Coalition forces captured six wanted men and detained 14 additional suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda elements around Iraq.
Three wanted men who are allegedly part of an al-Qaeda in Iraq bombing network in Bayji are in Coalition forces custody after two operations Wednesday and Thursday. The force detained five additional suspects in the operations, which were near Tikrit, about 160 kilometers north of Baghdad.
During a precision operation in Mosul on Thursday, Coalition forces captured a wanted man who is allegedly part of a kidnapping cell in the city. Another Thursday raid targeting associates of AQI leaders there netted six suspected terrorists.
Using information from an operation July 18, Coalition forces captured a wanted man and one additional suspect Wednesday in Mosul. The wanted man is believed to have ties to AQI leaders in the city.
Coalition forces in al-Jadidah, about 240 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, targeted a suspected smuggler who allegedly brings foreign terrorists into Iraq. When the force arrived, the wanted man identified himself to them and was subsequently detained.
In Suwayrah, about 55 kilometers south of Baghdad, Coalition forces targeted an AQI recruiter with ties to senior terrorist leaders and detained two suspects.
“Bombing and kidnapping cells will continue to be targeted by Iraqi and Coalition Forces until these terrorists are defeated,” said Maj. John Hall, MNF-I spokesman.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Mullen Discusses Iraq, Afghanistan, Election in Interview
WASHINGTON, July 23, 2008 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke out on the need for additional troops in Afghanistan, potential troop reductions in Iraq, and the upcoming U.S. presidential election during a wide-ranging “Newsmakers” interview on PBS’s “NewsHour With Jim Lehrer” last night.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen noted recent progress in Iraq, saying “the security has improved remarkably.” But when asked about the possibility of lower troop levels there and sending more troops to Afghanistan, he said it’s too soon to make any decisions. Military leaders in Washington and Iraq will continue evaluating improvements based on conditions on the ground, he said.
“If we are able to sustain this kind of improvement in security, I'd have expectations that this fall I'd be able to make recommendations to President Bush that we can [draw down troops in Iraq],” Mullen said. “It would depend on how conditions continue to evolve.”
If security continues to improve, more troops will be available for missions in Afghanistan, where coalition forces are seeing “more sophisticated attacks more often by terrorists,” the admiral said. He said he hopes eventually to increase troop levels there by three brigades, or 10,000 troops. Two brigades would focus on counterinsurgency operations, while another brigade-size element would train Afghan police, he said.
Coalition forces in Afghanistan now are challenged with a recent spike in violence and an underdeveloped police force and government. Also, terrorists have found safe havens along the Pakistani border, and because of a lack of border security by the new Pakistani government, they are able to flow more freely in and out of Afghanistan, Mullen said.
Coalition commanders in Afghanistan have noted success in many areas, however, but still feel the need for more troops, the chairman said. Currently, only two U.S. Marine battalions -- about 2,500 Marines -- are filling that void. One is training Afghan police, and the other is conducting combat operations.
“Clearly, we are watching [insurgent activities in Afghanistan] very closely,” Mullen said. “We are concerned about the increase, the improvements, in the sophisticated attacks. And until we get to a point [in Iraq] where we can reduce [military] commitment, we won’t have significant additional troops to add in Afghanistan.”
Additional troops in Afghanistan may have a similar outcome to the same strategy that has proven successful in Iraq, the chairman said. He credited the troop surge in Iraq for being the foundation in a combination of efforts that led the country to its current state.
“The five brigades that were the additional surge brigades made a huge difference, and I would argue that they put us in a position now that not many of us would have imagined we could be 12 months ago,” he said.
Mullen said the additional troops provided security for political actions to take place and for the economy to move in the right direction while giving Iraqi security forces the opportunity to train and mature.
“[Progress in Iraq] has been a number of things,” he said, “but more than anything else, I think the underpinning of that has been the surge and the security provided for the opportunities that are there now.”
However, as Mullen and the U.S. military focus on the current happenings in Middle East, Lehrer observed the possibility of their mission shifting as early as next year. The two leading candidates for the upcoming presidential election differ greatly in their opinions concerning the U.S. military’s stance in the Middle East.
