How do Coalition ground forces keep the enemy on the run in Afghanistan's mountainous terrain where roads are extremely limited (or simply don't exist) and still manage to get much needed supplies?
Airdrop! Airdrop! Airdrop! I kinda like the snappy style from an official military spokesman.
For six days, from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, the U.S. Air Force achieved more than a 99% recovery rate for airdropped supplies in Afghanistan. This equates to more than 400,000 pounds of supplies being delivered to Coalition forces.
The high success rate is a combination of factors:
* The Joint Precision Airdrop System and the Improved Container Delivery System, or I-CDS (first used in combat over Iraq on Feb. 16, 2007, delivering six 1,200-pound bundles.)
* Air Force Weather Agency weather models which crunch data from a four-dimensional wind model which is downloaded to a laptop to compute the aircraft's most accurate release point in the air
* Aerial-port Airmen who know the appropriate parachutes to use with different types of airdropped supplies
* Aircrew members who know the impact on the mission of the terrain, the drop zone size, weather and winds, and the threat levels for the area.
#1
I see the next stage as a parachute assisted heavy load carrying drone aircraft, dropped from a much larger aircraft. Some odd combination of a guided parachute, wings, perhaps an internal prop engine, maybe even something like landing retros to give an extra soft landing.
The idea would be to deliver small vehicles, like a jeep, to where they could give a winning tactical advantage.
Say a unit receiving fire from a mountain. Such a vehicle would permit part of the unit to maneuver to the other side of the mountain to stop the escape of the attackers.
#10
DEFENSETECH.org did an aticle on the long-serving C130 = C130E series,etc., i.e. the "B52 BUFF" of the Military Airlift Command. So good and reliable its older than many of the pilots and ground crew serving 'em.
Scores of people were killed or wounded in a suicide attack on a group of legislators in northern Afghanistan on Tuesday, according to a parliamentarian who survived the attack.
Six parliamentarians were either killed or wounded in the attack, which occurred in Baghlan Province as the legislators were about to tour a sugar factory, parliamentarian Shukria Barakzai said.
She said most of the victims were schoolchildren who had gathered in the area to welcome the legislators.
Moustafa Kazimi, a former commerce minister and spokesman for the Northern Alliance that had fought against the Taliban, was among the parliamentarians who died, she said.
Reuters quoted a local hospital director as saying the attack killed 90 people, including five parliamentarians, and wounded 50.
The Associated Press quoted a government minister as saying there were two blasts that killed at least 64, including five legislators.
#1
This is definitely the result of foreign elements in management positions in the Taliban. This is the chance to get the moderate local Taliban to split with the foreigners.
#3
"Let me be in charge or I'll kill you" is not a moderate position.
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
11/06/2007 11:18 Comments ||
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#4
Snark as you will, but this is another in a long list of signs that the campaign in Afghanistan is not going well. The Taliban have two things clearly in their favor...big money from the drug trade and safe haven in the Paki tribal lands. The third thing they have in their favor is a largely illiterate, tribal populace that is a very long way from understanding or internalizing the concept of nationhood. Count on things getting worse as Pakistan continues its devolution.
back then the locals would have said, "it could not have been a muslim who did this."
now they know clearly that it could only have been a muslim who did this
and yet the point where muslims worldwide seriously engage in the 'what's wrong with islam' (instead of the 'its a tiny minority of extremists' pretense) hasn't yet been reached
#6
Remoteman's comments work on something bouncing around in my head: Could events in the last couple of days be a sign of a mass redeployment? Bringing in the ranks from ME into the 'stans while the "black soldiers" (I forget the particular article and lack the time, it is from an article the other week) rotate over from the horn into Iraq as a rear guard action? If so a push from Ethiopia into the Eritrea area would be interesting...would want use Navy to block those 'refugee' barges crossing the Red Sea. Perhaps more to that Marine deployment into Afganistan than just rhetoric? Others with more info would know better how to do it than me but that is a way I would consider their 'counter surge'.
#9
Given the rejection of "foriegn Al Queada elements" in Iraq these days, I think any Sudanese that showed up would be taking dirt naps pretty quickly, and these mostly at the hands of local tribes. Hopefully, the pacification of Iraq will continue at an accelerating pace, which will permit reallocation of resources to Afghanistan. There is a whole lot of work to do there (esp buring the opium fields).
#10
Bringing in the ranks from ME into the 'stans while the "black soldiers" (I forget the particular article and lack the time, it is from an article the other week) rotate over from the horn into Iraq as a rear guard action?
I take this is this one, with the black insurgents. Btw, black jihadists could be dark-skinned sudaneses, but couldn't they be actual blacks, like somalis, nigerians, or possibly kenyans or comorreans, or even south africans (IIUC, SA is home to a muslim population which includes some very hardcore ones? Or would they stand out too much, iraq doesn't seeming too multicultural and Diverse?
