Threat Matrix: March 2008

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[nwctwx]

Petraeus: Al Qaida Trying to 'Come Back In'

U.S. military officials said there will be no significant reduction in coalition troops in the Baghdad area as part of an effort to stop the Al Qaida offensive in northern Iraq.

They said Al Qaida was trying to reenter Baghdad and reverse its losses in 2007.

"Al Qaida is trying to come back in," U.S. military commander Gen. David Petraeus said. "We can feel it and see it, and what we're trying to do is rip out any roots before they can get deeply into the ground." Read More

	Militants Assert Themselves in Pakistan
	U.S. Optimistic about Afghanistan Reinforcements
	‘You Have to Rethink War’

Threat Matrix:
March 2008

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[Cindy]

I’m praying for the FBI agents and their families.
Thank you MamaDearest for this post.

[Cindy]

from your article snippet: ““It’s more a local group.””

OPINION: Gangs are gangs; gangbangers are gangbangers.

[Cindy]

This evening’s STUCK ON STUPID award winner goes to Johnathan Powell.

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Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986835/posts

(Jonathan) Powell (UK) says government “should talk to al Qaeda”
Reuters UK ^ | March 15, 2008 | Reuters
Posted on 03/16/2008 10:53:17 PM PDT by Clairity

The Foreign Office on Saturday dismissed as “inconceivable” calls by an ex-aide to former Prime Minister Tony Blair to open a channel of communication with al Qaeda.

Jonathan Powell, who served as Blair’s chief of staff between 1995 and 2007, said he would “want to find a channel to al Qaeda” if he was still in government, the Guardian newspaper reported.

Only by talking to al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan could Western governments hope to secure a long-term halt in their campaigns of violence, he was reported as saying.

But the Foreign Office said: “It is inconceivable that Her Majesty’s government would ever seek to reach a mutually acceptable accommodation with a terrorist organisation like al Qaeda.”

(Excerpt) Read more at uk.reuters.com ...

[Cindy]

This thread has been updated:

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1656223/posts

IRELAND REMEMBERS VERONICA GUERIN
AP via CNN ^ | June 27, 2006 | Not noted
Posted on 06/26/2006 10:36:03 PM PDT by Cindy

DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) — Family and friends of Veronica Guerin, the investigative reporter whose slaying shocked Ireland and triggered a government crackdown on organized crime, laid flowers and prayed Monday near the spot where she was shot to death a decade ago.

(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...

[Cindy]

Fyi Only.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7299939.stm

Last Updated: Monday, 17 March 2008, 00:12 GMT

“Police release arrested BBC staff”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The BBC journalists arrested by gardai in County Donegal, who were investigating paramilitary activity, have been released.

Another seven men arrested at the same time continue to be questioned.”

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986844/posts

“BBC Says 4 of its Journalists Arrested in Ireland”
foxnews.com ^ | March 16, 2008 | FOX News
Posted on 03/17/2008 12:25:42 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
LONDON

[Cindy]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080317/NATION/678838964/1001

Page 1 of 2
“U.S. boosts deportation of illegals”

By Jerry Seper
March 17, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The Department of Homeland Security, continuing to enforce what it calls a “strict policy of arresting, prosecuting and jailing” illegal immigrants, deported a record number of those caught on the nation’s borders last year — more than 280,000 in fiscal year 2007 compared with 186,000 a year earlier.

It was the largest number of illegals ever removed from the country in a single year.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokeswoman Ernestine Fobbs said the agency’s Office of Detention and Removal Operations deported to 195 countries a total of 280,523 illegal immigrants during fiscal 2007 — which ended Sept. 30.”

