Afghanistan War News Updates -- June 22, 2009

U.S. Marines, searching for Taliban fighters, entered a mud compound near Now Zad in Afghanistan's Helmand province on Saturday. The U.S. is sending thousands of additional troops to the country. Associated Press

Taliban Chief Extends Control Over Insurgency -- Wall Street Journal

Mullah Omar's Leadership Council Moves to Centralize Militant Operations in Afghanistan; A New Stage in U.S.-Led Fight

Mullah Omar, supreme leader of the Taliban, is reasserting direct control over the militant group's loose-knit insurgency in Afghanistan, ordering attacks and shuffling field commanders in preparation for the arrival of thousands of additional U.S. troops, according to U.S. officials and insurgents in Afghanistan.

Until recently, the ground-level conduct of the Taliban's war against the U.S.-led coalition has been left to local commanders acting on their own. Mr. Omar, who heads a Taliban leadership council called the Quetta "shura" -- named after the city in southeast Pakistan where it is believed to be based -- has typically focused on choosing Taliban leaders and funneling money, religious guidance and strategic advice to fighters.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Mullah Omar reasserts control of Taliban: report -- AFP
Reclusive Taliban leader Mullah Omar re-asserts command -- Indian Express
Suicide bomber kills 6 civilians in Afghanistan -- AP
Five killed in second Afghan suicide bomb: police -- AFP
Afghanistan Sees 4 Suicide Attacks in Single Day -- CRIEnglish
2 U.S. Soldiers Killed In Bagram Attack -- CBS News
A rare attack on Bagram Air Field -- Christian Science Monitor
Major killed by bomb in Afghanistan is highest ranking soldier to lose life in conflict -- Daily Mail
Major's death takes rate of losses in Afghanistan past Iraq -- The Telegraph
U.S. Toughens Airstrike Policy in Afghanistan -- New York Times
US to restrict air strikes in Afghanistan: report -- AFP
Afghan firefight shows challenge for US troops -- AP
Growing Afghanistan kidnap industry mars security success in Kabul -- Times Online
General McChrystal to go on Afghanistan Public Relations Offensive -- Captain's Quarters
Taliban averts attacks with U.S. equipment -- Washington Times
UK to Deploy Sentinel to Afghanistan -- Defense Tech
A Personal Touch in Taliban Fight -- Washington Post
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 634 -- Washington Post
FACTBOX-Military deaths in Afghanistan -- Reuters