US official: Freed Guantanamo inmate likely working with Taliban

Abdul Hafiz, terror suspect released from Guantanamo Bay prison in December, has likely joined the Taliban in Afghanistan according to a U.S. counterterrorism official.

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Iran trains Taliban to use IEDs

Hundreds of Taliban insurgents receive ambush, IED training from Iran.

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More evidence of Taliban using human shields

Afghan general sees Taliban placing women and children on rooftops and firing from behind them. Marines see Taliban firing from mosques, taking refuge in houses.

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Taliban increasingly using civilians as human shields in Marjah

Taliban firing at troops from areas surrounded by women and children in efforts to induce civilian casualties. In some instances it appears that the population is supporting the Taliban.

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Note: This AP article appears to have been edited to remove human shield references. From the UK version:

“Journalists embedded with the Marines have seen such cases: a neighborhood is alive with children, then the next minute the streets are empty and gunshots ring out. As the troops advance, children reappear, peering and grinning through half-closed doors.

Rocket-propelled grenades have been fired from behind groups of civilians, who scamper away as the Marines point their weapons toward the source of fire. Marines have come under fire in poppy fields as they are being tended by farmers.” (Source)

Muslim group threatens to kill, rape, enslave all non-Muslims

Pakistani group with links to the Taliban threatened to kill or rape all non-Muslims to enslave their children and take away their properties unless non-Muslims pay jizya (protection tax).

Source: Worthy News

Endorsed by the Qur’an (9:29): “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”

True to the words of Muhammad (Sahih Muslim 4294): “Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah. Make a holy war…When you meet your enemies who are polytheists, invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these, you also accept it and withold yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them….If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah’s help and fight them.”

Taliban commander killed in offensive

Australian special forces kill Taliban commander involved in recruiting suicide bombers and foreign fighters.

Source: Reuters

Pakistanis under duress from Taliban rule

Taliban enforces arcane rules in Pakistan’s Swat province: girls banned from education, hairdressers cannot shave beards, women are even killed if they enter markets.

Source: Daily Times (Pakistan)

Taliban to girls: marry militants or face consequences

Taliban are forcing parents to marry their daughters to militants in Pakistan. Also declared that unmarried women are to remain in the house unless accompanied by a male relative. Taliban has burned or destroyed over 100 girls schools, and has killed females who do not heed their warnings. Also has banned female education effective January 15.

Source: Times of India

Marine Corps "embarass" Taliban

Taliban ambushes U.S. Marines with ten-to-one odds. Marines kill around 50 without taking any serious casualties. Sniper ignores intense incoming fire, killing around 20 fighters.

Source: Military.com

Taliban urge world to block Afghan executions

Taliban urges the UN to call on the Afghan government to stop executions.

Source: Reuters