KABUL, Afghanistan - Security forces arrested two suspects in a raid on an Al Qaeda hide-out in eastern Afghanistan, and confiscated weapons and night vision equipment believed used for bomb attacks on Afghan and U.S.-led coalition troops, the coalition said on Wednesday. An assault force of Afghan and coalition troops raided the compound, believed to be a refuge for Al Qaeda facilitators linked to a known terrorist network near Pelankhel village in Khost province on Tuesday, a coalition statement said. The suspects surrendered peacefully.
The quicker the surrender, the bigger the fish
The coalition did not identify the suspects or give their nationalities.
Being "facilitators" rather than "fighters", they're most likely Pakistani or Arab.
Weapons, night vision equipment and various electronic devices, suspected of being used for improvised explosive devices, were found in the compound, the statement said. Credible intelligence linked the targeted terrorists to plotting IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Khost province, it said.
Two more "masterminds" in the jug
Posted by: Steve ||
09/06/2006 10:26 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11135 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Some things that facilitators don't do:
* Back a particular opinion voiced in the group
* Offer their own opinions
* Let the group unconsciously shy away from a difficult area
* Lead the group towards what he/she thinks is the right direction
Different roles of Trainer and Facilitator
Many people confuse the term facilitator and trainer. Unlike the facilitator the trainer does take an active role and guides the group through an agenda designed to transmit a body of knowledge.--http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=facilitators&gwp=16
#2
SwissTex, the Taliban's best trained managers were killed off years ago, and their trainees as well. The jumped up idiots who've been promoted to take their places are doing well if they remember which direction to point the cannon fodder, so it really isn't fair to demand they understand the finer points of management theory. ;-) Although in this case I read the article as the "facilitators" were running a supply depot for the groups of Taliban raiders heading toward their doom, which sounds like ISI professionals rather than Al Qaeda idealogues.
"Night vision equipment"? Russian, German or American, I wonder? Are the Chinese knock-offs already in production?
#3
I completely agree with you, Trailing wife, these talibans are unable to wipe their backsides without the help of a mirror.
My comment was only about the use of the word facilitators.
US artillery and airstrikes killed 60 suspected Taliban militants on Tuesday, the fourth day of a NATO-led offensive in southern Afghanistan, a NATO spokesman said. The US troops, operating under NATO command, clashed with the militants in Panjwayi district of Kandahar, where an offensive began over the weekend to flush out hundreds of Taliban fighters. NATO has already reported more than 200 Taliban killed in the operation.
NATO spokesman Maj Quentin Innis said the troops had identified Taliban positions and the two sides had exchanged fire. He said the estimate of 60 killed in Tuesday's fighting was based on reports from troops looking through "weapons sights and other observation devices." He said there had been no NATO or Afghan troop casualties. It wasn't possible for reporters to reach the site of the battle to independently confirm the death toll.
A Panjwayi district council member, Haji Agha Lalai, said bombings by NATO warplanes have killed 21 civilians over the past three days in an area called Zungawad. NATO spokesman Maj Scott Lundy said he had no immediate details to support Lalai's claims.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11130 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
WE'RE LOSING!!! WE'RE LOSING!!! WE'RE LOSING!!! DON'T YOU READ TIME MAGAZINE!?!?!?!
#2
It is remarkable how the Dhimmis and their cohorts are trying to portray Afghanistan as a Taleban's return / military disaster in free-fall, when the evidence is that the Taledickweeds are rather less than live-fire exercise dummies. So many deaders, yet so little substance otherwise out of Kabul - or anywhere else. It has ceased to have much to do with the original conflict...
I believe, as someone suggested yesterday IIRC, that this has turned into a full-scale Columbian-style drug war.
We have to decide what we want to do about that... either we go all-out to interdict the opium industry - killing anyone involved, including "officials", or we tell Karzai and his warlord-cabinet that since they have chosen (accepted?) to return to live in the shit of their tribal warlord / druglord daze we'll just tune up our militaries on the dummies and leave when it suits us - or not.
I once disbelieved Michael Yon's very negative assessment, but now I'm not so sure. I haven't heard of any substantive reconstruction, though it was generally agreed early on that concentrating on this would "win hearts and minds". Anonymoose certainly had some interesting ideas that might've proven very useful - then. Now? Well, now it just looks like they completely reverted to pre-Soviet stupidity. So I end up at a bad conclusion, but by a completely different road and for different reasons than the MSM. I am truly discouraged.
In any case, I haven't seen any "news" stories which correctly characterize what we're actually seeing there, just memery.
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/06/2006 8:01 Comments ||
Top||
#4
"Taxi!"
"Where to, sir!"
"Panjwayi district of Kandahar!"
"Heh heh. No, really. Where to?"
"The Sheraton!"
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 8:21 Comments ||
Top||
#5
"He said the estimate of 60 killed in Tuesday's fighting was based on reports from troops looking through "weapons sights and other observation devices."
must have been quite a Spectre.
Posted by: Suri ||
09/06/2006 8:34 Comments ||
Top||
#6
There are two critical issues in Afghanistan that are not being adequately dealt with; opium production and Pakistan. Given these, combined with the general backwardness of the local populace, we are at best just putting our finger in the dike.
I would be thrilled to see us napalm the opium fields but the weenies at State won't let it happen. I would love to see major arc light strikes in the Paki tribal belt, but we all know that ain't gonna happen. So we are essentially engaged in a long term, live fire war game. Very dangerous and expensive thing that with questionable long term result.
Denmark is sending a team of its Jægerkorpset (JGK) commandos to Afghanistan, to deal with a local group of Taliban who have been attacking Danish troops there. Denmark has 122 infantry (and about 200 support troops) in Afghanistan, as part of the NATO force that has taken over counter-terrorism duties in southern Afghanistan. The Taliban believe that if they can kill enough of the NATO troops, their governments will withdraw support for military operations in Afghanistan.
The British and Canadian contingents, each more than five times the size of the Danish force, have been able to hammer the Taliban sent against them. But the Danish base has been attacked over fifty times so far, and eight Danish soldiers have been wounded. The Danish special forces have been in Afghanistan before, as have those from most nations in the world that have special operations troops. Apparently the Jægerkorpset convinced their superiors that a few Danish commandos, with some knowledge of operating in Afghanistan, could go in and clean out the local Taliban forces that are attacking the Danish troops.
