Tag Archives: nato

International, U.S.

World War 3: Attacks not being reported by ISAF. Drug war designed to raise the price of Opium.

“The price hike will definitely pressure us a lot. The tendency towards cultivation will grow, it will create resistance, law and order issues, and it will raise the casualty rate.”-Zarar Ahmad Muqbel Osmani, Counter Narcotics Minister of Afghanistan

Anti-opium officials in Afghanistan report that a double whammy of poppy field burning by police, and a fungus that is destroying the plant’s ability to produce opium, is resulting in skyrocketing prices for the drug.

The fungus is attacking crops in Helmand, Kandahar and Farah provinces.  Ending opium production was one of the excuses for the continued U.S. occupation of Afghanistan, but the opposite has happened (as it always does where ever the U.S. takes over).

2011 saw a 61% increase in opium production under U.S. occupation.

May 8, 2012, Ghulam Gawas Malayar, the deputy provincial police chief of Farah Province, reports five of his police officers killed after they drove over a mine.

In Paktika Province four Education Ministry workers, and their bodyguard, were killed when their vehicle hit a mine, and then they were ambushed by Mujahideen.  The local education director was wounded.

In Logar Province two police officers were killed in a Mujahideen ambush.

None of these incidents were reported in Tuesday’s 24 hour report given by Afghan government and ISAF officials.  The incidents are being reported by local officials.

May 9, 2012, representatives from the 203 Thunder Brigade, Afghan army, say two of their troops were wounded by an explosion in Paktika Province.

And now for the ISAF 24 hour report (Joint Command Morning operational update) for May 9, 2012.: Once again more missions to capture “leaders”, this time in Kandahar, Helmand, Ghazni and Wardak provinces.

The statement said they captured several Mujahideen, but there was no indication that they actually captured the “leaders” they were going after  (Afghan government sources claim they captured the “leaders”).

In Helmand two big drug busts.  One weighing 470 kilograms (1,030 pounds), the other coming in at 900 kilograms (1,980 pounds).  You gotta wonder; ten years of supposedly fighting the drug trade in Afghanistan, and the result is an increase in drug trafficking!

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. admits to targeting civilians, Karzai says new military pact is finished if such attacks continue.

May 8, 2012, U.S. led ISAF admitted they killed a family of civilians: “At this point in the investigation we are able to confirm the incident and will be formally apologizing in the next couple of days…”-Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Upton, USMC, ISAF

The attack was reported by local Afghan officials on May 7, but the U.S./NATO airstrike actually took place on May 4.

This is not the only recent case, other local Afghan officials are reporting an increase in the number of civilians who are getting killed by U.S./NATO forces.

As a result President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, says the new military pact he signed with President Barack Obama, in a midnight meeting, is threatened.  A spokesman for Karzai said: “Karzai signed the strategic pact with the United States to avoid such incidents (civilian casualties) and if Afghans do not feel safe, the strategic partnership loses its meaning.”

And now for another 24 hour ISAF/Afghan government forces’ seek, destroy or capture report, May 8, 2012: 25 Mujahideen were killed throughout the eastern regions of Afghanistan, including Kabul, Zabul and Paktia provinces.

A “leader” was captured in Faryab Province.

A “bomb maker”, and several Mujahideen were captured in Zabul Province, along with weapons and ammo.

Two Afghan army soldiers were killed, one by an explosion in Logar Province, the other was killed in Maidan Wardak Province.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: More U.S./NATO deaths. More civilian deaths. U.S. investigation finds Taliban are stronger than ever. French elections threaten NATO in Afghanistan.

May 7, 2012, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said at least three U.S./NATO personnel were killed in eastern Afghanistan, by an explosion.

Around 147 NATO service members have been killed in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2012.

In Helmand Province local officials say a U.S./NATO airstrike killed a woman and her five children.  In Badghis Province five people were killed and 11 wounded, after U.S./NATO airstrikes.  ISAF has not commented on the reports from local officials.

Girls at yet another high school were poisoned on May 7.  More than 31 girls were treated for poisoning in Bamiyan Province.  Officials are concerned because the school was already under 24 hour security watch.

Hospital officials say the girls breathed toxic gas.

