DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE
August 2003
Times of India adds: Jaish spokesman denies leader was killed, says 3 died and 4 escaped; 2 Indian personnel killed; after 11 hour gun battle failed to get results, Indian forces blew up the house, claim five dead but other authorities say only 2 bodies found
Israel kills two more Hamas leaders including a military commander; NBC reports Israeli Chief of Staff as saying any Hamas leader can become a target for "liquidation"
VOA says two known killed, seven missing, one rescued from K-159's 10-man crew taking the Russian November SSN to the breakers
Agencies say 19 arrested on suspicion of involvement in Najaf blast including several foreigners; Iraqis display their usual schizophrenia by blaming US for lax security despite the Iraqi mullahs having told US troops to keep away from their holy sites, a request the US honored
Jang of Pakistan quotes Pakistan Air Force to say first flight of FJ-17 fighter [former Super-7] designed jointly with China at cost of $450 million will take place next month; IOC to be 2006, aircraft to replace all PAF fighter types except F-16
Jang says 26 suspected Taliban arrested in Quetta area
Kirkuk pipeline to Baji refinery apparently sabotaged again; Americans arrest leader of million-strong tribe who was supposed to assure security of pipeline, power lines, and road between Kirkuk and Tikrit, he is suspected of abetting recent sabotage in area; Sheikh says possibly unemployed members of his tribe are responsible
Orbat.com note: SICRI was based in Iran during the Saddam years; in early stages after Saddam US was concerned about the Iranian influence on the group but came to accept it; its armed wing is the Badr group. CNN says 300 Badr militia left Baghdad for Najaf after the explosion
While some, including Ahmed Chalabi, US-sponsored exile who returned after liberation, also blame US for not providing security, Pentagon has said it did not station troops near the mosque in question because of respect for Islam; also, locals had asked US to stay away
Spanish forces arrive on outskirts of Najaf as US Marines withdraw to go home
Latest US proposal for UN sponsored force for Iraq led by US general has not been ruled out of hand by France, Germany, Russia, but these countries want much more say in Iraq and in reconstruction contracts than US is willing to permit - long way to go before differences can be resolved; meanwhile, UN Secretary General says UN sponsored force, if it comes about, will not be a "blue helmet" affair
US starts bidding process for Iraq cell phone system, though US companies expected to get the contract, anyone is free to bid; contract will be good only for two years after which Iraqis will be free to decide who they want to give it to
Jang of Pakistan says Afghan sources claim 20 more Taliban killed in Dai Chopan district of Zabul Province, this was on Friday, the fifth day of the battle against an intruding Taliban force estimated at beween 3-400 and now on the run; 3 Afghan soldiers killed in Taliban attack on Afghan border posts opposite Quetta in Pakistan; one US SF soldier dies in a fall during Zabul operation
Japan Self-Defense Force seeks to buy Standard 3 missiles for Aegis ships and PAC 3 Patriot batteries as the basis of an ABM system; DPRK said to have 100 missiles capable of reaching Japan
BBC says Nigerian advance guard reaches Port Buchanan in Liberia, 2nd largest city; 100 Mali troops arrive; now estimated 12,000 troops will be needed to bring peace to Liberia
[At 0130 August 29]
Iran admits enriched uranium found in centrifuges, but says the equipment arrive contaminated from oversees source and Teheran has no intention of going nuclear. An IAEA spokesperson says there could be innocent reasons for the contamination and issue needs more study before conclusions are reached
Israel kills another senior Hamas leader
BBC reports a lIbya charity headed by a son of Mr. Gaddafi offers to pay victims of 1986 disco bombing; the attack killed 3 including two US servicemen and became the causus belli for USD air strikes against Libya; Libya says offer in no way implies responsibility for bombing
Jang of Pakistan quotes Afghan Islamic Press as reporting Afghan official says 40 more Taliban killed in fighting - this is additional to 70 claimed dead in the previous three days; battle is taking place in Zabul Province and is, at any rate, the largest such engagement in many months
General Officer Commanding Pakistan XI Corps [Peshawar] says 25,000 Pakistani army and paramilitary troops are on the 1200 km Afghan border and no extremists groups can slip through from Pakistan to Afghanistan; Jung reports Lt. General Orakzai as saying for first time tribal belt has been brought under army's control [Orbat.com comment: we are slightly puzzled by the good corps commander's figure because we thought there were anyway at least 25,000 Frontier Corps paramilitary troops deployed in the NWFP and Baluchistan before September 11, 2001; we feel the corps commander's statement could be interpreted to imply no Pakistan Army troops are on the border on border-sealing duty. If we are wrong, please do write to us]
Agencies say US refuses North Korea demand for non-aggression pact as prior condition for nuclear disarmament [Orbat.com comment: given that North Korea has not kept any agreement on nuclear disarmament, we remain unclear what the Bush administration hopes to gain by negotiating - unless the US, having learned from Iraq, is preparing to show the world it has exhausted every diplomatic avenue before the US uses force against North Korea. Given key Korea-contingency units are likely to be tied up in Iraq through spring 2005, perhaps nothing is lost by negotiating]
Turkey denies revived discussion of USD 8.5 billion aid package is related to the US request for Turkish troops to Iraq [Orbat.com question: Tooth Fairy department or is there something in the Turk position? Comments?]
