States and oil-rich Saudi Arabia, the Yemeni government waged a month-long intensive offensive in May against hundreds of al-Qaida militants, recapturing several villages and towns seized by the insurgents in the southern Abyan province last year.

Local military and anti-terrorism experts said that the Yemen- based al-Qaida branch still posed threat to the impoverished Arab country despite being driven out of its main southern bastions by the U.S.-backed military offensive in June.


from XINHUA
2012-08-09 22:46:57

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Bomb kills 8 Somali soldiers in Mogadishu: officials

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - At least eight Somali government troops were killed when a remote-controlled bomb hit their vehicle in Mogadishu, officials said on Thursday, highlighting lingering security risks less than two weeks before the U.N.-backed government's mandate ends.

Somalia's Islamist al Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack on Wednesday evening.

Government troops and African Union peacekeepers say they have tightened security before a presidential election on August 20 when the transitional government will be dissolved.

A combined force including Kenyan, Burundian, Ethiopian and Djiboutian troops is planning an offensive on Kismayu, Somalia's second biggest city and a hub for al Shabaab, before then.

Residents said the military vehicle had been destroyed by a roadside bomb in the Huriwaa district of northern Mogadishu.

"A bomb killed eight soldiers and completely destroyed their pickup. Only two, including the driver, survived with injuries," Mohamed Abdikadir, a senior police officer, told Reuters.

Although Somali troops and peacekeepers of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) drove al Shabaab fighters from most of Mogadishu in August 2011, the latest bombing shows the militants can still stage deadly attacks in the capital.

Al Shabaab has threatened more attacks as Somalia's three top government officials and a dozen other politicians campaign for the presidency. Last week the government foiled two would-be suicide bombers who targeted a conference hall where delegates approved a draft constitution.

"We destroyed the government pickup yesterday," Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, military spokesman for al Shabaab, told Reuters. "AMISOM and government forces will never sleep or relax. More explosions await them."

On Tuesday, Uganda's military, which provides the bulk of peacekeeping force, said it had deployed an air force contingent to reinforce the troops in their fight against al Shabaab.

from REUTERS
By Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar
Thu Aug 9, 2012 10:10am GMT

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Afghan army soldier killed in attack on NATO troops

Districts of Laghman. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to NATO officials an Afghan National Army soldier was killed by coalition forces while he was trying to gun down a group of international troops in eastern Afghaistan on Thursday.

A spokesman for NATO confirming the report said the incident took place outside a “coordination center” for Afghan and international forces in Laghman province.

German Lt. Col. Hagen Messer says no one was killed in the incident.

Messer declined to give more details, saying only that NATO and Afghan forces need to investigate the attack. He also declined to say if anyone was wounded.

The incident was the latest in a growing number of the so-called “green-on-blue” attacks in which Afghan soldiers or police have turned on their international colleagues. Some of the attackers have been insurgent infiltrators, while others have been trying to settle personal vendettas.

In the meantime an Australian soldier was shot and injured during a gun fight with insurgents in southern Uruzgan province.

The soldier, who was taking part in a joint Afghan National Security Forces and special forces operation in Uruzgan province, was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Tarin Kowt.

“The soldier received a gunshot wound to the lower left leg when the combined-force element came under small-arms fire from insurgents,” defence said in a statement today.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Thu Aug 09, 2:00 pm

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11 killed, 25 wounded in car bomb in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- 11 Iraqis were killed Wednesday in a car bomb in popular market in south Baghdad, a police source said.

A car bomb parked near a popular market in a village in Wasit province, exploded at the time of breakfast of Ramadan, killing 11 people and 25 others were wounded, some of them seriously injured, the source added.

The explosion also caused the destruction of some cars and shops.

Violence is still common in the Iraqi cities despite the dramatic decrease since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings.


from XINHUA
2012-08-09 01:57:18

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6 injured in al-Qaida car bombing in Yemen

Map by Evan Centanni - www.polgeonow.com

ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least six pro-government tribesmen were injured on Wednesday evening when a booby-trapped car exploded near a tribal checkpoint in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, a military official told Xinhua.

An al-Qaida member detonated an explosive-laden vehicle at a tribal checkpoint in the main entrance of Jaar town in Abyan province, injuring at least six pro-government tribesmen, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

"The al-Qaida bomber struck a checkpoint, killing himself only at the scene and injuring six tribal fighters, some of whom in critical condition," the government official said.

