http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/helmand/ en-us Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:26:15 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2049725/posts THE Taliban were in disarray last night after their Helmand province leader surrendered — fearing the SBS was about to kill him. The Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2049725/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:26:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032342/posts Taliban fighters have claimed the lives of five British servicemen in the past 10 days in Helmand province. Now Sky News chief news correspondent Stuart Ramsay has had first hand evidence of the risks members of the Parachute Regiment are facing while on patrol with the Pathfinder unit. A "Jackal" fighting vehicle crunches its way through dried out poppy fields in Northern Helmand. The harvest is finished and the money from opium crops is being distributed - traditionally in June it heralds the start of intense fighting with the Taliban and this year is proving to be no different. The... Sky News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032342/posts#comment Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:09:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028033/posts Three British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, bringing the number of dead to 100. The three soldiers from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment were on a routine foot patrol in the Upper Sangin Valley in Helmand Province on Sunday when a suicide bomber struck. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Four soldiers were injured in the attack and were evacuated to the medical facility at Camp Bastion. "Sadly, one soldier was pronounced dead on arrival and despite the best efforts of the medical team, two of the soldiers died as a result of their wounds. "A fourth soldier is... ITN News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028033/posts#comment Sun, 8 Jun 2008 21:45:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2011201/posts WASHINGTON, May 4, 2008 – Coalition forces killed an undetermined number of militants and detained 29 in Afghanistan's Helmand and Khowst provinces over the past two days. In Helmand province, coalition forces were conducing searches of several compounds in the Reg District yesterday when militants engaged them with small-arms fire. Coalition forces returned fire, killing an undetermined number of attackers and later detaining 22 militants accused of conducting anti-government operations. The soldiers also found several AK-47 rifles, ammunition vests, ammunition, mines, artillery shells, bomb-making materials and grenades. They were destroyed or removed. In Khowst, Afghan and coalition forces killed several... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2011201/posts#comment Sun, 4 May 2008 23:05:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010697/posts British soldier has been killed and three others injured in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. Their vehicle hit a mine while on a routine patrol in Helmand province in the south of the country. The four soldiers were from the Household Cavalry Regiment. The next of kin have been informed. The death brings the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 95. bbc news online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010697/posts#comment Sat, 3 May 2008 15:02:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004892/posts A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The soldier, from the Queens Royal Lancers Regiment, died after a suspected minestrike on his vehicle on Monday morning. It takes the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 94. A second soldier hurt in the blast is being treated in field hospital. The MoD said the dead soldier's next of kin had been informed. The soldier was providing security to a supply convoy travelling from the town of Gareshk in Helmand province. The vehicles were returning to the... bbc news online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004892/posts#comment Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:08:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993481/posts via translation - Afghanistan: explosion at a power station, likely victims KANDAHAR (Afghanistan) - An explosion in a small hydroelectric plant in the south of Afghanistan Saturday may have caused several deaths and injuries, announced an administrative officer. The cause of the explosion had not yet been identified Saturday morning in the central district of Gereshk, in the volatile province of Helmand, said the district chief Abdul Manaf. The latter did not exclude the possibility of an attack. "Many people may have been killed and injured. Four people injured were evacuated from the building to the hospital," he told AFP.... AFP via translation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993481/posts#comment Sat, 29 Mar 2008 05:26:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986940/posts A suicide bomber has attacked a Nato military convoy in southern Afghanistan, killing three Nato soldiers, two of them Danish. Police say a number of Afghan civilians were injured when the bomb went off near the convoy in Helmand province. Earlier reports said some Afghan civilians had been killed in the blast in the district of Gereshk. There has been a sharp increase in violence in Afghanistan this year. Suicide bombs are increasingly common. On Sunday night a Canadian soldier was killed in an explosion in Kandahar province. More than 450 international troops have died in Afghanistan since the beginning... bbc news online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986940/posts#comment Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:40:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1985215/posts NT soldiers bound for frontline REBEKAH CAVANAGH14Mar08 TERRITORY soldiers are to become Australia's first frontline troops since the Vietnam war. A squad of Darwin-based Diggers are being deployed to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban.The 15 artillerymen from 8/12 Medium Regiment at Robertson Barracks will fight alongside British troops.The gunners will be based in the dangerous southern province of Helmand -- the same area where Prince Harry was serving before being sent home last month after his top-secret deployment was revealed by an Australian magazine.It will be the first time Australians have manned a gun line on operations since Vietnam... Northern Territory News (Australia) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1985215/posts#comment Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:04:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1984933/posts 41 Taliban killed in south Afghanistan By AMIR SHAH, Associated Press Writer 15 minutes ago Afghan and international forces killed 41 Taliban militants in a battle in southern Afghanistan, and a suicide car bomb attack on a convoy of U.S. troops left six Afghan civilians dead in Kabul, U.S. and Afghan officials said Thursday. None of the four American troops traveling in the two armored vehicles of the convoy was badly wounded in the Thursday attack, said Lt. Col. David Johnson, a spokesman for U.S. forces. The troops were traveling in one SUV and one truck, he said. Six Afghan... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1984933/posts#comment Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:19:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1977331/posts Royal Marines from 40 Commando have destroyed a drugs factory in the Upper Sangin Valley along with 1.5 tonnes of morphine base - the precursor of heroin. The Commandos from Bravo Company discovered compounds in Sapwan Kala that contained a major drugs lab. They also uncovered evidence - some in English - of bank accounts, along with a weapons cache and identity cards. Part of Operation GHARTSE DAGGER, Bravo Company's 4 Troop began clearing through compounds in the north of Sapwan Kala at first light, talking to villagers as they went, hoping to find evidence of the heroin trade. Second... uk MoD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1977331/posts#comment Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:45:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1973577/posts A British marine has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. The marine, who served with 40 Commando Royal Marines, was pronounced dead at the scene, an MoD spokesperson said. The blast took place north of the town of Sangin in Helmand province where the marine's battle group was on patrol. Another marine was injured but was described by the MoD as "walking wounded". Next of kin of all personnel have been informed. The marines were taking part in a patrol to disrupt the activities of the Taleban. The death takes the number... bbc online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1973577/posts#comment Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:23:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1972419/posts It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that a soldier from the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment was killed in southern Afghanistan yesterday, Sunday 17 February 2008. One other soldier was also injured in the incident but his injuries are not life threatening. Just before 2100 hrs local time soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, as part of their Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) role, were taking part in a foot patrol with 40 Commando Royal Marines near Kajaki, Helmand Province, when they were caught in an explosion. Medical treatment was administered... uk MoD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1972419/posts#comment Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:19:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1968687/posts Royal Marines have provided enough security in parts of Helmand to enable outreach patrols to bring much needed health care and reconstruction to local communities. The Royal Marines of Charlie Company 40 Commando, supported by RECCE Troop 40 Commando and elements of the Afghan National Army, have been engaging Taliban positions near Kajaki in Northern Helmand as part of Operation GHARTSE SPIKE. They have patrolled the area aggressively, disrupting the insurgents at a time when a spring offensive is usually expected and denying them any freedom of movement. The Royal Marines are trained in cold weather warfare and are able... uk MoD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1968687/posts#comment Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:44:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1959841/posts January 25, 2008 The British have made matters worse, says Afghan President David Charter in Davos, Anthony Loyd in Helmand and Richard Beeston Britain and Afghanistan fell out in spectacular fashion yesterday after President Karzai accused his British allies of bungling the military operation in Helmand and setting back prospects for the area by 18 months. Mr Karzai, Britain’s key ally in Afghanistan, had little praise for the efforts of the 7,800 British troops deployed in his country. Most are in the restless southern Helmand province, where Britain has invested billions of pounds in trying to defeat the Taleban, bolster... Times of London http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1959841/posts#comment Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:35:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1959579/posts Downing Street has hit back at claims by Afghan President Hamid Karzai that the arrival of British troops made security in his country worse. The Times reported that Mr Karzai blamed inadequate troop numbers in the southern Helmand Province for helping the Taleban regain its control. A Downing Street spokesman said he "wouldn't accept" UK presence had helped insurgents to take hold. He said UK troops had "suffered losses" to aid Afghanistan's development. The Times said Mr Karzai, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, told a group of journalists that "there was one part of the country... bbc news online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1959579/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:26:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1957085/posts A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. Five other soldiers were wounded in the blast, which happened on Sunday. The soldier was a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attached to the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. Next of kin have been told. He was killed and the others injured when their vehicle was hit by a mine 3km (1.8 miles) north east of Musa Qala, the MoD statement said. The soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. A 24-hour period of grace has been requested by his... bbc news online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1957085/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:58:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936885/posts