#11
I do not see the political will anywhere close to reaching maturity regarding burning the opium fields; that concept would bring the striped pants brigade to a full cardiac arrest. and there is not enough stabiity to bring in those that have the skills to explain there are better things to grow....
#12
Thats the one A5089. It mentioned 'both black and Arab' so I took that as the darker complextion found in Africa proper - I get the feeling that those folk know more than the bi-color system found in the media. My guess also is that they would stand out not only in appearance but also in behavior. Although they would probably not be able to blend into the populace so well they could still be used in operations (so long as the locals don't/can't turn them in).
Thank you all. I was confused -- I though it was our guys. A back formation from black ops or something. But then, the ocean of my ignorance is so vast...
#15
most of the victims were schoolchildren who had gathered in the area to welcome the legislators
And yet the Afghani people just cannot seem to wrap their minds around who's getting them killed.
back then the locals would have said, "it could not have been a muslim who did this."
now they know clearly that it could only have been a muslim who did this
and yet the point where muslims worldwide seriously engage in the 'what's wrong with islam' (instead of the 'its a tiny minority of extremists' pretense) hasn't yet been reached
This is why I keep advocating disproportionate retaliation for all further terrorist atrocities. When this world's Muslim population is finally made to understand that every single jihdist attack gets one hundred thousand of them killed, maybe then they'll start rooting out the extremists.
We simply cannot do it ourselves nor should we have to. Cleaning house is Islam's own responsibility and if they want a house left standing, they'd better hop to it damn soon.
#16
"made to understand that every single jihdist attack gets one hundred thousand of them killed"
And you'll select your one hundred thousand victims how?
#19
Yeah, sure thing. That totally explains why I keep pushing for targeted killings that could entirely preclude the necessity for such drastic measures.
For someone without any strategy of your own you sure love to criticize others. When you begin to post some useful suggestions maybe I'll take you off "ignore".
#20
Zenster, you are more predictable than gravity:
a. Make yet another foolish genocidal statement (Mullah Zenster sermon).
b. Claim you actually advocate other things (Zenster Taqiyya).
c. Berate anyone who calls you on your foolishness (red herring).
d. Make token "ignore" statement -- even though you actually jump through hoops to have the last word.
Pathetic.
#22
But that is just the point. In Iraq today, non-local jihadis, especially those that stand out, will get turned in/on.
Its a good thing. The sore thumbs are not able to do the day to day intimidation. I'm thinking that the jihadis are rearing to go and have to end up somewhere. I'm looking for something along the lines of a falaise pocket.
Legislators as the targets at a sugar factory (the story does not say what kind - beets? Some other alternative to poppy?). Looks like an intimidation attack on the government, but says nothing about how the children and other victims were selected to die and live maimed for the taliban cause...
Of course the Afghan Army may use the same counting multiplier the Paki army does, and they may have only killed two bunnies. But given a NATO airstrike was involved, I expect it was more than two. In fact, as a strategy it might make good sense to 'let' the Taliban take a district (as another article today laments) just so we can concentrate a decent number of legitimate bad guys to warrant a 500# bomb or three. I don't believe those guys are immune to fear and dissillusionment, nor that there are an infinite supply of them - and it has already been proven that they are not mountain winter supermen; we'll only lose to them if we convince OURSELVES we can't win.
HERAT, Afghanistan (Reuters) - An air strike by NATO-led forces has killed dozens of Taliban insurgents in northwestern Afghanistan, the Afghan army said on Tuesday. Since relaunching their insurgency against the Afghan government and foreign troops two years ago, the hardline Islamist Taliban have expanded their operations northwards from the Pashtun-dominated south and east where they are strongest.
Monday night's air strike, backed by Afghan and NATO ground forces, targeted Taliban positions in Badghis province, Defence Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said. He said a senior Taliban commander was among those killed.
Azimi and a spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) denied reports there had been civilian casualties in the fighting. The Taliban in the area said two militant fighters were killed and 10 wounded in the operation.
Aid organizations say increased Taliban activity in the last few months in and around an ethnic Pashtun enclave in Badghis has disrupted delivery of supplies to the region. The Afghan army launched a large operation in the area last week.
#2
Im not sure we want them to take districts, esp in areas like Herat where they hadnt been strong. When they take a district they can inflict severe harm on folks whod been cooperating with us, and undo the work we've done to consolidate Afghan govt control - holding is important if we're going to win.
But, OTOH, when they do take territory, we can and should make it very costly for them, and reduce their resources to do the same elsewhere.
