Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread Twenty-Six

[Cindy]

Thanks to a Special Freeper for pointing to the article below:
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ICC-CCS.ORG: THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT
http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php


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http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1700925,00.html
"Pirates hit Malacca Strait, again"
06/05/2005 12:35  - (SA)  

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ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Kuala Lumur - Pirates are again attacking ships in the busy Malacca Strait after a brief lull following the deadly tsunami which devastated Indonesia's Aceh province on Sumatra island last December, an international watchdog said on Friday.

Three vessels were attacked in the key sea lane in a two-week period, with pirates opening fire with automatic weapons to force the vessels to stop and allow them to board, the Piracy Reporting Centre of the London-based International Maritime Bureau said.

"The attacks, all thought to be made by the same gang, resulted in the kidnap of two or more seafarers from each vessel and were followed by a demand for ransom a few days later.

"The subsequent release of the hostages suggests that ransoms were paid," the report said."

[Cindy]

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT - CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET - BURMA
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1077.html

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1398652/posts

"Deadly explosions rock Burma"
Australian Broadcasting ^ | 2005-05-08 | AFP

Posted on 05/07/2005 12:25:40 PM PDT by Lessismore

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Four huge bomb explosions have rocked the Burmese capital Rangoon, killing dozens of people and leaving over 200 injured.

The near-simultaneous mid-afternoon blasts targeted two packed upscale shopping centres, the Dagon and Junction Eight, and the downtown Rangoon Trade Centre which is hosting a Thai trade fair.

A witness at the downtown Dagon centre, where two bombs exploded, counted at least 20 bodies, while a witness at Junction Eight - some 13 kilometres north of the city centre - counted over 40.

A Burmese national at the Rangoon Trade Centre says he also saw scores of bodies there.

A stall holder at the centre says there "many casualties" because the bomb hit a fashion show being held on the third floor.

An official from Burma's military government has confirmed four bombs were detonated, but has given no casualty count.

Hospitals in Yangon have been unable to give a death toll, but say over 200 people are wounded.

"I saw these people in a pool of blood. Some of them had their legs and arms blown off," a man outside the Rangoon Trade Centre said.

A survivor of the Dagon blast recalls panicked efforts to escape.

"There was an explosion in the Dagon centre, and we were so frightened we ran downstairs to get out," a young woman said.

A witness at Junction Eight said she counted "at least 40 bodies being brought out of the building".

Military-ruled Burma has been at various stages of civil war for decades, with government troops battling several ethnic guerrilla armies, but the capital has not seen an attack on this scale in living memory.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks."

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=palestinians%20anti-tank%20rocket&ei=UTF-8&fl=0&datesort=1

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http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/573010.html
Last update - 16:48 06/05/2005
??"??Gaza lull shaky as Palestinians fire rocket at settlers' school bus"
?By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent, and The Associated Press

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Palestinians on Friday morning fired an anti-tank rocket on Friday morning at school bus carrying children outside the southern Gaza Strip settlement of Kfar Darom, shaking the fragile lull in violence. The rocket failed to hit the bus.

A mortar shell also hit a Gush Katif settlement. No damage or casualties were reported in either case.

Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired four Qassam rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot predawn Friday. The Magen David Adom ambulance service said that several people had been treated for shock."

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050509.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
May 7, 2005
Release Number: 05-05-09


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Key Zarqawi aide captured

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ

COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER

BAGHDAD, Iraq



May 7, 2005

Release A050507d



Key Zarqawi aide captured



BAGHDAD, Iraq – Multi-national forces conducted a raid in western Iraq capturing the Qa’idat al-Jihad Fi Bilad Al-Rafidayn (QJBR) Amir of Rawah, Ghassan Muhammad Amin Husayn Al-Rawi Apr. 26. Ghassan Amin was one of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s key associates; he served to coordinate meetings for other senior QJBR members, facilitated movement and meetings for Zarqawi in the Rawah region, facilitated movement of foreign fighters, and allegedly was responsible for terrorist activity resulting in the murder of innocent Iraqis.

