Threat Matrix: May 2008

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[nwctwx]

U.S. Wary Of Small Boat Terrorism

As boating season approaches, the Bush administration wants to enlist America's 80 million recreational boaters to help reduce the chances that a small boat could deliver a nuclear or radiological bomb somewhere along the 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways.

According to an April 23 intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press, "The use of a small boat as a weapon is likely to remain al Qaeda's weapon of choice in the maritime environment, given its ease in arming and deploying, low cost, and record of success."

While the United States has so far been spared this type of strike in its own waters, terrorists have used small boats to attack in other countries. Read More

	U.S. Confirms Somali Missile Strike
	Fight Al Qaeda's Plan, Not its Ideas
	FACTBOX: Major al Qaeda Leaders Killed or Captured

Threat Matrix:
May 2008

April 2007

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Theat Matrix Handbook

Theat Matrix 'BOLO'

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Preparedness

[Oorang]

Fears Noordin Top evades massive manhunt
May 19, 2008

SOUTH East Asia's most wanted terror suspect accused of directing the 2002 Bali bombings may have evaded a massive manhunt and fled Indonesia, according to police interrogation documents.

The documents, obtained by the Associated Press, include interviews with two senior Indonesian members of the Jeemah Islamiah network, the same network suspected terrorist Noordin Top belongs to. Indonesia's Abu Husna and Agus Purwantoro were arrested en route to Malaysia in March during their escape bid to link up with terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Husna and Purwantoro told investigators an Algerian contact in Jakarta helped them obtain plane tickets, fake passports and gave them contacts in Syria, according to the investigation reports. While discussing Husna's planned journey, the Algerian "Jafar" is quoted as saying: "Do you know that Noordin Top has escaped?"

Excerpted

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23723072-2,00.html

German Special Forces in Afghanistan Let Taliban Commander Escape
May 19, 2008

German special forces had an important Taliban commander in their sights in Afghanistan. But he escaped -- because the Germans were not authorized to use lethal force. The German government's hands-tied approach to the war is causing friction with its NATO allies.

Excerpted

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,554033,00.html

New jail wing for Britain's most dangerous terrorists
19/05/2008

Britain's most dangerous al-Qaeda extremists are being moved to a special terror wing to boost security. The move follows a rise in violence involving Islamic extremists behind bars.

The new terror wing at Wakefield jail, West Yorks, will be similar to those once used to segregate IRA supporters and loyalist paramilitary inmates. Some convicts in Belmarsh, South East London, have been moved to the section.

Excerpted

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/05/19/jail-wing-to-handle-al-qaeda-89520-20422494/

[MamaDearest]

Sahnoun Daifallah, 42, of Bibury Road, from Gloucester, appeared before magistrates and pleaded not guilty to four charges of contaminating products.

Thanks Cindy. I rest my case about the other article and PC behavior.

Germany tightens truck sales to Iran, Syria over rocket fears

Germany tightened rules on the sale of heavy trucks to Iran and Syria over concern that the vehicles may be used to launch short- and medium-range missiles.

In a ruling issued today by Chancellor Angela Merkel's government, vendors of trucks with three or more axles weighing at least 20,000 kilograms (20 metric tons) will in future need permission for Iran- or Syria-bound sales, according to parliament's daily bulletin.

Merkel's government has gained information ``that both countries use ordinary civilian vehicles for their mobile military rocket programs,'' the bulletin reported, citing the government. Short- and medium-range rockets ``pose a special risk in the politically instable Middle East,'' it said.

2 Chinese deported over illegal rice trading

Records indicated that Li has overstayed while Huang is an undocumented alien. Having been blacklisted and barred from reentering the country, the two made to pay P50,000 each as additional penalty.

“It is unlawful for any foreigner to engage in gainful activity here without the appropriate visa,” he said, noting the need to protect local traders. President Arroyo accompanied a team of National Bureau of Investigation agents in turning Li and Huang to Immigration last April 17.

Lee deputies nab 25 illegal immigrants working on sherif's building expansion

The arrests could prove costly for a Collier County construction company in charge of the project. Lee County officials said Kraft Construction is in violation of a $52 million contract for having undocumented workers on the job.

Sheriff Mike Scott called the entire affair “an embarrassment” to society as a whole.

“It’s ironic that of all the projects they could be working on, they were working on a jail facility,” Scott said. “In my opinion, it’s symptomatic of the bigger problem facing this country. Until we secure our border, we can’t even begin to dream of changing things. It’s like all the barn animals are out, and now we’re just starting to think about closing the door.”

