Saturday, March 17, 2012

Somalia: Mogadishu Bomb Hits AU Peacekeepers

Mogadishu A roadside bomb was targeted a military convoy belonging to African Union peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu, causing an unconfirmed casualty, witnesses said on Saturday.

The AMISOM convoy came under the attack while they were on their way to a military base in Mogadishu's northern Shibis neighborhoods.

Da'ud Abdulle Ahmed, the district commissioner of Shibsi for Somali Government confirmed to Shabelle Media that the blast had caused serious damage to an AU convoy carrying mainly peacekeepers and nearby civilian car.

He noted that causalities can't be verified because the AU forces stayed at the spot for awhile and movements were halted.

AMISOM commanders in Mogadishu were not able to say how many had been killed or wounded following the attack.

In additional, at least on person was killed after TFG soldiers clash in Dharkenlay district over undisclosed reason, according to locals.

from allAfrica
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Security forces kill 4 militants in South Waziristan

Map showing location of North and South Waziri...
Image via Wikipedia
PESHAWAR: At least four militants were killed in an early morning attack on a security check post in Laddha district of South Waziristan agency on Saturday, officials said.

The militants, whose exact number could not be identified, attacked a military check post in the Zangarra village of Ladha in South Waziristan.

“Four militants were killed when the security men retaliated. There were no casualties amongst the soldiers,” an intelligence official from the area said.

The identities of those killed were not immediately verified, said the official.

The area is close to North Waziristan agency and a highly-rugged terrain influenced by the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP).

from Tribune
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10 killed, 5 injured in northern Nigeria overnight attacks

Deutsch: Politische Karte Nigerias (Bundesstaa...
Image via Wikipedia
KADUNA, Nigeria, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Ten people were killed and five others severely injured in three overnight attacks by gunmen in north west Nigeria's Kaduna State.

A witness, Sunday Amos, who claimed to have escaped death by the whiskers told Xinhua late on Friday that the suspected gunmen numbering 20 raided three villages in Chikun local government area.

He said a Christian cleric identified as Innocent Chukwuemeka Mari, in charge of the Assemblies of God Church, was among those killed in the attacks that lasted till the early hours of Friday. The gunmen also razed the church building before moving on to another village.

According to the witness, the attackers shot indiscriminately at the villagers and at the same time set many houses in the villages on fire as residents fled.

"The five injured persons during the raid had since been admitted at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, for treatment," he added.

State police spokesperson Aminu Lawan confirmed the incident to Xinhua, saying he was still awaiting details of the incident.

"We have deployed our officers in the troubled area," he said.
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Blasts kill at least 27 in Syrian capital

DAMASCUS, March 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 27 people were killed and another 97 reported injured when two suicide bombings occurred Saturday morning in a swift succession, targeting two security agencies in the capital of Damascus, Syria's Ministry of Health said in a televised statement.

The official news agency SANA said one blast took place at al- Jamarek roundabout, targeting the Criminal Security Department, while the other hit the al-Tahrir square connecting the Baghdad Street with al-Qassaa neighborhood, targeting the aviation Intelligence directorate.

The two bombings went off at around 7:35 am local time (GMT 0535) Saturday.

The blast site is seen in Damascus, Syria, on March 17, 2012. A total of 27 people were killed and nearly 100 wounded in two suicide bombings targeting security headquarters in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Saturday, Syrian Minister of Health Wael al-Halki said on state TV. (Xinhua/Hazim)
The intelligence directorate blast shattered buildings and burned some others as windows of buildings at a distance of 100 meters were also completely smashed. Outside the building, mutilated and torn bodies lay amid rubble, twisted debris and burned cars. Bystanders and ambulance workers used blankets and stretchers to carry blood-stained bodies into vehicles. The blast left a two meters' deep crater.

Human flesh was scattered on the ground and bloodstains were everywhere as rescue workers scrambled around a smoke-filled pile of debris and metal.

Xinhua cameraman at the site said, as rescue workers were trying to evacuate the wounded and clean the debris near aviation directorate, a series of shootings in the area took place, and some law-enforcement members were wounded. It was not clear who was shooting as people were prevented from moving closer.

Meanwhile, troops sealed off the area as ambulances rushed to the scene and a large plume of smoke clouded the area.

