Dear Mr. Rense:

In light of the Guerilla Warfare in Iraq, there has been hardly any news from Afghanistan. I was able to confirm the following news stories about US, Italian and German losses from May 30 2003 to June 30, 2003.

From May 30 2003 to June 30, 2003, 34 American soldiers have been killed in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan. In addition, 8 Italian soldiers and one German were also killed.

Sincerely,

Mohammed Daud Miraki, MA, MA, PhD

Director

Afghan DU & Recovery Fund

34 American, 8 Italian And One German Killed, And One

US Helicopter Shot Down in Afghanistan

6-30-3

Italien Soldiers Killed

MEERANSHAH (AZZAM) -- Italian soldiers were killed and many others injured when Mujahideen forces attacked them. In Paktika at 21.00 local time on Saturday, a Mujahideen unit attacked an Italian vehicle with several rockets. 18 Italian soldiers were on-board, and as soon as the rockets hit the vehicle it exploded into a ball of fire. The Italian military claim that only three soldiers were killed with five others wounded (one of whom died on the way to Bagram medical centre), however independent sources suspect the fatality figure to be between eight and ten.

Another operation was mounted in Gardez, where here a guard duty team was ambushed due killing three US marines and critically injuring one more. The US military vehicle was also destroyed in this attack.

It is suspected that the Mujahideen also sustained losses, however no details are available at present.

Khost Airport Attacked

KHOST (AZZAM): A remotely controlled rocket attack was launched at Khost's older airport by the Mujahideen. This occurred at 01.30 on Saturday, and as the rockets hit the inner sections of the military camp heavy casualties are expected.

Coalition Forces Raid Religuos Leader's Home

KHOST (AZZAM): Coalition forces fired rockets at the home of Maulvi Jalaluddin in Khost and in Israeli-style evacuation,grazed the house to the ground using bombs and rockets. One local guard was arrested and moved to Bagram.

Later, in house to house searches, Coalition forces found 40 anti-tank landmines.

Perhaps in retaliation, the Mujahideen attacked a nearby Coalition checkpost later that night. The Mujahideen used automatic weapons and the fire-fight lasted 90 minutes leaving the Coalition checkpost ablaze. Coalition casualties are being kept secret.

US Vehicle Rolls Over As Chases Mujahideen

PAKTIKA (AZZAM): In an embarrassing incident, a US military vehicle rolled over as it was attempting to capture a small Mujahideen unit. One US marine was killed in the accident.

Explosive Cinema

HELMAND (AZZAM): A bomb was detonated in a cinema in Helmand killing three Afghan soldiers loyal to Hamid Karzai who were on duty there. No one has so far accepted responsibilty for the attack.

Coalition Forces in Shakeen Attacked

PAKTIA (AZZAM): A 10-man Mujahideen unit armed with rockets and grenades attacked Coalition forces in the Shakeen region of Paktia. However, no casualties on either side have been reported.

June 28, 2003

ASADABAD (AZZAM): Islam online reported that the Mujahideen attacked US troops in Asadabad region of monday and killed two on the spot. In an attack in Beermal two Afghan troops were killed and four others sustained life threatening injuries.

June 26, 2003

Eight Coalition Soldiers Killed:

MEERHANSHAH (AZZAM): Eight Coalition soldiers were killed and several others injured as their military vehicle hit a landmine. The soldiers were in a convoy on the Gardez-Kabul highway, travelling from eastern Afghanistan, when the landmine detonated. All eight soldiers on board were killed, whilst several other nearby soldiers were wounded, some critically. The jeep had been turned to rubble.

June 18, 2003

BAGRAM (AZZAM): Mujahideen units fired six rockets over US bases in Uruzgan, Asadabad and Urgun pre-dawn Sunday. US military spokesman Col. Roodney Davis at a press conference in Bagram acknowledged the attack, but claimed that no casualties were sustained. He added that Afghan militia are carrying out intelligence gathering to ascertain the location of the attackers.

June 17, 2003

One US soldiers killed:

MEERANSHAH: In a series of rocket attacks on Khost's older airport, one US soldier was killed and many others severely injured.

Mujahideen has issued a warning to the Afghan government to expected a barrage of martyrdom operations, and given an ultimatum for Afghanis to leave Karzai government within ten days or to expect dire consequences. Consequently, 25 Afghan families have migrated to Pakistan.

Four remote controlled missiles hit the US base in Gardez. So far no details of casualties have been received.

June 16, 2003

NORTHERN WAZIRISTAN: Two US marines were killed while one sustained life threatening injuries as a result of 'friendly fire' in Afghan province of Paktika. Details revealed by US sources state that US marines were on their regular guard duty patrol when exchange of harsh words occurred between four troops on board a jeep. One of the US marine suddenly opened fired over all his companions in the jeep. As a result two US troops were killed on the spot. The driver was not able to control the jeep due to sudden firing and thus the jeep fell into a ditch. The driver and the attacking US troop also sustained life threatening injuries. On this occasion the US troops in the following vehicles thought that there was some enemy attack and opened blind firing in every direction. Later on it was revealed that the incident was a result of friendly fire. US transport helicopters shifted the dead and injured to Bagram airbase. Investigations of the incident have been ordered by US central command.

US Base in Kunar Attacked

KUNAR (AZZAM): Mujahideen attacked a US military base in southern Afghan province of Kunar. Mujahideen fired three rockets all hitting their targets. US sources denied any casualties in this attack. The US military spokesman said that with the rise of temperature in Afghanistan, there has been a significant increase in attacks over coalition forces in the region including numerous missile and rocket attacks and face to face exchange of firing.

June 12, 2003

Six American Soldiers killed

KABUL (AZZAM): In direct contrast to claims by the newly knighted Sir Hamid Karzai that his forces were in full control of Afghanistan, Mujahideen units mounted a series of deadly operations across Afghanistan against Coalition forces killing at least 10 and wounding dozens more.

One such attack occurred in the district of Zeerok in Khost in which a Mujahideen unit fired rocket launchers at a US Special forces vehicle killing six American soldiers. These US Special forces had been posted in the region recently to assist Italian troops against the Mujahideen.

Mujahideen Attack US Checkpost, US Refuses To Admit Casualties

PAKTIKA (AZZAM): Mujahideen forces mounted a sophisticated attack on a US checkpost in the district of Shikeen in Paktika, by surrounding the Coalition soldiers from three sides. Mujahideen forces unleashed a barrage of rocket launchers, heavy machine gun fire and hand grenades on the Coalition soldiers.

It is strongly suspected that a significant number of American soldiers were killed in this attack, however, in-keeping with US disregard for the freedom of the press, no figures on American casualites have been released. However, it has been confirmed that four Afghan militia (on the American pay-roll) who were positioned at the front of the checkpost were killed in the operation.

Even though the US refused to admit to its casualties, it was more than keen to point out (via a military spokesman at Bagram) that the US troops had repulsed a major offensive at the Shikeen checkpost killing four Mujahideen soldiers in the process. This has not yet been confirmed by the Mujahideen.

June 07, 2003

KANDAHAR (AZZAM): Attacks by Mujahideen units in various Afghan regions left 56 US and Afghan troops dead. Afghan authorities claim to have martyred eight Mujahideen including a commander. Mujahideen ambushed a coalition military convoy in Lowee Karez region of Kandahar province due to which three military vehicles were destroyed and 25 US and Afghan troops were killed. One Mujahid also embraced martyrdom in this battle.

Mujahideen also attacked a joint compound of police and military in Kandahar. Corps commander Kandahar Khan Muhammad while speaking to AFP said that Taliban commander Mulla Muhammad Rasool Akhwand along with six other Mujahdieen were martyred in this attack. Four other injured Mujahideen were arrested while one Afghan militia troop was also killed. Sources reported that battle still continues in the region.

In an interior region of Paktia province, Mujahideen attacked a coalition military convoy. The convoy was en-route to carry out an operation against Bacha Khan. Two vehicles were destroyed in this attack and seven US marines were killed on the spot.

Mujahideen launched a deadly attack over US military convoy in Paktika at about 1pm on Wednesday afternoon. Three US military vehicles were destroyed in this attack and 18 US marines were killed. The attack lasted for four consecutive hours.

In border region of Irghisan, opponents attacked an Afghan check-post on Wednesday night. District commissioner's son was killed in this encounter. Reinforcements were called and 15 personnel with heavy ammunition reserves were arrested during the house by house search.

The coalition forces claimed to have arrested 21 Taliban suspects in an operation in mountainous terrain of Shahi Kot region of Paktia. The operation code named Dragon Fury was carried out by 500 ground troops and 20 warplanes and gunships. More than 50 check-posts have been setup in Khost region adjacent to Pakistan borders. Afghan troops were sent in from federal government to take control of these check-posts. The purpose of these check-posts was to prevent entry of foreigners in Afghanistan.

June 05, 2003

KABUL (AZZAM): A US helicopter has been shot down in the Paktia. Reports have been received that there were no survivors, however, this has not yet been confirmed.

June 06, 2003

More Details on US Helicopter Shot Down in Paktia

PAKTIA (AZZAM): It appears that the AH-64 US helicopter was shot down near Urgun region in Paktia on Tuesday while assisting the ground troops on an operation. US sources denied that it was shot down due to enemy fire, but stated that investigations into the crash are in progress. The US sources also refused to disclose the nature of the operation in which this gunship was involved. Both the pilots are still reported missing in action. Mujahideen sources, however, confirmed that the helicopter was shot down by them and that both the pilots were killed in the crash.

May 31, 2003

One German Soldier Dead:

KABUL (AZZAM & NNI News Agency): An ISAF vehicle has been destroyed in a landmine explosion in Kabul. One German trooper was killed on the spot whilst another sustained life threatening injuries. This attack brings the total number of Germans killed in Afghanistan to 11.

Mujahideen have attacked a US military base in Gardez. Three rockets were fired at the base but details of casualties remain undisclosed. US forces have also come under attack in Greeshak, but again casualty figures remain unknown, however a US spokesman added that two Taliban troops had been killed.

May 30, 2003

Four US Marines Killed:

MEERANSHAH (AZZAM): Mujahideen fighters detonated a remote control mine as a US patrol approached the Param Bagh region, destroying a US military vehicle and killing four US marines. The attack occurred in the Pak-Afghan border area east of Khost airport as the vehicles were heading to Dubgee camp. The whole region shook from the intensity of the explosion. US warplanes carried out an aerial search immediately after the operation, but Mujahideen troops managed a safe exit. The US military spokesman at Bagram verified the attack on Wednesday. He did acknowledge that the Mujahideen had used a high-tech remotely controlled explosive device for the ambush. He did not, however, mention any casualty figures which is a regular feature during these press briefings in front of international media.