Nigeria: Gunmen Kill Soldier, Four Others in Maiduguri

A member of the Joint Task Force (JTF) was Monday killed in an explosion in Maiduguri that left four others seriously injured.

It was learnt that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was targeted at the task force patrol vehicle by suspected members of the Boko Haram exploded along the popular Lagos Street in the city, causing panic among residents of the town.

According to sources, the JTF men were on routine patrol in the area when the bomb went off around 8.am, which left the patrol vehicle badly damaged and in flame.

In another development, four people were said to have been shot dead on Sunday night by some gunmen in Damboa road area in Maiduguri.

The sect also said it will target female government officials.

It said between seven and 10 spouses of the group's members are being held by security operatives.

In a short video released on YouTube Monday its leader Abubakar Shekau, said the group was aware of what would be going on where the spouses of the members are held.

Shekau, who also vowed that the group would launch attacks to protest the release of an anti-Islam video on YouTuba, said: "As at Saturday, when I made this video, between seven and 10 of them (women) have been incarcerated.

"We don't know where they are kept or what they are doing to them. But as Muslims, we know what unbelievers do to women. Now, married women are victims of state terror."

Shekau also promised hard times for political and traditional rulers of Northern origin. Among those the group threatened to attack in the video were governors, emirs and others in positions of authority.

The grouse of the group is that they have betrayed the people.

Shekau said: "This message is for those in authority.

"Wallahi you have no resting place again and no resting time again. Either we are here or we are not. You have messed up yourselves and you have messed up your own situation."

Shekau also denied that the group was negotiating with the government.

He said: "The claim that we are negotiating with the state is untrue. That is the figment of their imagination. We are not in dialogue with anyone.

Shekau admitted that the spokesman of the group, Abu Qaqa, has been captured by security operatives and that he was in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS).

"The most outrageous of the claims is that they have killed some of our leaders or have arrested some of our leaders."

He said if the leadership of any group was killed, it must be the one created by the government.

from allAfrica/This Day
By Paul Ohia and Michael Olugbode, 2 October 2012

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4 al-Qaida suspects killed in clash with Yemeni security forces in Aden

ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least four al-Qaida suspects were killed when Yemeni security forces opened fire on a group of terrorists in the southern port city of Aden on Tuesday morning, a police officer told Xinhua.

Security forces stormed a house in Aden's neighborhood of Mansoura and attempted to arrest some wanted terrorists, but the armed group started shooting at the security troops, sparking a short gun battle that left four al-Qaida suspects killed at the scene, the local police officer said, requesting anonymity.

"Four al-Qaida suspects were killed during the raid... All of them were plotting armed attacks and suicide bombings against several military bases and government officials across the port city of Aden," the police officer said.

During the armed confrontations, four security personnel were also injured and taken to a nearby military hospital for treatment, he added.

Security troops had reportedly stormed the suspected al-Qaida house using machine guns aimed at a group of people gathering there, according to witnesses near the scene.

A security source told Xinhua anonymously that "members of domestic intelligence agents had traced the al-Qaida suspects to a house in Mansoura neighborhood early in the day."

"Authorities found and confiscated military uniforms and arms during the raid carried out in cooperation with the anti-terrorism special forces," the security source said.

He also said that explosive-devices and home-made grenades were found as well.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot has exploited Yemen's year- long security vacuum during protests against the long-time ruler Saleh and controlled several southern cities for more than a year before they were driven out by 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 army offensive.

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

from XINHUA
2012-10-02 15:09:37

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Haqqani leader behind Logar suicide bombing arrested

Afghan and coalition security forces arrested a Haqqani Network leader responsible behind a suicide bomb blast that killed two NATO troops in eastern Logar province of Afghanistan.

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force following a statement on Tuesday announced, “An Afghan and coalition security force today confirmed the arrest of a Haqqani leader suspected of being behind the Sept. 26 suicide attack that killed two coalition service members in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province. The security force also detained a number of suspected insurgents, and no civilians were harmed during the operation.”

In a separate operation the Afghan Special Operations Unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Taliban leader in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, today.