Officials from Paktika Province say four Mujahideen were killed on May 6, after a firefight with Afghan police.

The four Mujahideen had taken a provincial compound, and 32 people hostage.  Police claim only one civilian was killed.

Also on May 6, ISAF announced that two U.S./NATO personnel had been killed.  One was blown up in eastern Afghanistan, and the other was shot by an Afghan army soldier in southern Afghanistan.

Elections in France has some NATO officials worried.  Right wing warmonger, Nicolas Sarkozy, lost the election.  Socialist Francois Hollande is the new President of France.

One of Hollande’s campaign promises was to get French troops out of Afghanistan now: “I believe that, without taking any risks for our troops, it is the right thing to withdraw our combat troops by the end of 2012.”

On May 6, FOX News interviewed Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman, Democrat Dianne Feinstein. She stated: “I think we both say that what we found is the Taliban is stronger.”

House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Republican Mike Rogers, backed up her statement.  Their report contradicts the Defense Department’s claim that “Obama’s” increased troop deployment to Afghanistan has weakened the Taliban.

Oddly ISAF has not issued the usual 24 hour report for May 7, yet.

Here’s a very skimpy 24 hour seek, destroy or capture report, and update to previous reports, for May 6, 2012: A “leader” was captured in Kandahar on May 6.

Weapons captured or destroyed in Uruzgan Province on May 5.

In Helmand Province U.S./NATO/Afghan forces were attacked by Mujahideen on May 3.  Several Mujahideen killed.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Aussie Diggers blown up in Afghanistan. U.S./NATO troops kill teacher in illegal night raid. Cops killed. Assistant to Karzai assassinated?

It seems the usual ISAF/Afghan 24 hour report for May 5 was a little lacking in detail, much more is being reported by other Afghan officials, and other countries.

Sebghatullah Sanjar, Afghanistan’s Chief of the Policy Department at the Afghan presidential palace, was killed in a car accident.  The Kabul police chief said Sanjar’s car was slammed by an armored military vehicle.  His wife and daughter were also killed.  The military vehicle driver has been arrested.

Australian Defence Ministry reporting today, May 5, that at least three “Diggers” were wounded after a bomb went off on May 3.  The official report says they were “…mid-way through the mission.” when the bomb exploded.

Lieutenant General Ash Power also said: “Insurgents engaged the partnered force multiple times during the mission.”

Two of the wounded were in serious condition and were flown to Germany for medical treatment.

The Australian Defence Ministry press release said: “Defence delayed the release of this information until the mission was complete…”

Local officials in Nangarhar Province say at least four police were killed, and four wounded, in two separate incidents.  The incidents took place between May 4 and 5.  One group of police were attacked by Mujahideen, the other cops drove over a mine near the Afghan-Pakistan border.

The parliament representative for Kunar Province, Saleh Mohammed Saleh, said on the night of May 4, U.S./NATO troops raided a home and killed a school teacher.  They also detained five people.

Saleh is protesting saying the night raid violates recent agreements signed between Afghanistan and the United States.

13 government officials have been arrested on corruption charges: “A number of high level finance ministry and local administration employees have been detained over corruption charges and embezzlement of 25 million Afghanis and their legal cases will be forwarded to judiciary institutions in the near future.”-Abobakar Rafiee, Attorney General

However, officials from Afghanistan’s Finance Ministry say only three people were arrested, and the case actually happened a year ago. Those arrested are still awaiting trial.  So why is the Afghan Attorney General presenting it as if it just happened?

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Brits killed in Afghanistan. ISAF & Afghan government claims to have killed dozens of Mujahideen in past 24 hours. Fertilizer will get you arrested!

May 5, 2012, United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed that two British soldiers were killed in Helmand Province.

They were killed on May 4, when Mujahideen attacked FOB (Forward Operating Base) Ouellette with indirect fire.  Afghan media say it was mortars, but the U.K.’s MoD did not specify.

And now for another 24 hour seek, destroy or capture report given by Afghan and ISAF officials, for May 5, 2012:  Afghan army and police units killed 42 Mujahideen in the provinces of Kunduz, Helmand, Ghazni, Khost, Wardak and Farah.  They claim to have captured at least 28.

