War News for Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Reported security incidents

Baghdad:
#1: An employee of the Baghdad Province’s Council has been killed in an attack, launched by unknown gunmen using guns fixed with silencers, north of Baghdad on Tuesday, according to a security source. “A group of unknown gunmen, using guns fixed with silencers, have opened fire against an employee of Baghdad Province’s Council in northern Baghdad’s Aadhamiya district, killing him on the spot,” the security source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

#2: A sticky bomb attached to the car of a civilian exploded and seriously wounded him in Adhamiya district, northern Baghdad, the interior ministry source said.

#3: A bomb exploded near the Al Taleea theatre in the Waziriya district of northern Baghdad, wounding two civilians, an interior ministry source said.


Diyala Prv:
#1: Attackers set off two car bombs next to a government compound Tuesday, then opened fire and took an unknown number of hostages, Iraqi officials said. Eight people were killed in the assault. There were conflicting reports about whether the situation had been brought under control in Baqouba. Gunmen first set off two car bombs near a gate protecting the government compound in Baqouba, 35 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad, said Samira al-Shibli, a spokeswoman for the Diyala provincial council. The compound houses buildings including the provincial council headquarters and the governor's office. Two officials with the Diyala Operations Command said at least some of the gunmen made their way into the compound and one of the officials said the gunmen took hostages. One of the officials at the Diyala Operations Command said there were five gunmen: three were killed, one wounded and authorities were still searching for the fifth. However, a member of the Diyala provincial council said 10 gunmen had stormed into the compound.


Kut:
#1: A U.S. Army patrol has been attacked by an explosive charge in the city of Kut, the center of southern Iraq’s Wassit Province on Monday, according to an Iraqi police source. “An explosive charge, planted by unknown gunmen at the northern entrance of the city of Kut, has blown up against a U.S. Army patrol, but losses were not known,” the police source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.


Baaj:
#1: Police found the beheaded bodies of two civilians who were kidnapped five days ago in the town of Baaj, 375 km (235 miles) northwest of Baghdad, a police source said.


Kirkuk:
#1: An officer in the former Iraqi Army has been assassinated by unknown gunmen in northern Iraq’s oil-rich city of Kirkuk on Monday, an Iraqi police officer said. “A group of unknown gunmen have assassinated Brig-General, Abdul-Wahid Attiya, with a gun fixed with silencer in the city of Kirkuk on Monday,” the police officer told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.



Afghanistan: "The Forgotten War"
#1: Seven Nato oil supply tankers were destroyed in attacks by militants on Monday here in Torkham. Sources revealed that last evening an explosive device installed beneath a supply tanker of the allied forces went off in Torkham parking hub. The tanker caught fire that soon engulfed other three tankers parked nearby, sources in political administration and Khasadar force informed. No casualty was reported while the fire brigade and local political administration officials rushed to the scene and vacated the parking point to avoid further loss.

#2: A bomb planted on a bicycle wounded two people in the city of Quetta in southwestern Baluchistan province, police said.


DoD: Capt. Michael W. Newton

DoD: Lance Cpl. Joshua B. McDaniels

DoD: Lance Cpl. Sean M. N. O’Connor

DoD: Lance Cpl. Jason D. Hill

Fr. MoD: Lieutenant Matthew Gaudin

Fr. MoD: Master Corporal Lionel Knight

War News for Monday, June 13, 2011

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from an insurgent attack in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, June 11th.

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from a non-combat related injury in an undisclosed location in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, June 11th.

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from an insurgent attack in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, June 12th.

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from an IED attack in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, June 12th.


Reported security incidents

Baghdad:
#1: A Baghdad senior municipal official was wounded when a bomb attached to his vehicle exploded late on Sunday in an eastern part of the city, an interior ministry source said.

#2: A roadside bomb detonated at a playground in a Baghdad neighborhood on Sunday evening, leaving three dead and 14 wounded, a police source said. The explosion occurred in Jihad district in southwestern Baghdad, claiming three lives and wounding 14 others, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. The blast site was a public playground where kids living nearby often play soccer. It is not immediately know whether the casualties include kids.