The arrested leader is suspected of reporting directly to the senior Taliban leader for the district and was responsible for coordinating and directing improvised explosive device emplacement operations, as well as insurgent attacks throughout the region.

In addition to facilitating the movement of weapons, prior to his arrest, the Taliban leader was believed to be directing the preparation of a vehicle-borne IED attack against Afghan and coalition force assets.

The Afghan Special Operations Unit also detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized an IED firing device and IED-making materials as a result of the operation.

Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader and weapons facilitator in Chahar Darah district, Kunduz province on Wednesday, ISAF said following the statement adding that the arrested IMU leader is suspected of planning and conducting improvised explosive device attacks throughout Kunduz province, as well as coordinating the movement of IED materials for future attacks on Afghan and coalition security forces. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents during the operation.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the reports.

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - Tue Oct 02, 11:36 am

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• Suicide bomber attack NATO troops convoy in Logar (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)

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14 Armed Taliban Killed and 30 Arrested by ANP (02.Oct.2012.)

Publish Date: Oct 02, 2012

14 Armed Taliban Killed and 30 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 Kabul, Nangarhar, Laghman, Uruzgan, Kandahar, Maidan Wardak, Logar, Ghazni, Khost and Helmand provinces.

As a result of these operations, 14 armed Taliban were killed and 30 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated some amount of light and heavy rounds, 3832 kilos of opium, three motorcycles and two vehicles.

Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused six different types of mines as a result of security operations in Faryab and Herat provinces, yesterday.

 

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained two individuals accused of murder in the 6th District of Kabul-City

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Oct. 02., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Afghan Special Operations Unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Taliban leader in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, today.

The arrested leader is suspected of reporting directly to the senior Taliban leader for the district and was responsible for coordinating and directing improvised explosive device emplacement operations, as well as insurgent attacks throughout the region.

In addition to facilitating the movement of weapons, prior to his arrest, the Taliban leader was believed to be directing the preparation of a vehicle-borne IED attack against Afghan and coalition force assets.

The Afghan Special Operations Unit also detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized an IED firing device and IED-making materials as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader and weapons facilitator in Chahar Darah district, Kunduz province, today. The arrested IMU leader is suspected of planning and conducting improvised explosive device attacks throughout Kunduz province, as well as coordinating the movement of IED materials for future attacks on Afghan and coalition security forces. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents during the operation.

South

Afghan Special Police and coalition forces confirmed the arrest of a Taliban commander during an operation in Gereshk district, Helmand province yesterday. The Taliban commander, Abdul Bari, who operates across southwest Afghanistan, is suspected of coordinating delivery of heavy machine guns and IED components to insurgents across central Helmand province. A coalition official stated his detention has also identified links to other senior insurgent commanders in the area.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force today confirmed the arrest of a Haqqani leader suspected of being behind the Sept. 26 suicide attack that killed two coalition service members in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province. The security force also detained a number of suspected insurgents, and no civilians were harmed during the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a number of suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Haqqani leader in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today. The Haqqani leader is believed to oversee the distribution of weapons to support insurgent operations throughout Logar province.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained one suspected insurgent during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, today. The Taliban leader is suspected of being directly involved in multiple ambush-style attacks on coalition force convoys throughout the district.

An Afghan and coalition security force confirmed the arrest of a Haqqani leader in Sabari district, Khost province, Sunday. The Haqqani leader is alleged to have spearheaded the planning, supply coordination and execution of insurgent attacks on Afghan and coalition forces throughout the Paktiya province. He is also believed to be tied to several rocket attacks on Afghan civilians. During the operation, several suspected insurgents were also detained.

Afghan Special Police members of Provincial Response Company Wardak recovered IED-making materials and heavy weapons, including three mortars, in a coalition-enabled operation in Nerkh district, Wardak province yesterday. The seizure of the IEDs and mortars along with timely evidence collection, said a coalition official, will help prevent insurgents from conducting IED attacks on Highway 1, known for frequent insurgent attacks.

West

The second in command to the Taliban leadership in Shindand district, Herat province was removed from the battlefield by a coalition air strike Sunday. The Taliban key leader, Mullah Mansur, is believed to have commanded an IED cell and having been actively involved in coordinating ambush attacks on Afghan National Security Forces in the province, in addition to moving IED and narcotics. Mullah Mansur was also suspected of recruiting young males into the insurgency.

