[ToloNews] Two US service members were killed and two others were maimed in action on Saturday in an IED explosion in Kandahar province on Saturday, the Resolute Support confirmed in a statement.
The service members were conducting operations as part of NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Originally it was a mutual defense pact directed against an expansionist Soviet Union. In later years it evolved into a mechanism for picking the American pocket while criticizing the cut of the American pants... 's Resolute Support Mission, the statement read.
In accordance with US Department of Defense policy, the names of the service members killed in action will be withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete, the statement added.
Taliban ...mindless ferocity in a turban... has grabbed credit for the blast.
The incident took place in Dand district of southern Kandahar province, where a bomb hit a US armoured vehicle, provincial police spokesman Jamal Nasir Barkzai told AFP.
"Foreign forces were patrolling near the Kandahar airport when they were hit by a blast. We don't have the details of the casualties because they have cordoned off the area," he said.
A NATO Resolute Support spokesman in southern Afghanistan confirmed the incident and said the situation was being assessed.
Violence in Afghanistan usually recedes as the cold winter sets in but this year the Taliban have pushed forward with their operations despite heavy snowfall in the mountains -- and despite their negotiations with the US for a deal that would see American troops leave the country.
According to parts of the deal made public so far, the Pentagon would pull about 5,000 of its 13,000 or so troops from five bases across Afghanistan, provided the Taliban sticks to its security pledges.
The insurgents have said they will renounce Al-Qaeda, fight the Islamic State group and stop jihadists using Afghanistan as a safe haven.
Last year was the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since combat operations officially finished at the end of 2014, highlighting the challenging security situation that persists.
More than 2,400 US troops have been killed in combat in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in October 2001.
#4
IEDs have been around a long time; long before our involvement in Afghanistan. They will continue to be a problem for a long time. IEDs are low-cost terrorists' approaches to terrorism and war.
IED detection, prevention of activation, rendering safe, and explosion are ways of dealing with them. Dogs have been effective in detection. Tech approaches to dealing with IEDS.
#5
Most taliban IEDs are ANFO type devices using NH₄NO₃ (ammonium nitrate) and fuel oil mix to create an incendiary effect. In 2014, when NH₄NO₃ became unavailable for some time, there was an occasional appearance of more complex devices; even directional booby traps and such, using material from unexploded ordnance and russian grenades. But the composition could be traced and suppliers easily stopped. You killed all the suppliers and effectively stopped the complex IED makers because their sources were within Afghanistan, Iran and Europe.
Some resourceful guys learnt to use TATP obtained from hydrogen peroxide and acetone to produce bigger explosions. These are yet very tough to obtain, and only the very resourceful or trained guys use them They often end up blowing up themselves as it's sensitive stuff not meant for sasquatch hands. But the Afghan taliban are still dependent on NH₄NO₃ which is conveniently supplied from factories in the 'Stain.
While Karzai's gummint ordered a blanket ban on all chemical fertilizer in Afghanistan, the stuff still flows into Kandahar from Pakistain via Chaman on route N25, from Quetta Yupp ! That again.
Since Obama's time, Paki ammonium nitrate has been known to be used for taliban IEDs. The CIA knows everything, have known for quite some time. The owners of some firms actually have offices and residences in America ! Several investigations and fact-finding missions have been sent to Afghanistan, but the Pak side of the investigation was left to the pakistain gummint. I posted this info before, here it is again. It may not cover everything though, and I can't vouch for its accuracy.
#6
A cursory web search on the Fatima group, or Pakarab Fertilizers + IEDs could yield more info. Of course it'll be dated. For some reason, neither Langley not the media want Trump or Americans to think about this too much.
#7
TATP is the one “you can mix up in the bathtub of your mother,” according to one famous issue of the Al Qaeda monthly magazine some years back. But it’s touchy stuff, prone to blowing up if jiggled. Lots of work accident claims submitted in Gaza by grieving widows rejected by the cold-hearted insurance company bean counters. There aren’t many old semi-pro bomb makers, even among those with laboratory training.
My first video was recorded at 12:15 in AlHadba where the militias opened fire Then mortar strikes at 12:34 hit Salah AlDin coming form the militias. Where the 166th brigade operates. Then more mortar hits in AinZara by #GNA militias resulting in the martyrdom of 1 LNA solider https://t.co/vZWfV0DP01
Major General AlMabrouk AlGhazwi, Commander of the Western Region The militias violated the cease-fire on more than one axis, and we are still committed to the orders General Command as the room of the Western Region and we are waiting for any new instructions from it. pic.twitter.com/vlbsIOTrtj
[IsraelTimes] Two prisoners wearing fake suicide belts slash guard with homemade knives, wounding him and four other officials who intervene; one is follower of radical holy manAnjem Choudary
A knife attack on a British prison officer by two inmates wearing fake suicide belts is being treated as a terrorist attack, police said Friday.
Two prisoners wielding improvised bladed weapons slashed the officer’s head and neck in Thursday’s attack at the maximum security Whitemoor prison in eastern England.
Four other prison staff were maimed as they stepped in and detained the attackers, and were taken to hospital alongside the original victim. All five officers have now been released.