“I think it's really important for the military to remain neutral in this political season,” Mullen said. “And in maintaining that position, we carry out the mission that we have right now.”
Current priorities put the focus on Iraq first, Afghanistan second and then on building “dwell time” for troops at their home stations between deployments, Mullen said.
“My mission is to continue to evaluate conditions and to give my best advice to President Bush, and I’ll continue to do that,” he said.
Mullen said he’d have no issues serving under any president. “Clearly, we’re going to have a new president in January. I’ll get my mission from whoever that president may be, and I’ll give him my best military advice,” the admiral said. “I’ll get my direction from him, and I’ll carry that out.”
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen noted recent progress in Iraq, saying “the security has improved remarkably.” But when asked about the possibility of lower troop levels there and sending more troops to Afghanistan, he said it’s too soon to make any decisions. Military leaders in Washington and Iraq will continue evaluating improvements based on conditions on the ground, he said.
“If we are able to sustain this kind of improvement in security, I'd have expectations that this fall I'd be able to make recommendations to President Bush that we can [draw down troops in Iraq],” Mullen said. “It would depend on how conditions continue to evolve.”
If security continues to improve, more troops will be available for missions in Afghanistan, where coalition forces are seeing “more sophisticated attacks more often by terrorists,” the admiral said. He said he hopes eventually to increase troop levels there by three brigades, or 10,000 troops. Two brigades would focus on counterinsurgency operations, while another brigade-size element would train Afghan police, he said.
Coalition forces in Afghanistan now are challenged with a recent spike in violence and an underdeveloped police force and government. Also, terrorists have found safe havens along the Pakistani border, and because of a lack of border security by the new Pakistani government, they are able to flow more freely in and out of Afghanistan, Mullen said.
Coalition commanders in Afghanistan have noted success in many areas, however, but still feel the need for more troops, the chairman said. Currently, only two U.S. Marine battalions -- about 2,500 Marines -- are filling that void. One is training Afghan police, and the other is conducting combat operations.
“Clearly, we are watching [insurgent activities in Afghanistan] very closely,” Mullen said. “We are concerned about the increase, the improvements, in the sophisticated attacks. And until we get to a point [in Iraq] where we can reduce [military] commitment, we won’t have significant additional troops to add in Afghanistan.”
Additional troops in Afghanistan may have a similar outcome to the same strategy that has proven successful in Iraq, the chairman said. He credited the troop surge in Iraq for being the foundation in a combination of efforts that led the country to its current state.
“The five brigades that were the additional surge brigades made a huge difference, and I would argue that they put us in a position now that not many of us would have imagined we could be 12 months ago,” he said.
Mullen said the additional troops provided security for political actions to take place and for the economy to move in the right direction while giving Iraqi security forces the opportunity to train and mature.
“[Progress in Iraq] has been a number of things,” he said, “but more than anything else, I think the underpinning of that has been the surge and the security provided for the opportunities that are there now.”
However, as Mullen and the U.S. military focus on the current happenings in Middle East, Lehrer observed the possibility of their mission shifting as early as next year. The two leading candidates for the upcoming presidential election differ greatly in their opinions concerning the U.S. military’s stance in the Middle East.
“I think it's really important for the military to remain neutral in this political season,” Mullen said. “And in maintaining that position, we carry out the mission that we have right now.”
Current priorities put the focus on Iraq first, Afghanistan second and then on building “dwell time” for troops at their home stations between deployments, Mullen said.
“My mission is to continue to evaluate conditions and to give my best advice to President Bush, and I’ll continue to do that,” he said.
Mullen said he’d have no issues serving under any president. “Clearly, we’re going to have a new president in January. I’ll get my mission from whoever that president may be, and I’ll give him my best military advice,” the admiral said. “I’ll get my direction from him, and I’ll carry that out.”
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
MND-B Soldiers detain known Special Groups criminal in Abu T’shir
Multi-National Division – Baghdad soldiers detained a known Special Groups criminal July 21 in the Abu T’shir community of Baghdad’s Rashid district.
Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, detained the criminal leader at approximately 11:45 p.m. He is considered to be a roadside bomb expert.
“Anytime our soldiers detain a known, high-level criminal, we are reducing violence onthe streets ofBaghdad,” said Maj. Dave Olson, a 1st Brigade Combat Team spokesman. “Our efforts are focused on providing a safe and secure environment for the 1.5 million citizens of southern Baghdad.”
Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, detained the criminal leader at approximately 11:45 p.m. He is considered to be a roadside bomb expert.
“Anytime our soldiers detain a known, high-level criminal, we are reducing violence onthe streets ofBaghdad,” said Maj. Dave Olson, a 1st Brigade Combat Team spokesman. “Our efforts are focused on providing a safe and secure environment for the 1.5 million citizens of southern Baghdad.”
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Pakistani Network Broadcasts Rare Interview of Al-Qaida Commander in Afghanistan
A Pakistani television network has broadcast a rare interview with the top al-Qaida commander in Afghanistan. From Islamabad, Barry Newhouse reports Geo News says its interview with Mustafa Abu Yazid, an Egyptian, took place a few days ago in Afghanistan's eastern Khost Province.
Abu Mustafa al-Yazid is believed to be al-Qaida's third highest ranking leader, behind Ayman al-Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden. The official U.S. government investigation of the September 11 terrorist attacks named Yazid as the terrorist group's chief financial manager at the time of the attacks.
Last year, he was named head of al-Qaida's operations in Afghanistan and since then has claimed credit for a wave of deadly attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In an exclusive interview with a Geo reporter that was broadcast late Monday, al-Yazid said the group gets support from tribal areas of Pakistan. His remarks in Arabic were dubbed into Urdu in the broadcast.
He gave thanks that the group is receiving assistance from the tribal areas. He then urged all Pakistanis to support the effort as part of their religious duty.
Afghan officials and U.S. commanders have long argued that Pakistan's tribal areas along the Afghan border are a haven for al-Qaida and Taliban militants as well as a support base for the insurgency in Afghanistan.
Afghan officials have also accused parts of Pakistan's army and intelligence agencies of secretly supporting the insurgency in Afghanistan. Al-Yazid says no country supports the group and in fact the Pakistani government has caused more damage to al-Qaida than any other.
He said the government of Pervez Musharraf betrayed the Islamist fighters in Afghanistan when it sided with the United States.
Al-Yazid also repeated claims that al-Qaida was behind the June bombing of the Danish Embassy in Islamabad. He claimed the bomber was from Mecca and originally wanted to fight in Afghanistan or Kashmir, but later decided to attack the Danish Embassy to retaliate for Danish cartoons satirizing the Prophet Muhammed.
Abu Mustafa al-Yazid is believed to be al-Qaida's third highest ranking leader, behind Ayman al-Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden. The official U.S. government investigation of the September 11 terrorist attacks named Yazid as the terrorist group's chief financial manager at the time of the attacks.
Last year, he was named head of al-Qaida's operations in Afghanistan and since then has claimed credit for a wave of deadly attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In an exclusive interview with a Geo reporter that was broadcast late Monday, al-Yazid said the group gets support from tribal areas of Pakistan. His remarks in Arabic were dubbed into Urdu in the broadcast.
He gave thanks that the group is receiving assistance from the tribal areas. He then urged all Pakistanis to support the effort as part of their religious duty.
Afghan officials and U.S. commanders have long argued that Pakistan's tribal areas along the Afghan border are a haven for al-Qaida and Taliban militants as well as a support base for the insurgency in Afghanistan.
Afghan officials have also accused parts of Pakistan's army and intelligence agencies of secretly supporting the insurgency in Afghanistan. Al-Yazid says no country supports the group and in fact the Pakistani government has caused more damage to al-Qaida than any other.
He said the government of Pervez Musharraf betrayed the Islamist fighters in Afghanistan when it sided with the United States.
