New Leader Of Pakistani Taliban Could Splinter Group.

New Leader Of Pakistani Taliban Could Splinter Group.

Mullah Fazlullah, the new leader of the Pakistani Taliban 
 (AP Photo/SITE Intel Group)

WASHINGTON | 15 Nov 2013 :: The suspected U.S. drone strike that killed the leader of Pakistan’s Taliban (Tehrik-i-Taliban), Hakimullah Mehsud, has set off a power struggle within the militant group, and has exposed sharp divisions that analysts say could further destabilize the region as NATO combat forces leave neighboring Afghanistan in 2014.

Taliban sources and local journalists in turbulent North Waziristan and South Waziristan in Pakistan told VOA that the selection of hardline cleric Mullah Fazlullah as the new chief has left the group in disarray that may result in a splintering to smaller, difficult-to-control factions.

Fazlullah was selected by a council of Pakistani Taliban leaders after the death of its chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, November 1.  Fazlullah, who reportedly has the support of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar, became known as ‘Mullah Radio’ for his fiery anti-Western and pro-jihadist speeches on FM radio in the Swat Valley of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province between 2007 and 2009   Exploiting anti-government sentiment in his home region and using brutal tactics, Fazlullah took control of the Swat Valley and instituted harsh Islamic rule that terrorized much of the population.

But in 2009, Pakistan's army launched an operation against militants in the area. Wounded in the fighting, Fazlullah managed to escape to Afghanistan, where analysts and journalists say he remains to this day.  In 2012 he claimed responsibility for ordering the failed assassination of the teenage activist, Malala Yousufzai, for her efforts to educate girls in Swat. (Source: AP/AFP).

North Korea denies aiding Syria in fight against rebels.

North Korea denies aiding Syria in fight against rebels.

SEOUL | 15 Nov 2013 ::  North Korea denied it was sending military aid to the Syrian government, one of its few close allies, in its battle against rebel forces after media reports said that Pyongyang had sent advisors and helicopter pilots.

"Some foreign media are floating misinformation that the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) supplied war equipment to Syria, its airmen are directly involved in air-raids on insurgent troops in Syria," the North's state run KCNA news agency said late on Thursday.

The Jerusalem Post reported in October that 15 North Korean helicopter pilots were operating in Syria "on behalf of President Bashar Assad's regime" and said the report had been confirmed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Other reports have identified North Korean artillery officers as being in Syria, although they were said not to be directing fire.

North Korea has long-standing ties with Syria and constructed a plutonium reactor there that was destroyed by an Israeli strike in 2007. It also has links with Syria's chemical weapons program.

Under a deal brokered by Russia and the United States, Assad agreed to destroy all Syria's chemical weapons after Washington threatened to use force in response to a sarin gas attack that killed hundreds of people on August 21.

Japanese media reports in August said Turkey had intercepted a shipment of gas masks and small arms from North Korea to Syria.

The North is under United Nations sanctions for its nuclear weapons and missile program and its role in proliferating nuclear and missile technology.(Courtesy: Dawn)

Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism, Manmohan Singh tells Obama.

Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism, Manmohan Singh tells Obama.

"Explained to Obama the difficulties that we face,
 given the fact that the (presence) of terrorists
 still remains focused in Pak," Singh said.

Washington | 29 Sep 2013 ::  Pakistan was in sharp focus at the Manmohan Singh-Barack Obama summit in Washington on Friday with the Indian Prime Minister telling the US President of the difficulties in dealing with its neighbour as terrorists "still remained focused in Pakistan". Manmohan Singh and Barack Obama described the relationship between two nations as indispensable after an hour long meeting. Issuing a statement after the meeting, Manmohan Singh said, "India needs US standing by our side. We have a relationship based on both principles and pragmatism.The atmosphere was more like a farewell meeting. Both Barack Obama and Manmohan Singh thanked each other profusely for helping each other and continuing support. Manmohan Singh said that he had always maintained an excellent relationship with the US and thanked the previous president George Bush and the current President Obama, who he said have made this possible. Sending out a strong message to Pakistan, the Prime Minister said that the epicenter of terrorism was still in Pakistan and it was posing a major threat to India's stability. President Obama once again mentioned the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and thanked India for engaging Pakistan in peace talks. He said that India's support was much needed to stabilise both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Describing India as a world power and not just a regional power, the US President said that America was interested in a strong India. He said, "For a very long time, they (India and US) have invested in peace and prosperity, people-people ties, business, science, academics and other areas". A smiling Obama then went on to say, "even Miss America (Nina Davuluri) is of Indian origin." He emphasised more on the conflict in Syria, tension in Iran, Afghanistan's slow march towards peace and stability and sought India's support. Referring to controversial civil nuclear deal between both the nations, Obama said that the deal between an American company and India was a good sign. A visibly tired Manmohan Singh said, "Indo-US relationship is growing and expanding. We have explored new areas like defence, security, energy and environment." He added that despite a slowdown American investment in India is growing. Obama returned the compliment by saying that India is growing at an amazing rate. Obama stressed more on the relationship Manmohan Singh shared with him and his predecessor Bush. It was almost like a farewell speech. There was a feeling of personal warmth and affection during the meeting. Manmohan Singh's visit to the US is being described as his last visit as India's Prime Minister.(Courtesy:IBN Live)

U.S. Drone Strike Kills 6 in Pakistan, Fueling Anger.

