Threat Matrix: February 2007

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[nwctwx]

How al-Qaida Fared in 2006
-Full Story-

In 2006, agents of al-Qaida, as well as those inspired by its ideology, continued their attacks. Violence in Iraq intensified, and Afghanistan saw its bloodiest year since 2001.

Despite worsening chaos on those fronts, counterterrorist forces arrested and killed high-profile terrorists and kept the West free from attack. But these actions don't appear to have weakened the appeal of al-Qaida's agenda. "Home-grown" militants around the world joined its jihad, as regional fighting heightened perceptions of a global war on Islam.

Here's an assessment of some of the most significant gains and losses for al-Qaida last year: Read more..

	Azzam the American: The Making of an al Qaida Homegrown
	Islamic Cells of Revenge Joins the al Qaida Movement
	Most Dangerous Destinations 2007

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[nwctwx]

Actually, it looks like they largely stole from the Army Times. ;-)

===

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/02/dnalqaida070215/

War helping al-Qaida regroup, Congress told
By William Matthews - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Feb 15, 2007 10:22:37 EST

Al-Qaida is alive and well and thriving thanks in part to the Internet, terrorism experts told a House Armed Services subcommittee Wednesday.

A panel of experts painted a picture of an Islamic terrorist organization far different from the one President Bush portrays: that al-Qaida “is on the run.”

On the contrary, said Bruce Hoffman, a professor at Georgetown University, “al-Qaida is on the march.”

The organization has regrouped from the setbacks it suffered when U.S. military forces drove it out of Afghanistan.

Hoffman credits al-Qaida with some degree of involvement in attacks that were planned and prevented in August 2006 to blow up 10 airliners flying from Britain to the U.S., in the 2005 subway and bus bombings in London, and 2004 attacks that were foiled in London, New York, Newark, N.J., and Washington.

Hoffman warned that Bush’s strategy of surging an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq to try to quell the rising sectarian violence there “is exactly what al-Qaida wants.”

“Iraq, for them, has been an effective means to preoccupy American military forces and distract U.S. attention while al-Qaida has regrouped and reorganized since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001,” he said.

Hoffman quoted al-Qaida’s second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, as saying, “The Americans are facing a delicate situation in [Iraq and Afghanistan]. If they withdraw, they will lose everything and if they stay, they will continue be bleed to death.”

Hoffman argued that moving U.S. troops out of Iraq and strengthening the capabilities of U.S. allies in the region “would affirm, not undermine U.S. commitments” in the region and enable the U.S. to focus more on dealing with al-Qaida.

Daniel Benjamin of the Brookings Institution agreed that al-Qaida “appears to have recovered” from any damage inflicted during the expulsion from Afghanistan. Al-Qaida now is based in tribal areas of Pakistan along the Afghanistan border, where the Pakistani government “shows little inclination to dislodge it,” he said.

The U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq “gave the jihadists an unmistakable boost,” he said. Among “self-starter jihadists,” the U.S. invasion and occupation is universally cited as justification for terrorism. The U.S. presence in Iraq has turned the country into “a sanctuary for jihadists better than Afghanistan ever was,” he said.

Military force is ill-suited to battling terrorism, Benjamin said. The presence of military forces alienates local civilians, and military operations invariably result in civilian deaths that turn local populations against the U.S.

Much of al-Qaida’s comeback can be credited to the Internet, said Rita Katz, director of the SITE Institute. Katz said she spends her days monitoring al-Qaida Web sites, message boards, blogs, e-groups and other cyber-sites where she said a “virtual jihadist network” indoctrinates, communicates, recruits and plans attacks.

The Internet is home to a highly organized al-Qaida presence that features recruiting videos and communiqués, anti-American and anti-Western broadcasts, pro-Caliphate programs, even online libraries of books the justify jihad, she said.

Katz said when she reported some of this to U.S. government authorities, they were uninterested.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=3101

Coalition Forces Kill Four Terrorists, Detain Dozens

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2007 – Coalition forces killed four foreign terrorist facilitators and detained 63 other enemy fighters in operations throughout Iraq during the past three days.

The foreign fighter facilitators were killed today during an operation southeast of Rutbah when coalition forces entered a targeted building and killed the four armed men. Four others surrendered and were detained for questioning.

Meanwhile, during operations in Ramadi, coalition forces targeted terrorists with ties to al Qaeda’s senior leadership. The search netted a suspected leader of an improvised explosive devices and sniper cell network in the Ramadi area. Seven other suspects were detained, including three believed to have close ties to senior al Qaeda leaders and a foreign fighter network.

Coalition forces also detained three suspected terrorists, including an alleged senior level car bomb cell leader, in a Baghdad area hospital. The cell leader is implicated in several bomb attacks that are responsible for inciting sectarian violence in northern Baghdad, officials said.

Intelligence reports directed coalition forces to the Al Numan Hospital, which the insurgent was using as a safe haven to avoid capture. Coalition forces met and coordinated with the hospital’s staff to aid in the search and detention of the suspect.

The hospital staff also provided information on two other persons staying overnight who were not listed as patients. Coalition forces detained those suspects, believed to be associates of the insurgent leader.

Also in Baghdad, intelligence reports led coalition forces to nine suspected terrorists, including one allegedly involved in anti-coalition forces activities, the procurement of weapons and supporting foreign fighters. The suspects were detained.

Two other suspects with alleged ties to a foreign fighter facilitation network were detained in Karabilah yesterday.

In eastern Mosul yesterday, members of the Ninewa Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics Team, along with coalition advisors, captured a suspected insurgent leader. The suspect is reportedly linked to al Qaeda in Iraq and is tied to several recent attacks targeting Iraqi security forces and coalition forces in the area.

On Feb. 16, another group believed to be responsible for threatening security forces was arrested southwest of Hilla. Hilla SWAT members and coalition advisors arrested 21 suspected insurgent leaders and detained 13 others for questioning.

The suspects are believed to be Mahdawiyah leaders who were involved in the battle against Iraqi forces Jan. 28 in Najaf. Since the battle, the leadership allegedly made death threats to Hilla SWAT policemen and their families.

Also Feb. 16, two suspected insurgent cell leaders were captured by special Iraqi security forces and coalition advisors. The suspects are believed to be responsible for conducing attacks against security checkpoints, and placing explosive devices for attacks targeting Iraqi civilians and security forces.

There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi force or coalition force casualties during the operations.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

[Cindy]

Thank you Oorang.

[Cindy]

Thank you MamaDearest.

[Cindy]

Thank you nw.

[Cindy]

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/ci/economic.htm

Investigative Programs
Counterintelligence Division

"Focus on Economic Espionage"

ARTICLE SNIPPET:

"How to Contact Us
To report violations, obtain additional information, or schedule a presentation regarding Economic Espionage, contact the Economic Espionage Unit at 202/324-6930."

[Cindy]

Thanks to piasa for the ping to this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1787196/posts

"Secret aid for al-Qa'ida in Somalia"
The Times (London) ^ | February 19, 2007 | Jon Swain

Posted on 02/18/2007 10:02:38 PM PST by Mount Athos



and this post:

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1787196/posts?page=5#5


South Africa, Russia? ping:

Evgueny Zakharov, the owner of Aerolift, an airline with a fleet of ageing Antonov and Ilyushin transport aircraft based in Johannesburg but registered in the British Virgin Islands, said in an interview: "We transported lots of men in uniform -- Arab men with masks.
"They were disciplined men and although none of them had rank badges there were obviously people in charge. They got on the aircraft as if they had done it many times before."

5 posted on 02/18/2007 10:15:19 PM PST by piasa (Attitude Adjustments Offered Here Free of Charge)

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2939.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Sun Feb 18 2007 22:44:51 GMT-0800.

ERITREA

June 05, 2006

[Cindy]

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=63745

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
"Warden Message: Albania Election Rallies, February 18"
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Europe - Albania
16 Feb 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.wsmv.com/
http://www.wsmv.com/news/11048353/detail.html


Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015333.php

February 18, 2007

Nashville: Muslim cabbie tries to run down two students after "fight over religion became heated"
Some stand on streetcorners and hand out religious tracts. Some use different methods of persuasion. "Cabbie Runs Down Students: Religious Argument Leaves One Hospitalized," from WSMV.com, with thanks to Jerry:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A local cab driver allegedly tried to run over two customers after a fight over religion became heated.
The incident happened early Sunday morning on the Vanderbilt campus and left one man hospitalized and a cab driver arrested, said police

Two students visiting from Ohio were coming from a bar downtown when they got into an argument with their driver over religion, said police. After they paid the driver he allegedly ran them down in a parking lot.