The Danish Special Operations Forces are small. The Jægerkorpset are commandos, similar to the British SAS. There are only about 70 of them. There is also a force of about fifty naval commandos, similar to U.S. SEALS. Then there are a few dozen arctic commandos, who operate only in Greenland. There are several companies of reserve troops trained to operate as LRRPS (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols). The Jægerkorpset troops will have the benefit of American special forces in the area, who probably already have a good idea of which tribal groups are responsible for the attacks. The Jægerkorpset troops will have to go in and do some scouting, to identify exactly who is carrying out they attacks. At that point, the Jægerkorpset will probably ambush the Taliban and kill or capture them. Any who get away will most likely advise their friends that Danish troops be removed from the Taliban hit list.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11135 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Do have fun, gentlemen! Oh, and don't play nicely with your toys. ;-)
#6
why didnt they send them in the first place? this is what pisses me off this half hearted war fighting effort we see from so many euro countries. Clowns.
Posted by: Shep UK ||
09/06/2006 6:29 Comments ||
Top||
#7
The Danish special forces have been in Afghanistan before, as have those from most nations in the world that have special operations troops.
They have been there before, Shep UK. Then they went home for a while. Soon they will be back. A small lesson in cause and effect, although those receiving it likely won't have much time to reflect on... in this world anyway.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/06/2006 10:48 Comments ||
Top||
#12
#10 Exactly what are they protecting Greenland from ?
Maybe the US military knows.
In the 19th and 20th cent., Greenland was explored and mapped by numerous arctic explorers. In World War II, after the German occupation (1940) of Denmark, the United States invoked the Monroe Doctrine for Greenland and reached an agreement (1941) with the Danish minister at Washington that permitted the establishment of U.S. military bases and meteorological stations. A Danish-American agreement for the common defense of Greenland was signed in 1951, and U.S. bases were retained, notably at Thule. Thule is now the sole remaining U.S. military base in Greenland.
#13
The commandos can pin one of those cartoons to each dead Talibum as a signature of sorts.
I like. I like.
SIDEBAR: Please note that the heifer-prod laden headgear shown above exists only in operas and has never been found at any actual Scandinavian archaeological digs.
#14
Please note that the heifer-prod laden headgear shown above exists only in operas and has never been found at any actual Scandinavian archaeological digs.
Yeah, but it's too good a story to check. It's so pervasive that Scandinavians use it regularly for tourist geegaws and PR materials.
Bangladesh police on Tuesday questioned four suspected Islamic militants over a 2004 grenade attack that injured the British envoy to Dhaka and killed three people, police said. The men, who have been remanded in custody for 10 days, were arrested on Sunday and Monday and were being questioned in the capital Dhaka, a police intelligence officer told AFP. Two of them are madrassa students and all four were arrested in connection with the grenade attack on the British high commissioner (ambassador), the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Were pretty certain they belong to the banned Islamic group Harkatul Jihad al Islami, he said, adding police would make a further announcement soon.
Anwar Choudhury, who is still the British high commissioner to Dhaka, suffered minor injuries in the May 2004 blast, which left three dead and 50 injured. Were pleased with the current progress made by the Bangladeshi authorities, he said in a statement. In memory of those who died and the many injured, we hope that justice will be done and trust that due process will follow, he added.
The alleged leader of Harkatul Jihad al Islamis Bangladesh chapter Mufti Abdul Hannan was arrested by Bangladesh police last October. Hannan, a veteran of the fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s, was detained in connection with his alleged role in a plot to blow up former prime minister and main opposition leader Sheikh Hasina Wajed in 2000. He was also questioned over the bomb attacks now blamed on JMB. He was later charged in connection with a series of earlier explosions at cinemas and other targets and is still in custody awaiting trial.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11131 views]
Top|| File under:
ODENSE, Denmark - Seven men faced preliminary charges of plotting a terror attack in Denmark on Tuesday, while two others arrested in pre-dawn raids were released. Investigators said they launched the pre-emptive raids early Tuesday after having the group under surveillance for some time, though they said they were not sure what stage of planning the suspects were in.
The clues police found indicate that they were very likely planning an attack somewhere in Denmark, Justice Minister Lene Espersen told The Associated Press. It was the most serious matter I have had in my time as justice minister, she said. Police went in and stopped the group as it was preparing an attack.
Officials said the nine suspects arrested were Danish citizens between the ages of 18 and 33. Findsen said eight had immigrant backgrounds, but did not specify from what countries. Two of them were released later Tuesday, but the other seven arrived for a closed court hearing in Odense, handcuffed with plastic strips that were removed upon the request of the defense lawyers.
Prosecutor Erik Terp Jensen demanded that they be held in custody on preliminary charges of plotting terror acts as the investigation continues. The maximum sentence is life in prison, although such sentences are commuted after 16 years under Danish laws.
So they get a second chance to commit a terrorist act.
Witnesses said several more people were rounded up in the raids, but released after police checked their identities.
Investigators did not reveal the planned target of the attack, and said it was hard to evaluate how far the suspects had progressed in their preparations. With the general terror situation, the Danish Security Intelligence Service didnt want to run any unnecessary risk, Findsen said.
The Danes generally are a sensible people.
He said the sweep was not related to a terror investigation in Germany in which four Lebanese suspects are being held in connection with a failed train bombing attempt. German media claimed one of the suspects, Youssef Mohamad el Hajdib, who was arrested Aug. 19 in the northern German city of Kiel, was heading to Denmark. German and Danish media reported that German police had found a telephone number in his pocket for Abu Bashar, an imam living in Odense.
Abu Bashar denied knowing el Hajdib, but said it was a matter of time before terrorists would strike Denmark.
"Youse guys are gonna get it by Allan!"
'Osama Bin Laden said in a message three years ago that he will punish the countries that have (troops) in Iraq, he told the AP. 'Denmark is on the list. I am afraid of the message of Osama Bin Laden that he will do something against Denmark.
Abu Bashar said he knew the suspects arrested Tuesday as members of Odenses Muslim community, and predicted they would be found innocent. I believe that very, very soon they will be released, he said.
And deported along with your fat ass. How's Mauritania sound?
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11134 views]
Top|| File under:
#10
I hope this is a rope-a-dope which allows the US-Coalition to enter the independent state of Waziristan without toppling the government of the independent state of Pakistan.
Posted by: Tibor ||
09/06/2006 17:04 Comments ||
Top||
#11
How do you tall a islamic persion is lying to an 'unbeliever'? His lips are moving. This is a bad deal. Start the Carpet bombing.
Afghan observers believe Pakistan's peace deal tool to misguide world
IAP20060906950064 Kabul Tolu Television in Dari 1330 GMT 06 Sep 06
Afghan observers believe Pakistan's peace deal tool to misguide world
Text of report by Afghan independent Tolo TV on 6 September
[Presenter] A number of Afghan observers and MPs criticized the
government of Pakistan for signing a peace pact with Taleban militants
in Northern Waziristan.
