Jan. 25., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed al-Qaeda associated Taliban leader, Wali, during a security operation in Dangam district, Kunar province, Jan. 24.

Wali was a Taliban leader and al-Qaeda facilitator who coordinated activities between the Taliban and al-Qaeda within the province, and organized attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Dangam district. He also oversaw the movement of weapons and suicide vest components.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Jan. 25. The leader coordinated and conducted direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and provided weapons and IEDs to other insurgents in the district.

In Nawah-ye Barakzai district, Helmand province, Jan. 25, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader who oversaw a group of insurgents responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also procured and distributed homemade explosives and IED-making materials to insurgents operating in Nawah-ye Barakzai and Nad ‘Ali districts.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested an improvised explosive device expert in Spin Boldak district, Kandahar province, Jan. 24. The Taliban IED expert constructed, distributed and emplaced IEDs targeting Afghan and coalition forces. He was also helped acquire explosives, weapons and ammunition for attacks against Afghan National Directorate of Security offices in the province. During the operation, the security force also detained one suspected insurgent.

East

During a security operation in Andar district, Ghazni province, Jan. 24, an Afghan and coalition force killed the Taliban leader, Alaudin. Alaudin oversaw a group of insurgents responsible for conducting remote-controlled improvised explosive device and small-arms fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Prior to his death, Alaudin was planning attacks against Afghan National Police in Ghazni province.

In Khost district, Khost province, Jan. 25, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader who distributed weapons to Haqqani insurgents operating within Musa Khel district and planned and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. During the operation, the security force also detained one suspected insurgent and seized multiple weapons and ammunition.

An Afghan and coalition force detained three suspected insurgents during a security operation in search of a Taliban facilitator in Khugyani district, Nangarhar province, today. The facilitator coordinates improvised explosive device and suicide attacks against Afghan government officials and Afghan and coalition forces. During the operation, the security force seized IED components, weapons and ammunition.

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3 Georgian soldiers injured in Afghan militants attack

According to Georgian defense officials, at least three Georgian service members were injured following militants attack in Afghanistan.
The officials further adeed, the incident took place after insurgents opened fire as they were out on patrol.

Corporal Erekle Kharshiladze and Junior Sergeant Iaho Kakulia received minor injuries. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, their health condition is stable. They have been moved to the US Military Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany for medical treatment.

The officials did not disclose further information regarding the exact location of the incident however they confirmed a third soldier, Private Guram Chimakhidze, was hit by an explosion from an antipersonnel mine while on patrol and was seriously injured as a result.

He was moved to Bastion Hospital, and his health condition is stable. He will also be moved to the Landstuhl Hospital in Germany in the near future.

Georgia has deployed around 1700 troops under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Around 19 Georgian troops have been killed in various incidents since the beginning of their mission in Afghanistan.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - January 25 2013, 9:29 am

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5 civilians killed, 20 injured in Kapisa suicide attack

Tagab District (in Green) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

CHARIKAR (PAN): Five civilians were killed and 20 others injured in a suicide attack on an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) convoy in the Tagab district of central Kapisa province on Friday, an official said.

The explosion took place at around 7am in a bazaar near Qalay-i-Saleh village, the district's administrative chief, Abdul Qudus Safi, told Pajhwok Afghan News. He said five civilians, including two children, were killed and 20 others injured in the attack.

Without commenting on their condition, he said the injured were under medical treatment at a hospital.

Meanwhile, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, saying that the target was an ISAF convoy passing the area. The group's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid said 12 NATO-led soldiers were killed and two of its vehicles damaged.

But the NATO-led force rejected the claim as groundless. “At this time, there are no reports of ISAF fatalities or injuries, but initial reports indicate the blast killed several Afghan civilians.” a statement from the force said.

from Pajhwok
By Farid Tanha Jan 25, 2013 - 09:55
---

Suicide bomb blast rocks Kapisa province of Afghanistan

According to local authorities in eastern Kapisa province of Afghanistan, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives at Tagab district on Friday morning.
Deputy provincial governor Aziz-ur-Rahman Tawab confirming the reports said at least five civilians were killed and over ten others were wounded following the blast.