#4
Things might have changed. Early on, I gather that the Afghans were utterly mystified as to why NATO and the US consistently under-counted enemy killed and wounded. However, we probably explained to them several very good reasons, even though it probably makes their heads hurt.
Taliban insurgents have captured a third district in western Afghanistan, local officials said on Monday, defying Western assertions the rebels are unable to mount large military offensives. First, Taliban rebels captured the Farah district of Gulistan a week ago, then on Wednesday took nearby Bakwa. On Sunday, the insurgents seized Khak-e Sefid without a fight.
Western forces say the Taliban's greater reliance this year on suicide and roadside bombs is a result of heavy battlefield casualties they and Afghan troops have inflicted on the rebels and the insurgents' inability to hold ground. But in the last week, the Taliban have captured three districts in the western province of Farah, bordering Iran, forcing lightly armed Afghan police to flee and defying Afghan and foreign forces to retake the lost ground. "Khake-e Sefid district fell into Taliban hands yesterday without any resistance from Afghan forces," Qadir Daqiq, a Farah provincial council member told Reuters. A provincial official who declined to be named also confirmed the report.
Taliban forces had been building up around Khak-e Sefid for some days, a Western security analyst said. The rebels in Farah have been receiving arms through a Taliban leader based close to the Iranian border, he said on condition of anonymity. "There are many Iranians and Pakistanis fighting among the Afghan Taliban," Farah provincial police chief Abdulrahman Sarjang told Reuters.
Foreign fighters aiding Taliban: Afghan and Western officials have often said the Taliban's ranks are reinforced with foreign fighters, but have said they have no proof of any assistance at an official level. Poor morale among Afghan police meant that up to 38 officers had defected to the Taliban in the last week in Farah, the security analyst said, and those that remained were unwilling or unable to put up much of a fight. "As soon as the Taliban attacked in numbers they did their best to make a tactical withdrawal -- they basically got out of there as quick as they could," he said. "Their motivation is not there to fight."
NATO didn't help: Local residents have complained that NATO-led troops, under Italian command in western Afghanistan, have not helped Afghan forces to retake the districts. "The residents are complaining that foreign forces do not assist Afghan troops to retake the districts," Maolavi Yahya, district chief of neighbouring Delaram told Reuters. "They have been complaining for a week now."
As fighting in Afghanistan drags on, frustration is growing among ordinary Afghans that their government and its Western backers have not provided security six years after Afghan and US-led forces toppled the Taliban in 2001 for not handing over al Qaeda leaders in the wake of the Sept 11 attacks.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Pak DailyTimes handwringing. If the Paks would get their act together, this shit wouldn't happen
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/06/2007 9:22 Comments ||
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(SomaliNet) Fierce gun battle has renewed Yaqshid district, north of the Somalia capital Mogadishu on Monday night between the Somali government forces and the repel insurgents hours after two government soldiers were gunned in a market place of the district this morning.
The latest fighting began around 10:00pm local time at El-Tuba-Weyne and Towfiq village of Yaqshid district as the rival sides were exchanging heavy gunfire and artillery fires, according to residents. There is no immediate casualty on the warring sides as the fighting was still continuing. The night time gun battle started when heavily armed Islamic militants fired mortar rounds on the positions of the government soldiers.
Mogadishu, a city which two-third of its population fled for their lives due to the ongoing fighting, now at the crossroad of endless crisis with more Ethiopians are pouring to encounter the rising insurgency from the supporters of the ousted ICU.
This morning, local militants armed with pistols have shot dead a government soldier in the north of the Somalia capital Mogadishu, witnesses said.
There has been rising insurgency campaign against the transitional government and its allied forces of Ethiopia since the Islamic Court Union which controlled much of southern and central Somalia lost power late last year.
Meanwhile, two Somali policemen were wounded when unknown men threw a grenade into the police a station at Baladweyn town in central Somalia on Monday night. These two policemen were standing at the main entrance of the station by the time of the explosion and the attackers escaped the area immediately after the carried out the action.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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Abu Jafar, an associate of the Al-Qaeda and Al-Jihad terrorist organizations, has been detained in a special operation carried out by the Azeri National Security Ministry, the ministry said on Tuesday. The special operation took place on November 2 - 3 in the town of Sumgait. Several other terrorists militants were captured together with Abu Jafar, the ministry said.
Twenty people suspected of involvement in the recruitment of suicide bombers were arrested in Italy and other European countries Tuesday, an Italian police spokesman told CNN.
Those arrested are suspected of forming Salafite Jihad cells who were recruiting suicide bombers and sending them to Iraq and Afghanistan, said Col. Mario Parente, deputy commander of the Carabinieri special forces unit. He said a total of 20 Italy were being arrested Tuesday. Police arrested 11 people in Italy and nine others across Europe. Parente did not specify in which countries the arrests were carried out.