One of the suspects was named by media as Brusthom Ziamani, 24, a follower of radical preacher Anjem Choudary ...self-proclaimed holy man who used to work for Omar Mohammed Bakdri as spokesman for al-Muhajiroun. Anjem is a loathesome little attention prostitute who is to be heard cheering for the home team anytime anybody with a turban manages to slaughter a group of unarmed infidels. Anjem was born in the UK in 1967 and is, as you would expect, of Pakistaini descent. The Ghost of Dante is of the opinion that when he goes to hell his knees will be broken once a month. He was in jug for awhile for supporting the Islamic State...
who was convicted in 2015 of plotting to behead a British soldier.
Most recently al-Muhajiroun was feeding cannon fodder to ISIS, which at least did England the service of funding their removal to the killing fields. Possibly they’ve now gone back to doing the same for Al Qaeda.
The other suspect was reported to be a Moslem convert jugged Please don't kill me! for a violent offence.
"The matter is being treated as a terrorist attack and the investigation continues at pace," said London’s Metropolitan Police, which leads on national counter-terrorism matters.
"The incident itself was quickly contained and dealt with by prison staff.
"From our inquiries thus far, there is nothing to suggest any continuing threat inside or outside of the prison system linked to yesterday’s incident."
The suspects remain in prison and no arrests have been made, police said.
There has been a sharp increase in prisoners convicted of terrorism-related offences in the past few years, sparking growing concerns that other inmates may become radicalized.
The government has trained almost 20,000 staff in extremism awareness training, and employs multi-faith chaplaincy teams in all prisons.
It also opened two Separation Centers where individuals considered to pose the biggest risk are kept away from the main prison population.
[AlAhram] At least twelve people drowned and 21 were rescued when their boat sank off an island in western Greece on Saturday, Greek authorities said.
Helicopters and ships were searching the area south-west of the island of Paxos for more survivors, the Greek coastguard said. Authorities said they had accounts of up to 50 people being on the vessel.
The Greek authorities said they had scrambled to the area after a distress signal from the boat which was taking on water. No further details were immediately available.
More on this story from yesterday. Quick, dear Reader: crazy, druggie, or a Quds Force/Hezbollah agent? Now read on.
[CBS] Police in Palm Beach, Florida, arrested an Iranian man carrying weapons and cash not far from President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort on Friday. The man, an Iranian national identified as Masoud Yareilzoleh, was arrested after Palm Beach police received a call about a suspicious person.
When they caught up to the man, they said he had a machete, pickax and two knives along with $22,000 in cash. Police also searched a car associated with Yareilzoleh at Palm Beach International Airport.
The arrest happened near the Flagler Memorial Bridge, about four miles from the president's Mar-a-Lago, although Mr. Trump was not there at the time.
Yareilzoleh is in the Palm Beach County Jail. It's not clear what his intentions were but Sherlocks are monitoring the situation.
The arrest comes after several suspicious incidents at Mar-a-Lago involving Chinese nationals, and amid stepped up security around the country.
The suspect, Masoud Yareioeill Zoleh, was identified by his passport while being taken into custody on Flagler Memorial Bridge on Friday morning.
Police said that the man did not appear to have a fixed or known address. He does now
There were also reports of police activity at Palm Beach International Airport, where sources say a bomb unit was called in to check the Iranian man's car at the airport's short term parking lot.
An 'all clear' was given at the airport on Friday afternoon and operations have returned to normal.
It comes days after Iranian officials offered an $80 million bounty for the murder of President Donald Trump.
#2
Some speculation yesterday that this was just a gardener who was in the wrong place. If he's got $22K in pocket change, I obviously ended up in the wrong racket.
My condo was 2 blocks north of Flagler.
Nice walk across the bridge to the Publix grocery. Many amigos around but more Cubans as construction laborers.
The guy in the picture does not have workman hands.
H/t Instapundit
[Daily Mail] - A prominent pro-Iran militia commander has been killed by unidentified gunmen in Iraq.
High-level Popular Mobilization Forces leader Taleb Abbas Ali al-Saedi was shot dead late on Saturday in Karbala, a city about 62 miles southwest of Baghdad.
Local media reported that al-Saedi was 'assassinated' by unknown gunmen, but no further details about the shooters were immediately available.
Al-Saedi was the commander of the Karbala Brigades,
...a unit of Kata'ib Hezbollah or Iraqi Hezbollah, which also include the Brigade of Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas, the Zaid bin Ali Brigades, Ali al-Akbar Brigades and al-Sojjad Brigades. Abu Talib al-Saidi has led the Karbala Brigades since 2003...
a unit within the Iran-backed Shiite PMF umbrella group.
Posted by: Sonny Black ||
01/12/2020 8:20 Comments ||
Top||
#3
If the mullahs are overthrown, I predict a rapid rise in income and feedom for average Iranians, followed just as quickly by a descent into tyranny and corruption- it’s their way.
#5
Imagine being screwed over, day after day, year after year, decade after decade, by someone saying "At least we're getting back at Israel and the Americans..."