Jang of Pakistan says Russians move two reconnaissance aircraft to cover Pacific Fleet exercises after US submarines detected outside Russian territorial waters observing Russian fleet; submarines are there ostensibly as part of joint ROK-US exercises
US civil administrator for Iraq says new 400 MW turbine on order for Baghdad, plus smaller turbines for emergency power to water pumps; says power supply around 3500 MW, below pre-war 4000 MW+; Iraq exporting 1.7 million bbl/day oil and will require at least one year to build to pre-war level; said looting of transmission wires in Iraq has been so extensive that Mideast copper prices have fallen
[At 1200 August 27]
USAF's 363 Expeditionary Air Wing ends operations in Saudi Arabia; several hundred personel will remain for minimum maintenance of installations and training
Agencies say Liberian LURD seizes town 130 km from Monrovia, provoking new flight of refugees and imperiling shaky ceasefire
BBC says US, Saudi to set up new anti-terror force, FBI and US tax agents arriving in Saudi Arabia
BBC photograph shows Hind gunship in Afghan colors during recent anti-Taliban operation; known India has been helping Afghan Air Force get back on its feet and that Russia has supplied helicopters and other aircraft
[At 0300 August 26, 2003] MSNBC reports that US fighter aircraft joined in Operation Warrior Sweep against Taliban in Dai Chupan District of Afghanistan's Kandahar Province; two dozen Americans joined 450 Afghan government troops in two offensives in this mountain area; US sources say at least 14 killed, Afghan sources say 50 bodies recovered, between 40-100 arrested, though many will likely to be freed as they will be innocent
48 killed in two Bombay blasts; Indian government believes they are likely carried our by a Pakistan based Kashmir terror group and a banned militant Islamic students group, possibly in revenge for the killings of Muslims by Hindu in Gujarat state last year [Orbat.com note: the killings were said by local Hindus to be retaliation for an alleged Muslim mob attack on a train stopped at a station and filled with returning Hindu pilgrims, but as far as we know, the Indian police determined the fire was set from inside the train. If you have a better picture of this incident and aftermath, please share it with us by writing a letter to the editor]
The Christian Science Monitor reports a new Japan
Self Defense Force recruitment drive using a "wildly popular" girl pop
group appears not be producing the needed results; the JDSF's commitments
are increasing at a time recruitment is falling; 52% of the people remain
opposed to a planned Iraq deployment that may have to be postponed
till next year because of shock over the UN bombing in Baghdad [Thanks to
Reader Gordon A. MacKinlay for forwarding the story]
[At 0400 August 25]
US Marine reaction force departs Liberia for offshore, US officials say this shows how much the security situation has improved
Fighting reported in at least two places in Liberia, allegations MODEL has carried out a massacre in several villages but no confirmation on Liberian radio's claim that 1000 were killed
An assassination attempt against a prominent Najaf Shia cleric failed but the bomb killed several other people; the cleric consults frequently with US forces and is allied to a member of the Iraq ruling council; he had been receiving death threats
Washington Post reports in last two weeks US has begun recruiting former members of Saddam's security services, figures of up to 300 are mentioned; one source for the story said US was aware the recruitment process had to be conducted carefully to ensure the wrong people were not enlisted; US shifting its emphasis from big sweeps to targeted raids and arrests, and for this better intelligence is required
Said US has basically dismantled Saddam's inner circle and he is now alone
Jang of Pakistan says Taliban claim to have killed 12 government soldiers in an attack in Zabul province; government says 5 soldiers and 4 Taliban killed, 2 captured; Afghan government sources say they are in pursuit of the Taliban, who according to one official may have numbered 300, another official says they number about 50
German newspapers report official as saying the KSK special force will be expanded to 1000 men from 450; KSK's role in Algeria and Mali hostage crises revealed
[At 0200 August 24]
New fighting in Liberia, thousands flee port Buchanan, some say MODEL is trying to advance on Monrovia, others say fighting was started by government troops
Two French national bodyguards, part of 9-man protection detail for UN envoy in Iraq say he was the target and inside information was used to stage attack; an earlier story which Orbat.com did not report is that US offered UN protection, but UN felt it needed both to keep its distance from US and to be open to locals
UK Guardian says it believes Bin Laden is in Pakistan's Northern tribal belt, and safe from arrest these past two years because Pakistan's President Musharraf convinced US that to arrest him so soon would trigger unrest in Pakistan and retaliation against west; now that Al Qaeda's retaliatory capability has been crippled, it is time to move against him; Pakistani authorities may not know exactly where he is
[Orbat.com comment: We are disinclined to accept this story. The US wants Bin Laden's head, and to suggest the US Government is deliberately refraining from arresting him to help Pakistan or to avoid retaliation makes absolutely no sense. We'd like to know how much of the Guardian's information comes from a US national of Pakistani origin, Mr. Mansor Ijaz, who was interviewed for the story. He is a successful, intelligent, and very well spoken business person who comes across excellently on TV. He is said to have first rate contacts with the Pakistan establishment. The problem is that the Pakistan establishment is tiny, and anyone born in it can claim to have excellent contacts. Human nature being what it is, it is not beyond possibility that Mr. Ijaz wants to promote himself. What is certain is that anyone relying on what Pakistan intelligence tells him is setting himself up to be used: Pakistan intelligence is a good deal more wily - and it has many agendas - than most are prepared to credit. ]
3/17th Cav from 10 MtnDiv heading for Iraq to reinforce 700 division troops already there; by September, 7000+ division troops will be in Afghanistan; rumored that HQ III Corps from Ft. Hood will replace HQ V Corps in Iraq - Thanks to reader Joseph Stefula for news clippings
US announces it will intensify offensive against Iraq resistants, army commanders refuse to lower profile, say only way to end terrorism is to break the resistance
Investigations into blast at UN HQ now focus on if local guards, who are left over from Saddam regime, gave information to bombers; UN source says many Iraqis came daily to the office and no special source was needed
So far indications are the truck used was not from Iraq Army stocks, now speculated it came from overseas, perhaps Syria
US freezes Hamas accounts in response to Jerusalem bus attack, includes accounts of organizations said to raise money for Hamas
Debka says Israel may stay one month in territories it reoccupied in last 48 hours
BBC says Libya, France close to deal on additional compensation UTA Niger bombing; Lockerbie victims to get $10 million each versus $33,000 for UTA victims
Turkishpress.com says Kiruk Governor welcomes Turkish troops if sent; says he has established security and services in his area though residents still need much help
Jang of Pakistan says Afghans captured 7 Pakistan Frontier Corps troops in Zhob area, 4 escaped, 3 still in Afghan custody, captors demand ransom
Agencies say US says two soldiers alleged by Arab TV to have been captured by resistants in Iraq are accounted for
US to release 3 boys ages 13-15 from Guantanamo, says they were coerced into fighting
[At 0100 August 22]
[First reported at 1800, August 21] General Ali Hasan al-Majid, nicknamed Chemical Ali, was arrested by US forces in Iraq; also called the Butcher of Kurdistan he may become the first Iraqi captured to go on trial for war crimes; meanwhile, US forces also arrested a senior guerilla commander loyal to Saddam
Some confusion as to what FBI agent said regarding truck bomb; some sources quote him as saying the bomb was crude and required no great expertise; other US sources say bombing could have been conducted by Saddam loyalists