Diyala Prv:
#1: Three people including two policemen were killed when gunmen attacked a police checkpoint late on Sunday in Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad, local police said.


Mussayab:
#1: A sticky bomb attached to the car of a policeman exploded and killed him in Mussayab, about 60 km (40 miles) south of Baghdad, local police said.


Basra:
#1: A suicide bomber killed four people today after ramming a vehicle into a police building in southern Iraq. Police said the bomber crashed through the gate during the morning rush hour and made it a few yards into the police compound before blowing up the car in the city of Basra. Three policemen and one civilian were killed and 24 people were injured.


Balad:
#1: A group of armed men have attacked a mosque preacher close to his house in Balad township, 90 km to the south of Tikrit, the center of Salahal-Din Province on Monday, seriously wounding him, according to Salahal-Din’s Operations Command. “A group of unknown armed men have attacked the house of Al-Rahman Mosque’s Preacher, Sheikh Ismail al-Arabi in Balad township, 90 km to the south of Tikrit, seriously injuring him,” a Command source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. A medical source in Balad’s hospital, where Sheikh Araby was driven to after the attack, said he had suffered from serious injuries in different parts of his body and his condition was very serious.


Mosul:
#1: An Iraqi soldier has been killed in an attack by unknown gunmen in northern Iraq’s city of Mosul on Monday, according to a Ninewa security source. “An Iraqi soldier has been killed, when a group of unknown gunmen opened fire on him in front of his house in southern Mosul’s al-Maamoun district on Monday,” the security source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.



Afghanistan: "The Forgotten War"
#1: Afghan army officials say their troops have killed 32 insurgents in the western region of the country. Officials say four Afghan soldiers were killed and at least three other soldiers were wounded Sunday in the fighting in Badghis province.

#2: Taliban militants in Afghanistan''s eastern Wardak province have destroyed more than 20 NATO tankers carrying fuel to US-led soldiers stationed in the country. Taliban forces launched a prolonged and massive attack on NATO oil tankers in Sayed Abad city on Sunday, destroying more than 20 NATO tankers, Wardak province''s police chief Haghnavaz Haghyar told the (Press TV) on Monday. At least six Afghan soldiers were also left injured in the incident, the Afghan police chief added.

#3: At least three Pakistani soldiers have been killed when a roadside bomb exploded in the restive Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan. The bomb struck soldiers who were on a patrol to check for mines ahead of a military convoy in South Waziristan. Three soldiers were wounded in the attack, one report said.

#4: A Polish Mi-24 helicopter crash landed in Afghanistan, Sunday, after it was returning from combat operations to the Warrior base in Ghazni in the south east of the country. None of the four troops on board were injured, says a statement from Polish command and the helicopter was only slightly damaged. According to an initial investigation it was concluded that strong side winds were responsible for the accident.

#5: Two rockets fired by militants landed inside a military camp in Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan's tribal region, but caused no damage or injuries, intelligence officials said.

#6: Six persons were injured as a roadside bomb struck a military vehicle in Kandahar province, 450 km south of Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, a press release of Interior Ministry said. "The incident happened at 10:30 a.m. local time in Kandahar city the capital of Kandahar province as a result six people including three Afghan soldiers and three civilians among them a child were injured," the press release added.

News of the Day for Sunday, June 12, 2011

Reported Security Incidents

Hashimiya, south of Hilla

Iraqi security forces say that U.S. forces killed 2 civilians, apparently accidentally, while firing rockets to destroy an anti-tank bomb planted by the road.


Baghdad

Roadside bomb injures 3 police officers on Palestine St. Saturday night.

In the same dispatch, Aswat al-Iraq reports a sticky bomb seriously injures an Iraqi army officer in Doura, also late Saturday.

Three civilians injured by a roadside bomb in Adhamiya.

