Thursday, July 02, 2009

7.02.09: US American soldier captured in Afghanistan

New tactic for the Taliban and al Qaeda?

Neither conflicts Insurgents have seen this as a need for their goals, the taking of POW's.

US military spokeswoman says insurgents have captured an American soldier in eastern Afghanistan.

Capt. Elizabeth Mathias said the soldier has been missing since Tuesday. She said she could not provide further information........


This coming just as,

Marines Kick Off Major Afghan Operation
About 4,000 Newly-Arrived Troops, Air Support, Flood Helmand Villages In Taliban Stronghold

Thousands of U.S. Marines and hundreds of Afghan troops poured into Taliban-infested villages of southern Afghanistan with armor and helicopters Thursday in the first major operation under President Obama's strategy to stabilize the country........


Here's a bit more about the missing soldier than the AP report above, that just hit a few minutes ago:

Taliban Seize U.S. Soldier in Afghanistan

A Taliban commander told CBS News' Sami Yousafzai Thursday that militants had captured one U.S. soldier and three Afghan nationals in Paktika province, near the Pakistani border.

A U.S. military spokesperson in Kabul confirms that one soldier has been missing in Afghanistan since June 30.

Cpt. Elizabeth Mathias told CBS News Thursday, "a U.S. serviceman has been missing in Afghanistan since 30th June, it's believed the service person is being held by insurgents."

SNIP

He said the captives' fate would be decided by Taliban leaders, but that the Islamic extremist group "would not mind an exchange of prisoners in this case."........


Afghan Operation


James L. Jones

No more U.S. troops to Afghanistan this year

After hearing a "drumbeat" for more troops, White House National Security Adviser James L. Jones has told U.S. commanders in Afghanistan that they won't get any more troops this year beyond what President Barack Obama already has promised.

Just back from a trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, Jones told McClatchy in an exclusive interview Wednesday that he'd told commanders on the ground that the time for debate was over three months ago and that it's time to implement the new three-step plan with the troops already committed, plus a renewed emphasis on economic development and the rule of law............


According to CNN

On a news report a few minutes ago, the U.S. thinks the soldier is being held by a Well Known Warlord that works both sides of the border, apparently he's worked with the U.S. previously.

But not much more than that, only that troops are trying to make sure he isn't transported into Pakistan!

MSNBC More on the MIA Soldier and Afghan Ops

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