#3
...At best, the protesters have about another two, maybe three days before the IGRC and the Basij go in to shut 'em down. At that point, they will have to make a point that all the Tweets in the world can't help - fight, or go down again.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
01/12/2020 11:10 Comments ||
Top||
#4
Daily Mail covers it with lots of pictures - actually the article is a mish mash covering at least three or four events.
Also, people chanting 'down with the Islamic Republic'
Posted by: lord garth ||
01/12/2020 11:39 Comments ||
Top||
Hundreds protest across Lebanon to denounce a crippling economic crisis and the political deadlock that has left the country without a government for over two months.https://t.co/gk7ETKqQvb
More from @DominicRaab on arrest of @HMATehran: Iran “is at a cross-roads moment. It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political & economic isolation that entails, or take steps to deescalate tensions @ engage in a diplomatic path forwards." 👇 pic.twitter.com/JnRzseCH26
I understand Rob Macaire, the UK's Ambassador to Tehran, today [Saturday] visited what was billed as a vigil in Tehran for victims of #Flight 752. It quickly became clear it was more of an anti-government protest than a vigil. As soon as this became apparent he left
The UK ambassador -
@HMATehran
- then popped into a barbers for a haircut en route back to embassy. That was where he was arrested (while in barbers).
Reports he had been taking photographs of the protests are untrue, a source said
The UK's Rob Macaire was held by the Iranians for about 2 hours for questioning. Cue frantic phone calls between London & Tehran. He was finally released and is now safely back home.
Britain's
@DominicRaab
says detention of UK's ambassador to Tehran "without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law"
I believe it is an act of war — yet another in Iran’s recent series. I wonder how they will end up humiliated by this one?
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says the arrest of UK Ambassador to Tehran Rob Macaire is a “flagrant breach of international law,” according to a statement.https://t.co/bGfosxX2yu
UK Ambassador to Iran Rob Macaire arrested tonight in Tehran for allegedly 'directing radical actions'
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab hit out at Iran over the 'flagrant violation of international law'
Demanded that the country make a choice between becoming a 'pariah' state or to 'deescalate tensions'
Protests broke out at four universities in Tehran on Saturday after admitting accidentally downing plane
Angry crowds demanded the Ayatollah's resignation and full investigation into the disaster
But regime forces cracked down hard on the demonstrators, firing tear gas into the crowds
Donald Trump has tweeted his support for 'long-suffering' Iranians, saying his administration is on their side
The Foreign Office has hit out at Iran for a 'flagrant violation of international law' after the UK ambassador to the country was arrested during a protest in the capital Tehran.
Diplomat Rob Macaire was present during demonstrations against Ayatollah Khamenei in front of Tehran’s Amir Kabir University and was arrested after allegedly 'organising, provoking and directing radical actions', according to local reports.
Thousands had gathered to demand the supreme leader's resignation after his regime admitted it had mistakenly shot down a civilian passenger plane during retaliation against the US' assassination of Qasem Soleimani.
Mr Macaire, a diplomat with 30 years experience, was released following more than an hour in detention.
In a strongly worded statement, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab warned Iran that it needed to make a choice between becoming a 'pariah' state or to 'deescalate tensions' with the west.
'The arrest of our Ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law. The Iranian government is at a cross-roads moment,' said Mr Raab.
Posted by: 3dc ||
01/12/2020 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11141 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
The arresting officers pobably didn't know who he was at first. Just goes to show what they would do to Westerners who didn't enjoy the privileges of diplomatic protection.
Local witnesses: #IranProtests is still ongoing in the streets of Tehran. It’s unprecedented for protesters to stay out till 2:30AM. This is bravery, we’re up against a flock of thugs armed to the teeth, but we’re ready! We want our beloved country back.
Media has been feeding disinformation on popularity of Soleimani among Iranians trying to accuse of a big miscalculation. Here see how much Iranians despised him.
Now that they’re in apology mode, looking forward to Khamenei, Rouhani and Zarif’s apologies for the 1500 Iranians they recently murdered. #IranProtests#PS752
If i share the same photo in Iran, for the face of Khamenei or Ruhani, they will execute me! How shameless are you?! 1500 killed in #IranProtests Nov. n 167 killed in #UkranianPlaneCrash but you mentioned “Scrotus” to show wich kind of Family n level you come from!? https://t.co/nWdTnoihNk
Iranian protesters are chanting: "Human error is what we did in 1979." They are referring to the Islamic revolution as the biggest mistake that Iranians made in history.#Iranprotestshttps://t.co/sR5OKq0Dwk
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.
[ToloNews] Two US service members were killed and two others were 
...self-proclaimed holy man who used to work for Omar Mohammed Bakdri as spokesman for al-Muhajiroun. Anjem is a loathesome little attention prostitute who is to be heard cheering for the home team anytime anybody with a turban manages to slaughter a group of unarmed infidels. Anjem was born in the UK in 1967 and is, as you would expect, of Pakistaini descent. The Ghost of Dante is of the opinion that when he goes to hell his knees will be broken once a month. He was in jug for awhile for supporting the Islamic State...
[AlAhram] At least twelve people drowned and 21 were rescued when their boat sank off an island in western Greece on Saturday, Greek authorities said.