US commander CENTCOM says terrorist activity in Iraq has increased; Secretary Rumsfeld says Iran and Syria not preventing fighters from crossing into Iraq
Arabtimes.com says Saudi and Yemen are working to stop arms smuggling from Yemen into Saudi Arabia; arms are intercepted on an "hourly" basis and are used by terrorists inside Saudi Arabia
VOA reports authorities in Riga have seized 28 tons of military equipment for Iran, believed originated in Russia; equipment said too old for Iran military use, suspicion is it is for Iran-based terrorist groups to repair/refurbish their equipment
Globalsecurity.org quoting USA Today says US is about to begin tests of an airborne submarine detecting laser in the Sea of Japan, by hunting Chinese and North Korean submarines; the Sea is bad sonar territory because of temperature gradients, whales, and heavy merchant ship traffic; new system looks for color gradations too faint for eye to see to actually spot submarines during daylight hours
[At 0130, August 21]
Palestine Authority says it will take action against every aspect of Hamas' operations, including the financial; said the problem is that while Authority police in Gaza are strong, thanks to Dahlan, in Ramallah they are weak, thanks to the systematic Israeli destruction of their infrastructure
Baghdad truck bomb was 1500-lbs, explosive was surrounded by military ordnance including 500-lb bomb to increase lethality; US FBI agent on scene says the bomb was nothing that could be made at home; human remains in truck indicate suicide bombing, but because live explosives may still be in truck body has not been removed from vehicle, which has been traced to one with the old Iraqi Army
CNN says Pentagon sources say Ansar Islam is top suspect in bombing, group is linked to Al Qaeda; intel reports of last two weeks indicated a possible attack
Fresh controversy in US on if sufficient troops are deployed; an ex commander of US forces in Balkans says 4 additional brigades are needed; Senator John McCain, on Baghdad visit, says entire issue of numbers needs readdressing, says clearly Administration has made a mistake on requirements for post-war period
Secretary Rumsfeld emerges from long silence to insist more troops are not needed and that Iraqis must take more responsibility; problem is US is moving very slowly in creating new security forces from ground up; civilian contractors are moving faster, for e.g. with pipeline and facilities protection forces, but clearly it isn't enough
Libya starts transferring funds for Lockerbie payments to Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland
Jang of Pakistan reports a new anti-terror force, the Special Investigations Group, is being raised in cooperation with the US FBI [Orbat.com comment: as only 35 officers from other agencies are in training, we may guess this will be a small, elite force; the smallness will help in preventing infiltration]
The Hindu of India says Pakistan is to receive six C-130s for $75 million from the US and the cockpits of all PAF C-130s are to be updated [Orbat.com request: can someone tell us if this is a new order or the same one announced in 2001-02 now about to be delivered?
[At 0300 GMT August 20]
CNN quotes several US experts as saying Iraq has become a magnet for Al Qaeda, though there is as yet no definitive proof it is behind the truck bombing of UN compound
Agencies say a former vice president of Iraq, Number 20 on the most-wanted list, was arrested by Kurdish forces in their territory and handed to the US
Reuters says "Sweden's armed forces will operate only during office
hours for the rest of the year to cut costs, military headquarters said on
Friday. They will also cut fighter plane patrols to a minimum, keep navy
ships in port, mothball armored vehicles and stop using large caliber live
ammunition during exercises."
The Times of London says Danish soldiers in Iraq have been supplied with snow ploughs, shovels, and ice-melting salt; 50 soldiers are suffering from malnutrition because refrigerators broke down and they had to eat MREs for extended periods [Orbat.com comment: These are the descendents of the fearsome warriors that terrorized NW Europe for centuries? The story does not qualify for our Tales of the Absurd - anyone familiar with the military knows these mixups take place - we fondly recall the 2 million cans of hairspray that arrived in South Vietnam when there were perhaps 60 women US service personnel in-country] Thanks to readers Gordon Angus MacKinlay for the two above items]
More Nigerian troops arrive in Liberia, other West African troops due.
8 Afghan police were ambushed and killed by assailants said to be Taliban coming from Pakistan
Turkishpress.com says Ankara has received answers from the US to its questions about the conditions under which Turkish troops would be deployed in Iraq; they would not be in the North or South, which leaves Sunni Triangle or west; discussions with US continue
Malaysia's Star says two of its citizens who were part of Al Qaeda,
including one who after his arrest in August provided information leading
to Hambali's capture, are in US custody; arrests heighten Malaysia's role
as a base for terrorists and have caused embarrassment to the Government
[At 2000 GMT August 19] CNN says: "A truck bomb exploded in front of the hotel housing the U.N. headquarters in the Iraqi capital on Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and wounding about 100, U.S. officials said. Among the victims was the chief U.N. official in Iraq, who died despite frantic efforts to rescue him from the rubble."
[At 0200 GMT August 19]Jang of Pakistan says 12 ex-soldiers looting an arms dump at Tikrit for copper died in explosions, US has confirmed only one death; elsewhere two Iraqis killed by US forces, one soldier from 1st ArmdDiv killed in Baghdad by IED
CNN reports UNICEF restores water to 300,000 in Baghdad after shutting down water to 4 million of Baghdad's 6 million residents for 4 hours; oil pipeline fire extinguished, pipeline to be restored in 4-7 days [ABC-TV report saying water pipe would take 4 days to restore and oil line would take 4 weeks to reopen seems to be wrong]
Washington Post says Iraq power problem has many causes such as inadequate maintenance by Saddam regime and post-war sabotage, but also US has ended policy of preferential supply to urban areas at cost of rural areas
India's Hindu newspaper says Pakistan charges India with operating 55 terror camps; this is a new twist because so far India has been charging with operating camps and Pakistan has not raised the matter before [Orbat.com comment: that India is sending - and recruiting within Pakistan - provocateurs, agents and saboteurs into Pakistan Sind has been no secret for 20 years; it seems doubtful to us, however, that formal camps are being operated and that they would number 55 is incredible]
Belgium confirms Pakistan has asked for two F-16 squadrons surplus to Belgian requirements; no problem with US approval anticipated because Washington is trying to get Pakistan to drop purchase of fighter from China, some worry that since the aircraft are equipped for tactical nuclear weapon delivery sale will complicate non-proliferation regime; officials say EU approval would have to be obtained [Orbat.com comment: we seem to be behind the curve on this story - as far as we knew US was steadfastly refusing to sell Pakistan F-16s; true these are used aircraft but in any case the US would not have sold new build; nonetheless, perhaps US feels supply from Belgium would cause fewer problems with India]
[At 0400 GMT August 18
MSNBC reports a second blast hit a pipeline from Kirkuk to Turkey, deemed sabotage; only 750,000 bbl pumped to Turkey before pipeline was shut down due Friday sabotage; sabotage also blows up major water line to Baghdad; Reuters journalist killed near Abu Ghyriab prison that was hit by mortar attack - six Iraqis killed and many wounded; appears US forces shot him; in S Iraq a Danish soldier was killed during a fight when soldiers sought to arrest 8 Iraqis for looting, two Iraqis killed and rest arrested
Iraq minister calls on tribal leaders to help protect oil pipelines
