Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 31, 2013

Marines Stand Back As Afghans Take Lead -- Washington Times

Yet the threat of danger never far away even with reduced combat role

CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan — For Marines training and working with Afghan troops to help secure their war-torn country, danger is ever-present — even at bases operated by their Afghan counterparts.

Marines inside Afghan bases are instructed to keep their guns on the highest readiness condition, and are always accompanied by “guardian angels” — Marines who provide security for those interacting with Afghan troops.

Meanwhile, most Afghan troops are not allowed to carry weapons in their bases, except for security guards.

“There are about 800 Afghans here — 799 of those Afghans are awesome,” Marine Lt. Col. Philip Treglia, the officer in charge of advising the Afghan National Army’s 1st Brigade of the 215th Maiwand Corps, said at Camp Garmsir, an Afghan base near his Marines’ Camp Dwyer. “It’s that ‘one’ you have to worry about, and it’s not because of the Taliban. It’s because he got into an argument that morning.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update -- ISAF
45 Taliban killed or injured during clashes with villagers in Ghazni -- Khaama Press
3 Afghan Militants Killed, 3 Arrested In Firefight With Security Forces -- RTT
Suicide bombers attack peaceful province in Afghan north -- Reuters
Six suicide attackers killed in Afghanistan -- Global Post/AFP
Afghans claim 6 arrested in Kabul attack plot -- AP
Major Attack On Kabul Thwarted: Afghan Intelligence -- RTT
Cross-border shelling by Pakistan kill 1, injure 2 in Nuristan -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan Red Cross office attack sets dangerous precedent for aid work -- The Guardian
Commander Says Afghan Forces Lead Fight in Sangin -- Military.com
ISAF Commander: Taliban Defeat Imminent In Sangin Fighting -- RTT
Fighting season is testing ground for Afghan force -- The Guardian/AP
American general: 'Not feasible' to completely destroy the Taliban in Afghanistan -- NBC
War in Afghanistan set to cost every British household £2,000 as bill soars to £4billion -- Daily Mail
Growing crystal meth use blurs drug-hungry Afghanistan's future -- Reuters
Afghanistan: Fatal Embarrassment -- Strategy Page
It takes a village to raze an insurgency -- Dr. Daniel R. Green, Foreign Policy

Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 29, 2013

Afghan soldiers stand in formation to receive instructions before a live fire exercise supervised by U.S. Marines assigned to Mobile Strike Force Advisor Team on Camp Shorabak in Afghanistan's Helmand province, May 20, 2013. The Marines taught Afghan soldiers how to properly utilize their weapons systems. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ezekiel R. Kitandwe

Britain Detains Suspected Insurgents at Afghan Base for Months -- New York Times

LONDON — Up to 90 Afghans are being held at a British military facility in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed Wednesday, while rejecting comparisons between their detention and that of detainees at the American prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

Mr. Hammond said that the number of suspected insurgents held by British forces at their base in Camp Bastion was higher than normal because of problems in handing them over to the Afghan legal system.

The British government argues that, unlike those held in Cuba, detainees in Camp Bastion are in the process of being handed over to the Afghan authorities who will then decide what action to take against them within their legal framework.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 29th -- ISAF
ISAF: Senior Taliban leader arrested in Balkh -- Khaama Press
6 suicide bombers killed in attack on Panjshir governor compound -- Khaama Press
Taliban attack governor office building in Afghanistan -- Zee News

Afghan nationals suspected of killing British troops being held without charge in 'mini-Guantanamo' for up to 14 months, Hammond reveals -- Daily Mail
British forces are detaining dozens in Afghanistan, Philip Hammond confirms -- The Guardian
Afghan detentions 'legal,' says British defense chief -- Deutsche Welle
UK 'ready to hand over Afghan detainees' -- BBC
Afghanistan: insurgents held without charge by British forces -- The Telegraph
Hammond Says U.K. Holding Up to 90 Afghans Without Charge -- Bloomberg

Obama, NATO's Rasmussen to discuss Afghanistan on Friday -- Reuters
NATO chief meets Obama to discuss Afghanistan mission -- Khaama Press
NATO leader to meet with Obama on Friday -- FOX News/AP

The Forgotten Force: Police-Building in Iraq and Afghanistan -- By Walter C. Ladwig III, WPR
Violence Against Journalists in Afghanistan Increasing -- Voice of America
Youth addiction grows parallel with drug production in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Resurrecting Afghanistan: Khaled Hosseini’s ‘And the Mountains Echoed’ -- Rafia Zakaria, Daily Beast
At least 2,092 US military deaths in Afghanistan since 2001 -- AP

Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 28, 2013

Afghan Police Defectors Return To Fold, Kill Seven Colleagues -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Two Afghan police officers who had recently rejoined the force after defecting to the Taliban, shot dead seven of their sleeping colleagues on Tuesday, a police chief said.

