Seventh French hostage captured in west Mali

A seventh French citizen has been kidnapped in the Sahel as France backs west African preparations to intervene in the Islamist-controlled north of Mali. President François Hollande on Wednesday said that hostage-taking would not change the country’s foreign policy.

“We must do all we can to find our citizen,” Hollande told a press conference during a visit by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. “I have already alerted anyone who might be in the region to take all necessary precautions.”

The kidnapped man is 61-year-old Gilberto Rodriguez Léal, who was born in Portugal but has acquired French nationality.

He crossed into western Mali from Mauritania in a car on Tuesday morning and was captured near the town of Kayes, according to the Mauritanian press agency Ami.

Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius appealed to French nationals “not to go to that part of Mali, where they put their lives and their safety in danger”.

Six French citizens were already being held hostage in the region, where Islamist militias, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and several offshoots, are active.

Earlier this year one group threatened to kill the six if France intervenes militarily in north Mali.
Hollande said on Wednesday that hostage-taking would have no effect on French policy.

 France has said it will not send troops to Mali but will provide training and support to a planned west African force.

from RFI - Read or Listen to this story on the RFI website.

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At least 13 injured in Tel Aviv bus blast, police arrest 1 suspect

Israeli police survey the scene after an explosion on a bus in Tel Aviv November 21, 2012. (Nir Elias)

Tel Aviv, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A suicide bombing occurred on a bus on Wednesday morning in Israel's central city of Tel Aviv, injuring at least 13 people, police sources confirmed to Xinhua.

The police have arrested one suspect they believe is connected to the incident and are continuing their inspection in the premises.

Three of the injured people sustained moderate or serious wounds, while the others were slightly hurt. Earlier reports had said at least 15 were injured in the blast.

The improvised small bomb was thrown apparently through the back door of the bus from the street.

The wounded have been evacuated to the near-by Eichilov hospital.

Witnesses told Xinhua that the explosion was very loud and smoke was still seen billowing out of the bus. The police are interviewing the witnesses for their investigation.

The bombing took place on a busy boulevard, Shaul Hamelech, not far from the Defense Ministry headquarters and a major shopping center as well as office complex.

Security forces are trying to keep onlookers from thronging the area, fearing more hidden bombs being detonated.

No militant group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident. However, according to several reports, the Hamas TV channel said a suicide bombing might occur within Israeli territory on Wednesday.

In the 1990's, Tel Aviv witnessed numerous suicide bombings on buses and in cafes.

from XINHUA
2012-11-21 19:37:01
Editor: Fang Yang

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In Several Joint Operations, Seven Armed Taliban Killed (21.Nov.2012.)

Publish Date: Nov 21, 2012

In Several Joint Operations, Seven Armed Taliban Killed

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched seven joint clearance operations in Nangarhar, Maidan Wardak, Faryab, Kandahar, Zabul, Logar and Khost provinces.

As a result of these operations, seven armed Taliban were killed and 11 others were arrested by Afghan National Security Forces.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated eight different types of weapons, two radio handsets, 100 light rounds, six different types of mines, four hand grenades, five motorcycles and five vehicles.

Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused three different types of mines as a result of security operation in the Lizha Mangal District of Paktiya province, yesterday.

 

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained six suspects accused of theft in the 4th District of Kabul-City.

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5 killed, 15 injured as blast hits security force's convoy in Quetta, S.W. Pakistan

Security officials scan the site of a bomb explosion in Quetta Nov 21 (@khalidkhan787)

Read more at http://twitter.yfrog.com/06cz0qj#MYA5l5iPbxIL6tM0.99

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 15 others injured when a bomb hit an army convoy in Pakistan's southwest city of Quetta on Wednesday afternoon, said a local police officer.

Mir Zubair, City Centeral Police Officer of Quetta, said that a remote control bomb hit an army's convoy in Shahbaz Town of Quetta, capital of the country's southwest province of Balochistan, at about 2:30 p.m. local time, killing at least five and wounding over a dozens.

The killed include three soldiers and two passersby and seven troops were also among the 15 injured, he said.

At least three vehicles and several nearby shops were also destroyed in the blast, said police.

All the injured have been shifted to a military hospital in the city and hospital sources said that eight of the wounded were in critical condition, indicating a possible further rise in the death toll.

Some of the students going back home after school were also reportedly injured in the bomb attack.

An estimated 10 to 15 kg of explosives were used in the attack, said Hamid Shakeel, deputy Inspector General Police of Quetta, adding that the bomb was fixed on a motorbike, which was detonated by a remote control when the army's convoy was passing by the site.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

from XINHUA
2012-11-21 18:32:39

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8 including commanders killed in Logar operation

Districts of Logar. This image does not include Azra district, located to the east of Khoshi and Mohammad Agha. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

PUL-I-ALAM (PAN): Eight militants, including three commanders, were killed during a joint operation in the Baraki Barak district of central Logar province on Wednesday, an official said.