According to this agreement, the Pakistani government has agreed to
release a number of tribal leaders who were arrested on charges of
having links with the Taleban and Al Qa'idah and in return the
militants and tribal leaders promised not to cross the Afghan border or
attack the Pakistani security forces.
[Reporter] Afghan observers believe that the Pakistani government has
now admitted to involvement in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.
They believe that Pakistani officials have close links with the rebels
and the recent peace pact with the militants is shows this country's
support for the rebels.
[Unidentified Afghan MP in Pashto] It is obvious that Pakistan is fully
aware of developments on its borders with Afghanistan. Now Pakistan has
admitted that some Taleban or militants cross Pakistan's borders and
carry out attacks against the government in Afghanistan. That is why
this country tries to deceive the world and the Afghans by signing a
peace pact with rebels.
There is no doubt that Pakistan has been interfering in our country's
affairs and this country will continue its interference in the future.
A weak and vulnerable Afghanistan in the region is considered one of
the priorities and strategies of Pakistan.
[Second unidentified observer in Dari] How could the Pakistani
government arrange negotiations with rebels and make them sign an
agreement before the arrival of Mr Musharraf [Pakistani president] to
Afghanistan? I believe that before his departure to Kabul, Pervez
Musharraf urged or probably ordered tribal leaders to sign the pact.
The Pakistani president is trying to draw the attention of Afghanistan
as well as the world community to this point. In fact, he wants to
introduce it as a significant achievement in the fight against
terrorists. Nonetheless, this shows that there is a close link between
the government of Pakistan and the militants in Waziristan.
[Reporter] In today's news conference with the commander of NATO in
Kabul, President Karzai said that this issue [Pakistan's peace pact
with tribal leaders] was quite important and added that he would
clarify the issue in a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart.
[President Karzai in Dari] I was informed about the issue through the
media yesterday. I do not have full details from our own sources. This
raises more hope. At the same time, this is also a matter of concern
for us.
[Description of Source: Kabul Tolu Television in Dari -- Independent
television]
QUETTA: Border guards arrested four Saudi Arabians and a Pakistani national accompanying them as they tried to enter Pakistan from Iran without visas, an official said on Tuesday. The Saudi men, ages 18 to 25, were arrested on Sunday near Taftan, said Abdul Shakoor, an official with the border security force. Shakoor said the five had travelled to Iran from Saudi Arabia on valid visas, but did not have permission to enter Pakistan. "In investigations, they said that they were coming to Pakistan to study at Islamic schools," he said. Border security officials in Taftan were further interrogating the Saudis, residents of Riyadh, Shakoor said. The Saudis could face jail or fines for entering Pakistan without visas, he said. It was not immediately clear what charges, if any, the Pakistani man could face.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11130 views]
Top|| File under:
Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said on Tuesday that Britain's request for the extradition of Rashid Rauf, a British national arrested in Pakistan for allegedly plotting to blow up transatlantic airliners, is under process. "I dot know how long it will take to hand him over to UK authorities," he told a questioner during a press briefing. Asked why the UK government had requested his extradition on murder charges and there was no mention of the London terror plot, he said his case would unfold in England. "Whatever information we have we will be sharing with the UK authorities," he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11132 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
lobotomies take time
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/06/2006 1:51 Comments ||
Top||
A member of the Bugti tribe was killed in a landmine blast in the Sangsila locality of Dera Bugti on Tuesday, while three others from a Bugti sub-tribe were killed in an ambush in Naseerabad district on Monday. Sources said that Ghulam Nabi triggered the blast when he stepped on a landmine, killing him instantly.
There has been a surge in violence in Dera Bugti since the killing of tribal chief Nawab Akbar Bugti, although the government claims that the situation has returned to normal in the district. On Monday, three members of the Masori clan of Bugti tribe died in an ambush that injured seven others in Naseerabad district. The assailants escaped. The Masori tribe was forced out of the province by the late Nawab, according to government claims. The government is now sending the tribe back to Balochistan after Bugti's death.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11127 views]
Top|| File under:
Taliban militants signed a peace agreement with the government on Tuesday, pledging not to launch cross-border attacks in Afghanistan and not to shelter foreign fighters, officials said. The peace deal aims to end two years of violence in North Waziristan, where hundreds of people have died in clashes between security forces and Taliban militants. The Taliban had been observing a unilateral ceasefire since June. Taliban representative Azad Khan and North Waziristan chief administrator Dr Fakhar-e-Alam signed the agreement at the football stadium of Government Degree College in Miranshah, in the presence of army commander Major General Azhar Ali Shah. Misunderstandings between the administration and Taliban led to unpleasant moments, but we are happy that a new beginning starts today, MNA Maulana Nek Zaman of the MMA said at the ceremony, witnessed by around 500 tribesmen. A 10-member committee of tribal elders, clerics and administration officials was set up to monitor the progress and implementation of the agreement, a government statement read.
Under the agreement, the Taliban accepted the government demand that cross-border attacks would not be launched nor foreign militants sheltered. They also agreed not to attack government buildings or security forces, and not to conduct target killings of government servants, tribal elders and journalists. In return, the government agreed to stop air and ground operations; return all weapons and other material seized during operations; restore privileges of tribesmen; and remove all check-posts. It was the toughest jirga I ever participated in, Malik Shehzada said of the 45-member jirga that negotiated the agreement with militant commanders over several weeks.
Shahzaman Khan, spokesman for the NWFP governors FATA Secretariat, said the two parties expressed their firm resolve to abide by all the conditions laid down in the agreement for establishment of an enduring peace in the tribal areas, particularly in North Wazirstan Agency.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11134 views]
Top|| File under:
Osama bin Laden, America's most wanted man, will not face capture in Pakistan if he agrees to lead a "peaceful life," Pakistani officials tell ABC News. The surprising announcement comes as Pakistani army officials announced they were pulling their troops out of the North Waziristan region as part of a "peace deal" with the Taliban. RB John called it AGAIN!
We knew that was coming. That leaves the Talibs officially back in business, only on Pak "national territory," which means Islamabad can bitch when we clobber them.
If he is in Pakistan, bin Laden "would not be taken into custody," Major General Shaukat Sultan Khan told ABC News in a telephone interview, "as long as one is being like a peaceful citizen."
Peaceful citizens don't head international terror networks.
Bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere in the tribal areas of Pakistan, near the Afghanistan border, but U.S. officials say his precise location is unknown.
I doubt if it's "unknown," actually, just not precise enough for targeting...