[Oorang]

Morocco: 11 terror suspects held
Rabat, 19 May 2008

Police have arrested 11 people suspected of planning terrorist attacks in Morocco and in Belgium, the MAP news agency announced on Monday. They terror suspects were picked up in the cities of Nador and Fez where they were based. One of those detained is a Moroccan who lives in Belgium.

The police say the group were also involved in recruiting for al-Qaeda in Iraq and to camps of al-Qaeda's branch in North Africa (AQIM), MAP said. The arrests came three months after security services broke up another 35-member terror cell, led by Abdelkader Belliraj, a Moroccan living in Belgium.

The Belliraj network was reportedly preparing to carry out acts of violence in the country and had links with organisations operating in Morocco and abroad, according to police cited by MAP.

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.2177527088

Additional info here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080519/ap_on_re_af/morocco_terrorism

[Oorang]

Hmmm, perhaps Germany should cease truck sales to Iran and Syria all together.
Thanks much for the links MamaD.

[Cindy]

all interesting..thanks MamaDearest.

[Cindy]

Note: Photo included.

WANTED POSTER - SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/index.cfm?page=zulkifli&language=english

Wanted
Zulkifli bin Hir
Up to $5 Million Reward

Date of birth: 1966
Place of birth: Muar, Johor
Sex: Male
Citizenship: Malaysian
Aliases: Zulkifli, Zulkifli Hir, Zulkifli Abdul Hir, Musa Abdul Hir, Musa, Marwan

Zulkifli bin Hir is a Malaysian citizen born in 1966 in Muar, Johor. An engineer trained in the United States, he is believed to be the head of the Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM) terrorist organization and a member of Jemaah Islamiyah’s central command. Since August 2003, he has been present in the Philippines, where he is believed to have conducted bomb-making training for the Abu Sayyaf Group.

[Cindy]

Thanks for the info in post no. 761 Oorang regarding “Fears Noordin Top evades massive manhunt.

###

Note: Photos included.

REWARDS FOR JUSTICE - POSTER - SEEKING INFORMATION - SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/index.cfm?page=Noordin&language=english

Wanted
Noordin Mohammad Top

Date of birth: August 11, 1968
Place of birth: Johor, Malaysia
Sex: Male
Nationality: Malaysian
Aliases: Noordin Muh Top, Noordin Mat Top, Noordin Din Moch Top

Noordin Mohammad Top is one of the most dangerous members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) that is still at large. Noordin is believed to be the top recruiter and strategist and also an important fundraiser for JI.

Noordin has been one of the top targets of regional security forces, but he has repeatedly escaped their grasp. A Malaysian national, he along with his compatriot, the late Dr. Azahari bin Husin, were the masterminds behind many of the suicide attacks to hit Indonesia, including the Bali bombings in October of 2005 injuring several Americans. Some of the other attacks that he is suspected of having orchestrated are the October 12, 2002 attack in the resort town of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali which killed 202 people and injured a further 209, the 2003 Marriott Hotel bombing which occurred on August 5, 2003 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the bombing of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta which took place on September 9, 2004 in Jakarta, Indonesia, killing several people and wounding over 140 others.

Noordin has been the leading proponent of targeting Western interests in Indonesia. In addition to the two Bali and two Jakarta attacks, Noordin has ordered his operatives to conduct reconnaissance on a large foreign-owned power plant southeast of Surabaya. In January 2006, he announced the formation of a new organization, Tanzim Qaedat al-Jihad, although it is still unclear whether this is a distinctly independent organization from JI.

Noordin has been designated by the U.S. Treasury Department and the UN Security Council as a terrorist financier. He remains one of the most important JI figures at large. He is a charismatic leader and a recruiter, who has proven to be innovative and single-minded in his desire to implement the al-Qa’ida line and target Western interests.

###

Note: Photos included.

FBI.GOV - POSTER - SEEKING INFORMATION - SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.fbi.gov/terrorinfo/top.htm

Noordin Mohammad Top

Aliases: Noordin Muh Top, Noordin Mat Top, Noordin Din Moch Top
DESCRIPTION

Date of Birth Used: August 11, 1968 Hair: Unknown
Place of Birth: Johor, Malaysia Eyes: Unknown
Height: Unknown Sex: Male
Weight: Unknown Complexion: Unknown
Remarks: Top is reported to be an explosives expert. Additionally, he may wear glasses and have facial hair.
DETAILS

Noordin Mohammad Top is reportedly an officer, recruiter, bombmaker, and trainer for the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) group that was involved in the bombings of a Bali nightclub, a Jakarta hotel, and the Australian Embassy in Indonesia between 2002 and 2004.

