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Threat Matrix: August 2007
Previous Thread ^

Posted on 08/01/2007 10:32:19 PM PDT by nwctwx

:::FreeRepublic's Threat Matrix:::
Disaster Looms in Pakistan

Decorum was abandoned as accusations ricocheted between the wood-panelled walls of Pakistan's national assembly on Monday night. "Murderers! Murderers of innocent people!" screamed an MP from a religious party, his yellow turban shaking as he wagged a finger towards the government benches.

Five female parliamentarians, their faces concealed behind black and white burkas, slapped the benches with open palms. Another mullah stood up and started shouting. The speaker strained to maintain order.

Others were less captivated by the debate on last month's siege of the Red Mosque, in which more than 100 people died. One man snoozed at his desk. Across the vast hall others started whispered conversations. And high above them Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a dapper man with a pinched, clean-shaven face, looked on impassively from his giant portrait on the wall. Full story...

Critical Threats: Blank When None
Threat Matrix:
August 2007
Click for Color Code Information


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: adamgadahn; afghanistan; alqaeda; alqaida; bus; china; denmark; epr; ferries; ferry; florida; france; gadahn; gangs; globaljihad; hamas; hezbollah; hizballah; hizbullah; hlf; holylandfoundation; india; internet; iran; iraq; jamesujaama; jihad; jolo; mexico; morocco; ms13; pakistan; philippines; russia; syria; taleban; taliban; threatmatrix; ujaama; vatech; virginiatech
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To: callmejoe; SJackson; yonif; ganeshpuri89; American in Israel; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; nwctwx; ...

http://memritv.org/subject/en/95.htm
http://memritv.org/subject/en/215.htm

#

More Details...

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/osama_hamdan0807e.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
August 21 , 2007

“HAMAS REPRESENTATIVE IN LEBANON - SUICIDE BOMBING ATTACKS AGAINST ISRAEL WERE JUSTIFIED”

SNIPPET: “Osama Hamdan, the Hamas representative in Lebanon, told Iranian television that suicide bombing attacks against Israel were justified, especially attacks in buses. He rejected the historical Jewish connection to the Land of Israel and stated that Hamas’ avowed intention was to wipe Israel off the face of the map.”


1,641 posted on 08/24/2007 12:56:06 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: callmejoe

Hmmm, 8kg of uranium does not sound good. Thanks for the heads up Joe.


1,642 posted on 08/24/2007 1:18:05 PM PDT by Oorang (Tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
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To: All

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/08/better_late_than_never_keeping.php

“Better Late than Never: Keeping USAID Funds out of Terrorist Hands”
By Matthew Levitt
(August 24, 2007)


1,643 posted on 08/24/2007 1:19:52 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

CAN YOU HELP?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886078/posts

“80,000 cans of Silly String, and no way to get them to Iraq”
Press Of Atlantic City ^

Posted on 08/24/2007 12:01:23 PM PDT by Sub-Driver

80,000 cans of Silly String, and no way to get them to Iraq
By REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press Writer (Published: August 24, 2007)

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - Marcelle Shriver has about 80,000 cans of Silly String and all she needs is a way to get them to Iraq.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Shriver got the idea from her son, a soldier in Ramadi. Before entering a building, troops squirt the gooey substance, which can travel about 10 to 12 feet, across an area. If it falls to the ground - that’s an indication there are no trip wires. If it hangs in the air, troops know they may have a problem.”


1,644 posted on 08/24/2007 1:23:43 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Cindy

Someone is certainly set on some Puget Sound hanky-panky. Thanks much for posting that article and link Cindy.


1,645 posted on 08/24/2007 1:26:42 PM PDT by Oorang (Tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
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To: All

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47166

Lightning Hammer Disrupts Terrorists in Iraq’s Diyala Province

American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Aug. 24, 2007 – Operation Lightning Hammer concluded Aug. 22 after a 12-day, large-scale operation to disrupt al Qaeda and other terrorist elements in the Diyala River Valley, a complex area of villages and palm groves in Iraq’s Diyala province.

The operation, which involved about 16,000 Iraqi and coalition forces clearing some 50 villages, was a key element in Multinational Corps Iraq’s overall Operation Phantom Strike, and it resulted in 26 al Qaeda members killed, 37 suspected terrorists detained, and the discovery of 10 weapons caches.

