Sunday, November 27, 2011

Japan provides $17 million in fresh aid package to Afghanistan

Thursday, November 26, 2011 – The state of Japan announced a fresh aid package of $17 million for Afghanistan, which will assist Afghanistan in providing drinking water and electricity.
This comes as the residents of capital Kabuland its suburbs are facing critical issues and lacks access to pure drinking water while residents in the central Bamyan province are facing the lackage of electricity.
Based on the agreement which was signed between the Japan Embassy and FAO in Afghanistan on Thursday, the fresh aid package of Japan will be handed over to the ministry of water and energy of Afghanistan through the Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations.
Mohammad Ismail Head of the ministry of the water and energy of Afghanistan said, around $10 million of the aid by Japan will spent in northern regions of capital Kabul for the preparation of pure drinking water, electricity and water flow networks for boosting agriculture.
Mohammad Ismail head of the water and energy ministry of Afghanistan further added, a hydro power dam will be constructed in Shakardara valley in northern city of capital Kabul in order to store the Shakardara river water to use the water for agricultural purposes.
He also said, the remaining $7 million will be spent in central Bamyan province for the construction of small dams for producing electricity and small water canals for boosting agriculture in this province.
The water dams and canals will be constructed in Sheebartu, Qarghanatu and shahidan regions of Bamyan province.
This comes as residents of Bamyan province earlier accused the government of Afghanistan for being reckless in implementing reconstruction projects in this province.
Meanwhile, Head of the ministry of water and energy of Afghanistan said, the government of Afghanistan is struggling to control the flow of water from the rivers of Afghanistan to prepare water dams for producing electricity and boost agriculture in the country.
Afghanistan is having plenty of rivers but the majority of water flowing from the rivers are wasted without properly being used in agriculture and production of electricity.
On the other hand, around 30% of the Afghans have access to electricity where 60% of the electricity is being imported from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and Iran.
In the meantime, economical experts believe that Afghanistan would be able to export electricity to other countries if government takes proper actions to control the flow of water from the rivers of Afghanistan, besides paving the way for providing proper electricity across the country.
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Taliban paid £100 a month to stop fighting

Members of the Taliban who give up their fight are being paid £100 a month and will be allowed to keep their guns in a new initiative to end the insurgency. 

 

The “reintegration” programme, which has the full support of Nato, is intended to keep them from attacking troops from the International Stabilisation and Assistance Force (ISAF).
Those who have attacked and killed British forces are also effectively given an amnesty, which means they will never be put on trial.
The amnesty extends to all Taliban fighters, including those who have taken part in atrocities, such as murdering children, beheadings and hanging women.
The agreement is part of a policy signed by the British Government in which insurgents are being allowed to “walk off the battlefield” and enter a “reintegration” scheme.
Taliban joining the programme are not interrogated but instead are asked to complete a questionnaire explaining their reasons for joining the insurgency.
...

Read More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/8901151/Taliban-paid-100-a-month-to-stop-fighting.html


 

Chavez Takes His Gold Back

Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela.Image via Wikipedia

The government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has begun repatriating gold reserves that had been held in European banks.
The gold bars were unloaded at Venezuela's Maiquetia airport Friday and later transferred to armored vehicles for shipping to the Central Bank in Caracas. Officials did not say how much gold was brought back in the shipment. They also did not say when future shipments would arrive.
Back in August, President Chavez said that $11 billion of gold reserves held in U.S. and European banks would be returned to Venezuela. He has been quoted as saying the gold never should have left the country. Mr. Chavez has said the decision to retrieve the gold is aimed at helping protect Venezuela from economic troubles in the United States and Europe. Most of Venezuela's gold held abroad is in Britain.
Some observers, however, believe that by repatriating the bullion, the Chavez government is reducing the risk of having its assets seized in arbitration cases, including those linked to nationalizations of private industries.
The president also has announced plans to move more than $6 billion in cash reserves to “friendly” banks in Brazil, China and Russia. The money is now held in European and U.S. banks. VoA

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Somali Pirates Reportedly Trade Ransom for Italian Ship


An Italian shipping company and Italian media say Somali pirates have released an Italian merchant ship and its crew seized seven months ago.
The MV Rosalia D'Amato had been sailing from Brazil to Iran with a cargo of soybeans when pirates commandeered the boat April 21 in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman.
The boat's operator, Naples-based Perseveranza Navigazione, says the crew appears to be well.
Italy's La Repubblica newspaper reports that a ransom was paid for the release of the ship and its 22 crew members.
In the past, pirates have hijacked ships and anchored them off the Somali coast until a ransom was paid.
Somali pirates are currently believed to be holding at least ten ships and and more than 240 crew members hostage. VoA

