Tag Archives: afghanistan

International, U.S.

World War 3: More Afghan police killed, Afghan government raid results in civilians being killed

April 6, 2012, in Kandahar Province four Afghan cops were killed in separate incidents.

One was shot, another was killed trying to defuse a bomb, and two others were killed when their vehicle hit a mine.

In Kapisa Province, Afghan government forces attacked a Mujahideen position.  According to Abdul Hakim Akhundzadeh, governor of Tagab district, a rocket then hit an area where government forces were conducting seek and destroy operations, in the Matkhel area of the province.

The resulting explosion killed two civilians and wounded four others.

International, U.S.

World War 3: NATO copter shot down, U.S. drone crashes, U.S. led troops killed, more assassinations, Australian General backs up U.S. General’s claim that this is a “critical year”

An ISAF report says: “An International Security Assistance Force rotary wing [helicopter] unmanned aerial vehicle crashed in northern Afghanistan today.”  ISAF does not believe it was shot down.  No further details.

Some speculate that since the drone was a helicopter that it might be what witnesses are calling a NATO helicopter crash, in Baghlan Province.  The province is under the control of Hungarian NATO forces.  No further details.

Also, ISAF confirms reports that U.S. led troops have been attacked and killed. As is SOP with ISAF they will not give out details, other than the attack took place in eastern Afghanistan on April 6.

ISAF says the current death toll for U.S./NATO/ISAF troops is at 104 since the beginning of this year.

On the morning of April 6, 2012, a peace negotiator and one of his sons were assassinated when a bomb exploded. A third person was also killed.  The explosion happened after Islamic Friday Prayers.  It happened in Kunar Province.

Major-General Stuart Smith, Commander of Australian Operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, re-stated what USMC General John R. Allen said recently: ”This is a critical year.”

Australian forces are beginning to hand over control of AOs (Areas of Operation) to Afghan government forces. Currently Australian forces operate in Oruzgan Province (aka Urōzgān, Uruzgan or Rōzgān): ”This is a year that, if the Afghan government asks us to, we will start the transition of handing over security responsibilities in Oruzgan to the Afghan Security Forces.”

However, General Smith made it clear that such hand over to Afghan government forces did not mean Western forces were leaving: “….that challenge will go on for a little while yet, beyond 2014.”

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: More NATO fuel tankers blown up, people burned to death, Ohio National Guardsmen killed

April 6, 2012, seven people were burned to death when Mujahideen ambushed a U.S./NATO/ISAF fuel supply tanker in Khandahar.

Witnesses say Mujahideen used old Soviet Cold War era RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) to attack the convoy.

The attack took place near the same area as last months killing of Afghan civilians by the U.S. Army.  This is at least the third attack on a fueler since April 1.

Also today, the U.S. Department of Defense stated that three soldiers killed during the April 4 attack in Faryab Province, were members of the Ohio National Guard (the National Guard is a state militia).

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: USMC General whines about Mujahideen Spring Offensive, dozens more killed, more NATO convoys blown up, Mujahideen free police they captured

“Despicable, is the only word to describe the cold, heartless way in which the enemies of peace carried out this attack, detonating an IED in the middle of a large crowd of civilians.”-General John R. Allen, USMC

On April 5, 2012, U.S. Marine Corps General Allen whined about the April 4th attack on U.S. led forces in Faryab Province.  Hello, it’s called war!  You are the invader!  You are the enemy of Peace!  The Afghans had nothing to do with any terrorist attacks on the United States!

General Allen has also predicted an increase in fighting in eastern Afghanistan, and that this year could be the most vital regarding the West’s efforts in the so called War on Terror.

In Kandahar Province, yet another U.S./NATO/ISAF fuel convoy was attacked and burned to the ground.  The fuelers were parked at the Kandahar International airport (which is supposed to be under U.S. control).

Three drivers were wounded.

In Badakhshan Province, two explosions, one caused by a suicide bomber, and another afterwards.  Local police say two people were killed, at least 16 wounded.