“The strength and determination of the fighting men and women from the Iraqi and coalition forces showed great results during Lightning Hammer,” said Army Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of coalition forces in Diyala province. “We have continued to diminish their supplies and disable al Qaeda’s abilities to disrupt the population.”

Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, partnered with members of the 5th Iraqi Army Division, initiated the operation with a late-night air assault into targeted locations Aug. 13 and conducted an additional three air-assaults during the course of the operation.

Residents of most villages welcomed the security forces, providing tips and intelligence about recent activities in their towns. Many residents also were interested in joining the Iraqi security forces. Following clearing operations, the Iraqi army provided medical assistance and humanitarian aid to the local citizens, many of whom said their villages were recently influenced by al Qaeda.

More importantly, more than 80 tribal leaders and representatives, some of whom had not spoken to one another for more than a year, met Aug. 19 to discuss their grievances and swore on the Quran to unite in their fight against terrorists and become one tribe of Diyala.

“As I conducted my battlefield circulation and talked with many of the citizens, they repeatedly thanked our soldiers, but more importantly, their security forces, for liberating their towns from the terrorists, specifically al Qaeda,” Sutherland said.

“Because their villages have been cleared, the local and central governments will now be able to provide those essential services al Qaeda destroyed, and the people feel a sense of security they have not known for some time,” he added.

Throughout the operation, Task Force Lightning soldiers also discovered 22 improvised explosive devices, 11 of which were discovered based on tips from a police chief in the valley, and disabled booby-trapped houses and six car bombs, all of which could have been used to harm a large portion of the population or security forces.

In addition, an al Qaeda command post was discovered in the village of Shadia, and an al Qaeda medical clinic was located in Qaryat Sunayjiyah.

The command post, which was surrounded by fighting positions, contained bed space for 20 individuals, supply requests, records of munitions, a list of families supporting the element, a list of al Qaeda members detained by coalition forces and other terrorist propaganda.

“Although we didn’t find many of the terrorists, the operation proved to be a great success because we disrupted al Qaeda, causing them to run,” Sutherland said. “Their fear of facing our forces proves that the terrorists know there is no safe haven for them in Diyala.

“And though this specific operation is over, our fight is not over,” he continued. “We will continue to aggressively target al-Qaeda, and ultimately, they will be brought to justice.”

(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)


1,646 posted on 08/24/2007 1:27:25 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Oorang

You’re welcome Oorang.

OPINION:

Well, between the arsons and the ferries...Washington State is one of the places to watch.


1,647 posted on 08/24/2007 1:29:31 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47170

Al Qaeda Disrupted During Operations in Iraq’s Tigris River Valley

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2007 – Coalition forces killed seven terrorists and detained 12 suspected terrorists today during operations in central and northern Iraq.

During an operation targeting an al Qaeda cell, coalition forces returned to an area east of Tarmiyah where they killed 13 terrorists and captured 12 suspects last week. Local Iraqis who had helped coalition forces target the cell last week continued to provide information about terrorist operations there.

The assault force killed two armed men who attacked with small-arms fire. As the force continued to secure the buildings, they repeatedly encountered armed men attempting to barricade themselves in individual rooms. In all five cases, coalition forces fought and killed the men. Coalition forces also detained four suspected terrorists and assessed that nine individuals identified in intelligence reports had been killed or captured.

“With the help of the Iraqi community, we basically crippled this cell,” said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. “We’ll continue working with local citizens to dismantle the rest of the networks that threaten the security of Iraq.”

In other operations today:

— Information from a raid in Baghdad on Aug. 15 led coalition forces to a weapons facilitator in the capital city. Coalition forces killed two hostile men in the targeted building. One of the men was identified as the weapons trafficker sought in the raid. Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist from the scene.

— In Mosul, coalition forces detained two suspects while targeting an alleged al Qaeda leader who issued orders to attack Kurds, Iraqi police and coalition forces, and is believed to have been a key recruiter for al Qaeda in Iraq.

— Near Taji, information from an operation Aug. 17 helped coalition forces target a weapons facilitator associated with al Qaeda senior leaders. The ground forces detained four suspected terrorists during the raid. North of there, an operation to disrupt al Qaeda’s influence in Bayji netted two suspected terrorists allegedly tied to the top terrorist leaders in the area.