Mosul

One police officer killed, another injured by a bomb attack on their patrol.

Aswat al-Iraq also reports a city council member escapes an attempt to assassinate him by booby trapping his car.

Four people are injured late Saturday in successive explosions in al-Zuhour district, the first injuring 2 civilians, the second injuring 2 soldiers. (Note: This is not the attack that occurred earlier in the day, which killed 4 or 6 people depending on the source, noted in yesterday's post.) Reuters calls this location "a town near Mosul," apparently referring to the same incidents.

Other News of the Day

U.S. Republican Rep. Dana Rohrbacher, leading a "fact finding" mission to Iraq, sets off a firestorm of anger by Iraqi lawmakers, and the government calls the U.S. embassy to ask that the delegation leave the country. First, in a 1 1/2 hour meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Rohrbacher tells the PM that his House subcommittee is investigating the deaths of 35 members of the Iranian dissident group Mujahedin-e Khalq by Iraqi security forces. He later says at a press conference that the "massacre" was probably a crime against humanity; and stated that Iraq should repay the U.S. for the cost of the invasion and occupation.

Outside the parliamentary cafeteria, a member of the Prime Minister's State of Law party attacks a member of the Iraqiya party with his cane.

Demonstrators in Basra demand better living conditions, as the Prime Minister's declared '100 days for reform' expire without any cabinet ministers being removed.

Afghanistan Update

ISAF says a soldier was killed in an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan on Saturday. No further details available at this time.

Taliban attack an Afghan army vehicle in Ghazni. According to an Afghan military spokesman, 6 insurgents were killed and 3 injured; 1 Afghan soldier was injured.

The UN says that more Afghan civilians died violently in May than in any month since 2007. Of 368 civilian deaths, the UN says anti-government forces were responsible for 82%.

Quote of the Day

Tom Ridge appears to be alleging in a new book that the Bush administration put political pressure on him to raise the terrorism threat level in fall of 2004 so as to help George W. Bush’s chances of reelection. . . .Frances Townsend, Donald Rumsfeld and other Bush administration figures are denying the charge. But, of course, they are seasoned liars and so their denials don’t count for much.

Juan Cole

War News for Saturday, June 11, 2011

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier when a helicopter crashed somewhere in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, June 10th. The French MoD is reporting that a French soldier died when the helicopter crashed about 20 kilometers from Bagram air base. A second soldier was wounded.

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from a non-battle related injury in an undisclosed location in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, June 10th. The French MoD is reporting that a French soldier died from a weapon discharge accident.


Reported security incidents

Baghdad:
#1: Three civilians were injured in a bomb blast in Adhamiyah District, north Baghdad, security sources said today. The source added to Aswat al-Iraq that "the bomb exploded near the court building."

#2: At least 10 persons have been killed and 15 others injured in 2 explosive charges blasts in southeastern Baghdad on Friday night, a security source reported. “Two explosive charges blew off against an Iraqi Army patrol in southeastern Baghdad’s al-Madaen district on Friday night, killing 10 persons, among them one of the patrol’s elements and wounding 15 others, including a soldier,” the security source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Saturday.


Diyala Prv:
#1: In Diyala, unknown gunmen attacked three people including an awakening council member in northeastern Baaquba.


Al Dour:
#1: A Sunni Arab family of five was gunned down in their home in the early hours of Saturday morning north of Baghdad, security and medical officials said. It was unclear why the family were targeted in the attack in the village of Al-Jalam, near the town of Al-Dour in Salaheddin province, the officials said. "Two gunmen stormed the house of Yunis Hassan Salman after midnight and they killed him, his wife, their two sons and their daughter before running away," an Iraqi army first lieutenant said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A senior member of a government-backed Sunni militia and his three siblings were killed when gunmen attacked their house in central Iraq, police sources said Saturday.


Mosul:
#1: Two car bombs exploded in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Saturday, killing four people and injuring at least 50, police and hospital officials said. The blasts occurred in a street with many restaurants near the government compound in the main city of Nineveh province, 390 km (240 miles) north of the capital Baghdad.


