A BRITISH paratrooper was killed yesterday as his unit struggled to lift what amounted to a siege of their base in the heart of Taleban country in southern Afghanistan.
He was the sixth soldier to die in just over three weeks in the Sangin Valley, Helmand province. The fighting raged for hours and was so fierce that reinforcements from 3 Para, arriving by Chinook helicopter, had to be turned back because of intense gunfire.
Apache attack helicopters were called in to suppress the attack. Daily patrols in the town of Sangin have entailed regular ambushes and gunfights for members of the 200-strong unit from the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment battle group. The platoon house, a fortified building in the centre of town, is vulnerable because of its position.
The soldier was part of a patrol that came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles. Sangin, by the fertile Helmand river, is made up of mud-walled compounds, poppy fields and orchards, ideal cover for ambushes. The last two soldiers to die before yesterday were killed in an assault on their platoon house. Because of their isolation, the British troops at Sangin have first call on the roving quick-reaction force.
A military source described the whole area as "Taleban central" and said all the British bases were coming under daily attack. Apart from the six Apaches, the 3,300-strong British battle group in Helmand has only six Chinook helicopters and four Lynxes between them to cover a province four times the size of Wales.
Yesterdays death came after the killing on Saturday of Corporal Peter Thorpe, 27, of the Royal Signals, and Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi, 24, of the Intelligence Corps, in an attack on the Sangin base.
Yesterdays ambush happened a few hours after Tony Blair repeated his pledge that the British force would be given whatever it needed to carry out its mission.
Corporal Chris Crabtree, 36, who has been in 3 Para since 1999, told The Times: "We are here to do a job its a dangerous place. You cant expect to get a mission and not lose people." Dang those fellas need air support.
#2
Article: Because of their isolation, the British troops at Sangin have first call on the roving quick-reaction force.
This sounds a lot like Dien Bien Phu. Tether the goat to lure the tiger into a trap. At Dien Bien Phu, it was the French who got slaughtered. I hope our guys are ready to bail 'em out if things get out of hand - there might not be a lot of time to get ready. 200 guys is not a heck of a lot of people to put out in the middle of Indian country. They had better not let their guard down.
#3
Today the headlines on page one scream "Brits under siege" (implying their collective asses are getting kicked).
Tomorrow, buried on page 23A, a footnote will mention 50 AQ killed following "siege" of Brits; one Brit KIA, three wounded.
The Taliban still think they're fooking with the Russians. They wish.
Posted by: Mark Z ||
07/05/2006 21:48 Comments ||
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#4
I hope this doesn't turn into a clusterfunk because our forces can't communicate with eachother. The Brits have given priority to interoperability with the EU, not the U. S. I hope that doesn't bite them in the butt here.
#5
The British brought their own air support with them : Apaches and Harriers. They have good comm systems that interoperated between the RAF and Army already in place. Now, if they need A-10s or AC-130Us, that might be a different matter, since those would require comms with American systems.
#6
The Brits have been master of defense since forever. 200 men is a company of Paras with supporting elements. Right in the heart of Jihadi country. They have to attack or lose face. Think "Rourke's Drift".
I am sure the RAF and USAF have planned for this and have ready support, on-call and ready to be delivered.
#7
At Dien Bien Phu, instead of the usual tactic of seizing the high ground, the French were camped in the low ground and they were outgunned as well as outnumbered. I doubt the Brits are doing anything that .. um ..'unorthodox'.
05/07/2006: Coalition forces killed about 35 militants during a raid on a Taliban compound in southern Afghanistan, the military said today. The attack occurred last night in the village of Gujdar about 15 miles east of Musa Qala in southern Helmand province, a statement said.
Several of the extremists killed were area Taliban leaders who planned and conducted multiple attacks against local Afghans, government officials and coalition forces, the statement said. No coalition forces or civilians were injured during the fighting.
Additional: US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan have killed 35 rebels in a single strike on a "known Taliban compound" in the south of the country, while three more were killed separately. Troops struck the compound in Helmand province late Tuesday, "killing an estimated 35 extremists while they met at a Taliban compound in the village of Ghach Zar", a coalition statement said Wednesday.
"Several of the extremists killed were area Taliban leaders who planned and conducted multiple attacks against local Afghans, government officials and coalition forces," it said. The Taliban claimed civilian casualties in the strike, but the coalition said, "no injuries to coalition forces or non-combatants were observed during the strike."
Police in nearby Zabul province said meanwhile that they had killed three Taliban in a battle on Wednesday in which an Afghan soldier was also killed.
"This morning Afghan National Army (ANA) and national police came in contact with a group of Taliban," Zabul police chief Noor Mohammad Pakteen said. "One ANA soldier was killed and three others were wounded. Three Taliban were also killed in the fighting. Their bodies are still left on the ground," he said.
"Afghan National Army and coalition forces will continue the relentless pursuit of extremists operating in southern Afghanistan," a coalition spokesman said.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 10:08 ||
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#1
the "resurgent" Taliban population grows in HELL!
#10
Some say insurgenices can't be defeated through killing the insurgents. I say let's try an experiment to see if we can do it. We decided to love, employ, and negotiate them to death here - too late. But I'd like to see it tried in Afghanistan.
KABUL - Fifty-nine Afghan minor terrorists citizens being held at Guantanamo Bay for suspected involvement with the Taleban and Al Qaeda will be released and return home in the coming weeks, an official said Tuesday.
Thirty men who were held by the US military at Bagram Air Base -- north of Kabul -- were released meanwhile on Monday, said Mohammad Akram, from a government-appointed group working on reconciliation. Another 30 were due to freed from Bagram next week, he said.
The 59 would be returned from the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba in batches within the next few weeks, he said. The people set to come from Guantanamo had (committed) minor crimes. Theyll be released soon after they arrive in the country, Akram told AFP. It will take few weeks, perhaps two to three weeks, he said.
The releases were part of a government programme under which the United States has agreed to send home all 96 Afghan nationals being held in Guantanamo.
The remaining really bad guys will be stored at Ice Station Zebra.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Fifty-nine Afghan citizens??
They were combatants. Lets not forget that little fact.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
07/05/2006 6:49 Comments ||
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#2
Who are going to be wondering where their next meal is going to come from. Especially, if the Afghan government 'holds' them till they're cleared.
#4
Probably be back out shooting at Brits, Danes, etc. within one month. I wonder if we get any real information from dupes like this, or is it just one fabrication after another ? If we don't profit at all, why not just change policy to no prisoners taken. Quit hauling them around and giving lefties a chance to bitch.
#6
...in other news today a USAF transport plane deployed bound for Afghanistan from Gitmo carrying 60 "former terrorists" lost power over the Atlantic Ocean and crashed into the sea. The only survivors were the pilot and co-pilot, both of who were equipped with GSP monitors, parachuets, and life vests. All others on board had been given Korans and a slab of bacon.
Posted by: Mark Z ||
07/05/2006 19:28 Comments ||
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#7
They'll probably claim that they're in danger of being tortured by the Karzai government, and will be granted asylum in the UK, complete with free housing and benefits.
Suspected Taliban guerillas killed five Afghan civilians working at a US military base in the eastern province of Kunar province late on Monday, while in the capital Kabul two separate bombs left six people wounded. "Insurgents opened fire on a truck on Monday evening carrying labourers working in a US military base in Korangal village in the Dara-e-Pech district of Kunar province killing five of them and wounding another," Zahidullah Zahid, spokesman for the Kunar governor, told IRIN. Zahid said the labourers were driving home from work when armed militants stopped the vehicle and fired on them.
In another incident also early on Tuesday, an interior ministry official was wounded in the eighth precinct of Kabul city when a remote-control bomb exploded near a bus carrying government officials to work, according to Paktiawal.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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An explosion in the Afghan capital, Kabul, has wounded six people while fighting in the south of the country killed 12 members of the Taliban. The lunch time bomb blast on Tuesday occurred near the presidential palace and various ministries. Yousuf Stanizai, a spokesman for the interior ministry, blamed "enemies of the Afghan people" for the lunch time blast in the crowded city centre. The bomb was in a vendor's push cart. Six people were admitted to hospital, five in serious condition, said Abdullah Fahim, a ministry of health official. Several people had superficial wounds, he said. The blast shattered windows in the justice ministry and damaged several cars. No one claimed responsibility for the explosion.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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Two people are reported dead after Islamist gunmen in central Somalia opened fire in a cinema where people were watching a banned World Cup match. The cinema owner and a young girl were reportedly killed by militia loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts, who seized control of parts of Somalia last month. The courts have introduced Sharia law in areas under their authority, including a World Cup broadcast ban.