Afghan National Army (ANA) and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops conducted the operation in Allahdad Khel village of the district, said the governor’s spokesman, Din Muhammad Darvesh.

He to Pajhwok Afghan News the NATO-led troops provided air support to the ANA. The soldiers suffered no casualties. The dead included Mullah Bakar, Mullah Ilyas and Mullah Zarqavi, he said.

Baraki district chief, Muhammad Rahim Amin, acknowledged the killings and said the rebel commanders were involved in roadside bombings and other terrorist activities.

from Pajhwok
By Abdul Maqsud Azizi Nov 21, 2012 - 15:57

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Explosion near NATO military camp in Kabul

Airport Road in Kabul City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A relatively heavy explosion rocked capital Kabul early Wednesday morning, killing at least two people and injuring several others.

The incident took place between Public health square and Wazir Akbar Khan area near the US embassy.

Afghan interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said the incident took place around 8:30 am after a suicide bomber
detonated his explosives in the 10th street of Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan, killing one Afghan civilian and injuring another
civilian.

Mr. Sediqi further added the incident took place near the house of the Afghan supreme court chief however he said the main target of the suicide bomber was not known.

In the meantime Gen. Zahir chief of the Afghan counter-criminal department said the suicide bomber detonated his explosives near a NATO military camp in Wazir Akbar Khan area.

There are also reports that a number of suicide bombers are still moving in the area to find their targets and Afghan security
forces have launched a search operation to detain the suspected bombers.

No group including the Taliban militants has so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Wed Nov 21, 8:49 am

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Nov. 21., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force killed Taliban leader Saifullah during a security operation in Ghazni province Tuesday.

Saifullah, also known as Allah Dad, was responsible for ensuring freedom of movement for Taliban fighters to gather intelligence and conduct indirect fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition personnel in the province.

Prior to his death, Saifullah was involved in an IED attack against Afghan National Security Forces.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during an operation in Kandahar province Monday. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent and found weapons, ammunition and equipment including several AK-47s. The same partnered force also recovered 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of wet opium and detained one other suspected insurgent during an associated operation in Daykundi province Monday.

An Afghan and coalition force arrested five insurgents during a security operation in search of a Taliban weapons and lethal aid facilitator in Nimroz province today.

East
An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during an operation in search of a high-ranking Taliban leader and weapons facilitator in Logar province today. As the Afghan and coalition security force approached the Taliban leader’s suspected location, multiple insurgents armed with rocket propelled grenades and small arms maneuvered against and attacked the combined force. The partnered force returned fire, killing several insurgents and defeating the attack. The security force detained one suspected insurgent and seized several RPGs and a large quantity of assault rifles as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader and weapons supplier in Khost province today. The detained Haqqani leader is believed to be responsible for conducting convoy and IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the province. During the operation, the security force also detained three other suspected insurgents and seized IED-making materials, rocket propelled grenade equipment, a stockpile of heavy ammunition, as well as several firearms with associated gear and ammunition.

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Nov. 21., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed four insurgents, detained 16, located two weapons caches and cleared 12 improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 20.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared four IEDs in Giro district.

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Giro district. The cache contained IED making materials.

Afghan National Army soldiers detained 16 insurgents during an engagement in Giro district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Army soldiers killed four insurgents during an engagement in Giro district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared three IEDs, one in Shamal district and two in Sabari district.

Logar province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Pul-E Alam district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared four IEDs, three in Zarghun Shahr district and one in Giyan district.

Paktiya province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Dzadran district. The cache contained a mortar round, mines small arms and tactical vests.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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R.I.P. - Lance Cpl. Dale W. Means

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

            Lance Cpl. Dale W. Means, 23, of Jordan, Minn., died Nov. 18, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

            For more information, media may contact the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Public Affairs Office at 910-451-3538.

---

from examiner: 

November 20, 2012

By: Susy Raybon

This morning the Department of Defense announced the death of a Camp Lejeune Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Dale W. Means, 23, of Jordan, Minn., died Nov. 18, 2012, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

There was no indication of other Marines who might have been injured in this same incident.
According to SFGate.com Lance Cpl. Means deployed to Afghanistan in July on his first combat tour.

He was a 2007 graduate of New Prague High School in Minn.

He is survived by his wife of one year, Andrea.

Lance Cpl. Means was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced by Lance Cpl. Means’ family.

More information is available to media sources by contacting the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Public Affairs Office at 910-451-3538, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

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