terrorism

Green Beret From 19th Special Forces Group Killed in Afghanistan

One American Special Forces soldier was killed and 11 others wounded during a battle with Islamic State fighters in eastern Afghanistan according to US military sources.

SSG Aaron Butler was killed and his teammates injured as he was clearing a building when a booby trap exploded, killing him and injuring several of his teammates according to Utah Governor Gary Hebert.

Butler was assigned to the 1^st Bn, 19^th SFG(A), a Utah National Guard unit but was a full-time soldier and was the honor graduate of his Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2016.

The military said in a statement that several Afghan forces were also wounded in the fighting on Wednesday in the Achin district of the Nangarhar province, a militant stronghold. It did not specify how many forces were wounded.
And in three southern provinces, Taliban attacks on Wednesday killed a total of three civilians and 15 Afghan policemen, Afghan officials said Thursday.
The Utah National Guard said the American soldier who died was one of its members and that 11 other National Guardsmen were among the wounded. The names were withheld pending notification of family members.

Butler was a former high school champion wrestler and had stated back then, that his desire was to someday become a Special Forces operator. His friends and family described him as a “force of nature” and a “leader, not a sit in the back kind of guy.”

Funeral services are pending but tentatively scheduled for next Saturday, Aug. 26.

To read the entire article from SF Chronicle, click here:

Photo courtesy DOD, Butler Family

Maduro Calls For Military Exercises After Trump’s Threat of Intervention

Despite insisting that he wants to meet with President Donald Trump and hold talks with him, Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro called for the military to hold exercises to counter the threat of armed intervention by the United States.

Trump’s proclamation that the country is going to “collapse into dictatorship”, has Maduro trying to rally support for a Yankee “imperialist invasion.” Vice President Mike Pence was in Caracas trying to allay fears and do damage control, promising a peaceful solution to Venezuela’s collapse.

The unpopular Maduro, struggling with a disintegrating economy at home and increasing diplomatic isolation abroad, has used Trump’s comments on Friday to reaffirm long-standing accusations that Washington is preparing a military attack.
“Everyone has to join the defense plan, millions of men and women, let’s see how the American imperialists like it,” Maduro told supporters, urging them to join the two-day operation on Aug 26 and 27 involving both soldiers and civilians.
Thousands of government supporters rallied in Caracas where they denounced Trump’s suggestion of a “military option” to resolve Venezuela’s crisis.

Trying to deflect the nation’s problems off of a series of disastrous socialist policies, Maduro played the Yankee card, trying to blame Trump and the US for the economic collapse of the Venezuelan economy. Once the richest nation in Latin America, now it is one of the poorest with thousands of people starving and fleeing for neighboring countries.

Two days ago Maduro appeared in front of a sign that read, “Fuera Trump de America Latina” which translates to “Trump go away from Latin America.”

To read the entire article from Reuters click here:

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Surveillance Detection, A Key To A Successful Protection Mission

(Today’s guest column from MSG (ret) Chuck Simpson, Green Beret and Certified Protection Specialist)

What is Surveillance Detection? The techniques employed by the Protection Team to deter, prevent or stop surveillance on the Principal or Detail Members. Who conducts surveillance?? Press/Paparazzi, Stalkers, Fans, Criminals, Terrorist and Corporate Intelligence Agencies, this is the short list.

What is surveillance? It is the systematic observation by covert or overt means of person or location by visual, photographic or technical means. We all know before we conduct an Operation of any type, regardless if it is Military, Police or even a Protection Detail, we conduct a Reconnaissance before any operation, which sometimes will require us to do Surveillance.

Any operational/attack plan requires a gathering of intelligence on any targets, to be effective. The individual / Team gathers this intelligence by using surveillance over a period of time, which is done before conducting an Operation. Intelligence that the Surveillance Team, might or will be collecting, Identify the Security Team/Detail, assess strength and weaknesses, identify who has weapons and what type, identify vehicles (Armor/Un-Armor) (Level of Armor), Assess the mode of Operation of the Security Teams, Identify capability of the Security Team and Identify routines and pattern set by the target.

The surveillance team conducts this by using Foot Surveillance, Vehicle Surveillance, Static Surveillance and/or Technical Surveillance. Now, what is Surveillance Detection? They are the techniques employed by the surveillance team to deter, prevent or stop surveillance on the Principal or Team. Techniques, you may be using will be consist of a Surveillance Detection Route (SDR), Static Site/Fixed Point Site, and /or Convoy Method. And why we use these techniques, will be to determine surveillance status, in order to protect the Principal and to learn more about their surveillance Techniques/determine who is conducting the surveillance.

They are five (5) steps while conducting Surveillance Detection,

Step 1: Observe, the ability to take specific notice, recognize, and accurately describe someone or something. It is a skill, it is not a natural ability, needs to be learned and have to be improved with practice.

Step 2: Recognize, you will be able to recognize surveillance, but using the technique of Time, Distance and Chane of Directions.

Step 3: Confirm, by multiple sightings, using time, and distance.

Step 4: Report, WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW (did the surveillance detection team notice them)

Date (including the day of the week). Time and Place surveillance detected

Number and descriptions (including dress) of the surveillance.

Make, model, color, identifying anomalies, and, if possible, the license number of any vehicles involved. Any equipment noted.

Step 5: Analyze. Once the security detail is finished for the day, the detail will meet with the other team members and discuss what each team member has seen during the detail.

Three major elements you will use to detect surveillance will be:

Time, what times did you detect surveillance
Distance, where did you detect them, in different locations
Change of Direction, how many turns did they take with you, through multi-turns.

The Protection Detail will use different security methods designed to aid in the detection of surveillance on an individual or premises. This involves two distinct methods related to surveillance detection support:

The Static method: The selection and use of static locations along a vehicle or foot SDR to detect surveillance operating against a Principal. These locations should provide a maximum range of observation, normally incorporated into the principal’s route. The principal and detail follow a prearranged route on a precise time schedule past static sites. The observer at the static site will signal the Protection Detail in a positive or negative manner along the route. A Static Site should only be used to enhance the security of the Principal and only if the environment permits. All Persons occupying a Static Site should be trained in Techniques of Surveillance Methods.

The Convoy method: A colleague follows a Principal and Protection Detail in a vehicle, and/or on foot to detect possible surveillance.

Weaknesses:

— Tied to the Principal.

— The team moves with the Principal/Detail.

— The team operates in the open.

DO NOT try to lose surveillance, because we want to:

— Identify the surveillance.
— Learn all we can about them.

Thank You, Stay Alert, Stay Safe!!
Charles “Chuck” Simpson, C.P.S
Protect Consultant Inc.
[email protected]

Hezbollah Dismisses US Sanctions, “US Will Not Damage the Resistance

Increased United States sanctions of the Iran proxy of Hezbollah does not worry the group at all. The leader of the Lebanon Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that the Trump administration’s sanctions cannot harm it.

Nasrallah spoke on television to mark the anniversary of the end of the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel said, “The American administration, with all available and possible means, will not be able to damage the strength of the resistance.”

Nasrallah said Lebanon was being subjected to intimidation and threats over Hezbollah – which is part of the Beirut government but classified as a terrorist group by Washington – and alleged that Lebanese officials had been told that Israel could launch a war.
European and American officials had warned them “during diplomatic meetings and international visits … if you don’t do this, Israel will launch a war on Lebanon, and if Hezbollah doesn’t do this, Israel will launch a war on Lebanon”, Nasrallah said. He did not spell out what had been asked of Lebanon or Hezbollah.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a well armed Shi’ite movement, have risen this year. Nasrallah has played down the prospect of a war while simultaneously warning Israel against a conflict.

Last month the United States Congress introduced legislation to increase sanctions on Hezbollah, who President Trump called “a menace”, by putting pressure on banks doing business with it, and restricting the ability to raise money and recruit.

Lebanese officials have worried that these sanctions will hurt their banking industry.

To read the entire article from Reuters click here:

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

French Police Arrest Suspected Driver of a Car that Slammed into 6 Soldiers

French police have arrested the suspected driver who injured six soldiers by ramming a vehicle into them as they left their barracks on Wednesday. The suspect was wounded in a brief gunfight with police in a Paris suburb and then was taken into custody after a brief standoff with authorities.

As the police were hunting for the vehicle, they spotted the suspect driving a BMW on a highway north of Paris. As they attempted to take him into custody, the arrest turned violent and shots were fired. French police believe that the suspect involved in the attack had a terror motive.