— Iraqi and coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists associated with two high-profile bombing attacks during operations in Kirkuk and Tikrit. In Kirkuk, forces targeted a member of the local car-bombing cell believed to have used his house to store truck bombs used in a July 16 attack that killed 80 people. Ground forces detained four suspected terrorists linked to the cell. Coalition forces also targeted associates of Haytham Sabah al-Badri, who participated in the Samarra Golden Mosque bombing. Coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists during the operation and found an 80-pound bag of Iraqi money.

— In Mosul, coalition forces conducted two raids targeting the suicide-bombing network there. A precision raid nabbed a suspected expert car-bomb maker in charge of all suicide bombers in the area. During another raid, coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists linked to a safe house operator who shelters suicide bombers for attacks in Ninewa and Dahuk provinces.

— During a raid in the Tarmiyah area, coalition forces captured a suspected senior operative of a bombing network whose leader was killed during an operation Aug. 20. Three additional suspects were detained for their ties to the bombing network.

“Each operation presents us the next piece of intelligence, the next target, the next mission to capture and disrupt the networks conducting brutal and indiscriminate attacks against Iraqis,” Garver said. “We’re pursuing them relentlessly; we want to stop them before they can strike.”

In operations earlier this week:

— Iraqi security forces with U.S. Special Forces advisors conducted a raid in Kubaysah on Aug. 22, detaining an al Qaeda terrorist believed to be responsible for shooting down a coalition helicopter in 2004. During the raid, Iraqi police detained a second person of interest and confiscated an assault rifle, numerous identification cards and passports. The second individual is a known al Qaeda terrorist and allegedly associated with improvised explosive devices and sniper attacks against coalition forces and Iraqi security forces in Hit and Kubaysah.

— Iraqi and U.S. Special Forces soldiers detained three suspected terrorists in the village of Bulayj and destroyed a weapons cache near Mandali on Aug. 22. During the cordon-and-search operation in Bulayj, soldiers raided two structures local Iraqis identified as al Qaeda safe houses. Three males were detained, one of whom was identified as a terrorist cell leader responsible for attacking Iraqi soldiers in April, killing six people. In a second operation in the village of Khalaf al Hassun, soldiers uncovered a weapons cache during a raid to disrupt an al Qaeda improvised explosive device-making cell. The cache of high explosives, copper wire, pressure wire, blasting caps and electrical wire used for making improvised explosive devices was destroyed in place. A truck and motorcycle from the cache house, along with two AK-47 assault rifles, four cases of AK-47 ammunition and three cases of machine gun ammunition, were confiscated by the Iraqi army.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq, Multinational Corps Iraq and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Arabian Peninsula news releases.)


1,648 posted on 08/24/2007 1:31:01 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47172

“Iraqi Citizens Commit to Stop Violence, Help Security Forces”

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2007


1,649 posted on 08/24/2007 1:32:28 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47176

“Commander Says Iraqi Citizens Turning Against Insurgents”

By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2007


1,650 posted on 08/24/2007 1:33:49 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47171

Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Suspected Militants

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2007 – One militant was killed and 11 men were detained for questioning following an operation in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province today.

The insurgent was killed while attempting to engage coalition and Afghan forces. The detainees will be questioned as to their involvement in militant activities, officials said.

Intelligence reports led coalition forces to compounds in the Sherzad district that are suspected of providing sanctuary to an enemy facilitator. Multiple weapons, including a machine gun, ammunition vests, six rocket-propelled grenades, two grenades, a bag of explosive propellant, mortar fuses and 21 landmines were found during a search of the compounds. The items were destroyed in place, causing some structural damage to the barn where they were hidden.

“Militants who maintain a weapons cache like this one intend to bring destruction and disrupt the peace within the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokeswoman.

Also today, Afghan and coalition forces detained two militants and killed another during an operation in Khowst province.

Intelligence reports led coalition forces to a compound in the Mando Zayi district. One suspected militant was shot and killed during the course of operation when he reached for a weapon; the other two were detained.

En route to the location, coalition forces fired shots in self-defense, and the ricochet rounds wounded a bystander. He was treated for minor injuries by coalition forces, but did not require additional medical attention.