A resident, collapsing in tears, stormed out of his shattered apartment in front of the targeted aviation department and screamed "this is what they want ... a destruction ... may God destroy them."

No one claimed responsibility for the attacks yet.

At the site of the explosion in al-Jamarek roundabout, Xinhua reporters saw the department's facade totally shattered and a crater about two meters wide was left by the blast in front of the building. The building's windows were blasted out and shards of glass were strewn over the floor. The explosion knocked down part of the building's walls.

A civilian minibus at the site was riddled with shrapnel and blood was splattered on its seats, while trees were blackened from the explosion and some electricity poles crashed.

Later in the day, unnamed sources told Xinhua that a third explosion had hit the Palestinian camp of Yarmouk just outside Damascus.

According to the source, the attack was in the 30 street in the camp of Yarmouk, and happened almost at the same time as the previous two. There is no official account on the third blast.

Saturday's bombings are the latest in a string of suicide attacks that targeted military and security compounds in Syria's two largest cities of Damascus and Aleppo and claimed the lives of dozens of civilians and government personnel.

In the first suicide bombing in Syria, two bomb cars exploded near two intelligence agency compounds in Damascus on Dec. 23 last year, leaving 44 people killed. Exactly two weeks after, another suicide bomber detonated himself at a busy intersection at al- Midan neighborhood, killing 25 people.

On Feb. 10 2012, twin bombings carried out by suicide bombers hit the northern Aleppo province, and left at least 25 people killed.

The suicide bombings held the hallmark of al-Qaida, according to the Syrian government.

Read more at Xinhua
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Explosion injure 3 Afghan civilians in Khost province

According to local authorities in eastern Khost province, at least 3 Afghan civilians were injured following an explosion in this province.

The officials further added, the incident took place around 11:00 am local time in a shop located near the Medicins San Frontieres hospital.

Provincial security chief and acting provincial police chief Mohammad Yaqoob said, the explosives were packed inside a furniture production equipment.

Mr. Yaqoob further added, at least 3 Afghan civilians were injured during the incident and were taken to provincial hospital for treatment purposes.

Chief of the provincial hospital Dr. Amir Badshah Rahmatzai Mangal said, the civilians who were injured during the incident are in a better health condition.

No group including the Taliban militants have so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.


from KHAAMA
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Faryab Raid Kills 4 Insurgents

Districts of Faryab.
Image via Wikipedia
Four armed insurgents were killed and a civilian woman was injured during a joint Afghan and Nato forces operation in Faryab province's Shirin Tagab district on Saturday, according to Isaf.

The operation was targeting an insurgent leader of the Taliban-affiliated militant group Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Isaf said in a statement released Saturday.

Four insurgents were killed in a shoot-out after an armed insurgent emerged from the targeted house with a woman and some children in front of him. Isaf reported he started firing on the coalition forces from behind the woman and children, then two other insurgents also started firing from other locations.
The woman was wounded during the gunfight, and has been airlifted by helicopter, along with her husband, to a medical facility for treatment where she is listed as being in a stable condition, Isaf said.

One other insurgent was wounded and "several" insurgents were detained.

Isaf said the targeted leader "plans and conducts attacks against coalition troops throughout northern Afghanistan and is suspected in plotting an attack against a senior Afghan official".

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan is a Taliban-affiliated group of militants operating in relatively peaceful northern Afghan provinces.

from TOLONEWS
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Mar.17., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Mar. 17) — An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of an insurgent leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in Shirin Tagab district, Faryab province, today.

The leader plans and conducts attacks against coalition troops throughout northern Afghanistan and is suspected in plotting an attack against a senior Afghan official.
Initially, Afghan troops conducted a call-out of the occupants of the building where the insurgents were suspected to be hiding. Women and children came out of the building followed by one man with an AK-47 rifle. The armed insurgent fired on the security force from behind the women and children. Two other insurgents fired at the security force, one from inside the building and the other from a nearby tent. The security force returned fire, killing the three armed aggressors.
One Afghan civilian female was wounded during the exchange. A coalition helicopter evacuated her, along with her husband, to a medical facility for treatment where she is listed in stable condition.
The security force killed one additional insurgent, wounded another, and detained several.

