Threat Matrix: June 2008

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[nwctwx]

The Hunt for American al Qaeda

The United States is turning up the heat in the hunt for the California boy turned al Qaeda operative, Adam Gadahn, who has been charged with treason and is believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. If caught and convicted, Gadahn could face the death penalty.

The State Department along with the Department of Diplomatic Security announced the beginning of a publicity campaign in Afghanistan urging locals to provide any information on Gadahn's whereabouts, with a reward if the information leads to his capture.

Radio advertisements with information concerning the $1 million reward have already begun airing. Additionally, printed materials including matchbooks, handbills and posters will be distributed throughout the region in the coming weeks in attempts to elicit cooperation from members of the Afghan community. Read More

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June 2008

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[Cindy]

Happy Father’s Day!

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http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20418&Itemid=1

“Marine, Soldier, Deployments - Dad Through It All”
Sunday, 15 June 2008
By 1st Lt. George Fowler
1st Sustainment Brigade

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20433&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080615-03
June 15, 2008

Iraqi Army, MND-B seize four caches throughout Baghdad
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army seized a huge weapons cache in West Rashid and, along with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers seized three additional weapons and munitions caches throughout Baghdad, June 14.

At approximately 3 p.m., IA soldiers from the 25th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, discovered a huge cache in West Rashid. The cache contained 90 122mm Soviet rockets, four 81mm Iranian mortars, two 60mm Iranian mortars, an RPG-22 launcher, 13 improvised claymores, eight 40mm Bulgarian grenades, three 60mm Yugoslav mortars, 16 rolls of detonation cord, 11 half-pound blocks of TNT, 32 blocks of Iranian C-4 explosive, five 12.5-inch explosively formed projectile bodies, five complete EFP improvised explosive devices, 87 11-inch EFP bodies, a 7-inch EFP body, 74 5-inch EFP bodies, a 4-inch EFP body, 39 3.5-inch EFP bodies, an unmanned aerial vehicle, six electronic timers, two passive infrared switches, 500 pounds of ball bearings, 100 toggle switches, 88 Bulgarian fuses, nine 12-volt batteries, 10 camera flashes, eight digital timers with magnets, 200 CDs, 100 flyers, two mortar aiming stakes, 12 digital timers, and an odometer. The munitions were transported to a nearby Coalition forces combat outpost for disposal.

Earlier in the day, Iraqi Army soldiers with the 44th Brigade, 11th IA Division, confiscated 14 AK-47 assault rifles, a Siminov sniper rifle, and a heavy machine gun in the Kadhamiyah district of Baghdad at approximately 9 a.m.

In the early afternoon hours, an Iraqi civilian turned over a weapons cache to MND-B Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at approximately 1:15 p.m. The cache consisted of 15 80mm mortar rounds and two 105mm mortar rounds. The ordnance was of Soviet origin and in serviceable condition.

The Sons of Iraq turned in a complete 82mm mortar system in West Rashid to MND-B Soldiers of the1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at approximately 6:50 p.m. June 14. The system was in operable condition and believed to have been used for indirect fire attacks against Coalition Forces and the Iraqi populace.

“This is a huge find for the Iraqi Army soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Brigade, 6th IA Division,” said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman, Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division. “Taking such an enormous amount of weapons and munitions out of the hands of militants and extremists severely degrades their ability to harm the citizens of Iraq and the Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces. The IA Soldiers continue to demonstrate their professionalism and dedication to taking these weapons off the streets and safeguarding the Iraqi populace.”

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20438&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080615-06
June 15, 2008

IA soldiers discover weapons caches in Sadr City
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers seized several weapons in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, June 14.

At approximately 6 a.m., soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraq Army Division, discovered a weapons cache. The munitions included 14 AK-47 magazines, five empty pistol magazines, a Motorola radio, a flare gun, two rocket propelled grenade-7s, an RPG anti-personnel round, 500 AK-47 rounds, 57 9 mm rounds, four grenades and three RPG-7 anti-tank rounds.

Soldiers with the 3rd Bde., 1st IA Div., seized a weapons cache at approximately 8 a.m. The cache consisted of 47 82 mm mortar rounds, 42 120 mm anti-tank rounds, seven 160 mm mortar rounds, 74 60 mm mortar rounds, three Iraqi mortar base plates, two 120 mm round improvised-explosive devices, two vehicle gun mounts, seven 5.5 pound boxes of C4 explosive, eight anti-personnel hand grenades, eight SPG-9 mounted anti-tank guns, 75 12.7 mm round, 50 14.5 mm rounds, five sets of body armor and 17 60 mm mortar primers.

