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

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Preparedness

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19575&Itemid=21

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080520-04
May 20, 2008

U.S. Special Operations Forces detain suspected terrorist group cell leader (Baghdad)

Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – U.S. Special Operations Forces detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader in Rutbah, approximately 385 kilometers west of Baghdad, May 19.

USSOF detained the leader of a terrorist cell operating around Rutbah reportedly responsible for facilitating the movements of insurgents and foreign fighters. He is also associated with an insurgent network that is involved in smuggling, and storing weapons and explosives.

The detention of this cell leader should affect AQI’s logistics, finances and operations throughout the western region of Iraq.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19579&Itemid=21

Press Release A080520a
May 20, 2008

Senior Al-Qaeda leader in Samarra killed, 20 other suspects detained

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in Samarra and detained 20 additional suspected terrorists during operations around the country Monday and Tuesday.

East of Samarra, about 105 kilometers north of Baghdad, Coalition forces conducted an operation Tuesday targeting a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the area. When the force arrived, two men attempted to escape the target building. One complied with the interpreter’s instructions, but the other refused to surrender, and Coalition forces, perceiving hostile intent, engaged the terrorist, killing him. He was identified as the targeted AQI leader. Four suspected associates were detained in the operation.

Coalition forces conducted operations Monday and Tuesday targeting the foreign terrorist facilitation network. During operations near Baqouba, about 56 kilometers north of Baghdad, and in Tikrit, about 160 kilometers north of Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted man and five additional suspected terrorists who allegedly operate in the Tigris River Valley.

Tuesday In Rabiyah, about 105 kilometers west of Mosul, Coalition forces used information from an operation April 3 to capture two wanted men and one additional suspect. The wanted men are believed to facilitate the movement of foreign terrorists as part of a smuggling operation in northwest Iraq.

In Mosul Tuesday, Coalition forces captured two wanted men during operations targeting AQI cell leaders. One wanted man allegedly planned bombing attacks against Coalition forces, while the other is believed to coordinate car bombings. Two additional suspected terrorists were detained in these operations.

Coalition forces targeted an AQI leader in Baghdad and detained three suspected terrorists Tuesday.

“We’re steadily working to dismantle al-Qaeda in Iraq, and our collective efforts with the Iraqi government will bring about the peace and security the Iraqi people deserve,” said Maj. John Hall, MNF-I spokesman.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19580&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080520-05
May 20, 2008

ISF, MND-B Soldiers seize weapons caches

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers teamed up with Sons of Iraq (Abna al-Iraq) to seize three weapons caches May 19 in Baghdad.

At approximately 7 a.m., Iraqi Army Soldiers from the 11th Iraqi Army Division searched the Sha’aroofi Mosque in the Shaab area of Adhamiyah. The Iraqi Army Soldiers discovered a substantial cache on the grounds of the mosque consisting of eight explosively formed projectiles, 35 hand grenades, seven mortars of various sizes, four rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 10 RPG expelling charges, seven RPGs, 154 different types of fuses, and various items consisting of copper wire, CDs, 12 AK-47 magazines, a desktop computer, five circuit boars and 10 radio faces.

They also found several improvised explosive device-making materials, including mechanical timers, five circuit boards, four hand-held phones, detonators, nine disposable cameras, two empty propane tanks, two flak vests, one sword, various lengths of copper wire, 12 AK-47 magazines, one computer tower, and documents detailing kidnappings and murders.

At approximately 5:45 p.m., Soldiers from 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were alerted by a local Iraqi of an EFP cache nearby in the Zubaida area of East Rashid. Soldiers went to the location and found three EFPs, eight 107 mm Iranian rocket warheads, eight 107mm Chinese rocket warheads, eight launching rails, 20 fuses, one mortar tube, one claymore mine, and more than 10,000 7.62mm rounds.

At approximately 6 p.m. in the Aamel area of West Rashid, Iraqi National Policemen from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, investigated a tip and found three 107 mm Iranian rockets and five 120 mm Iranian mortar rounds.

“The Iraqi Security Forces continue to increase their capabilities day-by-day,” said Col. Allen Batschelet, MND-B Chief of Staff. “They continue to prove they are a force dedicated in creating a better Iraq for its people.