In a Baghdad briefing on August 14 that we missed, US commander of ground forces in Iraq LTG Sanchez said that 29,000 Iraqi police back on duty, also 9,200 facilities protection guards, 1300 border guards hired [Orbat.com comment: this indicates the US is moving quickly to increase policing in Iraq; nonetheless, our guess from our knowledge of Iraq and its people is that ultimately between 100,000 and 200,000 security personnel will be needed and given draconian authority to enforce the law. We remain unsure that those US officials responsible for Iraq understand this fully]
Referring to briefing above, LTG Sanchez also said he estimates Iraqi resistance at 4-5,000, but there is essentially no good basis for saying so - it might just be a few hundred
CNN reports that LURD and MODEL of Liberia will be included in new government; 1000 Nigerian troops now on the ground; fighting continues between government and rebels in some areas; fuel still very short but price down to $15/gallon, half previously
BBC says former Foreign Secretary Lord Owen discloses he had suggested Idi Amin of Uganda be killed, suggestion was greeted with outrage; Amin killed estimated 400,000 people; experts say the stasis forced by the nuclear-armed superpowers during the Cold War prevented the west from taking action against Amin
US starts training first batch of 50 Iraqi civil militiamen to be used for guard duties such as pipelines; men paid $125/month, twice what an Iraqi soldier used to get
US forces arrest pro-Saddam cleric at Baqubah for inciting attacks on US troops
Jang of Pakistan says Arafat wants western guarantees he can return if he leaves his West Bank compound to visit his sister's grave in Gaza; he is worried Israel will use his departure to bar his return
A somewhat garbled story in Turkishpress.com says while Turkey welcomes UN's welcome of Iraqi council, Ankara will continue to let its national interest dictate a decision on sending troops to Iraq
Times of India quotes ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as saying 4,000 Pakistani troops were killed in the Kargil War in 1999 and that it was entirely the responsibility of then Army Chief and currently President Musharraf [Orbat.com comment: we feel Mr. Sharif is grandstanding and see no reason to change our original estimate of 750 Pakistani soldiers killed - that is still a large number seeing as the war lasted only for six weeks and the bulk of the casualties were incurred in 5-6 battalions, and considering the Pakistanis were defending the heights; further, we believe Mr. Sharif was far more culpable in the Pakistani decision to cross the Line of Control than he now makes out]
[At 0430 GMT August 16]
Liberians broke through barricades imposed by LURD militia in an attempt to reach the port and search for food; as LURD withdraws, there is more communication between different areas, this has permitted looted food to be sold in previously starving government areas
One freighter with food has docked and is to be followed by a second waiting to dock; three more ships are to arrive next week; the problem will be to get food to where it is needed, as trucks, fuel, roads, telecommunications are unavailable or inadequate for rapid diffusion of relief goods
Libya hands UN letter accepting responsibility for Lockerbie bombing; UK expected to circulate draft resolution Monday asking for lifting of UN sanctions; US sanctions to stay for now
France continues to maintain it will block any Lockerbie deal in the Security Council where it has a veto unless Libya ups compensation for the UTA airliner lost in 1989; sources say France is unlikely to actually use its veto but is bargaining for a better deal; angry response from US accusing Paris of sour grapes because the US got a better deal; Libya and UK accuse France of blackmail; representatives of some of the families who are from 21 countries say the two bombings should not be linked
Israel to hand over Ramallah, Tulkarm, Qalqilya and Jericho to Palestine Authority - there are conditions to be met such as no terrorist attacks - Arafat allowed to leave de facto house arrest for first time in 1 1/2 years to visit grave of his recently deceased sister; 73 prisoners sent back to jail earlier this week to be released
Iraq authority to reopen embassies in US, UK, and five Arab neighbors in next few weeks; over 35 embassies and missions to be in place by year end
Al Qaeda "point man" in SE Asia in US custody; nicknamed Hambali, CNN says he was the liaison between Al Qaeda and Indonesian terror group JI, was wanted for Bali and other bombings as well as recent hotel bombing in Indonesia; was said to be recruiting more suicide bombers for more attacks; arrested in Thailand on Tuesday and handed over to CIA which is holding him in undisclosed location
US 5th Fleet ordered to crack down on oil smuggling from Iraq to ease domestic shortages which in turn are hampering power generation [Orbat.com question: is the US public at least entitled to know why this obvious step is being taken after so much trouble has been caused for US/UK forces or is it to be given the increasingly standard excuses for failures of occupying authority? Moreover, why is US military being made scapegoat for failures of US civilian leaders?]
200 US Marines land Monrovia; 50 are part of a support team for West African peacekeepers, 150 are a reaction force to support peacekeepers in case of trouble; second Nigerian battalion started arriving yesterday; LURD starts withdrawing from port, MODEL indicates it will ceasefire; nonetheless, with UN food stocks at port having been looted, time will be needed to re-ramp up relief effort and meanwhile people will continue to starve
In a key development, France is said to have blocked Lockerbie settlement by demanding Libya pay more for the UTA flight bombed over Niger in 1989; French courts fixed responsibility on Libya; Libya paid less than $200,000 per passenger total without admitting responsibility versus the $10 million to be paid for Lockerbie victims; France says it has maintained solidarity with US over Lockerbie, now asks US do the same over UTA flight [Orbat.com opinion: the French are not popular in Washington right now, but its hard to deny the justice of their position]
[At 0130 GMT August 14, 2003] Agencies report 65 killed in Afghanistan violence: 25 in factional fighting between two provincial rivals, 17 in bus bombing - half of them children, 2 students making bombs in Kabul, 16 Taliban in clashes in Khost, SE Afghanistan, and 5 Afghan border guards in same clash
Major commanding Afghan border guards said he did not ask for coalition air support as his men could handle the biggest attack Taliban has made since their fall
President Karzai strips most powerful independent Afghan governor, Ismail Khan of Herat, of his military command; says under new regulations one man cannot be governor and military commander
After a clash between gunmen and US troops in Baghdad, cards were found indicating Al Qaeda was involved
US to land 200 Marines to protect Monrovia port but under condition Liberian factions do not fight in the area
Debka says Saudi, US, Kenyan authorities have foiled a major Al Qaeda attack which was to include hijacking British Airways airliners and crashing them into 3 Saudi cities; yesterday British Airways suspended all flights to Saudi on "specific information"
Turkish politicians continue dialog to reach consensus on dispatch of troops to Iraq; decision was originally due Tuesday
Iraq starts pumping oil to Turkey's Ceyhan terminal; expected to reach 500,000 bbl/day, half its capacity, reduction caused by corrosion and damage; another pipeline to Turkey has been hit by power failures; southern fields export to hit 645,000 bbl/day this month; if all proceeds smoothly, Iraq could be earning $1 billion/month within a few weeks
One source says 90% of Iraq has not even been explored for oil, talk of country pumping 10 million bbl/day within 10 years [Orbat.com comment: that would be worth $110 billion/year at current prices, though these would obviously fall sharply and likely break OPEC; clearly big events are afoot in the region]
Libya and Lockerbie victims lawyers sign $2.7 billion settlement; $4 million per person killed to be paid immediately, then $4 million and $2 million as various sanctions are lifted [Orbat.com comment: does any of our readers care to discuss what the settlement will mean to Libyan oil output?]