During the arrests, Parente said, police found al Qaeda manuals for the production of explosives, detonation devices, and various poisons. He said the manuals also included details of guerrilla-style war operations. Those arrested are also accused of producing false documents, facilitating illegal immigration, and covering up other individuals wanted for terrorism-related crimes, Parente said.
Posted by: ryuge ||
11/06/2007 06:36 ||
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#1
If the Italians would get out of Iraq, this problem would go away.
The Belgian-Turkish journalist Mehmet Koksal has decided to stop publishing his weblog after he and his family received threats. Mr Koksal, who is a regular contributor to the French-language progressive weeklies 'Courrier International' and 'Le Journal du Mardi", has often written about extreme Turkish nationalism among some Belgian politicians of Turkish descent. Mr Koksal is currently the subject of legal action that has been taken by some of those named in his articles.
The journalist required hospital treatment after he was beaten up during a demonstration by Turkish youths two weeks ago.
Posted by: Seafarious ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Fear of Muslim immigrants is pervasive in Europe. Ergo: deport those who threaten. Doors to countries work both ways.
#2
Its going to get really nasty in Europe because the economy is slowing down just like here. Oil prices are affecting them more so than here. Unemployment is escalating as is inflation. A lot of cars and more are going to burn. Wouldn't surprise me that they have an all-out Jihadi uprising and riot pretty soon.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
11/06/2007 8:42 Comments ||
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#3
Belgian politicians of Turkish descent
It's too late, Jack. They're citizens. Europe is doomed, and Belgium is just the first domino to fall.
#4
is extreme turkish nationalism = islamism, in this case? Im not saying this isnt a problem, but its more along the lines of general immigrant problems than the Muslim issues. We've had problems like that here among non-muslims, especially in Miami.
#1
What do you think the ACLU and CAIR would say if the guards returned fire and threw urine and feces on the "unruly" prisoners? Would a golden shower be an attack on Islam? Would it make a difference if the feces thrown on them was their own, scooped up from what they had thrown at the guards? Put the lawyers in the cells with them to protect their rights and take the place of goats in the long tropical nights.
Separate bombs planted on roadsides hit two military vehicles in the countryÂ’s north on Monday, killing one soldier and wounding two others, officials said. They are the first casualties since President Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on Saturday.
The soldier was killed near Miranshah when a military convoy moving towards Datta Khel village struck a roadside bomb, a security official said. “A soldier was killed and another was injured and their vehicle was damaged in Kharqamar village,” the official told AFP.
Major injured: Separately, a remote-controlled improvised explosive device hit a Special Services Group (SSG) military vehicle in the town of Nowshera in NWFP, police said. “The SSG jeep carrying Colonel Sajid and Major Ayaz was bombed at Daurabad Bridge around 8.15am when it was coming from Chirat Cantonment to Nowshera,” Pabbi police station moharrar Sardar Hussain told Daily Times staff reporter Akhtar Amin.
Hussain said the SSG vehicle was severely damaged and Major Ayaz sustained minor injuries while Colonel Sajid was unhurt. “It was a remote-controlled bomb as officials have found a deep crater at the blast scene,” he added.
Sources said a convoy of troops had been following the SSG jeep and cordoned off the area following the blast. They said the troops searched eight houses located near the blast site but did not arrest any suspects during the search.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) president Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmad was placed under house arrest for 30 days at Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) headquarters in Mansoora while JI secretary general Syed Munawar Hassan was arrested on Monday.
MMA deputy secretary general Liaqat Baloch escaped arrest while JI information secretary Amirul Azeem, former MPA Ahsanullah Waqas and Chaudhry Shaukat were injured during clashes between the police and lawyers at the Lahore High Court.
JI stated that police raided its headquarters at 2:15pm and put Qazi under house arrest while the police also arrested Syed Munawar Hassan who was present at Mansoora. Police personnel were deployed outside QaziÂ’s residence and at MansooraÂ’s main entrance.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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Indian troops shot dead seven suspected Muslim militants in separate gun battles in revolt-hit Kashmir, officials said on Monday.
Two of the militants were killed in northern Kupwara district when they illegally crossed into Indian occupied Kashmir from the Pakistani zone of the divided state late on Sunday, an army statement said. Indian troops also shot dead five more militants in three separate gunbattles in southern Doda and Kulgam districts late on Sunday, a police statement said.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Two plus five equals seven. Seven Kashmiri Korpses, Kount.
Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained 10 suspects Tuesday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda and foreign terrorist networks in central and northern Iraq.
Coalition forces targeted a suspected terrorist involved in planning improvised explosive device attacks and facilitating foreign terrorists during operations in Tuz, south of Kirkuk.