According to reports on a Somali news network, gunmen arrived to close down the cinema in the town of Dhuusa Marreeb in central Galgadud district, where a crowd had gathered to watch the Germany-Italy World Cup semi-final. Some of the football fans began to protest and according to reports, the gunmen fired in the air in an attempt to disperse them. When this failed, shots were fired at the demonstrators and two people were killed.
The Islamic courts have introduced Sharia in areas under their authority. This has included in some parts a ban on cinemas and on broadcasts of World Cup games because they have carried advertisements for alcohol. The courts have taken control of large parts of Somalia, introducing a level of civil administration and justice which the country has not seen for the past 15 years.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 09:05 ||
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I was in Gettysburg over the holiday. Along the streets and in the parks, many Americans passed the time in awe and respect. We are well fed, well dressed, and prosperous. We smile and so we are hated. Just as those who enjoy the soccer games are hated.
I wonder what behavior professionals like psychologists think about Islam ? I suppose it's some kind of eighth century brain phalking. I really don't see how it compares as a lifestyle choice against modern America. Happy Fourth.
#4
TC - heh heh heh... Football's got to be Islamic, the Saudis were in in the World Cup.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
07/05/2006 10:21 Comments ||
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"a level of civil administration and justice which the country has not seen for the past 15 years"
Yeah, if you call execution for watching a soccer game justice (euthenasia, maybe, but justice???)
#7
Two people are reported dead after Islamist gunmen in central Somalia opened fire in a cinema where people were watching a banned World Cup match. The cinema owner and a young girl were reportedly killed by militia loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts, who seized control of parts of Somalia last month. The courts have introduced Sharia law in areas under their authority, including a World Cup broadcast ban.
#8
#1 I was in Gettysburg over the holiday. Along the streets and in the parks, many Americans passed the time in awe and respect. We are well fed, well dressed, and prosperous.
[...]
Happy Fourth.
Posted by wxjames 2006-07-05 09:22||
Well I'll be darn, wxjames, I was at Gettysbrug with my wife yesterday. It's only about 52 minutes from my home. Wish we could have met up and shared a beer!
#9
It's about 2 and a half hours for me, Lancasters.
I'm willing to make the run some time, let's keep it in mind. Or, we could meet somewhere east of Lancaster and watch corn grow or something.
Could it be that football (I call it soccer) is no longer halal once all Muslim teams have been eliminated from the World Cup? Yeah, I know. That doesn't make sense. Then again, what makes sense about Islam?
Think about it people: two human beings executed for watching a soccer game. A soccer game.
As I recall a "football pitch" in Afghanistan was used for public executions.
I'm not islamophobic. I just don't like or trust those who adhere to the policical ideology of islam.
Posted by: Mark Z ||
07/05/2006 11:42 Comments ||
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#12
Maybe Somalians could call on the US to bail them out.
Posted by: grb ||
07/05/2006 16:28 Comments ||
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A new alliance of Darfur rebel commanders and political parties has attacked and seized a town in central Sudan, killing 12 people, including two women. Sudanese officials said on Tuesday that forces linked to the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a rebel group from the war-torn region of Darfur, seized the town of Hamrat al-Sheikh in North Kordofan province on Monday. Faisal Hassan Ibrahim, a provincial governor, told reporters by telephone that eight policemen, two security men and two women were killed in the fighting, during which several public buildings were destroyed.
The Sudanese government said in a statement that police and security forces backed by air support joined forces to repel the attack. A spokesman for the Sudan armed forces said: "Sudanese planes have been deployed and the aggression is continuing." Ibrahim said that the rebels attacked the town with 50 trucks armed with heavy weapons, some of which were posted outside Hamrat al-Sheikh to seal it off.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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London, Jul. 03 Three Iranian agents were arrested in Baku while filming the French embassy, according to an Azerbaijani daily. One of the agents arrested was identified as Alireza Vakili and was found to be in possession of a gun, the daily Gundelik wrote on Saturday, quoting a police source.
The other two men were identified as Sabber Mohammadi and Behrouz Dargah. The three were arrested by officers of Azerbaijans Ministry of National Security while filming the French embassy in Baku.
Think the French will get a clue at some point? Nah, me neither.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/05/2006 00:14 ||
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Tourists
Posted by: Captain America ||
07/05/2006 0:42 Comments ||
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They just want to show gratitude to the French for harboring Khomenei.
Posted by: ed ||
07/05/2006 0:59 Comments ||
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Gunmen attacked a Russian military convoy in the Chechnya region Tuesday, killing at least five troops and wounding as many as 25 others, officials said. Pro-rebel Web sites claimed more than 20 Russian soldiers were killed. The convoy was traveling near the town of Avtury, southeast of the Chechen capital of Grozny, when it came under fire from three or four areas, according to the Interior Ministry in the mostly Muslim republic in southern Russia. It said preliminary information indicated seven servicemen were killed and 25 wounded. Defense Ministry spokesman Vyacheslav Sedov, also citing preliminary information, said five servicemen were killed and 11 wounded.
The Web sites Daymohk.org and Kavkazcenter.com, citing unidentified sources, said that more than 20 "Russian occupiers" were killed and many others wounded, and that four military vehicles were destroyed or badly damaged in the attack, which they called revenge for the killing of Chechen rebel leader Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev by police last month.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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Speaking of Russians, I guess their hit team in Iraq hasn't found the diplomat murderers yet.
(2006-07-05) North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il today acknowledged that he had ordered yesterdays missile strikes against the Sea of Japan in response to what he called threatening and provocative movements that the body of water had made against his nations coastline.
U.S. sources said that as many seven missiles, including one long-range, short-flight Taepodong 2, penetrated the surface of the sea in a terrifying display of North Korean ballistic technology prowess.
This clearly demonstrates our status as a global superpower, said Mr. Kim, The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea is quite capable of raining fire from the sky upon any body of water that approaches our shores, or even thinks about it.
The North Korean leader said the attack should put other seas on notice that our precision-guided munitions can strike you at any time.
Meanwhile, China made a goodwill gesture aimed at gaining Mr. Kims trust and ending the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula by offering to provide replacements for the expended missiles.
The people of North Korea can barely eat, said an unnamed China spokesman, So where would they get the money to buy new missiles? We consider this a humanitarian offer.
US Northern Command and the South Korean Defense Ministry confirmed Japanese reports that the missile was launched early Wednesday, July 5. The missile was medium-range, according to South Koreas Yonhap news agency.
The reclusive regime launched 10 missiles of different classes, according to Russia's chief of General Staff.
The UN Security Council is to meet Wednesday to discuss the issue, the French ambassador said.
NATO said North Koreas long-range missile launch posed a serious threat to the region and beyond.
One of two long-range missiles that were launched Tuesday failed 40 seconds into flight and landed in the Sea of Japan, according to US and South Korean officials.
#2
So lonely, and sadly alone....
He just wanted to join in with July 4 celebration, and shoot off fireworks. Person responsible for two failures will be working on Northeast Rice Collective for 20 years on half-ration. Of course.... no rice.... no half-ration
#3
Could they come up with a slightly more intimidating name than "No Dong," please? I think our MX, Trident, and Peacekeeper missiles sound pretty badass. But "No Dong" just fails to send shivers down my spine.
The U.N. Security Council plans to meet in closed session on North Korea's long-anticipated missile testing on Wednesday morning, a French spokesman said. The meeting was requested late on Tuesday by Japan's U.N. ambassador, Kenzo Oshima, who is expected to introduce a draft resolution, diplomatic sources said. France's U.N. Ambassador, Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, whose country holds the council presidency for July, said in an e-mail he had "received a request from the Ambassador of Japan for a meeting of the Security Council (on) the launch of missiles by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Each NK missle launch, whether successful or failed, is technically a serieuse' breach of international treastises/protocols regarding missle-based testing or placement into orbit. NK was publicly warned by Dubya to indicate what kind of missle launch it was engaging in, i.e. whether it is engaging in military or scientific testing, and espec the anticipated landing area.
Successful LR NorKor missles = Iranian Regional-Global Empire > sword points to everyone, i.e Russo-China, not just America > America in a weird way does achieve a benefit by NK dev its own alleged indigens missles. NK = Vietnam > potens anti-Chicom allies = ARE COMMIES, BUT D *** IT ARE USA-WEST'S COMMIES!?
#3
Naa Joe, the Norks are and always have been China's barking dog. Kimmie would probably act marginally less insane if he didn't have big brother on his eastern border to watch his back, he's not about to give up that security blanket.