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Nov. 27., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

2011-11-S-045
For Immediate Release
KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 27, 2011)  A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani network facilitator during an operation in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province, Saturday.
The facilitator distributed roadside bombs, weapons and provided a safe haven for Haqqani leaders in Nadir Shah Kot  district.
The security force detained one additional suspected insurgent during the operation.
In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:
East A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a weapons cache and detained multiple suspected insurgents during an operation in Terayzai district, Khost province, yesterday. The weapons cache consisted of six hand grenades, one AK-47, six AK-47 magazines, and one anti-personnel mine. The combined security forces confiscated all weapons. Neither the security force nor Afghan civilians were injured.
In Kahmard district, Bamyan province a quantity of grenades was turned into coalition forces yesterday.  The collection consisted of 84 40mm grenades, which  were accepted at the scene by an ISAF explosive ordnance disposal team. The grenades will be destroyed at a later date.
WestA combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator in Khugyani district, Nangarhar province, yesterday. The facilitator constructs roadside bombs. The security force detained one suspected insurgent during the operation.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Pakistan orders key US airbase to close after ISAF troops conduct cross border attack

Image said to be Predator drone aircraft at Sh...Image via Wikipedia
Within 24 hours of a US attack helicopters strike inside Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agency of Mohmand that killed more than 20 Pakistani troops, the Pakistan government has ordered the US to vacate a key airbase in Baluchistan and has closed NATO's supply lines through the Khyber Pass.
The Defence Committee of the Cabinet, a Pakistani committee chaired by Prime Minister Yousef Gilani, issued a statement calling for US personnel to leave the Shamsi airbase in Baluchistan province and the closure of NATO's supply chain to Afghanistan.
"In accordance with the resolution of the Joint Session of the Parliament of May 14, 2011, the DCC decided to close with immediate effect the NATO/ISAF logistics supply lines. The DCC also decided to ask the United States (US) to vacate the Shamsi Airbase within 15 days," according to the statement which was published by the Associated Press of Pakistan.
"The DCC decided that the Government will revisit and undertake a complete review of all programmes, activities and cooperative arrangements with US/NATO/ISAF, including diplomatic, political, military and intelligence, according to a statement issued from the Prime Minister House after the DCC meeting," the statement continued.
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Deadly explosions hit multiple Iraqi cities

At least 12 killed and 38 hurt in bombings in Baghdad and near Abu Ghraib, according to Iraqi officials.

Iraqi officials say at least eight people have been killed by a roadside bomb in central Iraq, near the town of Abu Ghraib, and four were killed in Baghdad after three explosions hit the city's central Tahrir Square.

An interior ministry official said on Saturday that a roadside improvised explosive device hit a minibus carrying labourers, killing eight people and wounding 13 others. A health official at Abu Ghraib general hospital confirmed the casualty figures.

The ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the road where the attack occurred is frequently used by the Iraqi armed forces.

A police source said that two bombs had exploded minutes apart in an area where construction workers gather in the Sunni village of al-Zaidan.
"It was a roadside bomb that went off near a pick-up carrying construction workers in Zobaa village west of Abu Ghraib," he said.

The interior ministry official also said that three bombs exploded in the Baab al-Sharqi area of central Baghdad, killing four people and wounding 25 others. More information was not immediately available

Violence has ebbed across Iraq, but deadly bombings and shootings still occur almost daily as US troops prepare to leave by the end of the year.

Read more: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/11/2011112683657561439.html

Some 20 killed in 24 hours across Syria: report


DAMASCUS, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Some 20 people were killed in the past 24 hours across Syria, including law-enforcement members, gunmen and a civilian, the official SANA news agency reported Friday.
 
Two law-enforcement members were killed Friday when a mine planted by armed groups blasted in central Hama province, SANA reported, adding that another sergeant was killed in southern Daraa province when a group of gunmen opened fire at a vehicle that was ferrying food to the law members.
In central Homs province, specialized forces conducted a qualitative operation on Thursday in the al-Rastan area, during which 16 gunmen were killed and dozens arrested, SANA said. The operation also led to the confiscation of large quantities of arms and ammunition, including diverse Israeli-made weapons, mines and mortar shells, the report said.

Meanwhile, SANA said that three explosive devices went off on Friday in several neighborhoods in Hama, but no injuries were reported. It reported that explosives experts managed to dismantle four devices that were set to go off in several crowded areas in Daraa.