"The bomber was aiming to target Abdullateef al-Sayed, the leader of anti-al-Qaida militiamen, but unfortunately he failed to reach there," he added.

Leaders of the pro-government tribesmen have recently become targets of suicide bombings by al-Qaida militants who were forced to flee Abyan in June following fierce battles that left hundreds of people killed two months ago.

Earlier this week, an al-Qaida suicide bomber blew himself up during a funeral attended by social figures and tribal chiefs in Jaar town, killing at least 46 people and injuring 48 others, according to the Defense Ministry.

Backed by the United States and top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia, the Yemeni government waged a month-long intensive offensive in May against hundreds of al-Qaida militants, recapturing several villages and towns seized by the insurgents in the southern Abyan province last year.

Local military and anti-terrorism experts said that the Yemen- based al-Qaida branch is still a major threat to the impoverished Arab country despite being driven out of its main southern bastions by the U.S.-backed military offensive in June.


from XINHUA
2012-08-09 02:43:21

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36 armed Taliban killed, 19 wounded and 34 arrested by ANP (Aug.09.2012.)

Publish Date: Aug 09, 2012

36 armed Taliban killed, 19 wounded and 34 arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched seven joint clearance operations in Kabul, Kunar, Balkh, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Ghazni and Helmand provinces.
  
As a result of these operations, 36 armed Taliban were killed, 19 wounded and 34 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 3480 kilograms of opium, seven PKM machine guns, 17 different types of weapons, 560 kilograms of chemical materials, 24 heavy rounds, 364 light rounds, 14 different types of mines, three radio handsets, 68 kilograms of explosives, 31 magazines, five motorcycles and two vehicles.

Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused five different types of mines as a result of security operations in Nangarhar, Baghlan and Paktiya provinces, yesterday.

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained five individuals accused of theft and murder in the Qara Bagh, 10th and 11th Districts of Kabul-City.

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Kenyan Jets Bomb Al Shabaab Base in Southern Somalia

Mogadishu — Kenyan military Jets bombed a base run by Islamist al Shabaab rebels north of Somalia's Kismayu port on Wednesday, local residents and officials said, but it was not immediately clear whether there were civilian casualties.

Local resident in Birta-Dheer village near Kismayu town confirmed to Shabelle Media by phone the bombardment and said the jets hit the militants' base near the village early hours on Wednesday. No militant casualty was also reported in the attack.

Also in the news Kenyan military forces carrying tanks and artillery have been massing around Biibi village, a town just 85-Km away from north of Kismayu, the nerve centre of Al Shabaab operations in the Horn of Africa country.

Kenyasent troops into anarchic Somalia in last October after cross-border raids and kidnappings that it blamed on Al Shabaab, which has allied itself with Al Qaeda, but regional security has not improved.

AMISOM eyes the rebel-held port town of Kismayu, some 500 kilometers south of Mogadishu and one of the main towns remained in Al shabab control.

from SHABELLE

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Insurgent’s plan to emplace IED backfires

KAJUR DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Mullah Abdullah, an insurgent in Kajur district, attempted to transport and plant an improvised explosive device when it detonated, killing one child and himself, and severely injuring another child, July 28.

Abdullah used local children and their sheep to conceal his movements and was attempting to plant the IED near a forklift used by coalition special operations forces.

“There is a significant IED threat on our drop zone, especially in the vicinity of the forklift,” said a special operations forces team leader.

A special operations forces team in the area witnessed the explosion, approximately 400 meters north of their location, at around 4:30 pm. Approximately one hour later, a crowd of individuals approached the special operations forces element seeking medical aid for two children, ages 10 and 12, who had sustained severe wounds.

The special operations forces team immediately began the medical care of the children, while requesting a medical evacuation. Prior to the arrival of the medical air team, one of the boys died. Special operations forces medics stabilized the other boy and airlifted him with his father for further medical treatment.

Following this incident, the special operations forces team conducted a local shura to explain to the villagers the results of the insurgents’ actions. Although in shock, the father of the deceased child was very grateful for the special operations forces team and the attempt to save his son.

“There is something selfish and inherently wrong with using village children to obscure the insurgents’ activities that would have likely victimized others within their community,” said the special operations Task Force South executive officer. “It is activities like these that Afghan security forces and coalition forces are painstakingly trying to prevent.”

Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan
Story by Staff Sgt. Nicole Howell
Date Taken:08.03.2012
Date Posted:08.09.2012 03:02
Location:KAJUR DISTRICT, AF

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Aug. 09., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban affiliated insurgent responsible for acquiring and emplacing improvised explosive devices along Highway 1, in Andar district, Ghazni province, today.