Mr. Tawab further added the suicide bomber was looking to target a convoy of the NATO troops however the bomber detonated explosives packed in the vehicle near a residential house.

The incident took place in Jalo Khel area at Tagab district.

In the meantime Taliban militants group claimed responsibility behind the incident and a spokesman for the Taliban group Zabiullah Mujahid claimed at least 12 US troops were killed and two tanks were completely damaged following the attack.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the attack. ”According to our reports, there was a vehicle attack on the coalition convoy in Tagab district, but we have no reports of coalition deaths or injuries,” said Les Carroll, an ISAF spokesman.



from KHAAMA
By Sajad - January 25 2013, 11:50 am 

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Five militants killed in TTP, Ansarul Islam clash in Khyber tribal region

PESHAWAR: Five militants were killed and many others injured in a clash between the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Ansarul Islam (AI) militant groups Friday in Khyber tribal region’s Tirah Valley area whereas an abandoned headquarter of Mullah Nabi Hanfi was blown up in Kando Kallay area of Hangu.
Official sources said that TTP and AI militants clashed in Maidan village of Tirah Valley in Khyber tribal region leaving five militants dead while many others were injured.

The sources said that the death toll was likely to increase as the skirmish had not ended yet.

In another incident security forces blew up an abandoned headquarters belonging to militant commander Mullah Nabi in Hangu district’s Kando Kalley area. There were no casualties reported as the building was already abandoned by the militants.

Meanwhile Peshawar’s Pharipura police seized over a hundred repeater guns and arrested an accused during a raid on a house, according SP
City Khalid Hamdani.

Speaking to media he said that the police also seized more than 20,000 bullets and arrested an Afghan suspect while the godown had been sealed and investigations into other members of the gang were underway.

SP Hamdani further said that the weapons were stored in the raided godown from where they were smuggled to Karachi and other parts of the country.

As for the security arrangements for Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) gatherings and processions in Peshawar, more than 1,300 police personnel were deployed to guard the processions routes while the entire city would remain sealed after Friday (jumma) prayers.

Pillion riding and display and use of weapons was banned under Section 144 imposed in the city wehreas mobile phone services also remained suspended for the day.

from DAWN
by Zahir Shah Sherazi
Jan.25.2013.

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Yemen: Arabian al-Qaida's Number 2 is Dead

Deputy leader of al-Qaida in Yemen, Said al-Shihri, a Saudi national identified as Guantanamo prisoner number 372, speaks in a video posted on Islamist websites, January 24, 2009.

Yemen says a Saudi national freed by U.S. authorities from detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and who later rose to second in command of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, has died.

A government statement Thursday said Said al-Shihri died of wounds sustained in a counter-terrorism operation in late November.  The Yemeni state news agency said he had been in a coma since then.  Neither the agency nor a statement Thursday from the Supreme National Security Committee gave the date of death, but a leading Saudi newspaper [Ukaz] said it occurred in late December. 

Yemen had previously announced al-Shihri's death in a September 10 drone attack in Hadramawt province.  But subsequent DNA testing proved the body recovered was not that of al-Shihri.  Weeks later, a speaker in an audio tape played on terrorist websites identified himself as al-Shihri to deny his own death.

A classified Pentagon report made public by WikiLeaks in 2011 identified al-Shihri as a former officer in Saudi Arabia's internal security force who later joined al-Qaida to help route Saudi militants through Iran for combat in Afghanistan.

He was detained in 2002 by Pakistan and turned over to U.S. authorities.  He was released from U.S. detention at Guantanamo Bay five years later and returned to Saudi Arabia, where he was subjected to a Saudi rehabilitation program for militants.  He later surfaced on the battlefield in Yemen.

from VOA News
January 24, 2013

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Jan. 25., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed one insurgent, located one weapons cache and cleared four improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Jan. 24.

Kunar province

Afghan National Security Forces killed an insurgent during an engagement in Manogai district.

Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared an IED in Nurgal district.

Afghan National Army soldiers also found and safely cleared an IED in Watahpur district.

Khowst province

Afghan Border Police found and safely cleared an IED in Khowst district.