“The Iraqi Army continues to clear Sadr City of weapons and munitions caches, taking the items out of the hands of criminals and terrorists,” said Col. Allen Batschelet, chief of staff for Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division. “Ultimately, their actions will set conditions for security and stability for all Baghdad residents.”

-30-

[Cindy]

Petition:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030491/posts

[Cindy]

More details UPDATE:

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=acd1e732-1b2f-46ec-9fd7-8dd52225530d

“Gang intimidation alleged
Reluctant witnesses concerned about own safety, police admit”
Cassidy Olivier , The Province
Published: Sunday, June 15, 2008
KAMLOOPS —

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Cameras flashed inside the packed room as Insp. Yves Lacasse, along with Supt. Jim Begley and Kamloops Mayor Terry Lake, announced that city police had dealt a decisive blow to the Kamloops chapter of the Independent Soldiers gang by arresting the men they suspected to be the gang’s top two leaders.

Arrested on drug and weapons charges outside of the Rendezvous Hotel two days earlier, Lacasse confirmed, had been 26-year-olds Jayme Norman Russell and Thomas Crawford, the alleged No 1 and 2, respectively, of the Kamloops’ cell of one of Western Canada’s most powerful gangs, said to have connections with the Hell’s Angels.

Body shots of both men, on display in the room, showed the gang’s name tattooed in script on their thick forearms.”

[Cindy]

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1415394
(AP)

“Police search for 2 men who fled shooting in van”
June 4, 2008 - 4:59pm
SUITLAND, Md. -

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Tippett says the two suspects appeared to be wearing service uniforms and traveling in a white van, which had ladders and cones on top. It’s unclear who owned the van.”

[Cindy]

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

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http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2374232
(TERRORISM MONITOR)

“Nigeria and the Threat of al-Qaeda Terrorism”
By Bestman Wellington
(June 12, 2008)

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Not long ago, Mike Mbama Okiro, Nigeria’s inspector general of police, raised an alarm over threats by al-Qaeda to launch an attack using time-bombs on Nigerian soil. Okiro’s warning generated much attention in local and international media. Islamic groups in Nigeria, including the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), held several press conferences debunking such claims, and labeled Okiro a “liar.” The police chief did not give more details about his allegation, but said his warning was based on intelligence reports. An SCSN spokesman said: “The police know where the terrorists are and Muslims should not be referred to as terrorists. The militants are terrorists for kidnapping and killing people and the police should go there and stop tagging Muslims as terrorists” (Nigerian Tribune, May 21).

Later a Nigerian newspaper quoted a police high command statement asking Nigerians to disregard recent media reports on the purported threats from al-Qaeda: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Inspector General of Police’s only public pronouncement on terrorism was on 10th March, 2008 during the inauguration of the anti-terrorism squad when he said, ‘The creation of the new outfit is borne out of our mission to safeguard our environment against terrorism, even though the nation has not experienced terrorist attack; we don’t have to wait until it happens before we start to prepare.’ ” (This Day [Lagos], May 20). Despite the apparent reversal on the threat assessment, special Nigerian anti-terrorist squads were deployed to Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt (Panapress, May 14).

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with over 140 million people, roughly split equally between Christians and Muslims.”

[Cindy]

Note: The following press release SNIPPET is a quote:

http://losangeles.fbi.gov/pressrel/2008/la053008.htm

For Immediate Release: May 30, 2008

PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN AFGHANISTAN
TO PUBLICIZE $1 MILLION REWARD FOR ADAM GADAHN,
AMERICAN FUGITIVE BORN IN CALIFORNIA AND CHARGED WITH TREASON

The FBI has partnered with the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security in launching a publicity campaign in Afghanistan to find Adam Gadahn, a fugitive wanted by the FBI on charges of treason and material support of terrorism, announced Salvador Hernandez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles and Gregory B. Starr, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Gadahn, who is believed to be an integral part of al-Qaeda’s media and recruitment branch, has endorsed terrorist activity, including calling for the murder of Americans in U.S. cities, and has implored Americans to renounce their allegiance to the United States, among other crimes alleged in the indictment.