The Taliban bomber is also responsible for several rocket attacks against Afghan and coalition convoys in the region.

At the time of his arrest, the Taliban bomber was actively planning to conduct several more IED attacks along Highway 1, and was planning to kidnap an Afghan government official.

The security force also detained two suspected insurgents during the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

In Now Zad district, Helmand province, an Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents and seized several assault rifles during an operation to arrest a Taliban explosives cell leader today. The Taliban leader controls an insurgent cell specializing in improvised explosive devices and suicide attacks.

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, detained numerous suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban weapons supplier in Zharay district, Kandahar province, today.

In Zharay district, Kandahar province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to arrest a Taliban leader today. The Taliban leader is responsible for providing operational guidance to insurgent fighters, as well as planning attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. During the operation, the security force detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized more than 100 fake ID’s.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents and seized several firearms during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Baraki Barak district, Logar province, today. The Taliban leader builds and emplaces improvised explosive devices that are used throughout the region. He also acquires heavy weapons and assault rifles for Taliban insurgents. During the operation the security force was attacked by insurgents. They returned fire killing two of the attackers. No civilians were harmed in the exchange.

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Aug. 09., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed eight insurgents, detained three and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Aug. 8.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed three insurgents during an engagement in Ab Band district.

Kapisa province
Afghan Local Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Nejrab district.

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

Kunar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed three insurgents during engagements in Nari district.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Pul-E Alam district.

A coalition airstrike killed two insurgents in Kharwar district in response to Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces receiving direct fire.

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained an insurgent who was emplacing an IED in Bati Kot district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Orgun district.

Paktiya province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Gardez district.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained two insurgents who were found in possession of suspicious materials in Shwak district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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R.I.P. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Clayton R. Beauchamp

DOD Identifies Navy Casualty

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

            Petty Officer 3rd Class Clayton R. Beauchamp, of Weatherford, Texas, died Aug. 7 when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Shaban District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Camp Pendleton, Calif.

            For more information, media may contact the 1st Marine Division public affairs office at 760-725-8766.

---

from cbslocal:
reporting Arezow Doost

August 8, 2012 10:00 PM

WEATHERFORD (CBS 11 NEWS) – Tim Kisor stares blankly at times. He’ll tell you all he’s thinking about his brother Clayton Beauchamp.

On Tuesday, the Navy Corpsman’s family found out that he was killed after an IED went off in Afghanistan. It was the sailor’s first tour of duty.

He was working as a medic. His family says all he wanted to do after high school was to join the Navy. He wanted to follow his big brother and sister’s footsteps.

“It killed me to get that phone call. Never in my mind would have imagined,” says brother Tim Kisor “It’s still a shock to me.”

His family had just talked to him on Saturday, “We put him on speaker phone and me and my grandmother and mom and everybody talked to him we all told him we loved him,” says Kisor.
Kisor is coping and he finds himself now thinking back to all those fishing trips.

He recalls one memory, “We were out fishing and we fished all night and it was raining. My brother had a bad habit of falling asleep while we were fishing,” says Kisor as he smiles shyly, “He curled up in a rain suit and my uncle caught a big alligator gar and he flipped it up on top of him and flipped him out of the boat – scared the heck out of him.”

The Weatherford High School grad was supposed to be home in October.

Among his big plans was getting engaged to the love of his life.

“Before he left, he told everybody he couldn’t afford a ring at the time, but when he got back from Afghanistan he was going to buy her a ring and propose,” says Kisor.

Beauchamp wanted to be a paramedic after the Navy.
His older brother, who is also serving in the Navy in Afghanistan, is now escorting his body back home.
His family will remember him for his bravery and his will to serve his country.

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R.I.P. - Cpl. Daniel L. Linnabary II

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

            Cpl. Daniel L. Linnabary II, 23, of Hubert, N.C., died Aug. 6 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

            For more information media may contact the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at 910-450-6575.

---

Cpl. Daniel L. Linnabary II, age 23, of Hubert, North Carolina, died on August 6, 2012, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Family members stated that Daniel had always wanted to be in the Military, even as a child.

He is the 3rd generation of his family to serve in the Marine Corps. He is one of 6 current family members who have served in the Military.

Daniel is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his grandfather, Vernon Linnabary Jr.; and his father, Daniel Linnabary Sr.

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