Ghazni province

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Khwajah Omari district. The cache contained small arms ammunition, rifles, IED-making materials and combat gear.

Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Ghazni district.

Operations in RC-East are ongoing.

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New Mali Rebel Group Seeks Negotiations

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

A portion of Mali's Ansar Dine rebel group has broken away to form its own movement, and is expressing a willingness to seek a negotiated solution to the country's crisis.

In a statement issued Thursday, the newly formed Islamic Movement for Azawad also said it is ready to fight extremism.

​​Ansar Dine rebels joined with ethnic Tuaregs to seize control of northern Mali following a March coup.  Ansar Dine and other Islamist groups then took full control of the region, where they want to impose strict Islamic law.

In late December, Ansar Dine agreed to a cease-fire with the government, but suspended it earlier this month saying the government was not sincere about peace negotiations.

Islamist fighters began pushing south into government-controlled areas, prompting airstrikes from French forces acting at the request of Mali's government to halt the advance.  French and Malian troops have retaken some rebel-held areas, while a growing African intervention force continues to arrive in Mali to help fully regain control of the north.

​​U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a Senate panel Wednesday that instability in Mali has created an "expanding safe haven for terrorists" who are looking to extend their reach. She said the United States and its allies have been working with Mali's neighbors to upgrade security, but that most do not have the capacity to do so.

Clinton said eliminating rebels from northern Mali is a daunting challenge.

"This is going to be a very serious ongoing threat because if you look at the size of northern Mali, if you look at the topography, it is not only desert, it is caves - sounds reminiscent.  We are in for a struggle but it is a necessary struggle.  We can not permit northern Mali to become a safe haven," she said.

Also Wednesday, a coalition of rights groups said it has reports that Malian soldiers have carried out executions and committed other human rights violations since French forces entered the country this month.

The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues said elements of the Malian army carried out executions in the towns of Sevare, Mopti and Nioro on January 10. It is calling for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the allegations.

from VOA News
January 24, 2013

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Somali militants threaten to kill Kenyan hostages

NAIROBI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Somalian Al-Shabaab militants who kidnapped two Kenyan civil servants a year ago have threatened to kill them unless Kenya releases all Muslim prisoners held on terrorism charges.
In a statement posted on the militants' Twitter account Wednesday night, the Al-Qaida-allied group gave Kenya, which launched a military campaign in southern Somalia in October 2011 to pursue militants blamed for insecurity in the country, three weeks to release the prisoners.

"The Kenyan government must release all Muslim prisoners held on so-called terrorism charges in Kenya. The Kenyan government must secure the release of Muslims extradited to Uganda for terrorism charges," Al-Shabaab said in the message.

The insurgents have also released a video of the two Kenyans, who were seized from the frontier county of Wajir, claiming "the video carries an important message from the prisoners, and Kenyan government is advised to pay close attention to the pleas of the POWs (prisoners of war)."

"The release of the Muslim prisoners is unconditional and must be made public," it posted on Twitter.

"Kenyan government has three weeks, starting midnight 24/01/2013 to respond to the demands of HSM (Harakat Al-Shabaab Al-Mujahideen) if the prisoners are to remain alive," it warned.

"Following the expiration of this period, all the Kuffar Kenyan prisoners who appeared in the recent video will be executed," Al-Shabaab said.

The threats came barely a week after the militants executed French intelligence agent Denis Allex in retaliation for a botched French operation to free him.

Kenya has heightened security around the country, with security agencies at an unprecedented state of alert after recent reports Al-Shabaab planned attacks against the East African nation and foreign interests in the country.

The militant group has also come under pressure from African Union peacekeepers, which have pushed them out of the Somali capital Mogadishu and from Ethiopia.

Al-Shabaab is known for enforcing a strict brand of Islam in the areas under its rule and is believed to have links to Al-Qaeda. The group has also blocked some international aid workers from accessing parts of Somalia suffering from drought and famine.

Kenya blames the group for a string of attacks and kidnappings on its territory, including those of four Europeans.

The Kenyan government says the kidnappings threaten tourism, a key source of revenue for the country.