[Cindy]

“Sahnoun Daifallah...”

Thanks for the update, MamaDearest.

[Oorang]

Iranian trained terrorist arrested in Gaza
Monday, May 19, 2008

Now released for publication: Alaa Jihad Ouad Abu Madif, a resident of Karara located near Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, was arrested on 15 April in a joint IDF-ISA operation. Iranian-trained Abu Madif, a member of the Abu Rish faction which splintered from the PLO in the 1990s, was involved in rocket attacks against Israel and was an intended suicide-bomber against IDF forces.

Excerpted

http://www.rightsidenews.com/20080519979/global-terrorism/iranian-trained-terrorist-arrested-in-gaza.html

Mediterranean ministers to discuss terrorism at summit
20 May 2008

(NOUAKCHOTT) - The fight against terrorism will be among chief issues on the table when 10 interior ministers from Mediterranean countries meet on Thursday in Mauritania, the country's government said Monday.

The 13th meeting of interior ministers from the North African and European countries (CIMO) will begin Wednesday, when expert meetings are scheduled.

Excerpted

http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1211233624.39

[Oorang]

You’re welcome Cindy.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2018455/posts

#

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=CCD56B06-88FE-4C75-899F-39F89A7B8C9B

“Islamic Hatred in the Heartland”
By Patrick Poole
FrontPageMagazine.com | Monday, May 19, 2008

[Oorang]

Man charged with impersonating Naval investigator at Palm Beach International Airport
Monday, May 19, 2008

A former Navy officer was arrested at Palm Beach International Airport after he tried to get on a plane with a .40-caliber magazine in his carry-on baggage.

Christian Louis, 32, told security officials he is a Naval law enforcement investigator and showed them a badge. However, the Navy has no record of him being an investigator, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.His bail was set this morning at $5,000 on charges of impersonating a law enforcement officer.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/05/19/0519navyofficer.html

[PGalt]

Thanks. BTTT!

[Cindy]

He had a “.40-caliber magazine” in his carry on luggage.

Makes one wonder who had the gun that goes with the ammo.

[Cindy]

You’re very welcome PGalt.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2018445/posts

“Country Reports on Terrorism 2007 - Kosovo”
US Department of State ^ | April 30, 2008 | US State Department
Posted on May 19, 2008 7:10:09 PM PDT by Bokababe

[MamaDearest]

You're welcome PGalt.

Here's something regarding a commercial I've often heard on conservative AM radio talk shows:

ID theft protection firm sued

For a time, the ads were everywhere on TV and radio, the ones with the head of a security company brazenly challenging would-be thieves to try to steal his identity.

Richard Todd Davis, CEO of LifeLock Inc., was so confident in his company's ability to protect his identity that he publicly revealed his Social Security number: 457-55-5462.

But according to a new class-action lawsuit filed last week in Jackson County, LifeLock's identity theft protection services were so inept that Davis' personal information was stolen repeatedly.

"While LifeLock has only publicly acknowledged that Davis' identity was compromised on one occasion, there are more than 20 driver's licenses that have been fraudulently obtained [using his personal information]," the suit states.

"Furthermore, a simple background check performed using Davis' Social Security number reveals that his entire personal profile has been compromised to the extent that the birth date associated with his Social Security number is Nov. 2, 1940, which would [inaccurately] make Davis 67 years old."

The lawsuit maintains that LifeLock, which claims on its Web site to be "the industry leader in the rapidly growing field of Identity Theft Protection," made false and misleading claims in its multimillion-dollar ad campaign about the level of protection it provides.

"Through its advertisements, LifeLock misrepresents and assures consumers that it can protect against all types of fraud including, without limitation, computer hacking, password theft and other noncredit-related theft," the suit reads.

But LifeLock doesn't protect against many forms of identity theft, according to the lawsuit.

[Cindy]

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

#

UPDATE:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/021088.php
(KSTP.com)

May 19, 2008
“Minnesota madrassa officials attack news crew”

[Cindy]

Oh, that’s too bad.
Those ads sure were optimistic.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1674001/posts

#

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1674001/posts?page=1172#1172

UPDATE:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_jewish_federation_shooting.html

Last updated May 15, 2008 8:24 a.m. PT
“Defense wraps up case at Haq trial in Seattle”
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “SEATTLE — Defense lawyers have wrapped up their case in the trial of Naveed Haq (nah-VEED’ hahk) who is charged with killing a woman and wounding five at the Jewish Federation office in Seattle.”

1,172 posted on May 20, 2008 12:29:44 AM PDT by Cindy