Kurd militia said hunting Ansar Islam terrorists in N Iraq, may have captured/killed 50
[At 1300 GMT August 13]
BBC reports on TV and website that a UK citizen of Indian origin said to be an arms dealer, was arrested in New York after picking up an Igla shoulder-fired SAM of 4-km range, IR seeker - the missile had been shipped as "medical supplies"
In a 3-way sting operation that began several months ago, the Russian FSB, US FBI, and UK MI-5/MI-6 worked closely together to monitor, from the start, the purchase of the Igla from a Russian factory for $85,000 - 50 more promised; arms dealer thought he was selling to an Arab terrorist who would try and bring down Air Force One
FBI says there was no threat to AF 1, but there is speculation FBI is trying to minimize the threat for its own purposes and the plane was indeed the target
Two other persons arrested in New York, BBC says arrests in UK are also expected
US 4th MechDiv arrests two Iraqi generals including Chief-of-Staff of Republican Guard, plus 12 others, all part of a pro-Saddam family; this was one raid of 32 conducted under Operation Ivy Lightening in past 24 hours
Liberia's LURD says they will hand over docks on Thursday to West African peacekeepers; Model, the second major rebel group, continues advance from Port Buchanan toward Monrovia IAP; Liberians in the way flee for their life
Six airlines granted permission by Iraq's ruling council to operate flights into Basra; due British use of the airport there will be restrictions limiting flights to 3 daily, only two-hour layover, and no refueling; Baghdad flights still not decided
4 Saudi police, alleged 1 terrorist killed, 7 alleged terrorists arrested in Riyadh gunfight
Growing apprehension that Al Qaeda is in Iraq through its affiliate Ansar Islam and may be responsible for attacks on US troops; approximately 100 Ansar men were killed during Iraq war when US attacked their camp in N Iraq, but perhaps 200 escaped into Iran and may now be back
Jang of Pakistan reports EU opposes US initiative to fence 740-km Indo-Pakistan Line of Control in Kashmir; EU says fences always lead to more trouble; US says this situation is different from Mideast; matter complicated by Indian Border Security Force report that says a test of Israeli sensors over a 5-km stretch failed
Iraq oil pipeline near Al-Taji north of Baghdad disrupted, sabotage suspected
Iraq Council asks US to ease aggressive search tactics
Israel cancels release of 69 Palestine prisoners after 2 suicide bombings August 12; men were on a bus on way to release point when bus was ordered back to prison
[At 1830 GMT August 12]
President Blah of Liberia offers to share power with rebels; LURD says it wants to head government; Blah will serve till October
President Charles Taylor left Liberia on a Nigerian jet and arrived in Lagos to a red-carpet welcome; blames US plot for his departure; for once someone is correct about US plots
US warships move closer to Liberia coast and can be seen from Monrovia's beaches; US still dithers about sending troops ashore; a senior officer will go ashore today - but, US is quick to emphasize, he won't spend the night
Meanwhile new Liberian President begs President Bush to intervene
Jang of Pakistan says that after American troops patrolling in Afghan territory opposite South Waziristan Agency in the North West Frontier Province came under fire from the Pakistani side, the Americans retaliated with gunships; Pakistani troops on the border fired back, fire was exchanged for an hour; two men from 69 Baloch Regiment were killed; a soldier from the Frontier Corps' Siahwal Rifles was critically injured; 3 soldiers are missing; Pakistan is reinforcing its positions; Jang specifically says the official Pakistan version of the incident omits much detail
4th MechDiv launches Operation Ivy Lightening in Iraq, fifth major sweep by division [Orbat.com note: the 4th is called the Ivy Division]
British troops restore power to Basra and give residents their own fuel, calming the unrest considerably
Debka says US stopped Israel from a major retaliation against Hezbollah/Syria after Hezbollah fired on Israel for 4 days; says US is seeking to show Assad of Syria he will be rewarded if he cooperates
Suicide bombers kill two in Israel
Debka reports Turkey agrees to send troops to Iraq; [Orbat.com note: search of Turkishpress.com headlines suggest question is under debate today, Turkish President said insisting on UN resolution first
After Al Qaeda claims responsibility for Jakatra Marriot bombing, there are fears that a new 15-person suicide group has been formed in Indonesia; an Australian expert says, however, Al Qaeda has a history of claiming bombings it had not part in
US sources say the mere threat of Guantanamo incarceration has caused 200 high-level Iraqi detainees to cooperate with interrogators [Orbat.com comment: with all respect, we feel incarceration in a domestic American prison like Angola, Louisiana, would break detainees much faster and at much less cost]
Re. our story on the US tender for AK-47s for Iraq, a reader sent in an interesting explanation of why US is not pushing its own rifles: we are waiting permission to print the letter; the gist is the US does not at this time want to put high-quality weapons in the hands of the new Iraqi Army
President Taylor bits country farewell, but says he will return; his Vice President will rule only for a short period as West African negotiators are preparing a new government for Liberia
Meanwhile, rebels refuse to let loose their grip on Monrovia port until they are absolutely sure Mr. Taylor has gone as this is a major card in their negotiating stance
Jang of Pakistan quotes Jane's Intelligence Digest to say despite opposition in Pakistan to recognition of Israel, President Musharraf is determined to go through with recognition; please read the article to appreciate the complexities of President Musharraf's imperatives
Meanwhile, hardline Indian and Pakistani parliamentarians meet in Pakistan and ask for peace; Indian Prime Minister "demands" and end to bloodshed between the two countries
Jang of Pakistan says the UN has suspended relief work in southern Afghanistan because of attacks on its personnel; meanwhile, Taliban threatens to extend its recent offensive
CNN reports Air France co-pilot scheduled to fly from Kennedy IAP in New York Friday night told US authorities he had a shoe bomb; no bomb was found; airport spokesperson says he does not know if the co-pilot was joking; co-pilot was arrested and is awaiting arraignment
The UK Independent reports that despite initial Pentagon denials, the US did use napalm in Iraq; Pentagon says it was truthful because napalm has been phased out and it used a new weapon called a "firebomb"; John Pike of GlobalSecurity.org says the chemical formulation may differ, but its still napalm
President Taylor bids supporters farewell, but still unclear if he will leave; now worry is his Vice President who will take over will continue doing his bidding; fighting continues in Buchanan port