There's no potential direct benefit to the US of the madman in charge of that motley crew gaining the ability to deliver nuclear warheads worldwide. Indirectly however if Kimmie's rants cause: the Japanese to ditch the pacifist provisions of their constitution and rearm, the Taiwanese to develop nuclear weapons and point them at China, and/or younger SKors to recognize the threat the massive instability just north of their border presents there might be some positive benefits in the form of a lessened need for the US to guarantee the security of our allies in the region.
I think the younger Skors do recognize the threat. However, one of their fears is that the NKor state will collapse and they (SKor) will get stuck paying to reconstruct (similar to W Germany).
A lot of SKors would prefer to see their fellow Koreans starve than be responsible for them.
#5
By the way the testing went we should be in no hurry when dealing with them.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
07/05/2006 6:26 Comments ||
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#6
By the way the testing went we should be in no hurry when dealing with them.
I dunno, depending on your enemy to remain incompetent doesn't seem like a good strategy to me.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/05/2006 8:45 Comments ||
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#7
There's always the Kimmie exception. Strategy Page says they're stealing trains from China now. The Norks may be the only people in Asia incapable of building a car, let alone a missile.
#9
"A lot of SKors would prefer to see their fellow Koreans starve than be responsible for them."
Seriously, can they really be considered "fellow Koreans" at this point. We're at least a generation and a half removed from the Korean conflict. And a significant percentage of the Nkors know only the weird alien atmosphere that Kimmie and Dear Departed Dad™ fostered.
They may share a genetic heritage, but that's about it at this point, and the longer the regime survives the more people who remember what "normal" was, die off.
#11
"I dunno, depending on your enemy to remain incompetent doesn't seem like a good strategy to me."
I will refrain from the obvious snark comment.
What Steve says is true, but it does seem to me that we would be wise to keep our conventional forces focused on winning the wars theyre currently engaged in - Iraq and Afghanistan. With the looming possibility that Somalia might become urgent. And intell and spec ops have their hands full with above, plus dealing with AQ elsewhere, including, one hopes, Pakistan.
Right now NKORs failed launch has aroused Japan and South Korea, and at least embarassed China. When the diplo dice are rolling your way, why not let them keep rolling?
North Korea's firing of missiles on Wednesday was "unwise" and the launch of a long-range Taepodong-2 missile ended in failure, a South Korean security official said. Suh Choo-suk, a senior security secretary for the presidential Blue House told reporters at a briefing that Seoul seriously regretted the launch and urged North Korea to return to stalled talks on ending its nuclear weapons programmes.
The Taepodong-2 blew up 40 seconds after launch, before first-stage separation. Fox News sez the Navy was standing by to intercept but that wasn't necessary. That's five SCUDs that hit the Sea of Japan and one major, egg-in-the-face ICBM screwup.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
arm japan now.
az ima seein it, theyz destint to be em last troo western culcher(japan)
#3
Gawd, even teenagers learn that rushing it results in a messy premature conclusion. Take your time, pace yourself Kimmie. And if you fear you might not be able to keep it up next time, there's always that little blue pill.
#7
Early boost phase is the easiest time to take out a missle - they cannot be evasive or use decoys like warheads during the ballistic or reentry phases, they have not gained anything near full velocity, they are under maximum (and considerable) gravitational and aerodynamic stress, they are largest targets and have the best heat signatures at this point in thier flight, and they are full of nice explosive fuel on nice thin-skinned boosters. This is especially true just after launch and before first seperation and staging.
Just sayin.
It is also where missles have the highest mechanical failure rate (for many of the same reasons cited above).
Been busy. Time to finally take my 4th of July holiday.
#9
Wait a minute!
South Korea said that if he launched the long range Dong they were going to cut off fertilizer and rice donations to NKor. Surely they didn't stipulate that it had to be a sucessfull test.
#10
Their problem may be the cluster of strapon boosters they are using - vibrations leading to breakup.
Once they fix that, they'll still have the problem of stage separation.
Then warhead reentry and guidance...
Posted by: john ||
07/05/2006 16:16 Comments ||
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#11
Happy holiday, Oldspook. I hope your efforts were fruitful.
Just wish we could talk about it. Thats the problem with our biz - the successes you'll never hear about (but your grandchildren might, unless the NYT finds out first), the failures sometimes end up being very public.
Just wish we could talk about it. Thats the problem with our biz - the successes you'll never hear about (but your grandchildren might, unless the NYT finds out first), the failures sometimes end up being very public.
Japanese police were ordered on alert on Wednesday, shortly after North Korea fired several missiles, Kyodo news agency said. The police are also attempting to gather information about the launches, the agency said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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North Korea test fired six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 missile and five short-term missiles, White House and Defense Department officials confirmed on Tuesday. The White House earlier told reporters that six missiles were launched. It then changed the number to five. Later, it confirmed the first number had been correct. A defense official also told Reuters that the initial report that North Korea had fired six missiles was correct.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Godzilla roaring - Gizzy was happy as a lark sleeping comfortably under the sea, scratching himself like any Fascist Male Brute would, until someone whom shall remain nameless fired six missles into the Sea of Japan straight into his forehead, waking him up wid a headache and no coffee or beer to boot to soothe his pain.
WWWWWWWWWIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAA!
MADRID An Algerian man suspected of helping to fund a terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda was arrested on Wednesday. Police told EFE that the man has been accused of acting as a "courier" to carry the proceeds of robberies carried out by Muslim militants from Spain to Algeria. The police raided a home in Valencia and arrested the man. He has been moved to Madrid.
The police operation - codenamed Green - by Spain's National Court started after several robberies were carried out in 2004 in luxury villas in Campo de Gibraltar, in the southern region of Andalusia. During the operation, authorities made several arrests in December 2005 on the Costa del Sol. In addition to the robberies, the arrested people allegedly committed other common crimes, such as forging identity cards and smuggling vehicles.
Cash from the robberies was sent to the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat either by hand or through a complex system of bank transfers to make it more difficult for authorities to follow the movement of the funds. Police monitored meetings between the suspects, believing they were linked with a network financing and otherwise supporting Al Qaeda. In the first phase of the operation, investigators also uncovered connections between the cell and other individuals in several European countries.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 09:08 ||
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Jose, bring the pliers, please. The suspect seems to be having a hard time talking.
A TOP director and two other members of the Italian secret service have been arrested for their possible role in the 2003 abduction, allegedly by the CIA, of a Muslim cleric in Milan. Those arrested include Marco Mancini, number two in the military intelligence service Sismi, and two others, TV channel Sky TG24 reported.
Milan magistrate Armando Sparato has been investigating the clandestine arrest and removal to Egypt of Egyptian-born imam Osama Mustafa Hassan, also known as Abu Amar. Italian prosecutors issued arrest warrants in November against 22 CIA agents alleged to have taken part in the operation.
The investigation indicates that Amar, who had political refugee status in Italy, was abducted on February 17, 2003 by Central Intelligence Agency operatives and taken to the US air base at Aviano in northern Italy for interrogation. He was then flown to Cairo via the US base at Ramstein in Germany, according to the investigation, and is now in an Egyptian jail, where Italian investigators have been unable to question him.
#1
Milan magistrate Armando Sparato has forgotten what country he works for. An accident is due. Surely the Sicilians have somebody to take care of him
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/05/2006 8:51 Comments ||
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A note to the US and Italian Security Services. When you abduct someone, make sure they stay abducted!
ISTANBUL - A small bomb exploded in a building used by the ruling Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul on Tuesday but there were no casualties, a local party official told Reuters. The bomb, placed in the corridor of the AKP office in Istanbuls Kartal district on the Asian side of the city, caused little damage, Cemil Dayinlarli said.
Dayinlarli, who heads the Kartal office, declined to comment on who might be behind the blast and said the party had received no threats. Kurdish, leftist and Islamist militants have all carried out bomb attacks in Turkey in the past.
Bomb disposal experts said the device was a pipe bomb placed in a rubbish bin outside the office on the third floor of the building, state-run Anatolian news agency reported. It said the blast occurred at 8:50 am (0550 GMT) and nobody was in the office at the time.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani security forces, backed by helicopter gunships, killed at least 25 rebels in the southwest province of Baluchistan during an attack on a militant stronghold, a government official said on Wednesday. Paramilitary forces attacked the militants in the Dera Bugti district, where rebel tribesmen have been fighting for greater autonomy and more control over the poor but resource-rich province's mineral resources -- notably its gas reserves.
"During a two-hour operation, security forces killed at least 25 militants and wounded several others," said Razik Bugti, a spokesman for Baluchistan's provincial government, adding the casualty estimate was based on information from intercepted communications between the rebels. Bugti said the militants were using the compound as a launching pad for attacks on government installations in the area, adding that arms and ammunition were also recovered from the compound.
