Thursday, May 2, 2013

French jihadist arrested in Mali

[AFP/Sahara Media] French jihadist Gilles Le Guen in October delivered a message to warn against a military intervention in northern Mali.
French forces captured a French citizen in Mali suspected of joining al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

"He was arrested by our troop close to Timbuktu. He was obviously fighting among jihadist groups," French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told Europe1 on Wednesday (May 1st).


"The jihadist was not in combat position when he was arrested by our troops, given that the situation in Timbuktu was relatively calm," he added. "However, our troops continue to do their job with necessary night patrols, and in this way, we managed to arrest him."

The minister noted that this case did not represent a general pattern.

"There are only a handful of such cases," he said. "We know their identities, and therefore, we have to take the necessary precautions."

The minister spoke of "an individual deviation to fanaticism" and described the suspect as "a loser who became a terrorist".

Malian airport and security sources told AFP on Thursday that the wife and children of the French Islamist arrested in northern Mali had been "evacuated" to Paris.

Le Guen, 58, who goes by the name Abdel Jelil, was detained on Sunday and is now being questioned in Mali's northeastern city of Gao, AFP reported. The Frenchman is believed to have joined AQIM after moving to Mali with his family following previous stints living in Morocco and Mauritania.

He converted to Islam in 1985, according to Le Monde.

In October, Le Guen appeared in Islamic dress with a gun at his side in a video on a Mauritanian website in which he warned France, the United States and the United Nations against military intervention in Mali to drive Islamists from the country's vast desert north.

To local analysts, the incident proves that terrorism has no nationality and any individual can fall prey to extremist propaganda.

"I'm not surprised with the presence of this French jihadist with the Islamists in Mali," Mauritanian security analyst and strategy expert Hamdi Ould Dah told Magharebia. "Terrorism has become internationalised in recent years, which attracted the attention of some people outside the cultural and civilisational circle where terrorism grew from salafist ideology."

He added that the media "opened the doors for salafist ideology to reach the farthest point in the world". Extremists take advantage of the "means of globalisation" to present some peoples as "oppressed victims of certain policies", he commented.

"Extremism is an approach that a group of individuals who may not be from the same civilisation can join for this or that reason because of psychological inclinations, exactly like some people may resort to suicide or sadism," Ould Dah concluded.

The arrest caught many Malian observers off guard.

"While the French state and its soldiers enjoy much appreciation and respect in Mali, we were shocked to find out about the arrest of a French citizen whose country is trying to liberate the land of Mali from the terrorists," Malian journalist Moussa Maiga said.

"However, this shock may fade away when we come to realise that this French citizen is not much different from the Malians who fight alongside al-Qaeda against their own country," he added.

In her turn, Meriam Coulibaly, a Malian youth activist, wondered, "How can a native French citizen espouse jihadist ideology against us? He must have been a victim of terrorists who deceived him to embrace the ideology of killing and terrorism."

from MAGHAREBIA
By Jemal Oumar in Nouakchott for Magharebia – 02/05/2013

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May 02., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force killed a Haqqani leader, Sarwar Khan, and one other insurgent during an operation in Zurmat district, Paktiya province, May 1.

Khan, also known as Manzala, planned insurgent operations, provided intelligence reporting to senior leaders, and was involved in kidnapping individuals in Zurmat district. He was responsible for constructing improvised explosive devices and coordinating IED emplacement attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Paktiya province.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force wounded two insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban improvised explosive device cell leader with ties to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in Baghlan-e Jadid district, Baghlan province, May 1. The leader directs improvised explosive device operations targeting senior government officials and Afghan and coalition forces in multiple districts throughout Kunduz province. He also works directly with Taliban senior leadership to disseminate information to low-level fighters, and is vital in facilitating money and weapons to insurgent groups in the local area.

South

An Afghan and coalition security force killed an insurgent during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, May 1. The leader is responsible for numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kandahar province. He and his subordinates are involved in improvised explosive device operations, poppy cultivation and distribution, and the facilitation of weapons in the local area.

Afghan Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, killed one insurgent, arrested three others and seized a cache of weapons, ammunition and IED making materials during a cordon and search operation in Shah Joy district, Zabul province, May 1. Following the operation security force recovered two AK-47 rifles, thirteen AK-47 magazines, a quantity of ammunition and destroyed one RPG propellant charge, two motorcycles and several IED making materials.

Afghan National Army Special Forces of the 6th Special Operations Kandak, enabled by coalition forces, captured an insurgent leader in the vicinity of Khan Kalay village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, May 1. The purpose of the operation was to disrupt a known improvised explosive device facilitation network in the area.