“We are currently seeing the future where the Iraqi Security Forces are coordinating independent operations, and this is news the Iraqi people and the United States can be proud of,” added Batschelet.

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[Rushmore Rocks]

I know that’s not supposed to be funny..........

But I laughed anyway.

[Unrepentant VN Vet]

Doesn’t really matter if it happens on a “conservative” radio station or not, it’s still just advertising.

Caveat emptor is still a good rule.

[Godzilla]

“Wanted Adam Yahiye Gadahn Up to $1 Million Reward”

Lack of Adam's touch on OBL's latest messages has fueled the speculation that he became worm food after the Pakistan strike on some AQ biggies earlier this year.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping to post 749 for Milford421.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks for the update / ping.

[LucyT]

Here’s a thread providing extensive research; archived on Threat Matrix.

Huma Abedin & Hillary Clinton - Abedin Family Ties to Al-Qaeda

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1924323/posts

[Rushmore Rocks]

FOX News.....breaking...

Plane just crashed into apartment building in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

[FrogHawk]

PING

[Rushmore Rocks]

Now they are not saying it was an apt. building, but a building in the financial district. Close to the airport.

Praying it was just an accident and nothing more sinister.

[Unrepentant VN Vet]

bttt

[Rushmore Rocks]

Update to above post.

Now they are saying no planes missing, smoke in bldg. from other cause.

?????????????

[Cindy]

Yep.

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1316629,00.html

“Brazil Plane Crash Report Withdrawn”
Updated:21:40, Tuesday May 20, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A Brazilian TV has reported that an office tower in central Sao Paulo was on fire from what it initially said was a plane crash near the city’s domestic airport.

Globo TV has now confirmed that no aircraft was involved in the blaze in an office building.”

[Cindy]

Fyi Only.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080520/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/brazil_fire;_ylt=A0WTUdb2OzNI56AAHwcHcggF
(AP)

“Building fire fills Sao Paulo skyline with smoke”
5 minutes ago

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “SAO PAULO, Brazil - Brazilian media are reporting that a fire in a crowded neighborhood is sending plumes of black smoke over the skyline.

Globo TV footage shows a raging fire and smoke rising above a crowded line of apartment buildings near Sao Paulo’s Congonhas airport.”

[Cindy]

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

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sao+Paulo&search_sort=video_date_uploaded

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Brazil&search_sort=video_date_uploaded

#

BRAZIL - NEWS:

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=brazil

[Rushmore Rocks]

Thank you, Ma’am.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/jihad

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/021107.php

May 20, 2008

“Best way to remove this “misperception”: stop beheading people and shouting “Allahu akbar”
(Associated Press of Pakistan, May 20) (thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist):

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “ISLAMABAD, May 20 (APP): Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza said Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance that abhors terrorism and extremism in all it forms and manifestations and it was the responsibility of religious scholars to play their role to remove the misperceptions of the West about Islam.

She was speaking to the delegation of the Guardian Council Islamic Republic of Iran, headed by Ayatullah Ahmed Jannati, that called on the Speaker in the Parliament House Tuesday.”

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/021104.php
(CBS NEWS)

May 20, 2008

“Cries of “Allahu akbar,” and 12-year-old boy beheads man in Al-Qaeda video”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: ““There is no harm in taking ‘jehad’ (holy war) for the right cause” read the sign board in a training class, documented in yet another Pakistani intelligence video, secretly captured ahead of the operation, through the use of hidden cameras inserted around the front compound of the school. A teacher, who wrapped himself up to his face with a piece of cloth, pointed towards a list of “recommendations for students” while surrounded by teenagers, urging them to embrace virtues such as “accept the way forward through sacrifice” and “accept that laying down your life for the right cause is not a waste”.”

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Note: Video Included.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/20/cbsnews_investigates/main4110408.shtml

VIDEO CAPTION: “Al Qaeda Videos Target Kids
Children as young as six-years-old are being turned into killers, after being recruited through al Qaeda training videos that make war look like a game. Mark Strassmann reports.”