New York Times says Bush administration under increasing pressure to land troops in Liberia now all pre-conditions US imposed have been met; Pentagon adamantly opposing; in addition to embassy contingent of 80, US has authorized 20 more Marines to land, of which 7 are on the ground
Hezbollah vows revenge for Israeli raid that killed two of its members
US suspects Ansar Islam, an Al Qaida affiliate, in Jordan embassy bombing in Baghdad
The Australian Army wants 100 new MBTs and has suggested a new variant of the Leopard at $2 million each - the US M-1 is now twice the price - with spares etc the total is $300 million; army says Iraq has shown there is still a role for heavy armor and that it can be used in urban conditions; Australian defense budget is $2 billion over already, if the MBTs are approved, cuts in other programs will have to be made [thanks to reader Gordon A. MacKinlay for the news]
RAN's six Collins SS again out of service due safety concerns [thanks to reader Gordon A. MacKinlay for the news]
The UK Independent reports that despite initial Pentagon denials, the US did use napalm in Iraq; Pentagon says it was truthful because napalm has been phased out and it used a new weapon called a "firebomb"; John Pike of GlobalSecurity.org says the chemical formulation may differ, but its still napalm
President Taylor bids supporters farewell, but still unclear if he will leave; now worry is his Vice President who will take over will continue doing his bidding; fighting continues in Buchanan port
New York Times says Bush administration under increasing pressure to land troops in Liberia now all pre-conditions US imposed have been met; Pentagon adamantly opposing; in addition to embassy contingent of 80, US has authorized 20 more Marines to land, of which 7 are on the ground
Hezbollah vows revenge for Israeli raid that killed two of its members
US suspects Ansar Islam, an Al Qaida affiliate, in Jordan embassy bombing in Baghdad
The Australian Army wants 100 new MBTs and has suggested a new variant of the Leopard at $2 million each - the US M-1 is now twice the price - with spares etc the total is $300 million; army says Iraq has shown there is still a role for heavy armor and that it can be used in urban conditions; Australian defense budget is $2 billion over already, if the MBTs are approved, cuts in other programs will have to be made [thanks to reader Gordon A. MacKinlay for the news]
RAN's six Collins SS again out of service due safety concerns [thanks to reader Gordon A. MacKinlay for the news]
At 0400 GMT August 9]
Hezbollah attacks Shaba Farms area in Golan Heights with long-range weapons, Israel retaliates with SP artillery/air strikes; first time in 2003 attack/counter-attack has taken place; Debka says Washington blasts Syria, Lebanon for failing to control Hezbollah
Israeli naval commando team kills two wanted Hamas leaders in Nabulus, loses one soldier; team attempted to arrest suspects who fired on Israelis, when they fired back they apparently ignited explosives inside a building leading to the deaths; Palestine sources say 4 dead
ROK warship fires 5 machine gun rounds and 4 40mm rounds to warn away 3 intruding North Korean vessels from ROK waters; third such incident this year
Jang of Pakistan says Taiwan holds up DPRK bound ship over 100 barrels of chemicals deemed to have military value [Orbat.com comment: North Korea is apparently under an undeclared blockade by the US and its allies in an attempt to block heroin and missile exports, and to prevent North Korea from receiving materials that can be used in manufacture of missiles]
UK Telegraph says a Conservative MP alleges that the dispatch of 2,500 reservists to Iraq has left UK unable to meet anti-terror requirements at home; UK MOD refuses comment [Thanks to reader Jim Dunn for forwarding article]
UK Telegraph says Japan to form 5-6,000 member elite anti-terror commando unit by 2006, first troops to start training this year; Japan sanctions two ships that could be rapidly converted to aircraft carriers [Thanks to reader Gordon A. MacKinlay for forwarding article]
BBC says trekkers in the NW Himalayas find the body of an Indian soldier and aircraft parts from an An-12 that disappeared in 1968; Indian Air Force preparing for a search; soldier's mother and wife have waited 35 years hoping he would turn up alive
Liberian rebels say they will not obstruct relief aid through Monrovia port which they control; meanwhile, no sign of Mr. Taylor's departure
Jung reports suspected Taliban kill 11 Afghan soldiers and one driver in two incidents; in one incident, says BBC, Afghan authorities say attackers crossed over from Pakistan
Turkey says 444 Kurdish rebels surrender, many already in jail take option to seek amnesty, this will involve their giving evidence against other rebels
Bali bomber sentenced to death, he smiles and says he welcomes martyrdom
19 dead in bombing of Jordan Embassy in Baghdad, 50 wounded - earlier reports said 11 dead; two US soldiers die in firefight in Al Rashid district of capital; Iraqi casualties not stated; troops apparently allowed 20+ civilians to leave building before resuming their attack, eyewitnesses say at least 8 Humvees were involved after someone fired on a US patrol
4th MechDiv snipers kill two Iraqi arms dealers in Tikrit after receiving information an arms market was to operate Friday; though the men had not fired on US forces, spokesperson says carrying arms in Tikrit is illegal and the men represented a potential combat threat; one man had Saddam regime issued ID card still used in area to show importance
Meanwhile, US says 33,000 Iraqi police back on duty - total to be 60,000 - and guarding embassies is their responsibility
[GMT August 7]
Rebels troops prevented hungry civilians from getting to the besieged port to look for food; rice in Government controlled areas is said to be going for 20 times the price as in rebel areas; West Africans will start patrols on Wednesday
A settlement in the Lockerbie case appears imminent, Libya to admit responsibility and pay $10-million per passenger to relatives; US said not to oppose lifting of UN sanctions but will likely keep its own in place due domestic pressure [Orbat.com comment: nonetheless, our information is US will continue to expand its ties to Libya, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism and oil]
BBC quotes US police official in Baghdad as saying 5,000 Iraqi policemen are back on duty; 4 kidnapping gangs broken up; apparently kidnapping for ransom was common in Saddam's time too [Orbat.com comment: It would be nice if the western media had made this information public earlier]; meanwhile, anti-US demonstrations again in Fallujah
US forces Iraq capture 19 suspected Iraqi resistants, kill one trying to fire RPG at US forces in Tikrit, one big and several small arms caches unearthed due information received; no US military deaths last 5 days though a civilian contractor delivering mail was killed