Al Anbar Prv:
#1: Three policemen have been injured in two explosive charges blasts in central Ramadi on Friday night, an Anbar police source said. “Two explosive charges blew off late Friday night in central Ramadi, the first targeted against a police patrol, wounding 3 of its elements and causing damage to a civilian car, parked close to the venue of the blast,” the police source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. He said that the second explosive charge blew off 5 minutes after the time of the first blast, causing damage to a café, adding that the police forces rushed to the venues of the blasts, to avoid the presence of a cache against ambulance men and security forces.



Afghanistan: "The Forgotten War"
#1: The worst attack took place in the Khakrez district of Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan, where a roadside bomb killed all 16 people traveling in a minibus, including eight children, said provincial police chief Abdul Raziq. He said the bomb was planted by the Taliban and was intended for NATO or Afghan forces.

#2: In the eastern province of Khost, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the local police headquarters in the Shai Kali area, killing three policemen and a child, according to provincial police chief Sadar Mohammad Zazai. Among the four people killed in the blast was a local police chief, Mohammad Zahir Khan, Zazai said. It was not immediately clear whether Khan was specifically targeted. Provincial health director Hedayatullah Hamidi said 25 also were wounded in the attack.

#3: A second suicide bomber, this one pushing an ice cream cart, killed one child and wounded three more in the central Afghanistan province of Ghazni, according to provincial police chief Mohammad Hussain. "The suicide attacker was a young boy with a thin beard and mustache wearing a scarf," said an eyewitness who identified himself as Asadullah. "He was pushing an ice cream cart. I was just standing 20 meters from him and then he exploded."

#4: Meanwhile, a bomb killed two policemen and wounded nine others who were investigating an earlier explosion late Friday at a satellite television network office in Mehterlam city in the eastern province of Laghman, said Faizelullah Patan, a spokesman for the provincial governor.

#5: Four Iowa National Guard soldiers were wounded when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. The attack happened June 7, 2011 in Laghman Province.

#6: A driver of a NATO oil tanker was killed and his assistant received bullet injuries when unidentified armed men attacked the oil tanker in the Yaro area on Friday. According to police, the NATO oil tanker was on its way to Karachi from Afghanistan when armed men riding a bike opened fire on it and fled from the scene. As a result, the driver, Abdul Hameed, died on the spot while his helper was seriously injured. The oil tanker was partially damaged, police said.


DoD: Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. O’Brien

War News for Friday, June 10, 2011

MNF-Iraq (OND) is reporting the death of a U.S. service member (Marine) during combat operations in an undisclosed area in southern Iraq on Wednesday, June 8th.

NATO is reporting the death of a U.S. service member from an unreported cause somewhere in western Afghanistan on Tuesday, June 7th.


Here's what "might" be the last American Marine killed in Iraq.


Reported security incidents

Baghdad:
#1: The source informed Aswat al-Iraq that an explosion was near a mosque in Zafaraniyah district, where three persons were injured.

#2: The same area witnessed yesterday launching a Katyusha rocket directed against the heavy-fortified Green Zone, but no casualties were reported.

Around eight Katyusha rockets launched from eastern Baghdad landed late on Thursday in the city's heavily-fortified Green Zone, where government buildings and foreign embassies are located, interior ministry and civil defence sources said. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

#3: Another explosion took place today by a sticky bomb near a federal police check point in Saydiah area, south west Baghdad, which led to hurting the driver, civilian and a cop.

#4: The third explosion was by a bomb implanted near alcohol shop in east of Baghdad, that led to material losses only.


Touz:
#1: A security source stated that a bomb blast took place late Thursday night in Touz Area which resulted in injuring a cop. The source informed Aswat al-Iraq that the bomb exploded in the Military Quarter in the center of Touz area, 80 km south of Kirkuk, which led to one casualty with material losses due to the explosion.