Al-Shabaab has been fighting since 2008 to topple Somalia's weak central government. It is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. 

from XINHUA
2013-01-24 15:58:21
Editor: Zhu Ningzhu

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• Al-Qaeda affiliate in Somalia threatens to kill Kenyan hostages (thenewstribe.com)
• Somali Islamists threaten to execute Kenyan hostages (nation.co.ke)

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US drones strike again in Yemen, killing 6 AQAP fighters near capital

By Bill Roggio - January 23, 2013 - LWJ

US drones yet again targeted al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters in Yemen, this time outside the capital of Sana'a. The strike today is the fourth by the US in Yemen in five days. The US has expanded the drone campaign throughout all of Yemen over the past year.

The CIA-operated, remotely piloted Predators or the more deadly Reapers attacked a vehicle as it traveled in a rural area outside of Sana'a, according to Reuters. Six AQAP members are said to have been killed in the attack. No senior AQAP fighters are reported to have been killed in today's strike.

US drones have struck AQAP in Sana'a one other time in the past. On Nov. 7, 2012, the remotely piloted attack aircraft killed Adnan al Qadhi, an al Qaeda commander who was involved in the attack on the US Embassy in Sana'a in 2008, along with two fighters. Al Qadhi commanded local AQAP forces in and around the capital at the time of his death.

Today's strike in Sana'a is the fourth in Yemen in five days, and the fifth strike this month. The US launched two strikes in Marib province on Jan. 19 and Jan. 21; two Saudis are reported to have been killed in the Jan. 19 attack. In another strike, on Jan. 22, the US killed four AQAP fighters in a strike on a vehicle in Al Jawf province in northern Yemen.

The US appears to be launching several strikes over a short period of time, followed by weeks in which no strikes occur. Between Dec. 24, 2012 and Jan. 3, 2013, the US conducted five drone strikes in Yemen. But prior to the Dec. 24 strike, the last recorded strike by the US in Yemen took place on Nov. 7, 2012.

Additionally, over the past eight months, the US has begun to target AQAP outside of the traditional strongholds of Abyan and Shabwah provinces in the south. Of the 25 strikes against AQAP since the beginning of June 2012 that have been recorded by The Long War Journal, only four have hit AQAP in Abyan and Shabwah. The other 21 strikes have targeted AQAP operatives in the provinces of Aden, Al Baydah, Al Jawf, Hadramout, Marib, Saada, and Sana'a. Of the 18 strikes that were conducted between January 2012 and the end of May, 10 occurred in Abyan and Shabwah.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/01/us_drones_strike_aga_5.php#ixzz2IsuOupXY

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• US drones strike again in Yemen, kill 6 AQAP fighters near capital (longwarjournal.org)

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Jan. 24., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 24) – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani facilitator in Sabari district, Khost province, today.

The facilitator was responsible for purchasing and selling weapons to support the insurgency. He coordinated the movement of improvised explosive device materials and ammunition to insurgents operating in the district.

The security force also detained two suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, yesterday. The facilitator coordinated the movement of weapons and ammunition in the district for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also provided financial and logistic support for improvised explosive devices and offered a safe haven for insurgents. In addition, the security force detained one suspected insurgent and seized 45 kilograms (100 pounds) of illegal narcotics.

East

During a security operation in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, yesterday, coalition forces discovered a large cache of improvised explosive device elements. The cache contained 600 sacks of ammonium nitrate totaling 30,000 kilograms (66,138 pounds). The coalition force also discovered 100 paint cans of ammonium nitrate and 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) of electrical wire.

Afghan and coalition security forces killed two insurgents during a security operation in search of an al-Qaida associated Taliban leader in Ghaziabad district, Kunar province, yesterday. The leader organizes attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and enables insurgent movements throughout the province.

During a security operation in Khugyani district, Nangarhar province, Wednesday, an Afghan and coalition security force killed three heavily armed insurgents. The security force positively identified several armed individuals conducting insurgent activity and conducted a precision airstrike, killing them.

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today that a Taliban leader was arrested during an operation in Khanabad district, Kunduz province, Monday. The leader was associated with Muhibullah Jan, the Taliban leader killed during the operation, and oversaw the construction, delivery and emplacement of improvised explosive devices.

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