“Afghan national security forces continue to work relentlessly against anti-coalition militants who endanger civilians and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” Bowman said.

In operations yesterday, Afghan national security forces advised by coalition forces detained seven suspected insurgents during an operation near Kandahar City.

Intelligence reports led Afghan and coalition forces to a compound suspected of housing the militants. One of the detainees is suspected of being a major Taliban bomb maker in the city.

“The apprehension of these insurgents will go a long way towards disrupting the enemies of peace and stability during their on-going assassination and terror campaign against (the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) and (Afghan national security force) officials,” Bowman said. “Today’s operation removed a high-level individual who has taken part in the command and control of the insurgent (improvised-explosive-device) network that facilitates attacks which target, kill and maim innocent Afghans.”

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release.)


1,651 posted on 08/24/2007 1:35:08 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Cindy
Fortunately they were caught and it turns out they were not terrorists, just stupid:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1885755/posts?page=36#36,/a>

1,652 posted on 08/24/2007 1:39:55 PM PDT by Oorang (Tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
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To: Oorang

THANK YOU for this update, Oorang.

#

Let’s add the url here too for archival purposes.

http://peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070824/NEWS/708240304

“Four who ran Customs checkpoint found in Port Angeles hotel, fined $500”
By Randy Trick, Peninsula Daily News
PORT ANGELES
(August 24, 2007)


1,653 posted on 08/24/2007 1:46:21 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; STARWISE; Jim Robinson; Jet Jaguar; backhoe; piasa

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

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

#

Thanks to STARWISE for pointing to this post.

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886095/posts?page=238#238

Drive by posting...

Friend’s mom just got off the phone with family in Cuba and reports that Cuban police have been posted on every corner.

My mom just heard from her co-worker (whose SIL lives in Cuba and called him moments ago) that Cuban officials have shut down the airport and are not allowing any flights in or out of the island.

Folks, this may finally be it.

238 posted on 08/24/2007 1:50:27 PM PDT by RMDupree (I’m not really here.)


1,654 posted on 08/24/2007 2:05:16 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Cindy; callmejoe; fanfan; Godzilla; KylaStarr; Rushmore Rocks; Velveeta; nwctwx; eastforker; ...
Investigation of radioactive cargo shipment to Vladivostok begins
24.08.2007

A special commission has begun investigating circumstances of radioactive cargo shipment to the port of Vladivostok, the press service of the Far Eastern customs department told Itar-Tass on Friday.

The commission includes customs officers, experts of the Russian consumers’ rights watchdog, of civil defence and emergency situations units and of the service for environmental, technological and nuclear supervision. On Thursday, customs officers during supervision and control of cargo found two containers, whose ionising radiation level exceeded natural radiation background twenty times.

Under the customs shipping forms the cargo contained concentrated ore delivered from Australia to be shipped to Kazakhstan via the Russian territory. The containers’ owner has not yet provided documents confirming the cargo’s high ionising radiation level. The containers were seized and tugged to a special ground.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11813129&PageNum=0

Machine-guns seized from Woodroffe Avenue home (Ottawa,Canada)
Friday, August 24, 2007

Police from both sides of the river seized 30 firearms and more than 30,000 rounds of ammunition from a Woodroffe Avenue house on Wednesday.

Gatineau police seized 14 restricted and prohibited firearms and more than 30,000 rounds of high-calibre ammunition from the home. As well, the Ottawa police guns and gangs unit and other police officers seized 16 more firearms from the same address. Several of the guns were inoperable. Most were machine-guns, such as an AK-47, UZI, MP-5, STEN, and semi-automatic handguns, and there were a few high-powered long guns.

Sgt. Anthony Costantini of the guns and gangs unit said a Gatineau police investigation -- stemming from charges laid against the suspect during an incident in Quebec several days ago -- led them to his Ontario residence Wednesday. Ottawa police were called in when further firearms were discovered. He could not provide details on the incident, but said the firearms discovered may have been related.

Siva Yogi Shanmugadhasan, 48, of Ottawa, has been charged with firearms and weapons-related charges. He is to appear in court today.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=cafdf329-8cb5-4dde-b048-037922b6637b&k=98852

1,655 posted on 08/24/2007 2:05:56 PM PDT by Oorang (Tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
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To: Cindy

Hmmm, so it just may be true...


