Coalition Forces Target Al Qaeda Senior Commander with Precision Air Strike Last Night
Coalition Forces Target Al Qaeda Senior Commander with Precision Air Strike Last Night
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-09-CA-282 For Immediate Release Download PDF  KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 26) - Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike in Kunar province last night targeting an Al Qaeda senior commander who coordinates the attacks of a group of Arab fighters in Kunar and Nuristan province. The Al Qaeda facilitators and extremists he works with throughout the Middle East directly threaten the safety and security of Afghan government officials and civilians. He routinely facilitates the travel of foreign fighters into the region.  The commander's older brother was killed in a coalition force precision strike in March 2009. The brothers worked in tandem for several years facilitating for the Al Qaeda network.   "These operations prevent violent extremists from being able to threaten Afghan sovereignty or maintain safe havens from which they can threaten the security of people around the world," said U.S. Air Force Col. James Dawkins, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "We deliberately targeted a major threat last night, which will significantly degrade the Al Qaeda activities throughout the region."  Based on intelligence sources, coalition forces tracked the commander to a remote compound in Darah-ye Pech district. After verifying his location and careful planning to help reduce the collateral damage, coalition forces conducted a precision air strike on the targeted compound, which was subsequently destroyed. The International Security Assistance Force is still gathering information to assess the results of the strike.   "Just like we do with all of our precision air strikes, we balanced the possible risks posed by precision air strikes with the dangers posed by the targeted individual. In this instance we decided we could not let this opportunity pass us by," said Dawkins. "Careful planning, de-confliction with Afghan authorities and intelligence gathering helped ensure collateral damage was kept to a minimum."

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UPDATE: Force Confirms Al Qaeda Senior Commander Killed
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-09-CA-316 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 29) - The International Security Assistance Force confirmed a precision air strike in Kunar province Saturday killed Abdallah Umar al-Qurayshi, an Al Qaeda senior commander who coordinated the attacks of a group of Arab fighters in Kunar and Nuristan provinces.   The Al Qaeda facilitators and extremists he worked with throughout the Middle East directly threaten the safety and security of Afghan civilians. He routinely facilitated the travel of foreign fighters, including Arabs, into the region.   Additionally, Abu Atta al Kuwaiti, an Al Qaeda explosives expert, and several Arabic foreign fighters were killed in the strike. ISAF is working to confirm the exact identities of other high-level insurgent commanders, who were meeting when the strike was conducted.   "The death of Abdallah Umar al-Qurayshi is a significant victory for the people of Afghanistan," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "We deliberately targeted a major threat to Afghanistan, which will significantly degrade the Al Qaeda activities throughout the region. We will relentlessly target the remaining foreign fighters, Al Qaeda, and senior Taliban leadership still operating in Afghanistan and those who harbor them."   Based on intelligence sources, coalition forces tracked Abdallah Umar al-Qurayshi to a remote compound in the Korengal Valley. After verifying his location and careful planning to help reduce the collateral damage, coalition forces conducted a precision air strike on the targeted compound, which was subsequently destroyed. The security force was able to confirm the death of the Abdallah Umar al-Qurayshi Tuesday.