Reports indicate he was one of the chief planners for the suicide car bombing attacks July 16, killing more than 70 Iraqi people and injuring more than 130 in Kirkuk.
Upon arriving to the target area, the ground force saw three individuals evading Coalition forces and maneuvering south. Coalition forces pursued the suspects into a tunnel system near a river. A fourth armed man engaged the ground force from a defensive position. Responding in self-defense, the ground force engaged and killed the terrorist with sniper fire. Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to engage the enemy in the tunnels, killing two terrorists. Later, the assault force safely destroyed the tunnel system with an air strike to prevent further use by terrorists.
As the ground force secured the target area, they called for the occupants of a building to come out. A suspected terrorist, who came out with an unknown object above his head, was repeatedly told to drop the object. The individual did not comply and displayed hostile intent toward Coalition forces. Responding in self defense, the ground force engaged with sniper fire, killing the terrorist. Another man dressed in womenÂ’s clothing, was apparently attempting to elude Coalition forces, he and another suspect were detained on site.
Information gained from previous operations led Coalition forces to an area in Samarra believed to be associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq media activities. Reports also indicate the location has been previously used by a known al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist and foreign terrorists. As ground forces entered the target area, four men, three of whom were armed, did not comply and evasively maneuvered into nearby palm groves. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged the armed men with small arms fire killing four terrorists. Two individuals on site confirmed the terrorists were previously in the Iraqi military, but claimed the men terrorized the neighborhood. As the ground force secured the area, Coalition forces found several weapons and ammunition, and detained two suspects.
During another operation, Coalition forces captured one wanted individual in Mosul believed to be an associate of several foreign terrorists and to have a wealth of knowledge of the facilitation network. The ground force detained the wanted individual, along with two other suspects, on site without incident.
In Ramadi, Coalition forces captured one wanted individual believed to be a foreign terrorist facilitator. Reports indicate the wanted individual was associated with leaders within the foreign terrorist network. During the operation, the ground force called for the occupants of the target building to come out and they complied. One machine gun was found on site along with multiple identification cards. Two other suspects were detained without incident. “We’ve taken another step toward a peaceful Iraq,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “By disrupting foreign and al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist operations, innocent civilians can go about their lives without worrying about terrorist attacks.”
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 19:20 ||
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#9
Am I being silly, or is the diameter of that explosion (and what looked to my uneducated eye as secondaries) awfully wide?
DMFD, didn't seven men get into that car? Not to mention however many were on the property? Allah had better be cloning from fingernail clippings by now.
BAGHDAD - Two officials from IraqÂ’s finance ministry were shot dead in a restive area in west Baghdad on Sunday while at another flashpoint the police discovered nine bodies, according to the Voices of Iraq news agency VOI.
‘The bodies of Qutayba Badr Al Din Mahmud, who is a consultant at the finance ministry, and Osama Kazem Muhammad, an employee at the ministry, were found Sunday morning in a car in Jamya district in west Baghdad,’ security sources were quoted by VOI as saying. Jamya district is a hotbed of violence in west Baghdad.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
The only question remaining is whether this was an inside or outside job.
#3
So the remaining question is whether these guys were killed for threatening to stop the stealing or for trying to steal from others who had already stolen it or for stealing it for the wrong boss. I'm seeing 'The Godfather' here.
Coalition forces found an alleged terrorist detention facility and several weapons caches Friday during an operation to disrupt al-Qaeda and foreign terrorist operations in central Iraq.
Intelligence gained from previous Coalition forces operations led the ground force to an area believed to be a safe haven for foreign terrorists. In the 24-hour operation in west Samarra, Coalition forces discovered a bunker allegedly used as a terrorist detention facility and an area with several hidden weapons caches. Among other weapons, ammunition and military equipment, the ground forces found anti-aircraft weaponry, 12 AK-47 rifles, 18 mortar tubes, 37 mortar rounds, four rocket propelled grenades, 96 RPG fuses, and eight RPG launchers. Logistical supplies, to include hygiene kits, propane tanks, lanterns, blankets and a space heater, were also found on site by Coalition forces. An expert explosives team was used to safely destroy the detention facility to prevent further use by terrorists, and supporting aircraft was called to destroy the weapons, which were consolidated into a nearby bunker.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
"Logistical supplies, to include hygiene kits"
Hygiene kits? They have hygiene? Or does that just refer to foot-washing towellettes?
Tips led Multi-National Division-Baghdad forces to arrest eight men suspected of insurgent activities during combat operations in the Doura area of the Iraqi capital Nov. 3.
During two early morning raids based on tips from concerned citizens, Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armored Regiment, part of Task Force Vanguard and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, captured three men suspected of placing improvised explosive devices along one of the main streets in the area.