In other ISAF news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader during an operation in Kandahar district, Kandahar province, today. The leader planned and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Dand district. He also provided insurgents with weapons and ammunition. The security force detained one additional suspected insurgent during the operation.
In Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, an Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation yesterday. The leader directed an insurgent cell that conducted roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout central Helmand.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani leader during an operation in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today. The leader targeted Afghan and coalition security forces with attacks throughout Logar province and conducted an ambush Jan. 25 against an Afghan fuel convoy that wounded an Afghan soldier.
During the capture of the Haqqani leader, a fire started on the second floor of one of the buildings where the insurgents were hiding. Security forces put a ladder up to a second floor window so the insurgents could climb down. The security force also detained multiple additional suspected insurgents and destroyed a weapons cache and explosives as a result of this operation. The cause of the fire is under investigation by coalition forces.
In Charparhar district, Nangarhar province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader today. The leader directs insurgent operations around Jalalabad City and is suspected in the Feb. 27 bombing attack at Jalalabad airfield. He is also suspected in this week’s attack against the all-girl Shoulana School in Charparhar district which destroyed the school building. The security force detained multiple suspected insurgents and destroyed a weapons cache, ammunition, and illegal drugs as a result of this operation.
Finally, an Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban facilitator during an operation in Ahmadabad district, Paktiya province, today. The leader provided weapons, ammunition, and bomb-making materials to insurgents throughout Ahmadabad district. The security force detained two additional suspected insurgents and seized multiple weapons, ammunition, and bomb-making materials as a result of this operation.
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AQI claims attacks on Haditha, Barwana



Al Qaeda in Iraq's political front, the Islamic State of Iraq, claimed credit for the series of recent attacks in the western cities of Haditha and Barwana in Anbar province that killed 27 Iraqi policemen. AQI called the attacks the "Invasion of Commander Jarrah al Shami," according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which translated the statement.
AQI said that "ninety mujahideen, who had pledged for death and many of whom were enrobed with explosive belts, launched in four convoys towards the city of Haditha, under the leadership of the Mujahid Sheikh the Anbar governor." The target of course was the Shia, now a frequent target of AQI's ire:
By the grace of Allah, and after relying on Him and fulfilling what pleases Him of the Shariah and universal factors of victory, a group of the descendents of the noble companions and men of the Islamic State launched in a new blessed attack, targeting one of the dear cities of Anbar province, a city in which the heads of infidelity had nested and the apostate profligates had taken as a base to strike the mujahideen, attack Shariah, and empower the Safavid Rafidah [Shi'ites].
The operation was named after Jarrah al Shami, a Syrian who served on the Islamic State of Iraq's shura, or executive council, according to Iraq scholar Nibras Kazimi. Abu Omar al Baghdadi, the former leader of the ISI, described al Shami as one of the terror group's "heroes." So it appears that al Baghdadi's heroes include at least one non-Iraqi, and possibly two. From Kazimi's Talisman's Gate:
The final segment of the speech deals with the second anniversary of the founding of the Islamic State of Iraq, and one oddity about it is al-Baghdadi's choice of who the top heroes of the Islamic State of Iraq are supposed to be: Abul-Basha'ir al-Juburi (a jihadist leader by the pseudonym of "Abul-Basha'ir" was killed during November 2007, but he was identified as a Syrian national. The Juburi tribal handle makes it more plausible that this particular Abul-Basha'ir is an Iraqi, even though there are some Juburis in Syria), Abu Bakr al-'Afri (a certain Abu Muhammad al-'Afri was killed during September 2007 near Mosul; don't know if this is the same person, the last name suggests an African background), and Muharib al-Juburi. Al-Baghdadi adds that al-'Afri, al-Shami and al-Juburi were members of the shura [consultative] council of the Islamic State of Iraq, while Abul-Basha'ir is identified as the Chief of Staff of the Army of the State of Islam.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2012/03/aqi_claims_attack_on_haditha_b.php
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American terrorist feels 'life may be endangered' by Shabaab

By


An American who quickly rose through the ranks in Shabaab, al Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, now says he fears the terror group may kill him.
Omar Hammami, who is also known as Abu Mansour al Amriki ("the American"), released a short, 1:09-minute-long video in which he said he fears Shabaab may kill him due to differences with strategy and the implementation of Islamic law. Hammani's statement was posted by a jihadist known as "somalimuhajirwarrior," or "foreign Somali warrior," on a YouTube website earlier today, the SITE Intelligence Group reported.
"To whomever it may reach from the Muslims, from Abu Mansour al-Amriki, I record this message today because I feel that my life may be endangered by Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahideen due to some differences that occurred between us regarding matters of the Shariah [Islamic law] and matters of the strategy," according to a transcript of the statement that has been provided by the SITE Intelligence Group.



