US drone strikes kill 7 AQAP fighters, 8 civilians in Yemen

By Bill Roggio - May 15, 2012 - LWJ

The US launched two drone strikes today in a city in southern Yemen that is currently under the control of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Seven AQAP fighters and eight civilians are reported to have been killed in the airstrikes.

The first strike targeted "a militant hideout" in Jaar, a city in Abyan province that is currently under al Qaeda control, CNN reported. The eight civilians were killed after they attempted to recover the bodies of AQAP fighters, apparently after the unmanned US Predators or Reapers launched a second salvo of missiles into the hideout.

The second strike targeted a home in Jaar that was thought to be used as an AQAP safe house. Three AQAP leaders are said to have been killed in that strike.

Jaar, which is just north of Zinjibar, is a known stronghold for AQAP, and US drones have now hit targets in the city five times this year. The US attacked AQAP in Jaar just five days ago, and killed 8 AQAP fighters. The drones also struck twice in March. One strike targeted a a weapons storage depot on Jabal Khanfar, a hill that overlooks the city. AQAP was moving weapons, including tanks, that had been seized during raids on Yemeni Army bases outside of Zinjibar.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/05/us_drone_strikes_kil_2.php#ixzz1v1mkgcWX

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• US drone strikes kill 7 AQAP fighters, 8 civilians in Yemen (longwarjournal.org)

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Kenya: One Dead in Mombasa Restaurant Grenade Attack

Mombasa — A woman has died after a grenade attack in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa, police said Wednesday, a day after armed men opened fire and threw explosives into into a restaurant.
"We lost one of the victims, a lady who was a security guard at the club, she died in hospital," regional police chief Aggrey Adoli said.

Three others wounded in the attack are still in hospital, one in a serious condition, following the attack by gunmen late Tuesday.

One gunman opened fire when guards at the restaurant prevented him and two accomplices from entering the Bella Vista restaurant, before the attackers hurled two grenades and fled, Adoli added.

One of the grenades exploded near the entrance to the restaurant and the other near a car parked outside.
"I was having a drink nearby and then I saw people running after a loud blast," said witness Oscar Ndambuki, speaking shortly after the attack.

The restaurant sits on one of the most popular avenues in Mombasa and is a popular gathering spot mainly for domestic tourists.

 There was no immediate information on who was behind the attack.
Since Kenya sent tanks and troops into Somalia late last year, a whole series of grenade attacks and explosions have taken place, both in Nairobi and in northern towns and camps housing Somali refugees close to the border.

Targets have ranged from police vehicles to local bars to churches. The Kenyan authorities often blame such attacks on Somalia's Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Shabaab rebels.

Last month the hardline Shabaab warned Kenya of retribution and revenge attacks for joining the African Union force battling the insurgents.

Earlier on Tuesday, a policeman was killed and two others seriously wounded when a landmine exploded beneath their vehicle as they escorted aid workers near the sprawling Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya.

from allAfrica

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18 armed insurgents killed and 3 others arrested by ANP

Publish Date: May 16, 2012

18 armed insurgents killed and three others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 17 joint clearance operations in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kunduz, Helmand, Nimroz, Uruzgan, Logar, Paktiya and Paktika provinces.

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

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated three mortar rounds, eight rocket launchers, three PKM machine guns, nine different types of weapons, 33 heavy rounds, 20 different types of mines, seven hand grenades, 1060 kilograms of opium, 44 kilograms of explosive materials and 410 kilograms of ammonium nitrate.

Additionally, a suicide bomber was identified and killed by Afghan National Police before reaching to his target in the Zhirie District of Kandahar province, yesterday.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused eight different types of mines and 37 heavy rounds as a result of security operations in Khost, Baghlan, Balkh, Kandahar and Ghor provinces.

Mines and Improvised Explosive Devices planted by insurgents are the number one killer of innocent civilians in Afghanistan.

 

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained two individuals accused of land seizing and poisoning in the Mosahi and Chahar Asiab Districts of Kabul-province.

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

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Karachi: One killed, seven injured in grenade attack in Qaidabad

KARACHI: Unknown miscreants hurled hand grenades at a local restaurant in Qaidabad area of the metropolis that killed one man and injured seven others on Wednesday, Geo News reported.

According to police sources, unidentified men attacked a hotel in Qaidabad with hand grenades and fled from the scene. The attack killed one person and wounded seven others including a child.

A nearby hotel was also damaged in the attack, police told.

from GEO

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NATO airstrike kills 9 insurgents in Paktiya

BAGRAM (PAN):  Nine insurgents involved in planting an improvised explosive device (IED) were killed by Afghan National Security (ANSF) and NATO forces during an operation in Jaji district in Paktiya province.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed in a statement that the nine insurgents were killed and their remains handed over to local authorities.

The exact date of the strike was not mentioned.
“The insurgents were armed and were observed by partnered forces
emplanting an improvised explosive device. They engaged NATO forces with direct fire.

“ANSF and NATO Forces responded, killing all observed hostile suspects. No ANSF or ISAF forces were harmed in the operation,” added the statement.
The engagement is part of a larger operation launched by ANSF two days ago to destroy Taliban hideouts in the district.
Azad Khan, Governor of Jaji district, said that the operation would
continue until the area was free from Taliban threats.

from Pajhwok

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Taliban leader arrested in Nad-e-Ali district

According to a statement released by NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province.

