Threat Matrix: October 2008

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[nwctwx]

FBI Warns of Potential Terror Attacks

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security today issued an analytical "note" to U.S. law-enforcement officials cautioning that al-Qaida terrorists have in the past expressed interest in attacking public buildings using a dozen suicide bombers each carrying 20 kilograms of explosives.

Authors with the U.S. Office of Intelligence and Analysis added that they have "no credible or specific information that terrorists are planning operations against public buildings in the United States." The FBI and DHS analysts said they were releasing the note because "it is important for local authorities and building owners and operators to be aware of potential attack tactics."

According to the note obtained by NBC News, a "recently discovered audio recording of al-Qa‘ida training sessions conducted several years ago provides instruction to potential suicide terrorists on seizing a publicly accessible building and damaging or destroying it with explosive charges." Read More

	Is al-Qaida Winning the Battle?
	Al-Qaida Calls U.S Economic Crisis a Win
	Pakistan Insists no Deal Made with U.S. on Strikes

Threat Matrix:
October 2008

September 2008

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Preparedness

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081022-4.html

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 22, 2008

Notice: Continuation Of The National Emergency With Respect To The Situation In Or In Relation To The Democratic Republic Of The Congo

White House News
On October 27, 2006, by Executive Order 13413, I declared a national emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706), ordered related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in that country. I took this action to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been marked by widespread violence and atrocities that continue to threaten regional stability.

Because this situation continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on October 27, 2006, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond October 27, 2008. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13413.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

October 22, 2008.

# # #

[Cindy]

Fyi only.

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081023.html

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 23, 2008

Text of a Letter from the President to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services, the Chairman and Ranking Members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

White House News
October 23, 2008

Dear Mr. Chairman: (Dear Representative:) (Dear Senator:)

Pursuant to section 1228(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Public Law 110-181 (NDAA), I hereby certify that a registration and monitoring system for defense articles provided to the Government of Iraq or any other group, organization, citizen, or resident of Iraq, meeting the requirements set forth in subsection 1228(c) of the NDAA, has been established.

Specifically, I certify that the registration and monitoring system herein referenced includes:

1. the registration of the serial numbers of all small arms to be provided to the Government of Iraq or to other groups, organizations, citizens, or residents of Iraq;

2. a program of end-use monitoring of all lethal defense articles provided to such entities or individuals; and

3. the maintenance of a detailed record of the origin, shipping, and distribution of all defense articles transferred under the Iraq Security Forces Fund or any other security assistance program to such entities or individuals.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2115509/posts

“Venezuela, Russia building a military bond”
chron.com ^ | Oct. 25, 2008 | JOHN OTIS
Posted on October 26, 2008 12:37:28 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2115525/posts?page=36#36

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2115525/posts

“Report: Iranian President Has Fallen Ill”
AP ^ | 10/26/2008
Posted on October 26, 2008 2:05:32 AM PDT by james500

[Cindy]

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

#

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/iranian.authorities.release.son.of.hanged.pastor/21739.htm

MISSIONS
“Iranian authorities release son of hanged pastor”
Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2008, 8:55 (GMT)

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The Iranian authorities last week released on bail the son of a Christian pastor who was hanged for converting to Christianity. Ramtin Soodmand, a leader in the Evangelical Church of Iran in Mashhad, is charged with anti-government activities.

He was released on bail on Wednesday and has since been reunited with his wife and two children.

Release International, which serves persecuted Christians worldwide, has launched an appeal to support the Christians of Iran. It welcomes Ramtin’s release, and is calling for more prayer and support for persecuted Christians in Iran.

“We’re pleased Ramtin has been allowed to leave custody,” says Release CEO Andy Dipper. “But scores of other Iranians who have become Christians are still in jail for their faith. Many of those could face execution, because the Iranian Parliament has called overwhelmingly for the death penalty for Muslim converts.”

The authorities hanged Ramtin Soodmand’s father, Pastor Hossein Soodmand, in 1990. Other pastors have been assassinated by unknown killers.

