ISAF outpost attacked by demonstrators

[Jaeger07]

The camp housing the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Meyhmaneh, Afghanistan was attacked this morning by an angry mob of 200-300 people. The mob hurled stones at the camp, injuring atleast two norwegian soldiers. The soldiers responded with tear-gas and force in self-defence. One demonstrator is reported dead.

A Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), is a small unit with both military (ISAF) and civilian elements. Its purpose is to gather information about the local communities in Afghanistan, inform the public and reconstruct the country. The PRT in Meyhmaneh has a force of about 100 soldiers, 33 of wich are Norwegian and the rest Finnish and Latvian.

It is speculated that the attack was caused by the recent "Cartoon controversy".



Sources: http://www.mil.no/start/article.jhtml?articleID=116441

[Resurrection]

Hope the two soldiers recover soon, nice job.

[joshfox0]

Dag nabbit stupid protesters. hope the soldiers get well soon also i hope that the death wasn't the norweigen soldiers fautlt hat'll just sitr up even more **** (then again it will be blamed on them even if it wasnt eh :()

[Andreas]

UPDATE FROM MIL.NO:

- 5 Norwegian soliders now reported injured.
- ISAF QRF has arrived with 4 helos with Infantery and 1 medivac helo.
- F16`s has fired warning shots at the crowd
- ANA has fired live rounds at the crowd.


I hope the Norwegians keep their cool, but this kind of thing is what they have trained for. Maybe not a demonstration this armed and hostile but still its within their training to deal with this sort of demonstration.

The problem when the dust settles is how much ANA has done. They are nown for not beeing the most professional blokes you can find.
Mentioning things like trigger happy, no safety on ak, finger on trigger, maybe high on various subtances...

There has already been casualties among the protestors, most likely from ANA gunfire, but the blaim will fall on ISAF and Norway when this day is over. Witch is a damn shame, because Norwegian troops abroad do a damn fine job, and act extremely professional and respectfull towards the locals when performing their mission.

My thoughts go out to the men on the ground, the injured and their familys. Also to those of you who have served in A-Stan and abroad who might have a lot of "tankegods" today...

Andreas

[ABNINF]

Yeah, there's been a bunch of demonstrations all over the country, both yesterday and today.

[NewsMan]

The **** part of this story is that the toons in question were published in September. Kinda orchestrated, huh?

[Nordmannen]

Two American A-10's and two Norwegian F-16's have also showed up to give support.

[Chris]

UPDATE FROM MIL.NO:

- 5 Norwegian soliders now reported injured.
- ISAF QRF has arrived with 4 helos with Infantery and 1 medivac helo.
- F16`s has fired warning shots at the crowd
- ANA has fired live rounds at the crowd.


I hope the Norwegians keep their cool, but this kind of thing is what they have trained for. Maybe not a demonstration this armed and hostile but still its within their training to deal with this sort of demonstration.

The problem when the dust settles is how much ANA has done. They are nown for not beeing the most professional blokes you can find.
Mentioning things like trigger happy, no safety on ak, finger on trigger, maybe high on various subtances...

There has already been casualties among the protestors, most likely from ANA gunfire, but the blaim will fall on ISAF and Norway when this day is over. Witch is a damn shame, because Norwegian troops abroad do a damn fine job, and act extremely professional and respectfull towards the locals when performing their mission.

My thoughts go out to the men on the ground, the injured and their familys. Also to those of you who have served in A-Stan and abroad who might have a lot of "tankegods" today...

Andreas

F16s fired warning shots? I cant belive that, is it really possible?

[Andeh]

They should shoot them, bury them and deny everything that happened....

..or maybe not

- Hope everyone turn out ok

[Andeh]

Two American A-10's and two Norwegian F-16's have also showed up to give support.

Believed it was Dutch F-16?

[Nordmannen]

Sorry, double post

[Nordmannen]

F16s fired warning shots? I cant belive that, is it really possible?