The leader plans and directs roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in central Helmand. Earlier this month, the leader was responsible for an attack on an Afghan Army checkpoint in Marjeh that resulted in the deaths of several Afghan Soldiers.

The security force detained multiple additional insurgents as a result of this operation.

The statement further added, Afghan and coalition security force conducted a mission to close suspected narcotics labs in Baghran district, Helmand province, Monday. While executing Afghan search warrants on multiple compounds the force was engaged by multiple insurgents.

At least three insurgents were killed after Afghan and coalition security forces to the fire of the insurgents, ISAF said adding that a subsequent search of the compounds recovered improvised explosive device components, weapons and narcotics production equipment including more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of morphine waste, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of ammonium chloride, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of morphine base and 1,057 gallons (4,000 liters) of liquid morphine. All of the materials were destroyed on-site without incident.

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

from KHAAMA

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Insurgents killed in airstrike while emplanting IED

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and NATO forces killed several insurgents, after being engaged with small arms fire during an operation in the Jaji district of Paktiya province overnight.

The engagement is part of a larger operation launched by Afghan National Security Forces May 14, 2012 to destroy Taliban hideouts in the district.

Azad Khan, governor of Jaji district, said that the operation will continue until the area has been cleared from the presence of Taliban.

The insurgents were armed and were observed by partnered forces emplanting an improvised explosive device. They engaged NATO forces with direct fire. ANSF and NATO forces responded, killing all observed hostile suspects. No ANSF or ISAF forces were harmed in the operation.

The forces on the ground confirm nine insurgents were killed.

The remains were handed over to local authorities.

ISAF Regional Command East

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May 16., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (May 16) — An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today.
The leader plans and directs roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in central Helmand. Earlier this month, the leader was responsible for an attack on an Afghan Army checkpoint in Marjeh that resulted in the deaths of several Afghan Soldiers.

The security force detained multiple additional insurgents as a result of this operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

In Khanabad district, Kunduz province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a senior Taliban leader, today. The leader plans and organizes roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the district. He also uses intimidation against civilians who support the government of Afghanistan and recently attempted to halt the construction of a bridge in the district by threatening Afghan workers. Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

South

Finally, a combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted a mission to close suspected narcotics labs in Baghran district, Helmand province, Monday. While executing Afghan search warrants on multiple compounds the force was engaged by multiple insurgents. The force returned fire, killing the insurgent attackers. A subsequent search of the compounds recovered improvised explosive device components, weapons and narcotics production equipment including more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of morphine waste, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of ammonium chloride, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of morphine base and 1,057 gallons (4,000 liters) of liquid morphine. All of the materials were destroyed on-site without incident.

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R.I.P. - Corporal Brent John McCarthy, Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies

Corporal Brent John McCarthy, Royal Air Force, and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards
[Pictures: via MOD]

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal Brent John McCarthy, from the Royal Air Force, and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies, from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, were killed in Afghanistan on Saturday 12 May 2012.

Corporal McCarthy and Lance Corporal Davies were killed by small arms fire while deployed as part of a Police Advisory Team to attend a meeting at the local Afghan Uniform Police headquarters near Patrol Base Attal in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province.

Their commanding officer was attending the meeting while Corporal McCarthy and Lance Corporal Davies and the remainder of the team were providing security.

The Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, said:

“I send out my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of Corporal Brent McCarthy and Lance Corporal Lee Davies whose lives were cut tragically short by a cowardly act of aggression.
“Both servicemen were performing an invaluable role, training and mentoring Afghan police, helping to ensure that Afghanistan will never again be a place from which international terrorists can launch attacks on our society. Their sacrifice will not be in vain and we will never forget them.”

Continues at: Corporal Brent John McCarthy and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies killed in Afghanistan

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Taliban Leader Planning To Attack Red Cross Center In Afghanistan Arrested

(RTTNews) - An Afghan-coalition security force detained a Taliban leader who was planning an upcoming attack against a Red Cross Center in the eastern Afghan province of Logar.

He was taken into custody during an operation in Pul-e 'Alam district on Tuesday, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Joint Command said in a press release. The Taliban leader directed roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district. He also coordinated for weapons, ammunition, explosives, and suicide-bombers for those attacks, the release said.

Security forces detained two additional insurgents in this operation.

Multiple suspected Taliban insurgents were detained during an operation in Aliabad district of Kunduz province. A Haqqani leader was captured during a joint operation in Sarobi district, Paktika province. He conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Sarobi, Gomal, and Omnah districts. He also provided weapons, ammunition and equipment to the insurgents under his control. Security forces detained two additional insurgents during this operation.

Two Taliban insurgents, who attempted to shoot at the Afghan and coalition troops as they approached a Taliban leader's suspected location in Khugyani district of Nangarhar province, were killed when the forces returned fire. In subsequent search, the forces detained three more insurgents and recovered an AK-47, another rifle, a pistol, ammunition and two hand grenades.

A Taliban leader, who was responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Shinkai district in the southern province of Zabul, died as a motorcycle he was riding crashed while attempting to flee approaching forces on Saturday.

Another militant leader, who was a pillion-rider on the motorcycle, was detained. He was identified as one who attempted to enforce Taliban law on civilians in the area.

The Provincial Response Company, supported by coalition forces, discovered four anti-personnel mines, two rifles, small arms ammunition, one radio, one tactical vest and various improvised explosive device components from the motorcycle.

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