The campaign, co-funded by the FBI, will be administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security as part of “Rewards for Justice (RFJ),” the Department of State’s counterterrorism rewards program, which was established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism. Under the RFJ program, the Secretary of State offers rewards for information that prevents or favorably resolves acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide. Rewards may also be paid for information leading to the arrest or conviction of terrorists attempting, committing, conspiring to commit, or aiding and abetting in the commission of such acts.

For instance, the Secretary of State authorized a reward of up to $25 million for information leading to the capture of Osama bin Ladin and other key al-Qaeda leaders. The RFJ program has paid over $77 million to over 50 people since the program began in 1984 and has been instrumental in the capture of multiple individuals, including brothers Uday and Qusay Hussein, and Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, among others.

In February of this year, Pakistani media outlets reported that Gadahn was killed in an air strike there with known al-Qaeda associate, Abu Laith al-Libi. The FBI has neither confirmed nor denied these reports and does not possess conclusive evidence or reliable confirmation that these reports are accurate. In the absence of such confirmation, Gadahn is considered a fugitive and is currently being sought by the FBI.

Salvador Hernandez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles expressed optimism that the Rewards for Justice initiative would aid investigators in finding Gadahn, whose capture is a top priority in Los Angeles where he is charged with treason. “The FBI will continue to investigate at home and by building partnerships abroad to find and arrest Gadahn, who has repeatedly vowed his support for a terrorist organization and who has endorsed the death of Americans through terrorist acts.”

The RFJ campaign in Afghanistan will be carried out by the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security which has already begun airing radio advertisements with information concerning the $1 million reward being offered for information about Gadahn. Additionally, printed materials including matchbooks, handbills and posters will be distributed throughout the region in the coming weeks in attempts to elicit cooperation from members of the Afghan community. Distributed material will instruct anyone with information about Gadahn or his whereabouts to contact the Regional Security Office or the FBI’s Legal Attache stationed at the United States Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.

United States Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien said, “As the first person charged with treason against the United States since World War II, the capture of Adam Gadahn is a high priority for the Justice Department. This man has advocated the overthrow of the United States government and applauded the murder of United States citizens. He deserves to be prosecuted, and I hope this new campaign will help bring him to justice.”

Anyone with information on a past or planned act of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide, or regarding the location of a key terrorist leader, is urged to contact RFJ directly at the following:

Internet: www.rewardsforjustice.net (secure online tip form)

E-mail: RFJ@state.gov

Hotline: 1-800-US-REWARDS (1-800-877-3927)

Mail: Rewards for Justice, Washington, DC 20522-0303

The treason investigation of Adam Gadahn in Los Angeles is being handled by the Orange County Joint Terrorism Task Force which includes local members from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Irvine Police Department, Garden Grove Police Department, Cypress Police Department, Santa Ana Police Department, Buena Park Police Department, Anaheim Police Department and Riverside Sheriff’s Department; and at the federal level, including U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and additional members of the intelligence community. Photos and additional information about Gadahn may be found on the FBI’s website at www.fbi.gov.

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[Cindy]

Note: 4 photos included.

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

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

[Cindy]

BLOG:

Note: Photo included.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/06/report_strike_target.php

“Report: Strike target’s Baitullah Mehsud’s hideout in Pakistan”
By BILL ROGGIOJune 15, 2008 2:26 PM

PRHOTO CAPTION: “Baitullah Mehsud from a recent Taliban video.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The US military may have targeted Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud Several in an airstrike on June 14, according to several reports from Pakistan.

Baitullah’s hideout in the town of Makeen in South Waziristan was hit with three missiles, according to Geo TV and the Daily Times. Only one person was confirmed killed in the strike. Baitullah is not believed to have been killed.”

[Cindy]

sp=PHOTO caption

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031622/posts

Youtube Video featuring post by Freeper ArmyMarineMom
Youtube ^ | 6/15/08 | cmddrums
Posted on June 15, 2008 6:55:53 PM PDT by april15Bendovr

Our Media, Democrats and our Troops in Iraq

A combination of videos and photos showing the Democrat and the Media position on the war in Iraq as our troops become the victim of politics.

(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...

[Cindy]

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

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http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080615/OPINION04/806150420

OPED / MARC SAGEMAN

“The new face of terrorism
The old al-Qaida has faded — meet the next generation”
BY MARC SAGEMAN • SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON POST • JUNE 15, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “But over the past six years, most of the professional terrorists who fit this profile have been eliminated during the U.S.-led manhunt for “high-value targets.” The few that remain are huddled in the Afghan-Pakistani border area, struggling to extend their reach beyond Pakistan.