Mosul:
#1: A child has been injured in an explosive charge blast in the city of Mosul, the center of northern Iraq’s Ninewa Province, on Thursday, according to a Ninewa security source. “A child has been injured in an explosive charge blast, targeted against a police patrol in west Mosul’s al-Risala district on Thursday,” the security source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.



Afghanistan: "The Forgotten War"
#1: A suicide bomber targeted prayers for a prominent assassinated Afghan police chief on Friday, killing four policemen but another top officer escaped unharmed, officials said. Eighteen other people were wounded in the attack in Kunduz city, capital of the province of the same name which has become a Taliban bastion in recent years and seen an increase in insurgent assaults. Provincial government spokesman Mahboobullah Saeedi said the suicide bomber tried to enter a mosque where memorial prayers were taking place for general Mohammed Daoud Daoud, but policemen prevented him from getting inside.

#2: A roadside bomb struck a vehicle carrying paramilitary troops in the southwestern Baluchistan province, killing two soldiers and wounding three, a local government said.


DoD: Spc. Emilio J. Campo Jr.

DoD: Spc. Michael B. Cook Jr.

DoD: Spc. Christopher B. Fishbeck

DoD: Spc. Robert P. Hartwick

DoD: Pfc. Michael C. Olivieri

DoD: Pfc. Matthew J. England

War News for Thursday, June 09, 2011

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from an IED attack in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, June 9th.


Reported security incidents

Baghdad:
#1: Gunmen, also using silenced weapons, wounded a judge in the Jamiaa district of western Baghdad, the interior ministry source said.

#2: Gunmen killed an off-duty policeman driving his car in Utaifiya district of west central Baghdad, the interior ministry source said.

#3: Police found the body of an unidentified man shot in the head in Baghdad's northern Binoog district, the interior ministry source said.

#4: A roadside bomb wounded two people in Baghdad's west central Utaifiya district, the interior ministry source said.

#5: A roadside bomb exploded as a police patrol passed, wounding four people, including one policeman, in Zaafaraniya district in southeast Baghdad, a ministry of interior source said.


Taji:
#1: Gunmen using silenced weapons killed Jalal Jassim Mohammed, the head of a company belonging to the ministry of industries in the town of Taji, 20 km (12 miles) north of Baghdad, an interior ministry source said.


Mosul:
#1: Gunmen shot dead an off-duty policeman near his house in eastern Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.


Al Anbar Prv:
#1: A sticky bomb attached to a vehicle exploded, killing one person and wounding another in central Falluja, 50 km (32 miles) west of Baghdad, a local government official said.



Afghanistan: "The Forgotten War"
#1: Taliban fighters stormed a checkpoint, killing eight Pakistani soldiers in an Afghan border region that the army previously said it had cleared of insurgents. The Taliban raid on the army checkpoint the Marabi area of South Waziristan took place late Wednesday and two intelligence officials said 10 insurgents who took part in the attack were also killed when soldiers returned fire. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, in line with their organization's policy.

#2: The deadliest of the two bomb attacks Thursday took place on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar in the Matani area, where several anti-Taliban militias are based. The blast hit a passenger vehicle, killing four people, including a woman and a child, said Peshawar police chief Liaquat Ali Khan. The target was not immediately clear, but on Sunday another blast in Matani killed six people.

#3: Two other people were killed and three were wounded in a second roadside bombing against a vehicle carrying food supplies for a paramilitary camp in the Upper Dir district of Saber Killy, said police officer Rehmat Khan. Upper Dir saw several large-scale militant attacks last week.

#4: Gunmen killed nine people at a wedding party in the Dur Baba district of eastern Nangarhar province, Afghan officials said on Thursday. All nine were shot in their sleep and those killed included the groom and his father. There were no immediate claims of responsibility.

#5: In northwestern Pakistan, militants have torched a NATO oil supply truck carrying fuel for US-led foreign troops in Afghanistan, local officials say. According to the Pakistan officials, militants destroyed the NATO oil tanker in Landi Kotal tehsil of Khyber Agency on Thursday, a Press TV correspondent reported. The tanker was completely destroyed as a result of the blast. However, no human loss was reported in the incident.