In addition to the pullout of Pakistani troops, the "peace agreement" between Pakistan and the Taliban also provides for the Pakistani army to return captured Taliban weapons and prisoners. "What this means is that the Taliban and al Qaeda leadership have effectively carved out a sanctuary inside Pakistan," said ABC News consultant Richard Clarke, the former White House counter-terrorism director.
Picked right up on that, didn't he? That's cause he's a trained intelligence professional. Lawzy, we didn't pick up on it here until a couple or three years ago.
Tums... where did I put mine?
I favor Mylanta, myself. But y'gotta remember, chili first, then Mylanta, not the other way around...
The agreement was signed on the same day President Bush said the United States was working with its allies "to deny terrorists the enclaves they seek to establish in ungoverned areas across the world." thanks ABC..not
He was referring to our allies. It being Wednesday, Pak's not our ally.
The Pakistani Army had gone into Waziristan, under heavy pressure from the United States, but faced a series of humiliating defeats at the game of Whist with the Taliban and al Qaeda fighters.
The Pak army kept up its tradition of never winning a war. Who's surprised?
"They're throwing the towel," said Alexis Debat, who is a Senior Fellow at the Nixon Center and an ABC News consultant. "They're giving al Qaeda and the Taliban a blank check and saying essentially make yourselves at home in the tribal areas," Debat said. Rantburg U rulz, we have the Founder, the Alumni and John's analysis!
Posted by: RD and John and Gleager Snurong5374 ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11128 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
And it happens the _week_ after the PakiWakis kill Foster Brooks Nawab Akbar Bugti, with what is rumored to be _our help_ in the matter.
#2
You know our problem? People are scared of us anymore.
After 9/11, when the U.S. said jump, the Paks, including Musharraf, said 'how high?' They knew we were angry, and it would be very bad, indeed, to stand between a dog and its meat.
Now they've decided to give a free ride to Binny and his jets, and they're not worried about the consequences from the U.S.
I say give Musharraf and his band an ultimatum. They deliver his head, or give us the under-the-table hall pass that gives our forces free reign in Waziristan. Screw the 'Pak Street', and the instablity of our 'ally' (if he can't produce for us, what good is it supporting him?).
Worst-case scenario -- we got clobber a lot of Al-Q types in Waziristan (how many of our troops do you think would volunteer for that particular assignment?), we destablize Pak and get some kind of Talib-type government in Islamabad.
But at least they would have an address (see Kabul, for example).
I'm tired to this pussy-footing. It's been five years, and I want Osama's head on a spike on the White House lawn.
Don't think that I've forgotten.
#3
I think the tribal areas would make a wonderful solar cell array. Theory suggests that large sandy areas turned into an amorphous glass with a fusion heat and then doped with proper chemicals sprayed from plane can make acceptable cheap solar cells. Perhaps the electricity from these cells could be offered to Iran so they would have no energy reason to ever consider nukes?
Hey its just a thought and its the thought that counts...
This is the final straw. As if the Saudi's revolving door policy isn't bad enough already. Perv needs to feel a major pinch. If he is deposed, we should go in and confiscate their nuclear weapons then level every single terrorist madrassah on our way out. This is out and out treachery.
#6
Keep in mind, this is ABC's Brian Ross, who ranks right up there with Sy Hersch.
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/06/2006 1:53 Comments ||
Top||
#7
This is the final straw. As if the Saudi's revolving door policy isn't bad enough already. Perv needs to feel a major pinch. If he is deposed, we should go in and confiscate their nuclear weapons then level every single terrorist madrassas on our way out. This is out and out treachery.
gentlemen keep your power dry.. for enemy rises up and the traitors are scheming..
#8
Nice for Osama, but does "peaceful life" applicable to sonny-boy andor sonny-in-law. Other than IRAN, Osama's other focii would be INDIA - like the Commies, the Spetzlamists also recognize the utility of Milyuhns and Zigluhns of expendable, dedicated human cannon fodder = human waves against USA-Western firepower.
#9
If Osama suddenly converted, he'd make a laughing stock out of his ideology. He won't do that in a million years. Somebody's probably trying to appease somebody.
#10
Osama would be brought to justice ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) _ Pakistan's top army spokesman on Wednesday vehemently denied saying in a news report that Osama bin Laden would not be taken into custody if he agreed to live peacefully in Pakistan. "This is absolutely fabricated, absurd. I never said this," Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan told The Associated Press, referring to an ABC News broadcast aired hours earlier.
The ABC report cited Sultan as saying in a telephone interview that al-Qaida chief bin Laden "would not be taken into custody" if found, "as long as one is being like a peaceful citizen." Sultan's recorded comments were included in the report, but it was not immediately clear whether he understood that bin Laden was the specific subject of discussion at that point in the interview. Sultan told the AP by phone that "what they are saying on Osama is absolutely fabricated." "Pakistan is committed to its policy on the war on terror, and Osama, caught anywhere in Pakistan, would be brought to justice," he said.
Asked for a response, Jeffrey Schneider, senior vice president of ABC News, told the AP by phone, "We simply played his comments as we recorded them." The ABC report also featured former White House counterterrorism official Richard Clarke saying a peace accord, signed Tuesday by Pakistan's government and pro-Taliban militants in the country, meant that "the Taliban and al-Qaida leadership have effectively carved out a sanctuary inside Pakistan." "I reject this comment," Sultan said Wednesday. Clarke is a news consultant with ABC.
In Washington, Pakistan's Ambassador Mahmud Ali Durrani issued a statement late Tuesday night saying Sultan "has been grossly misquoted in a section of U.S. media today." "Pakistan is on the hunt for Osama Bin Laden and his associates. If he is in Pakistan, today or any time later, he will be taken into custody and brought to justice."
Posted by: Steve ||
09/06/2006 8:09 Comments ||
Top||
#11
The Paks are too conflicted to deal with the Taliban. Perv can't force his army to lose any more troops going after the Taliban. So he's taking all his troops out of the tribal areas. That way we won't have to worry about killing any Pak troops when we go in to take care of business.
This sounds like more of an opportunity than a problem.
#13
NS-The first part of what you said sounds right, but the second? Do you actually believe that Pakistan would allow such an action on Pakistan territory and do you believe that Bush would actually authorize it?
No, it looks like our "alliance" with Pakistan has really paid off-for somebody, not us.
Posted by: Jules in the Hinterlands ||
09/06/2006 9:25 Comments ||
Top||
#14
In addition to the pullout of Pakistani troops, the "peace agreement" between Pakistan and the Taliban also provides for the Pakistani army to return captured Taliban weapons and prisoners
See Hezballoh, this is what a victory looks like.
