Complete information chaos concerning assassination attempts on Kadyrov
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 4:17 AM
chechnya-sl@yahoogroups.com
30 july 2008
Complete information chaos is reigning in these hours concerning the
recent assassination attempts against Kadyrov.Actually dozens of
russian and chechen websites report about it and numerous sources and
rumours give many different versions of what happened.All in all one
can say,that this is a complete chaos,however it´s sure,that a whole
series of attacks against Ramzan was carried out in the last seven
days,so far all of them unsuccessful.
It´s only known,that so far more
than a dozen of pro-and anti-Kadyrov bodyguards were killed in the
diverse attempts and ensuing shootouts.
If the information is true,in
the last seven days at least three bodyguards opened fire at
Ramzan,but failed to kill him.
Many chechen sources meanwhile confirm,that a large mutiny against
Kadyrov is underway in his own ranks.According to chechen sources for
example many close relatives of Kadyrov fled from Khosi-Yurt in the
last days and joined the mujahideen in the nearby forests.
Also confirmed is the fact,that Kadyrov is now hiding on secret
locations with mainly ethnic russian bodyguards from diverse “russian
Spetnatz-units”,because actually Kadyrov does not trust anyone in his
own chechen bodyguard unit and family.
Russian sources like “MK.RU” also confirm,that indeed Kadyrov found
two letters from Dokka Umarov with severe warnings on his toilet
together with some cartridges.
Shortly after Kavkazcenter presented
this story some weeks ago,all russian media were joking about it and
accused Kavkazcenter of “crazy lies and propaganda”.
Let´s wait for further development.
Sascha,Chechnya-Expert,Germany
To visit group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chechnya-sl/
IS DAWOOD IBRAHIM BEHIND “INDIAN MUJAHIDEEN”?
Today, July 29, 2008, 13 hours ago | noreply@blogger.com (B.RAMAN)
http://ramansterrorismanalysis.blogspot.com/2008/07/is-dawood-ibrahim-behind-indian.html
Go to full article
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM MONITOR—PAPER NO.421
http://ramansterrorismanalysis.blogspot.com/2008/07/is-dawood-ibrahim-behind-indian.html
B.RAMAN
The possibility of the involvement of Dawood Ibrahim, the Indian mafia
leader, living in Karachi,in the serial blasts in Uttar Pradesh in November
last year, in Jaipur in May last, in Bengaluru on July 25 and in Ahmedabad
on July 26 needs to be looked into for the following reasons:
The so-called Indian Mujahideen, which has claimed responsibility for these
incidents first made its appearance after the judgement was delivered by a
Mumbai court last year awarding severe sentences in the case relating to the
Mumbai blasts of March,1993. The March 1993 blasts were organised by Dawood
Ibrahim with the help of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Many
of those convicted in the case were his close associates.
All the blasts, which have taken place since November last, have involved
the mobilisation of considerable human and material resources.
This is so particularly in Gujarat. There were 20 blasts in Ahmedabad. In
Surat, 17 unexploded improvised explosive devices (IED) have been found
after the Ahmedabad blasts. Normally, terrorists follow the principle of one
perpetrator for planting one IED. That means, there were at least 37
perpetrators. Normally, each perpetrator has at least one person to provide
the back-up support.Thus, it is estimated that the total number of
individuals involved must have been at least 70 plus.
The group, which was involved in the terrorist strikes in Gujarat, was
reported to have procured or stolen at least three motor vehicles in Mumbai
and brought them to Gujarat. Two of these were used in Ahmedabad and one
with some LNG cylinders was found in Surat.
The mobilisation of such a large number of people plus the procurement of
the motor vehicles would have involved considerable expenditure. Only Dawood
Ibrahim would have had such resources and the ability to mobilise such a
large number of people.
If he had orchestrated these strikes, where did he get these men
trained——in Pakistan with the ISI’s help as he did before March 1993 or in
India? In March 1993, he used only Indian Muslims for carrying out the
blasts.
In March 1993, he got all the material for the blasts from the ISI. This
time, the material would appear to have been procured in India.
3.An intriguing aspect is why all the IEDs planted in Surat did not explode.