Excerpt - KABUL, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Afghan and NATO-led forces have captured two senior Taliban commanders during their offensive to retake the insurgents' most important stronghold in Afghanistan, the Afghan Defence Ministry said on Sunday. Musa Qala, in the southern province of Helmand, has a symbolic significance for both sides in the conflict in Afghanistan as the only sizeable Afghan town controlled by the Taliban. U.S. and British forces opened the operation on Friday, in the words of a British spokesman "kicking the door in to Musa Qala", to be followed up by an assault by Afghan forces. The... Reuters (excerpt) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936885/posts#comment Sun, 9 Dec 2007 09:18:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936880/posts via translation - The British Minister of Defense in Afghanistan, fighting in Musa Qala KABUL - The British Minister of Defense Des Browne arrived in Afghanistan where he met with his counterpart at the situation in the country, scene of an offensive by NATO and the Afghan army against the Taliban in the south, it was learned Sunday from diplomatic source. Arriving Saturday, he Browne met Sunday with his counterpart Abdul Rahim Wardak before traveling in the city of Herat (west), said the British embassy in Kabul. On the first day of his visit, the minister also met with British... AFP via translation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936880/posts#comment Sun, 9 Dec 2007 08:38:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936550/posts Excerpt - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The Afghan National Army, supported by international coalition forces, launched an operation Friday to recapture Musa Qaleh, a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Wing Cmdr. Antony McCord, a NATO spokesperson, said coalition forces, including British, Danish and Estonian troops, were taken by helicopter to the edge of the town. “This operation will continue for the next few days,” he told journalists at Kandahar Airfield. Afghan and NATO troops surrounded the town and launched air strikes to dislodge Taliban rebels who had been in control for 10 months, the Afghan Defence Ministry said.... Montreal Gazette (excerpt) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936550/posts#comment Sat, 8 Dec 2007 08:25:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1935055/posts It is with much sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that a soldier serving with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF), 5 Regiment Royal Artillery has been killed in an explosion today, Tuesday 4 December 2007, in southern Afghanistan. MOD. Opens in a new window. Two other soldiers were also injured as a result of the blast. Just after 1300 local time, the soldiers were conducting a tactical patrol to the north of Sangin, Helmand Province, when the vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion. Medical treatment was provided prior to all three soldiers being evacuated... uk mod http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1935055/posts#comment Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:21:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1917434/posts KABUL, Afghanistan - U.S.-led coalition forces killed about 80 Taliban fighters during a six-hour battle outside a Taliban-controlled town in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, the latest in a series of increasingly bloody engagements in the region, officials said. Also Saturday, suicide bomber wearing an Afghan security uniform detonated his explosives at the entrance to a combined U.S.-Afghan base in the east of the country, killing four Afghan soldiers and a civilian, officials said. The battle near Musa Qala in Helmand province — the world's largest poppy growing region — is at least the fifth major fight in the area since... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1917434/posts#comment Sun, 28 Oct 2007 02:59:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1902507/posts The US-led coalition force in Afghanistan says that more than 160 Taleban fighters have been killed in two days of fighting in the south. They say that more than 100 insurgents were killed in Helmand province, and at least 65 in neighbouring Uruzgan. One coalition soldier died, US forces said. The Taleban denied the figures, which could not be independently verified. Villagers said there had been a large number of civilian deaths from aerial bombardments in both provinces. The latest violence comes as Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in New York to address the UN General Assembly. He has been... BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1902507/posts#comment Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:38:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1885255/posts Musa Qala, Helmand, is unusually peaceful. Farmers in this opium-rich region are busy preparing for autumn planting.Nor do residents live in fear that the Taleban are coming – they are already here. Said Mohammad Aref, “They collect food from every house, and drive around in their trucks.The Taleban took over in February after a truce collapsed. "We have no plans to recapture Musa Qala," said Ghulam Mahayuddin Ghuri, commander-in-chief of the Third Corps of the Afghan Army.The Taleban established their own regime, complete with district governor, police chief and Sharia courts.Said a Taleban commander. “Everyone gives zakat [Muslim tithe] to... Institute for War & Peace Reporting http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1885255/posts#comment Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:58:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1873446/posts ISAF says Qari Faiz Mohammad, a top Taliban commander with close links to supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, died in a fierce clash with ANA and ISAF troops last week. Details of the raid were not released but one ISAF soldier died in southern Afghanistan that same day.There has been no official announcement of Qari Faiz Mohammad’s death from Taliban sources. Qari Faiz Mohammad was one of Afghanistan’s ‘Most Wanted’ Taliban leaders. He acted as Chairman of the Taliban military council and allegedly financed many Taliban operations launched in Helmand province, according to the BBC. The suspected death of Qari... afgha.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1873446/posts#comment Sun, 29 Jul 2007 23:56:16 GMT