The killings came during a particularly bloody 24 hours for Afghan forces, with another 16 soldiers, police and bodyguards killed in different attacks, underscoring concern about government forces as foreign troops prepare to leave.

Kandahar Afghan National Police chief Abdul Raziq said the two police officers had defected to the Taliban months ago but returned several days ago asking to rejoin.

They were accepted back.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 28th -- ISAF
7 Afghan police killed in insider attack at checkpoint in Kandahar -- Washington Post/AP
Afghan police pair 'kill seven colleagues' in Kandahar -- BBC
Taliban attacks kill 16 Afghan security personnel -- Xinhuanet
Bomb hits Afghan lawmaker's convoy, 5 dead -- AP
Roadside blast kill civilians in Kandahar province -- Khaama Press
Combined Security Force Arrests Haqqani Network Leader -- US Department of Defense
Violence Against Journalists in Afghanistan Increasing -- Voice of America
Fighting Season is Testing Ground for Afghan Force -- AP
EU foreign ministers extend EUPOL mission in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Predator passes 20,000-hour mark in Afghanistan -- US Air Force
3rd ID Soldiers Train Dogs to Detect Explosives in Afghanistan -- Patch
Food Entrepreneur Is A New Breed Of Afghan Business Owner -- NPR
Taliban condemn distribution of pink balloons in Kabul -- Khaama Press
Afghan peace hopes soar with balloons -- Ali M Latifi and Sulyman Qardash, Al Jazeera
Choosing sides in Afghanistan -- Max Boot, L.A. Times

Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 27, 2013

Successful Completion of the Big Dam Operation Regional Command West. ISAF

Afghan Defense Ministry: Over 500 Militants, 100 Afghan Soldiers Killed In Afghan Military Operations During May -- Khaama Press

Afghan defense ministry on Sunday announced that Afghan national army soldiers have conducted over 2000 military operations across the country during the current Afghan month.

According to a statement released by defense ministry media office, Afghan army soldiers conducted around 2,224 military operations in various parts of the country.

The source further added at least 443 militants were killed during the operations and 581 others were injured or detained.

The statement also added over 100 Afghan soldiers were also killed during the operations.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 27th -- ISAF
NATO Service Member Killed In Afghanistan -- AP
Heavy clashes reported in Ghazni city of Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Afghan and NATO troops kill 28 Taliban militants in Ghazni -- Khaama Press
Thirty-three dead in clash, bombing in Afghanistan -- Business Recorder/Deutsche Welle
"Direct Action Cell" Of Taliban Militants In Afghanistan Busted -- RTT News
Suicide attack on NATO troops convoy in Farah, 2 civilians injured -- Khaama Press
Senior Taliban leaders arrested in Helmand province: ISAF -- Khaama Press
Kandahar officials worried over deployment of Pakistani militants -- Khaama Press
This year’s fighting season is testing ground for Afghan security forces without NATO help -- Washington Post/AP
Perpetrators of attack in Afghanistan must be brought to justice – Security Council -- UN News Centre
Unemployment boost insurgency and crime -- Khaama Press
US withdrawal from Afghanistan may pose a greater risk to Pakistan -- Economic Times
Karzai urges US to transfer Guantanamo inmates to Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Taliban condemns Afghanistan balloon project -- Al Jazeera
Taliban condemn distribution of pink balloons in Kabul -- Khaama Press
Gen. Allen: 'No question' U.S. forces will remain necessary in Afghanistan -- Politico

Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 24, 2013

A wounded Afghan police officer is carried away from the scene in Kabul.. REUTERS-Omar Sobhani

Blasts, Shooting In Center Of Afghan Capital -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Several large explosions rocked a busy area in the center of the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Friday with Reuters witnesses describing shooting in the area.