Some reports have said that it was because of the rains.The IEDs in Surat
must have been planted at the same time as those in Ahmedabad. On July 26,
when the blasts took place in Ahmedabad, there were no rains, which came
only the next day. If the rains were the reason for the failure, the IEDs in
Surat must have been timed to explode a day after the blasts in Ahmedabad.
4. The other possibility is that the terrorists deliberately did not want
the Surat IEDs to explode and wanted the police to remain preoccupied with
defusing them so that they can carry out blasts in some other town. (
29-7-08)
(The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of
India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies,
Chennai. E-mail:seventyone2@gmail.com )
[Want to bet they will all be in Denver for the convention?]
Marxist Radicals Join In With Hezbollah Terrorists In Recent Prisoner Swap;
Support Israel’s Destruction
Posted by mah29001 on July 29, 2008
http://mah29001.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/marxist-radicals-join-in-with-hezbollah-terrorists-in-recent-prisoner-swap-support-israels-destruction/
http://mah29001.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/marxist-radicals-join-in-with-hezbollah-terrorists-in-recent-prisoner-swap-support-israels-destruction/
Hmm, now this isn’t such a big surprise to find that members of the Workers’
World Party, notorious for organizing “peace” rallies in their front groups,
the International Action Center and International ANSWER are
http://www.workers.org/2008/world/lebanon_0731/
openly expressing support
for Hezbollah terrorism. A notable Communist party that was involved with
Hezbollah during the Lebanon-Israeli 2006 War was the Lebanese Communist
Party which also participated in the recent prisoner swap.
Even when the same prisoners have vowed to fight on Israel and call for
Israel’s destruction. Isn’t this an exposure of how neo-Nazis would also
agree with that same sentiment as well? That really, what’s going on here,
isn’t for the rights of Palestinians or Lebanese, but rather to use them in
a Hitlerean-style in promoting Israel’s destruction. This has nothing to do
with peace whatsoever.
An update on the Lionheart trial in the U.K:
http://islamicdanger4u.blogspot.com/2008/07/this-is-how-they-will-try-to-defeat-us.html
July 30, 2008 PM Anti-Terrorism News - UnitedStatesAction.com
Iraq arrests 45 in crackdown on Qaeda fighters - update
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080730/wl_afp/iraqunrestdiyalaqaeda_080730190900;_ylt=AiNlM2uSAP_wOHW7ckGgpPRX6GMA
(Afghanistan) Haqqani emerging as new leader of a resurgent Taliban
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Haqqani_emerging_as_new_leader_of_a_resurgent_Taliban/articleshow/3308075.cms
(U.S.) Guantanamo Bay: Alleged 9/11 mastermind won’t testify — Khalid Sheik Mohammed has balked at testifying in Salim Hamdan trial
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/breaking-news/story/623820.html
(U.S.) Guantanamo Bay: Bin Laden’s driver swore loyalty oath to Osama Bin Laden: witness — Salim Hamdan trial
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080731/wl_nm/guantanamo_hearings_dc_2;_ylt=Ai4_xYxTejMYrCuRU6MYfocTv5UB
— Bin Laden’s former driver denies loyalty oath
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25937944/
(U.S.) Guantanamo Bay: Bin Laden’s former driver challenges interrogator’s testimony at Guantanamo tria — Salim Hamdan trial
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap-guantanamo-bin-ladens-driverjul30,0,407390.story
US warns travelers to East Africa of terror risk
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_re_af/africa_terror_warning_1;_ylt=AreD5GRwi8pX7pl.W3Y2uUITv5UB
(U.S.) Congressman Sherman Turns the Tables on MPAC — Group Tried to Block Emerson Testimony
http://www.investigativeproject.org/article/734
— see also Jeffrey Imm July 30 posting
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/07/isna_mpac_pr_campaign.php
(UK) ‘Al Qaeda-Style’ Jihad Foiled — Syrian immigrant Hassan Tabbakh has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of
preparing bombs for a terrorist attack.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Syrian-Immigrant-Hassan-Tabbakh-Jailed-Under-Terrorism-Act-For-Alleged-Bomb-Plot/Article/200807415060625?lpos=UK%2BNews_2&lid=ARTICLE_15060625_Syrian%2BImmigrant%2BHassan%2BTabbakh%2BJailed%2BUnder%2BTerrorism%2BAct%2BFor%2BAlleged%2BBomb%2BPlot
(Pakistan) CNN: “’Terror’ school turns out to be moderate madrassa”
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/30/karachi.boys/index.html