Dera Bugti is the native town of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a renegade tribal elder.
Shahid Bugti, an aide to the tribal elder, said the attack was aimed at his leader. "The attack was meant to kill Nawab Bugti but he was shifted safely to another place," he told Reuters.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 15:07 ||
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Indian forces raided a militant hideout on Tuesday in the disputed territory of Kashmir, killing a suspected Pakistani gunman, Kashmir's top police official said. The pre-dawn raid came after "sustained interrogation," of six militants - including two senior rebel commanders - arrested a few days ago, Kashmir's Director General of Police Gopal Sharma told reporters. All those arrested and the gunmen killed were members of Hizb-ul Mujahedeen.
The Pakistani was killed on Tuesday morning when security forces raided a house in the village of Galander, setting off a gun battle, Sharma said. Galander is 20 kilometres south of Srinagar. The arrests were kept secret until Tuesday, and Sharma gave few other details, other than to identify the two leaders as Manzoor Wani, the Hizb-ul Mujahedeen central Kashmir regional commander, and Yasin Itoo, the group's chief for Srinagar.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:30 ||
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#1
killing a suspected Pakistani gunman
I wonder if the autopsy found he had a lightbulb up his ... like it seems all the rage in pakistan? This might explain the bad showing of pakistani Lions Of Islam in Afghanistan and Kashmir, hard to fight well with that.
A spokesman of tribesmen fighting security forces on Tuesday claimed that 45 security personnel, including five on Tuesday, had been killed in clashes in the last 48 hours as the security forces targeted Nawab Akbar Bugti's hideouts in Dhaman and Bambur areas of Dera Bugti district.
Speaking to reporters via satellite phone from an undisclosed location, Wadera Alam Khan, claiming to be the insurgents' spokesman, said that 23 helicopters had started bombing Dhaman and Bambur since 8:30am on Monday. "Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was directly attacked. Luckily he survived all attacks and is safe," said Khan, rejecting rumours that Akbar Bugti's grandson Brahamdag Bugti was killed in the attacks. Khan claimed that the insurgents had killed 45 security personnel including five or six pilots. "We shot down one helicopter in Dhaman. We also fired on three other helicopters but the pilots managed to land safely in Sui," he said, adding that the insurgents killed three soldiers in Pir Koh and another two in the Sui gas field area. Khan said the security forces had failed to inflict any casualties on the insurgents side.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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QUETTA: Unidentified assailants ambushed a car carrying Dr Abdullah Samad Achakzai, general secretary of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party in Qilla Abdullah, on Tuesday, killing him, his bodyguard and injuring two others in Shella Bagh, seven kilometres off Chaman. Achakzai and his companions were returning to Qilla Abdullah after a court hearing in Pishin district when his car was fired upon. Achakzai's bodyguard was identified as Abdul Razzaq while the injured men were identified as Salman Shah and Umar Shah.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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QUETTA: Security forces on Tuesday arrested a member of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) allegedly involved in the murder of Chinese engineers two years ago. "Mohammad Khan, head of the BLA in Makran, was involved in the bomb blast on February 3, 2004 that killed three Chinese engineers," said an official on condition of anonymity. He said that Khan was arrested after security forces raided his hideout in Gwadar. "We have information that Khan had been appointed as commander of the BLA in Makran Division," the official said, adding that Khan had also been involved in several other bomb blasts and rocket attacks. "Khan's arrest is a major breakthrough which will hopefully give us more information about the terrorist organisation." Khan has been shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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QUETTA: More than 110 rockets were fired at security check posts in the Lehri area of Sibi district on Tuesday. The rocket attacks continued for around four hours. However, no check post was hit, a source told Daily Times, confirming reports that a private residence was hit in the attack. The attack caused panic in the area as people started evacuating their houses, the source said. Reinforcements were also called in from Sibi to assist the forces in Lehri. No FC check post was hit in the attack and there were no casualties on our side, Omer Farooq, spokesman for the Frontier Corps told Daily Times. He said that since no check post was directly hit, the forces did not retaliate.
Two rockets were also fired on the Sui gas plant on Tuesday. One of the rockets hit the main gate while the other landed in an open area, a source said, adding that no one was hurt in the attack. A security check post in Mach district also came under rocket attack. The attack was followed by a gun battle between the security forces and the attackers. Both sides exchanged fire in the Bibi Nani Ziarat area. Two security personnel, Abdul Hammed and Haq Nawaz, received injuries and were taken to Quetta for further treatment, a source said. Mineral-rich Balochistan has witnessed near daily attacks on security forces and government installations since an insurgency erupted in early 2005 that has since claimed hundreds of lives.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to:
Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith
United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smiths extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division Rock of the Marne, and the United States Army.
#4
First class, truly. The memory of such a man is for a blessing. Rest in peace, Sergeant Smith.
It says something about our society, that we produce so many good men and women amongst the rest of us, that the MSM hasn't noticed how very special such behaviour is.
Posted by: DanNY ||
07/05/2006 08:41 ||
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#1
We should make it known that our enemy in Iraq is the Baathists. We should encourage the shia to
seek them and kill them. The sunni have gambled everything on their stupidity, and now they must suffer the consequences of their assinine insurgency. Shut off their electricity and water and make them suffer. Drive them into Syria and follow guns ablaze. No more Mr. Niceguy.
The Al-Fatihin Army--an influential breakaway faction of the Islamic Army of Iraq (IAI) that alone claims between 10-15 military operations daily--has announced the "martyrdom" of its top commander "Abu Abdel Rahman" in clashes with the "infidels and apostates" in the restive Iraqi city of Ramadi. In an authenticated statement published by the Al-Fajr Media Center, the group waved off any notion of disbanding following the death of their leader: "each martyr who falls irrigates with his pure blood the land of Islam and begins the path to liberating the Muslim lands and people of the evil crusaders, the Jews, and their stooges."
#3
They irrigate the land with their blood. Their larger organs feed several species of Islamic carrion birds, and what remains enriches the soil to feed the next generation of the Ummah, once it is rapidly buried, as it gives off a stink unto Allah Himself.
#1
Weren't there 11 bodyguards 'kidnapped' in the first instance? It was initially thought that this was fallout from the Zarkmans mobile phone contact list, what's the prevailing view now?
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
07/05/2006 1:29 Comments ||
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#2
Raed El-Hares was the name in yesterday's... a bit different, but I suppose it's the same guy. SW opined that it was am imside job....
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/05/2006 8:49 Comments ||
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A self-styled Shiite Muslim insurgent group made its public debut in a videotape aired by a Lebanese TV station, pledging to fight U.S., British and other coalition forces but to spare Iraqi civilians and soldiers.
This'd be the Hezbollah branch of the insurgency...
"We have been patient enough and we have given the political process a chance," the Islamic Resistance in Iraq Abbas Brigades said in a statement that accompanied the tape Sunday. It could not be independently authenticated. It was the first public appearance by a Shiite group claiming a role in an insurgency that has been dominated by Sunni Arabs, who lost the power and privilege they had under Saddam's regime to the majority Shiite Arabs and minority Sunni Kurds. The statement, read by a TV announcer, said U.S. troops came to Iraq under the pretext of overthrowing Saddam Hussein's government but are now "building bases, looting our resources, interfering in everything, sowing sectarian sedition between Sunnis and Shiites, Arabs and Kurds."
The group said it aims to rid Iraq of foreign occupation and preserve its territorial unity. It pledged to limit its attacks to foreign forces. "We assure them (Iraqis) that operations against civilians are great transgressions. Members of the Iraqi army, police and Iraqi security agencies are our sons, brothers and beloved. They are our hope for the future to preserve the land of Iraq and its security. So are state employees," the statement said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Quick math: this is Iran
Posted by: Captain America ||
07/05/2006 0:30 Comments ||
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From what I hear, US ground troops act more in a support role, with Iraqis conducting much of the peacekeeping patrols. Ergo: these clowns will be going after Sunnis, under the cover of anti-occupation insurgency. They are nothing but terrorists in the service of the Ayatollahs.
#3
Spreading the same old out right lie that Lebanon loves to believe. The USA is the cause of all their problems. SOSDD.
We need to face the facts. I have spoken with real humans than can pass as locals and muslims who have lived and worked in this part of the world. They hate us in this part of the world. They will always hate us. They are not even allies of convenience.
Our pathological belief that we some how will change this is pointless and false. They will never love us. They don't envy us. They don't want to be like us. They don't even want to live in the same century we do.
Lets quit trying to fool ourselves and short cut to step 10 before we get hammered again.