There were at least four blasts interspersed by heavy shooting, a Reuters witness said.

The first blast was a suicide car bomb and occurred at about 4 p.m. (1130 GMT) near an intersection in the district of Borj-e Sharahah, said Hashmatullah Stanikzai, a spokesman for the Kabul police chief.

A Reuters witness described seeing two wounded policemen, though there was no official word on casualties.

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More News On Afghanistan

Insurgents Attack Near U.N. Mission in Kabul -- New York Times
Taliban launch attack in downtown Kabul -- France 24
Gunbattle Inside Kabul Building Follows Large Blast -- Radio Free Europe
Police: Suicide bomb hits heart of Afghan capital -- USA Today/AP
Explosions, Gunfire in Kabul in Second Attack This Month -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Explosion and gunfire shake Kabul -- BBC
Gunmen launch attack on Kabul -- The Telegraph
Explosion rock capital Kabul -- Khaama Press
Suicide bombers, gunmen attack Kabul -- Zee News
Afghanistan: Bombing, gunfire heard near Kabul hospital -- Global Post
Three large explosions, gunfire near Indian embassy in Kabul -- News Track India
ISAF confirm death of senior Haqqani leaders in Paktiya -- Khaama Press
Local Haqqani leaders killed in E. Afghanistan -- Global Times
Afghan, Coalition Forces Arrest Insurgents in Baghlan Province -- US Department of Defense
Suicide bomber strikes vehicle of Afghan religious leader, killing 3 people in Pakistan -- FOX News/AP
Women on Afghan frontlines to fight Taliban -- NDTV
Afghanistan's neighbours trying to split country: Karzai -- Zee News
Iran reiterates its opposition to permanent US bases in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
In Afghanistan, businesswomen must seek a delicate balance -- L.A. Times
Pizza Delivery to Troops in Afghanistan a Record -- Military Times/UPI
Mosadeq: Afghanistan facing crucial year for human rights -- Khaama Press

Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 23, 2013

U.S. Marines conduct a combat logistics patrol to Forward Operating Base Shukvani in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 19, 2013. The Marines, assigned to Rolling Thunder 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, conducted the logistics patrol to deliver supplies in support of Regimental Combat Team 7 and base realignment and closure operations. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony L. Ortiz

Turncoats: How The Taliban Undermines And Infiltrates The Afghan Local Police -- David Axe, Danger Room

ZARI DISTRICT, Afghanistan — The sound of gunfire was the first sign that the Afghan cop’s loyalty was suspect.

It was February in Hadji Musa, a village in the poppy-growing Zari district of northern Kandahar province, traditionally one of the most violent regions in a violent country. 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 3-41 Infantry — part of the high-tech 1st Brigade of the 1st Armored Division — had received a tip from Toorjan, commander of the village local police unit, claiming that someone in Hadji Musa wanted to talk. Someone with direct knowledge of Taliban activities.

Beyond that, Toorjan had provided almost no information. All he could offer was an implied promise: Trust me.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 23rd -- ISAF
7 dead in Afghan suicide blast: officials -- West Australian/AFP
Body of tortured Afghan unearthed near former US Special Forces base - report -- RT
Del. unit bridges gaps in Afghan handover -- USA Today
Britain, Denmark to finalize relocation plans for Afghan interpreters who worked on front line -- Washington Post/AP
Afghan Election Law Wins More Approval -- Wall Street Journal
Hard-line students in Afghanistan protest women’s rights decree as un-Islamic, demand repeal-- Washington Post/AP
Pizza Delivery to Afghanistan Troops Sets Guinness Record -- ABC News
Iran reiterates its opposition to permanent US bases in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Tehran’s Designs on Afghanistan -- Sanjay Kumar, The Diplomat
History repeating itself in Afghan conflict? -- CNN
Crossing Afghanistan, I saw how the war brought jobs – and corruption -- Matthieu Aikins, The Globe and Mail

Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 22, 2013

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai (R) shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee ahead of their meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential palace in New Delhi, May 21, 2013. Voice of America

Afghanistan’s Karzai Says ‘No Circumstances’ Allow Him to Seek Another Term -- New York Times

NEW DELHI — Seeking to dispel widespread rumors that he would find a way to cling to power beyond the end of his second term next year, President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan said Wednesday that there was “no circumstance that will allow me to stay as president.”