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Oct. 02., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed five insurgents, detained six and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Oct. 1.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an improvised explosive device in Ghazni district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices, one in Mandoza'i district and one in Khowst district.

Afghan National Army soldiers detained two insurgents during an engagement in Khowst district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Kunar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an improvised explosive device in Tsowkey district.

Afghan National Army soldiers killed two insurgents during an engagement in Darah Ye Pech district.

Laghman province
Afghan National Army soldiers killed three insurgents and detained four during an engagement in Alingar district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Nangarhar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices, one in Bati Kot district and one in Jalalabad district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Somalia and Amisom Forces Patrol Neighborhoods in Kismayo

Photo: Stuart Price/UN Photo

Kismayo, Somalia — Somali government forces, government backed militia alongside Kenyan troops walked through Kismayo's north and western neighborhoods on Monday after Al Shabaab reportedly fled the city, Garowe Online reports.

The allied forces walked through Siinay and V-Afmadow neighborhoods and according to local sources control the presidential palace in Kismayo.

According to Kismayo residents, the forces walked through Kismayo without any military vehicles support, patrolling neighborhoods and reportedly taking control of a local police station.

"The forces that entered Kismayo have divided themselves into neighborhoods; some are centered at the local police station, people in Kismayo are still confused," said Rahmo Omar who spoke to Garowe Online by telephone.

Many residents of Kismayo fear that there will be counter attacks by Al Shabaab who reportedly fled the city on Friday.

Kismayo a port city bustling with business even under Al Shabaab's control, has seen a halt in business after operations to capture Kismayo intensified.

However many top Somali military officials have stated that they will proceed with operations cautiously as they fear attacks by Al Shabaab.

The allied forces stated that they had not experienced any resistance as of yet, although Al Shabaab have settled in the outskirts of Kismayo.

Al Shabaab has been in control of Kismayo for the past 5 years which was their main source of income throughout their reign of terror in southern Somalia.

from allAfrica/Garowe

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Nigeria's Boko Haram says no peace talks, spokesman arrested

KANO, Nigeria (Reuters) - The purported leader of Boko Haram, the Islamist sect in Nigeria, has denied government statements the group is involved in peace talks and has said its spokesman Abu Qaqa has been captured by security forces.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has said the authorities were in dialogue with Boko Haram via back channels and that this was helping neutralise the threat the sect posed.

But Abubakar Shekau, the group's leader, said in a video posted on YouTube on Sunday that no such talks were going on.

"Let it be clear that we never sought dialogue or to sit down with government agents or representatives ... they (Nigerian leaders) will never know peace while they attack our members."

The sect is widely considered to be the biggest security threat in Africa's biggest oil exporter. It has been blamed for more than 1,000 deaths since its insurgency - which is aimed at carving out an Islamic state in northern Nigeria - intensified in 2010.

Shekau also said the sect's spokesman was being detained by the security forces.

"Our spokesman, Abu Qaqa is alive but with the security agents, but I believe strongly that after this message from me they may decide to kill him this night," Shekau said.

It was the first public statement on the matter by the militants since a raid, which it says led to Qaqa's arrest but not his death.

Senior security sources said on September 16 that troops had killed a man identified as "Anwal Kontagora, alias 'Abu Qaqa'", whose pen name is often used to claim responsibility for the sect's pronouncements from its base in the northeast of the country.

Shekau said security forces had also begun to arrest militants' wives. The release of sect members held by the security forces has been one of Boko Haram's main demands.

There were two bomb blasts on Monday in Maiduguri, the home town of Boko Haram in the remote northeast. One witness said seven soldiers had been killed in one blast but the military said only two of its officers had been wounded.

The military has often been accused of playing down the casualties Boko Haram inflicts, while exaggerating the number of sect members it kills and captures.

A recent military crackdown appears to have weakened the sect and there has not been a repeat of large-scale coordinated attacks seen earlier this year.

from REUTERS
Tue Oct 2, 2012 5:33am GMT

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