“Many more Christian leaders could be killed if Iran brings in the death penalty for apostasy,” says Andy Dipper. “The Iranian authorities have taken it upon themselves to execute their own citizens who exercise their basic human right to choose their own religion. Please join us in praying and putting pressure on Iran to scrap this proposal.””

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

“Worldwide Caution”
July 16, 2008

SNIPPET: “This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world.”

[Cindy]

Fyi Only.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1222017627062&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(AP)

Oct 26, 2008 10:58
“Quake wounds nine in southern Iranian port town”
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
TEHERAN, Iran

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “An Iranian official says nine people were wounded after an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 hit southern Iran.

The director of Hormozgan province emergency department, Yasser Hazbavi, says the quake shook the port town of Kong late Saturday evening.”

[Godzilla]

“Quake wounds nine in southern Iranian port town

An area of high seismic hazard, nearly all of Iran adjacent to the Straits of Hormuz

[Cindy]

Thanks for looking at it Godzilla and the feedback.

[Cindy]

BEYOND POLITICS...

Thanks to Calpernia for the ping to this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2115566/posts

“(FL Poll watchers) We were told yesterday that the Obama campaign has our addresses...”
me | 10/26/2008 | me
Posted on October 26, 2008 5:16:05 AM PDT by ajwharton

[Cindy]

A few thoughts and a short briefing for TMers, FReepers, and Lurkers.

A song I find comforting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_PolBwjEw
“THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD”

#

Reminder: Do you have an emergency plan to use
at home, at work, at school, shopping in a mall,
on public transportation?

If you haven’t made one, how about sitting down
today and making one.

#

READY.GOV
http://www.ready.gov

#

Attention E-Mailers: My native language is English. If you want me to read your email; it must be in English. All foreign language emails go to trash.
Just a fact.

#

RECAP: In case you missed it last week, I mentioned the fact that if Obama/Biden is elected; I will not be posting here on TM.

#

RECAP: HELP WANTED.

1. Posters are always welcome here on TM.

2. If you can help set up our monthly Threat Matrix thread; please freepmail NWCTWX.

Thank you.
God bless you all.

Cindy

[Godzilla]

Syria: US choppers attack village near Iraq border
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D942DS980&show_article=1

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - U.S. military helicopters attacked territory inside Syria close to its border with Iraq Sunday, killing eight people in a strike the Syrian government condemned as “serious aggression.”
A U.S. military official said the raid by special forces targeted the foreign fighter network that travels through Syria into Iraq in an area where the Americans have been unable to shut it down because it was out of the military’s reach.

“We are taking matters into our own hands,” the official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the political sensitivity of cross-border raids.

The attack came just days after the commander of U.S. forces in western Iraq said American troops were redoubling efforts to secure the Syrian border, which he called an “uncontrolled” gateway for fighters entering Iraq.

A Syrian government statement carried by the official Syrian Arab News Agency said the helicopters attacked the Sukkariyeh Farm near the town of Abu Kamal, five miles inside the Syrian border. Four helicopters attacked a civilian building under construction shortly before sundown and fired on workers inside, the statement said.

The area is near the Iraqi border city of Qaim, which had been a major crossing point for fighters, weapons and money coming into Iraq to fuel the Sunni insurgency.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry said it summoned the charges d’affaires of the United States and Iraq to protest against the strike.

[Cindy]

Thanks for that update Godzilla.

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/syria

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/site/html/search.asp?isSearch=yes&isT8=yes&searchText=T91&pid=109&sid=13&preview=

http://www.memri.org/syria.html

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51664

Coalition Forces in Iraq Detain 5 Al-Qaida Suspects

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2008 – Coalition forces in Iraq detained one wanted man and four other suspects yesterday as part of anti-al-Qaida operations throughout the country, military officials said.

In Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted man linked to al-Qaida. One other suspect was also detained during the operation.