(India) Bangalore, Surat bombs have Al-Qaeda imprint — Indian intelligence
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore_Surat_bombs_have_Qaida_imprint/articleshow/3307797.cms
— Experts: All 22 bombs in Surat were potent
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Experts_All_22_bombs_in_Surat_were_potent/articleshow/3307991.cms
(India) SIMI quietly takes terror center stage
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/SIMI_quietly_takes_terror_centrestage/articleshow/3303754.cms
‘Iran sanctions not effective enough’
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331149645&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Hamas threatens PA officials in W. Bank
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331149229&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Israeli PM to resign, won’t run in party primary
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_politics_19;_ylt=AsfVpGvZZGxnpxp5spjXzRUUvioA
(Saudi Arabia) Al-Qaeda terrorist accuses Saudi king of trying to ‘spawn new religion’
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/alqaeda.terrorist.accuses.saudi.king.of.trying.to.spawn.new.religion/21025.htm
Turkey: Nine detained in twin Istanbul bombings probe
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.2379437471
Other News:
Turkey’s ruling party escapes ban but gets rapped with sanctions
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080730/wl_afp/turkeypoliticscourt_080730203817;_ylt=AjBnkPFWSh2pddS2I4m0WsntfLkA
Turkey’s Islamic ruling party narrowly avoids ban
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_re_mi_ea/turkey_7;_ylt=Ap._yjHCzDiigCHRgCKObPHtfLkA
(U.S.) Muslim bakery head pleads no contest to vandalism
http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=OPINIONS-LETTERS&ID=565341945531465758
Commentaries:
ISNA and MPAC Seek to Silence Steven Emerson at Congressional Hearing — by Jeffrey Imm
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/07/isna_mpac_pr_campaign.php
Libya Should Remain Accountable to the Victims of Terrorism — by Victor Comras
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/07/libya_should_remain_accountabl.php
How al Qaeda is using open source models to outsmart its enemies — by Amy Heydenrych
http://icommons.org/articles/how-al-qaeda-is-using-open-source-models-to-outsmart-its-enemies
What Pakistan’s Intelligence Ties Say About Ending Terrorism — by Douglas Farah
http://www.douglasfarah.com/article/379/what-pakistans-intelligence-ties-say-about-ending-terrorism.com
Propaganda:
(U.S.) ISNA: Urgent Action Alert: Demand Responsible Testimony in Fight Against Terrorism
http://www.isna.net/articles/News/URGENT-ACTION-ALERT-DEMAND-RESPONSIBLE-TESTIMONY-IN-FIGHT-AGAINST-TERRORISM.aspx
(U.S.) MPAC Demands Congressman Sherman Ensure Credible Testimony or Postpone Hearing
http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=674
(UK) While our scientists struggle with ethics, the Islamic world forges ahead — Stem cell researchers are branded by the Catholic church
as playing God, but Iran’s geneticists are unhindered by doctrine
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/31/genetics.ethicsofscience
— Jim Al-Khalili defends “progress” by Iranians
__._,_.___
If reposting elsewhere, please credit source of this research as UnitedStatesAction.com
News Release
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Release Date: July 29, 2008
Contacts: Dale Cox, dacox@usgs.gov, 916-997-4209
Mark Benthian, benthien@usc.edu, 213-926-1683
Southern Californians Urged to Join Largest Earthquake Drill in U.S. History
The magnitude 5.4 earthquake that rocked southern California on July 29, 2008, is about 5,000 times smaller than the magnitude 7.8 earthquake depicted in the “ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario.” This new report is a portrayal of what could happen in a major earthquake on the southern end of the San Andreas Fault. The scenario is the basis of the Great Southern California ShakeOut, a week of special events featuring the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history on November 13, 2008. Details are at www.ShakeOut.org.
“Yesterday’s earthquake was a wake-up call - a reminder to us to make the important changes we need to survive the inevitable,” said Dr. Lucy Jones, of the U.S. Geological Survey, who led the group of over 300 experts who detailed the expected consequences of a hypothetical magnitude 7.8 earthquake that starts at the Salton Sea and ruptures northward along the San Andreas fault for 190 miles.