Why not?
There have been some reports of it.


Believed it was Dutch F-16?

They never mentioned the nationality of the F-16's, So I figured they were Norwegian. May be wrong though.

[phasio]

there are 5 or 6 swedish soldiers there as well.

[sp2c]

are there still Norwegian F16's??

I figure they were either Dutch or Belgian?

[Resurrection]

there are 5 or 6 swedish soldiers there as well.

What are they doing there?

[sp2c]

on a similar note



NIEUWS
07-02-2006 13:36
DEMONSTRATIONS AFGHANISTAN

At the Dutch Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Northern Afghanistan there has been a demonstration. The demonstration was directed against the Danish cartoons. About 300 men assembled at the gate of the PRT in the town Pol-e-Khomri.

The demonstration started peacefull, but when emotions heated up the atmosphere became tensed. When demonstrators started throwing rocks it was decided to dispurse the group. Local police and Afghan army units then removed the demonstrators. During the demonstration one Dutch soldier was hit by a stone and slightly injured. At the moment it's calm in Baghlan. Nevertheless due to this unrest the security has been intensified

http://www.mindef.nl/actueel/nieuws/2006/02/20060207_demonstraties.aspx

[joshfox0]

British soldiers being sent there apparently. Hope this situation calms the hell down!

[Jaeger07]

Norwegian army officials state that some of the mob has occupied one of the adjacent buildings to the camp. Granades have been thrown from those positions, as well as some automatic fire.

British QRF-teams are en route to aid.


The camp's force consisted of 33 norwegian soldiers, 1 Norwegian police officer, 16 Finnish soldiers and 3 Latvian servicemen. The area has been a relatively peacefull part of A-stan up till today.

[sp2c]

F16s fired warning shots? I cant belive that, is it really possible?

why would't it be possible?

just use the gun and fire off some rounds over the demonstrators
http://www.waffenhq.de/flugzeuge/m61-vulcan_06.JPG
would make me crap my pants

[Kekkonen]

Read an update on mil.fi about the situation. According to them no Finns have been injured, and among the Finns are also highly qualified medical personel from an field hospital (luckily for the Norwegians that got injured). They also wrote;


The demonstrators have also used smallarms fire, handgrenades and Molotov cocktails against the outpost. Among the local demonstrators there is a core of about 30 people that have armed themself.

They sure know how to demonstrate in Afghanistan.

[Resurrection]

Mil.se has just released an update.

http://www.mil.se/index.php?lang=S&c=news&id=31157

So it's confirmed that they are Norwegian F-16s, and the Swedes are observers from the MOT in the area.

ISAF reinforcements arrived at 12.30 Swedish time with a MEDEVAC helicopter and medical personnel. The reinforcement also includes Swedish soldiers and medics.

There are about 150 demonstrators left, and they have currently barricaded themselves inside buildings near the camp.

[joshfox0]

I'd not call that a riot i'd call that an attempt to murder.

[twominds]

to the best of my knowledge there are no norwegian f16's in country yet.. they are still in the preparation phase for bringing those over.. so the dutch nationality, which is the official word here in norway, is more likely.. hope the injuries are minor and that they and their families are taken well care of.. handgranades and small arms fire does not constitute a demonstration, but an attack.. the difference is calling it that would further insite things..

Just like to add that they also committed two a-10's under OEF deployment, just proving that the distinction between the two is an artificial one that only exists in the mind of politicians and not on the ground with the soldiers or the locals...

[Chris]

why would't it be possible?

just use the gun and fire off some rounds over the demonstrators
http://www.waffenhq.de/flugzeuge/m61-vulcan_06.JPG
would make me crap my pants


I never had the chance to see jets doing live fire exercises, so I barely can imagine how an f16 would fire off rounds in a safe distance but still let them crap their pants. Are the cannons that loud in a couple of hundret meters?