A local market was the target, no claims of responsibility.  The explosions took place soon after the Mujahideen released 11 Afghan border police, that they had capture just days earlier.  The prisoner release was arraigned by local elders.

Afghan Defense Ministry says in the past 24 hours at least three government troops were killed, as well as five Mujahideen, in various battles.

Only one province was mentioned, Ghazni, bu it sounded like battles took place in several provinces.

International, U.S.

World War 3: More huge drug busts, dozens more deaths, Mujahideen Spring Offensive rolls on

April 4, 2012, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) officials claim 227 kilograms (500 pounds) of marijuana was found in Kandahar Province, during a routine patrol.

The day before, in Nimroz Province, aircraft spotted two suspicious vehicles.  A search turned up more than 3,150 pounds (1,430 kilograms) of drugs.  ISAF claims they destroyed the drugs.

ISAF is also reporting four more U.S. led NATO soldiers were killed on April 4.   One was killed in an ambush by Mujahideen in eastern Afghanistan, the other three were killed when their vehicle hit a mine in northern Afghanistan.

As usual ISAF refuses to give even a location where the incident took place: “It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.”-ISAF statement

ISAF is also claiming that U.S. led forces, including Afghan government forces, have killed or captured 14 Mujahideen in the past 24 hours.

Also, on the morning of April 4, in Faryab Province an explosion killed at least five civilians and six U.S. led troops, and wounded about 26 others.

According to local security boss, Abdul Khaliq Aqsai, it was a suicide bomber who attacked a ISAF/NATO convoy, which just happened to be near the provincial governor’s office.  ISAF has not commented.

In Kandahar Province, a local police chief was assassinated, about noon time April 4.  The provincial governor’s office said they do not know who did it.

 

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: NATO supply convoy blown up, U.S. led soldiers killed, Afghan police killed

On the night of April 2, 2012, a NATO fuel supply convoy was ambushed and destroyed in Farah Province, Afghanistan.

Six fuel tankers and two escort vehicles were burned to the ground.  No info concerning casualties.

Another evening attack left at least four Afghan police and two civilians dead.

The attack took place in Helmand Province. Officials say Mujahideen launched an attack on a police checkpoint.

During the morning of April 3, in the province of Nangarhar, an explosion wounded at least three people.

Local officials say a vehicle with bodyguards riding in it hit a mine (roadside bomb).

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) officials say at least two U.S./NATO soldiers were killed on April 3.  One from an explosion, the other from non-combat injuries.

As is SOP (standard operating procedure) for ISAF, they refuse to give any further details.  ISAF officials defer troop details to the “…relevant national authorities.”

For the week of March 25-31, ISAF reported approximately seven instances of U.S./NATO troop deaths.

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Chopper down, Afghan police join Mujahideen, Afghan woman executed, children wounded

April 1, 2012, Zabihullah Mujahid (supposed Taliban rep) claims they shot down a U.S./NATO/ISAF helicopter, killing 14 people.

Mujahid says they used an old Cold War era Soviet 82mm RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade). It happened in Ghazni Province.

Also in Ghazni Province, on April 2, at least three Afghan national police were wounded after their vehicle struck a mine.  Mujahideen are claiming responsibility.

On April 2, 2012, two explosions hit a town in Baghlan Province.  24 people, including 12 children, were wounded.  As is normal in attacks against civilians, no one claims responsibility.

Again on April 2, in Kandahar Province, a Afghan army vehicle patrol hit a mine (IED, roadside bomb).  One Afghan soldier was killed, three other wounded.

On April 1, an Afghan national police officer got into a shootout with suspected militants, in Kandahar City.  The cop was killed, as well as two suspects.

In Paktia Province, an unmarried woman was sentenced to death for having sex with a man!  The sentence came from tribal elders, who then executed her.

Local police have arrested her two brothers, saying they basically set her up.  There is some confusion, because the man the woman was accused of having sex with, might have been in jail in Kabul at the time.  Also, local police say those who did the actual execution have fled the area.