With 22 million people living and working in southern California, a major earthquake in the region could cause an unprecedented catastrophe. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like after. With large earthquakes an inevitable part of their future, Southern Californians must act quickly to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes.
With a goal of at least 5 million participants, the ShakeOut drill will be the largest in U.S. history. To participate, go to www.ShakeOut.org/register and pledge your family, school, business, or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill, connect with other participants, and encourage a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. There are many ways to take part, but at the least participants should “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” at 10 A.M. on November 13. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone.
For more information, visit www.ShakeOut.org and be sure to visit the official ShakeOut Blog at greatsocalshakeout.blogspot.com.
USGS provides science for a changing world. For more information, visit www.usgs.gov.
Subscribe to USGS News Releases via our electronic mailing list or RSS feed.
**** www.usgs.gov ****
More on Gates’ War on Extremism:
(U.S.) Terrorism focus of new U.S. military strategy: report
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080731/ts_nm/usa_military_report_dc_1;_ylt=AjDvcYRgkhIthcsUaOg5s_wTv5UB
— Gates Sees Terrorism Remaining Enemy No. 1 - New Defense Strategy Shifts Focus From Conventional Warfare
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/30/AR2008073003240.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR
— multi-dimensional conflict more complex and diverse than the Cold War confrontation with communism
— military efforts to capture or kill terrorists are likely to be subordinate to measures to promote local participation in government and economic programs to spur development, as well as efforts to understand and address the grievances that often lie at the heart of insurgencies
__._,_.___
If reposting elsewhere, please credit source of this research as UnitedStatesAction.com
Mexico federal police to escort migrant transfers
Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 6:01pm
Mexican federal police will guard all government vehicles transporting detained migrants after gunmen hijacked a bus carrying 33 Cubans, the government said Wednesday. Immigration officers previously could ask police for extra security while transporting illegal migrants to detention centers or back to their home countries. Full Story
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/mexico_migrants
Terrorists Favorite Filesharing Service is Archive.org
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/193466.php
Internet Haganah has been running a series of posts on al-Qaeda and other
terrorists using archive.org as one of the file-sharing services for their
propaganda releases. The FBI has asked archive.org for data pertaining to
users who upload such material. This would be very useful in locating the
point of origination for releases from terrorist groups.
continues with hidden links.
I found those over a year ago, should have translated them to see what they meant, but there are so many, I kept going.
Some place in our threads, there are some of the links, from my digging into them....
granny
granny
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/busting_anthrax_myth
Busting the Anthrax Myth
July 30, 2008 | 1902 GMT
Graphic for Terrorism Intelligence Report
By Fred Burton and Scott Stewart
Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge, chief medical officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, told a congressional subcommittee on July 22 that the risk of a large-scale biological attack on the nation is significant and that the U.S. government knows its terrorist enemies have sought to use biological agents as instruments of warfare. Runge also said that the United States believes that capability is within the terrorists’ reach.
Runge gave his testimony before a subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology that was holding a field hearing in Providence, R.I., to discuss the topic of “Emerging Biological Threats and Public Health Preparedness.”
During his testimony, Runge specifically pointed to al Qaeda as the most significant threat and testified that the United States had determined that the terrorist organization is seeking to develop and use a biological weapon to cause mass casualties in an attack. According to Runge, U.S. analysis indicates that anthrax is the most likely choice, and a successful single-city attack on an unprepared population could kill hundreds of thousands of citizens.
Later in his testimony, Runge remarked that many do not perceive the threat of bioterrorism to be as significant as that of a nuclear or conventional strike, even though such an attack could kill as many people as a nuclear detonation and have its own long-term environmental effects.
We must admit to being among those who do not perceive the threat of bioterrorism to be as significant as that posed by a nuclear strike. To be fair, it must be noted that we also do not see strikes using chemical or radiological weapons rising to the threshold of a true weapon of mass destruction either. The successful detonation of a nuclear weapon in an American city would be far more devastating than any of these other forms of attack.
In fact, based on the past history of nonstate actors conducting attacks using biological weapons, we remain skeptical that a nonstate actor could conduct a biological weapons strike capable of creating as many casualties as a large strike using conventional explosives — such as the October 2002 Bali bombings that resulted in 202 deaths or the March 2004 train bombings in Madrid that killed 191.