1,656 posted on 08/24/2007 2:07:11 PM PDT by Oorang (Tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
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To: Oorang

That’s interesting, Oorang.

I wonder what the original investigation is about.

#

Adding 2 links:

http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/serving_ottawa/media_room/news.cfm?nr_id=4622

Ottawa Police Service
For Immediate Release: 23/08/2007

“Numerous firearms and ammunition seized from West End home”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Thursday, August 23, 2007, 10:21 p.m.

(Ottawa) -

NEWS RELEASE SNIPPET: “Charged with firearms and weapons related charges is Siva Yogi Shanmugadhasan age 48 of Ottawa. The investigation is
continuing. He is to appear in court on the 24th of August.”

#

stepping back in time...

QUOTE - SNIPPET:

http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/annual_report/1984/received.htm#S

SHANMUGADHASAN, Siva Y. v. DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, et al.
No. CV 84-0079 PAR (Tx) (C.D. Cal.)

SHANMUGADHASAN, SIVA YOGI v. U.S. ARMS CONTROL, et al.
No. 84-3033 (D. D.C.)


1,657 posted on 08/24/2007 2:17:24 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Oorang

Yep...


1,658 posted on 08/24/2007 2:18:19 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; Jet Jaguar; StillProud2BeFree; Velveeta; Calpernia; Oorang; penguino; backhoe; piasa; ...

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

#

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=86&art_id=nw20070823215014318C240102
(REUTERS)

“Gunmen open fire on bus in Niger”
August 24 2007 at 12:29AM

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Niamey - Gunmen in northern Niger thought to be members of a Tuareg-led rebel group opened fire on a bus carrying 60 passengers on Thursday before stealing their goods and setting light to the vehicle, military sources said.

The attackers opened fire to stop the bus on the road between the remote desert towns of Agadez and Arlit, where nomadic rebels have been fighting an insurgency since February, but did not shoot directly at those on board, the sources said.

“There were around 60 passengers who were robbed. The attackers then burned the vehicle before withdrawing,” one of the military sources said, adding there were no casualties.

“The security forces are pursuing them.”

The assailants were believed to be members of the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ), which has killed at least 45 soldiers in the West African nation’s remote Saharan north since February as it pushes demands for greater economic development.”

#

Recap:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1880623/posts

“Islamist attempts suicide attack in Morocco”
Swissinfo ^ | August 14 2007 | Reuters

Posted on 08/13/2007 2:20:32 PM PDT by knighthawk

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “RABAT (Reuters) - A suspected radical Islamist tried to blow up himself near a bus carrying tourists in the Moroccan city of Meknes on Monday but he detonated the gas cylinder he was carrying before reaching it, police sources said.

“The gas cylinder exploded some metres (yards) from the bus and badly injured the attacker,” said one police source.

Another source said authorities suspected the bomber was a member of the radical Islamist Jihadia group.”


1,659 posted on 08/24/2007 2:24:08 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=72532

you are here: Home > Reports > Safety and Security Reports > Report
Increase in AQIM Rhetoric, Communiques in July
Safety & Security
Middle East / N. Africa - Algeria, Morocco
24 Aug 2007

Printer Friendly Email Article
Attachments
July AQIM Statement
In July, the Media Committee of AQIM issued a communique warning Muslims to avoid centers of the infidels and apostates and their gatherings. A translation is attached.AQIM Communique.doc
DOC (33k)
Related Reports
13 Jul 2007
Morocco: Continued Threat of Terrorism
20 Jun 2007
Algeria 2007 Crime & Safety Report
4 Jun 2007
Warden Message: Casablanca Consulate Resumes Operations
24 Apr 2007
North Africa Benchmarking Survey Results
24 Apr 2007
North Africa Benchmarking Survey Results
U.S. Embassy Algiers reported the following (compiled from press reporting):

More Attacks, More Violence in Algeria

According to press reports, July has seen an increased number of al-Qa’ida in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) attacks in Algeria compared to the monthly average during the previous three-month period. As of July 31 there were 25 AQIM attacks targeting military and security personnel. Eighteen soldiers were killed and 66 wounded in these attacks, again according to press sources. May and June 2007, by contrast, averaged 18-20 attacks on military and security personnel, resulting in nine security personnel killed each month and 74 wounded (32 in May and 42 in June). The most deadly and boldest attack in July was the Lakhdaria suicide bombing 75 kilometers east of Algiers. Algerian officials told the press that ten security personnel were killed in the Lakhdaria attack. AQIM in a video message posted on the Al-Jazeera network claimed that more than “70 apostates” were killed and hundreds wounded.

