ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JUNE 24, 2013

 

U.S. soldiers patrol through Kajir Kheyl village in Afghanistan’s Khowst province, June 12, 2013. The U.S. soldiers have partnered with Afghan national security forces to establish relationships with key village elders and learn about the needs of residents. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Porter

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Arrests Extremists in Wardak Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release
 KABUL, Afghanistan, June 24, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested two extremists during a June 22 search for a Haqqani network facilitator in the Pul-e Alam district of Afghanistan's Wardak province, military officials reported.


The facilitator oversees transportation and distribution of weapons, ammunition and other supplies to extremist groups and has participated in attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces, officials said.

In a June 21 operation, a combined force in Paktia province's Gardez district wounded an extremist during a search for a Haqqani network leader who leads extremists responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in several provinces. He also oversees improvised explosive device operations and facilitates the acquisition and distribution of weapons.


In June 20 operations:
-- Afghan and coalition forces disrupted an extremist command and control point in Helmand province's Sangin district. The forces seized 33 IED pressure plates, 23 liters of homemade explosives and 10 battery packs.

-- In Ghazni province's Deh Yak district, a combined force arrested a high-level operational commander who supervised the activities of several extremist groups responsible for IED operations and the acquisition and distribution of weapons. The security force also arrested three other enemy fighters.
 

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JUNE 21, 2013

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgts. Michael Bittner and Gemenie Strehlow talk with Afghan children while providing security in the town of Payan Janqadam near Bagram Airfield, Parwan province, Afghanistan, June 13, 2013. Bittner and Strehlow are assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Group. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ben Bloker

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE


Combined Force Arrests 2 Extremists in Nangarhar Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 21, 2013 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested two extremists during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Khugyani district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province today, military officials reported.


The sought-after Taliban leader is a subordinate to one of the highest-ranking Taliban leaders in Nangarhar province, officials said. He is responsible for planning, coordinating and executing multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces using large groups of extremist fighters.

The sought-after insurgent also directs the movement of weapons, ammunition, money and other military equipment to Taliban cells operating in Nangarhar province, officials said. The security force also seized a shotgun and 30 pounds of opium as a result of the operation.


In other Afghanistan operations today:
-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani facilitator and five other extremists in the Pul-e 'Alam district of Wardak province. The facilitator managed the transportation and distribution of weapons, ammunition and other supplies to extremist groups operating in the Pul-e 'Alam district. He also participated in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- Combined forces confirmed the death of a Taliban leader, Jilani, during a June 19 operation in the Sayyidabad district of Wardak province. Jilani controlled a group of fighters responsible for attacks on Highway 1 targeting Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinated the movement of weapons for extremist operations and performed intelligence and reconnaissance duties for senior Taliban leaders.


In June 20 operations:
-- Afghan National Army Special Forces of the 4th Special Operations Kandak, advised by coalition forces, killed five insurgents in the Shindand district of Herat province. The insurgents attacked the joint forces as they conducted a presence patrol in the vicinity of Kushe village in south Zereko Valley. Three Afghan troops were wounded in the engagement.

-- Afghan National Army Special Forces, advised by coalition forces, killed three insurgents in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province, and members of the Afghan National Army killed five insurgents in the Khakrez district of Kandahar province.
　


  

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JUNE 14, 2013

 

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Derek Turner, right, searches a compound during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad in Afghanistan's Helmand province, June 6, 2013. Turner, a squad leader, is assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kowshon Ye

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Makes Arrest During Search for Facilitator

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 14, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested an enemy operative during a search for an al-Qaida facilitator in the Behsud district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province today, military officials reported.

The facilitator coordinates the delivery of weapons, military equipment and money to al-Qaida and operational cells for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. He also relays messages for senior al-Qaida leaders.

Also today, a combined force in Wardak province's Sayyidabad district arrested an extremist during a search for a Taliban facilitator who acquires and distributes weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices and other equipment for high-profile attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces in three provinces. He also coordinates training for new enemy fighters.

And yesterday, the highest-ranking Taliban leader in Kunduz province's Archi district was killed, along with his top military advisor.

Qari Halim, also known as Zubair, was responsible for command and control, finance and logistical efforts for extremists in the region. He oversaw a group of about 50 fighters who have engaged in ambushes and IED operations against Afghan and coalition forces.

Under his orders, his military advisor directed and executed attacks targeting Afghan government officials and Afghan and coalition forces.

 

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JUNE 12, 2013

 

A U.S. Marine intravenously hydrates Cane, his military working dog, on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan's Helmand province, June 6, 2013, before conducting a clearing operation. The Marine is assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. Afghan national forces led the clearing operation and the Marines supported it. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kowshon Ye

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Extremists in Wardak Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 12, 2013 - An combined Afghan and coalition security force killed four extremists and wounded another during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Sayyidabad district of Afghanistan's Wardak province yesterday, military officials reported.