#15
Do you actually believe that Pakistan would allow such an action on Pakistan territory
Absolutely. I suspect that's why they've withdrawn and virtually ceded it. Perv wants to be rid of the Talibunnies and Osaqma, but he can't get the job done himself. They might rant and sputter when we do it, but there's nothing they can do. Especially if they want to take delivery of those F-16s.
do you believe that Bush would actually authorize it?
To take down the Taliban with SF from Afghanistan with a chance of getting Osama? You betcha. It's the "War on Terror" the donks claim he isn't fighting effectively. No permanent bases, but plenty of "hot putsuit" and LRRPs. Air support is not that far away, either. I doubt CNN will be providing live coverage of this action but that doesn't mean it's not happening. And if they bring back Osama's head...or better yet, take him to Rome to be baptised by Benedict...
#18
MG Sultan (the very model of a modern major general) had a slip of the tongue, I believe, revealing the Pak govt's true intentions. Terrible, when you open your mouth to dissimulate and the truth comes crawling out.
According to the Paks, Binny's not in Pakland. But neither is Dawood Ibrahim. And they're not sure how to get in touch with Masood Azhar.
Pakland is a jihadi nation. Period. They'll make common cause with jihadis anywhere.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 12:16 Comments ||
Top||
#19
Pakistan Declares Bin Laden a National Treasure
And what do we do with treasure, kids? That's right. We bury it. See? The Pakis are on our side after all.
#20
"I doubt if it's "unknown," actually, just not precise enough for targeting... "
Well, rockeye, naphalm and 500 pounders don't really need precision; close is good enough, especially if you have mass quantites of BUFFS up there. Side benefit: use up old stock first, rotate your supplies...
#24
No, it looks like our "alliance" with Pakistan has really paid off-for somebody, not us.
Bingo, Jules. Just not us. Pakistan has, is and always will be a major source of terrorism until outside forces shut it down.
Terrible, when you open your mouth to dissimulate and the truth comes crawling out.
... Pakland is a jihadi nation. Period. They'll make common cause with jihadis anywhere.
Don't any of you forget it. Saudi Arabia supplies the money and ideologues, Pakistan supplies the programming madrassahs and we supply the spilled blood.
#25
Q. ABC News: If Bin Laden or [Ayman al-] Zawahri were there, they could stay?
A. Gen Sultan: No-one of that kind can stay. If someone is there he will have to surrender, he will have to live like a good citizen, his whereabouts, exit travel would be known to the authorities.
Q. ABC News: So, he wouldn't be taken into custody? He would stay there?
A. Gen Sultan: No, as long as one is staying like a peaceful citizen, one would not be taken into custody. One has to stay like a peaceful citizen and not allowed to participate in any kind of terrorist activity.
Posted by: john ||
09/06/2006 16:23 Comments ||
Top||
#26
Maulvi Nek Zaman MNA read out the agreement after which the militants and military officials hugged each other and exchanged greetings. The venue was heavily guarded by armed Taliban and journalists were not allowed to shoot or film the event.
The agreement envisages that the foreigners living in North Waziristan will have to leave Pakistan but those who cannot leave will be allowed to live peacefully, respecting the law of the land and the agreement.
Both parties (army and militants) will return each others weapons, vehicles and communication tools seized during various operations.
Posted by: john ||
09/06/2006 16:26 Comments ||
Top||
#27
It's been five years, and I want Osama's head on a spike on the White House lawn.
Mizzou...Only if they film the scavenger birds munching in the head... Crows, buzzards, etc.
#29
Pakistan has, is and always will be a major source of terrorism until outside forces shut it down.
I can make that even simpler--and more accurate. Pakistan has, is, and always will be a major source of terrorism until Islam is (first) ridiculed as a belief system and (ultimately) removed from the list of acceptable ideologies to adhere to in the modern world. The modern world doesn't allow nazism to hold political and military power, nor does it allow members of the KKK to seek political and military power (Byrd notwithstanding) without heavy doses of ridicule and constant public criticism. Its long past time folks stopped pretending that Islam is in any way preferable (or acceptable) as an ideology.
#2
For terrorism charges? I thought they gave the rope and neck tie routine to homosexuals, B'ahi, dissidents, and just about anyone else the Mullahs hate.
The arrest of al-Qaida in Iraq's second in command took place in June, and not a few days ago as the Iraqi government had initially announced, a U.S. military spokesman said Wednesday. Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell said Hamed Jumaa Farid al-Saeedi, also known as Abu Humam or Abu Rana, was captured on June 19. Other suspects were in custody, he said, but their names have not yet been made public.
Now the remaining al-Qaida gunnies are wondering who's in custody and if they're talking. Heh heh
National Security Adviser Mouwafak al-Rubaie announced al-Saeedi's arrest Sunday, saying it had occurred a few days earlier. But Caldwell said al-Saeedi had been captured in June, and it was permission to make the arrest public that had been given a few days before.
After his brain had been sucked out and run through the blender. By now his friends would have figured out he was missing
Caldwell said the arrest was the most significant since the death of al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a U.S. airstrike, which also occurred in June.
I'd wager the intel we got going through al-Zarqawi's stuff led to al-Saeedi's capture.
He added that the man who masterminded the Feb. 22 bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra reported directly to al-Saeedi. That attack, 60 miles north of Baghdad, inflamed tensions between Shiite and Sunni Muslims and triggered reprisals for months that have killed hundreds of Iraqis.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/06/2006 10:10 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11134 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
I wonder how al-Saeedi enjoyed the invisible 10 weeks of his vacation? Who was holding and interviewing him during that time - US Army, CIA, Iraqi Armi, or Iraqi police? Were the last nine weeks the amount of time it took for him to heal up from the first week such that he could be presented to public view?
#2
He may well not even remember that he talked to hs enemies. Brain chemistry is such a delicate thing, and so easily unbalanced. You may have heard about the issue that putting adolescents on anti-depressants increases the risk of suicide? The impact of swallowing just the wrong pill is noticeable in just a few hours, and changing the formulation slightly can impact the ability to function mentally by the next morning.
#3
Regards his appearance, recall how oddly the picture of him was cropped? From the chin down - blocked out. Ruined all the rubber hoses and switched to lead pipes? Broke all the No.3 truncheons, did they?
BAGHDAD Iraqi and Coalition forces this week continued their efforts to secure the capital city as part of Operation Together Forward. On Sept. 4, Iraqi security forces, working closely with Multi-National Division Baghdad Soldiers, conducted Operation South Sword Search in the Baghdad neighborhood of Bakriyah.
This was a totally combined operation, said Maj. Jesse Pearson, 23rd Infantry Regiment. They were extremely successful in helping us capture enemy personnel, and question them for intelligence. We are capitalizing on successes of Operation Together Forward by denying terrorists the means to hide weapons, added Capt. Miller, also from the 23rd Inf. Regt.
