Threat Matrix: April 2008

Previous Thread ^

[nwctwx]

Afghanistan to Ask NATO for Bigger Army

Afghan officials will go to the NATO summit in Romania Thursday with a request: pay to increase our national Army by 40 percent. A bigger Army, Afghan officials argue, will allow the US and other coalition members to scale back in the coming years.

This appeal comes amid pleas from the US and Canada for other NATO members to commit more to the Afghanistan mission, which many analysts say has floundered over the past year for lack of resources and a coherent strategy. France is expected to contribute another 1,000 forces and Germany is likely to make a bigger commitment.

But American and Afghan government sources with knowledge of the expected Afghan proposal say that an increase from the current authorization of 86,000 Afghan Army soldiers to 120,000 is the only way to create an enduring defense against a resurgent Taliban and elusive Al Qaeda operatives. Read More

	France May Send More Troops to Afghanistan
	Special Operations Increase Possible for Iraq
	Al-Qaeda Grooming Militants Who 'Look Western': CIA Chief

Threat Matrix:
April 2008

March 2007

Threat Matrix Index

Theat Matrix Handbook

Theat Matrix 'BOLO'

Invaluable Tips

Preparedness

[Cindy]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1208870519641&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

JPost.com » Israel » Article

Apr 29, 2008 10:31
“Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for two of Kassams fired Tuesday”
By JPOST.COM STAFF

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The armed wing of Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for firing at least two Kassam rockets at the western Negev Tuesday morning, as well as additional rockets Monday, the Palestinian Ma’an news agency reported.

All in all, at least 10 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip Tuesday morning.”

[Cindy]

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200804/NAT20080428a.html

“Reenlisting Reservists Will Help Fight ‘War on Terror’”
By Penny Starr
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
April 28, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “(CNSNews.com) - One hundred men and women gathered on the West Lawn of the Capitol last week to reenlist in the Army Reserve, a patriotic action that represents the changing face of the U.S. military, according to Reservists.

“Today’s Army Reserve soldiers play a vital role in the Global War on Terror by applying specialized civilian capabilities to a wide range of missions in Afghanistan and Iraq,” a statement issued by the Reserve before the ceremony said.

The Army Reserve grew out of the Medical Reserve Corps, which was created by an act of Congress in 1908, and was first composed of 160 civilian physicians who served during times of war.

“Throughout the 100 years, as the Army has changed, the Army Reserve has changed,” Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stutlz, chief of the Reserve, said on April 22. “Most significantly, I would say, is after Sept. 11, after we’ve gotten into an extended conflict in the war on terror, the Army Reserve is in the midst of the biggest transformation we’ve ever had.”

Stutlz described the 100 reenlisting troops - and the 100 who enlisted in a ceremony in Baghdad in January - as “I know what I’m getting into” soldiers.”

[Cindy]

Note: To read the entire text of this report; please click on the link below.

#

ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

Weekly Piracy Report
22-28 April 2008

The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 22 to 28 April 2008.

ALERT

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
The number of attacks has reduced since 2006. However, the area is still listed as a high risk area and mariners are advised to be cautious especially while approaching the anchorage and while at anchor at Chittagong

Nigeria
Violent attacks carried out by pirates on board vessels at anchor and vessel carrying out STS operations. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in these waters.

Suspicious crafts

26.04.2008: 1045 LT: 14:30.5N - 051:55.1E, 50 nm off Yemen coast, Gulf of Aden.
Two suspicious speedboats, doing 20 kts, approached a general cargo ship underway. Master raised alarm, took evasive manoeuvres and crew activated fire hoses. At 1100 LT the boats aborted and fled towards Somalia.
Recently reported incidents

17.04.2008: 0455 LT: Apapa / Tin Can Island, Nigeria.
Ten robbers in two speedboats boarded a vessel berthed. They broke open the paint store and stole ship’s stores. Alarm raised and ship’s crew locked themselves inside the accommodation for own safety. Another group of robbers on motorcycles arrived near the vessel and the stolen ship’s stores were lowered. The two shore watchmen employed for security duties were missing during the incident and appeared once the robbers had gone. Authorities informed but no action taken.

22.04.2008: 1715 – 1855 LT: 06:41.00S-039:42.00E: 30 nm Off Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Eight robbers armed with long knives boarded an anchored container ship. They stole ship’s stores, broke open two containers and stole their contents. Robbers escaped once the alarm was raised. Local authorities informed.