Al-Yazid also repeated claims that al-Qaida was behind the June bombing of the Danish Embassy in Islamabad. He claimed the bomber was from Mecca and originally wanted to fight in Afghanistan or Kashmir, but later decided to attack the Danish Embassy to retaliate for Danish cartoons satirizing the Prophet Muhammed.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Iraqi National Police Takes the Lead, Enforces Weapons-free Zone
National Policeman and their U.S. National Police Transition Team partners took to the streets of eastern Baghdad to enforce a weapons-free zone in and around Al Amin, July 13.
Policemen from 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division, led a clearing operation of the Al Amin power station and the surrounding area. Capt. Arthur Benson, an intelligence advisor with the 1st Bn., 4th Bde. 1st NP Div. NPTT explained that the Government of Iraq declared Al Amin an area where no weapons are allowed.
“Any household that had an AK-47 now does not,” said Benson, a Mount Hope, Kan. native assigned to 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, which is attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division- Baghdad.
U.S. Forces working with National Policemen gathered the intelligence that prompted the mission. Their intelligence indicated possible caches and Special Groups leaders living in the area, said Benson.
In a continuing positive trend, National Policemen took the lead as U.S. Soldiers supported them through coaching, teaching and mentoring during the mission, explained Benson. In addition, the NPTT Soldiers were there to provide backup and a little more firepower if mission conditions called for it, he said, commenting that the National Police performed superbly.
“They’ve got great officers and (are) also developing a great non-commissioned officer corps,” said Benson.
Hakeem Jabar, an intelligence official with 1st Bn., 4th Bde., 1st NP Div., said he is proud of the work the National Police are doing as they improve the overall security for the people of Iraq.
The National Police has come a long way since Benson arrived as the NPTT intelligence advisor, he said. They have formed individual companies, 1st through 4th, and a Special Weapons and Tactics platoon, he cited as examples.
“They (National Police) got the mission late last night, prepared quite well and did their pre-combat checks and pre-combat inspections,” explained Benson. Once NPTT Soldiers met with their National Police counterparts that morning, the policemen were ready to roll out and conduct the mission without any problems, he said.
Overall, National Police intelligence has improved from the very basic alerting of an improvised explosive device to now knowing specific information about the names and locations of IED makers, explained Benson.
Policemen from 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division, led a clearing operation of the Al Amin power station and the surrounding area. Capt. Arthur Benson, an intelligence advisor with the 1st Bn., 4th Bde. 1st NP Div. NPTT explained that the Government of Iraq declared Al Amin an area where no weapons are allowed.
“Any household that had an AK-47 now does not,” said Benson, a Mount Hope, Kan. native assigned to 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, which is attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division- Baghdad.
U.S. Forces working with National Policemen gathered the intelligence that prompted the mission. Their intelligence indicated possible caches and Special Groups leaders living in the area, said Benson.
In a continuing positive trend, National Policemen took the lead as U.S. Soldiers supported them through coaching, teaching and mentoring during the mission, explained Benson. In addition, the NPTT Soldiers were there to provide backup and a little more firepower if mission conditions called for it, he said, commenting that the National Police performed superbly.
“They’ve got great officers and (are) also developing a great non-commissioned officer corps,” said Benson.
Hakeem Jabar, an intelligence official with 1st Bn., 4th Bde., 1st NP Div., said he is proud of the work the National Police are doing as they improve the overall security for the people of Iraq.
The National Police has come a long way since Benson arrived as the NPTT intelligence advisor, he said. They have formed individual companies, 1st through 4th, and a Special Weapons and Tactics platoon, he cited as examples.
“They (National Police) got the mission late last night, prepared quite well and did their pre-combat checks and pre-combat inspections,” explained Benson. Once NPTT Soldiers met with their National Police counterparts that morning, the policemen were ready to roll out and conduct the mission without any problems, he said.
Overall, National Police intelligence has improved from the very basic alerting of an improvised explosive device to now knowing specific information about the names and locations of IED makers, explained Benson.
Zimbabwe Leaders Sign Agreement on Formal Talks
President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, the founding president of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change have signed an agreement on the framework for formal talks. VOA's Delia Robertson reports from our southern Africa bureau in Johannesburg.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the mediator, South African President Thabo Mbeki, and was sealed with a handshake between President Robert Mugabe and MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai. It is the first time the two have met in 10 years.