Our mission today was to root out any weapons caches, find any foreign fighters and (eventually) bring some peace and normalcy to the area, said Capt. Duane Waits, a platoon leader.
The platoons two-fold mission also involved collecting information from residents about trouble in the neighborhood, in addition to general information about the local populace.
We have been going more or less house to house, getting a census of the community to see who lives where, whats going on and what problems they have been having in the neighborhoods, said Spc. Phillip Page, 14th Cavalry Regiment.
For example, we are trying to gain information about terrorists groups in the area and how they are affecting the populace, and as a result, how the populace feels about Coalition forces coming into this neighborhood, said Page. We want the local residents to feel comfortable enough to tell us whats going on and to lead us in the right direction to track down these terrorists.
In the Adhamiyah neighborhood where agriculturally-minded residents grow everything from date palm trees to garden vegetables - the neighbors appear pleased with the progress theyve witnessed.
Most of the residents we have spoken with are farmers, said Page. They are good people who have been living in the area for quite a while and just trying to make a living for themselves. Until recently, violence had touched even the most innocuous of sites. During their patrols, U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers came across a kindergarten school that had in recent weeks come under fire from terrorist mortars.
The terrorists were aiming at the Iraqi National Police station nearby, explained the head security guard for the kindergarten. If (these patrols) happen more times, maybe the terrorists would leave. The guard said he has lived in the neighborhood for seven years, and has watched the area change for the worse. Now he said he feels the security operations underway will be good for the neighborhood.
Even my babies, they see Americans and Iraqi forces and they feel safe because they think this will give security to them, said the guard.
A lot of the residents I have spoken with said as soon as we rolled in, the terrorists, or whoever was taking over this area, rolled out, added Page. Violence has gone down and it seems pretty peaceful.
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/06/2006 07:36 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11135 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Don't get to big a head. It seems that they wait for someone in authority to say it's getting betterr, then do something, and the MSM says see, it's not getting better.
#2
Me and my Iraqis that I advise are part of all this and it is better...The new kids in town shoot back with vigor and then chase after you. The bad guys made the mistake of shooting at our commander and he shot back with a tank...we haven't had much trouble since...
#5
The bad guys made the mistake of shooting at our commander and he shot back with a tank...we haven't had much trouble since...
There's nothing that can change one's outlook like getting hit by a tank round or two! :-)
But the whole things sounds a lot like whack-a-mole. Is it? There must be more to it than driving in and watching the bad guys take off to just go ply their trade somewhere else.
FALLUJAH, Iraq - Three US soldiers have been killed in a bomb attack in the restive western Iraqi city of Fallujah, a police captain said. US headquarters confirmed the casualty count on Tuesday.
Captain Hamed Fayad of the Fallujah police said three Americans were killed on Monday when a roadside bomb blew apart their Humvee jeep in the Nazal neighbourhood in the south of the city near the Abdel Aziz Samarrai mosque. Two marines and one sailor assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5 died Monday due to enemy action while operating in Al Anbar Province, a statement from coalition headquarters said.
Damn. Rest in peace gentlemen, and thank you for your service.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11128 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
looks like Fallujah is code "restive" again
Posted by: Captain America ||
09/06/2006 1:54 Comments ||
Top||
#2
"Nazal neighbourhood in the south of the city near the Abdel Aziz Samarrai mosque"
The southern border of Fallujah is very porous and would be hard to defend. Most of it leveled in the November 04 invasion. It would be easy to sneak around in there set up and IED. There were 5 main checkpoints going into Fallujah, but to keep any city "secure" for any perdiod of time is going to be tough task with the troop levels we have over there.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
09/06/2006 15:39 Comments ||
Top||
#4
"...but to keep any city "secure" for any perdiod of time is going to be tough task with the troop levels we have over there."
And unfortunately, therein lies part of the problem. Troop commitment to win a counterinsurgency of this scale would be somewhere in the range of 500,000.
#5
Spot on Lancasters. Bringing piece and stability to a city like Baghdad, with a population of what... over 5m, is a formidable challenge. Rummy's Walmart discount store, contractor approach will never work. You must have boots on the ground, armed muscle, and the ROE to execute the mission. I hate to agree with the donks, but that ole phuech has got to GO!
(BNA) Iraqi independent politician, Tariq Al Mamouri, has escaped intact from an assassination attempt in central Baghdad on Tuesday. An Iraqi Interior Ministry source who preferred not to disclose his name said that Mamouri's car was targeted while he was on his way home in Karrada neighborhood by a road side bomb in which one of his companions was seriously injured. Mamouri was heading New Iraq Movement and was Deputy Head of Iraqi Umma party, led by Parliament MP, Mithal Al Alousi.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11132 views]
Top|| File under:
Israeli military said it was targeting militants in the attacks Three Hamas militants have been killed in two Israeli air strikes on cars in Rafah, southern Gaza, Palestinian officials said. The first attack killed an activist from Hamas' military wing and hurt his companion. Dozens of bystanders were also hurt, Palestinian doctors said. Two Hamas militants were killed in a second strike on a car in Rafah.
Israeli forces have been carrying out raids and air strikes on Gaza after the capture of an Israeli soldier in June. Hundreds of Palestinians have since been killed by Israeli action.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said the first of the two strikes on Tuesday targeted militants who were planning an attack on Israel. "After the aerial attack, there were a number of explosions, proving that the vehicle was carrying explosives," the spokeswoman said. At least 18 people were hurt in the first blast, Palestinian medical officials said. The injured are said to have been hit by a second blast, having rushed to the vehicle to help its passengers after the initial explosion.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11131 views]
Top|| File under:
East Timor's rebel leader says he is prepared to shoot Australian soldiers if they attempt to hunt him down.
Major Alfredo Reinado has spoken publicly for the first time since escaping jail with 56 other inmates more than a week ago.
"To hand over myself? No way," Reinado said.
"But when they still after me, I will stop them. If they shoot me, I will shoot them back, because I have a right to protect myself in my country."
Reinado said the East Timorese Government was the problem, not him.
His comments came as two Australian police officers suffered minor injuries when youths, armed with machetes, went on a rampage through Dili.
Prime Minister John Howard expressed his confidence that Australian soldiers under the command of Brigadier Mick Slater would cope with Reinado's threat.
"Well, I think Australian soldiers can handle that situation," Mr Howard said.
"I have every confidence in Brigadier Slater. I don't really think it adds anything for me to give a running response to every running piece of propaganda that comes from that particular person."