In Kapisa Province three Mujahideen were killed by U.S./NATO airstrike.

In Khost and Ghazni provinces, several people were detained after “testing positive” for making explosives.  The test detects traces of nitrates, which are used in explosives.  The problem is that it’s also used in fertilizer and two of the those detained had been handling fertilizer, however, the local police said the fertilizer was “illegal”.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S./NATO deaths at 140 for 2012. Karzai slams U.S. troops despite new Military Pact.

May 4, 2012, International Security Assistance Force reports a U.S./NATO troop killed by non-combat incident in eastern Afghanistan.

At least 140 NATO service members including 94 U.S. troops, 16 British troops and 30 soldiers from coalition allied countries, have died since the beginning of 2012.

There are unconfirmed reports that two U.S./NATO personnel were killed when they were attacked by Mujahideen in southern Afghanistan.

On May 3, President Hamid Karzai criticized U.S. operations, only one day after signing a new military pact with the United States.  This is typical of U.S./Unocal puppet Karzai: Publicly criticize the occupiers while making midnight deals with them.

And now for the 24 hour seek, destroy or capture report given by Afghan and ISAF officials, for May 4, 2012:  More Taliban and Haqqani  “leaders” captured.  The captures took place in Kunduz, Helmand and Khost provinces.  Of course, lots of weapons and ammo were captured.

In Nimroz Province, 493 kilograms (645 pounds) of opium was destroyed.

In Kabul Province, a suicide bomber from Pakistan was captured before he could detonate his explosives laden truck.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Drone strikes will continue past 2014. UN wants $2 billion for refugees. More leaders captured.

May 3, 2012, U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, numb nuts Ryan Crocker, stated that the new military pact between Afghanistan and the United States could allow drone strikes to continue past 2014.

The refugee situation has worsened in Afghanistan, ever since the U.S. invasion.  Most of the people had escaped to Pakistan and Iran during the Taliban reign.

After the U.S. invaded about 5.7 million refugees were encouraged to return to Afghanistan.  However, most have not been welcomed back, and have even had their homes taken away only to be put in what could be called concentration camps.  This is being done by the U.S. puppet government of Afghanistan.

Because of the despicable treatment that returned refugees have gotten by the puppet government, there are another three million refugees still in Iran and Pakistan.  Now comes the United Nations with a brilliant plan to force them back into Afghanistan.

UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, wants $1.9 billion USD to basically bribe the puppet Afghan government to accept those refugees back.

Don’t you find it ironic that many refugees that fled the Taliban rule are now being treated just as bad by the very people that “liberated” them from the Taliban?

And now for the 24 hour seek, destroy or capture report given by Afghan and ISAF officials, for May 3, 2012:  More Taliban, Haqqani and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan “leaders” captured.  The captures took place in Kunduz, Helmand and Maidan Wardak provinces.  Of course, lots of weapons and ammo were captured.

Three Mujahideen killed after they attacked police in Logar Province.

Afghan army killed one Mujahideen in Maidan Wardak Province.

Two Mujahideen killed by U.S./NATO airstrike in Kunar Province.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Taliban announce “official” start to Spring Offensive. Explosions kill U.S./NATO troops & Afghan forces. Karzai signs long term military pact with United States, U.S. will continue occupation until 2024!

“It must be stated that the primary target of Al-Farooq operation will be the foreign invaders, their advisers, their contractors and members of all associated military, intelligence and auxiliary departments.”-Taliban statement

May 2, 2012, a “Taliban” website announced the official start to the annual Spring Offensive, called Operation Al-Farooq.  (It could be a reference to Umar, the second Muslim Caliph. Al-Farooq means something like ‘he who knows truth from falsehood’)

The official declaration of a spring offensive comes days after reports that the U.S. was about to begin negotiations with “Taliban” officials in Qatar.

The Spring Offensive statement also said: “…all those people who work against the Mujahideen, toil to pave ground for the occupation of Afghanistan and become the cause for the strength of the invaders will also be targeted in Al-Farooq operation!”

Just hours before the statement, dozens of suicide bombers attacked several locations throughout Afghanistan.

In the city of Kabul, at least seven people were killed and 17 wounded after Mujahideen detonated at least three bombs, and began firefights following the explosions.

Hours before that a suicide bomber hit a British/NATO base on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway.  Mujahideen claim dozens of NATO troops killed or wounded.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) did admit that at least two U.S./NATO personnel were killed, by an explosion, in eastern Afghanistan.

Zabiullah Mujahid (a Taliban spokesman) says the official start of their Spring Offensive was timed for Obama’s visit to Afghanistan.  The attacks in Kabul took place two hours after Obama left.

Speaking of Obama, the U.S. president arrived in Afghanistan the night of May 1, 2012.  He signed a new military pact with Afghanistan’s puppet president Hamid Karzai.

To give a sinister spin to the event, the signing of the military pact took place at midnight Afghanistan time.

The ten page long agreement pledges continued U.S. support for the puppet government of Afghanistan for a decade after 2014!

And now for the 24 hour seek, destroy or capture report given by Afghan and ISAF officials, for May 2, 2012: More “leaders” captured in Ghazni and Kandahar provinces. 925 kilograms (2,035 pounds ) of homemade explosives captured during “routine” patrol in Ghazni Province.

This is an unusually short 24 hour report.

“Such fratricide-murder incidents are no longer isolated; they reflect a growing systemic threat.”-from ISAF report titled A Crisis of Trust and Cultural Incompatibility

On Monday, April 30, the Associated Press revealed that U.S./ISAF/NATO officials are intentionally under-reporting the number of attacks upon them, by Afghan government personnel: “…the AP has learned it does not report insider attacks in which the Afghan wounds – or misses – his US or allied target. It also doesn’t report the wounding of troops who were attacked alongside those who were killed.”

The AP report also revealed that most attacks by Afghan government personnel on U.S. forces are not because they are “Taliban” but because the U.S. forces are treating the Afghans like shit: “US officials say that in most cases the Afghans who turn their guns on their supposed allies are motivated not by sympathy for the Taliban or on orders from insurgents but rather act as a result of personal grievances against the coalition.”

The number of “friendly fire” cases are rapidly growing: 2007/2008 a total of four attacks, four deaths.  2010 eleven attacks, 20 deaths.  2011 twenty one attacks, 35 deaths.   So far for 2012, at least 10 attacks.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S./NATO troops kill 4 children. No surprise; illegal drug trade sets new records under U.S. occupation, money not going to local drug dealers! 24 hour reports roll on.

May 1, 2012, three children killed, and three wounded, in Zabul Province, Afghanistan.

Deputy provincial governor, Mohammad Jan Rasolyar, said U.S./NATO troops were attacked by Mujahideen, and a firefight broke out.  Witnesses were outraged, claiming the children were targeted by the U.S./NATO troops.

Protests erupted, resulting in the closing of the highway between Kandahar and Kabul provinces.

Witnesses also say two U.S/NATO troops were killed, and one Mujahideen was killed.

Afghanistan’s Deputy Counter Narcotics Minister, Ibrahim Azhar, announced that the illegal drug trade in Afghanistan is now at $70 billion USD since 2011.

Opium production is up by 61% since the United States occupied!  But here’s some interesting news from the Afghan government; the opium farmers, and even local drug dealers, account for only 5% of the income made off the illegal drugs!  The majority goes to “international” organizations (another way to say U.S. affiliated organizations).

Deputy Counter Narcotics Minister Azhar also claimed that the majority of the drugs are being flown out of Afghanistan via airports, and airbases run by the United States!

And now for the 24 hour seek, destroy or capture report given by Afghan and ISAF officials, for May 1, 2012:   Three Afghan troops wounded in Ghazni Province.  One Afghan troop wounded in Nimroz Province. Weapons and ammo captured in Kandahar Province. Two “leaders” captured in Helmand Province.  Five Mujahideen killed by possible U.S. drone strike in Lagman Province.  One Mujahideen killed by air/drone(?) strike in Wardak Province, also one Mujahideen killed in firefight with occupying forces.  Afghan Interior Ministry claims a total of 19 Mujahideen were killed, three wounded and five captured.

Combat operations were conducted Kabul, Baghlan, Faryab, Kandahar, Helmand, Maidan Wardak, Logar, Khost and Farah provinces.