Jang of Pakistan reports Turkey puts into effect amnesty for Kurdish rebels, but specifically excludes rebels leaders; senior Kurd leader Ocalan says from jail this will force Kurds to fight and will restart war [Orbat.com note: Mr. Ocalan was sentenced to death after his capture but sentence was commuted to life after Turkey abolished capital punishment, in part to meet EU conditions for entry]
[At 1330 GMT August 6]
[At 0200 GMT August 6] As a follow-up to the Debka story below which we repeat from yesterday, kindly read BBC on David Kay
[Repeated from August 5]
Further, if Debka is correct, many of the Iraqi leadership in US
custody will be liable for war crimes and perhaps even execution
CNN says US conducts 17 raids in N Iraq including Tikrit, arrests 80;
aims to disrupt network providing Saddam with shelter and money; US again
says it is receiving continuous information on his whereabouts and "it is
only a matter of time" before he is found
300 Nigerian troops, 16 tons of supplies arrive by helicopters at
Monrovia IAP [some reports say 157 troops today]; Nigerians have secured
airport and will start moving out within days; Liberian civilians rejoice;
rebels say they welcome intervention and will hand off their positions to
the incming peacekeepers
Jang of Pakistan says Turkish armed forces sack 18 senior
officers for pro-Islamic views [Turkish military has been strictly secular
since the Attaturk revolution after World War 1, not WW2 as earlier stated; thanks to Mark Pippenger for correcting our typo - Editor]
Jang says IAEA being crucial talks with Iran over additional safeguards
on its nuclear programs
[At 0300 GMT, August 4]
After a quiet Sunday in Monrovia, fighting breaks out again in Monrovia; government fails in attempt to reclaim bridges
Fighting spreads to a third Liberian city
President Taylor now talks of not leaving Liberia until war crimes indictment is withdrawn; UN official says if Taylor does not go into exile in Nigeria he will not have the chance to make another deal
Pakistan asked by UN for a battalion for Liberia, leaving one battalion to be found; Islamabad sees no problem in agreeing
Jang of Pakistan speaks of US having asked for a Pakistani division - earlier we had thought it was two brigades; Pakistan now apparently asking if its troops will have the same indemnity from war crimes accusations that the US has negotiated for itself; Pakistan sees this as an issue because it will not be under UN flag
Al-Aqsa Brigades threaten to pull out of Palestine-Israel ceasefire after Arafat's security forces arrest 20 of its militants; Arafat had asked them to leave a compound under his protection as "the world had changed", they had refused and are accusing him of selling them out
BBC says Ismail Khan, powerful governor of Herat, denies human rights group charges he has been involved in HR abuses, points out he has done much to improve rights for women, education for boys and girls, improved conditions in prisons and hospitals, provided jobs, and brought security to his people
[0300 GMT, August 2, 2003] Reader Joe Stefula forwards an email from a friend who heard on an NPR program that an estimated 4,000 US troops have been wounded so far in Gulf 2, about 90% in combat related situations; figure was given by a military officer at Andrews AFB through which wounded arrive for transport to hospitals [Orbat.com comment: we quickly searched NPR archives, the search tool is quite useless, and were unable to get a reference; if any reader has a reference, please send it to us]
Times of India reports Indian defense minister as saying 798 Indian soldiers were killed in the mobilization against Pakistan between mid-December to date; 100 killed in mine-related incidents, 1 million mines were laid, rest killed in accidents, artillery duels and other incidents [Orbat.com comment: please keep in mind almost 30 divisions were deployed to war stations at peak and remained there for many months; on a per division basis this works out to about between 1 and 3 fatalities per division per month - many divisions did not spend the entire period deployed; this in itself is not unreasonable for comparable situations, nonetheless, Indians as a people have an exceptionally low safety consciousness, and despite rigorous training, this casualness persists in the military]
We keep hearing about how much damage US troops cause during their searches and how civilians are killed, engendering bitterness; not mentioned is situations like Fallujah where US paid blood money for Iraqis killed, and in N Iraq where troops fix damage done during a raid and also help residents with other problems
Despite Liberia ceasefire, fighting continues; CNN reports 11 killed Monrovia
US media reports administration split on approach to Iran to get custody of 3 top Al Qaida leaders; Teheran wants MEK leaders in return, some say MEK is terrorist group and exchange should be made, others say MEK are freedom fighters and US should not in any case be dealing with Iran regardless of circumstances
UK Telegraph says after Gulf 2, British Army is trying to get back control of Commandos; Army is disillusioned with Apache's performance plus bedevilled with training issues, and is seeking to disband 16th AA Bde; 5th Para Bde to be reformed and the three Apache squadrons with 16th Bde to be attached to other formations; talk of converting a mechanized brigade to para role for additional rapid intervention capability [Orbat.com comment: Because the UK's Iraq war is finished, it is moving very rapidly with Lessons Learned, having already published a document; now it seems UK wants to move just s expeditiously to reshape its force] Thanks to reader Mandeep Bajwa for forwarding article
Jang says Taliban shoots dead pro-government cleric in Kandhar province after he declared end to holy war, said to be third such attack; meanwhile, US, allied, Afghan troops continue intensive CI operations, killing 3 said to be Taliban
Orbat.com comment: we have no objective standard by which to judge if there really has been a jump in Taliban activity in Afghanistan, or if because this is the campaigning season the Taliban is trying to get in its punches; we also cannot say if Taliban has really regrouped inside Pakistan; if so, then Pakistan will come under even more pressure from US
Iraqi ruling council will ask NATO, Pakistan for troops; US hopes this request will have greater legitimacy in eyes of Islamic/Muslim states and dissenting NATO nations
[At 0230 GMT, July 31]
President Karzai of Afghanistan says a Japan sponsored program to disarm and resettle 100,000 militia will start soon
One major Solomon Islands rebel group, MEF, said ready to disarm; peacekeeping force says those not voluntarily surrendering arms will be hunted down
US asks Pakistan for two brigades for Iraq; one faction argues with 34 countries committed to troops Pakistan should have no problem; another faction says this will betray Islamic solidarity
CENTCOM says Iraq Police conduct 25 patrols on their own - can informed readers tell us why the Iraq-forces only patrols are still so low?
