Article

2007-08-24 Afghanistan

A MSM article that is hard to EFL, but I did - go read the whole thing.
But six years after US special forces failed to capture the al-Qa'eda leader in his mountain stronghold, the place where the September 11 attacks were hatched, American troops are again scouring the mountains of Tora Bora.

A week ago American forces launched a major operation to counter a rejuvenated al-Qa'eda, which has been steadily regrouping in the tribal areas of Pakistan, and has in the past three months moved back into the Tora Bora area of Afghanistan.

American military officials say much of what is happening around Tora Bora remains "classified". Discreetly, Western officials in Kabul describe it as "very successful", trapping insurgents in a series of adjacent valleys. "Five hundred infiltrated the area," said Gen Qadim Shah, the commander of 1st Brigade, Afghan Army in Nangahar. "We have captured 57 fighters from the Taliban and al-Qa'eda. They include Chechens, Arabs and Uzbeks."

Tribal leaders said that these include several men known locally as long-standing Afghan figures in the al-Qa'eda leadership.

Gen Dan McNeill, the Nato commander, moved a battalion from 82nd Airborne, which makes up his operational reserve in Afghanistan, from Helmand to support the operation. Pakistani troops are also reported to have taken up ~~escort~~ blocking positions along the border.

The Daily Telegraph was the first Western newspaper to reach the area of the fighting, thanks to help from local tribesmen who smuggled us in along the only access road. Three US special forces soldiers and their translator were killed
(bows in their honor)
on the approaches to the caves last week and Western officials say that two helicopters have also been damaged in the fighting.

Taliban fighters had last been reported in the area the day before, when they severely beat a number of local villagers. The intelligence officer contacted US forces by phone to forestall the danger of an air attack. Newly-built Taliban stone firing positions were visible close to the track.

In 2001 the US was widely criticised for relying on local militias, who reputedly took bribes to allow the majority of al-Qa'eda's key leadership to escape. This time American forces were dropped unexpectedly into the area by helicopter, blocking escape routes to the border.

Taliban "night letters" in local villages announced a new "Tora Bora Front" under the leadership of Maulawi Anwar ul-Haq Mujahed, the son of the prominent Mujahideen commander Younis Khalis, who fought the Soviet occupation.

An important al-Qa'eda figure, Dr Amin ul-Haq, who has been listed by the US government as bin Laden's security co-ordinator, was also with the force. Local leaders say Amin was injured in a bombing raid and smuggled back across the border.

Posted by Glenmore 2007-08-24 09:36|| || Front Page|| [15 views ] Top
File under: al-Qaeda

#1 The emphasis on OPSEC probably means that they are going for some of the top al-Qaeda leaders, and they don't want anything to tip their hand.

Which reminds me of that slipped bit of intel that ended up with them deserting their camps in Pakistan...To flee to Tora Bora?

Posted by Anonymoose 2007-08-24 10:02|| 2007-08-24 10:02|| Front Page Top

#2 Word. They have really kept the lid tight as far as I can read. There doesn't even seem to be much speculation about what is really going on. Guess we'll have to wait for the book.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2007-08-24 10:21|| 2007-08-24 10:21|| Front Page Top

#3 The "Pakistani army in blocking positions" is not reassuring.

Posted by Heriberto Ulusomble6667 2007-08-24 11:46|| 2007-08-24 11:46|| Front Page Top

#4 I hope the Pakistani troops can block better than the KC Chiefs O line.

Posted by Heriberto Ulusomble6667 2007-08-24 11:48|| 2007-08-24 11:48|| Front Page Top

#5 The "Pakistani army in blocking positions" is not reassuring.

Rates right up there with Saudi Surrounding tactics.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-08-24 12:28|| 2007-08-24 12:28|| Front Page Top

#6 Anyone else notice that the head of Al Qaedas Black Guard was wounded in this fighting...Amin al-Haq..

Posted by Chenter Unimp7361 2007-08-24 12:29|| 2007-08-24 12:29|| Front Page Top

#7 Pakistani troops are also reported to have taken up blocking positions along the border.