22.04.2008: 0430 LT: Mumbai anchorage, India.
Four robbers in a motor boat attempted to board a research vessel at anchor. Attempt failed due to strict anti piracy watch.

22.04.2008: 0315 LT: Anchorage no. 1, Dar es Salaam anchorage, Tanzania.
Eight robbers armed with knives boarded a container ship at anchor. Before the watch keepers could contact and warn the bridge the robbers tied them up. The alarm was raised only when the chief officer could not contact the watch keepers. By then the robbers had stole contents from several containers. The robbers escaped when the alarm was raised. Port authorities informed.

21.04.2008: 2030 UTC: Vung Tau Song Go Gia STS anchorage, Vietnam.
Robbers boarded a tanker from the forecastle. They broke open the forward storeroom and stole ship’s stores. Duty crew spotted the robbers and raised the alarm. Foghorn sounded. Robbers escaped immediately. Later, a police patrol boarded for investigation. Anti piracy watch doubled up. No injuries to crew

21.04.2008: 11 miles off Bosaco, Somalia.
Pirates armed with guns opened fire on a general cargo ship underway. They hijacked the vessel and took the 16 crewmembers hostage. Local security forces raided the vessel and rescued the 16 crewmembers and ship. All crew safe. Some pirates were injured and captured

19.04.2008: 1452 UTC: 00:06.24S – 049:08.56E: Somalia.
Pirates armed with guns and grenade launchers attacked a fishing vessel and hijacked it to an unknown location. Pirates have taken 26 crewmembers hostage and are demanding a ransom for their safe release

[Cindy]

http://www.satp.org
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/pakistan
http://www.longwarjournal.org/cgi-bin/mt-search.cgi?tag=Pakistan&blog_id=7

#

http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers27/paper2682.html

Paper No 2682

27-April—2008

“JIHADI WINDS FROM PAKISTAN : INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM MONITOR—Paper No. 389”
By B. Raman

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/democrats
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/internet
#

www.youtube.com/user/DemocraticVideo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6ul9iMgmOw

#

http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/mccain_ad_DNC_troops/2008/04/28/91751.html

“Outrage: DNC Ad Shows U.S. Soldiers Being Blown Up”
Monday, April 28, 2008 9:37 PM
By: Jim Meyers

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The DNC ad then shows an explosive device detonating near two soldiers standing beside a palm tree. The two soldiers disappear in an explosive fireball. The video also shows images of burning vehicles.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The footage appears similar to film taken by jihadists who videotape IED explosions that kill American combat troops. The jihadists place the video on the internet to tout their “kill Americans” campaign success. The Army estimates that more than 6,500 jihadist Web sites promote violence against America and American troops.

Many U.S. media outlets have refused to air excerpts from such videos for several reasons - including out of respect of the servicemen and women depicted in the videos.”

[Cindy]

US-CERT.GOV
http://www.us-cert.gov

#

blog:

http://ddanchev.blogspot.com/2008/04/web-site-defacement-groups-going.html

MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008
“Web Site Defacement Groups Going Phishing”
by Dancho Danchev

#

blog:

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/29773_New_Database_Attack_Hits_UN_UK_and_DHS_Sites
(BLOG.WIRED.COM)

“New Database Attack Hits UN, UK, and DHS Sites”
Mon, Apr 28, 2008 at 3:43:54 pm PST

SNIPPET: “Oops. Massive Attack: Half A Million Microsoft-Powered Sites Hit With SQL Injection.”

#

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/978368.html

Last update - 21:38 27/04/2008

“Men who hacked into Israel Bank site were motivated by Islamism”
By Guy Grimland, Haaretz Correspondent

Tags: Bank Of Israel, Internet

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Contrary to previous reports, the computer hackers who commandeered the Bank of Israel Web site early Friday and filled it with virtual anti-Israel graffiti in Arabic, are nationals of various Arab countries and not solely Algerian.

The hackers belong to a group called MaXi32, which is considered one of the world’s leading groups of computer hackers.

“The hackers who attacked the Bank of Israel site were motivated by ideology,” said Moran Zavdi, the chairman of Israeli internet security company Securevision, who is in contact with the hackers.