Ibrihim Ahmed, of United Cab, was arrested and charged with assault, attempted homicide and theft. One of the passengers, Andrew Nelson, managed to outrun the cab but Jeremy Invus was taken to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center with serious injuries, said police....

Posted by Robert at February 18, 2007 08:57 PM

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=letterbomb
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=mailbomb

---

UPDATE:

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1787229/posts


England - Letter Bomb Suspect Held
Sky News ^ | February 19, 2007

Posted on 02/19/2007 2:13:40 AM PST by HAL9000

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a series of letter bomb attacks in Britain.

The man was arrested in Cambridge by detectives investigating the attacks on businesses linked to forensic science laboratories and traffic enforcement.

A total of seven letter bombs have been sent across Britain over the last month.

[Cindy]

hooliganism...


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=russia
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=mcdonalds

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1787241/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1786982/posts

===
===

UPDATE:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6374221.stm

"Explosion in Russian McDonald's"

The McDonald's ceiling collapsed and windows were blown out
An explosion at a McDonald's restaurant in the Russian city of St Petersburg has slightly injured six people with concussion and cuts from flying glass.
The cause of the blast was unclear, but police said their initial information suggested that it was caused by "an explosive device".

However, they said they were treating the incident as "hooliganism" rather than terrorism."

[Godzilla]

placemark

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=india

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=trains
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=train

===

UPDATE...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6374377.stm

Last Updated: Monday, 19 February 2007, 11:56 GMT


"Dozens dead in India train blasts"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "At least 65 people have been killed after a bomb attack aboard a train travelling from India to Pakistan.
Passengers said they heard two blasts as the train passed near Panipat, about 80km (50 miles) north of Delhi. A fire then swept through two carriages.

The train is part of the "Friendship Express" service that takes passengers from Delhi to Lahore in Pakistan.

Indian and Pakistani leaders denounced the attack as an act of terrorism aimed at disrupting their peace process.

The blasts happened a day before Pakistan's foreign minister was due in Delhi for talks with Indian leaders.

The minister, Khurshid Kasuri, said the explosion was a "horrendous act of terrorism" but it would not change his plans to visit India from 20-23 February."

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1787350/posts


"Border Patrol seeking 800 new agents in Arizona"
AP ^ | 18 Feb 2007 | AP

Posted on 02/19/2007 7:59:42 AM PST by FLOutdoorsman

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net
http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/index.cfm?page=Wanted_Terrorist
http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/fugitives.htm
http://www.fbi.gov/terrorinfo/terrorismsi.htm

[Cindy]

RECAP
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=116&sid=1065799

"FBI Defends Against 'Kitchen Sink Bombs'"
Feb 18th - 8:44pm
By LARA JAKES JORDAN Associated Press Writer

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=internet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=internetcafes
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=internetcafe

===
===

RECAP:

http://www.internet-haganah.com/haganah/internet.html
http://internet-haganah.org/hmedia/13feb07/13feb07-salafy_forums.html
http://www.internet-haganah.com/harchives/005903.html

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

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

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Mon Feb 19 2007 08:27:38 GMT-0800.

Worldwide Caution

October 11, 2006


This Public Announcement updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated June 6, 2006 and expires on April 9, 2007.

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.

Ongoing events in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East have resulted in demonstrations and associated violence in several countries. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning.

In August 2006, British authorities arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. The September 2006 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Syria and the March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, illustrate the continuing desire of extremists to strike American targets.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. A series of bombings in Thailand in May and September 2006 which targeted tourist destinations, the bombings in the Egyptian resort town of Dahab in April 2006, the bombings at a market in Palu, Indonesia in December 2005, the hotel bombings in Jordan in early November 2005 and the bombing of a crowded marketplace in New Delhi in October 2005 illustrate how terrorists exploit vulnerabilities associated with soft targets. Additional examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays. Financial or economic targets of value may also be considered as possible venues; the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late February 2006 is one such example.

In the wake of the August 2006 plot against aircraft in London, numerous terrorist attacks on trains in India in 2006, the July 2005 London Underground bombings, and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid, Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems. In addition, extremists may also select aviation and maritime services as possible targets.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=nigeria

http://www.persecution.org

===
===

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07020096.htm

8, 2007

"Missionary Couple in Nigeria Attacked, Robbed at Gunpoint"

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

NIGERIA