[sp2c]

Mil.se has just released an update.

http://www.mil.se/index.php?lang=S&c=news&id=31157

So it's confirmed that they are Norwegian F-16s, and the Swedes are observers from the MOT in the area.

ISAF reinforcements arrived at 12.30 Swedish time with a MEDEVAC helicopter and medical personnel. The reinforcement also includes Swedish soldiers and medics.

There are about 150 demonstrators left, and they have currently barricaded themselves inside buildings near the camp.
thanks, I didn't know there were any Norwegian F16's left, does it say where they are based?

I hear there's going to be 4 extra birds going over on the 8th of Februari?

[sp2c]

I never had the chance to see jets doing live fire exercises, so I barely can imagine how an f16 would fire off rounds in a safe distance but still let them crap their pants. Are the cannons that loud in a couple of hundret meters?

depends on the altitude, angle of attack atc. ... but you'd know they were firing though ;)

[twominds]

they will be based on KAIA.. but still unsure if there are any there yet..

[sp2c]

both Belgian and Dutch defence ministry's don't have the news yet though

[solidarnosc]

both Belgian and Dutch defence ministry's don't have the news yet though

Belgian F16's are all back in Belgium.

http://www.mil.be/perscom/index.asp?LAN=nl&id=975

[Full_Metal_Jacket]

According to the Norwegian newsagencies, the two F-16's are Dutch.

[sp2c]

Belgian F16's are all back in Belgium.

http://www.mil.be/perscom/index.asp?LAN=nl&id=975

0w ... good job and welcome home :)

well that leaves only the Dutch F16's then, guess the ministry of defence's website is slow again (as allways when live ammunition is involved)

[Andreas]

UPDATE:
-two Norwegians have been medivaced from the camp.
-Norwegian radio reports that two Finns are also injured.


Andreas

[Andreas]

well that leaves only the Dutch F16's then, guess the ministry of defence's website is slow again (as allways when live ammunition is involved)

-About 09.00 local time dutch F-16`s fired warning shots.


Also there are now reports that 4 of the demonstrators have been killed by Afghan police, and that about 18 of the demonstrators are injured

Andreas

[sp2c]

-About 09.00 local time dutch F-16`s fired warning shots.


Andreas
well if these guys are still attacking the PRT it's about time they stopped with the warning shots and started hitting their targets I suppose

don't want any allied troops getting killed over these cartoons

[Andeh]

They should start dropping "warning bombs" :P

[finnjävel]

Demonstrators with handgrenades and handguns? Sounds more like a riot to me. In my point of view, use of force is authorized in that point.
And these soldiers and personnel have nothing to do with the pictures or the war or anything really, they're there to help. And this is how they're thanked..
Get some firepower there, dismantle the mob, and get the men out of there.

[sp2c]

Demonstrators with handgrenades and handguns? Sounds more like a riot to me. In my point of view, use of force is authorized in that point.
And these soldiers and personnel have nothing to do with the pictures or the war or anything really, they're there to help. And this is how they're thanked..
Get some firepower there, dismantle the mob, and get the men out of there.
the gunmen probably used the demonstration/riot to get close to the base and start attacking it, chances are that at least some of these dead Afghans were killed by them in a crossfire

[wiking]

Bloody hell. Atleast no one from ISAF has been killed (yet, as far as we know). Guess this will be the first time they issue the wound medal in the norwegian armed forces since it's introduction last year.


Just out of curiosity, when was the last time a Norwegian soldier was killed\died while serving abroad? Lebanon? Know atleast one man has lost his eyesight to a mine i think not that long ago, but it's been a while since someone died hasn't it?

[Andreas]

No Finns injured after all, The claim has been disproven.



Just out of curiosity, when was the last time a Norwegian soldier was killed\died while serving abroad? Lebanon? Know atleast one man has lost his eyesight to a mine i think not that long ago, but it's been a while since someone died hasn't it?