The condition of the suspect, who was not immediately identified, is unknown. Three of the six soldiers received serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The soldiers were part of the 35th infantry regiment in the suburb of Saint-Mande and were leaving their barracks just after 8 a.m. when the attack occurred. France’s Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told reporters the driver targeted the soldiers in a calculated car attack.
“We know it was a deliberate act,” Collomb said. Defense Minister Florence Parly called it a reminder that extra security measures imposed in recent years are “more necessary than ever.”
Nadia LeProhon, a witness, told The Associated Press she heard a loud crash outside her building and rushed outside to see two soldiers on the ground. Other soldiers ran after the speeding car, shouting “After him! Follow that car!”

The French soldiers were part of Opération Sentinelle, an anti-terrorism operation that was created after the 2015 Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris. The mission’s aim is to protect civilians in the capital. This marks the sixth time in the past three years that members of the unit have been targeted by terrorists.

To read the entire article from Fox News, click here:

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Filipino Army Kills Nine Terrorists as Fighting Continues in Marawi

The fighting continues to rage in the embattled Philippines city of Marawi as government military forces have killed nine fighters from groups that have joined the Islamic State. The Filipino army continued to push their offensive against these armed groups who are holed up in the once bustling college town on the island of Mindanao.

On Thursday morning, military spokeswoman Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay said in a statement that fighters linked from the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf engaged the Filipino military forces. The army then retaliated with airstrikes and artillery fire.

“Those enemies who died in the offensives include men of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon who are digging for a tunnel under a mosque trying to escape the battle zone or reach the lake,” Petinglay said.
Hapilon, who is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and has a $5m bounty, is suspected to have led the siege in Marawi which is now in its 12th week.
At least 122 soldiers have also been killed while 45 civilians have died in the fighting.
The remaining fighters, including several foreigners, have at least 100 civilian hostages. Four were recently rescued.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law on the entire island of Mindanao since the fighting began in May when the Maute Group attacked Marawi. The military had hoped that the fighting would be over in just weeks. However, progress has been slowed due to Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups taking hostages and using them as human shields.

To read the entire article from Al Jazeera, click here:

Photo courtesy Wikimedia

Guam Reacts to North Korea Missile Threat with Faith in the US

The North Koreans were rattling their saber again and upped the ante this time, threatening a ballistic missile strike on the U.S. territory of Guam. While some residents expressed concern, others said that their trust in the US military will keep them safe.

North Korea’s military said it is considering a missile launch aimed near the U.S. strategic military installations in Guam, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. And they’re reporting that they now have a nuclear capability.

The government of Kim Jong Un has liked to threaten and act like the unhinged dictator who will fire off a nuclear weapon at the drop of a hat. But in reality, much of what has been portrayed in the media is a well-acted façade. Every time Jong rattles his saber, he gets concessions, either political or economic from previous US administrations. Not so much this time with the administration of Donald Trump. He makes threats as serious as the Koreans do. So how do Guamanians feel?

“The threat is pretty scary,” said Graceful Fiden, 28, of Tumon, Guam. “It’s going on further, so we should worry about it.”
But, he said, “I believe in the military on Guam, together with the U.S.”
Yonhap reported that the North’s strategic force in charge of the country’s ballistic missiles issued a statement that it is seriously reviewing measures to send a strong message that it can neutralize the U.S. military bases in Guam that house nuclear bombers and other key assets, with its Hwasong-12 missiles.
In comments made Tuesday at the clubhouse of his golf course in Bedminster, N.J., President Trump warned North Korea that it “best not make any more threats to the United States.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “has been very threatening beyond a normal state, and as I said they will be met with fire and fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before,” Trump said.

To read the entire article from The USA Today click here:

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Turkey Revamps Top Military Officials and Now Will Attack Kurds in Syria

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has just reshuffled the top leadership in the military and has spoken of military action against Kurdish fighters in Syria that could set back the progress of the U.S.-led battle against Islamic State.

Kurdish militia are being armed and supplied by the US, and they are spearheading an assault against the Syrian stronghold Raqqa, which was the so-called caliphate of the Islamic State. But with the battle not yet over, this latest move by Erdogan complicates an already delicate US – Turkish alliance that has been tested recently.

The U.S. backing for the Kurdish YPG fighters in Syria has infuriated Turkey, which views them as the Kurdish PKK within their own borders as a terrorist organization. The Turks believe that the YPG, armed by the US as a security threat due to a decades-old insurgency with PKK inside Turkey.