Zavdi said that the hackers are motivated by their zealous Islamism and believe that anyone who does not believe in the Prophet Mohammed is a valid target.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/france
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/prisons

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008504/posts

“In France, Prisons Filled With Muslims”
Washington Post ^ | April 29, 2008 | Molly Moore
Posted on April 29, 2008 2:29:19 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18879&Itemid=21

Press Release A080428b
April 28, 2008

Coalition forces kill 10 terrorists, detain five suspects (Khalaf Al Mahd) (Abu Ghurayb)

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed 10 terrorists and detained five terrorist suspects during four operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks Monday near Baghdad.

Targeting a foreign terrorist with direct ties to suicide operations, intelligence led a Coalition forces to engage two vehicles and kill 10 terrorists near Khalaf Al Mahd. Coalition forces destroyed the vehicles carrying four heavy machine guns, eight assault rifles and several hundred rounds of ammunition. They later detained one suspected terrorist and destroyed a weapons cache he was guarding nearby.

In Abu Ghurayb, Coalition forces targeted a terrorist with ties to AQI leadership in Baghdad. Acting on intelligence, they stopped a vehicle and detained two terrorist suspects. Coalition forces then searched the suspects’ residence where they detained another suspect.

Coalition forces also detained an individual associated with terrorists involved in AQI media operations in the Al Rasafah neighborhood in Baghdad.

“Iraqi forces and Coalition forces will continue to capture or kill al-Qaeda in Iraq’s operatives to bring peace and stability to the Iraqi people,” said Navy Cmdr. Ed Buclatin, MNF-I spokesperson.

- 30 -

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18880&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080429-01
April 29, 2008

MND-B Soldiers seize weapons cache
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers confiscated several weapons caches in separate actions across Baghdad April 28.

At approximately 9:45 a.m., Soldiers from Company A, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, seized a weapons cache consisting of 10 rocket-propelled grenades, two launching tubes, a suicide vest, two grenades, a 105 mm round, two 60 mm mortar rounds and an unknown amount of home-made explosive in west Rashid.

-30-

[Cindy]

Off Topic:

Request for Assistance
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08040146.htm

[Cindy]

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=83776

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Warden Messages > Report
“Warden Message: Lesotho Carjacking Incident”
WARDEN MESSAGE
Sub-Saharan Africa - Lesotho
28 Apr 2008

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/bus
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/busstation

#

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2008/April/subcontinent_April790.xml&section=subcontinent&col=

“Big bomb defused at Sri Lanka bus station”
(AFP)

28 April 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “COLOMBO - A ball-bearing packed bomb capable of causing devastation was defused at a crowded bus station in northwestern Sri Lanka on Monday, just minutes before it had been set to explode, police said.

The device, equipped with a timer, was discovered in Galgamuwa, 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of the capital Colombo.

“Passengers alerted the police and the bomb was defused just in time,” a police official said. “There were ball bearings packed into the bomb and they could have caused a lot of casualties.”

It was similar to a device which went off in an overcrowded bus on Friday just outside Colombo, killing 26 people and injuring 63. The attack was blamed by authorities on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).”

###
###

blog:

http://defencenet.blogspot.com/2008/04/ltte-aircraft-bombs-weli-oya.html

SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008
“LTTE aircraft bombs Weli-Oya”

###
###

RECAP:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997489/posts

“Bombing Kills 12 at Sri Lanka Marathon”
AP via brietbart ^ | Apr 6, 2008 | BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI
Posted on April 6, 2008 1:39:37 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)

###
###

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ltte
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/tamiltigers

[Cindy]

Travel.State.Gov - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE - Bureau of Consular Affairs: "TRAVEL ALERT China" (April 25, 2008) (Read More...)

Travel.State.Gov - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE - Bureau of Consular Affairs: "OLYMPICS 2008 FACT SHEET (CHINA)" (Read More...)

[Cindy]

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

#

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3537389,00.html
(AP)

“Iranian president tours oil refinery on visit to Sri Lanka”
Published: 04.29.08, 13:15 / Israel News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held a prayer ceremony with Sri Lanka’s Muslim community Tuesday and toured an oil refinery his country is helping to expand as he concluded a brief overnight visit here.”

[Cindy]

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/04/unmarked-border-dangerous-bord/

“Unmarked Border – Dangerous Border?”

