Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 15, 2013

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class, Sal Somoza motions toward the justice center building to other soldiers while maintaining security during a meeting with the Farah provincial chief justice in Farah City, Afghanistan, May 4, 2013. U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives

Afghan Commandos Step Up Their Combat Role -- New York Times

AT A CLASSIFIED COMMANDO BASE, Afghanistan — One day this month, a pair of Russian Mi-17 assault helicopters delivered two teams of Afghan commandos, their faces obscured by black masks, in a touch-and-go landing at this camp in a lush valley encircled by frosty peaks about 50 miles from Kabul.

A training squadron drawn from the most secretive counterterrorism units fielded by the United States and its NATO allies watched as the Afghan commandos stormed and cleared a three-story office building that was left conspicuously unfinished — the kind of structure favored by insurgents.

This is the combination of Afghan and allied troops that the Obama administration and the government in Kabul say will assume an increasing share of the combat burden in Afghanistan as the NATO alliance gradually hands over responsibility for security operations to Afghan troops.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 15th -- ISAF
NATO lowers death toll in roadside bombing to 3 US troops in bombing in Afghanistan -- Washington Post/AP
Three US Soldiers Killed in Southern Afghanistan -- Voice of America
3 US troops killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan, NATO says -- FOX News
3 G.I.’s Killed in Afghan Bombing -- New York Times
Four U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan's Kandahar -- Reuters
Explosion kill three U.S. soldiers in Kandahar province -- Khaama Press
Bomb blasts kill coalition troops, civilians in two Afghan provinces -- UPI
Combined Force Kills Taliban Leader in Kunduz Province -- US Department of Defense
Twin bombs strike at Afghan checkpoint near governor’s compound, killing 1 police officer -- Washington Post/AP
Mid-level Taliban Leader Killed In Afghanistan -- RTT News
Six Taliban rebels killed in Afghanistan -- Zee News
Explosion rocks Jalalabad city in Nangarhar, 9 injured -- Khaama Press
Taliban release all Turkish engineers kidnapped in Logar -- Khaama Press
Commander Denies U.S. to Blame in Afghan Deaths -- New York Times
Afghan soldiers take fight to Taliban 'brothers' -- BBC
Longer Afghanistan tours for British soldiers -- BBC
ISAF chiefs endorse Australian withdrawal -- Sydney Morning Herald
Taliban pledge support for Afghan polio campaign -- CBC
Younger Generation Poised To Lead Afghanistan's Future (Audio) -- NPR
Civilians Fighting The Taliban And Winning -- Strategy Page
Bamiyan was a safe haven in Afghanistan – but what now? -- Emma Graham-Harrison, The Guardian
Should India Provide Direct Military Aid to Afghanistan? -- Javid Ahmad, New York Times
US military deaths in Afghanistan at 2,085 -- AP