We do not disagree with Runge’s statements that actors such as al Qaeda have demonstrated an interest in biological weapons. There is ample evidence that al Qaeda has a rudimentary biological weapons capability. However, there is a huge chasm of capability that separates intent and a rudimentary biological weapons program from a biological weapons program that is capable of killing hundreds of thousands of people.
Misconceptions About Biological Weapons
There are many misconceptions involving biological weapons. The three most common are that they are easy to obtain, that they are easy to deploy effectively, and that, when used, they always cause massive casualties.
While it is certainly true that there are many different types of actors who can easily gain access to rudimentary biological agents, there are far fewer actors who can actually isolate virulent strains of the agents, weaponize them and then effectively employ these agents in a manner that will realistically pose a significant threat of causing mass casualties. While organisms such as anthrax are present in the environment and are not difficult to obtain, more highly virulent strains of these tend to be far more difficult to locate, isolate and replicate. Such efforts require highly skilled individuals and sophisticated laboratory equipment.
Even incredibly deadly biological substances such as ricin and botulinum toxin are difficult to use in mass attacks. This difficulty arises when one attempts to take a rudimentary biological substance and then convert it into a weaponized form — a form that is potent enough to be deadly and yet readily dispersed. Even if this weaponization hurdle can be overcome, once developed, the weaponized agent must then be integrated with a weapons system that can effectively take large quantities of the agent and evenly distribute it in lethal doses to the intended targets.
During the past several decades in the era of modern terrorism, biological weapons have been used very infrequently and with very little success. This fact alone serves to highlight the gap between the biological warfare misconceptions and reality. Militant groups desperately want to kill people and are constantly seeking new innovations that will allow them to kill larger numbers of people. Certainly if biological weapons were as easily obtained, as easily weaponized and as effective at producing mass casualties as commonly portrayed, militant groups would have used them far more frequently than they have.
Militant groups are generally adaptive and responsive to failure. If something works, they will use it. If it does not, they will seek more effective means of achieving their deadly goals. A good example of this was the rise and fall of the use of chlorine in militant attacks in Iraq.
Anthrax
As noted by Runge, the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis is readily available in nature and can be deadly if inhaled, if ingested or if it comes into contact with a person’s skin. What constitutes a deadly dose of inhalation anthrax has not been precisely quantified, but is estimated to be somewhere between 8,000 and 50,000 spores. One gram of weaponized anthrax, such as that contained in the letters mailed to U.S. Sens. Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy in October 2001, can contain up to one trillion spores — enough to cause somewhere between 20 and 100 million deaths. The letters mailed to Daschle and Leahy reportedly contained about one gram each for a total estimated quantity of two grams of anthrax spores: enough to have theoretically killed between 40 and 200 million people. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the current population of the United States is 304.7 million. In a worst-case scenario, the letters mailed to Daschle and Leahy theoretically contained enough anthrax spores to kill nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population.
Yet, in spite of their incredibly deadly potential, those letters (along with an estimated five other anthrax letters mailed in a prior wave to media outlets such as the New York Post and the major television networks) killed only five people; another 22 victims were infected by the spores but recovered after receiving medical treatment. This difference between the theoretical number of fatal victims — hundreds of millions — and the actual number of victims — five — highlights the challenges in effectively distributing even a highly virulent and weaponized strain of an organism to a large number of potential victims.
To summarize: obtaining a biological agent is fairly simple. Isolating a virulent strain and then weaponizing that strain is somewhat more difficult. But the key to biological warfare — effectively distributing a weaponized agent to the intended target — is the really difficult part of the process. Anyone planning a biological attack against a large target such as a city needs to be concerned about a host of factors such as dilution, wind velocity and direction, particle size and weight, the susceptibility of the disease to ultraviolet light, heat, dryness or even rain. Small-scale localized attacks such as the 2001 anthrax letters or the 1984 salmonella attack undertaken by the Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh cult are far easier to commit.
It is also important to remember that anthrax is not some sort of untreatable super disease. While anthrax does form hardy spores that can remain inert for a period of time, the disease is not easily transmitted from person to person, and therefore is unlikely to create an epidemic outside of the area targeted by the attack. Anthrax infections can be treated by the use of readily available antibiotics. The spores’ incubation period also permits time for early treatment if the attack is noticed.
