19 February 2013/08 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/01 Esfand 1391
A United Nations report suggests the Mujahideen are getting more accurate in their attacks. The Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict report shows a decrease in civilian casualties, by 12% from 2011 to 2012. The UN blames most of the civilian deaths on Mujahideen, but while civilian deaths are declining, attacks against Afghan government personnel are skyrocketing. The UN says for last year Mujahideen attacks against government employees ramped up by 700%!!!
USMC General John Allen will retire and refuses NATO command job in Europe. Rumors say his decision is the result of investigations into his associations with women other than his wife. He says it’s because of family health issues.
The Australian Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, pledged $100 million AUD (Aussie Dollar) more in grants to Afghanistan! This is on top of a previous pledge of $300 million!
18 February 2013/07 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/30 Bahman 1391
In Daikundi Province, local government officials say there was heavy fighting between Afghan government forces and Mujahideen, in the Kajran district. The fighting was spill over from neighboring Helmand Province, where Mujahideen attacked several check points. There are reports of deaths and woundings on both sides.
New Zealand officials announced that most Kiwis will be pulled out of Afghanistan by April 2013. About 23 Kiwis will stay behind for “peacekeeping” duties.
Norway announced it will give more of its taxpayers’ money to Afghanistan. The Norwegian government is going to give the Central Asian country another $131 million USD, on top of previous pledges!
17 February 2013/06 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/29 Bahman 1391
In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen ambushed government de-mining operations. One vehicle was set on fire, while another was captured. The vehicles are designed to remove landmines, but could also be use to plant them. Also, Mujahideen claim they planted landmines in expectation of a U.S. led NATO convoy in the Kala Shamir region. They say at least three armored vehicles hit the landmines and two or three medivac copters were called in.
In Helmand Province, Mujahideen say they repelled another NATO/ISAF/ANA heliborne operation in Kajaki district’s Mazar Karez area. They say the battle lasted three to four hours. Also, in the Nari Manda area of Nad Ali district, three ANA troops were killed, two wounded, when their dismount patrol crossed over a landmine.
In Herat Province, reports of fighting between Mujahideen and fighters near the border with Turkmenistan. At least three people killed.
The new U.S. governor of Afghanistan, USMC General Joseph Dunford, said he has ordered NATO to obey President Hamid Karzai’s orders, that is no U.S./NATO airstrikes shall be called in by Afghan government personnel.
After damning reports by the United Nations, and then confirmation by an Afghan government investigation, President Karzai has ordered that all prisoner interrogations be recorded. Investigations revealed at least 14 types of torture being used in prisons and jails.
Despite Canada’s tough gun laws (tougher than the United States) a 19 years old Afghan-Canadian boxer was shot dead at a Toronto nightclub. He was the second shooting victim in Toronto that week. Suspects have been arrested, and they are both of East Asian descent.