That old guard is still dangerous and still plotting spectacular attacks. But it is the new wave that more urgently requires our attention. It is composed of homegrown youths who dream of glory and adventure, who yearn to belong to a heroic vanguard and to root their lives in a greater sense of meaning. Inspired by tales of past heroism, they hope to emulate their predecessors, even though, for the most part, they can no longer link up with al-Qaida Central in the Pakistani badlands. Their potential numbers are so great that they must now be seen as the main terrorist threat to the West.

This threat is not well understood by U.S. policymakers.”

[Cindy]

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

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Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031658/posts

French “Youths” Riot in the Streets
Big News Network ^ | 06.15.2008 | Big News Network.com
Posted on June 15, 2008 9:43:47 PM PDT by Coffee200am

Dozens of youths and police have clashed in northern France, leaving nine people injured.

Around 60 cars went up in flames as youths went on a rampage in the streets of Vitry-le-Francois, some 200 kilometres north of the capital Paris.

The youths, armed with baseball bats and Molotov cocktails, were only scattered after dozens of security forces quelled the unrest.

The scuffles broke out after a young man was murdered on Saturday evening.

[Cindy]

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

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More Details UPDATE - Quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2031587/posts?page=10#10

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/14/AR2008061402032.html

“Smugglers Had Design For Advanced Warhead”

By Joby Warrick
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 15, 2008; Page A01

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “An international smuggling ring that sold bomb-related parts to Libya, Iran and North Korea also managed to acquire blueprints for an advanced nuclear weapon, according to a draft report by a former top U.N. arms inspector that suggests the plans could have been shared secretly with any number of countries or rogue groups.

The drawings, discovered in 2006 on computers owned by Swiss businessmen, included essential details for building a compact nuclear device that could be fitted on a type of ballistic missile used by Iran and more than a dozen developing countries, the report states.”

10 posted on June 15, 2008 10:19:30 PM PDT by Cindy

[Cindy]

http://www.infolive.tv

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http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/lull_120608e.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
June 12, 2008

“Israel has decided to give a chance to the Egyptian-brokered talks on a lull in the fighting, while keeping military readiness for an IDF operation in the Gaza Strip. In the meantime, Hamas and other terrorist organizations escalated shelling and firing rockets at Israel”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/soccer
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/euro2008
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/futbol

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http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL15623308

“Blast injures 5 in Istanbul cafe - TV report”
Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:52pm EDT
ISTANBUL, June 15 (Reuters) -

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Police were investigating the blast, which occurred near a gendarme paramilitary police station in a suburb of Istanbul, CNN Turk said. It said the blast could have been caused by a percussion bomb, which makes a loud noise but causes little damage.

CNN Turk said the five injured, who had come to watch Turkey’s national soccer side play the Czech Republic in Euro 2008, were only slightly injured and were treated on their feet.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/alqaeda
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/alqaida

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/australia
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/jackthomas
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/jihadjack
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/reverts
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/muslimconverts

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080616/wl_asia_afp/australiaattacksjustice
(AFP)

“Australian ordered to face re-trial on terror-related changes”
1 hour, 17 minutes ago

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “SYDNEY (AFP) - An Australian terrorism suspect whose conviction was overturned in 2006 was ordered to stand trial again Monday for allegedly receiving money from Al-Qaeda and possessing a false passport.

The Victoria state Court of Appeal ordered the retrial after prosecutors said they had new evidence about former Melbourne taxi driver Jack Thomas’ alleged links to Al-Qaeda.

Thomas, a Muslim convert, received a five-year jail term in February 2006 after being convicted of accepting 3,500 US dollars in cash and an air ticket home from a senior Al-Qaeda operative in Pakistan.”

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080616/ap_on_re_au_an/australia_terror_trial
(AP)

“Court OKs retrial for Australian terror suspect”
Sun Jun 15, 10:51 PM ET
MELBOURNE, Australia -

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Thomas told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that he met Osama bin Laden several times in the lead up to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. In interviews broadcast in 2006, he described the al-Qaida leader as a “very polite and humble and shy” man who did not mind being hugged.”

[Cindy]

Can You Help?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2031677/posts

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/krekar
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/mullahkrekar

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http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/letters/story.html?id=a5618506-66f2-4393-9743-cd6e3d53e945

“Go right to the source”
Calgary Herald
Published: Sunday, June 08, 2008
Re: “Article demonized Islam, tribunal told,” June 6.