Just lovely...

Posted by john frum 2007-08-24 12:33|| 2007-08-24 12:33|| Front Page Top

#8 Though Pakistani forces were employed in 'blocking' position, you will also note that "American forces were dropped unexpectedly into the area by helicopter, blocking escape routes to the border." It seems that was not sufficient, as "Amin was smuggled back across the border."

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2007-08-24 12:39|| 2007-08-24 12:39|| Front Page Top

#9 To provide directions and other traveller's assistance so that the roads don't become congested.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2007-08-24 12:40|| 2007-08-24 12:40|| Front Page Top

#10 Al-Haq's being there begs the question could Binny or Ayman be close by.

Posted by Chenter Unimp7361 2007-08-24 12:49|| 2007-08-24 12:49|| Front Page Top

#11 The big question is what finally caused the tribes in NW Pakistan to throw out AQ? Did they just wear out their welcome? Or was some deal made?

Posted by Penguin 2007-08-24 13:50|| 2007-08-24 13:50|| Front Page Top

#12 They probably didn't throw them out as much as, by habit, when they think the pressure is on in Pakistan, they go to Afghanistan, and vice-versa.

So when we let it be known that we knew where their relatively safe and dispersed camps in Pakistan were, they immediately abandoned them and went to Tora Bora, where we could get them.

Posted by Anonymoose 2007-08-24 14:17|| 2007-08-24 14:17|| Front Page Top

#13 Bill Roggia reports

US and Afghan commanders believe they have a large force pinned down in the valleys in southern Nangarhar. "Five hundred infiltrated the area," Gen. Qadim Shah, the commander of 1st Brigade of the Afghan Army, told Mr. Coghlan. "We have captured 57 fighters from the Taliban and al-Qaeda. They include Chechens, Arabs and Uzbeks." Local tribesmen are also saying Chinese Muslims, or Uighurs, and "a large contingent of Uzbeks led by Tahir Yuldashev" of the al Qaeda affiliate Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan are fighting in the area.

The fighting has been reported to be heavy in the Tora Bora region. The United Nations reports over 400 Afghan families have been displaced due to the ground combat and NATO airstrikes.

The news of the recent fighting in Tora Bora comes as al Qaeda and Taliban camps in North and South Waziristan recently emptied of fighters. Also, evidence recently emerged the US military has approval to conduct raids inside Pakistani territory. Pakistani troops are reported to have reinforced the border in the Kurram agency.

As usual, more good reporting at his site.

Posted by Sherry">Sherry 2007-08-24 15:51|| 2007-08-24 15:51|| Front Page Top

#14 close the lid on this ~~kill box~~ roach motel and dispose of properly. I bet we have some MOABs near their printed "use by" dates :-)

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2007-08-24 17:06|| 2007-08-24 17:06|| Front Page Top

#15 Why should we care about the sovereignty of this area? It is a no-man's land. The terrorists had little regard for our sovereignty on 911; they attacked our soil. They have no regard for the sovereignty of any nation. The dastardly, evil 911 scheme was hatched in this tribal area and Afghanistan. Go after the enemy and kill them.

Posted by JohnQC 2007-08-24 17:37|| 2007-08-24 17:37|| Front Page Top

#16 pressure is on in Pakistan, they go to Afghanistan, and vice-versa.

Except for the Arabs. They go to the Karachi Hilton. Which is part of my beef. Why care about capturing or killing Uighurs and Uzbeks. They are just more mouths to feed and sheets to change at Gitmo. It's the Arabs and their Paki butt boys we want.

Posted by ed 2007-08-24 17:51|| 2007-08-24 17:51|| Front Page Top

#17 #11: Did they just wear out their welcome?
From article: Taliban fighters ... severely beat a number of local villagers.
A quick way to squander support. Apparently no one has translated Mao's Little Red book and other works into Arabic or the other languages of these arrogant thugs. Good. Seems they have a knack for alienating those they rely on for support.

Posted by GK 2007-08-24 17:54|| 2007-08-24 17:54|| Front Page Top

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