The senior leader controls about 70 extremist fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also oversees local weapons trafficking and reports on extremist operations to higher-ranking Taliban officials.


In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- Afghan commandos and special forces soldiers and coalition forces killed an enemy fighter and destroyed homemade explosives and improvised explosive devices in Kandahar province's Panjwai district.

-- A senior Taliban leader was killed in Nangarhar province's Khugyani district. He facilitated the movement of enemy fighters and weapons, and he oversaw a group responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- Afghan forces wounded and arrested an insurgent who was part of a group that attacked an Afghan army patrol in Paktika province's Jani Khel district. The district police chief organized and led the counterattack.

-- A combined force in Logar province's Pul-e Alam district killed four extremists during a search for a senior Haqqani network leader who plans attacks and facilitates the movement of enemy weapons and fighters in the area.







　

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR MAY 22, 2013

 

As seen through a night-vision device, U.S. soldiers prepare their equipment for a night air assault operation from Forward Operating Base Connolly, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, May 14, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Vang Seng Thao.

 FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Helmand Province
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 22, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and four other insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The leader plans, directs and executes attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is instrumental in producing and planting improvised explosive devices and conducts reconnaissance and intelligence gathering for local insurgents.

Also today, a combined force in Wardak province's Sayyidabad district arrested two insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader who controls about 70 insurgents responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also oversees weapons trafficking and reports on insurgent operations to higher-ranking Taliban officials. The security force also seized an assault rifle and ammunition.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in Paktia province's Zurmat district killed four insurgents during a search for a senior Haqqani network intelligence operative. He also coordinates placement of mines and IEDs, provides equipment to insurgents and organizes kidnappings for ransom.

-- Afghan local police and coalition forces found and destroyed an explosives laboratory in Logar province's Baraki Barak district. The lab contained more than 150 pounds of ingredients for homemade explosives, several hand grenades and two rocket-propelled grenade warheads.

NATO ISAF DEPUTY COMMANDER SAYS WARDAK TEST OF TRANSITION SUCCESS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Wardak Could Be Early Test of Transition Success, Official Says
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2013 - Afghanistan's political situation and its people's confidence will be essential to a successful shift to Afghan-led security, a top commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan said today.

Briefing Pentagon reporters by video link from Kabul, Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. Nick Carter of the British army, deputy commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, said the transition in Wardak province, which Afghan President Hamid Karzai last month ordered all U.S. special operations forces to leave, offers an example of the issues coalition forces and their Afghan partners face as they exchange supported and supporting roles.

Transition in Wardak is an "interesting pilot," Carter said.

"Wardak is probably one of the most complicated provinces that we have had to deal with, and how this goes I think will be a good bellwether of how the overall transition process works," the general explained.

Wardak sits on a political divide, he said, with tension between tribes and with the Taliban. "Many of the elders and landowners from Wardak have moved back into Kabul," Carter noted. "And the extent to which there is, therefore, the fabric of leadership in place in Wardak is very challenging."

The politics of Wardak "give us a really good indication as to how the Afghans are going to manage transition as we step forward," he said. "So it's an interesting place to focus on in terms of our attention."

The general said the overall NATO ISAF campaign is at an inflection point, as the final phase of the transfer of security responsibility to Afghan forces takes place this year, mostly in the eastern provinces. ISAF will revert "to train, advise, assist, and enable, where appropriate, with combat operations happening either in extremis or certainly on a limited basis," Carter said.

Operations in Afghanistan will proceed through Afghan command channels, as coalition forces begin to concentrate their efforts "up to the brigade level in the context of the Afghan army this fall, and then up to the corps level, probably after the election next summer," he said.

Afghan security forces' current capability tells a significant success story, Carter said, with five out of the 26 Afghan army brigades now operating independently, and 16 of them effective with support. This "is a creditable performance and it's one that we see improving significantly during the course of this year," he added.

Afghanistan has changed significantly over 10 years, and that confuses things for the Taliban, the general said. Schooling and greatly expanded use of mobile phones and the Internet have made the population more aware, while economic improvement and expanded medical care have improved conditions for many people.

The Taliban will have to grapple with those changes, the general said. "I think for all those reasons, the insurgency is having to think differently about how it might come back, if it ever came back in political participatory terms," he said.

Carter said despite growing competence in Afghan forces and improvements in the people's standard of living, the biggest challenge of the moment is maintaining Afghan confidence.

"Afghans still need reassuring," he said. "And, of course, they've got this significant political transition coming up in 2014, and that will be very challenging. You have to go back to 1902 for the last time there was a peaceful political transition in Afghanistan, and that, of course, worries Afghans."

The general noted that deadlines have a habit of focusing minds.

"What we have to compete with in challenge terms this year is maintaining the population's confidence through into 2014. ... And to my mind, that's the big challenge," he said.