In two simultaneous raids just before noon on the east side of Doura, “Raiders” of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th IBCT, arrested three men suspected of participating in IED placement and alleged involvement in murders.
Tips led “Warriors” of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Inf. Div., attached to the 4th IBCT, to detain a man suspected of attacks against the Iraqi National Police. That evening, “Warriors” from Co. B, 2-12 Inf., arrested an individual suspected of placing IEDs and forcing families to leave their homes.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi Army Soldiers, advised by U.S. Special Operations Forces, detained 22 suspected extremists in two raids in Kubaysah and near Taji Nov. 3.
During the raid in Kubaysah, members of the Hit, Iraq, Special Weapons and Tactics team along with U.S. Special Operations Forces captured an entire extremist cell believed to be operating along the highway linking Ramadi to Rutbah. Captured were four primary targets along with four other suspects. The cell was reportedly conducting improvised explosive device attacks, murder, intimidation and sniper attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Near Taji, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers detained fourteen suspects during operations targeting known foreign fighters and extremists who were reportedly part of cell responsible for an attack on a U.S. helicopter.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
kudos to the US spec ops guys who are helping the Iraqis get up to snuff.
Are all advisors now spec ops? I was under the impression US Army regulars were also doing this work.
Soldiers of the 8th and 10th Iraqi Army Divisions, advised by U.S. Special Forces, discovered a large weapons cache during an operation to clear al Qaeda in Iraq activity near Suwayrah Nov. 2.
The clearing operation, planned and executed by the Iraqi Army, resulted in 81 people being detained for further questioning. The weapons cache, consisting of 42 120mm mortar rounds, 10 152mm mortar rounds, 10 anti-tank rounds, 15 kilograms of high explosives, 25 rocket propelled grenades and 61 recoiless rifle rounds, was confiscated.
The assault force came under small arms fire during a portion of the operation. Three Iraqi Army Soldiers were injured and evacuated to medical treatment facilities.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
When you can rollup networks faster than they than reconfigure, then it's game over for the jihadis as an organized force.
Coalition Forces killed five terrorists and detained 30 suspects Monday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
During operations northwest of Baqubah, Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader believed to specialize in sniper attacks and emplacement of improvised explosive device weapons. As the ground force approached the target area, the enemy opened fire from their defensive positions. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire and called for supporting aircraft to engage the armed men, killing three terrorists, one of whom was wearing a suicide vest. As the ground force secured the area, they discovered multiple grenades, small arms weapons and ammunition. Coalition forces detained two suspects.
Coalition forces conducted an operation in Tarmiyah targeting the alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Tarmiyah sector of the northern belt. Reports indicate the targeted individual was previously part of a terrorist group that conducted attacks against Iraqi citizens for not following Sharia law. During the operation, surveillance elements observed the targeted individual in the area and supporting aircraft was called to strike the time-sensitive target. Secondary explosions erupted from the building, indicating that weapons and ammunition were stored inside. As Coalition forces cleared the surrounding area, they discovered two terrorists believed to be killed by the initial blast, small arms ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades. The target building ignited from the secondary explosions, preventing the ground force from assessing the buildingÂ’s interior.
During an operation in Kirkuk, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader and career terrorist considered an expert in making car bombs used to attack Iraqi citizens and an alleged associate of several al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders, including Abu Ayyub al-Masri and his predecessor, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, killed during a Coalition forces operation in June 2006. Reports indicate he was responsible for the suicide car-bombing attack that destroyed the Taji Bridge Aug. 14, killing approximately 10 Iraqi civilians and wounding six. Surveillance elements led Coalition forces to the wanted individualÂ’s location and seven other suspected insurgents were detained without incident.
North of Tikrit, Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals during operations targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader reportedly involved in weapons facilitation, mortar training, improvised explosive device emplacement and facilitating funds from outside of Iraq. Both are reportedly associates of terrorist leaders, and one of the captured individuals is believed to have ties to terrorist networks in Haditha and is allegedly a subordinate of the leader for the al-Qaeda network operating in the Salah Ad Din province. Coalition forces detained six suspects during these operations.
In Mosul, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations targeting an alleged associate of a Mosul-based foreign terrorist facilitator. Additionally, nine suspects were detained without incident.
West of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an individual suspected of recruiting for al-Qaeda and allegedly an associate of a terrorist leader in the Fallujah area and a foreign terrorist facilitator. Two suspects were detained without incident. “We are continuing a steady drumbeat against al-Qaeda’s leadership,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Our operations are diminishing terrorist’s ability to attack the Iraqi people.”
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[11131 views]
Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Iraq
JordanÂ’s State Security court sentenced a Jordanian man to death on Monday for his role in an attack on the countryÂ’s embassy in Baghdad in 2003. Muammar al-Jaghbeer was captured in neighbouring Iraq and extradited to Jordan in 2005. The truck bombing outside the Jordanian embassy in August 2003 killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 60.
