Afghan President Rejects NATO Apology For Air Strike That Killed 9 Boys:
"It is not acceptable for the Afghan people anymore. Regrets and condemnations of the incident cannot heal the wounds of the people." Ref. Source 8
Injured girl helps Marines show compassionate side
Nuria, a 10-year-old Afghan girl, lost an eye when an explosion the Marines set in a nearby building caused a brick to fall on her face, according her father. Now Camp Pendleton-based Marines are trying to gather her vaccination records and other information they need to get her accepted by a private medical charity. Ref. Source 6
Troop surge brings progress to war-torn Afghan province
Marjah is held up by senior U.S. Commanders and Afghan officials as a showcase for what can be accomplished with enough troops and a comprehensive counterinsurgency campaign, and it is just one of a constellation of towns across Helmand province where a measure of normalcy has returned. Ref. Source 8
Taliban targets Afghan Defense Ministry; 2 killed in suicide attack:
An insurgent draped in explosives stalked the halls of the Ministry of Defense in Kabul on Monday and opened fire on guards in the third major security breach at an Afghan base within the week, according to Afghan officials and witnesses. Ref. Source 2
Afghanistan should brace for more assassinations: U.S. Envoy:
Afghanistan's government and foreign troops should prepare for the Taliban to step up urban suicide attacks and assassinations as they shift tactics to "very focused" terrorism, the U.S. Ambassador said. Ref. Source 7