Teheran, 6 Sept. (AKI) - Iran declared on Wednesday that an entirely Iranian made warplane - named 'Saegheh' (thunder) - has become operational, after successfully finishing a test flight during a major ongoing military exercise being held in the northwestern part of the country. "The test flight, during which Saegheh launched an air-to-surface missile, was a total success," said the head of Iran's amed forces, Ayatollah Salesi. "Saegheh is 100 percent Iranian made and no foreign country has collaborated in its development," Salesi added. Iranian state television reportedly broadcast images of the plane taking off and said that it is "similar to the American F-18 but stronger." And now, another view...
State media in Tehran say Iran's military has carried out a successful test flight by a new fighter-bomber - a jet that actually is a remodeled version of an American warplane Iran acquired decades ago.
The reports say the remodeled plane, called the Thunderbolt (Saequeh, in Persian) was redesigned and upgraded using only Iranian expertise and equipment. The jet carries a locally built missile with the same name. Iran's army chief, Ataollah Salehi, is quoted as saying the new fighter carried out a mock bombing mission Wednesday, in northwestern Iran. He added that Iran received no outside help for the project.
Televised pictures indicate the new plane is a modified F-5 fighter jet - a U.S.-made aircraft that was supplied to Iran before the Islamic revolution in 1979 that led to a break in relations between Washington and Tehran.
Designed in the late 50's, produced in the 60's and 70's. Nice plane for it's time. The US Navy still has a few used as an aggressor aircraft to represent a hostile fighter in simulated combat with U.S. fighters. How nice of the Iranians to provide more targets for them.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/06/2006 09:19 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11138 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
They never did get their F-14s working again after the revolution, did they?
Posted by: Mike ||
09/06/2006 10:03 Comments ||
Top||
#5
And only 40 years behind the times. Wikipedia: The F-5 Freedom Fighter (or Tiger II) was a low cost entry level supersonic fighter aircraft, designed and built by Northrop in the United States, beginning in 1962.
Originally designed by Northrop (designated N-156) as a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter, there was little market for such a craft. The U.S. Army expressed interest in it for ground support, but operating fixed-wing aircraft was a U.S. Air Force responsibility. The Air Force would neither agree to operate the N-156 nor to allow the Army to operate fixed-wing combat aircraft. The F-5 proved to be a successful combat aircraft that never entered frontline service with the US due to diverging priorities of the US services. The USAF did adopt the T-38 Talon trainer version of the airframe as the world's first supersonic trainer.
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/06/2006 10:57 Comments ||
Top||
No, Islam has a smashed SUPERIORITY complex. Koranimals are motivated by the fact they beleive that following the Koran will create a paradise on earth. The evidence of their own eyes is that it only creates total shit holes. They want to remove the evidence of the west which shows so clearly how the paedo prophets religion only creates dystopias.
#16
Good question on the engine. The RSAF bought some of the F-5s about 1970. At that time, the Saudis were having trouble getting Freedom Fighters to fly from Khamis Mushayt,elevation approx. 7000 feet, with a full combat load in the hot temperatures. I don't know how long the runways were then.
Back to the Saegheh. Doesn't everyone launch missiles on the initial test flight?
#17
A friend of mine was involved in training the Sha's air force pilots when they got those F-5's. The training took twice as long as it should have due to the automatic solution to any flight problem being: Point the plane towards Mecca. #3 flyover nailed it.
#20
First Iranian Target Drone Completes Successful Test Flight
There, all fixed.
What's not to like? The Iranians are diverting massive amounts of money to imitate decades old American fighter jet technology that our pilots can shoot down in their sleep.
The F-20 originally started out as an upgraded F-5 (IIRC it was for some time designated as the F-5G)but eventually became a whole new airplane. The -20 was a damned good airplane, and the equal of the then-current versions of the F-16 - not to mention considerably cheaper. The problem was threefold: First, the -20 had zero room for future upgrades, a serious problem in the eyes of the USAF - but one that might have been worked around. Secondly, General Dynamics (then facing the second big purchase of -16s for the USAF) was very determined not to let Northrop take one dime away from them. GD lowballed the price on the second contract -16s pretty badly - I've heard that at least in theory, GD lost about 3.5M USD on every airplane. It appears though that they simply spread the missing costs out to the USN submarine contracts that they were running at the time. Third, the USAF didn't want to do anything that could run up future costs on the -16, so they did a fair amount of leaning on foreign air forces to buy the -16, which in turn would lower their future unit costs. Those three strikes, plus the loss of two protoypes on demo flights, pretty much killed the program.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
09/06/2006 16:08 Comments ||
Top||
#22
"similar to the American F-18 but stronger."
What, they called it the F-19 or something?
Next thing you know, they're going to claim to have fixed AIDS or something like that! ;-)
#25
Mike, Northrop made three key errors in selling the F-5G / F-20. It designed, with Air Force encouragement, an affordable airplane that, unlike the F-16, could be operated and maintained by friendly air forces. This left it with the perjorative "export version" label. Once the Air Force agreed to sell F-16s to anyone with cash, the F-20 was doomed. Countries like Thailand beggared themselves trying to buy, operate, and maintain F-16s squadrons. Even Singapore bought some. They have to make a hard right turn immediately after takeoff to keep from broaching foreign airspace. No one wanted to be thought of as second rate for buying "export" aircraft. Second, Northrop had successfully markedted the need for TWO engines on its F-5s for years. Customers didn't believe Northrop when it pitched the single engine F-5G. Last but not least, the marketing effort became increasingly desperate as the end approached. The Koreans had repeatedly told Northrop they were going to buy the F-16 and to quit harassing them. In spite of that, Northrop twisted the collective arms of the ROKAF generals to watch a demonstration of just how good the F-20 could be. The pilot went into a loop too low and fireballed right in front of every general in the ROKAF. Game over. Tom Jones, then CEO, of Northrop told stockholders that he had invested $1.8 BILLION of their money in developing and marketing the F-20.
Rooters Pic: A convoy of Lebanese army armoured vehicles drives through the village of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, September 5, 2006, on its way to be deployed near the border with Israel. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/06/2006 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11132 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
For precisely the same reason Iran needs nuclear weapons.
#3
Light and medium anti-aircraft guns are useful in ground fighting. They have direct-fire sights, high rates of fire, high muzzle velocity, and, since they are either towed or mounted on a vehicle, large amounts of ammo.
The Germans used single and double barrel twenty MM cannon to good effect, especially in the defense.
They are also good against helicopters. Theoretically, the Apache's important components are armored against hits by Sov 23MM fire, which was presumed to be lavishly supplied to forward units.
Unfortunately--for their crews--they lack the range and fire control of Apaches.