The deadliest known anthrax incident in recent years occurred in 1979 when an accidental release of aerosolized spores from a Soviet biological weapons facility in Sverdlovsk affected some 94 people — reportedly killing 68 of them. This facility was one of dozens of laboratories that were part of the Soviet Union’s massive and well-funded biological weapons program, one that employed thousands of the country’s brightest scientists. In fact, it was the largest biological weapons program in history.
Perhaps the largest attempt by a nonstate actor to cause mass casualties using anthrax was the series of attacks conducted in 1993 by the Japanese cult group Aum Shinrikyo in Tokyo.
In the late 1980s, Aum’s team of trained scientists spent millions of dollars to develop a series of state-of-the-art biological weapons research and production laboratories. The group experimented with botulinum toxin, anthrax, cholera and Q fever and even tried to acquire the Ebola virus. The group hoped to produce enough biological agent to trigger a global Armageddon. Its first attempts at unleashing mega-death on the world involved the use of botulinum toxin. In April 1990, the group used a fleet of three trucks equipped with aerosol sprayers to release liquid botulinum toxin on targets that included the Imperial Palace, the National Diet of Japan, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, two U.S. naval bases and the airport in Narita. In spite of the massive quantities of toxin released, there were no mass casualties, and, in fact, nobody outside of the cult was even aware the attacks had taken place.
When the botulinum operations failed to produce results, Aum’s scientists went back to the drawing board and retooled their biological weapons facilities to produce anthrax. By mid-1993, they were ready to launch attacks involving anthrax; between June and August of 1993, the group sprayed thousands of gallons of aerosolized liquid anthrax in Tokyo. This time, Aum not only employed its fleet of sprayer trucks but also used aerosol sprayers mounted on the roof of their headquarters to disperse a cloud of aerosolized anthrax over the city. Again, the attacks produced no results and were not even noticed. It was only after the group’s successful 1995 subway attacks using sarin nerve agent that a Japanese government investigation discovered that the 1990 and 1993 biological attacks had occurred.
Biological Weapons Production
Aum Shinrikyo’s team of highly trained scientists worked under ideal conditions in a first-world country with a virtually unlimited budget. They were able to travel the world in search of deadly organisms and even received technical advice from former Soviet scientists. The team worked in large, modern laboratory facilities to produce substantial quantities of biological weapons. They were able to operate these facilities inside industrial parks and openly order the large quantities of laboratory equipment they required. Yet, in spite of the millions of dollars the group spent on its biological weapons program — and the lack of any meaningful interference from the Japanese government — Aum still experienced problems in creating virulent biological agents and also found it difficult to dispense those agents effectively.
Today, al Qaeda finds itself operating in a very different environment than that experienced by Aum Shinrikyo in 1993. At that time, nobody was looking for Aum or its biological and chemical weapons program. By contrast, since the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States and its allies have actively pursued al Qaeda leaders and sought to dismantle and defang the organization. The United States and its allies have focused a considerable amount of resources in tracking and disassembling al Qaeda’s chemical and biological warfare efforts. The al Qaeda network has had millions of dollars of its assets seized in a number of countries, and it no longer has the safe haven of Afghanistan from which to operate. The chemical and biological facilities the group established in the 1990s in Afghanistan — such as the Deronta training camp, where cyanide and other toxins were used to kill dogs, and a crude anthrax production facility in Kandahar — have been found and destroyed by U.S. troops.
Operating in the badlands along the Pakistani-Afghan border, al Qaeda cannot easily build large modern factories capable of producing large quantities of agents or toxins. Such fixed facilities are expensive and consume a lot of resources. Even if al Qaeda had the spare capacity to invest in such facilities, the fixed nature of them means that they could be compromised and quickly destroyed by the United States.
If al Qaeda could somehow create and hide a fixed biological weapons facility in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas or North-West Frontier Province, it would still face the daunting task of transporting large quantities of biological agents from the Pakistani badlands to targets in the United States or Europe. Al Qaeda operatives certainly can create and transport small quantities of these compounds, but not enough to wreak the kind of massive damage it desires.
