Threat Matrix: December 2006

Previous thread ^

[nwctwx]

Fighting Jihad in Cyberspace
-Full Story-

The setting is familiar to anyone who watches the evening news. A large, executive-style desk, a laptop perched on top, a logo in the background and a screen showing shifting images to reinforce the newsreader's message. The only difference is the presenter, who is swathed in an Arab headdress and masked to hide his identity, and the subject of the broadcast, a call for an Islamic state for Iraq and a vow to use Iraq as a launching pad to crush the "Zionists" in Israel.

Welcome to the "Voice of the Caliphate", the latest offering from the Global Islamic Media Front, widely regarded as the mouthpiece of al-Qaeda and the worldwide jihadist movement.

Distributed over the internet, the mock news format is just one of many employed by al-Qaeda's highly sophisticated propaganda arm.

	Mystery Surrounds Zawahri’s Silence
	HizbAllah Offensive in Lebanon: Day One
	Significant Terrorist Incidents, 1961-2003: A Brief Chronology

Thread Forty-Three

Previous | TM Index

TM Terrorism Handbook

TM 'Be on the Lookout'

Godzilla's Summaries

Invaluable Tips

Preparedness

Search: News | Images

Threat Matrix HTML designed by: Ian Livingston

[Cindy]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3346073,00.html
"2 Palestinians killed in apparent 'work accident' in Gaza"
Published: 12.29.06, 14:23

===
===

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3345992,00.html

"Qassams hit Sderot area"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Palestinian gunmen in northern Gaza Strip fire another Qassam towards Sderot - the seventh by Friday afternoon. Rocket lands in open area, causing no injuries or damage. Security forces dispatched to place to locate rocket's landing site
Shmulik Hadad
Latest Update: 12.29.06, 14:25
Palestinians in northern Gaza fired another Qassam rocket towards Israel early Friday afternoon.

The rocket landed near a western Negev kibbutz, causing no injuries or damage. The 'Color Red' alert system has been activated, and security forces were dispatched to the place to locate the rocket's landing site.

By roughly 2:00 p.m. Friday, seven rockets had been fired at Israel from northern Gaza.

One landed in the Shear Hanegev regional council, two landed in the Eshkol area, and one hit near the Karni Crossing.

Defense
Danger zone around Gaza to triple / Alex Fishman
IDF braces for improved Qassams with a firing range of 20 kilometers; army to expand danger zone surrounding Gaza by 13 kilometers
Full Story
Two more rockets landed in the strip between Kibbutz Nahal Oz and Kibbutz Alumim. Another rocket, which was fired towards Ashkelon, landed apparently along the Zikim beach or in the sea.

All of the rockets landed in open areas, and no damages or injuries were reported in any of the incidents .

Two Qassam rockets were fired from Gaza Thursday and landed in open fields in the western Negev. No injuries or damage were reported in this incident as well.

Over 60 rockets were fired from Gaza since the ceasefire, Some landed within the Strip's area and most fell in Israel .

Can't count on gov't
Avi Farhan, a resident of Sderot, intends to file a petition to the High Court of Justice demanding that the State act against the Qassam fire."

[appalachian_dweller]

Seen a few reports about no specific terror threats this New Years, yet the powers that be said it would be a miracle if there were no attacks this year.

Stay on guard folks. Just because there are no 'specific' threats doesn't mean attacks plans are not operational and proceeding forward.

I plan on having a peaceful, quiet New Years at home with Clyde. If you choose to go out always be aware of your surroundings, and know how to exit the area/building quickly.

Stay Safe folks!
AD

[HipShot]

A relevant quote: "Tragically, however, we in the media have made mistakes. You may recall that in April 1983, some 60 people were killed in a bomb attack on the U.S. embassy in Beirut. At the time, there was coded radio traffic between Syria, where the operation was being run, and Iran, which was supporting it. Alas, one television network and a newspaper columnist reported that the U.S. government had intercepted the traffic. Shortly thereafter the traffic ceased. This undermined efforts to capture the terrorist leaders and eliminated a source of information about future attacks. Five months later, apparently the same terrorists struck again at the Marine barracks in Beirut; 241 servicemen were killed."

Katherine Graham
20 April, 1986

[Rushmore Rocks]

Thanks for the advice, AD. Mr. RR and I also will be staying home for New Year's Eve.......snuggling with the grandbabies. Our son and DIL are scheduled to fly to Denver tomorrow to attend the Broncos' game on Sunday night. With this new storm hitting Denver, I rather doubt that they make it. Won't hurt my feelings........would prefer that they stay close to home for the holiday.

I wish you a blessed and safe 2007.

Hug Clyde for me.

[appalachian_dweller]

>> Shortly thereafter the traffic ceased. <<

Good point HS. Does anyone know if there has been a sharp drop in the level of 'chatter'? Could be a indicator.

[appalachian_dweller]

Thanks RR and a safe, peaceful, and Happy New Year to you too!

Hope your son and DIL arrive safely. Anyway you would suggest they stay close to home (and safe) w/o sounding mean?

[HipShot]

In that case the chatter ceased because they knew we were listening. They found another means of communication.

The one time pad has been replaced by the one time cell phone, explaining the purchase of hundreds at a time.

[appalachian_dweller]

>> In that case the chatter ceased because they knew we were listening. <<

Good point HS.

Still, I'm curious about the chatter levels lately. Why were the UK authorities so sure there would be an attack this Christmas season? Now the US authorities say there's nothing to worry about. Something just doesn't wash here.

[Oorang]

Shlomit's story is a excellent reminder to be observant Cindy. Thanks much for posting. Living here in the good ole USA, when I go to the big city, I have to remind myself to take it a bit slower and be much more observant of my surroundings. Thanks.

[HipShot]

The warning wasn't just for Christmas:

"British officials warned Friday that there is a high threat of an attempted attack over the Christmas and New Year period, although they said they had no intelligence of any specific plots."

CBCNews

[appalachian_dweller]

Thanks for the clarification HS.

Just learned the the muslim Eid holiday starts tomorrow (I think). Saddam is also close to swinging from rope. Interesting times....

Stay safe folks!

[Velveeta]

Won't be long now.
Prayers for the troops.

[Velveeta]

We're 'partying' at home too, curled up in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate.

The big event is watching to see if I make it to midnight.

Happy New Year!

[appalachian_dweller]

>> curled up in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate <<

LOL!!! I must be getting old. THAT sounds like my kind of party!

Happy New Year to you too Velveeta!

[HipShot]

Hot chocolate?

How about this for the sake of posterity:
Velveeta Fudge.

[Oorang]

Thanks, to both of you, for the reminder and input. Hope you both have a prosperous 2007.

[HipShot]

Likewise.

Ever read "The Purloined Letter" by Edgar Allan Poe?

The story I quoted from and linked to reminded me of that book.

[Oorang]

Explosion reported at Ned R. McWherter National Guard Armory in Dresden (Tenn.)

Vandalism was discovered at the Ned R. McWherter National Guard Armory Friday, December 22, which was evidently caused by some type of small bomb. Due to the fact that the explosion took place at a federal military installation, investigators from Fort Campbell will lead the investigation.

In the meantime, members of the Dresden Police Department are under orders not to give out details of the incident until the investigation has been completed. The explosion shattered the right-front glass panel at the armory’s front entrance and caused damage to the glass in the double front doors. Although there is no official word yet as to the extent of the damage, the interior of the foyer behind the glass doors does not seem to have suffered any substantial damage.

Scroll down to bottom of page for article:
http://www.dresdenenterprise.com/news.htm

Mystery as TPDF uncovers 48 hand grenades
2006-12-29

The Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) yesterday impounded a total of 48 bombs at different locations in Dar es Salaam.

The bombs were discovered after the TPDF bomb detonation squad inspected the premises of Charhour Enterprises Ltd at Kurasini, where an offensive hand grenade (OHG) had previously exploded and killed Abdallah Vullu, who with other five colleagues, was loading scrap metal into a lorry.

Excerpted

http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2006/12/29/81286.html

Update/more info on a post from a few days ago:

Iraqis, Mostly Chaldeans, Are Entering U.S. Through Mexico
12-28-2006

TIJUANA -- U.S. and Mexican immigration agencies are investigating the arrival of small groups of Iraqis at the border in the past week and their possible connection to smuggling organizations.

Baja California agents and Mexican federal immigration officers found a group of four Friday night at a Tijuana hotel. In addition, two groups of about two or three Iraqis turned themselves in earlier this week to U.S. inspectors at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry, asking for political asylum.

"We've continued to see a steady trickle of Iraqis coming into the United States through Mexico, requesting asylum once they're in the United States," said Lauren Mack, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in San Diego.

Excerpted

http://www.aina.org/news/20061228120123.htm

[Oorang]

We have a collection of Edgar A. Poe that my husband likes to read to me. I'll have to look that one up. Thanks.

[Oorang]

Man detained in connection with alleged coup plot probe in Armenia
December 29, 2006

YEREVAN, Armenia: Security officers in Armenia have detained a man in connection with an alleged coup plot by opposition activists, officials said Friday. p>Vaan Aronian was arrested at his home in the village of Lusatar in western Armenia, where security officers found weapons and ammunition including guns, grenade launchers and a shoulder-fired missile launcher, the National Security Service said in a statement.

It said the detention was linked to a probe that led to the arrest earlier this month of Zhirair Sefilian, a Lebanese citizen who heads the Association of Armenian Volunteers, and another activist of the group, Vadan Malkhasian.

Excerpted

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/29/europe/EU_GEN_Armenia_Opposition_Arrest.php

Terrorist arrested, accomplice killed in police encounter
Friday, 29 December 2006

QUETTA: An alleged terrorist Ahmed Khan Marri was arrested in a wounded condition while his accomplice was killed after an armed clash with the police here Friday in the outskirt of the provincial capital in Shalkot.

According to SP Saddar Wazir Khan Nasir police received information about presence of the alleged terrorist and his accomplice in the area following which a police party was sent to the site to apprehend them.

Seeing the police party, the accused opened fire on them which was returned as a result Ahmed Khan was injured and arrested in wounded condition while his colleague, whose name could not ascertained, died on the spot.

Ahmed Khan is involved in several cases of bomb blasts and explosives and wanted to Police, the SP said, adding that a klashinkove, a pistol, two hand grenades and three timers besides Rs 0.8 million cash were also recovered from the accused.

http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1280&Itemid=2