They'd need to ambush the choppers, which, given IDF intel in the recent unpleasantness, might not be impossible.
Posted by: Richard Aubrey ||
09/06/2006 0:34 Comments ||
Top||
#4
"Recent unpleasentness": you must also be a southern gentleman, I presume. :))
#8
More military materiel for Israel to "deactivate." Just keep on throwing millions of petro-dollars into that bottomless asshole known as "kicked Arab butt."
#9
My apologies for being flippant. The side-effect of too much wine at dinner.
M. Aubrey is, of course, correct. The primary target would be helicopters. Properly inter-laced around a given "objective" , they would be rather effective in preventing unannounced landings. especially if they were manually-sighted.
The secondary targets would be ground-based, such as light-armoured vehicles and advancing troops.
Low-technology, perhaps, But somewhat effective and if emplaced correctly, somewhat involved in taking out.
#14
The Germans used single and double barrel twenty MM cannon to good effect, especially in the defense.
20mm cannon will, of course, also perforate walls. And they're far cheaper - although more vulnerable - than tanks, in the direct fire assault gun role.
#17
I stick by the assessment I made on ocnfederateyankee: Arabs like AAA because the shells and shrapnel fall EVERYWHERE, ensuring lots of civilian casualties. Since the press treats everything that falls from the sky as if it came from an aircraft, and won't ever bother to consider "defensive" AAA to be capable of killing anyone on the ground, it's a guaranteed photo-op generator.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
09/06/2006 7:42 Comments ||
Top||
#18
"My apologies for the compliment."
Oh, I enjoyed the compliment, flyover. Maybe it is an automatic reaction. I held a reputation for being a smart aleck; something my superiors often did not appreciate.
Given that they are so far south and the supply lines rather tenuous, I wonder of the Lebanese have developed fire discipline.
Then again, considering whose dog I am rooting for in this fight, I hope not.
For prestige. To show the locals that the Leb army can defend them from the big bad jews, better than Hezbo can. Even IF the Leb Army is quite aware that the IDF isnt interested in attacking the Leb Army. Cause the abundantly Hezbo propagandzed locals dont know that, and the ONLY way for the Leb State to get a leg up on Hezbo is to impress said locals.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
US artillery and airstrikes killed 60 suspected Taliban militants on Tuesday, the fourth day of a NATO-led offensive in southern Afghanistan, a NATO spokesman said. The US troops, operating under NATO command, clashed with the militants in Panjwayi district of Kandahar, where an offensive began over the weekend to flush out hundreds of Taliban fighters. NATO has already reported more than 200 Taliban killed in the operation.
Denmark is sending a team of its Jægerkorpset (JGK) commandos to Afghanistan, to deal with a local group of Taliban who have been attacking Danish troops there. Denmark has 122 infantry (and about 200 support troops) in Afghanistan, as part of the NATO force that has taken over counter-terrorism duties in southern Afghanistan. The Taliban believe that if they can kill enough of the NATO troops, their governments will withdraw support for military operations in Afghanistan. 
Bangladesh police on Tuesday questioned four suspected Islamic militants over a 2004 grenade attack that injured the British envoy to Dhaka and killed three people, police said. The men, who have been remanded in custody for 10 days, were arrested on Sunday and Monday and were being questioned in the capital Dhaka, a police intelligence officer told AFP. Two of them are madrassa students and all four were arrested in connection with the grenade attack on the British high commissioner (ambassador), the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Were pretty certain they belong to the banned Islamic group 
Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said on Tuesday that Britain's request for the extradition of Rashid Rauf, a British national arrested in Pakistan for allegedly plotting to blow up transatlantic airliners, is under process. "I dot know how long it will take to hand him over to UK authorities," he told a questioner during a press briefing. Asked why the UK government had requested his extradition on murder charges and there was no mention of the London terror plot, he said his case would unfold in England. "Whatever information we have we will be sharing with the UK authorities," he said.
A member of the Bugti tribe was killed in a landmine blast in the Sangsila locality of Dera Bugti on Tuesday, while three others from a Bugti sub-tribe were killed in an ambush in Naseerabad district on Monday. Sources said that Ghulam Nabi triggered the blast when he stepped on a landmine, killing him instantly. 
Taliban militants signed a peace agreement with the government on Tuesday, pledging not to launch cross-border attacks in Afghanistan and not to shelter foreign fighters, officials said. The peace deal aims to end two years of violence in North Waziristan, where hundreds of people have died in clashes between security forces and Taliban militants. The Taliban had been observing a unilateral ceasefire since June. Taliban representative Azad Khan and North Waziristan chief administrator Dr Fakhar-e-Alam signed the agreement at the football stadium of Government Degree College in Miranshah, in the presence of army commander Major General Azhar Ali Shah. Misunderstandings between the administration and Taliban led to unpleasant moments, but we are happy that a new beginning starts today, MNA Maulana Nek Zaman of the MMA said at the ceremony, witnessed by around 500 tribesmen. A 10-member committee of tribal elders, clerics and administration officials was set up to monitor the progress and implementation of the agreement, a government statement read.
Osama bin Laden, America's most wanted man, will not face capture in Pakistan if he agrees to lead a "peaceful life," Pakistani officials tell ABC News. The surprising announcement comes as Pakistani army officials announced they were pulling their troops out of the North Waziristan region as part of a "peace deal" with the Taliban.
"Twenty-seven terrorists were hanged today in Baghdad. Most of them were Iraqis," said interior ministry spokesman Abdul Karim Khalaf.
FALLUJAH, Iraq - Three US soldiers have been killed in a bomb attack in the restive western Iraqi city of Fallujah, a police captain said. US headquarters confirmed the casualty count on Tuesday.
(BNA) Iraqi independent politician, Tariq Al Mamouri, has escaped intact from an assassination attempt in central Baghdad on Tuesday. An Iraqi Interior Ministry source who preferred not to disclose his name said that Mamouri's car was targeted while he was on his way home in Karrada neighborhood by a road side bomb in which one of his companions was seriously injured. Mamouri was heading New Iraq Movement and was Deputy Head of Iraqi Umma party, led by Parliament MP, Mithal Al Alousi.
Israeli military said it was targeting militants in the attacks Three Hamas militants have been killed in two Israeli air strikes on cars in Rafah, southern Gaza, Palestinian officials said. The first attack killed an activist from Hamas' military wing and hurt his companion. Dozens of bystanders were also hurt, Palestinian doctors said. Two Hamas militants were killed in a second strike on a car in Rafah. 
Rooters Pic: A convoy of Lebanese army armoured vehicles drives through the village of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, September 5, 2006, on its way to be deployed near the border with Israel. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)