Last Norwegian to die abroad was:
29 year old Grenader Tommy Rødningsby 24.may 2004

RIP

Andreas

[Resurrection]

Just out of curiosity, when was the last time a Norwegian soldier was killed\died while serving abroad? Lebanon? Know atleast one man has lost his eyesight to a mine i think not that long ago, but it's been a while since someone died hasn't it?

A Norwegian soldier was killed in Kabul on May 23rd, 2004. Don't know if that's the latest incident though.

[sp2c]

Bloody hell. Atleast no one from ISAF has been killed (yet, as far as we know). Guess this will be the first time they issue the wound medal in the norwegian armed forces since it's introduction last year.


Just out of curiosity, when was the last time a Norwegian soldier was killed\died while serving abroad? Lebanon? Know atleast one man has lost his eyesight to a mine i think not that long ago, but it's been a while since someone died hasn't it?

didn't one soldier take an RPG in the chest in or arond Kabul one or 2 years ago?

edit: googled it


Norwegian ISAF soldier killed in rocket attack

24 May 2004
News
24/05/2004 - NATO
Statement on attack in Afghanistan
24/05/2004 - SHAPE
ISAF Press Conference - opening statement by Lt. Gen. Hillier & QA


Photo ISAF

KABUL, Afghanistan -- At approximately 8:35 p.m. May 23, three rockets, believed to be rocket-propelled grenades were fired at a Norwegian patrol of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

One Norwegian soldier was killed in the attack. A second Norwegian soldier was injured slightly.

The rockets appear to have been fired from a distance of 30 meters.

One firing point has been discovered though it is unknown if all three projectiles were fired from one location. A hand grenade and a rocket grenade were recovered at the firing point.

The lead vehicle in was hit by a single round. A second round missed its target while a third round failed to detonate.

The Kabul Multi National Brigade of ISAF responded with quick reaction forces including land, air, medical and an explosive ordnance disposal team.

ISAF forces detained two local nationals who were subsequently handed over
to the Kabul police at the scene. However, follow-on investigations suggest these two were not involved in the incident.

At approximately 11 p.m., there were three secondary explosions at the scene
of the incident. The cause of these explosions has yet to be confirmed.

"When I took command of ISAF on Feb. 9 of this year, I made a commitment to
those present at the ceremony representing the contributing nations -- every
nation which had contributed its sons and daughters to this worthy cause for peace," said Canadian Army Lt. Gen. Rick Hiller, ISAF Commander. "That
commitment was that I would make their soldiers -- their sons and daughters
-- my own. I realized I was entrusted with their care and it was a trust
taken most seriously. "

Lt. Gen. Hillier went on to say, "This [incident] makes us realize yet again that Afghanistan is a dangerous place. A tiny minority of people, for their own purposes, want to prevent the continued increase of security and stability in Kabul and the rest of this country. Those murderers want a return to death and destruction, and they want to victimize the millions who want the opposite -- peace, security, and the chance for something resembling a normal life, if not for them, then at least for their children."

"Unfortunately, helping those who need and deserve it has come at a huge
cost, but we know that this sacrifice is not in vain. The tragic loss of our soldier does not lessen our resolve to complete this mission for the benefit of millions of men, women and children. We are here to help them and we remain firm in our resolve to do so."

Lt. Col. Robert Flatli, acting commander of ISAF's Norwegian contingent, confirmed this resolve. "The Norwegian contingent is committed to its mission and as such, has resumed normal patrols today," said Flatli.

He also added that all the Norwegian soldiers of ISAF, some 231, had been
debriefed on the attack. He began by expressing his most sincere condolences to the family, friends and comrades of the soldier murdered in this attack.

Lt. Gen. Hillier also expressed his condolences to the Norwegian soldiers and the Norwegian people. "We grieve for your son," he said. "We will help return him with honour to Norway, and we will remember him with respect for the impact that he had in this devastated country."
http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2004/05/i040524c.htm

[Scottie]

ops, everyone beat me to it with the articles.