DoD: Cpl. William J. Woitowicz

War News for Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Afghan nation-building programs not sustainable, report says


Reported security incidents

Baghdad:
#1: A roadside bomb targeting a police patrol wounded four people, including two policemen, in central Baghdad's Karrada district, an interior ministry source said.

#2: A sticky bomb attached to the car of a government employee exploded, wounding him and two passers-by in the Binoog district of northern Baghdad, an interior ministry source said.

#3: Gunmen using silenced weapons attacked Interior Ministry Colonel Mussab Kamil and his family, wounding the colonel and his wife and killing their son in the Jamiaa district of western Baghdad, the interior ministry source said.


Diyala Prv:
#1: A Police officer, with Lt.- Brigadier rank has been killed in a sticking bomb that blew off under his military vehicle in northeast Iraq’s Diala Province on Tuesday, a Diala security source said. “A sticking bomb, planted under an Army vehicle, carrying Diala Province’s Hibib town’s Police Directorate, Lt. Brigadier, Mahdi al-Obeidy, blew off to kill him on the spot and seriously wounding his driver,” the security source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

#2: Unknown gunmen killed a civilian in northern Baaquba, Diyala, a police source said. Two suspects were arrested thought to be involved in the incident, a source told Alsumaria.


Nafaq al Shorta:
#1: Unknown gunmen killed as well an employee at the Defense Ministry in Nafaq Al Shorta


Hilla:
#1: An explosive charge blew off against a U.S. Army patrol in western Iraq’s Province of Babel on Tuesday, but losses were not known, a Babel security source said. “An explosive charge, planted on the highway passing through northern Hilla, the center of Babel Province, blew off against a U.S. Army patrol on Tuesday,” the security source said. He added that the American forces “began to shoot in the air,” and eyewitnesses said they saw columns of smoke coming out from the venue of the explosion.


Rashad:
#1: A roadside bomb killed a member of the government-backed Sunni Sahwa militia when it exploded near a Sahwa-run checkpoint in the town of Rashad, near Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.


Al Anbar Prv:
#1: A sticky bomb attached to an off-duty policeman's car exploded and killed him in central Ramadi, 100 km (60 miles) west of Baghdad, police said.



Afghanistan: "The Forgotten War"
#1-2: US missiles have killed 23 suspected militants in an attack on a compound in a tribal region near the Afghan border. The strikes occurred within minutes of each other, Pakistani intelligence officials said. One missile hit a vehicle carrying five men, while the other struck a nearby compound, killing 18 people in the Shawal area, which lies along the border that separates the South and North Waziristan tribal regions.

#2: DynCorp International is deeply saddened by the loss of team member Brett Benton, 37, of Dry Ridge, Kentucky, who was killed on June 4, 2011 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle near Alingar District, Laghman Province, Afghanistan. Mr. Benton joined the mission in May 2011, to assist in mentoring and training the Afghan National Police, following more than a decade of law enforcement service in Kentucky.

#3: At least seven oil tankers, supplying fuel to Nato forces in Afghanistan, were destroyed in a bomb blast near Torkham border in Khyber Agency on Tuesday, sources said. They said that the vehicles were parked at a parking lot near the border when a magnet bomb planted at a tanker exploded in the afternoon. The blast caused a huge fire, which engulfed six other oil tankers parked in the area. “The fire was so huge that it was impossible for us to control it on time,” said a khadadar.


MoD: Rifleman Martin Jon Lamb

DoD: Sgt. Christopher R. Bell

DoD: Sgt. Joshua D. Powell

DoD: Spc. Devin A. Snyder

DoD: Pfc. Robert L. Voakes Jr.

DoD: Chief Warrant OfficerKenneth R. White

DoD: Chief Warrant Officer Bradley J. Gaudet

DoD: Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison