Islamic Emirate: Involvement of invaders in Helmand fighting is a new effort to derail peace

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Post via Islamic Emirate

All know that the invaders announced at the end of 2014 that their military mission has ended in Afghanistan. Meanwhile they were asserting that they will no longer participate in military operations and a new phase of assistance and support will begin. Furthermore they were using ambiguous and dubious rhetoric for their new mission. Even at the time political analysts were skeptical regarding the intentions of invaders. They were considering the upcoming phase under the name of assistance and support as a new wave to harass and stain the oppressed Afghans in their blood.

Many Afghans believed and still consider pledges by America as a strategy of deception because on 7 October 2001, the illegitimate invasion of Afghanistan was also not dubbed as military mission but it was covered under the imperialistic names of liberation, re-construction, maintaining security and freedom.

Now the invaders have once again started fighting contrary to their previous promises. They are openly participating in fighting against Mujahideen in Helamand. They are blindly bombing residential areas in Marja district and the brutal American and British troops are sent to the area. These activities of invaders have shaken the miserable Afghan nation because from one side there are hues and cries regarding deceitful peace and on the other hand the invaders have started a new war here. They are even preparing themselves for more fighting. Recently they announced that they would deploy 500 more troops to Afghanistan. Two weeks ago General Campell said in an interview with USA Today that they want to station their troops in Afghanistan for an extended period of time. It shows that America has started new efforts for prolongation of their nefarious occupation.

Afghans are facing frustration regarding peace process because what the invaders say in the evening does not coincide with what they say in the morning. We do not know, it’s surprising; hundreds of thousands of innocent Afghans have been killed during past fourteen years; millions of miserable people were harassed and the invaders are still continuing their atrocities. But on the other hand, they take the first row among peace negotiators; they even want to completely take the peace process in their own hands. On the one hand they are killers who are going house by house killing Afghans and on the other hand they consider themselves as inheritors of Afghans who have the right to control the land and air space of Afghanistan all the while they are also judges who have to decide regarding all our minor and major decisions.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has a clear message to the invaders. Firstly, the Afghan nation has expelled invaders from their blessed land many times over the course of history. They have overcome their imperialistic plans and strategies. This is the reason that the current invader is also facing defeat. Secondly, the Afghans are not a threat to anyone including America and have no intention of enmity and fighting with anyone rather our goal is to defend our soil. Thirdly, no other system is acceptable to the Afghans except for an Islamic system. In short the end of occupation and establishment of Islamic system is peace as well as the solution in itself. Similarly it embodies security, stability and aspirations of the Afghan nation.

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Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

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MSS researcher Iffat Anjum Shonchoie (Dhaka) interviews Carol Anne Grayson independent writer/researcher on drones

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Pakistani tribesmen protest US drone attacks in the Pakistani tribal region on February 25, 2012. (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images)

In recent months I agreed to be interviewed by questionnaire and engage in online discussion with Iffat Anjum Shonchoie from the International Relations University of Dhaka, Bangladesh on the subject of drones. I am an independent researcher/ human rights activist who has written on the impact of armed drones for several years.

Iffat has now completed her MSS Research Project, “Mapping the Civilian Casualties in US Drone Strike Programme” She says her final revelation is as follows,

“A composition development is no way less dedicating than reproduction of a human soul . A composition is about idea and ideas have intangible insights too…………”

Drone Questionnaire

Iffat Anjum Shonchoie (Dhaka) interviews Carol Anne Grayson (UK) independent writer/researcher on drones

1)  How far US drone strike targeted killing policy is affecting Pakistani civilians in the post 9/11 era?

US drone strikes are targeted on those living in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan and were intended to eliminate militants (assassination, pre medicated killing) denying alleged terrorists the right to fair judicial process via a court. This began post 9/11 as part of the ongoing “War on Terror”. Some strikes aim for specific targets, signature strikes “permit the CIA and Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to kill without requiring them to know who they kill” see following Guardian link for details,

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/apr/25/us-drone-program-secrecy-scrutiny-signature-strikes

Local inhabitants regardless of whether they are involved in insurgency or not are treated as second class citizens and viewed by both US and Pakistan governments as expendable. Terrorism is common within cities such as Karachi, Pakistan but drones do not target such urban areas as there would a massive backlash from the population. In fact such are the double standards that authorities do not even want helicopter camera drones over Karachi let alone armed drones. To quote Sindh police chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo in Dawn,

“You see, one can’t afford free use of drone cameras in Karachi. Our main concern is that it can be used for any terror or criminal activity. Such a machine can easily be used as an explosive carrier. There are several other issues as well which compromise security arrangements and that’s why we seek a complete ban on it in Karachi”

Tribal people are subjected to terrorism from the air, drone strikes from the US and recently from Pakistan that now have their own drone named Buraq. Samual Mutter explores the philosophical debate on discrimination within airspace in his blog, “Airspace and autonomy, the geographical legal discrimination of drones! https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/02/12/airspace-and-autonomy-the-geographical-legal-discrimination-of-drones/

Recently the Intercept published a series of articles based on leaked documents that highlighted “drone strikes conducted by the United States during a 5 month long campaign in Afghanistan caused the deaths of unintended targets nearly nine out of ten times” (Washington Times, Oct 15th 2015). In other words 90% of the time US hit the wrong people, something they refer to as “collateral damage”. I have no doubt the finding just over the border in Pakistan would be very similar.

The people of Waziristan spend their life living under the fear of drones and experience both physical harm which can include death, decapitation, loss of limbs, incineration as well as psychological damage, depression, anxiety. Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder. In the following link, I interview Dr Tomasz Pierscionek co author of Medact report Drones: The Physical and Psychological implications of a Global Theatre of War

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/doctors-and-drones-2014-interview-with-tomasz-pierscionek-on-the-updated-medact-report/

There is the additional stress of years of legal battle in the fight for justice for drone victims. Cases have been launched such as that brought by Karim Khan against the CIA http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/07/former-cia-station-chief-pakistan-murder-charges-drone-strike

For the long term impact of drone strikes read,

“Drone strikes killed 50 and still causes fear. UK court hears Reprieve”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/drones-drone-strike-killed-50-and-still-causes-fear-uk-court-hears-reprieve/

2) The second query is, there remains a significant ‘information gap’ regarding the issue as Pakistan government do not allow national and international media to access the affected zone. Again , what we see in the reports from different sources ,say ‘The Bureau of Investigative Journalism ‘ and ‘New America Foundation’ –information and numbers of civilian casualties noticeably varies . Also the identity of large majority of people killed by US drones is still not disclosed. So, can you please kindly enlighten me about the problem of accessing authentic information in order to weigh civilian casualties?

Many of the areas where drone strikes occur are off limits to the media. Journalists take huge risks if they try to go into these areas to report and some that regularly cover this issue have been threatened, targeted and killed. One such journalist is Hayatullah Khan of North Waziristan who “filed photos and a story indicating a U.S.-made Hellfire missile had struck a home in the town of Miran Shah, killing senior al-Qaeda figure Hamza Rabia” challenging “official explanation that Rabia had died in a blast caused by explosives located in the house”. This was his last story before being killed. See report of Committee to Protect Journalists (CPS)

https://cpj.org/reports/2006/09/khan.php

Saleem Shahzad (my former colleague) who regularly interviewed insurgents may have been tortured before death to obtain information on the whereabouts of Ilyas Kashmiri who was killed in a drone strike just days after Saleem’s murder. Ironically it was suggested that Kashmiri may have killed Saleem. My own inquries with insurgents was that this was NOT the case as they considered Saleem to be a fair and independent investigative journalist and expressed anger at his death, also insurgents usually quickly claim their killings.

Saleem’s death see article,

http://tribune.com.pk/story/320957/saleem-shahzad-commission-report-released/

Kashmiri’s death see following link.

http://www.channel4.com/news/taliban-hero-ilyas-kasmiri-killed-by-us-drones

Saleem was killed as his first book was due to be published. The week before he was kidnapped, I received warnings on my blog to stop reporting on drones and eliciting opinions of victims and insurgents. Saleem and I were due to participate in at a drone conference in the UK. We were also planning a drone documentary and wanted to film a anti-drone protest organized by Imran Khan’s political group Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). This was not possible as I was denied a visa.

Information is obtained by a few brave local journalists who feed back from drone struck areas to western journalists and from the testimonies of victims and their lawyers alongside interviews with community leaders, local officials (usually off the record) and insurgents. TBIJ run a project on naming the victims of drone strikes. Due to the difficulties getting to affected sites there is conflicting information and civilian victims are very likely under-reported. Insurgents may delay releasing information of deaths of their commanders for several months until new leaders are in place. Officials frequently report alleged deaths that turn out to be incorrect. Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud was reported dead several times before his actual death from a drone strike. Another Taliban leader “Sajina” has just been reported killed but this is unconfirmed and other reports claim he is alive.

3)    Then again, there remains significant altercation about public opinion from the affected zone. I would like to ask about your opinion that according to your experience do the local inhabitants support drone strikes to get secured from insurgents or do they oppose it due to their uncertainty and human costs?

Evidence collected over several years shows that many residents in affected areas DO NOT support drone strikes because they are the ones so often targeted, killed and maimed. Those who generally support are outside Tribal Areas and not personally by drone strikes though may suffer “blowback” through retaliation bombing within cities.

There have been numerous protests from civilians, an anti-drone march and protest camps.

“The IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) from Mehsud tribe have demanded an immediate halt to US drone strikes and prolonged military operation in SWA which was launched in 2009 against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Protestors are vowing to continue their protest until the halt of military operations, which has resulted in the mass displacement of many (civilians ) from the region” (Saleem Mehsud)

“Advocate, Sherpao Khan Mehsud said the sit-in would continue until the fulfilment of their demands. He said that drone attacks were not only killing innocent people, but were also violating the sovereignty of Pakistan. Mehsud Youth President, Jamal Shah stressed that ‘the military operation should be stopped immediately in which houses, markets, schools and colleges had been destroyed.’ He also said the military operation “Rah-e-Nijaat” was started in 2009 in Waziristan and now hundreds of people, mostly children and women are living in slums and are facing various” difficultieshttp://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/02/15/news/national/idps-vow-to-continue-sit-in-until-halt-of-operation-in-swa/

See following link also,

“No to drones and military operations. Voices from Tribal Areas must be heard”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/no-to-drones-and-military-operations-voices-from-tribal-areas-must-be-heard/

M  Iqbal Beig told me, “Just today I heard a bomb go off in the distance. Only to learn FC personnel attacked. It’s about time drones should be unconditionally stopped at all costs because it is harming the peace process. If the drones are not stopped than I can say this by all means that the satan America does not want peace to prevail” 

The following link shows photos of PTI political party working with locals to block NATO supply line until drone strikes are stopped,

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2013/11/25/drones-protesters-from-pti-peacefully-block-nato-supply-line-in-pakistan-images/

4)   Now, to view from a legal perspective, how far US drone strike policy complies with proclaimed ‘counter-terrorism ‘/ ‘self-defense ‘ strategies in a Non International Armed Conflict (NIAC)?

I am not a lawyer, however the US often targets those who are no direct threat to America, so this cannot be called self -defense. Many of those killed are civilians. Taliban militants often target within Pakistan but not the US. So often those targeted by US are only “alleged” insurgents. Some drone strikes are carried out based on suspicious movement of vehicles in a particular area (that may or may not be militants) rather than on named targets. Continued aid is tied into Pakistan turning a blind eye to US drone strikes and actively targeting militants now with Buraq (Pakistan’s own drone).

Here the Pakistan Ambassador does call for a ban on US drones at the UN after several civilians were killed,

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2014/05/14/pakistan-ambassador-calls-for-ban-on-drones-at-un-conference-as-another-10-persons-reported-killed-in-latest-strike/

I helped supervise a Pakistani law student in the UK who was writing his dissertation on legal aspects of drone warfare. He was able to frame information forwarded to him within a legal perspective with reference to whether strikes complied with international law. I am hoping he will put this online.

5)  I wanted to know in particular; to want extent the long-term practice has become successful in diminishing insurgencies in the areas? There remains debate that, insurgents and civilians` blowback out of grievances- due to the casualties inflicted to their families / body parts. So, according to your experience do you think that drone strike targeted killing is pacifying insurgents or rather infuriates them to intensify?

I must emphasise strongly that drone strikes increase instability, insurgency and risk to the population. For every dead militant, many more become radicalized. Those killed in drone strike are given martyr status “Shaheed” with their photos (whats left on them) circulated on social media. I have interviewed many insurgents over the years and documented “blowback in the form of retaliation attacks, bombings, decapitating of those viewed as spies that allegedly plant chips to help guide in drones. I have also been sent photos of young men (the sons of militants killed in drone strikes) now training as the second generation to take revenge for their dead fathers. See following link,

“Drones: US drone terrorism radicalizing youth in Pakistan and Yemen time for peaceful action on 23rd November”

I spoke to Ihsan Waziri, a business development representative born in Birt, Wana, South Waziristan who has recently returned from visiting family and friends in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan, this is what he had to say about radicalization;

“The U.S and their Allies cannot eliminate the Taliban with drone strikes and what I know is that in one drone strike they kill at least 15 people but more then 50 join Taliban so the drone is not a solution to end the war. I stayed for 3 months in South Waziristan, Wana since August and I visit different places where Taliban were attacked by drone strikes in the past and I meet some of the Taliban commander and others even some of them were my classmate in the past.

They told me and I saw by myself that daily some new people come and join the Taliban and everybody is ready to carry on suicide attack in Afghanistan happily. So it shows that Taliban are still strong and they are not yet defeated and nor defeatable very soon and the only solution is a process of dialogue to stop the bloodshed and massacre of the innocent people of Afghanistan and Tribal of Pakistan.”

Waziri also described how one young man had a fall- out with his father who scolded him, the boy’s answers was to run off to join the Taliban. He said that “if you go after them some will even turn on their family.”

In this Youtube video Taliban target NATO tankers in retaliation for drone strikes,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JoXHflbAN0

Taliban also say they won’t address the polio problem unless drone strikes stop,

Enemies want to vaccinate children before droning them”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/drones-pakistans-polio-problem-cannot-be-addressed-unless-drone-strikes-stop/

A Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson, talking to DAWN media claimed that the militant group was behind a suicide attack this week on a military checkpoint which killed at least 5 soldiers and wounded 34 others. The attack was carried out to avenge (then) TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud’s death and took place while the security men were praying in a mosque on the site  http://www.dawn.com/news/1075069/at-least-23-suspected-militants-killed-in-north-waziristan

6) How far US robotics manufacturers and corporate companies aimed specifically at children and play a significant role to sustain the practice of drone strikes policy?

Some computer games are designed specifically for the pre training stage to get youngsters used to killing targets on a screen. The ethics of this must be questioned and tightened up. Computer games fuel the adrenaline to kill whilst shielding children from the horrific reality of war. See,

“Drone wars: Gamers recruited to kill”

http://www.theguardian.com/news/video/2015/feb/02/drone-wars-gamers-recruited-kill-pakistan-video

See link, “Life as a drone operator: “It’s like playing a video game for four years”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/28/life-us-drone-operator-artist

Drone operators find they become both bored and stressed and some have gone on to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and question their actions. Recently 4 Airforce members Spoke out publishing a letter against the use of drones. They wrote that civilian killings were driving terrorism and instability…see link,

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/18/former-drone-pilots-obama-civilian-killings-driving-terrorism-instability

Sadly those who do speak out may be subject to punishment as whistleblowers with one article suggesting former drone pilots had had their bank accounts, credit cards, stopped

http://thefreethoughtproject.com/drone-pilots-bank-accounts-credit-cards-frozen-feds-exposing-murder/#o0DeVfly7kcTiq8d.01

7)    Do you think ‘Islamophobia’ can be another explanation to assess the manner of targeted killings?

I have always called drones the Muslim killer. How many non-Muslim do you know that are droned? There are right-wing white terrorists but they are not generally the subject of drone strikes, unless by accident. Racism, imperialism, Islamophobia are behind target killing by drone. I coined the term “Eudronics” to describe this selective process for target killing,

“the inherent belief by influential state agents that some religions such as Christianity, Judaism are superior to others with one faith in particular Islam regarded as inferior and therefore Muslims must be targeted and anhilated through drone strikes. The same applies in relation to race and colour.”

See,

“Introducing Eudronics: Drones as a weapon of religious and sectarian target killing”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/introducing-eudronics-drones-as-a-weapon-of-religious-and-sectarian-target-killing/

See also,

“Interfaith conference calls for immediate halt to lethal drone strikes targeting mainly Muslims”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/02/12/interfaith-conference-calls-for-immediately-halt-to-lethal-drone-strikes-targeting-mainly-muslims/

8)   To what extent national and international legal framework is being able to protect civilians from drone strike casualties?

Reprieve and other human rights groups and international lawyers focus on breach of sovereignty, highlighting “collateral damage” and the need to uphold international rules of war. The UN has also produced a report which includes Pakistan, please check out the following link also,

“UN Special Rapporteur releases final report on drone strikes”

http://dronewars.net/2014/02/28/un-special-rapporteur-release-final-report-on-drone-strikes/

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution on Wednesday calling on states using drone strikes as a counter-terrorism measure to comply with international lawThe resolution urges states the following,

“to ensure that any measures taken or means employed to counter terrorism, including the use of remotely-piloted aircraft, comply with their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the UN, human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of distinction and proportionality”

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-27410-UNGA-adopts-resolution-against-drone-strikes

Pakistani drone victims including children have travelled to the US to testify regarding their experience to Congress in the hope of pressurising the government to reconsider their drone policy, see following link,

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-drone-strike-victims-coming-to-congress

There are very strong arguments, some hopefully presented within my answers to stop drone strikes altogether but is a multibillion dollar industry so sadly realistically that is not likely to happen.

9)    Finally, according to you, what could be done to protect the civilians from being affected by the accelerating drone strike targeted killing practices? 

As long as there are armed drones, people will be killed. Otherwise its down to exploring options other than use of drones and damage limitation. There needs to be education that drones only radicalize, incite more violence. Public pressure, lobbying, protesting against drones are important, tighten laws to protect citizens as far as possible, there must be accountability and compensation when strikes go wrong. Listening to voices from affected areas. Listening and addressing issues raised by former drone operators. Personally I would ban armed drones altogether as unethical. The points opponents have highlighted as positive points have all turned out to produce negative consequences… so for me it’s a ban all the way.

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Iffat Anjum Shonchoie (MSS Research Project, “Mapping the Civilian Casualties in US Drone Strike Programme”)

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Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Islamic Emirate: Strategic De Adam Khan region cleared

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Post via Islamic Emirate

HELMAND, Jan. 15 – Officials reporting from southern Helmand province say that for the past 2 days Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate have been conducting a large scale operation against enemy positions in Gerishk district’s De Adam Khan region.

Mujahideen managed to clear the entire region all the way up to Bari area near Gerishk district bazaar, forcing the cowardly enemy to flee after inflicting heavy losses.

5 rifles and a sizable amount of other equipment was also seized from the enemy last night.

The mentioned region is the most strategic area of Gerishk district and is now under the compete control of Mujahideen.

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Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

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Islamic Emirate: Afghanistan in the month of December 2015

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Post via Islamic Emirate

(N.B. This article includes only those incidents, casualties and financial losses which were confirmed and announced by the enemy themselves. However, for the real amount of their losses and casualties, one is advised to visit ‘Alemara’ as well as various other reliable news sites.)

The closing month of 2015, was fraught with significant achievements for Mujahidin besides conquering and liberating vast areas from the stooge enemy. Just like previous months of this year, unanticipated financial losses and casualties were inflicted on foreign invading troops. Besides, the world community also witnessed those horrible incidents which were committed by the participants of national brutality regime. In the following lines, the above mentioned and some other important incidents are discussed under various captions:

Losses and casualties of foreign occupying enemy:

Though in the previous month of November, the foreign occupiers had not admitted any of their losses, but in December 2015, they acknowledged that six of their soldiers were killed in a successful Mujahidin’s attack. In this way, the number of foreign soldiers killed during the whole span of 2015 and confirmed by them, reaches to 27 persons, which is considered the lowest number of their casualties during last fourteen years of occupation of Afghanistan, with the exception of 2001.

At the end of year, the total number of foreign occupying forces killed inside Afghanistan reaches to 3512. Among them, 2378 were American soldiers, 455 were British soldiers and the remaining ones belonged to others foreign countries which are part and parcel of this malicious invading alliance.

Though the foreign occupying forces admitted that six of their soldiers were killed in Afghanistan; but the reality is that more than tens of foreign soldiers were killed in heavy fighting with Mujahidin in Helmand, Kabul and Parwan provinces.

Reports issued by the foreign invaders on Saturday 12th December, indicate that at least one American soldier was killed inside the capital city Kabul, and six other soldiers of the coalition forces were killed in ‘Bagram’ district of ‘Parwan’ province.

Some sources of the enemy say that only thirty four thousand (34,000) foreign soldiers were killed and wounded in Afghanistan in the whole span of last fourteen years. The fact is that these figures are too much lower than the real number of foreign invaders killed and wounded. The reports published in various media outlets explicitly show that the number of incapacitated soldiers exceeds tens of thousands who had returned to their respective countries. Most of these soldiers are suffering from serious psychological complications. The evidence is that a substantial number of them have already committed suicide.

Losses suffered by the stooge enemy:

On Wednesday 16th December, the American defence ministry announced that casualties and losses of mercenary Afghan forces had increased by twenty seven percent as compared to previous year; and Taliban are still a great menace for both foreign occupying forces and their internal mercenary soldiers.

During December, tens of stooge army soldiers and notorious Arbaki militiamen were killed in successful attacks of Mujahidin in various parts of the country. In the following lines, a handful incidents out of a heap is mentioned so that one could assess how weak and amateurish the mercenary army is.

On Saturday 12th December, governor of ‘Baraki Barak’ district was killed in Mujahidin’s attack.

On Tuesday 22nd December, a commander of mercenary police force was killed along with twelve other armed-men in ‘Sayyad’ district of ‘Saripul’ province.

Four days later, two officers of stooge army were killed in a sudden attack of Mujahidin in the east of Kabul city.

Similarly, a report, released on Wednesday 30th December, told that an Arbaki militiaman managed to escape safe and sound after killing his own group commander in ‘Almar’ district of ‘Faryab’ province.

The successful ‘Azm’ operations:

During the whole month of December, ‘Azm’ Jihadi operations were in full swing resulting in successive victories for Mujahidin throughout the country. In the following lines, some achievements in the wake of ‘Azm’ operations will be mentioned:

As various centres of the enemy were brought under severe attacks by Mujahidin of the Islamic Emirate in ‘Helmand’ province, the provincial council warned that ‘Khanashin’ district of this province is on the verge of collapse.

On Tuesday 8th December, Mujahidin launched heavy and extensive attack on the above mentioned district, and on the following day, all military and civil organs of this district were under their control.

A few days later, on Saturday 12th December, ‘Marja’ district in ‘Helmand’ province also came under Mujahidin’s control. Besides heavy losses and casualties suffered by the enemy in these fighting, several vehicles, tanks and large amount of light and heavy weapons was confiscated by Mujahidin of the Islamic Emirate. Just one day later, the provincial council of this area announced that after capturing ‘Marja’ district, Taliban are in a position to extend their control to other areas of this province.

On Thursday 17th December, Mujahidin managed to liberate and control some military posts of ‘Washir’ district after launching widespread attacks against the enemy. And eventually, on Sunday 20th December, the strategic ‘Sangin’ district of this province was liberated in the wake of a heavy fighting against the stooge forces.

Adjacent to ‘Helmand’, inside ‘Kandahar’ province, the silence was broken by these successful ‘Azm’ Jihadi operations, as reports of conquests were being received on the daily basis.

In this series, on Tuesday 8th December, ninth security circle of ‘Kandahar’ province came under severe attack of Mujahidin, in which, 35 policemen were killed and wounded. On the same day, a group of martyrdom seeking Mujahidin attacked the international Kandahar airport, in which, significant financial losses and casualties were inflicted on the enemy. Similarly, on Monday 7th December, fourteen stooge soldiers of a military post were killed by Mujahidin in the wake of night operations in ‘Ghorak’ district.

On Wednesday 23rd December, heavy fighting broke out in ‘Shahjoy’ district of ‘Zabul’ province, in which, heavy financial losses and casualties were inflicted on the enemy.

Jihadi operations in the north of the country were equally incessant. On Wednesday 2nd December, Mujahidin of the Islamic Emirate announced that they were on the threshold of ‘Kunduz’ province with very high morale. It was said that Mujahidin were in a position to retake the city; but they refrained from taking any step forward just for the sake of saving people lives and properties from the brutal behaviour of both foreign invaders as well as their internal stooge security forces.

Similarly, in the eastern part of the country, ‘Azm’ Jihadi operations were going on with full force and enthusiasm. On Monday 7th December, Mujahidin of the Islamic Emirate attacked the centre of ‘Surkhroad’ district in ‘Nangarhar’ province, in which, colossal financial losses and casualties were inflicted on the enemy.

On Thursday 10th December, ‘Kamdaish’ district of ‘Nuristan’ province was once again brought under attack by Mujahidin, in which, several check posts of the stooge enemy were destroyed.

In the southern parts of the country, Mujahidin of the Islamic Emirate achieved significant victories in the wake of successful ‘Azm’ Jihadi operations against the enemy. On Tuesday 8th December, a convoy of stooge soldiers was brought under a deadly attack by Mujahidin in ‘Worma’ district of ‘Paktika’ province, in which, forty two soldiers of the puppet regime were killed and wounded.

In the whole month of December, both the foreign invaders and their internal stooge forces could not save the capital city Kabul from the well-planned attacks and operations of Mujahidin against them. On Friday 11th December, a guest house of the brutal foreign invaders and the adjacent Spanish embassy became the target of joint martyrdom attacks of Mujahidin. In the wake of this successful attack, which lasted for seven hours, fifty foreign soldiers and their internal stooge security forces were killed and wounded.

On Monday 21st December, the surrounding areas of American embassy inside Kabul were brought under rockets attack by Mujahidin. The local eye-witnesses heard huge blasts and saw high rising flames in the area, but the internal stooge officials as well as the foreign invaders refrained from issuing any information about their financial losses and casualties. On the following day, one female American soldier was killed in the capital city.

On Monday 28th December, a military convoy of foreign occupying forces was brought under a deadly attack by Mujahidin near the international Kabul airport, in which, thirteen foreign soldiers were killed and wounded.

Prior to this, on Monday 21st December, a gathering of the joint enemy was timely targeted by vigilant Mujahidin in ‘Bagram’ district of ‘Parwan’ province, in which, six American soldiers, including a police detective officer of New York, were killed and several others were seriously wounded.

Reports received from the south-western parts of the country reveal that significant progress was made by Mujahidin just like other areas. On Wednesday 23rd December, ‘Gulistan’ district of ‘Farah’ province fell in the hands of Mujahidin of the Islamic Emirate. Just one day later, ‘Shirin Tagab’ district of this province was attacked by Mujahidin and was on the verge of surrender in the wake of deadly attacks.

Dreams of stay inside Afghanistan:

On one hand, the wicked foreign invaders are trying to abscond from Afghanistan in the wake of incessant and humiliating defeats and setbacks in the last fourteen years, as some of them have already withdrawn large number of their troops from here; but, on the other hand, some members of this malicious coalition are dreaming to remain inside this freedom loving country even for a longer period of time.