According to the UN’s Independent Human Rights Commission, about 15 murder cases and 24 suicide cases, involving women, were reported just in the province of Paktia in 2011.

In Uruzgan Province, at least 11 Afghan national police officers joined the anti-government Mujahideen. It happened on April 1. Government officials noticed they were short about a dozen cops and went looking for them.

A spokesman for local Mujahideen, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, announced the cops had joined their operation, bringing all their government issued weapons with them.

 

 

 

 

 

International, Technology, U.S.

Terror Drones: March 26 – April 1, U.S. killing their own

The United States continues to increase drone attacks in the Arabian Peninsula country of Yemen.

On March 30, 2012, at least five people were killed, and a natural gas pipeline was blown up after a U.S. drone strike near Shabwa.

Official U.S. statements say they targeted “suspected” al Qaeda militants, one missile hit a car, the other missile hit a building.  Witnesses say a another vehicle was struck, killing everyone inside.  It was an entire family.  U.S. officials have no comment.

There are also reports that a drone attack hit a natural gas pipeline. U.S. officials claim the “suspected” militants blew up the pipeline after the drone strike.

According to Australia’s Brisbane Times, the United States has dramatically increased the use of drones in Yemen.  In May 2011, Peaceprize winner, Barack Obama, ordered an increase of drone strikes.  The result was at least 26 drone strikes in Yemen (keep in mind that officially the U.S. wasn’t supposed to be involved in Yemen).  Now, since January 2012 there have been at least nine drone strikes, five just in the month of March 2012.

It’s not just the number of drone strikes, the number of people being killed in each drone strike is going up as well.  London’s City University, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, reports that as many as 516 people have been killed in Yemen, with as many as 105 confirmed as civilians (including five pregnant women and 22 children), not “suspected” militants.

Another issue is the fact that many parts of Yemen are without electrical power.  The main reason is that power plants are repeatedly targeted, by U.S. and anti-government Mujahideen.

The latest case involves families who lost loved ones due to U.S. drone strikes. They are now attacking power stations demanding compensation for the loss of their relatives: “Victims of U.S. drone strikes constituted that the majority of locals attacked the electricity supply because their demands for compensation after the attack were not addressed.”-Saeed Ali al-Yousifi, The Yemen Observer

On March 25, 2012, the power station in Marib Province was attacked and shut down by an angry mob.  The angry crowd included people who had been victims of past drone attacks, including the family of a young man who lost both legs in a May, 2010, U.S. drone attack.

On March 31, the United States attacked the northeastern African country of Somalia, with drones. A Somali official, Hussein Mohamed Uraag, says several missiles were fired into the western portion of the city of Mogadishu.  At least 18 people were killed.

In South Asia, despite demands from Pakistan’s parliament, to stop drone attacks, on March 30 the U.S. destroyed a house with a drone strike.  At least four people were killed.

The attack took place in North Waziristan, officials say the targeted people were from Uzbekistan.

On April 1, the Pakistani Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), announced that they will tie the ending of U.S. drone attacks to continued support for U.S./NATO supply convoys through Pakistan.

Pakistani Army Chief General, Ashfraq Pervez Kayani, said NATO has so far not contacted the Pakistani military regarding renewed support for U.S./NATO/ISAF supply convoys.

Pakistani Senator, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, said NATO should not be allowed to transport weapons through Pakistan, and that all other supplies will be allowed only if the United States stops drone attacks.

Maulana Abdul Maalik Wazir, National Assembly of Pakistan, said all NATO supply routes should be shut down, no more negotiating!

Pakistani Senator, Mudassir Sehar Kamran, demanded the United States pay for past damages caused by U.S. drone strikes!

On March 29, it was reported that Australia will be arming it’s troops in the Central Asian country of Afghanistan, with more surveillance drones.

It’s called the Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TUAS), and was first used by the U.S. in the Middle Eastern country of Iraq.  It is used for recon purposes.  It’s still used by U.S. forces.