[Cindy]

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com (THREATS WATCH.org): "INSIDE IRANIAN-BACKED TERROR" by Steve Schippert (March 17, 2008)

THREATS WATCH.org - blog: "IRANIAN TWO-STEP: TALK ABOUT TALKS" by Steve Schippert (March 16, 2008, 11:23 pm)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/gwot/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad/
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Thanks to csvset for this more details update/ping:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986738/posts?page=8#8

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\03\17\story_17-3-2008_pg1_8

FBI chief targeted in Islamabad blast

LAHORE: The target of the bombing at an Italian restaurant in Islamabad on Saturday was Trish, the FBI Operations chief in Pakistan. Quoting its sources, ARY TV channel reported on Sunday that Trish was the second highest-ranking US official in Pakistan and had been the terrorists’ actual target. It said that she had been injured during the blast but was currently in stable condition. She was shifted from the Polyclinic to Al-Shifa Hospital at the request of the US Embassy, the channel added. daily times monitor

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=81309

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Popular Islamabad Expatriate Restaurant Bombed
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
South / Central Asia - Pakistan
15 Mar 2008

Printer Friendly Email Article
RELATED REPORTS
27 Feb 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: PAKISTAN SAFETY CONCERNS
15 Feb 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: UPCOMING PAKISTANI ELECTIONS
11 Feb 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERNS IN NWFP AND FATA, PAKISTAN
17 Jan 2008
WARDEN MESSAGE: MUHARRAM HOLIDAY WEEKEND
3 Jan 2008
PAKISTAN BENCHMARKING SURVEY, BENAZIR BHUTTO ASSASSINATION
U.S. Embassy Islamabad issued the following Warden Message on March 15, 2008:

There has been an explosion at the Luna Caprese restaurant in Islamabad, Sector F-6. Casualties have been reported and local security forces are on the scene. All Americans are advised to avoid unnecessary travel in the F-6 area.

As per our long-standing guidance, we would like to remind the American citizen community to avoid areas where Westerners are known to congregate and to maintain a low profile. American citizens should stay alert, be aware of their surroundings, reduce travel to a minimum, and act self-defensively at all times.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warning for Pakistan, and Consular Information Sheet for Pakistan can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays)

Contact information follows for all four posts in Pakistan:

The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5; telephone (92-51) 208-0000; Consular Section telephone (92-51) 208-2700; fax (92-51) 282-2632, website http://islamabad.usembassy.gov

The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, closed its public operations indefinitely due to security concerns. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance should call the consular section in Karachi. Their telephone is (92-21) 520-4200 (after hours: 92-21-520-4400; fax 92-21-568-0496, website http://karachi.usconsulate.gov

The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located at 50- Sharah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Rotary, telephone (92-42) 603-4000 or 603-4250, fax (92-42) 603-4200, website http://lahore.usconsulate.gov, Email address: acslahore@state.gov

The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; telephone (92-91) 526-8800; fax (92-91) 527-6712, website http://peshawar.usconsulate.gov

[Godzilla]

We have picked up the tempo in striking terrorist targets in Pakistan since the election there. I'm not sure if this is with the blessing of the new ruling party or not, but it seems only the Tali / AQ supporters are the ones squeeking. MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan - A missile strike near the Afghan border destroyed the house of a suspected militant leader Sunday, killing at least 20 people, witnesses and state-run Pakistan Television said.

Seven missiles were fired in the strike in the tribal area of South Waziristan, the television report said. The Pakistani military said five or six explosions were heard near Wana, the main town in South Waziristan. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080316/ap_on_re_as/pakistan_missile_attack

[Cindy]

Yes...spring cleaning.

Thanks for the analysis, Godzilla.

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

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Note: Some of the cartoon frames are posted at the url below.

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=iran&ID=SP187308

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1873
March 17, 2008 No. 1873

“The Child and the Invader - An Iranian Cartoon Series”

SNIPPET: “During February and March 2008, Iran’s Sahar TV, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting’s (IRIB) foreign language channel that broadcasts in Urdu, French, English, and other languages, aired cartoons as fillers throughout the day. The cartoon soundtrack is highly reminiscent of Disney’s The Lion King and of Warner Brothers’ “Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner” and other Loony Tunes cartoons, and characters’ exclamations sound like those of Homer Simpson and other well-known cartoon characters.

TO VIEW A 28 MINUTE COMPILATION OF SEGMENTS OF THIS SERIES, VISIT http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1715.htm .”

[Cindy]

A look at a little propaganda this afternoon.