Mr. Mbeki said that the agreement commits the parties to an intense program to finalize negotiations as soon as possible.
Mr. Mbeki said all the parties recognize the urgency of the issues they will negotiate and are committed to completing the process as soon as possible.
An African diplomat close to the process earlier told VOA the MDC was anxious to set deadlines for conclusion of negotiations within two weeks; and also time frames for implementation of any agreements reached in the talks.
During talks last year between the parties, adoption of a new constitution was agreed to, but no time frames were set. Mr. Mugabe reneged on an agreement that the constitution would be implemented in time for elections held earlier this year.
After signing the agreement, Mr. Mugabe said that he and the opposition leaders have agreed to various amendments to the constitution.
The talks will focus on the formation of a government of national unity and the cessation of violence.
It is expected that reaching agreement on a unity government will be very difficult. Mr. Mugabe has made it clear he wants to head that government and wants the opposition to recognize him as the legitimate president of the country.
Mr. Tsvangirai holds that to be untrue, given the findings of all observer groups in last month's widely discredited presidential runoff election that it was not free, not fair and failed to reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people.
Mr. Mugabe was the only candidate in that runoff after Mr. Tsvangirai withdrew because of widespread violence targeting his supporters and officials of his party.
It is widely expected the Zimbabwe talks will get under way within days.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the mediator, South African President Thabo Mbeki, and was sealed with a handshake between President Robert Mugabe and MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai. It is the first time the two have met in 10 years.
Mr. Mbeki said that the agreement commits the parties to an intense program to finalize negotiations as soon as possible.
Mr. Mbeki said all the parties recognize the urgency of the issues they will negotiate and are committed to completing the process as soon as possible.
An African diplomat close to the process earlier told VOA the MDC was anxious to set deadlines for conclusion of negotiations within two weeks; and also time frames for implementation of any agreements reached in the talks.
During talks last year between the parties, adoption of a new constitution was agreed to, but no time frames were set. Mr. Mugabe reneged on an agreement that the constitution would be implemented in time for elections held earlier this year.
After signing the agreement, Mr. Mugabe said that he and the opposition leaders have agreed to various amendments to the constitution.
The talks will focus on the formation of a government of national unity and the cessation of violence.
It is expected that reaching agreement on a unity government will be very difficult. Mr. Mugabe has made it clear he wants to head that government and wants the opposition to recognize him as the legitimate president of the country.
Mr. Tsvangirai holds that to be untrue, given the findings of all observer groups in last month's widely discredited presidential runoff election that it was not free, not fair and failed to reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people.
Mr. Mugabe was the only candidate in that runoff after Mr. Tsvangirai withdrew because of widespread violence targeting his supporters and officials of his party.
It is widely expected the Zimbabwe talks will get under way within days.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Spain's Supreme Court Clears 4 in Madrid Train Bombing Case
Spain's supreme court has overturned the convictions of four of the 21 people found guilty of involvement in the 2004 Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people.
The four men had been convicted of charges ranging from membership of a terrorist group to supplying explosives.
The court also upheld a lower court's acquittal of one of the alleged masterminds of the al-Qaida inspired attacks, Rabei Ousmane Sayed Ahmed, also known as Mohammed the Egyptian.
The Supreme court said Thursday there was not enough evidence to condemn him as an organizer of the attack.
The early morning bombing of four packed commuter trains was the deadliest terror attack in the west since the September 11 attacks in the US in 2001.
The four men had been convicted of charges ranging from membership of a terrorist group to supplying explosives.
The court also upheld a lower court's acquittal of one of the alleged masterminds of the al-Qaida inspired attacks, Rabei Ousmane Sayed Ahmed, also known as Mohammed the Egyptian.
The Supreme court said Thursday there was not enough evidence to condemn him as an organizer of the attack.
The early morning bombing of four packed commuter trains was the deadliest terror attack in the west since the September 11 attacks in the US in 2001.
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