On Wednesday 2nd December, the brutal NATO members decided in a meeting in Brussels that some of their forces will remain inside Afghanistan even after 2016 to support the puppet regime and its mercenary forces. One day prior to this meeting, an American senator claimed progress in fighting inside Afghanistan and showed his optimism about winning the lost battle. The fact is that they are deliberately ignoring the ground realities as they witnessed their humiliating defeats in the last fourteen years of occupation, and, as confessed by them, Mujahidin are stronger than ever and can gain even more victories in the near future.

The Islamic Emirate has categorically condemned this imprudent decision of NATO occupying alliance and announced that the freedom loving people of Afghanistan will perpetuate their armed Jihad till the expulsion of last occupying soldier from our beloved homeland.

Losses, casualties and torture of civilian people:

During December 2015, at least, thirty ordinary civilians were martyred by brutal foreign occupiers and their internal mercenary forces in separate incidents in various parts of the country. The esteemed readers can find full details of these incidents in the ‘civilian losses and casualties report’ published on the monthly basis in Alemara website. In the following lines, only some of these incidents are shared with them just as a handful out of a heap.

On Tuesday 1st December, a renowned religious scholar was ruthlessly martyred by the mercenary security forces in ‘Garda Chery’ district of ‘Paktika’ province for the lame excuse of not participating in the funeral process of a stooge soldier who was killed earlier.

On Saturday 5th December, twelve ordinary people, including children, were martyred in a mortar shell, indiscriminately fired by the stooge soldiers in ‘Said Abad’ district of ‘Maidan Wardak’ province.

In a similar incident, on Saturday 14th December, eight members of a family, including children and women, were brutally martyred by unrestrained armed-men in ‘Behsood’ districts of ‘Nangarhar’ province.

On Tuesday 15th December, the Imam (one who leads congregational prayers) of a local mosque and five other ordinary civilians were martyred by the brutal foreign occupying forces during their night operations in ‘Deh-Yak’ district of ‘Ghazni’ province. Moreover, during funeral ceremony of these deceased people, the local stooge security forces opened indiscriminate fire on the ordinary villagers, in which, some people were martyred and wounded.

On the same day, local peace loving people of ‘Ghazni’ province warned that if they were not relieved from the malicious Arbaki militiamen, they would definitely resort to demonstrations. This was inevitable, as during last month, several reports were given, in which, these unrestrained Arbaki militiamen were found involved in the abduction of women and children and their subsequent sexual abuse.

On day later, on Wednesday 16th December, another religious scholar, who was detained since long and belonged to the eastern ‘Nangarhar’ province, was ruthlessly martyred by the savage foreign occupiers in the central ‘Bagram’ jail.

On Sunday 27th December, in another shocking incident, six members of one family, including children, were martyred in ‘Nara’ district of ‘Kunar’ province.

Mujahidin’s message for media outlets:

Concurrent with the crusade invasion of Afghanistan, some media outlets were found inclined either by force or by money, and some others were newly born for concealing the prevailing ground realities and deceiving the ordinary masses of our country through a well-planned and deliberate propaganda, in which, an explicit favour is given to the internal and external enemies of Afghanistan.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly asked all media resources to maintain their impartiality and realize their journalistic responsibilities in the depiction of prevailing realities. In this regard, on Thursday 3rd December, the Islamic Emirate reiterated its stance and asked all media channels to refrain from becoming tools in the invisible hands of security agencies, and to try their best in conveying true picture of events to the ordinary people as well as outside world.

New alliance of American Mujahidin:

When America and her allies expressed their malicious intention of invading our beloved country fourteen years ago, some internal traitors and looters in the north, masquerading themselves as Mujahidin, got together and rendered their full support and all possibilities in the service of foreign invaders. Eventually, for the sake of a trifle amount of money, they served as the advancing guards of crusade invaders and fought against the Muslim and freedom loving people of their own country. The devastating war initiated by them is still incessant in one way or the other and the oppressed masses of the country are still suffering; but these war-mongers have not neither felt pang of guilt nor expressed their repentance. Rather, they are still labelling themselves as ‘Mujahidin’!!!

These addicted people of posts and plunders faced deep humiliations in the last fourteen years of occupation. In the recent past, they were deliberately neglected by the foreign invaders in the fake elections and were not offered any prestigious position as demanded by their leadership; therefore, these warlords reached to the conclusion that the stooge regime is deliberately destabilising the country by the gradual exclusion of these ‘Mujahidin’ from the present setup.

In the recent past, once again, they got together and formed the so called ‘Security and Stability Council of Afghanistan’. It is clear that the main objective of this and likewise various other councils is getting privileges from their crusade masters for killing their own oppressed and innocent people. Actually they want resumption of all those financial benefits which were cut short by their foreign lords by considering them totally useless in their future strategies.

United Nations in the hands of occupying forces:

The United Nations Organization has lost its impartiality and remained inclined towards the foreign occupying forces against the general interests of our oppressed people since their brutal occupation of our beloved homeland Afghanistan for the last fourteen years.

The latest example of its inclination towards the foreign invaders is that on Tuesday 22nd December, the illegitimate sanctions against the Islamic Emirate were extended for one year more. These sanctions, including the black list of members of the Islamic Emirate, has been imposed on our people since 2001.

The Islamic Emirate issued a statement, in which, these sanctions and limitations were considered completely unfair and biased as being one of the main factors of perpetuating current war in Afghanistan.

National Brutality Regime:

More than one year has elapsed since the appointment of heterogeneous setup, comprising mercenaries and stooge officials whose entire record is full of such humiliating deeds which are unprecedented in the entire world. In the monthly report of November, few examples of their ridiculous demeanours were given. Here are some more:

On Tuesday 1st December, a warlord official of the puppet regime told in the centre of ‘Kapisa’ province that the high ranking officials of this province are trying to establish some contingents of unrestrained militias. Moreover, on Sunday 27thDecember, media reported that likewise militias, established by the first deputy head of central parliament, have beheaded the detainees of ‘Daish’ (i.e. ISIS) fighters.

This heterogeneous setup of national brutality is not only destabilised by the deep political differences of various self-interested groups, their internal military disruption and diversion have also reached its peak; which sometimes results in practical clashes of its various organs. After evaluating this issue and conducting extended surveys in various provinces of the country, the ‘Institute of Strategic Studies of Afghanistan’ announced on Wednesday 2nd December that the main reason behind internal clashes of stooge forces of the puppet regime and their sporadic attacks on foreign occupying soldiers is thee consistent differences between various groups of these mercenary forces.

On Friday 18th December, internal skirmishes occurred once again between the stooge forces of puppet regime. This time, it took place in ‘Andar’ district of ‘Ghazni’ province when the mercenary soldiers were besieged by the local notorious Arbaki militiamen for three hours in the central police station of this district and exchange of heavy shelling was reported. It is said that both sides suffered significant losses in these clashes.

On one side, the puppet regime is claiming good governance and improvement in the field of education, while blaming Mujahidin for closing educational institutions; on the other side, on Thursday 3rd December, the stooge governor of ‘Kunduz’ province asked the mercenary forces deployed there to leave no stone unturned in closing schools and other educational institutions operating in the areas under Mujahidin’s control.

On the very second day of its appointment, the stooge admin of national brutality signed the so called disgraceful ‘bilateral security agreement’, which restrains the foreign occupying forces from conducting independent operations, especially their night operations. But, it did not take long that their foreign lords violated this accord.

On Sunday 6th December, another wave of vicious night operations was conducted by the savage foreign invaders in ‘Giyan’ district of ‘Paktika’ province, in which, twelve ordinary people were brutally martyred.

Moreover, on Monday 14th December, news of direct participation of American forces in fighting against Mujahidin were published in media which contradicts the very existence of above mentioned agreement.

On the other side, hundreds of our countrymen including the officials of the stooge admin are leaving the country. On Wednesday 9th December, media reported that two high ranking officials working in the air forces of the stooge regime had fled to America.

Another weirdness of the stooge admin is the mysterious resignation of its intelligence chief. On Thursday 10th December, after resigning from his post, the director of the said department told that he was under the severe and incessant pressure of the so called head of puppet regime. He added that the circle of their jurisdiction was being confined gradually.

After resignation, he was accused of spying for foreign countries; but he was fortunate one that before being indicted by the judicial organs, he successfully managed to leave the country. Following his footsteps, the head of regional organs of the said directorate also announced his resignations on Sunday 13th December and hastily left the country for America to enjoy his life there.

In addition, the deputy director of intelligence department has also forwarded his resignation to the executive head of stooge admin while opposing the appointment of the caretaker director for this department.

In a similar move, the legal advisor of the so called head of puppet admin has also been suspended. On Thursday 24th December, he told media that he had been deeply pressurised by the head of mercenary admin and his duty was forcefully suspended.

On one side, the stooge admin claims fighting against ‘Daish’ (i.e. ISIS); and on the other side, on Saturday 12th December, two high ranking officials of puppet regime were accused by the Russian news agency ‘Tass’ for supporting this new phenomenon inside Afghanistan.

On Tuesday 22nd December, the ordinary dwellers of ‘Surkhroad’ district in ‘Nangarhar’ province told that veiled armed men were deployed by the American helicopters in ‘Tor Ghar’ (i.e. Black Mountain) area. It is said that ‘Daish’ is an integral part of the stooge setup, as their emergence can provide a lame excuse for the foreign invaders especially American forces for legitimizing their further stay inside Afghanistan which can ensure and guarantee the lives and luxuries of their mercenary officials and forces.

Another absurdity of the national brutality regime is the evaporation of seventy percent budget of its health ministry. On Sunday 13th December, this dispute was leaked out in media outlets.

Though there is a separate anti-narcotics ministry having a complete setup and taking huge salaries; but, on Thursday 17th December, a private organ, called ‘Afghan Woman Foundation’ told in a report that seven thousand addicted women were registered only in ‘Balkh’ province.

And another weirdness of stooge admin is that on Monday 21st December, the governor of ‘Balkh’ province asked their foreign lords to leave them alone. Subsequently, on Wednesday 30th December, after assessing the deteriorating security situation inside Afghanistan, the general commander of NATO forces asked America to send more occupying forces to Afghanistan; whereas according to the so called ‘bilateral security agreement’ between the stooge regime and its American masters, it was decided that the occupying forces would withdraw from most parts of the country by the end of 2015, and only a specific number of these forces will remain in the military bases particularly allocated for them.

End

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”

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Al Qaeda (AQIM) claims responsibility for attack at Splendid Hotel Burkina Faso

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Cars ablaze outside Splendid Hotel (Image via BBC)

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) have released a statement claiming responsibility for an attack on the Splendid Hotel, Ouagadougou popular with UN staff and westerners. The attack began around 7.30 local time. An AFP reporter on site said the shooting was initiated by three armed men wearing turbans. Witnesses described gunmen storming the hotel, setting cars alight and firing into the air to keep crowds at bay before security forces arrived and a tense gun battle followed.  Robert Sangare, the head of Yalgado Ouedraogo hospital told AFP,

“For the dead, we do not have a precise figure, but there are at least 20 dead.”

“We have had at least 15 wounded with bullet wounds and others who suffered injuries during the panic to escape.”

Brian Whelan, Channel 4 News tweeted the following image,

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“Woh. I’ve stayed at the hotel under attack by Islamists in Burkina Faso, terrible news. Beautiful country”

The Guardian reported, “the hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamic militants across Africa’s vast, arid Sahel region.” The New York Times highlighted information from Moumani Barro, a conference delegate who said, “an African airline safety group was holding a meeting at the hotel, and members of the organization, the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar, were in the hotel when the attack began.”

AQIM claim of responsibility, (image tweeted by Jon Williams, ABC)

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Rukmini Callimachi, Foreign correspondent for The New York Times, focusing on al-Qaeda and ISIS tweeted the following updates, (screenshot via Jim Early)

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Meanwhile AQIM has put out new statement. According to transcript provided by SITE, AQIm claims that they reached jihadists inside hotel

The jihadists inside the hotel claim they killed 30 ppl and that the operation was “revenge against France and the disbelieving West.”

Footage of hotel attack 

Earlier attacks

This is not the first time AQIM and Al Murabitoon (whose leader is Mokhtar Belmokhtar) have attacked a hotel. Back in November 2015, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Bamako came under siege as gunmen seized 170 people before special forces stormed the building. At least 18 people died. This assault marked a merger of the two groups and their first joint assault. Long War Journal stated,

“the attack in Bamako heralded the reintigration of Al Murabitoon into AQIM. On Dec. 4, AQIM’s Al Andalus Media released an audio statement from Abdelmalek Droukdel, the emir of AQIM, announcing the merger of Al Murabitoon into its ranks.”

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

 

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Islamic State: Plans to develop Wilayat-e Hind (Province of India)

Political-Map-of-India

IS plan to expand into India (Image via All About India)

In the summer of 2014 Islamic State (Wilayat Khorasan) first emerged in the region of Afghanistan, Pakistan attracting recruits some of whom had defected from the Taliban during a period of infighting see following link,

“Are IS gaining a foothold in AfPak? New video release shows some allegiance in the region”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/are-is-gaining-a-foothold-in-afpak-new-video-release-shows-some-allegiance-in-the-region/

Since then Wilayat Khorasan has carried out a number of operations in both countries and waged battles with some Taliban groups. Despite Pakistan military carrying out Operation Zarb -e-Asb to clear the the Tribal Areas of insurgents, IS has managed to set up training facilities and had its first graduates from camps in North Waziristan as well as integrate into Karachi. In Afghanistan the group are particularly active in the Nangarhar border province.

As the attack on Jakarta has shown IS are also progressing in Indonesia and noted to be expanding operations in Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. See following link,

“Islamic State claim responsibility for Jakarta explosions, Bahrun Naim alleged to be linked to attacks”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/islamic-state-claim-responsibility-for-jakarta-explosions-bahrun-naim-alleged-to-be-linked-to-attacks/

IS now has it sights on Wilayat -e- Hind and put out the following statement (as received) on Friday as follows,

“The Islamic State Khurasan is increasing and strengthening day by day Alhumdulillah, but still not progress like our Core Areas like Iraq libya, Egypt and Syria there we have full strength and fully equipped, but many individuals and groups are joining IS-Khurasan day by day and inshallah after few months or may be a year, you will hear about IS Wilayat-e-Hind inshallah, and inshallah this good news will be coming from Punjab and Sindh Areas because Sind and Punjab and India , The islamic state declared a Map and shows these areas in Wilayat-e-Hind and yes there in the news we see many News papers and T.V channels called IS is fighting with Alqaeda and Taliban it’s true, but not with all Talibans and Alqaeda but only few, because many groups are still silent and many are pledging allegiance with IS, of course Islamic State Khurasan brothers are belong to Afghan and Pak majority. Yes few groups like Mullah akhter group is fighting wiht IS Khurasan only with The help of local militias and Afghan NDS and Pakistani Agencies.”

Wilayat-e-Hind

Ali Hussain Al Hindi

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

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Islamic State claim responsibility for Jakarta explosions, Bahrun Naim alleged to be linked to attacks

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People, including unarmed police officers, flee from the scene after a gun battle broke out following an explosion in Jakarta, Indonesia Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 (Image, AP)

Islamic State have claimed responsibility for a series of explosions in Jakarta on Friday which rocked Indonesia’s capital on the island of Java. According to RT, “media reports suggest that the death toll in Jakarta attacks has reached 17: five terrorists, five police officers and seven civilians” with 24 injured. IS posted a statement on social media saying that “a group of soldiers of the caliphate in Indonesia targeted a gathering from the crusader alliance that fights the Islamic State in Jakarta.”

IS claimed that fighters were armed with “light weaponry and explosive belts” and began their attack after “several timed canisters” (explosive devices) were activated. According to the Daily Mail “the code name ‘concert’ was used in the terrorist attack” which may have echoed attacks in Paris on November 13th when gunmen and suicide bombers targeted a concert hall and several other venues.

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Indonesia, Jakarta, IS claim of responsibility

The assault in Jakarta began around 10.50am local time when an attacker blew himself up at a Starbucks cafe, Jakarta Theatre building in an area close to embassies and government buildings. The Guardian reported,

“two more attackers, carrying handguns, grabbed a couple of hostages. They were identified as an Algerian and a westerner, possibly from Canada or the Netherlands. Police spokesman Anton Charliyan said the Algerian managed to escape with bullet wounds.”

The second hostage was less fortunate. He was shot dead on the spot, the police said. Another Indonesian man who tried to help the hostages was also shot and killed.

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“Via Indonesia’s Kompass TV, arms and ammunition used in Jakarta attacks” posted by Khalid Khan

A further incident occurred at 10.55am when a second group of attackers targeted a police booth where another man detonated his explosives. Police then engaged in a gun battle for around 3 hours. Two civilians, a Canadian and an Indonesian national died during the assault.

Further details of the attack can be read on the following link,

“Three hours of mayhem, panic and bloodshed as terror comes to Jakarta”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/14/three-hours-of-mayhem-panic-and-bloodshed-as-terror-comes-to-jakarta

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Bahrun Naim, the alleged planner of the Jan 14 attacks in central Jakarta.PHOTO: INDONESIAN POLICE (via Straits Times) 

Jakarta Police Chief Tito Karnavian told CNN, “we have been informed by our intelligence that an individual named (Muhammad) Bahrun Naim, based on the communications … instructed his cells in Indonesia to mount an attack in Indonesia.” Bahrun is believed to be residing in Raqqa, Syria and is no stranger to Indonesian authorities. In 2010 he was involved in “illegal possession of ammunition” and “sentenced to at least 2½ years in prison”.

Bahrun is a leader of Katibah Nusantara, an IS affiliate in South-East Asia. The group was noted to be expanding operations in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Steve Wilford, Asia-Pacific director for global risk analysis at consultancy Control Risk informed NBC,

“there are around 30 organizations in Indonesia claiming affiliation with Islamic State.

There’s at least 500 Indonesians known to be in the Levant (the area of the Middle East that includes Syria). It’s very unclear how many have actually come back.”

See following link for more information on Muhammad Bahrun Naim,

“8 things to know about Muhammad Bahrun Naim, alleged mastermind of Jakarta attack”

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/8-things-to-know-about-muhammad-bahrun-naim-alleged-mastermind-of-jakarta-attack

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People carry an injured police officer near the site where an explosion went off at a police post, rear, in Jakarta, Indonesia Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. (Image AP)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo condemned the attack rallying the people of Indonesia not to be defeated by “these acts of terror”. On social media, locals and those further afield adopted a slogan of #KamiTidakTakut (We are not afraid) to express solidarity with victims. Jakarta Post stated “a group of people placed flowers and prayed at terrorist attack sites on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, on Friday afternoon.”

Nasir Abas, a terrorism expert from the University of Indonesia, told Jakarta Post that he “was convinced that terrorists were directly affiliated with and fully funded by IS” and that “the aim of the attacks was to announce their existence in the country.”

However terrorism expert Al Chaidar disagreed stating his opinion, that “the terrorists were not directly affiliated with IS and did not act on behalf of the main group in Syria”… He said, “they looked like only a small group of supporters who wanted to try a similar attack to the one in Paris,” and this “might be revenge for the 2010 arrest of terrorist convict Abu Bakar Ba’asyir and the arrests of several other radical group members.”

Some analysts argue the emergence of IS is a rebranding of old militants known to authorities under a new heading. According to an Indonesian TV channel three men have been arrested on suspicion of links to the attack. For more information on the development of Islamic State in Indonesia see following articles

Links

“Islamic State launches suicide assault in Indonesia’s capital”

Islamic State launches suicide assault in Indonesia’s capital

“Analysis: Old militants with new brand behind Jakarta attack ”

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/15/analysis-old-militants-with-new-brand-behind-jakarta-attack.html#sthash.0BiV7Gxd.dpuf

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage

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Afghanistan: Islamic State (Wilayat Khorasan) claim attack on Pakistani consulate Jalalabad

An Afghan man kisses his daughter as he walks near an attack from a building close to the Pakistan consulate in Jalalabad on January 13, 2016. A suicide bombing followed by gunfire rocked an area near the Pakistani consulate in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on January 13, killing at least two police officers, officials said. AFP PHOTO / Noorullah Shirzada / AFP / Noorullah Shirzada

An Afghan man kisses his daughter as he walks near an attack from a building close to the Pakistan consulate in Jalalabad on January 13, 2016. …AFP / Noorullah Shirzada

Islamic State posted a statement on social media site today accepting responsibility for an attack on the Pakistani consulate, Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. The assault claimed the lives of 7 members of the Afghan Security Forces and injured 7 others. The Tajrobawee Girls School nearby had to be evacuated with parents carrying their children to safety. BBC reported,

“the gunmen barricaded themselves in a house after a suicide attack on the consulate compound in the city.

Witnesses reported heavy gunfire and explosions. Reports say all the gunmen were killed.”

Islamic State (known as Wilayat Khorasan) in the region of Afghanistan, Pakistan first emerged in the summer of 2014 when former Taliban defected to join the group, see following link,

“Are IS gaining a foothold in AfPak? New video release shows some allegiance in the region”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/are-is-gaining-a-foothold-in-afpak-new-video-release-shows-some-allegiance-in-the-region/

IS statement reads as follows,

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Not everyone was convinced,

Borhan Osman, researcher with Afghanistan Analysts Network tweeted,

Those claiming the on behalf of IS Khorasan have given too little details to make their claim convincing.

The foreign affairs ministry, Islamabad condemned “the terrorist attack” and requested a thorough investigation. The Guardian reported, “one official at the consulate was slightly injured by broken glass” according to the statement.

This attack follows closely on from an incident in early January in the vicinity of the Indian consulate in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif, see following article for more details,

“Gun battle near Indian mission in Mazar-e-Sharif”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35298019

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage

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Pakistan: TTP and Jundallah claim responsibility for blast at Satellite Town and ARY office comes under attack from IS (Wilayat Khorasan)

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 Attack near polio vaccination centre in southwestern Pakistan killed

(Photo: AP)

Tehreek -e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have claimed responsibility for an attack where a suicide bomber blew himself up near to a polio centre at Quetta’s Satellite Town, Balochistan on Wednesday. At least 14 people were killed and over 10 injured. Muhammad Khurasani spokesman for the group sent a press release to journalists headed,

“TTP’s Special Unit TSG successfully targeted forces at Satellite Town, Quetta”

“We accept the responsibility of attack on forces at Satellite Town, Quetta.”

“TTP’s special group TSG has successfully executed its target in Satellite Town area of Quetta. Ten (10) personnel got injured and other fourteen (14) were killed.” Muhammad Khurassani

Dawn reported that “a polio campaign in Quetta was relaunched in Satellite Town and other parts of Quetta on Wednesday afternoon” and “polio teams were being dispatched from the polio centre targeted today in the blast”according to security sources.

TTP were not the only ones to claim responsibility. CNN reported, “Jundallah spokesman Ahmad Marwat told CNN via text that this group was responsible and that it ‘will always target polio teams.'” Sydney Morning Herald quoted Marwat saying, “we claim the bomb blast on the polio office. In the coming days, we will make more attacks on polio vaccination offices and polio workers.”

Many polio workers have come under attack and been killed due to the actions of the US. In their hunt for Osama bin Laden, CIA went undercover using a vaccination programme and the services of Dr Shakil Afridi to locate him and in an effort to obtain DNA. The backlash of this was the kidnapping and killing of polio workers alleged to be “spies”. This led to a breakdown of the programme and now a rise in cases of polio in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan) an area of ongoing conflict.

The following tweet from Michael Kugelman, South Asia associate at The Wilson Centre was posted on social media and seems to reflect the impact of US presence and policy in the region of Afghanistan and Pakistan

“in span of hours, a polio center has been bombed in Quetta, a major media outlet attacked in Isloo & Pak Consulate possibly targeted in Afg.” (Afghanistan)

ARY News comes under attack from Islamic State (Wilayat Khorasan)

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One person hit by shrapnel during the attack  (ARY News)

ARY News also came under attack from Islamic State (Wilayat Khorasan) with one person reported injured when their Islamabad office was targeted with a hand grenade and gunshots.

ARY stated,

“unidentified assailants riding a motorbike lobbed a hand grenade on ARY News office and fired several shots on Wednesday evening. Security guards present at the office entrance retaliated swiftly forcing the attackers to flee away dropping pamphlets.”

A non-linear editor (NLE) suffered a head injury when he was hit with shrapnel and was taken to hospital to be treated.

ARY News coverage of the incident at their office, full story and images

http://arynews.tv/en/ary-news-officresponsibility/

 

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Leaflet allegedly left by IS (Wilayat Khorasan) 

Leaflets left at the scene detailed why ARY had been targeted.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

 

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Statement by Islamic Emirate’s Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education

Education

Post via Islamic Emirate

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

قال الله تعالی :  اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ (1) خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ (2) اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ (3) الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ (4) عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ (5)  سورةالعلق

Read in the name of your Lord, Who has created all that exists (1) Has create man from a clot (2) Read! And your Lord is the most Generous (3) Who has taught by the pen (4) Has taught man that which he knew not (5) Surah Al-Alaq

و قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ( مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ ) .متفق عليه.

And the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: “If Allah intends goodness for someone, he gives him understanding of the religion.” Agreed Upon.

It can clearly be deducted from the above Divine Guidance and Prophetic instructions that education, teaching, learning and studying the religion is a basic human need such that it is created upon a man’s formation and birth. The Human life has two dimensions, the worldly and the afterlife. In order for both to be regulated and organized it is in need of learning so that it is able to create comfort in this world in accordance with the time, place and prevailing situation as well as attain bliss, happiness and success in the hereafter which is everlasting and the final destination for every human being. All of these things are therefore in need of education and learning.

It is due to these that the sacred religion of Islam stresses upon education for creating a meaningful serene life and attaining success in both dimensions as is revealed:

فَاسْأَلُواْ أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ

So ask those who know if you know not”

For this purpose the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in accordance with its comprehensive policy has established a Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education with the aim of developing the education sector so that the Islamic Emirate can pursue, implement and advance its education policy in light of sublime Islamic guidelines. To define the role and capabilities of this Commission it has created a Laiha (Guideline booklet) composed of 101 articles while taking into consideration the time and prevailing situation of our country. Therefore the Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education declares to its Mujahid nation and all countrymen:

1. The Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education of Islamic Emirate, as it has proven in action contradictory to the propaganda spread by the enemies of Islam, is fully committed and gives importance to education, training and learning.

2. This Commission with all resources at its disposal seeks the growth to all educational sectors inside and outside the country, be they Islamic such as religious Madaris, Dar-ul-Hifaz, village level Madaris, orphanages all the way up to legal Islamic expertise or be they modern like primary, intermediate and high schools, universities or specialist and higher education institutions.

3. The Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education as can be perceived from its title is responsible for the supervision, control and monitoring of higher education institutions. The officials of this commission are present in all the centers where these institutions are located. The teachers, students and associates of these institutions can easily correspond with them or get in contact through the address and numbers provided below.

4. For the further development of these institutions, if any countryman seeks to build a private institution, the Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education will welcome their effort and lend all necessary help available.

5. To raise the education level and standardize these institutions the Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education will welcome and gladly accept the views, advice and constructive proposals of religious scholars, teachers and specialists in religious and modern sciences.

6. The Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education seeks from its ordinary countrymen, in accordance with their religious and national obligation, to encourage and motivate the sons of this nation towards educational institutions and to give special attention to creating opportunities for educational facilities at village level.

7. The Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education has provincial level and district level officials who will execute all educational plans and programs of this commission in their respected areas. All the respected countrymen will be able to gain access to them regarding the affairs of education. The contact numbers and email address of the Commission for Training, Learning and Higher Education are provided below:

Telephone number: 0707 364311

                                       0704091743

 

Email Address: taleem_tarbiah.tahsilateali@yahoo.com

 

Radio number:

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Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage

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