Note: The following blog entry is a quote:

http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/6244.htm

Iranian Deputy Minister: Mahdi Will “Take Revenge On Zionism”

Iran’s Deputy Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hadi Homayoun has said that when the Mahdi (the Shi’ite Messiah) appears, he will “take revenge on Zionism and make it pay for the blood of Ali (the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad).”

Homayoun added, “The only path to the world’s salvation and to removing injustice from it is to eliminate world Zionism and, God be praised, the path for doing so is being paved.”

Source: bfnews.ir, Iran, March 9, 2008

Posted at: 2008-03-17

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49297

Coalition Disrupts Al Qaeda Networks in Iraq, Detains 27

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2008 – Coalition forces detained 27 suspected terrorists today during operations to disrupt al Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.

During an operation east of Sharqat, coalition forces captured an alleged weapons facilitator associated with the al Qaeda networks in northern Iraq. The suspect also is believed to be a close associate of the al Qaeda leader for the network in Abassi.

Additionally, the ground forces detained nine suspected terrorists and found 1,000 pounds of homemade explosive materials, which were safely destroyed on site along with three buildings believed to be used for terrorist activity.

In Baghdad, coalition forces detained two alleged al Qaeda leaders of the networks in Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk. The suspects are believed to be involved in a car-bombing cell that operates in the region. Reports indicate the suspects are responsible for several recent attacks in Sulaymaniyah, including a car bomb that struck a hotel in the city March 10, resulting in an Iraqi civilian being killed and 29 others wounded.

Northeast of Taji, coalition forces captured an alleged associate of several members of the northern belt al Qaeda network, including a leader responsible for carrying out punishment for an illegal terrorist court system. Ground forces detained one suspect and destroyed a vehicle and bomb-making materials found on site.

During a series of operations northwest of Tarmiyah, coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists, including two wanted individuals allegedly associated with al Qaeda media and propaganda operations. The suspects also are believed to be connected to the al Qaeda media cell leader in Anbar province.

Further north, coalition forces conducted three coordinated operations in Mosul targeting associates of al Qaeda operating in the area. The ground forces detained nine suspected terrorists on site, including three wanted individuals with suspected connections to an al Qaeda senior leader.

Two of the suspects are believed to be involved in an al Qaeda-affiliated insurgent group in the region and the facilitation of suicide vests. Another allegedly is involved with a foreign terrorist leader in the city.

In operations in Iraq yesterday, coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained four alleged associates of a suicide bombing cell and al Qaeda network during operations north of Mansuriyah in central Iraq.

Intelligence reports led coalition forces to a location where the suspects were believed to be operating. The two men were armed and did not comply with directions or heed warnings. Coalition forces engaged the armed men, killing both. Secondary explosions were observed, indicating the individuals may have been wearing suicide vests. The assault force found multiple weapons and grenades, which were all safely destroyed to prevent further use by terrorists.

In other operations in the area yesterday, coalition forces captured an alleged foreign terrorist facilitator involved in the Diyala River Valley suicide bombing network near the Hamrin Mountains, northwest of Karwi. In addition to the wanted individual, the forces detained two suspects on site without incident and destroyed a vehicle to prevent further use for terrorist activity.

A senior al Qaeda leader also was detained yesterday. He is believed to be a direct associate of senior al Qaeda leaders in Baghdad as well as foreign-based terrorism facilitators. During continued efforts to degrade al Qaeda’s car- and suicide-bomber networks in Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a direct associate of senior al Qaeda leaders in the city and foreign-based facilitators.

Coalition forces discovered a large weapons cache in the Tahrir district of Baqouba on March 15. Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division’s 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team discovered rocket-propelled grenade launchers on the roof of a home while on a routine patrol. The rooftop is connected to another home, where soldiers found a mortar tube, additional RPG rounds and numerous mortar rounds hidden in a barrel buried in the courtyard. The cache included mortar rounds, RPG rounds, RPG launchers, a mortar tube, an AK-47 assault rifle, and AK-47 magazines and rounds. The munitions were destroyed in a controlled detonation at a nearby joint combat outpost. The resident of the first house was detained.