The court dropped the case against the slain head of the al Qaeda wing in Iraq, Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, following his death in a US air strike in 2006. Both men had been accused of planning and participating in the suicide bombing of the embassy by delivering the vehicle that was packed with explosives and used in the attack.
The al Qaeda network led by Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden has long considered Jordan’s rulers as collaborators with “infidel” Western powers. The authorities say they have foiled countless plots by militant fundamentalists to destabilise Jordan.
This article starring:
ABU MUSAB AL ZARQAWI
al-Qaeda in Iraq
MUAMAR AL JAGHBIR
al-Qaeda in Iraq
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Iraq
BALATA REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank - Some 200 Palestinian police ringed the West Bank's largest refugee camp Monday and traded fire with Palestinian militants inside, the first major battle in ineffectual President Mahmoud Abbas' campaign to assert control over gunmen and persuade Israel he can implement a future peace deal. The confrontation erupted as Abbas tried to assure visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that he has begun meeting his short-term peace obligations, including disarming militants and rounding up illegal weapons.
Never miss that opportunity to miss your opportunity. WTG, Paleos.
Police officers took to rooftops on the edges of the Balata refugee camp, next to the city of Nablus, and over several hours exchanged sporadic fire with gunmen from the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a violent offshoot of Abbas' Fatah movement. Five civilians and a policeman were wounded.
The streets of the camp, a militant stronghold and home to around 22,000 people according to United Nations figures, were littered with rocks and overturned trash bins. Near a mosque, police peeked around a corner, then fired down a narrow street.
Both sides said they would not back down. "They are trying to enter the camp and we will not let them," Nasser Abu Aziz, an Al Aqsa gunman, said in a telephone interview. "I'm in the middle of shooting, I can't talk much," he said before hanging up.
Isn't that an appropriate metaphor for the Paleos?
If the AK's a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'.
Ziad al-Ali, a Palestinian security chief, said the Al Aqsa Brigades must disband, noting that nearly all the group's members have accepted an amnesty deal with Israel, brokered by Abbas, in which they agreed to disarm. "We had given them a deal with the Israelis, and there is no longer a need for them (the brigade) to exist," he said.
But some Al Aqsa gunmen have balked at handing over their weapons.
Balata, one of 19 refugee camps in the West Bank, is a sprawling, rundown mass of cinderblock houses. Its residents — or their ancestors — fled their homes following Israel's creation in 1948. They are considered refugees because the area was Jordanian territory until 1967, when Israel captured the West Bank. The camp, and neighboring Nablus, became increasingly lawless during the second Palestinian uprising, which erupted in 2000.
'Increasingly' lawless? How could they tell?
Last week, Abbas sent 300 additional police officers to Nablus, turning the city into a test ground for his new security campaign. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said that if the security forces can control chaotic Nablus, they would gradually try to do the same in other West Bank cities.
They're doomed.
Monday's confrontation began after police seized a pistol from an Al Aqsa member, drawing fire from two of his friends.
"Try to grab mah shootin' iron, will yew? Reach for the sky, varmint!"
The security clampdown is part of Abbas' attempt to show that he is meeting his obligations under the first phase of the "road map" peace plan. The plan, dormant for four years, has been revived ahead of an upcoming U.S.-hosted Mideast conference, to be held before the end of the year.
Under the plan, Israel must freeze the expansion of West Bank settlements, dismantle dozens of settlement outposts, remove major West Bank roadblocks and pull its troops back to positions they held before the 2000 Palestinian uprising.
Not a world about Paleo obligations.
The Palestinians say they have made progress on their obligation to disrupt the activities of groups planning attacks on Israel, and that Israel must reciprocate. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday that Israel is ready to do so, but suggested that the Palestinians have yet to accomplish much.
Israeli government official David Baker welcomed Monday's Nablus operation, but declined to say if it should be interpreted as progress on the road map provisions.
#3
Well at least Abbas is TRYING to fulfill his obligations, avoid mising an opportunity, etc, etc.
And hes not just taking on Hamas, he's taking on AAMB. the supposedley "pro-Fatah" group. And in one of the worseer places in the West Bank. This is precisely where he HAS to win to show he is in control, and that he is someone its worth it to Israel to make concessions to.
OTOH, he doesnt seem to be winning up there. Its not enough for him to show good will, he has to show at least some results. If the Pals lose in Balata, it may be necessary (IMO) to delay the Annapolis summit further.
#4
Actually, I'd delay the Annapolis summit until sponsored-by-other-Arab government groups are no longer trying to blow up civilians in Israel or Iraq.