Afghan National Army Special Forces of the 7th Special Operations Kandak, acting on information received from the Nahr-e-Saraj District Chief of Police, discovered a weapons cache near Mohamadzai village, Helmand province, Nahr-e-Saraj district, May 1. The cache consisted of 27 improvised explosive devices, mostly pressure-plated IEDs, multiple AK-47 magazines and miscellaneous military equipment. The Afghan force destroyed all discovered materials in place.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force killed one insurgent and wounded two others in search of a senior insurgent leader with ties to both the Tehrik-e Taliban and Haqqani terrorist networks during an operation in Nazyan district, Nangarhar province, May 1. The senior leader has planned multiple high-profile attacks against civilians, government officials, and Afghan and coalition military forces. He has control of over 100 fighters, including a significant number of potential suicide bombers. He also runs a training camp for indoctrinating prospective insurgents, and is vital in funding TTP and Haqqani operations.

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Explosion kill 8 Afghan local police officers in Logar

According to local authorities in eastern Logar province of Afghanistan, at least 8 Afghan local police officers were killed following a roadside improvised explosive device blast in this province.

Deputy provincial security chief Raees Khan Sadiq Abdul Rahimzai confirming the report said the incident took place around 8am local time on Thursday morning after the vehicle of Afghan local police officers struck with a roadside bomb.

Abdul Rahimzai further added the incident took place in Pul-e-Alam district.

No group has far claimed responsibility behind the incident. Local officials blame Taliban group for the incidents as Taliban fighters frequently use improvised explosive device as the weapon of their choice to target Afghan and coalition security forces.

This comes as Taliban group earlier this week announced its summer offensive and vowed to target Afghan and coalition security forces, Afghan officials and diplomatic institutions across the country.

from KHAAMA
By Meena Haseeb - 02 May 2013, 4:44 pm

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May 02., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed eight insurgents, detained one suspected insurgent, discovered two weapons caches and found and safely cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, May 1.

Ghazni province

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Andar district.

Afghan National Security Forces killed seven insurgents during operations in the Ab Band district.

Afghan National Security Forces killed one insurgent and detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Dehyak district. The suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs during operations in the Dehyak district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security and coalition forces discovered one weapons cache during operations in the Bermal district. The cache contained one rocket-propelled grenade, mortar rounds, one M16 rifle, small-caliber ammunition, and body armor.

Afghan National Security and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Dilah Wa Khoshamand district.

Afghan National Security Forces discovered one weapons cache during operations in the Sar Rowzah district. The cache contained 200 AK-47 rounds, eight AK-47 magazines, and three M16 magazines.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Zarghun Shahr district.

Wardak province
Coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Sayyidabad district.

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Taliban sniper expert killed in drone strike in Nuristan

A Taliban sniper was killed following a drone strike in eastern Nuristan province of Afghanistan early Thursday morning.
Provincial governor Mohammad Tamim Nuristani confirming the report said Taliban sniper, Turab also known as Khanjar (Knife) was killed around 8am local time in Amshoz village at Waigal district in a drone strike.

The Taliban sniper used to attack Afghan security forces and government officials from remote regions using his sniper rifle.

Nuristan is among the volatile regions in eastern Afghanistan where Taliban militants and other insurgent groups are openly operating, and recently they changed their assault tactic by using sniper rifles to target security forces and government officials.

According to reports, a senior al Qaeda operative for eastern Nuristan province, Abu Sulaiman Yemeni was also killed during a drone strike on Wednesday and was killed.

Abdul Sulaiman Yemeni was responsible for providing procurement and logistic supplies to militants and was one of the prominent al Qaeda leader in Nuristan province.

In the meantime Mohammad Tamim Nuristani said an Afghan police officer was shot dead by Taliban sniper in Barg-e-Matal district around 7:30 am local time on Thursday.

from KHAAMA
By Meena Haseeb - 02 May 2013, 10:21 am

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R.I.P. - Corporal William Savage, Fusilier Samuel Flint, Private Robert Hetherington




It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that
Corporal William Savage and Fusilier Samuel Flint,
both from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland (2 SCOTS),
and Private Robert Hetherington,
from 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland (7 SCOTS), died of injuries sustained in Afghanistan on Tuesday 30 April 2013.

The soldiers were part of a patrol travelling along Route 611 between Forward Operating Base Ouellette and Patrol Base Lashkar Gah Durai in Nahr-e Saraj district when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). They were evacuated by air to the military hospital at Camp Bastion, where it was confirmed that they had been killed in action.
---
Corporal William Savage [Picture: via MOD]
Corporal William Thomas Savage, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland (2 SCOTS)

Born in Irvine on 27 January 1983, Corporal Savage enlisted into the British Army in April 2003. After completing recruit training he joined The 1st Battalion, The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret’s own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment) in November 2003.

He deployed to Iraq on Operation Telic in 2004 and completed 2 previous deployments to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 8 in 2008 and Operation Herrick 13 in 2010 with 2 SCOTS. He excelled on the Section Commanders’ Battle Course on 17 June 2011 and was promoted to full Corporal shortly afterwards. Prior to his appointment as a Section Commander in a Rifle Company he had been a member of the Regimental Police.

