Open Source Daily INTSUM: Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005

**Airbornelawyer** · 10-27-2005, 11:02

From Various Sources:

Middle East

Clashes Near Baghdad Kill 21 Militia Fighters, Police. - At least 21 Shi'ite militia fighters and two policemen were killed today in clashes between Iraqi police and Sunni insurgents near Baghdad today. Reports say the Imam Al-Mahdi Army, loyal to nationalist Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, had asked police for help in recovering a comrade who was being held. The group was attacked by insurgents as they prepared to launch the operation.There was no immediate information on casualties on the insurgent side. (Source: Radio Free Europe)

Three Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Iraq. A roadside bomb exploded a few meters from a BTR-80 of the 81st Tactical Group of the Ukrainian peacekeeping brigade while it was on patrol near Numaniya, wounding three Ukrainian soldiers. (Source: Ukrainian Peacekeeping Contingent in Iraq)

Sharon threatens major offensive after attack. Ariel Sharon, Israeli prime minister, on Thursday threatened a major military offensive against Palestinian militants after an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber killed five people in the coastal town of Hadera. (Source: Financial Times)

Plugging Leaks in Iraq Border Town. "AL-QAIM, Iraq, 27 October 2005 — Nestled on the roof of a house being built here, a US Marine sniper team scouts for insurgents they say slip across the Syrian border to take pot shots, while the population trickles back into town. Shots ring out and bullets whistle over the US troops shielded by waist-high walls and blankets that mask their movements. …" (Source: Agence France Presse, via Arab News)

Iraqi army’s 5th Division assumes greater role in Diyala Province. "More than 3,000 Soldiers from Task Force Liberty and the 278th Regimental Combat Team will conclude their mission in eastern Diyala Province with a departure ceremony on Forward Operating Base Caldwell on Oct. 29th at 11:30 a.m. The 1st Brigade of the Iraqi army’s 5th Division in Diyala, because of their proven operational capabilities, will take on a greater security role in the military operations in the sector during the ceremony. The Iraqi 1st Brigade continues to train and equip its forces while providing command and control for battalion-sized operations in eastern Diyala Province. …" (Source: Multinational Force - Iraq)

Northern Exposure. " al Qaeda's northern network in the Mosul region continues to take a pounding. Over the weekend, five terrorists, including two "senior-level leaders responsible for planning and funding terrorism" were captured based on tips from the citizens of Tal Afar. Two others were killed in a firefight in Mosul. …" (Source: The Fourth Rail)

Asia

Six dead in south Thailand raids. "At least six people have died in a wave of co-ordinated attacks in southern Thailand, which officials blamed on suspected Muslim militants. …" (Source: BBC). See also: http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...ead.php?t=8751

Sri Lankan military says 2 Tigers killed. "Breakaway guerrillas attacked a Tamil Tiger camp in eastern Sri Lanka on Wednesday killing at least two officials of the main rebel organisation, the island’s military said. …" (Source: Daily Times (Pakistan))

Africa

ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: Border stable despite restrictions on peacekeepers, says UN. "The situation along the common border between Ethiopia and Eritrea is militarily stable but restrictions on United Nations peacekeepers remain, a spokeswoman for the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), said on Thursday. …" (Source: Reuters Alertnet)

Europe

Albania: The 5th Peacekeeping Contingent comes back from Iraq mission. "The fifth Peacekeeping Contingent consisted by 120 Albanian militaries has came back in homeland after six months. They have realized successfully their mission in Mosul, Iraq. …" (Source: Ministry of Defense of Albania)