U.S. Drone Strike Kills 6 in Pakistan, Fueling Anger.

US drones have fired missiles into inaccessible border
 areas such as North Waziristan since 2004 [Reuters]

ISLAMABAD | Pakistan | 06 Sep 2013 :: At least six people were killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan’s restive northwestern tribal areas early Friday, according to government officials and local news reports.

The strike was directed at a house in the Ghulam Khan area of the North Waziristan tribal region, close to the border with Afghanistan.

A senior Haqqani network commander was killed, a security official said. The official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said that the ranking Haqqani official in the region, Sangin Zadran, had been killed. “He was the most influential commander in the area,” the official said. “The Americans had been after him for a long time.”

North Waziristan has long been a haven for Taliban and Qaeda militants.

American drone strikes are deeply unpopular in Pakistan, and opposition to them has become an essential staple of local politics and grievances against the United States. Pakistani politicians and government officials condemn the missile strikes, which are directed by the Central Intelligence Agency, as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

Opposition politicians like Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf political party, have campaigned against the strikes, saying that they result more in civilian casualties than militant killings. In October 2012, Mr. Khan led a big protest rally to the edges of the tribal regions against the use of drones on Pakistani soil.

The number of drone strikes has, however, dropped sharply in recent months. The last strike occurred on Aug. 31, when at least four suspected militants were killed in an attack in North Waziristan.(Courtesy:New york times)Read More>>>

U.S. building coalition for Syria strikes, Kerry says.

U.S. building coalition for Syria strikes, 

Kerry says.

A protester raises the national flag of Syria during a demonstration
 against possible U.S. military intervention in Syria in front of the
 U.S. embassy in Rio de Janeiro, September 4, 2013. (Reuters)

Al Arabia | 05 Sep 2013 :: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that an international coalition set to take action against the Syrian regime is growing, adding that Arab countries are being approached to participate.

“We are building support with ... other countries, among them the Arab League,” Kerry said, as the U.S. administration tries to sell its plan for military action to Congress.

The move against the government of President Bashar al-Assad was triggered by a suspected chemical weapons attack on a suburb of the Syrian capital last month, which Washington says has killed at least 1,400 people.

“Specific countries that have talked in terms of acting” include Turkey and France, as well as some Arab states, Kerry said in a statement carried by AFP.

Kerry said the United States had reached out to more than 100 countries in efforts to form a coalition that supports military intervention in Syria.

The news comes as a resolution authorizing a military strike on Syria was approved on Wednesday by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.(Courtesy:Al Arabia)Read More>>>

Al-Qaeda set up anti-drone cells, reveal secret U.S. documents.

Al-Qaeda set up anti-drone cells, reveal 

secret U.S. documents.

A banner protesting U.S. drone attacks on Yemen earlier this year. (AFP)

Al Arabia  | AFP | 04 Sep 2013 :: Al-Qaeda’s leaders have been bolstering their anti-drone efforts, setting up cells of engineers to shoot down, disable or hijack U.S. drones, the Washington Post reported late Tuesday classified documents.

The militant leadership is “hoping to exploit the technological vulnerabilities of a weapons system that has inflicted huge losses against the terrorist network,” the Post said online.

“Although there is no evidence that Al-Qaeda has forced a drone crash or successfully interfered with flight operations, U.S. intelligence officials have closely tracked the group’s persistent efforts to develop a counterdrone strategy since 2010,” the report said, citing the secret documents.

The newspaper also reported that al-Qaeda commanders are keen to achieve “a technological breakthrough (that) could curb the U.S. drone campaign, which has killed an estimated 3,000 people over the past decade.”

Drone strikes have forced al-Qaeda operatives to limit their movements in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia and other places.(Courtesy:Al Arabia)

Syria crisis: Obama asks Congress to back military action.

Syria crisis: Obama asks Congress to back military action.

US President Barack Obama has formally asked Congress to authorise military action against Syria over alleged chemical weapons attacks.

He said any operation would be limited, ruling out a ground invasion. Congress is to reconvene on 9 September.

This comes after Washington claimed it had evidence that 1,429 people were killed in chemical attacks by the Syrian army on 21 August.

The Syrian government gave no immediate reaction to Mr Obama's announcement.