Palestinian militants who fired a rocket deeper into Israel than ever before launched it from land that Israeli settlers had occupied until last year, witnesses said on Wednesday.
The Hamas-made Qassam rocket was fired from the far north of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening and exploded 12 km (7.5 miles) away in the center of the Israeli city of Ashkelon, damaging a school but causing no injuries.
The strike provoked fear among Ashkelon's 120,000 residents that Palestinian militants have developed a more powerful, two-engine rocket that puts their community well within range and could lead to more frequent, deadly attacks in the future.
Until now, most rockets fired by militants have been aimed at Sderot, a town about half as far away from Gaza as Ashkelon.
The fact Tuesday's rocket was launched from land that Israel held until last September will also fuel the anger of those who opposed Israel's unilateral pullout from Gaza after 38 years.
"I heard the bang and saw the smoke as it was fired," said Tariq Abu Muwad, 19, a farmer who lives on the edge of Beit Lahiya, overlooking the former settlement of Elei Sinai. The towers of Ashkelon's power station are visible in the distance.
He pointed to a sandy ridge about 400 yards (meters) from his land from where he said the militants had launched the rocket. Hamas, the Islamist group that runs the Palestinian government, said its armed wing carried out the attack.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, already under pressure as he tries to force the release of an Israeli soldier abducted by militants 10 days ago, said the strike would have "far-reaching implications" and Hamas would be the first to feel them.
Israel has indicated that Hamas leaders, including Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, could be assassinated.
Its military operations in northern Gaza, part of the offensive to free the abducted soldier, are also designed to halt the rocket attacks.
Residents in Ashkelon were quick to protest Tuesday's strike, chanting "Death to Arabs" and "Obliterate Gaza" at the scene of the blast, Israeli newspapers reported.
Told about Israel's rage, Abdul al-Ghaffar, the son of a Gaza farmer who also said he saw the rocket being launched, said Ashkelon residents should get used to the attacks.
"They should be angry. It will make them more like us -- angry and scared," he said, referring to heavy Israel shelling of northern Gaza in recent weeks.
Israel fired at least 20 artillery shells near Beit Lahiya, around the former settlements, in the hours after the rocket attack, residents said. They said a 7-year-old child was slightly wounded while collecting shrapnel.
Unmanned spy planes could be heard buzzing over the area on Wednesday, on the lookout for militants seeking to fire more rockets at Israel. Several rocket-launching teams have been hit in Israeli missile strikes in the area in recent weeks.
(IsraelNN.com) IDF forces apprehended a wanted female terrorist this afternoon in Bethlehem. She had intended to carry out an attack in an Israeli population center. The terrorist was transferred to General Security Services (GSS) custody for interrogation.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 10:39 ||
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(IsraelNN.com) Palestinian Authority sources report that there were two people killed in an explosion in a private apartment in Gaza City earlier today. Initial reports indicated that three had been killed.
The PA sources further said that those killed in the blast were members of the Hamas's Izz A-Din Al-Kassam Brigades. They died while attempting to prepare an explosive device for use in attacks on Israeli targets.
Another 'work accident' claim for Mutual of Gaza. Next story may or may not be the same 'accident'.
2 Palestinians killed in Gaza explosion
Two Palestinians were killed on Wednesday in an explosion in a house in the Zeitun neighborhood of Gaza City, Palestinian eyewitnesses said. The explosion ripped through the house of the Dahdouh family whose sons are members of the Islamic Jihad. Two family members were killed in an Israeli air strike.
The IDF has denied involvement while Palestinian sources said the explosion was caused by a work accident. Three people were critically injured in the explosion. The sources added the two brothers were probably preparing an explosive device which prematurely detonated.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 10:32 ||
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FOX NEWS' news-ticker reports Hamas officials stating that the explosion was caused by mishandling of explosive materials.
Conflicting reports gave different causes to an explosion that struck a car carrying reporters from the Al-Jazeera satellite TV channel on Wednesday night in Beit Lahiya.
According to witnesses, there were apparently some injuries, and ambulances were on the way to the scene.
The IDF had no immediate comment, except to point out that it was uncertain what caused the explosion.
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/05/2006 18:57 Comments ||
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#14
The Campptown ladies sing this song,
Dahdou, Dahdou
The Camptown racetrack's five miles long
Oh, de dahdou day
AS Israel braces for a long-term operation in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's election promise to withdraw from large chunks of the occupied West Bank by 2010 seems dimmer than ever. The months that followed last summer's evacuation of the Gaza Strip, when Israel unilaterally withdrew from the coastal area after a 38-year occupation, served as a test case for a far more complex and wider West Bank pullout.
Under Mr Olmert's plan, Israel would pull out of 90 percent of the Palestinian area and strengthen its hold on several large settlement blocs. This plan, Mr Olmert has said, would be implemented with or without Palestinian agreement.
But a catalogue of dramatic developments since Israel's historic departure from Gaza have since cast a shadow over Mr Olmert's "realignment" plan, the central pillar of his coalition government. As a result, Housing Minister Meir Sheetrit, a senior member of Mr Olmert's Kadima party, said any hopes of implementing the plan have been dashed. "There is no realignment plan," he said. "There is no international support and no public support for it in Israel, without which the plan could never move forward."
The most fundamental change that followed Israel's withdrawal was the rise to power of a Palestinian government led by Hamas after the radical movement won a landslide victory in last January's parliamentary election. Hamas, whose charter calls for Israel's destruction and which refuses to recognise the Jewish state's existence, represents a deeply Islamist ideology inspired and supported by Israel's arch-foe Iran.
said.
Continued on Page 49
The Palestinians passed on our offer for peace and can't get over their desire to massacre us. Despite every effort on our part to avoid it, we are going to war with Hamas and perhaps Syria as well. Thanks for nothing, rest of the world; this could have been much less bloody with a little support.
#2
The government has apparently decided on a long-term operation in the Gaza Strip aimed at stopping projectile fire into Israel and bringing down the Hamas government.
"As long as Israel is tied up in Gaza and Hamas remains in government, there is no chance of talk about a second withdrawal," said the official.
Really stupid.
They should go in, take care of business, get out. If they hang around they'll just end up owning the Paleostinians again. Until the Paleostinins learn that it is stupid to elect Hamas, Hamas will be the desirable romantic alternative. Tough love.
#3
actually what else can they do? I think it's a good plan. The Palestinians have their own state, for the first time in history, but the idiots elect leaders whose sole purpose is to wipe Israel from the map. So, it seems a smart idea for for Israel to wack hose leaders and keep doing it until they see if they can finally get to some who do want to build a real government. What other choice do they have? Dig mass graves and kill them all? Not nice. While I may be wrong, I suspect that if the Palestinians could get some leaders who care about them and their welfare that they might just think about getting a job and getting a life.
#4
They should do in Gaza what they did in Operation Defensive Shield in 2002. Essentially they killed or captured the terrorists' A and B teams in the West Bank, leaving behind a network of informants and undercover snatch squads which continue to mop up score of militants there every month. This has brought relative peace to the WB and even cooperation from the Pally police (who allegedly handed over the murderers of the 18-year old settler).
The Pallies will never be able to live in peace with Israel until they have security forces who are de-facto allies of the Israelis. It doesn't matter what their political leaders say, because their society is tribal, like the Indians in the Old West. Making peace with Red Cloud didn't bring peace with Sioux.
Major Palestinian suicide bombing attack foiled in central Israel Wednesday. A snap terror alert was clamped down on the Shomron and Sharon districts north of Tel Aviv Wednesday, July 5, until the would-be bomber was captured in the Barkan industrial zone between Rosh Haayin and Ariel. The terrorist, who was riding in a Palestinian taxi, was wearing an explosives belt. According to security forces, he intended to carry out an attack in an Israeli city.
In a second incident, police and Nahal Haredi commando forces shot dead a Palestinian terrorist wanted for a 2001 murder at the Ain Sultan camp near Jericho on the West Bank. An explosive device was found in his possession.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 09:18 ||
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...The terrorist, who was riding in a Palestinian taxi, was wearing an explosives belt...he intended to carry out an attack in an Israeli city ...
"And I'd have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!"
Sorry for the Gen-X flashback everyone. This is of course serious, but I'm so grateful that a(nother) huge tragedy was averted, that I had to express it somehow. Go IDF!
#3
I do not understand the hesitation; it is all legal for Israel to start the carpet bombing of all Gaga Strip till the stupid Palestinian Hamas return the Israel's captured shoulder, safe and alive. As the song says "buddy, you can't please every one so please yourself."