Hammami does not explain the reason for the dispute. Rumors have persisted of divisions in Shabaab over the influence of foreign fighters in the terror group. Shabaab officially merged with al Qaeda in early February after years of operating closely together.
Hammami may have been estranged from Shabaab for several months. SITE notes that Hammami's "last release, an English-language audio lecture titled, 'Lessons Learned,' released in October 2011, was not issued by the Shabaab's media arm, al-Kata'ib, nor did it appear on Shabaab-affiliated websites, but was instead posted by a member of the Ansar al-Mujahideen English Forum (AMEF)."
Hammami has served as a military commander, propagandist, "recruitment strategist, and financial manager" for Shabaab, and is closely linked to al Qaeda, according to the US government. Hammami is on the US's list of specially designated global terrorists.
In May 2011, Hammami spoke at a public rally with other top Shabaab leaders to eulogize Osama bin Laden just 10 days after the death of the al Qaeda leader. During the rally, Hammani appeared with other top al Qaeda-linked Shabaab leaders, including Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Abu Mansour and Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys.
"We are all Osama," Hammami told the crowd as he spoke at a podium. He also said that Shabaab and al Qaeda would continue their jihad to establish a global Islamic caliphate.
"Today, we remind the Muslims that the caliphate [Islamic rule] shall soon be reborn," Hammani said while eulogizing bin Laden. "May Allah accept our dear beloved sheikh [Osama bin Laden] and cause our swords to become instruments of his avenging."
Hammami has played a crucial role in Shabaab's propaganda efforts to recruit Western fighters to join Shabaab's jihad in Somalia. In December 2011 and January 2012, Hammami appeared in photographs with a Western fighter. The Long War Journal identified the fighter as Cabdulaahi Ahmed Faarax, an American who recruited for the terror group and left the US in October 2009 to wage jihad in Somalia. Faarax is wanted by the FBI.
Hammami was reported to have been killed in a US airstrike in March 2011, but one month later he released a nasheed, or song, that mocked the reports. In the clumsy rap, Hammami said he wanted to die in a US airstrike or special operations raid, like other top al Qaeda leaders such as Abu Laith al Libi, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, and Abu Musab al Zarqawi.
For more information on Hammami, see LWJ reports, American Shabaab commander speaks at rally for Osama bin Laden in Somalia and US adds American, Kenyan Shabaab leaders to list of designated terrorists.
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Marine Killed by Afghan Soldier Last Month

Military initially listed his death as combat related.

http://sgt-jim.blogspot.com/2012/02/rip-lance-cpl-edward-j-dycus.html

Lance Cpl. Edward J. Dycus was shot in the back of the head while standing guard at Afghan-US Base
WASHINGTON – An Afghan soldier shot to death a 22-year-old Marine at an outpost in southwestern Afghanistan last month in a previously undisclosed case of apparent Afghan treachery that marked at least the seventh killing of an American military member by his supposed ally in the past six weeks, Marine officials said. Lance Cpl. Edward J. Dycus of Greenville, Miss., was shot in the back of the head on Feb. 1 while standing guard at an Afghan-U.S. base in the Marja district of Helmand province. The exact circumstances have not been disclosed, but the Dycus family has been notified that he was killed by an Afghan soldier. Marine officials discussed the matter on condition of anonymity because it is still under investigation.
When the Pentagon announced Dycus' death the day after the shooting, it said he died "while conducting combat operations" in Helmand. It made no mention of treachery, which has become a growing problem for U.S. and allied forces as they work closely with Afghan forces to wind down the war.
The Associated Press inquired about the Dycus case after Maj. Gen. John Toolan, the top Marine commander in Afghanistan at the time, said in an AP interview March 7 that the Afghan government has been embarrassed by recent cases of Afghan soldiers turning their guns on their supposed partners.
"I had one just a month ago where a lance corporal was killed, shot in the back of the head, and the Afghan minister of defense was here the next day" to discuss custody of the shooter, Toolan said, speaking from his Regional Command-Southwest headquarters at Camp Leatherneck.[More....]

from jawareport
and from foxnews


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