[At 0300 GMT, July 30] US troops captured an army officer who was Saddam's personal bodyguard and confidante, but early reports say he has not seen Saddam in months; one US source claims Saddam is only a few hours ahead of his pursuers, and is changing locations every few hours
Arab TV airs recording of Saddam mourning death of his sons; broadcast creates quandary for those Iraqis saying US staged death of brothers and they are alive: if this is so, then the Saddam tape is also fake
UK High Commissioner to Pakistan to take over as administrator, South Iraq says BBC
Liberian rebels again declare ceasefire, to what purpose is unclear since fighting continues
General Myers in Pakistan, again asks for Pakistan troops for Iraq, says no discussion on his visit with India on troops as Indian government has already made up its mind
Debka says Saudi has arrested 500 terrorists and is not worried about facing US on issue; US media reports that angry Saudis calls for release of classified part of US 9/11 report; Mr. Bush says sources and methods have to be protected; some allege that the sources and methods are anti-Saudi elements including Israel
Port Buchanan falls to Liberia rebels; their grip on Monrovia tightens
Newsweek says house of Saddam sons' last stand did not feature extra protection; only four rockets were fired by one Kiowa OH-58 aside from TOWs and Javelins; from Newsweek description of fight appears US commanders were determined not to take casualties; said $100 million found in house in dollars, dinars, reward will be paid to house owner from proceeds
Afghanistan's Zabol Province on Pakistan border said to be under Taliban control; in Helmand Province to South six Afghan police killed in ambush; governor asks for Coalition troops; meanwhile, in Patkia Province 1000 Afghan National Army are participating with coalition forces in their first major operation
In sign of good sense prevailing at last, US agrees to put $1-billion aid into Afghanistan which 1 1/2 years after liberation has seen little by way of international or US aid; surprisingly, Afghans remain pro-US and optimistic, contrast with Iraq, where nothing US seems to do for locals seems good enough
UN approves another year for MONUC, increases mission strength by 2,100 to 10,800, now permits troops to use force to protect civilians and aid workers
[At 0200 GMT, July 28]
Possibility raised that Iraqis may continue to attack US troops even after Saddam found
Cell phone service springing up in Iraq though Coalition authorities authorities have yet to accept bids; said the failure of authorities to restore 'phone service quickly shows the mistakes US is making; while US says it must ensure the process is fair so Washington is not accused of influencing the process, critics say US could have issued limited period license to one company which would have restored service, buying time for a fair bidding process
Philippine rebel soldiers return quietly to barracks
Liberian rebels reject ceasefire, saying they will cede power to peacekeepers, not to government troops; breakaway rebel group closes in on Buchanan port
UN suspends aid activity in Pakistan's NW Frontier Province following attack on its personnel
Debka says Palestine PM returns from Washington and proceeds to remove key Arafat security official, taking first real steps toward dismantling terror apparatus [Orbat.com comment: it is extremely rare for Debka to say anything positive about Palestine anti-terror efforts so this move appears to have impressed Debka]
Jang of Pakistan says US pressures India and Pakistan to reconsider their reluctance to send troops to Iraq; US feels current commitments of 20-30,000 insufficient; though Turkey has been asked for troops US feels this may lead to complications with the Kurds, so US is attempting to get Turkish contribution through NATO; France, Germany remain adamantly opposed to NATO contribution
[At 0200 GMT, July 27]
Arms found include 12 Al Samoud SSMs, 250 Rolands, 30 SAM-7s, 40 Milans, thousands of RPGs, and in one raid alone, 45,000 dynamite sticks; these finds come on top of the 660 SAMs and several tons of C-4 found earlier
Monrovia fighting continues and civilian losses mount; at least 25 reported killed yesterday; fighting spreads to Buchanan port city in Eastern Liberia; US still uncommitted to intervention
Philippine Army rebels seizure of market area containing an upscale apartment building effectively makes Australian Ambassador and other foreign nationals hostages; Australia counter-terror police following situation but feel no cause for alarm yet says BBC
[At 0300 GMT July 26] President Bush ordered the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group to Liberian waters, but still has made no decision on intervention; in any case the ARG cannot intervene for another 7-10 days; meanwhile, Nigerian mechanized battalion leaving Sierra Leone on rotation cannot arrive Liberia for same period
Civilians continue dying in Monrovia as rebels shell residential areas including near US Embassy
4th MechDiv captures several Saddam bodyguards near Tikrit but unclear as yet if they are present or former guards
CNN says Saddam son' bodies had about 20 bullet wounds each, no evidence they committed suicide
Japanese Diet authorizes military deployment to Iraq after physical fights between legislators
News of the Absurd: Two Tunisian peacekeepers had to be sent home from the DRC because they were upset when they witnessed a white female South Africa Defense Forces major publicly grope her black male enlisted lover; both SADF soldiers were also serving with the DRC peacekeeping mission [Story from UK Telegraph forwarded by reader Gordon A. MacKinlay]
Sao Tome junta granted amnesty as part of Nigeria-brokered deal for government to return; government promises greater transparency in dealings and corruption crack-down
Senior officers wounded in Kashmir terrorist attack identified as General Officer Commanding Northern Command, the army HQ that controls Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh - referred to as Kashmir in western press - and Corps Commander, XVI Corps Jammu, both are 3-star generals
Jang of Pakistan says visiting Afghan foreign minister blames Pakistan-based elements for increasing attacks in Afghan border areas
2 Royal Australian Rifles arrives in Solomon Islands, 13 C-130 flights and one ship bring in most of 2000 person peace force within one day
[At 0200 GMT, July 24] Contrary to all Arab tribal tradition, the person who turned in Saddam's sons was their host; he is in protective custody and will be paid the two $15-million rewards
Reports differ, but it appears that [1] 3 US soldiers were wounded when the surrender demand was rejected and US forces stormed the house; [2] because the 2nd floor was fortified, even all the firepower directed at the house had no effect; [3] Battle came to an end only after 10 TOWs were fired through windows; [4] US forces waited, possibly several hours, while verification was made that no survivors were inside to set an ambush
CNN says 14-year old Saddam grandson was still alive when US soldiers entered and shot at the attackers, whereupon he was was killed
Orbat.com expresses its opinion that those wondering why sons were not taken alive are off the mark: its unlikely they would have talked, moreover, the fact of their being alive would have led Iraqi resistors to new efforts against US troops and likely to seize hostages in other parts of the world. Still further, its doubtful they would have let themselves be taken alive. This was not a police hostage situation where the house could have been besieged endlessly while negotiations were conducted. This was a military operation and had to be conducted with maximum speed consistent with international laws on collateral civilian damage.
US rotation plan for Iraq announced; please click above for graphic forwarded by reader Joseph Stefula; there are some differences from the plan Orbat.com detailed ten days ago
With arrest of commander, Iraq SRG - #11 in Card Deck - and demise of Saddam sons - #2 and #3 - 37 of 55 in original deck are accounted for
Fighting again in Liberia, rebels break through to capital from a different direction; Washington fiddles while Monrovia burns; Europeans absolutely determined Liberia is US responsibility and will not do anything unless Washington leads; Orbat.com reminds readers the rebels are ruthless killers as much as Government soldiers and populace is just as frightened of rebels as it is of Taylor's men
Now 8 Indian Army soldiers reported killed by attack on Kashmir garrison by 3 suicide attackers, Indian dead include one brigadier-general, wounded include two generals
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