Posted in full because it sounds like they really mean it (this time) The Security Cabinet called for prolonged and graduated military action in Gaza and the West Bank, at a meeting Wednesday morning to discuss the Shalit crisis and how to respond to Tuesday's rocket attack on Ashkelon.
A communiqu issued after the meeting said that in light of the kidnapping of Cpl. Gilad Shalit and the continuation of the rocket fire on Israel, "preparations will be made to bring about a change in the rules of the game and mode of operating with the Palestinian Authority and Hamas."
The security cabinet approved the following steps:
Striking out at Hamas in Gaza and Judea and Samaria, with an emphasis on hitting institutions and infrastructure that "serve terrorism."
Continuing operations against Kassam rocket fire.
Reducing terrorists' freedom of movement by "bisecting" the Gaza Strip.
Maintaining diplomatic pressure on Syria to ensure Shalit's release.
The statement said this would be done while trying to prevent Palestinian civilian casualties as much as possible and ensuring that the humanitarian needs of the population will be met.
Immediately after the security cabinet meeting, Olmert held consultations with Defense Minister Amir Peretz and top security officials to approve the operative steps to achieve these goals.
Simultaneously, the IDF was gearing up for large incursion into northern Gaza through the Erez crossing. Armored vehicles were stationed at Mefalsim and were being loaded on to trucks. The IDF has been given the green light to enter residential areas, but will not reoccupy the Gaza Strip, an official at the meeting said. A buffer zone will be created in the northern part of the Strip in order to prevent Kassam fire.
Prior to the meeting, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert issued a warning to the Hamas-led government. "[The firing of a Kassam at Ashkelon] is a major escalation that Hamas is responsible for," said Olmert. "The criminal attempt to hurt Israeli citizens will be met with an extraordinary response and the Hamas movement will be the first to feel it," added the prime minister. The rocket fired Tuesday night traveled 12 kilometers before landing in Ashkelon.
Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mehatzri said that the city's 120,000 residents could not continue to be under threat. "This is a new situation," said Mehatzri, adding, "Although we knew there was chance this would happen, it still surprised us. Our circumstances have now changed," he added.
The security establishment was set to decide whether to comply with the requests of the Ashkelon Municipality and introduce a Kassam rocket early warning system modeled on the Red Dawn system currently used in Sderot. The IDF had previously turned down the request, claiming it was liable to create unnecessary panic among residents.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz ordered the IDF to increase its activities in the Gaza Strip as part of "Operation Summer Rains." Peretz stressed that one of the goals of the operation was to "remove the threat of Kassams."
Ze'ev Boim, a member of the cabinet said, "as far as I'm concerned, the people of (northern Gaza towns) Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya can start packing."
Security Cabinet member Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said the only solution to the Kassam crisis is continued targeted assassinations, while speaking to Army Radio on Wednesday morning. "The only thing that changed the picture was when we went to the terror leaders - when we removed Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi - then the picture began changing. Then they understood that no one is immune."
MK Ephraim Sneh (Labor), former deputy defense minister, said that there was "no escape from prolonged ground presence at the launch sites." Responding to a comment by his Army Radio interviewer that the Palestinians had been launching Kassams in spite of an IDF presence in the Gaza Strip, Sneh said that the government must provide Israel with maximum protection. "If you want to tell your citizens: I did the maximum," he said, "then this is the maximum."
As for the target of Israeli pressure, Sneh noted that the Hamas leadership in Damascus was behind the recent attacks. He asserted that the Hamas military wing did not listen to Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, but rather to Khaled Mashaal in Syria.
Israel was poised on Wednesday to broaden a Gaza offensive after Hamas militants fired a rocket into a main Israeli city for the first time, an attack that deepened a 10-day-old crisis over an abducted soldier. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert planned to consult with his security cabinet later in the day to discuss stronger military action after militants carried out their deepest rocket strike yet against Israel, government officials said.
An upgraded Qassam rocket, powered by two engines instead of the usual single motor, and flying 12 km (7 miles), slammed into a school yard in the coastal city of Ashkelon, the army said. The attack in the centre of Ashkelon, a city of about 115,000 and the site of one of Israel's main power plants, caused no injuries. But Olmert made clear the rocket had crossed a red line, even after gunmen from Hamas and two other groups stunned Israel by abducting Corporal Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid launched from Gaza on June 25.
"This is an escalation without precedent in the terrorist war waged by the Hamas movement that now controls the Palestinian Authority," Olmert said in a speech at a U.S. Independence Day celebration at the American ambassador's house. "This (rocket) attack ... will have unprecedented, far-reaching consequences. The Hamas organisation will be the first to feel them," he said, after its Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the strike.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
If you were trying to provoke a massive Israeli attack on Gaza, what would you do differently than what has already been done? I can't think of anything.
#2
WCR, how do you know they are not trying to get Israel to reoccupy Gaza? After all, Gazans enjoyed much higher standard of living, public safety, etc... under brutal Zionist occupation.
#3
Olmert talks too much. Sharon would have handled this much more expeditiously. Israel needs to kick ass and get out of Dodge or they will end up reoccupying. They can always rinse, reapply and repeat as necessary.
Tightening a siege of the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops and armor pushed today into the Palestinian side of the main crossing point into the coastal territory. The incursion at the Erez crossing came hours after the expiration of a deadline set by Palestinian militants for concessions in exchange for the release of a captured Israeli soldier. Israel has refused demands that it free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the soldier's freedom, but diplomatic attempts to resolve the standoff continued.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas official, told a weekly Cabinet meeting today that "the language of wisdom must be used to end this incident." He praised the efforts of Egyptian mediators.
Israel holds Haniyeh's government responsible for the conflict over the abduction of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, 19, even though he and other Hamas-allied government officials insist they had no prior knowledge of the June 25 raid by three militant factions that resulted in Shalit's capture. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, addressing a gathering of businesspeople in southern Israel, vowed anew that Israel would take sweeping vengeance if any harm befalls the young soldier. "We will strike all the elements of terror; whoever hurts citizens of the state of Israel will not be immune," the prime minister said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
This seems like big news to me. I don't understand the media downplay. Maybe it's because the little dog is trying to ignore the fact that this time the big dog isn't tucking his tail.
GAZA CITY Israeli missiles flattened a wing of the Hamas-run Palestinian Interior Ministry here today, in the latest wave of airstrikes the building ... also was hit last week.
Israeli troops and armor Tuesday seized the ... Erez crossing ... At nightfall, troops and tanks were still on the Palestinian side of the frontier.
A small Israeli contingent carried out a similar search operation near the northern Gaza village of Beit Hanoun,
A much larger Israeli force held a position at the idled Palestinian airport in the southern Gaza Strip, near Rafah.
In addition to the incursion into southern Gaza last week, Israel has heavily shelled the northern Gaza Strip and carried out airstrikes against numerous sites. An attack on a power station has forced the rationing of electricity and created hours-long outages throughout the territory. Other targets included Haniyeh's office, which was wrecked by a missile strike early Sunday.
Since the offensive began last Wednesday, fighter jets have made frequent low-altitude flyovers, breaking the sound barrier, shattering windows and jangling nerves.
#2
It's good the MSM isn't playing it up. If they were it would only ignite "peace protests" to pressure Israel to reward terrorism. Like with the heavily publicized and long delayed US intention to overthrow Saddam -- time and publicity are useful mostly for knee-jerk anit-Americans.
Posted by: BA ||
07/05/2006 11:11 Comments ||
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#5
So...it is safe to say the whole Gaza withdrawl thingy was a bust?
Posted by: john ||
07/05/2006 15:22 Comments ||
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#6
By withdrawing, Israel left no hostages to fortune, john. Think of that poor kid picked up and murdered in the West Bank last week while going for a walk. In Gaza, the Army is free to operate without concern about protecting the civilians. I think the West Bank ought to be quietly consolidated in the same way, against upcoming activities on that side.
#8
2b, my thoughts are that you are quite right. I think the Paleos thought they would tweak the dragons tail a little, the MSM would fall in line, the Israelis would release hundreds of killers in return and Hamas would look like the hard boyz in town.
Trouble is those crazy Joooz didn't read the script, and aren't responding to their cues.
Maybe Hamas hasn't been reading the papers recently - the Israelis are a just a *little* more concerned about the psychos over in Iran, and perhaps they are sick and tired of getting jerked around by a bunch of retards whose 'military wing' expertise consists of firing home made rockets 12 miles 'somewhere' into Israel and then getting their asses handed to them when the IDF triangulates and sends in a counter strike. Scratch three snuffies.
I think this could be a prelude to a strike on Iran - and that the Israelis know they're going to be pariahs no matter what they do. So if you're going to get hung for the lamb, you might as well go for the sheep, and that means getting rid of those shits in Gaza - once and for all - as well as the Iranian sites.