Multi-national forces conducted three consecutive raids in late April to capture Ghassan Amin and his followers. In the first raid, multi-national forces discovered a car bomb factory three kilometers west of Rawah linked to Ghassan Amin.

Four vehicles being prepared as car bombs, approximately 200 bags of ammonium phosphate, two DSKH 38/46 12.7mm machine guns and ammunition were found inside the warehouse. Coalition forces destroyed the warehouse and its contents to prevent their use in manufacturing a variety of bombs to be used by the terrorists. As reported just three days later, AMZ's network claimed responsibility for the multiple car bombs that were detonated throughout Iraq Apr 29.

In the second raid, two of Ghassan Amin’s associates were captured. The third raid of the morning netted Ghassan Amin.

According to statements provided by Iraqi residents of Rawah, Ghassan Amin and his network terrorized the local citizens by stealing cars to convert into bombs and allegedly kidnapping Iraqis for profit to further support the purchase of weapons and ammunition. One male who was temporarily detained due to his proximity with Ghassan Amin during the third raid claimed, “Ghassan Amin runs Rawah and nobody does anything without Ghassan Amin’s approval. Ghassan Amin is well known in Rawah and it is well known that he is part of the mujahideen. Ghassan Amin destroyed the police station and the Headquarters of the Islamic party of Rawah.”

In a raid days prior to capture of the Rawah Amir, forces found several weapons caches buried near a farm belonging to Ghassan Amin. Due to the large amount discovered, the weapons and ammunition were destroyed in place.

Ghassan admitted to meeting Zarqawi once in January and allowed Zarqawi to reside with one of Ghassan’s relatives for approximately five days.

Iraqi Security and Coalition forces continue to capture or kill high level terrorists associated with Zarqawi, seize and destroy large amounts of bomb making material, and prevent terrorist attacks on a regular basis. The capture of Ghassan Amin removes a significant leader of terrorism from the now safer streets of Rawah.



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THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES - IRAQ CONSOLIDATED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER PROVIDED EDITORIAL SERVICE FOR THIS RELEASE, AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THE PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT. FOR QUESTIONS OR FURTHER INFORMATION, E-MAIL THE MNF-I CPIC AT cpicpressdesk@iraq.centcom.mil.

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[Cindy]

Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050508.txt

May 7, 2005
Release Number: 05-05-08


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Afghan farmer turns in IED to Coalition forces

COMBINED FORCES COMMAND - AFGHANISTAN

COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

APO AE 09356

Kabul-Presscenter@cfc-a.centcom.mil

Mobile: 070-276-545

http://www.cfc-a.centcom.mil



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



May 7, 2005

Release #050507-04



Afghan farmer turns in IED to Coalition forces



BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – An Afghan farmer near Lashkar Gah reported the discovery of an improvised explosive device along a busy local road Thursday to a Provincial Reconstruction Team base.

The device, which consisted of two one-gallon-sized cans filled with explosives, was reportedly designed to detonate via a remote control device.

“IEDs are incredibly dangerous, indiscriminate killers,” said U.S. Army Maj. Michael Hicks, Combined Joint Task Force-76’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team commander. “IEDs can and do kill innocent people. The emplacement of an IED along a road frequented by innocent civilians only increases the chance that it will maim, or worse, kill Afghan citizens that are simply going about their day to day lives.”

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[Cindy]

Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050510.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
May 7, 2005
Release Number: 05-05-10


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Task Force Liberty Soldiers stop VBIED attack

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ

COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER

BAGHDAD, Iraq



May 7, 2005

Release A050507e


Task Force Liberty Soldiers stop VBIED attack

TIKRIT, Iraq – Task Force Liberty Soldiers chased and stopped a vehicle loaded with artillery rounds and wired as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device outside a Coalition Forces base in Tikrit at about 8 a.m. May 7.
Security personnel on the base identified the vehicle as a potential VBIED when it repeatedly drove past Coalition checkpoints. A quick reaction force from 3rd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, with support from Iraqi police, pursued the vehicle and trapped it in an alley.
The driver fled the vehicle and escaped. Task Force Liberty explosive ordnance disposal personnel detonated the vehicle where the driver left it.
No Task Force Liberty Soldiers or Iraqi police were injured in the incident.
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For video and still photo imagery of this incident, go to www.dvidshub.net. For additional information concerning this release, contact 42nd Infantry Division Public Affairs at Fortysecond.id.pao@us.army.mil