Al Qaeda’s lead chemical and biological weapons expert, Midhat Mursi al-Sayid Umar, also known as Abu Khabab al-Masri, was reportedly killed on July 28, 2008, by a U.S. missile strike on his home in Pakistan. Al-Sayid, who had a $5 million dollar bounty on his head, was initially reported to have been one of those killed in the January 2006 strike in Damadola. If he was indeed killed, his death should be another significant blow to the group’s biological warfare efforts.
Of course, we must recognize that the jihadist threat goes just beyond the al Qaeda core. As we have been writing for several years now, al Qaeda has undergone a metamorphosis from a smaller core group of professional operatives into an operational model that encourages independent grassroots jihadists to conduct attacks. The core al Qaeda group, through men like al-Sayid, has published manuals in hard copy and on the Internet that provide instructions on how to manufacture rudimentary biological weapons.
It is our belief that independent jihadist cells and lone-wolf jihadists will almost certainly attempt to brew up some of the recipes from the al Qaeda cookbook. There also exists a very real threat that a jihadist sympathizer could obtain a small quantity of deadly biological organisms by infiltrating a research facility.
This means that we likely will see some limited attempts at employing biological weapons. That does not mean, however, that such attacks will be large-scale or create mass casualties.
The Bottom Line
While there has been much consternation and alarm-raising over the potential for widespread proliferation of biological weapons and the possible use of such weapons on a massive scale, there are significant constraints on such designs. The current dearth of substantial biological weapons programs and arsenals by governments worldwide, and the even smaller number of cases in which systems were actually used, seems to belie — or at least bring into question — the intense concern about such programs.
While we would like to believe that countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia have halted their biological warfare programs for some noble ideological or humanitarian reason, we simply can’t. If biological weapons were in practice as effective as some would lead us to believe, these states would surely maintain stockpiles of them, just as they have maintained their nuclear weapons programs. Biological weapons programs were abandoned because they proved to be not as effective as advertised and because conventional munitions proved to provide more bang for the buck.
In some ways, the psychological fear of a “super weapon” — undetectable, microscopic, easily delivered and extremely deadly — shapes assessment of the threat, more so than an objective understanding of actual capability and intent (not to mention the extreme difficulties of ever creating some sort of a super bug). Conventional weapons systems, and unconventional tactics, continue to be the most cost-effective and proven methods of warfare, whether between state actors or between state and nonstate actors. Nuclear weapons have also been shown to have true weapons of mass destruction power.
To help keep the cost-benefit calculation of a biological warfare program in perspective, consider that Seung-Hui Cho, the man who committed the shooting at Virginia Tech, killed 32 people — more than six times as many as were killed by the 2001 anthrax letters. John Mohammed, the so-called “D.C. Sniper,” was able to cause a considerable amount of panic and kill twice as many people (10) by simply purchasing and using one assault rifle. Compare Mohammed’s effort and expenses to that of the Aum Shinrikyo anthrax program that took years of work by a huge team and millions of dollars to develop but infected no one.
Now, just because biological weapons are not all they are cracked up to be does not mean that efforts to undermine the biological warfare plans and efforts of militant groups such as al Qaeda should not continue or that programs to detect such agents or develop more effective treatments and vaccines should be halted. Even though an anthrax attack probably will not kill huge numbers of people, as we saw in the case of the anthrax letters, such an attack can be quite disruptive. Cleaning up after such an attack is expensive and takes considerable time and effort. Like a dirty bomb, an anthrax attack will more likely serve as a weapon of mass disruption and not a weapon of mass destruction.
Due to the disruption and the potential for some deaths as a result of an anthrax attack, the threat against the United States does remain a significant concern. However, the threat it represents is not as great as that of conventional attacks using firearms and explosives against soft targets, and it certainly does not rise anywhere near the level of a threat posed by a terrorist attack using a nuclear weapon.
Homeland security resources are very limited and have been shrinking as we move further from 9/11 and as other items begin to take precedence in the federal budget. This means that an array of different programs is being forced to scramble for an ever-shrinking piece of the funding pie. In such an environment, it is often a temptation to overstate the threat. Such overstatements are harmful because they can sometimes prevent a rational distribution of resources and prevent resources from being allocated to where they are needed most.