And now for the 24 hour report for April 30, 2012: 40 year old woman killed with shotgun in Baghlan Province. Police Chief for Paktia Province assassinated by Mujahideen, two cops and one body guard wounded.  U.S./NATO troop killed in battle in southern Afghanistan. Afghan Interior Ministry claims 14 Mujahideen killed, two wounded and 16 captured, along with weapons and ammo.

Combat operations were conducted at Kabul, Nangarhar, Zabul, Logar and Ghazni provinces.

International, Technology, U.S.

Terror Drones: April 23-29. Pakistan hit. Taliban claim capture of drone. U.S. cops chomping at the bit for their new drones. U.S. politicians taking food from hungry children to build more drones! CIA protected by law.

“The American planes hovering in the skies for quite some time fired at least three missiles at a house in Zafar town in Miran Shah bazaar that damaged the compound completely….They did not appear to be the local militants.”-unnamed local official

April 29, 2012, a U.S. assassination drone killed at least three people in Pakistan.

The attack took place in North Waziristan (within the Waziristan region), dozens of people were wounded.

Also on April 29, a U.S. drone crashed in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.  Mujahideen claim they shot it down and have recovered the wreckage.

“We want (police) to be able to use the aircraft sooner because there is a public interest.”-Ben Gielow, Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International

According to a Boston Herald report, U.S. police are chomping at the bit for their FAA issued drone licenses.

“Rushing to push through applications to fly drones doesn’t seem like a good idea.”-Jennifer Lynch, Electronic Frontier Foundation

Many police departments say they have already bought small drones, claiming they are to be used to find missing people.  Until now rules did not allow them to legally use them.  Federal Aviation Administration will have new rules in place by May 14, allowing your local police to legally spy on you with drones.

What’s interesting is that some “law” enforcement agencies have already been caught operating drones.

“….instead of having a caucus to feed preschool children, they decided it was more important to have a Drone Caucus and that’s because all the manufacturers in their districts are funding them.” also “Eisenhower was so right, and he was so right when he said it steals money, it robs us of food for our children, of healthcare for our parents, he was so right. And it’s just worse and worse.”-Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, revealed that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection are operating Predator-B drones, from North Dakota and now into Washington state.  They claim to be watching the Canadian border for criminal activity.

Down Mexico way, some people are questioning the effectiveness of Predator drones used on that border.

According to stltoday.com: “…Homeland Security officials who have spent six years and more than $250 million building the nation’s largest fleet of domestic surveillance drones. The nine Predators that help police America’s borders have yet to be very useful in stopping contraband or illegal immigrants.”

Washington Post reported on April 25 that President Barack Obama has authorized the CIA to use drones to kill people, even if they can’t tell who it is they’re killing.  The new drone policy is called “signature” strikes.

On April 10, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s Stephen W. Preston, gave a speech which explained why the Obama administration is so gung ho on allowing the CIA, and not the military, to operate the assassination drones. Supposedly traditional “laws of war” do not apply to intelligence agencies.

According to Preston, the CIA answers only to U.S. laws, and those laws favor the CIA: “The courts have long recognized the state secrets privilege and have consistently upheld its proper invocation to protect intelligence sources and methods from disclosure. Moreover, federal judges have dismissed cases on justiciability or political question grounds, acknowledging that the courts are, at times, institutionally ill-equipped and constitutionally incapable of reviewing national security decisions committed to the President and the political branches.”

Speaking of Yemen, the Associated Press revealed that a Yemen Mujahideen claimed to have killed by CIA drone strike last year, is actually alive and well.

April 24, a top FBI official was in Yemen, just two days after a CIA drone strike killed what Yemen officials claim was a top militant “leader”.

Mohammed Al-Basha, Yemen’s embassy spokesman in Washington DC, revealed that the FBI is also involved with drone strikes in Yemen: “Mueller visits Yemen on an annual basis so this is not a special or secret occasion. President Hadi emphasised that he is strongly committed to combatting extremism and working with the U.S. to counter the mutual threat of terrorism.”

FBI director Robert Mueller vowed to crush the Yemen Mujahideen.

April 27, at least 22 people were killed by U.S. drone strikes in Somalia.