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[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.memritv.com
http://www.memri.org/iran.html


http://www.activistchat.com/blogiran/

http://www.freerepublic.com/~doctorzin

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.altavista.com/web/results?itag=ody&q=%22Saad+bin+Laden%22&kgs=0&kls=0

[jerseygirl]

I know I always get them confused! Thankfully, no Zin Laden in the picture:)

[jerseygirl]

Agree, pez. WW3.

[jerseygirl]

Wish they were doing more than wringing their hands...spread the word to the sheeple that we are at War!

[jerseygirl]

Wish they were doing more than wringing their hands...spread the word to the sheeple that we are at War!

[pezdispenser]

very much so.

i was going through Jill's site and some of her archives and this article seemed to stick out. I do believe something was thwarted last year around new years, but the general tone of this message and the methods that they list could be a refresher course for some unfamaliar with the total seriousness of this matter.

http://www.homelandsecurityus.net/al.htm


have a good weekend all,

pez.

[Cindy]

Thanks to PIASA for pointing to this article and thread.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1398663/posts?page=10


"Driver tried sneaking radioactive soil"
Source: AP ^ | 5/7/2005 | KRQE NEWS 13

Posted on 05/07/2005 12:47:16 PM PDT by EBH

[texasbluebell]

Yes, you're correct, according to Jayna Davis:

"Clarke writes that Al-Qaeda operatives attended conventions in Oklahoma City in the early 1990’s. According to Davis ’ startling new research, Bin Laden’s No. 2 man, the notorious Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahiri, personally visited Islamic demolitions experts residing in OKC in the spring of 1995 to insure the smooth execution of the pending terrorist strike against the Murrah federal complex."

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:y6DfUptD1JUJ:www.jaynadavis.com/press2.html+zawahiri+oklahoma&hl=en

[all4one]

Myrddin...great stories about your dad. My father retired about 4 years ago from Boeing after 30+ years....and I just love to hear some of his stories as well. It seems that ethical behavior is a lost art these days.

[all4one]

Cindy...what a strange article. The body of the article says nothing to coincide with the title regarding "radioactive" soil. It seems that journalists can no longer answer the basic questions of who...what...where and why when writing an article. Just makes me think that there is much more to this story, that is not being reported.

[all4one]

U.S. to Spend Billions More to Alter Security Systems (5/7/05)

By ERIC LIPTON WASHINGTON, May 7 - After spending more than $4.5 billion on screening devices to monitor the nation's ports, borders, airports, mail and air, the federal government is moving to replace or alter much of the antiterrorism equipment, concluding that it is ineffective, unreliable or too expensive to operate.

Many of the monitoring tools - intended to detect guns, explosives, and nuclear and biological weapons - were bought during the blitz in security spending after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001......

Link to Full Article a "Must Read" for TM'ers

[Cindy]

Well, here's a snippet of the article:

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Driver tried sneaking radioactive soil"
Source: AP

SANTA TERESA, N.M. -- Border agents say they caught a man trying to sneak radioactive soil into the country from Mexico to avoid paying carrier fees.
A van set off an alert yesterday when it passed through a recently installed radiation portal monitor at the Santa Teresa port of entry.

US Customs and Border Protection officers say they found 49 baggies of soil from Mexico hidden in the door panels."

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I'm not a scientist, but I believe some soils with certain fertilizers set off the radiation detectors. I read that somewhere.

So, when I go to airports, I make sure I don't wear my favorite clogs that I also wear when gardening sometimes.

[Myrddin]

Myrddin...great stories about your dad. My father retired about 4 years ago from Boeing after 30+ years....and I just love to hear some of his stories as well. It seems that ethical behavior is a lost art these days.

My cousin still works at Boeing. He writes software for B1 avionics. The last time we chatted in person was 1963 at a family Thanksgiving gathering.