In northern Idlib province, a roadside bomb exploded at Taftanas town on Thursday, killing a 13-year-old boy who was herding sheep, according to SANA.

On the opposition side, the Local Coordination Committees, an activists' network, said that as many as 26 people, including two kids, were killed Friday across Syria, as anti-government protesters rallied under the title "the Free Syrian Army Protects Us."

The so-called Syrian Free Army, which is composed of army defectors, has attacked many army bases over the past weeks. Their recent assault targeted a bus carrying elite army pilots on Thursday, which led to the killing of 10 officers.

The Syrian Army said in a statement on Friday that the attack on the pilots was considered a dangerous terrorist escalation, " which unveiled the scheme that aims to weaken and target our army forces."

"We affirm the involvement of foreign parties with the aim of weakening the fighting ability of the army," said the statement.

The beneficiaries are the enemies of Syria such as Israel, it said, stressing the army's full readiness to carry on with its mission to protect the citizens' lives.

Currently, there are mounting cries among Syrians, even from anti-government activists, to halt all kinds of violent acts whether they are against government's targets or not, as armed resistance, which the Syrian government has claimed to be fighting to justify its crackdown on protesters and which has been dismissed by many other countries, has practically become true.

from XINHUANET

Nov. 26., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

2011-11-S-043
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
For Immediate Release


KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 26) — A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a weapons cache during an operation in Reg-e Khan district, Helmand province, Friday.
The cache consisted of 11 pressure plates, approximately 50 pounds (22.5 kilograms) of explosives and various components used to manufacture improvised explosive devices.

All of the materials were destroyed on site and no civilian casualties or damages were reported as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

In a separate event in south west Afghanistan, a Taliban leader and a suspected insurgent were captured by a combined Afghan and coalition security force during an operation in Garm Ser district, Helmand province, yesterday. The leader directed spectacular attacks against Afghan government officials and distributed roadside bombs to subordinate insurgent fighters in Helmand province.

East

Insurget forces attacked an ISAF facility in Nikeh district, Paktika province, Thursday. The insurgents fired at the post using mortar and small arms fire. Responding to the attack, coalition forces used ground-based munitions and called for close air support assets to engage the insurgent position resulting in multiple insurgents being killed. No ISAF forces, civilian casualties and no damages were reported as a result of the incident.

US helicopters kill 26 Pakistani troops on Afghan border (updated!)

Updates meanwhile: 
- Pak government stopped all NATO fuel and other supply conveys going to Afghanistan in protest for killing Paki soldiers
- Torkham border gate closed after NATO helicopters killed Pak soldiers near Afghan border of Mohmand Dara district
- Pakistan state TV said the helicopters killed 25 Pakistani soldiers. Two government officials in Mohmand confirmed the death toll and said 14 other soldiers were wounded.
- Pakistani soldiers casualties increased to 35 and more in critical condition
- ISAF spokesman addresses AFG/PAK border incident- video
- Pakistan: 26 troops dead in NATO helo attack


---

a report from LWJ/Bill Roggio

US attack helicopters killed 14 Frontier Corps troops manning a border outpost along the Afghan border, according to Pakistani military officials.
The US helicopters struck an outpost in the Baizai area of the Taliban-controlled tribal agency of Mohmand, Pakistani officials said. The attack took place at the Salala check post, which is just over a mile on the Pakistani side of the border.
"NATO helicopters carried out an unprovoked and indiscriminate firing on a Pakistani check post in Mohmand agency, casualties have been reported and details are awaited," Pakistani military spokesman told Reuters. Up to 14 Pakistan troops are said to have been killed and seven more have been wounded.
The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said it was aware of reports of US helicopters engaging Pakistani force and that it was investigating.
The reported attack took place just across the border from Afghanistan's eastern province of Kunar, a known stronghold of the Taliban, al Qaeda, and allied terror groups. Afghan troops are currently conducting an operation in neighboring Nuristan province, another Taliban and al Qaeda bastion. US forces have mostly withdrawn from Kunar and Nuristan, and are relying on airstrikes and sweeps to keep the Taliban at bay.
The reason for the US attack in Mohmand is unclear. The border is unmarked and the terrain is rugged. Pakistan and Afghanistan also dispute the international border, which is known as the Durrand Line.
The US has also conducted several cross-border attacks while in "hot pursuit" of Taliban forces. ISAF has also maintained that it has the right to pursue retreating Taliban forces who "after following the proper rules of engagement under inherent right of self defense." [See LWJ report, Pakistan closes NATO supply route after latest US cross-border attack]
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Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/11/us_helicopters_kill.php



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