That Hamas haven't figured out that this is *not* the right time to be trying their particularly odious form of malevolence out on the Israelis speaks volumes for their collective intelligence. Wankers.
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
07/05/2006 20:34 Comments ||
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#9
Well, my Pali friends, remember when not getting paid seemed to be your biggest worry? It doesn't seem that long ago does it, but I'll bet you'll soon be reminiscing about it as the good old days...
THE captors of Israeli corporal Gilad Shalit have reneged on their ultimatum to end negotiations about his fate, vowing yesterday they did not plan to harm him. Palestinian officials described the deadline of 6am Tuesday set by militants for Israel to agree to a prisoner swap as "a negotiating strategy". They claimed the captured soldier remained alive and well and that they would continue their attempts to win his release.
More Israeli tanks entered northern Gaza last night, but nine days after the start of Operation Summer Rains, a full-scale invasion had yet to be launched. Israeli forces remained confined to two small communities in the north and the derelict airport at the southern end of the strip. The Israeli military said it would expand the Gaza operation by laying siege to vacant fields near the airstrip that had been used to launch home-made rockets at Israel.
The Palestinian Government said it hoped to complain before the International War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague about the Israeli offensive, arguing that the heavy toll the attack had taken on civilian infrastructure broke international law. But Israel claims every aspect of its operation is legally valid and says it plans to intensify military activity. Israeli leaders have repeatedly said they will never negotiate on a prisoner swap.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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The Palestinian Government said it hoped to complain
A senior member of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Tuesday that the Palestinian militants taking an Israeli soldier hostage had halted talks with mediators over releasing the hostage. Osama al-Mezeini, a senior Hamas official in Gaza, said that the reason why the militants decided to halt talks with mediators "is that Israel still rejects the militants' demands and continues its offensive against the Gaza Strip.
Israel rejected an ultimatum issued by Palestinian militants holding Cpl. Gilad Shalit to free Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails before 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Tuesday. Shalit was captured by Palestinian militants in an attack against an Israeli army position southeast of Gaza-Israel border on June 25. In response to the deadly attack, Israeli troops launched an operation dubbed "Summer Rains" against the Gaza Strip in a bid to rescue the kidnapped soldier.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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"Guess what, honey? I don't have go go to work tomorrow!"
An Israeli air-to-ground rocket was fired at predawn on Wednesday at the building of the Interior Ministry in the Hamas-led government in Gaza City, witnesses and security sources reported. Witnesses said that a huge explosion was heard after a rocket was fired by a reconnaissance pilotless drone, which had directly hit the third and fourth floors of the Interior Ministry in Remal neighborhood in Gaza City. They added that they saw a pillar of white smoke is coming out from the building and ambulances and firefighters arrived at the scene and took five civilians living close to the ministry to hospital for treatment.
It's the second time that Israeli air forces are targeting the building of the Interior Ministry within the last four days. The building includes interior minister Said Siam, who is also a senior leader of the ruling Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza. Meanwhile, witnesses said that the Israeli drones fired another rocket at an elementary school run by Hamas movement in northern Gaza City neighborhood, causing severe damage to the school, which was empty. No injuries were reported.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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Witnesses said that a huge explosion was heard after a rocket was fired by a reconnaissance pilotless drone,...
Damn those Zionist pilots!!...oh wait...
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
07/05/2006 1:13 Comments ||
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Not that's a rocket!
Not some crappy Kassam, but one that hits what you want it to.
#5
Ask yourself how air-to-ground rocket creates a huge explosion.
Well, don't all Interior Ministries have a large supply of explosives on hand to be used for errr...you know, stuff, and errr, umm things. Yeah...things, that's right.
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
07/05/2006 20:02 Comments ||
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Israeli aircraft attacked a training base used by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, witnesses said. The Israeli army confirmed the air strike. Ambulances raced to scene but it was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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A Japanese bulk carrier foiled a pirate attack yesterday in the Strait of Malacca off Indonesia's coast, days after two UN-chartered vessels were raided by pirates in the same area. The attacks raised concerns about a resurgence of piracy in the strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and a key link between Asia and Europe. The waterway had become largely peaceful last year following increased patrols by Indonesia's navy.
Noel Choong of the London-based International Maritime Bureau said the watchdog was extremely concerned by the three latest attacks in the same area. "We have informed the Indonesian authorities, and we hope they will take action to contain the problem," said Mr Choong, who heads up the IMB's anti-piracy centre in Kuala Lumpur.
In the latest attack, pirates travelling on a blue-hulled unlit speedboat off the coast of Indonesia's Aceh province followed the 26,000-tonne Japanese vessel, and attempted to board it by the stern. But an alert duty officer raised the alarm. The crew turned on floodlights and sprayed the raiders with water from fire hoses, preventing them from boarding.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/05/2006 00:00 ||
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IMHO putting a few .50 caliber holes in the pirates and their boat, rather than just getting them wet, would be more effective in the long term.
#2
Yarr! Them sneaky Nippons be hidin' our dread enemy, ninjas, on board. We had barely boarded and raised our cutlasses when one o' the lads was taken down with those throwing stars, and another blinded by explodin' powder. Yarr!
#5
I bought a copy from Lulu. I really enjoyed the book.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
07/05/2006 10:28 Comments ||
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Hey, you beat me to that, how dumb can I be? Kewl, I think I'll get a copy, when I've finished my stash of yet-unread books! Much better than reading online, nothing beats a real book.
#8
Recently, I have written a novella length story about Perth going through a worldwide apocalypse for a local writing competition and I am the verge of finishing a scifi short story for another competition. If anyone is interested, mail me and I'll sent you a copy.
I still like the novel format better and will get back to my next work (50K words written) about China+Russia and asymetric warfare.
TEHRAN, July 5 (RIA Novosti) - Iran's top negotiator on the country's nuclear program said talks with the EU foreign policy supremo scheduled for Wednesday in Brussels had been postponed over a threat to the Iranian delegation from anti-Iran terrorist groups based in Europe.
Uh huh. Fancy that
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki had said earlier that Ali Larijani and Javier Solana would not hold talks, but had not given a reason for the delay.
"Reports came from Brussels about the activity of certain groups in Europe, supported by the Zionist regime [Israel] and a number of European states. This provoked concern over the safety of members of the Iranian delegation, so Ali Larijani's trip was cancelled," Iranian news agencies quoted a well informed source as saying Wednesday.
Ah, so it's a Diabolical Zionist Plot
But the source said that after the EU had guaranteed the security of the Iranian delegation, agreement had been reached to hold the meeting in Brussels on July 11.
Unless something else comes up
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 15:18 ||
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(IsraelNN.com) The PNN internet site reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has turned to Hamas politburo leader Khaled Meshal to arrange the release of captive IDF soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit. According to the report, which does not enjoy additional sources, Meshal rejected the Syrian leaders request and left Damascus, traveling to Algeria.
Or not...
Hamas Spokesman Denies Accuracy of PA Report
(IsraelNN.com) Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Mushier el-Masri released a message stating a report quoting a PNN internet site regarding hostage soldier Gilad Shalit is most likely untrue. The Hamas spokesman stated that Hamas politburo head Khaled Meshal, who is based in Syria, left Damascus three days ago. He was commenting on a Palestinian Authority (PA) report that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad asked Meshal to order the soldier released but Meshal rejected the request.
Al-Arabia: Meshal Left Syria
(IsraelNN.com) An al-Arabia TV reporting quoting Syrian sources stated on Wednesday that Hamas politburo head Khaled Meshal left Syria along with other senior Hamas officials. According to the report, based on information provided by a senior source in Syria, Meshal left three days ago, adding Hamas sources deny the accuracy of the report.
Well, that clears things up.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 15:11 ||
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The opthalmologist getting a little scared, is he?
GOOD!
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
07/05/2006 15:26 Comments ||
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Ah, but if he left, where did he go?
Posted by: john ||
07/05/2006 15:32 Comments ||
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"Meshal? There's no Meshal here"
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/05/2006 15:42 Comments ||
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President Assad certainly couldn't go to Paris, as so many have done before. Mr Chiraq is still annoyed about the murder of his Lebanese friends, which of course eliminates Lebanon, too. As an Alawite Assad probably wouldn't be welcome in Saudi Arabia beyond the Haj, Mubarek of Egypt loathes him... maybe Somalia? It's so much more difficult being an evil, totalitarian dictator than it used to be, darn it! ;-)
#8
TW, I think your comment needed to finish off with a Mwaahahahaaahhaah! (in a deep booming voice). But that's just me ;)
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
07/05/2006 20:45 Comments ||
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I have a really limited contralto range, Tony (UK). If I were to try that booming thingy, it would quite ruin the effect. Can I borrow yours instead?