In other news from Iraq, nearly 300 detainees were released from Camp Future on March 15. Release ceremonies are held once a month as a continuation of ongoing efforts by the Iraqi government and coalition forces working together to foster goodwill and reconciliation, officials said, adding that detainees are released only when they are deemed to no longer be an imperative threat to the security of Iraq or of Iraqi or coalition forces.

Saleh al-Mutlaq, head of the Dialogue Front Group of the Iraqi parliament, officiated at a release ceremony for detainees, providing a message of national reconciliation and rejuvenation.

“I see in your faces and your eyes how happy you are, but your country is happier to see you back to help build it and build a new democratic Iraq,” he said.

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

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/russia/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/putin/

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49300

“Openness of U.S.-Russia Talks Pleases Rice, Gates”

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
MOSCOW, March 17, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49298

“Putin Hints at Progress in Talks with Rice, Gates”

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
MOSCOW, March 17, 2008

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/yemen/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/virginia/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/emporia/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/newyork
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ny/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/florida/

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/train/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/trains/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/amtrak/

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020352.php
(WRIC RICHMOND)

March 17, 2008
“Virginia: Yemeni man yells that he has a bomb, forces evacuation of train”

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http://www.wric.com/Global/story.asp?S=8023502

“Bomb Threat Evacuates Hundreds From Train In Emporia”
Updated: March 17, 2008 04:08 AM

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A number of streets were shut down overnight around where the Amtrak train stopped in the middle of town. Hundreds of passengers on board the train bound from New York down to Florida were forced to evacuate after a man on board said he had a bomb.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “While the passengers were at the school, the State Police Bomb Squad scoured the train. Investigators tell 8News a 23-year-old Yemeni man named Basel Saleh Salem Kassem got into an argument with another man on the train and then yelled that he had a bomb.

“Allegedly he was causing a disturbance on the train and the conductor attempted to move him to another part of the train, that’s when he said he had a bomb and the bomb was in his bag” says Emporia Police Chief Bernard Richardson.

Around 2am the bomb squad determined the threat was a hoax. The Yemeni man was taken into custody by the FBI and is facing a felony charge of making a threat on a public conveyance. The hundreds of passengers were finally able to continue on their way.”

[Cindy]

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

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and a little afternoon propaganda...

http://yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=1138&p=opinion&a=1

Current date: Monday March 17, 2008 - Issue: (1138), Volume 18 , From 17 March 2008 to 19 March 2008

“In memory of Rachel Corrie
Terrorism is concrete to Zionism”
Hassan Al-Haifi

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1969529/posts

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QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1969529/posts?page=395#395

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hezbollah/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hizballah/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hizbullah/

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http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1205420710820&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Mar 17, 2008 18:19 | Updated Mar 17, 2008 19:36
“Israel beefs up security ahead of Purim”
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Police will deploy thousands of officers throughout the country this weekend as a precautionary measure during Purim, out of fears that Hizbullah may try to carry out a revenge attack for the assassination of one of its top masterminds, a police spokesman said Monday.”

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

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986643/posts

“Report: Assad’s Brother-In-Law Behind Mughniyeh Death”
IsraelNationalNews ^ | March 16, 2008 | Gil Ronen
Posted on 03/16/2008 11:48:56 AM PDT by Fennie

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1985822/posts

“Hizbullah to support assassinated Jihad man’s family”
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3519164,00.html ^
Posted on 03/14/2008 2:10:10 PM PDT by jhpigott

395 posted on 03/17/2008 3:54:58 PM PDT by Cindy

[Cindy]

http://memriiwmp.org/content/en/more_islamist_web_status.htm?param=IStatus

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ekhlaas.org/forum/showthread.php?t=132123

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A little afternoon politics:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1987186/posts?page=86#86

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1987186/posts

“Hillary Clinton Defeatism On Iraq Gives A Great Joy To Largest Terrorist Forum”
Ekhlaas terrorist forum | March 17 2008 | jveritas
Posted on 03/17/2008 1:48:49 PM PDT by jveritas

[Cindy]

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

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http://memriiwmp.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=364
“Report on the Jihad in Northwest China”
(Posted March 17, 2008)