#5
Other-arab-govts would include Syria, and I dont think we want to give them a veto over holding the summit. Strategically, the main benefit of the summit is to consolidate an alliance among the US, ISrael, and Arab "moderates" (Sunni states that fear Iran, mainly) against the Iran-Syria-Hezbollah-Hamas alliance.
The Bush administration, trying to combat Syrian attempts to reassert control over Lebanon's political system, said Monday it was imposing economic sanctions against four people.
The Treasury Department announced that it was freezing any assets the four individuals might have in US financial institutions. The action also prohibits any US citizen from engaging in transactions with the four. "Syria has used all means at its disposal - from bribery to intimidation to violence - to undermine the legitimate political process in Lebanon," Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey said in announcing the sanctions. "Today's action exposes four individuals involved in such activities and serves as a warning to others who would do likewise."
Treasury identified two of the people as Assaad Halim Hardan, a member of Lebanon's parliament and chief of the Syrian Socialist National Party central political bureau, and Wiam Wahhab, a former member of Lebanon's parliament. Treasury said both men work with senior Syrian officials to undermine Lebanese sovereignty.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/06/2007 00:00 ||
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[11132 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Syria
#1
Sanctions against only 4 people? Doesn't seem like that would be particularly damaging.
#4
JPOST > IDF's Intel Chief has informed a major Israeli Govt. Committee that, besides showing off their post-2006 newfound strength to Israel + World [posturing], the Hizzies = Hezzies ARE ALSO SENDING AN INTERNAL ["Don't mess wid us"]MESSAGE TO LEBANON = LEBN's GOVT IN BERUIT.
*HUZZIES? HISSIES?
#15
Swamp gas stories not allowed on RB? But Ima water and sewer system designer. I got a million stories...It's SO...... UNFAIR!
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
11/06/2007 19:54 Comments ||
Top||
#16
#15 Swamp gas stories not allowed on RB? But Ima water and sewer system designer. I got a million stories...It's SO...... UNFAIR!
aaah Night Soil, itsa all downhill from here!
/ima know sh*t physics too..
Posted by: Red Dawg ||
11/06/2007 20:04 Comments ||
Top||
#17
BLUE VELVET - when the mafia/underworld bad guy character has to first smell a container of ***** [his own?] before abusing captive married babe Isabella Rosselini in righteous indignation???
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/06/2007 12:13 Comments ||
Top||
#6
Actually, according to Wikipedia, she was born Diana Mary Fluck. She said "They asked me to change my name. I suppose they were afraid that if my real name, Diana Fluck, was in lights, and one of the lights blew..."
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.
Scores of people were killed or wounded in a suicide attack on a group of legislators in northern Afghanistan on Tuesday, according to a parliamentarian who survived the attack. 
Taliban insurgents have captured a third district in western Afghanistan, local officials said on Monday, defying Western assertions the rebels are unable to mount large military offensives. First, Taliban rebels captured the Farah district of Gulistan a week ago, then on Wednesday took nearby Bakwa. On Sunday, the insurgents seized Khak-e Sefid without a fight. 
(SomaliNet) Fierce gun battle has renewed Yaqshid district, north of the Somalia capital Mogadishu on Monday night between the Somali government forces and the repel insurgents hours after two government soldiers were gunned in a market place of the district this morning. 
Separate bombs planted on roadsides hit two military vehicles in the countryÂ’s north on Monday, killing one soldier and wounding two others, officials said. They are the first casualties since President Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on Saturday.
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) president Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmad was placed under house arrest for 30 days at Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) headquarters in Mansoora while JI secretary general Syed Munawar Hassan was arrested on Monday. 
Indian troops shot dead seven suspected Muslim militants in separate gun battles in revolt-hit Kashmir, officials said on Monday.
X 72 
BAGHDAD - Two officials from IraqÂ’s finance ministry were shot dead in a restive area in west Baghdad on Sunday while at another flashpoint the police discovered nine bodies, according to the Voices of Iraq news agency VOI.
Tips led Multi-National Division-Baghdad forces to arrest eight men suspected of insurgent activities during combat operations in the Doura area of the Iraqi capital Nov. 3.
Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi Army Soldiers, advised by U.S. Special Operations Forces, detained 22 suspected extremists in two raids in Kubaysah and near Taji Nov. 3.
Coalition Forces killed five terrorists and detained 30 suspects Monday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. 
JordanÂ’s State Security court sentenced a Jordanian man to death on Monday for his role in an attack on the countryÂ’s embassy in Baghdad in 2003. 
Both sides said they would not back down. "They are trying to enter the camp and we will not let them," Nasser Abu Aziz, an Al Aqsa gunman, said in a telephone interview. "I'm in the middle of shooting, I can't talk much," he said before hanging up.