Beirut, 5 July (AKI) - The wife of Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir who was killed in a car bomb explosion in June 2005 has accused the Syrian and Lebanese "police regime that for decades was active in Lebanon" of being behind the attack. Gisele al-Khuri's made the remarks to Adnkronos International (AKI) in an interview on Wednesday when a French judge leading an investigation into Kassir's murder arrived in Beirut. The judge, Jean-Louis Bruguiere is scheduled to meet Lebanese judicial authorities during the visit in his first visit to Lebanon since being appointed to head the probe last year.
Shortly after her husband's death on 2 June, Khoury asked magistrates in Paris to investigate the attack. "In Lebanon the investigations could face a 'cover-up' so I decided it would be better for a truly independent inquiry to take place," Khoury, who works as a presenter for pan-Arab news channel Al-Arabiya told AKI. Kassir, who also had French citizenship was known for his anti-Syrian editorials published in the daily, an-Nahar.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/05/2006 09:02 ||
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Aaaah yes. Mr. Kassir hadn't visited his eye doctor recently. With the proper "glasses perscription" the bomb might have been avoided.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
05/07/2006: Coalition forces killed about 35 militants during a raid on a Taliban compound in southern Afghanistan, the military said today. The attack occurred last night in the village of Gujdar about 15 miles east of Musa Qala in southern Helmand province, a statement said.
KABUL - Fifty-nine Afghan 
Suspected Taliban guerillas killed five Afghan civilians working at a US military base in the eastern province of Kunar province late on Monday, while in the capital Kabul two separate bombs left six people wounded. "Insurgents opened fire on a truck on Monday evening carrying labourers working in a US military base in Korangal village in the Dara-e-Pech district of Kunar province killing five of them and wounding another," Zahidullah Zahid, spokesman for the Kunar governor, told IRIN. Zahid said the labourers were driving home from work when armed militants stopped the vehicle and fired on them. 
An explosion in the Afghan capital, Kabul, has wounded six people while fighting in the south of the country killed 12 members of the Taliban. The lunch time bomb blast on Tuesday occurred near the presidential palace and various ministries. Yousuf Stanizai, a spokesman for the interior ministry, blamed "enemies of the Afghan people" for the lunch time blast in the crowded city centre. The bomb was in a vendor's push cart. Six people were admitted to hospital, five in serious condition, said Abdullah Fahim, a ministry of health official. Several people had superficial wounds, he said. The blast shattered windows in the justice ministry and damaged several cars. No one claimed responsibility for the explosion.
A new alliance of Darfur rebel commanders and political parties has attacked and seized a town in central Sudan, killing 12 people, including two women. Sudanese officials said on Tuesday that forces linked to the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a rebel group from the war-torn region of Darfur, seized the town of Hamrat al-Sheikh in North Kordofan province on Monday. Faisal Hassan Ibrahim, a provincial governor, told reporters by telephone that eight policemen, two security men and two women were killed in the fighting, during which several public buildings were destroyed.
London, Jul. 03 Three Iranian agents were arrested in Baku while filming the French embassy, according to an Azerbaijani daily. One of the agents arrested was identified as Alireza Vakili and was found to be in possession of a gun, the daily Gundelik wrote on Saturday, quoting a police source.
Gunmen attacked a Russian military convoy in the Chechnya region Tuesday, killing at least five troops and wounding as many as 25 others, officials said. Pro-rebel Web sites claimed more than 20 Russian soldiers were killed. The convoy was traveling near the town of Avtury, southeast of the Chechen capital of Grozny, when it came under fire from three or four areas, according to the Interior Ministry in the mostly Muslim republic in southern Russia. It said preliminary information indicated seven servicemen were killed and 25 wounded. Defense Ministry spokesman Vyacheslav Sedov, also citing preliminary information, said five servicemen were killed and 11 wounded.
The U.N. Security Council plans to meet in closed session on North Korea's long-anticipated missile testing on Wednesday morning, a French spokesman said. The meeting was requested late on Tuesday by Japan's U.N. ambassador, 
North Korea's firing of missiles on Wednesday was "unwise" and the launch of a long-range Taepodong-2 missile ended in failure, a South Korean security official said. Suh Choo-suk, a senior security secretary for the presidential Blue House told reporters at a briefing that Seoul seriously regretted the launch and urged North Korea to return to stalled talks on ending its nuclear weapons programmes.
A TOP director and two other members of the Italian secret service have been arrested for their possible role in the 2003 abduction, allegedly by the CIA, of a Muslim cleric in Milan. Those arrested include Marco Mancini, number two in the military intelligence service Sismi, and two others, TV channel Sky TG24 reported.
A spokesman of tribesmen fighting security forces on Tuesday claimed that 45 security personnel, including five on Tuesday, had been killed in clashes in the last 48 hours as the security forces targeted Nawab Akbar Bugti's hideouts in Dhaman and Bambur areas of Dera Bugti district. 
QUETTA: Unidentified assailants ambushed a car carrying Dr Abdullah Samad Achakzai, general secretary of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party in Qilla Abdullah, on Tuesday, killing him, his bodyguard and injuring two others in Shella Bagh, seven kilometres off Chaman. Achakzai and his companions were returning to Qilla Abdullah after a court hearing in Pishin district when his car was fired upon. Achakzai's bodyguard was identified as Abdul Razzaq while the injured men were identified as Salman Shah and Umar Shah.
QUETTA: Security forces on Tuesday arrested a member of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) allegedly involved in the murder of Chinese engineers two years ago. "Mohammad Khan, head of the BLA in Makran, was involved in the bomb blast on February 3, 2004 that killed three Chinese engineers," said an official on condition of anonymity. He said that Khan was arrested after security forces raided his hideout in Gwadar. "We have information that Khan had been appointed as commander of the BLA in Makran Division," the official said, adding that Khan had also been involved in several other bomb blasts and rocket attacks. "Khan's arrest is a major breakthrough which will hopefully give us more information about the terrorist organisation." Khan has been shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation.
QUETTA: More than 110 rockets were fired at security check posts in the Lehri area of Sibi district on Tuesday. The rocket attacks continued for around four hours. However, no check post was hit, a source told Daily Times, confirming reports that a private residence was hit in the attack. The attack caused panic in the area as people started evacuating their houses, the source said. Reinforcements were also called in from Sibi to assist the forces in Lehri. No FC check post was hit in the attack and there were no casualties on our side, Omer Farooq, spokesman for the Frontier Corps told Daily Times. He said that since no check post was directly hit, the forces did not retaliate. 
The 
A self-styled Shiite Muslim insurgent group made its public debut in a videotape aired by a Lebanese TV station, pledging to fight U.S., British and other coalition forces but to spare Iraqi civilians and soldiers. 
(IsraelNN.com) Palestinian Authority sources report that there were two people killed in an explosion in a private apartment in Gaza City earlier today. Initial reports indicated that three had been killed. 
Israel was poised on Wednesday to broaden a Gaza offensive after Hamas militants fired a rocket into a main Israeli city for the first time, an attack that deepened a 10-day-old crisis over an abducted soldier. Israeli Prime Minister 
Tightening a siege of the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops and armor pushed today into the Palestinian side of the main crossing point into the coastal territory. The incursion at the Erez crossing came hours after the expiration of a deadline set by Palestinian militants for concessions in exchange for the release of a captured Israeli soldier. Israel has refused demands that it free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the soldier's freedom, but diplomatic attempts to resolve the standoff continued.
A senior member of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Tuesday that the Palestinian militants taking an Israeli soldier hostage had halted talks with mediators over releasing the hostage. 
An Israeli air-to-ground rocket was fired at predawn on Wednesday at the building of the Interior Ministry in the Hamas-led government in Gaza City, witnesses and security sources reported. Witnesses said that a huge explosion was heard after a rocket was fired by a reconnaissance pilotless drone, which had directly hit the third and fourth floors of the Interior Ministry in Remal neighborhood in Gaza City. They added that they saw a pillar of white smoke is coming out from the building and ambulances and firefighters arrived at the scene and took five civilians living close to the ministry to hospital for treatment. 
A Japanese bulk carrier foiled a pirate attack yesterday in the Strait of Malacca off Indonesia's coast, days after two UN-chartered vessels were raided by pirates in the same area. The attacks raised concerns about a resurgence of piracy in the strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and a key link between Asia and Europe. The waterway had become largely peaceful last year following increased patrols by Indonesia's navy. 