In Mosul, coalition forces targeted a wanted man linked to al-Qaida’s foreign terrorist facilitation network. Three suspected terrorists believed to be associates of the wanted man were detained for further questioning.

On Oct. 24, the Iraqi Army captured a suspected special groups leader and facilitator and detained two other suspected criminals during an operation in the Saad neighborhood of Najaf.

The criminal leader is linked to the killings of several Iraqi soldiers in Diwyaniyah in addition to assisting in other assassinations. He is believed to be a facilitator of explosively formed penetrators, improvised explosive device, and weapons movements, including purchasing arms for terrorist activities.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23260&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081025-08
Oct. 25, 2008

IA captures suspected criminal leader, detains two other suspects in Najaf operation

BALAD, Iraq – The Iraqi Army captured a suspected Special Groups criminal leader and facilitator and detained two other suspected criminals in the Saad neighborhood of Najaf Oct. 24. The criminal leader is wanted for his participation in killing several IA soldiers in Diwyaniyah in addition to assisting in assassinations against Iraqis. He is said to be a facilitator of explosively formed penetrators, improvised explosive devices, and weapons movement, including purchasing armament for terrorist activities.

During the operation, IA also detained two other suspected criminals. One of the men who attempted to flee the premises by jumping off the roof of a three-story home is believed to be a criminal in Diwyaniyah. The other individual is said to be related to a cleric and is believed to be a SGC facilitator who recently traveled to Syria. IA, assisted by Coalition forces in this operation, also confiscated SG propaganda.“This operation was directed toward ceasing criminal activities in the area as the Government of Iraq demonstrates a determination to bring those operating outside the law to justice,” said Lt. Col. Neil Harper, Multi-National Corps-Iraq spokesperson.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51663

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 3 Militants; Taliban Leader Dies

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2008 – Afghan and coalition forces killed three insurgents and uncovered a weapons and ammunition cache in Farah province’s Bala Boluk district Oct. 23, military officials said.

Afghan and coalition helicopters patrolling the area were attacked by small-arms and heavy-weapons fire from insurgents situated inside a cave. Afghan and coalition forces returned fire, killing three insurgents.

A search of the area following the attack uncovered a cache of weapons and ammunition.

In other news, Taliban commander Sharif Agha and 14 other militants were killed during an Oct. 21 coalition airstrike in Oruzgan province’s Deh Rawood district.

Agha was a known improvised explosive device and suicide bombing facilitator in Helmand and Oruzgan provinces.

Coalition forces positively identified Agha and 14 other militants near a riverbed in the vicinity of a known insurgent compound located in a remote area away from local villages. Reports confirmed that the militants were coordinating an attack against coalition forces.

Close-air support was employed, killing Agha and the other militants with a precision air strike.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)

[Palladin]

Chalk one up for the good guys!

[Cindy]

BIG DITTO.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/somalia
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/023244.php

October 26, 2008

Women’s rights, anti-FGM campaigner killed in Somalia

“Their organization campaigns for women’s rights and against female genital mutilation but it was unclear who was behind the attack.” My guess would be that it was militant Christian Fundamentalists.

“Aid worker killed in Somalia,” from AP, October 26 (thanks to Eleutheria ´H Thanatos):

The head of a Somali aid agency says a gunman shot dead a Somali woman employee in the latest of a string of attacks on the humanitarian community.
Ali Sheik says Duniya Sheik Daud was killed Saturday evening as she returned from work at the Iida organization in the central Somali town of Gurilel. Their organization campaigns for women’s rights and against female genital mutilation but it was unclear who was behind the attack....

Posted by Robert at October 26, 2008 7:37 AM

[Cindy]

More good news...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2113320/posts

“French nab 9 Somali pirates in Gulf of Aden”
AP via SFGate ^ | 10/23/8 | MALKHADIR M. MUHUMED, Associated Press Writer
Posted on October 23, 2008 10:42:03 AM PDT by SmithL

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)