“And there are two reasons for that,” he said. “One is, I’m exhausted. Really, totally exhausted and I would like to be retired. And second, why would I ruin my legacy by staying on and taking an opportunity away from Afghanistan to become an institutionalized democracy?”

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 22nd -- ISAF
Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Helmand Province -- US Department of Defense
Fresh Clashes, Conflicting Claims in Afghanistan's Helmand Province -- Voice of America
Deaths, injuries reported from explosions reported across Afghanistan -- UPI
Afghanistan: Suicide bomber kills anti-Taliban village elder, 3 others in busy market -- Washington Post/AP
7 dead in Afghan suicide blast: officials -- AFP
7 Killed, 16 Injured in E. Afghan Suicide Bombing -- CRI English
Afghanistan: Suicide Bomb Kills Anti-Taliban Elder -- AP
Threat from within: U.S. military braced for surge in Taliban ‘insider’ attacks -- Washington Times/Washington Free Beacon
Torture Victim’s Body Is Found Near U.S. Base, Afghans Say -- New York Times
Nato troops start equipment withdrawal from Afghanistan -- DAWN
‘Exhausted’ Karzai insists he will retire -- Financial Times
Afghan security concerns to ease after 2014, Karzai says -- L.A. Times
Afghanistan's Karzai gives India military equipment 'wish list' -- Reuters
Afghan President Asks India for Military Aid -- Voice of America
Afghan president Hamid Karzai hands India weapons 'wish list' -- The Independent
Hamid Karzai leaves India with an empty hand -- Business Standard
Afghan interpreters to get right to live in UK -- BBC
Hard-line students in Afghanistan protest women’s rights decree as un-Islamic, demand repeal -- Washington Post/AP
Afghan women's rights in peril, group says -- L.A. Times
Sharp rise in number Afghan women in prison for "moral crimes" -- Reuters
More Afghan women jailed for 'moral crimes', says HRW -- BBC
At least 2,091 US military deaths in Afghanistan since 2001 -- FOX News/AP

Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 21, 2013

Karzai In Delhi Set To Push For India Military Aid -- BBC

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in India to press for more military aid, ahead of the withdrawal of Nato-led forces from Afghanistan in 2014.

He is set to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as well as President Pranab Mukherjee.

India already trains some Afghan military officers, but there has been little assistance in terms of hardware.

Last November, Delhi signed mining and development deals and pledged $2bn (£1.3bn) in assistance to Kabul.

Correspondents say the two countries are strengthening their ties as the US and its Nato allies prepare to leave Afghanistan next year.

Mr Karzai's spokesman said that on this trip Afghanistan would seek "all kinds of assistance from India in order to strengthen our military and security institutions".

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 21st -- ISAF
ISAF Statement on Media Report of 500 -1,000 Insurgents in Helmand Attacking Check Points -- ISAF
Pakistani and Chechen rebels attack police check post in Helmand -- Khaama Press
Afghan bomb: Policemen killed in Herat blast -- BBC
Roadside bomb kills six policemen in Afghanistan -- DAWN/AP
Heavy explosion in Herat kill or injure 9 Afghan police officers -- Khaama Press
11 Afghan police killed in latest violence -- Global Post/AFP
Seven Afghan police killed amid fresh attacks -- Al Jazeera
US drone attack kills 8 in eastern Afghanistan -- Press TV (Iran)

Pentagon wants $79.4B for Afghanistan War in 2014 -- Navy Times
Pentagon requests $US79bn for Afghanistan -- The Australian

Afghan leader to push for Indian military aid -- Global Post/AFP
Afghanistan Seeks Military Aid from India -- Voice of America
Afghan president Hamid Karzai to seek military aid as he arrives in India -- The Guardian
Washington welcomes India’s bilateral assistance to Afghanistan -- Khaama Press

Afghanistan: Surge in Women Jailed for ‘Moral Crimes’ -- Human Rights Watch
UN urges Afghan government to adopt law on protection of women -- Stars and Stripes
Afghanistan's Women Increasingly Jailed For 'Moral Crimes' -- Huffington Post/AP

Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 20, 2013

U.S. Army Spc. Matt Cullen, right, conducts a mission brief before departing Forward Operating Base Farah for a meeting with the Farah City mayor at his office in Farah City, Afghanistan, May 14, 2013. Cullen is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives

Obama Seeks To Cut Afghan War Spending By 10 Percent -- Reuters

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday trimmed his funding request for the war in Afghanistan and other overseas operations by 10 percent, reflecting his plans to wind down the U.S. presence in that country.