By Jay Fraser on April 28, 2008 at 10:04 PM

[Cindy]

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/04/britains_first_jihadi_lone_wol.php

“Britain’s first Jihadi ‘Lone Wolf’ bomber?”
By Roderick Jones
(April 28, 2008, 12:10 am)

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://louisville.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/marijdist042408.htm

PRESS RELEASE
April 24, 2008

London, Ky. —77-year-old-Horacio Raul Estrada-Elias of Mexico was sentenced to life in prison today by U.S. District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves for conspiring to distribute 50,100 pounds of marijuana as part of a 40 member drug ring that yielded approximately $10,000,000 in proceeds.

“The credit goes to the law enforcement officials, FBI, and our office for their tireless work on this case” said Acting United States Attorney Jim Zerhusen. “I think the sentence of Estrada-Elias sends the message that we are working extremely hard to eliminate drug trafficking in this district.”

In the course of his guilty plea, Estrada Elias admitted that from July 2002 through August 2005 he and his co-defendants were involved in a massive drug trafficking ring that conducted transactions in Mexico, Canada, ten states in the U.S. and numerous cities such as, Louisville, Frankfort, Manchester and Mount Vernon. Estrada Elias also acknowledged that he and 45-year-old Jeffrey W. James of San Diego transported between 500-3500 pounds of marijuana on many occasions through commercial carriers from Phoenix, Ariz. to a warehouse in Dayton, Ohio. Former London resident, John R. Sherry, 59, owned the Dayton warehouse and delivered the marijuana to former Clay County Election Commissioner Kenneth Day in Manchester, Ky. The 57-year-old Day also distributed several thousand pounds of marijuana in the Eastern District of Kentucky. Day pled guilty in July 2005 and received 18 years in the Federal System.

The plea agreement also stated that in June of 2006, James, who had already been arrested, was cooperating with FBI Agents and agreed to negotiate with Estrada-Elias to buy 2,600 pounds of marijuana for $2.2 million dollars in Tucson Ariz. On June 29, 2006 the agents arrested Estrada-Elias as he attempted to make the transaction. Following the arrest, agents seized a total of 50,100 pounds of marijuana from the Tucson residence and the van that was making the delivery. Overall, drug seizures to totaled approximately $12,000,000.

James A. Zerhusen, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, acting Special Agent in Charge, Larry R. Willis, Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) jointly made the announcement today after the sentencing. The case was also investigated by Kentucky State Police and London City Police. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen C. Smith.

[Cindy]

April 25, 2008

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://washingtondc.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/wfo042508.htm

MS-13 MEMBERS INDICTED FOR MURDER IN AID OF RACKETEERING

(Alexandria, Virginia) – Two members of MS-13, Rafael Parada-Mendoza, 21, formerly Fairfax County, Virginia, also known as “Cheve,” and Gabriel Hosman Perez-Amaya, 21, formerly of Fairfax County, Virginia, known as “Dandy,” were indicted today by a federal grand jury and charged with murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder and assault in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Joseph Persichini, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office; M. Douglas Scott, Chief of Police, Arlington County Police Department; David M. Rohrer, Chief of Police, Fairfax County Police Department; and Stan Barry, Sheriff, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, made the announcement today.

The indictment stems from the murder of Christian Argueta in the parking lot of the Springfield Mall on December 2, 2007. The indictment charges that Rafael Parada-Mendoza and Gabriel Hosman Perez-Amaya are members of the Pinos Locos Salvatrucha clique of the street gang known as the Mara Salvatrucha, “MS-13,” who committed the crimes to maintain and increase their position in the gang. The murder in aid of racketeering charge carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison. The indictment also charges Rafael Parada- Mendoza and Gabriel Hosman Perez-Amaya with being illegal aliens in possession of a firearm and using a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death.

The indictment further charges Rafael Parada-Mendoza, Gabriel Hosman Perez-Amaya, and a third member of MS-13, Jorge Parada, 28, formerly of Washington, D.C., also known as “Rama,” with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The conspiracy to distribute cocaine charge carries a minimum of five years and a maximum of forty years in federal prison.

All three individuals are currently in custody. Rafael Parada-Mendoza was arrested on March 19, 2008, in the state of Texas. Perez-Amaya was also arrested in Texas on March 14, 2008. Jorge Parada was arrested on April 19, 2008, in Arlington, Virginia.

This case was investigated by the Fairfax County Police Department, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, the Arlington County Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Fahey and Beth Gibson are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

[Cindy]

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

“Worldwide Caution”
January 17, 2008

SNIPPET: “This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.”

[Cindy]

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