Boy that was quick...

Haqqani leader who supported Kabul attack killed in precision airstrike

ISAF Joint Command- Afghanistan 2011-06-S-104 For Immediate Release KABUL, Afghanistan (June 30, 2011) – The International Security Assistance force confirmed today a top Haqqani network leader suspected of providing material support to the Kabul suicide bomb attack June 28, was killed in a precision airstrike in Gardez district, Paktiya province, yesterday. Ismail Jan was the deputy to the senior Haqqani commander inside Afghanistan, Haji Mali Khan. Jan and several Haqqani fighters were killed in strike. The Haqqani network, in conjunction with Taliban operatives, was responsible for the Tuesday night attack on the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel which killed 12 people, including a provincial judge. Jan also served as an insurgent leader in the Khost-Gardez Pass area, along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border, and moved into Afghanistan from Pakistan in late 2010. During this time he led approximately 25 to 35 fighters in conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. In addition to the hotel attack, the Haqqani network is responsible for several high-profile attacks, including the assassination of a long standing governor, Taj Mohammad Wardak. Wardak was assassinated in a massive explosive-device attack as he left his compound in September 2008. The security force tracked his location after receiving several intelligence reports from Afghan government officials, Afghan citizens and disenfranchised insurgents. After planning to avoid civilian casualties and mitigate collateral damage, the precision airstrike was conducted, killing Jan and several other insurgents. Afghan-led security forces have captured or killed more than 80 Haqqani leaders and facilitators since January, primarily in the Paktika, Paktiya and Khost areas. Initial reports indicate no civilians were harmed in the airstrike.

Anyway you slice it, its pretty darn impressive.

The attack was carried out on Tuesday and they track down the guy responsible already?

But one thing troubles me (and I admit that I haven't been paying attention to the players in Afghanistan) is this Haqqani network.  They seem to be more of a factor everyday.  Additionally they appear to be a bigger threat than the Taliban.

Is this a 3 way civil war with 2 sides teaming up to fight the central government??

Rules of Engagement to change.

Via FoxNews.

A military source close to Gen. David Petraeus told Fox News that one of the first things the general will do when he takes over in Afghanistan is to modify the rules of engagement to make it easier for U.S. troops to engage in combat with the enemy, though a Petraeus spokesman pushed back on the claim. 
Troops on the ground and some military commanders have said the strict rules -- aimed at preventing civilian casualties -- have effectively forced the troops to fight with one hand tied behind their backs. 

The military source who has talked with Petraeus said the general will make those changes. Other sources were not so sure, but said they wouldn't be surprised to see that happen once Petraeus takes command.

I've been watching the other military blogs and none have even mentioned this story.  This is huge news!

There's a saying that everytime you get a new Commander, they want you painting rocks...something to signify a change...this is something substantial and long over due.  If its true then well done General.

Terrorist Attack on Central Command?

And now this press release from the US Air Force.

US State Dept receives S-61T's.

via ASDNews.com

Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced that the U.S. State Department has accepted the first two modernized S-61TM aircraft that will support missions for the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

Turkey fighting the PKK.

Got this from Military Photos.net.  We need to remember that when we pull out of Iraq, the Turks will have free reign to deal with the Kurds.  It won't be pretty when they do.  I can even see them annexing part of Iraq to stop the attacks.  Wouldn't that be ironic in light of current events? 

The vid supposedly is of AH-1W Cobra's making runs against PKK targets.  It isn't clear enough to get a definite id on the aircraft though.

Afghanistan. A civil war.

From Marine Corps Times.

In the make-or-break struggle for Kandahar, birthplace of Afghanistan’s Taliban insurgency, U.S. commanders will try to pull off the military equivalent of brain surgery: defeating the militants with minimal use of force.

Its a great read and I recommend you follow the link.  But this article gave rise in me to one unmistakable thought.

We are fighting in a civil war.