Corporal Savage deployed to Afghanistan on 11 March 2013. He commanded 3 Section, 1 Platoon in a District Enabling Company composed of Bravo Company Group, 2 SCOTS, part of the First Fusiliers Battlegroup. He was based in Forward Operating Base Ouellette in the Northern Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Corporal Savage was a keen sportsman who enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities. He was enthusiastic about skiing and was a talented kayak instructor.

Corporal Savage was a shining example of a Scottish infantry soldier and was a rising star in the Battalion with an extremely bright future ahead of him. He will be sorely missed by the entire Battalion and will always be remembered. He leaves behind his wife, Lyndsey, who is expecting their first child.

---
Fusilier Samuel Flint [Picture: via MOD]
Fusilier Samuel Flint, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland (2 SCOTS)

Fusilier Flint was born in Blackpool on 19 May 1991 and joined the British Army in November 2011. Following his recruit training he joined 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland in June 2012 as they began their Mission Specific Training for their deployment to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 18. He approached this training in a hugely enthusiastic and motivated manner. He was an extremely fit soldier who, although quiet, was full of humour and popular with his peers.

Fusilier Flint deployed to Afghanistan on 9 March 2013. He was a member of 3 Section, 1 Platoon in a District Enabling Company composed of Bravo Company Group, 2 SCOTS , part of the First Fusiliers Battlegroup. He was based in Forward Operating Base Ouellette in the Northern Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Fusilier Flint was a motorsports enthusiast and an avid Manchester City fan. He was dedicated to his family and spent his spare time at home in Blackpool or socialising with friends in Edinburgh.

Fusilier Flint was a vastly impressive infantry soldier and it was clear that he had an extremely promising future ahead of him. His loss has been felt deeply by all who knew and worked with him and he will live forever in their memories.

---

Private Robert Murray Hetherington [Picture: via MOD]
Private Robert Murray Hetherington, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland (7 SCOTS)


Born in the United States of America in 1987, Private Hetherington was raised and educated in Scotland where he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geography. During his time at university he became heavily involved in the Officer Training Corps which sparked his passion for the Army. Private Hetherington enlisted in the Territorial Army in October 2006 and was mobilised to join 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland for Operation Herrick 18 on 30 November 2012.

Private Hetherington was an intelligent and thoughtful soldier who was always quick with a smile. Since being mobilised he had been an extremely dedicated soldier with ambitions to attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst following his deployment. His intelligence and enthusiasm for soldiering made it likely that he would have excelled at Sandhurst.

Private Hetherington deployed to Afghanistan on 9 March 2013 as a Rifleman in 1 Section, 1 Platoon, in a District Enabling Company composed of Bravo Company Group, 2 SCOTS, part of the First Fusiliers Battlegroup. He was based in Forward Operating Base Ouellette in the Northern Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Outside of his Army life, Private Hetherington represented Scotland at lacrosse and had a passion for music.

Private Hetherington was a gifted soldier with a genuine natural talent for the profession. He was destined for great things, both in his military and civilian life. His loss has left a huge hole in his Section and his Platoon and he will be deeply mourned by all who knew him.

read more including statements on MOD UK site
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Taliban abduct 28 Afghan local police officers in Faryab

According to local authorities in northern Faryab province of Afghanistan, Taliban militants abducted around 28 Afghan local police forces after attacking a number of security check posts in Ghormach district.

The officials further added, Taliban militants had abducted the Afghan local police officers from four security check posts on Tuesday evening.

In the meantime local tribal elders in Faryab province are saying that Taliban militants have abducted around 46 local police officers during the attack which continued for several hours however neither the Taliban militants nor Afghan security forces suffered any casualties.

Tribal elders also warned that Taliban militants have been deployed in various surrounding locations of Ghormach district after Afghan police and Afghan army were pulled out of the area.

In the meantime provincial governor Mohammadullah Batash confirmed the clashes and said that Afghan local police forces have pulled out of the area following the clashes.

He denied the reports regarding the abduction of Afghan local police forces by Taliban militants.

However he said that Karez-e-Deewana area is under the total control of the Taliban militants and efforts have been put in place to clear the area from the militants.

from KHAAMA
By Khaama Press - 01 May 2013, 10:33 pm

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In Several Joint Clearance Operations, Six Armed Taliban Killed (May 01.2013.)



Publish Date: May 01, 2013
 
Counterterrorism:
In past 24 hours, Afghan National Police conducted several joint clearance operations with the cooperation of Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces to clean some of the areas from terrorists and enemies of peace and stability of Afghanistan.
 
The operations were conducted in Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunduz, Balkh, Zabul, Uruzgan, Logar, Ghazni and Paktika provinces, as a result six armed Taliban were killed, one wounded and 10 other armed Taliban were arrested by Afghan National Security Forces.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated some amount of light and heavy round ammunitions and IEDs.
 
During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused seven different types of mines placed by enemies of Afghanistan for destructive activities in Kandahar and Paktiya provinces.

Counter Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained five suspects accused of murder and theft in the 1st, 5th and 9th Districts of Kabul-City.
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