The president asked for $79.4 billion to fund so-called overseas contingency operations in fiscal 2014, which begins October 1, down from his original $88.5 billion request, a White House aide said. Obama made the request in a letter to Congress.

The U.S. chief executive has said he plans to draw down troops in Afghanistan after 2014 but has not specified by how much.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 20th -- ISAF
Taliban aims victory after NATO pullout from Afghanistan: Azimi -- Khaama Press
Taliban suicide bomber assassinates senior politician in Afghan north -- L.A. Times
Bombing Kills Key Figure in Northern Afghan Province -- New York Times
Suicide bomber strikes outside provincial council in northern Afghanistan, killing 14 -- Washington Post/AP
Suicide bomb attack in northern Afghanistan -- Al Jazeera
Surge in violence hits Afghan police, civilians -- Foreign Policy
Explosions kill or injure 16 in Khost and Paktika provinces -- Khaama Press
10 Afghan local police officers killed or injured in Taliban attack -- Khaama Press
No injuries as C-130 makes hard landing in Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes
NATO C-130 plane makes hard landing in eastern Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Fate of US bases depends on Afghanistan’s ability to secure, operate them -- Stars and Stripes
Without U.S. helicopters, Afghans struggle to save the wounded -- Washington Post
Afghanistan to purchase An-74 cargo planes for Afghan forces -- Khaama Press
US military praises Pakistani steps to curb fertilizers used in Afghanistan bombs -- FOX News/AP
Marine helps develop Female Engagement Team in Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes/Danville Register & Bee
Canadian military gear stranded in Afghanistan -- CBC
Karzai seeks Indian military aid amid Pakistan row -- AP
President Karzai Leaves on Two-day State Visit to India -- Khaama Press
India to discuss Afghanistan’s demand on supply of military equipments -- Khaama Press
Karzai Seeks Indian Military Aid Amid Pakistan Row -- Kay Johnson, Real Clear Defense
Afghanistan’s forgotten crisis: its economy -- Financial Times
Pepsi to march in, as foreign troops leave Afghanistan -- Reuters
With end of Afghan war in sight, Europe pushes business -- Reuters
Race to save Afghanistan's Buddhist treasures -- AL Jazeera

Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 17, 2013

Afghan Militants Threaten More Attacks After Deadly Bombing -- L.A. Times

Hezb-i-Islami claims responsibility for a suicide blast that killed six Americans and nine Afghans. It says it is stepping up assaults on foreign forces.

KABUL, Afghanistan — A militant group said its attack Thursday on a NATO convoy in the Afghan capital marked a stepped-up campaign against the foreign presence in Afghanistan, and promised more such assaults. The suicide bombing killed six Americans, including four civilian contractors, and at least nine Afghan civilians, including two children, according to local and coalition officials.

"Our party will increase its attacks against foreign troops in Afghanistan in the future," said Zubair Sediqqi, a spokesman for Hezb-i-Islami, which claimed responsibility for the attack. He spoke by phone from Pakistan. It was the first major attack in Kabul since insurgents launched their spring offensive last month.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 17th -- ISAF
Suicide car bombing in Afghan capital kills 15, including 6 Americans and 2 children -- Washington Post/AP
Afghanistan blast targets NATO convoy, kills at least 6 -- Christian Science Monitor
Senior Taliban commander killed in northern Afghanistan -- Press TV (Iran)
Senior Taliban leader arrested in Baghlan: ISAF -- Khaama Press
Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Baghlan Province -- US Department of Defense
ISAF targets al Qaeda facilitator in eastern Afghanistan -- Long War Journal
Canadian soldiers prepare for final deployment to Afghanistan -- Global News
Fearing Afghan instability, Russia mulls border troops -- Reuters
Russia to deploy troops on Afghanistan-Tajikistan border -- Khaama Press
Karzai visits India to discuss defense cooperation with New Delhi -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan seeks enhanced military help from India -- Times of India
Child refugees flee war in Afghanistan -- CBS News/60 Minutes
Violence against women act modification sparks furor in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan’s Cycle of Corruption -- Mujib Mashal, Daily Beast