Damascus had earlier condemned the US allegations and blamed the rebels for the attacks.(Courtesy:BBC News)

Al-Qaeda chief’s message triggered embassy closures.

Al-Qaeda chief’s message triggered embassy closures.

Intercepted communications about terror plans from bin Laden’s successor to deputy in Yemen set off sweeping terror alert

WASHINGTON | AP | 06 Aug 2013 ::  An intercepted secret message between al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahri and his deputy in Yemen about plans for a major terror attack was the trigger that set off the current shutdown of many US embassies, two officials told The Associated Press on Monday.

A US intelligence official and a Mideast diplomat said al-Zawahri’s message was picked up several weeks ago and appeared to initially target Yemeni interests. The threat was expanded to include American or other Western sites abroad, officials said, indicating the target could be a single embassy, a number of posts or some other site. Lawmakers have said it was a massive plot in the final stages, but they have offered no specifics.

The intelligence official said the message was sent to Nasser al-Wahishi, the head of the terror network’s organization, based in Yemen, known as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the sensitive issue publicly.

American spies and intelligence analysts on Monday scoured email, phone calls and radio communications between al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen and the organization’s senior leaders to determine the timing and targets of the planned attack.

The call from al-Zawahri, who took over for Osama bin Laden after US Navy SEALs killed the al-Qaeda leader in May 2011, led the Obama administration to close diplomatic posts from Mauritania on Africa’s west coast through the Middle East to Bangladesh, east of India, and as far south as Madagascar.

The US did decide to reopen some posts on Monday, including well-defended embassies in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Baghdad.

Authorities in Yemen, meanwhile, released the names of 25 wanted al-Qaeda suspects and said those people had been planning terrorist attacks targeting “foreign offices and organizations and Yemeni installations” in the capital Sanaa and other cities across the country.

The Yemeni government also went on high alert Monday, stepping up security at government facilities and checkpoints.

Officials in the US wouldn’t say who intercepted the initial suspect communications — the CIA, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency or one of the other intelligence agencies — that kicked off the sweeping pre-emptive closure of US facilities. But an intelligence official said the controversial NSA programs that gather data on American phone calls or track Internet communications with suspected terrorists played no part in detecting the initial tip. That official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the spying publicly.(Courtesy:Times of Israel)Read More >>>

US Military probing into Taliban attack in Afghanistan.

Military probing into Taliban attack that killed two.

WASHINGTON | 31 May 2013::  The US military has begun to investigate a Taliban attack on a US-British base in Afghanistan last September that killed two Marines and destroyed six aircrafts and put on hold the announced promotion of the two-star Marine general who was in charge there at the time, officials said Thursday.

Marine Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus was the senior commander in southwestern Afghanistan when 15 Taliban fighters breached the security perimeter of Camp Bastion in Helmand province and carried out their stunning attack. All but one of the fighters was killed in a Marine counterattack.

Gurganus earlier this year was picked for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as director of the Marine Corps staff at the Pentagon. A Pentagon official said Thursday that his promotion has been placed on hold pending the outcome of the Central Command investigation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

A few weeks after the Sept. 14 attack, Gurganus told a news conference that "there's no mystery" to how the Taliban managed to get onto the supposedly secure base and launch their deadly attack using rocket-propelled grenades.

Gurganus said they used simple wire cutters to penetrate the perimeter fence, which was not equipped with alarms. "We have sophisticated surveillance equipment, but it can't see everywhere, all the time," he said. "This was a well-planned attack. I make no excuses for it. This was well planned and it was well executed."

In fact, at least one of the guard towers near the Taliban fighters' entry point was unoccupied at the time, officials have said.

Despite the loss of two Marines and the destruction of almost an entire squadron of Marine AV-8B Harrier jets valued at about $200 million, no formal investigation was undertaken to determine whether anyone should be held to account for failing to stop one of the most audacious attacks of the war.

Killed in the attack were Lt. Col. Christopher Raible, 40, and Sgt. Bradley Atwell, 27.

Britain's Prince Harry, a helicopter pilot, was serving at Camp Bastion at the time of the attack. Officials said he received additional protection when the attack occurred.

At the recommendation of Gen. James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, a US Central Command investigation was ordered this week by Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, the head of Central Command, according to his spokesman, Oscar Seara.

Austin ordered that the probe report on "any fault, negligence or failure of responsibility by US commanders and staff" responsible for security at the base, which is surrounded by open terrain and adjacent to the Marine's main base, known as Camp Leatherneck. Because Leatherneck does not have a runway, Marine aircraft use Bastion's airfield headquarters in Helmand.

The Washington Post was first to report that Central Command had opened an investigation.

Seara said Austin determined that a formal investigation was warranted to "ensure all matters of US accountability have been appropriately addressed." [Courtesy: AP & Dawn].