Lakhdaria Suicide Bombing Details

According to July 12 reporting in the Arabic-language paper El-Khabar, at approximately 6:50 a.m. local time July 11, a food delivery truck owned by a private contractor conducting its usual delivery to the Lakhdaria military base exploded at the base entrance. The article also stated that AQIM members had kidnapped the owner the night before, loaded the truck with a ton of explosives, and assigned the suicide bomber who detonated himself inside the base during the soldiers’ routine morning formations.

According to El-Khabar, witnesses on the scene said that the blast was enormous and was heard miles away. Other witnesses said that soldiers close to the truck had no chance of survival and their body parts landed many meters distant, eliminating any possibility of identifying the victims. The article also reported that a nearby coffee shop owner had said he knew seven soldiers who had died, as they had been his regular customers. The owner commented that these soldiers were almost finished with their military service and were looking forward to resume their civilian life.

According to Liberte newspaper July 12, Suhaib Abu Malih was the suicide bomber. He had recently joined AQIM along with three other young men from the region. He was allegedly recruited by a former activist with the banned Islamic Salvation Front party (in French, FIS) who was also a native of Lakhdaria. Liberte claimed that this recruiter had been sent to Iraq by AQIM leader Droukdal personally to get specialized training in explosives and recruitment of young Algerians to conduct future suicide operations. Liberte did not give more information on this recruiter.

Intensification of Rhetoric

At the same time violence has increased, there has been a significant jump in AQIM communiques. For example, on the same day as the Lakhdaria suicide attack, the AQIM media committee posted a communique on the internet dedicated to Suhaib Abu Malih, describing him as a hero who had “sketched the path of salvation for the youth of Islam.” AQIM spokesman Mohammed Abu Salih called on young Muslims to “step up and accept death as Suhaib did in order to receive the gift of eternal life.” Finally the AQIM media committee spokesman warned the “agents of America and the sons of France” that young Muslims were eager for paradise, and they would not “forget the blood of their martyrs presented to the United States as a sacrifice.” The AQIM spokesman also accused the Interior Minister of lying to the Algerian people by planting explosives in shops, claiming to “discover” them, and then claiming credit for thwarting terrorist attacks and dismantling terrorist networks. The AQIM spokesman taunted the interior minister’s “master” (presumably President Bouteflika) that he could not stop martyrdom operations. The spokesman concluded his recording with a call to God to destroy the Jews, Christians and their apostate agents.

Note: The communique praising July 11 suicide bomber Suhaib Abu Malih was issued a few hours after the Lakhdaria attack, which is notable; in the spring of 2007, AQIM often took a week or more to issue such communiques.

Another communique (attached to this report) issued July 23 warned of future attacks against security, military, and government centers to include “apostate and infidel headquarters.” In the communique Droukdal warned Muslims to avoid congregating at these centers lest they be hurt in AQIM attacks. The communique clearly reiterated that AQIM could not be held responsible for civilian casualties and the loss of innocent Muslim blood.

On July 19, AQIM issued what it called the tenth communique in which it listed all AQIM victories for the first half of the month of July 2007. Between July 1 and July 13, AQIM claimed ten attacks, mostly conducted in the Kabylie region. Algerian press reported seven of these attacks.

One alleged major AQIM offensive that did not make the Algerian press headlines was a July 14 communique called the “Akouran raid.” According to this communique, on July 13 AQIM conducted three simultaneous attacks on security targets in Akouran (Tizi Ouzou province), killing more than 25 soldiers. The Algerian media reported fighting in Akouran but stated that the Algerian army rebuffed a large ambush and killed four terrorists. These casualty numbers have not been confirmed.


1,660 posted on 08/24/2007 3:11:46 PM PDT by Cindy
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