April 6, 2012, will be the year anniversary of the first known case of U.S. forces killing two of their own with a Predator terror drone strike: “The two-man Predator crew responsible for this particular airstrike not only destroyed a young Navy corpsman’s life but also destroyed the lives of his entire family.”-Robert Rast, father of one of the victims

On April 6, 2011, a U.S. Navy corpsman, and a USMC Staff Sergeant, were killed in Afghanistan by a USAF Captain operating a Predator drone from his base in Nevada!

A 385 page report puts the blame on the U.S. Air Force for failing to communicate with U.S. Marines on the ground in Afghanistan: “Information was available to the Predator crew that potentially could have increased the commander’s understanding of the situation, but this information was not communicated to Marines on the ground who were directing the attack….In the final analysis the chain of events that led to Staff Sgt. Smith and (Hospitalman) Rast being targeted and ultimately killed by friendly fire was initiated by the on-scene ground force commander’s lack of overall situational awareness and the inability to accurately communicate his friendly force disposition with respect to the enemy.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Mujahideen Spring Offensive picking up speed, more U.S./NATO troops killed, more foreign Mujahideen joining in, Afghan cop kills fellow cops, incompetent NATO kills Afghan government cops

March 30, 2012, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) officials reported two more U.S./NATO/ISAF troops killed in southern Afghanistan.  Once again they refused to give details. This follows two days of similar ISAF reports.

ISAF officials explained that they defer the explanation of troop details to the “…relevant national authorities.”

From official U.S./NATO sources at least 95 military personnel have been killed since January 2012.   55 U.S. personnel, 13 British troops and 27 soldiers from other countries.

In Paktika Province, on March 29, an Afghan police officer shot and killed nine of his fellow officers as they slept in their barracks.  He was killed the next morning.  Officials do not know why he killed his peers.  However, he was killed with a group of Mujahideen, and people claiming to have connections to Taliban say he was one of them.

Yet again, ISAF and Afghan government forces claim to have captured Taliban and Haqqani leaders.  They say the March 29 & 30 operations took place in Khost, Helmand, Logar and Kandahar provinces.  (boy those “leaders” are just everywhere)

According to local officials in Ghazni Province not only are U.S./NATO/ISAF forces building up troop presence in the area, but so are foreign Mujahideen.

They say fighters from Pakistan and Arab countries (Pakistan is not an Arab country for those of you who still don’t get it, I’m amazed at how many people I meet on a daily bases that don’t) are flooding in.

It looks like a big battle could take place, as U.S. led forces are also building up in the area.

On March 30, Deputy Provincial Governor, Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, told a BBC reporter that U.S. led forces are building three new military bases in Ghazni Province.

Residents say the increasing number of Mujahideen are conducting recon and harassment operations in the area.

Deputy Provincial Governor Mohammad Ali Ahmadi also said that combat has already taken place between U.S. led forces and Mujahideen.  He claims four Taliban leaders were arrested (those darn “leaders” again).  But he admitted that one Afghan police officer was killed and six others wounded when NATO mistakenly bombed them during the operation!

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Mujahideen Spring offensive underway, ISAF soldier killed, Afghan government forces claim dozens of kills or captures

“An ISAF service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.”-ISAF statement

March 29, 2012, another U.S./NATO/ISAF soldier killed by a roadside mine.  And yet again, ISAF officials refuse to give the location of the incident, or which country the soldier was from.

Afghan government officials say on March 28, their military and police forces engaged in major battles with Mujahideen in Badakshan, Kabul, Kunar, Laghman, Kunduz, Faryab, Helmand, Uruzgan, Ghazni and Paktia provinces.

They claim to have killed more than 47, and captured at least six anti-government militants.

In Farah Province, Afghan officials claim a NATO supply convoy was hit hard by a Mujahideen ambush, the fighting lasted three hours: “The fighting was intense and we sent in extra forces.”-Najibullah Najibi, Afghan army spokesman

In that province Afghan officials claim more than 30 militants were killed and 10 were wounded.  Mujahideen claim they killed 40 Afghan Security Forces.