07 September 2012
British Red Coat, Henry of Wales (aka Prince Harry), returned to Afghanistan as a Apache gunship co-pilot/gunner. He is part of the current rotation of British troops in Afghanistan, and should be in country four months.
The Pakistan based Haqqani Network was officially declared a terrorist organization by the Obama administration. U.S. officials named the supposed group after Sirajuddin Haqqani, whom they accuse the Pakistani ISI of providing safe haven for.
06 September 2012
The group Open Society Foundations investigated Bagram prison and found that even though the United States officially turned it over to Afghan officials, it is actually still under direct control of U.S. forces. This violates the latest agreements signed between the Afghan government and the U.S.
Open Society Foundations reports that they discovered that at least 600 Afghans have been detained by U.S. forces since the agreement was signed in March 2012! The group says this is proof the U.S. will stay in Afghanistan for a long time because it “….appears to want continued detention powers in Afghanistan beyond September 2012.”
In Baghlan Province, U.S./ISAF/NATO occupation forces handed military control of five districts to the Afghan National Army.
In Nuristan Province: “Deputy Taliban financial chief Mullah Mohammad was also arrested along with Mawlawi Gul Mohammad and a number of the other Taliban militants including three Pakistani nationals.”-Mohammad Zareen, provincial government spokesman
05 September 2012
Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States revealed they are now planning for official peace talks with Mujahideen (aka Taliban). They were working on a plan to provide safe passage for Mujahideen leaders to attend peace talks. Pakistani media reported it was called the The Safe Passage Working Group’s meeting.
The World Bank announced it is giving even more money to Afghanistan. This time $125 million USD for the Ministry of Education.
ISAF said: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan today.” Mujahideen claim they shot down the ‘copter in Logar Province. Provincial government officials say a heavy firefight broke out after the ‘copter crashed. Logar is patrolled mainly by U.S. forces.
In Maidan Wardak Province, six fuelers destined for U.S./NATO forces were set on fire. Mujahideen claim it was 17 fuelers burned, along with 20 drivers and security guards killed.
The Afghan Defense Ministry announced that, after an investigation, they have fired hundreds of Afghan National Army (ANA) troops because of connections to Mujahideen. The Afghan government is trying to stop the increase of insider Green on Blue attacks.
The Afghan Defense Ministry also announced that at least 24 ANA troops were killed, 19 wounded, in battles in the provinces of Maidan Wardak, Farah, Badghis, Nangarhar, Ghazni, Helmand and Uruzgan. They say only four Mujahideen were killed, six wounded.
04 September 2012
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) claim they killed a Mujahideen leader, and two other Mujahideen, in Logar Province. They believe the Mujahideen were part of the so called Haqqani Network based in Pakistan.
In Kunar Province, local government officials claim Pakistan launched another round of rockets into the province. They say at least three civilians were wounded after a barrage of 80 rockets were launched over a two day period.
Also in Kunar, a man was sentenced to death for beheading a 17 years old girl because she did not want to marry him. Two other men were sentenced to 17 years in prison for helping him. The girl’s father testified that the man threatened to kill him as well.
In Nuristan Province, local government officials say there is an increase in the number of Pakistani ISI agents in their area. An Afghan security official said about 50 ISI agents were seen, with weapons, meeting with Mujahideen.
In Nangarhar Province, at least 25 people were killed and more than 50 wounded after a explosion at a funeral. Officials say a suicide bomber was targeting a number of government officials attending the funeral.
In Farah Province, yet another fuel convoy headed for troops of the U.S. led occupation was ambushed. Mujahideen claim to have destroyed 13 fuelers and killed ten drivers and security guards.
Responding to pressure from the United States, Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) refused to halt any trade deals with Iran: “…if an official request comes from the U.S. government, I am sure the Afghan government will be clear in its quick reaction against it…If the U.S. makes us stop business with Iran, we will face an economic crisis!”-Khan Jan Alokozai, ACCI
Iran buys at least $1.3 billion USD worth of products from Afghanistan. What has the United States done for Afghanistan’s economy?
In Helmand Province, seven people were wounded: “Two explosive laden tricycles went off in a quick succession near a car market in Lashkar Gah Tuesday morning, leaving the casualties.”-Farid Ahmad Farhang, provincial police spokesman
03 September 2012
ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan, September 3.”
In Laghman Province, a ANA soldier shot and killed two occupying U.S./NATO personnel.
In Balkh Province, and bicycle bomb exploded, wounding several people including the suicide bomber using the bicycle.
The Afghan parliament has accused the Defense Minister, and the chief of the Afghan High Office of Oversight and Anti-corruption, of rigging contracts worth $30 million USD.
New Zealand has formally announced it will withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan by the end of April, 2013.