On the otherhand, good job with preventing any fatal casualties to the ISAF soldiers. Hope they get this shyte over with, and kick some ARSE!.

[wiking]

Yeah i remember something like that just after i posted the question, but wasn't sure.

Lets just hope that this day can be over without any flag draped coffins :-(

That goes for everyone involved, Norwegians, Finns, Swedes, Brits and anyone else involved.

[Scottie]

- To av de fem lettere skadde norske soldatene er nå evakuert fra leiren i Meymaneh.
- Tidligere er det meldt om to finske soldater som skal være skadd. Denne informasjonen er nå tilbakevist.
- Det tyske transportflyet, som er innredet for syketransport, er nå i Meymaneh.


Two of the five injuried norwegian soldiers are now evakuated from the camp. The german transport plane which is inbound for evacuation of injured, is now in Meymaneh.

[sp2c]

Dutch media says one F16 was involved ... the pilot first made a low pass over the demonstration in order to dispurse the crowd, when this failed he fired warning shots

[River3]

Guess this will be the first time they issue the wound medal in the norwegian armed forces since it's introduction last year.


It has been issued once before.


http://www.mil.no/haren/hmkg/start/article.jhtml?articleID=98188

[wiking]

It has been issued once before.


http://www.mil.no/haren/hmkg/start/article.jhtml?articleID=98188

So all told, 6 men will (most likely) be carrying this now.

[Andreas]

I talked to a friend of mine who might be heading back to A-Stan when summer comes around. And he had some pretty strong language about what the muppets attacking the Norwegian base deserverd...

I tend to agree, since this was less of a demonstration and more an attack.

Cant wait to see tv2 nyhetene at 21.00...

[PeterG]

I talked to a friend of mine who might be heading back to A-Stan when summer comes around. And he had some pretty strong language about what the muppets attacking the Norwegian base deserverd...

I tend to agree, since this was less of a demonstration and more an attack.

Cant wait to see tv2 nyhetene at 21.00...

Hope the wounded boys recover soon, that none of them are seriously injured. Good luck, and be careful, to all who serve abroad. Crazy sh*t going on now, all over the place....Like a muslim Tet-offensive!

[wiking]

Source : www.vg.no (http://www.vg.no)

Norwegian prime minister Jens Stoltenberg (Labour Party) says there is no question about pulling out of Afghanistan after todays attacks.



http://www.vg.no/bilder/bildarkiv/1139330654.50416.jpg
"Our forces are trained for just this type of situations, and are there to create peace and stability during the reconstruction. It is totally out of the question to pull out of Afghanistan due to these attacks."
-Norwegian PM Jens Stoltenberg.


I'm not very fond of the bugger, but this is the way to go woot

[sp2c]

so has it been resolved yet or is it still ongoing?

[sp2c]

official word from the ministry of defence



At the Dutch Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Northern-Afghanistan a demonstration took place. This was aimed at the Danish cartoons. About 300 men gathered near the gate of the PRT in the town Pol-e-Khomri.

The demonstration started peacefully, but due to emotions the mood intensified. After demonstrators started throwing stones the decision was made to dispurse the crowd. The local police and the Afghan army then removed the demonstrators. On Dutch soldier was hit by a stone wich slightly injured him.

At the moment the Baghlan province is calm. Nevertheless security measures have been tightened due to the unrest.


At several other locations in Afghanistan other demonstrations were taking place. At one of which Dutch F16's and the C130 Hercules were deployed at the request of the ISAF commander. One F16's was forced to give out warning shots. the C130 flew in extra personnel and vehicles to support the Norwegian unit on the scene

http://www.mindef.nl/actueel/nieuws/2006/02/20060207_demonstraties.aspx

[wiking]

From www.mil.no (http://www.mil.no)

Sitrep number 6 15:55 February 7th,

-6 wounded Norwegians has been reported.
-2 of them have been evacuated
-All those who have been wounded have been in contact with their family. None of them wants their name published.