There have been regular exchanges of rocket and artillery fire in recent weeks between Turkish forces and YPG fighters who control part of Syria’s northwestern border.
“We will not leave the separatist organization in peace in both Iraq and Syria,” Erdogan said in a speech on Saturday in the eastern town of Malatya, referring to the YPG in Syria and PKK bases in Iraq. “We know that if we do not drain the swamp, we cannot get rid of flies.”
The YPG denies Turkish allegations of links with Kurdish militants inside Turkey, saying it is only interested in self-rule in Syria and warning that any Turkish assault will draw its fighters away from the battle against Islamic State which they are waging in an alliance with local Arab forces.

Erdogan’s comments in a semi-swipe at US President Trump follow the appointment of three new leaders of Turkey’s army, air force and navy just a week ago – moves which may be aimed at preparing for any campaign against the YPG militia.

To read the entire article from Reuters, click here:

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

US Military Conduct Airstrikes on ISIS in Iraq, Syria

With air operations continuing during Operation Inherent Resolve, the United States and other coalition military air forces pounded the Islamic State of Syria Saturday, conducting 32 air strikes consisting of 39 engagements, US military officials reported. The coalition also hit ISIS in Iraq with four strikes consisting of nine engagements.

These strikes were conducted as part of the coalition’s operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group’s ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, officials said.

Strikes in Syria
In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS targets:
— Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed three ISIS wellheads, two oil storage tanks and a pumpjack.
— Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed eight ISIS wellheads, a excavator, a crane and a vehicle.
— Near Raqqa, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed 19 fighting positions, five ISIS-held buildings, three improvised explosive device factories, an ISIS communications tower and a unmanned aerial system launch site.
— Near Shadaddi, a strike destroyed three IED factories.
Strikes in Iraq
In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of nine engagements against ISIS targets:
— Near Qaim, a strike destroyed an ISIS vehicle.
— Near Rawah, a strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.
— Near Tal Afar, two strikes destroyed five ISIS tunnel entrances and a mortar system.
Aug. 4 Strikes
Additionally, 15 strikes consisting of 17 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Aug. 3 that closed within the last 24 hours.
— Near Raqqa, Syria, 11 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, a staging area and a tunnel.
— Near Shadaddi, Syria, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a command-and-control node.
— Near Mosul, Iraq, a strike illuminated an area.
— Near Rawah, Iraq, a strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.
— Near Tal Afar, Iraq, a strike destroyed three IEDs.

With the coalition air attacks, the plan is to keep the Islamic State on the run and not give them a moment’s respite. After large setbacks at Mosul in Iraq and outside Raqqa in Syria, the force has been weakened but has not been knocked out. These air attacks, targeting command and control and staging areas, keep the ISIS fighters from resupplying their troops easily as well as interfering with communications.

To read the entire article from The Department of Defense, click here:

Photo courtesy: DOD

Two Dead in Venezuela as the Army Quells a Coup

Violence in Venezuela has taken the lives of two people in an attack on a government military base in the city of Valencia. Venezuelan authorities loyal to President Nicholas Maduro claim that they have stymied the attack by armed civilians and other soldiers in the latest escalation of violence that has crippled the country.

Government forces released a video showing a dozen men in military uniform announcing an uprising to restore constitutional order. It coincided with the military’s predawn raid. President Maduro was condemned roundly for making a power grab after he created a pro-government legislative body on Friday.

The assault highlighted the growing volatility of the OPEC member state after four months of sustained anti-government protests in which some 120 people have been killed. The opposition has denounced Maduro for dragging Venezuela toward dictatorship and has appealed to the military for help. (tmsnrt.rs/2ujuylf)
In his weekly televised show, the unpopular socialist leader condemned the attackers as “mercenaries”. He said around 20 armed men had entered the Fort of Paramacay near Valencia, about two hours west of capital Caracas, before dawn, surprising guards and making straight for the weapons cache.
Two of the attackers were killed in a firefight with soldiers, Maduro said. Socialist party officials said eight others were arrested, including at least three from the military, while the remainder made off with weapons.
“Those who escaped are being actively searched for, and we are going to capture them,” Maduro said.

The once thriving economy of oil-rich Venezuela is now stagnant and the people are starving. Many have wondered if the military, which has a reputation for leading coups against the government would stand with Maduro or try to work with the people and replace him as the Socialists have clearly failed.

To read the entire article from Reuters, click here:

Photo courtesy Wikimedia