Tell Stratfor What You Think
This report may be forwarded or republished on your website with attribution to www.stratfor.com
Titles from the pay to read part of Stratford, look interesting:
[Should be able to read the cached copy]
The communist sites are on this one:
Very interesting:
Published today:
Cuba:
I did not search all the titles:
http://www.stratfor.com/regions/latin_america
[Top FBI cases in the history file]
http://www.fbi.gov/fbihistorybook.htm
The Russian Cossack Turned Special Agent
Emilio Kosterlitzky was one of the most colorful characters to ever serve as a special agent.
A cultured, Russian-born man of the world, he spent four decades in the Russian and Mexican militaries, rising to the rank of brigadier general in Mexico. To avoid the dangerous tribulations of the ongoing Mexican Revolution, he settled down in Los Angeles in 1914.
In 1917, the same year as the Bolshevik revolution in his native land, he joined the FBI. He was 63.
Kosterlitzky was appointed a “special employee,” like today’s investigative assistant but with more authority. And with his deep military experience and international flair (including strong connections throughout Mexico and the Southwest U.S. and the ability to speak, read, and write more than eight languages) he excelled at it. His work included not only translations but also undercover work.
On May 1, 1922, Kosterlitzky was appointed a Bureau special agent at a salary of six dollars a day. Because of his unique qualifications he was assigned to work border cases and to conduct liaison with various Mexican informants and officials. By all accounts, he showed exceptional diplomacy and skill.
In 1926, Kosterlitzky was ordered to report to the Bureau’s office in Phoenix but could not comply because of a serious heart condition. He resigned on September 4, 1926. Less than two years later this grand old gentleman died and was buried in Los Angeles.
Al-Haramain and the Jihad against Free Speech
By Patrick Poole
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/authors.aspx?GUID=23b42d9a-65c4-4014-8f95-63461119400a
FrontPageMagazine.com | Thursday, July 31, 2008
July 31, 2008 Anti-Terrorism News - UnitedStatesAction.com
(Iraq) Suicide car bomb kills three Iraqi policemen — in Mosul
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/31/africa/ME-Iraq.php
Iraq arrests another 14 suspects in Qaeda bastion — on Thursday - in Diyala province
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2008/July/middleeast_July781.xml§ion=middleeast&col=
(Iraq) Report: Iraqi photographer detained by U.S. military — Al-Mashhadani works for Reuters and BBC
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/31/africa/ME-Iraq-Detained-Journalist.php
Afghan and NATO troops kill 20 Taliban — in Andar district, Ghazni province
http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnISL275007.html
— 18 Taliban killed in Uruzgan province on Wednesday
(Afghanistan) Three injured in blast outside Pakistan consulate in Afghanistan - Herat province bicycle bomb
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1928447&Language=en
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.2381543615
— Pakistan summons Afghan envoy over consulate blast
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2008/July/subcontinent_July1024.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
(Afghanistan) Iraq militant group head said to be in Afghanistan
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080731/ts_nm/iraq_afghan_militants_dc_3;_ylt=AuUMBF5k2wanOjyUGSb13vjOVooA
(Afghanistan) NATO must do more in southern Afghanistan: Canada
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080731/wl_nm/afghan_dc_2;_ylt=AiqrVZdw6dszozSz3D6OtJbOVooA
(Afghanistan) Report says Taliban using sophisticated media network to undermine government
http://www.thecanadianpress.com/english/online/OnlineFullStory.aspx?filename=X072406AU&newsitemid=73169036&languageid=1
(Afghanistan) US sees rise in Pakistani fighters in Afghanistan
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2008/July/subcontinent_July1014.xml§ion=subcontinent
(Pakistan) NWFP: Thirteen civilians, ten militants killed in Swat operation
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1928436&Language=en
(Pakistan) NWFP: Taliban threatens suicide attacks - in Swat
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg1_3
— Taliban warn MPs from Swat to quit
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg1_2
— NWFP govt in legal limbo over militants’ release
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg7_47
(Pakistan) NWFP: Militants kidnap bank officials in Hangu while talks continue
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg7_16
(Pakistan) NWFP: Gunmen kill DI Khan DAO in suspected sectarian attack
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg7_15
(Pakistan) FATA: PM Advisor Malik blames Afghanistan, India for FATA unrest
http://www.dawn.com/2008/07/31/top2.htm
(Pakistan) FATA: Taliban Shura condemns US attacks on S Waziristan
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg7_19
— Pentagon says attacks on militant sites will continue
http://www.dawn.com/2008/07/31/top9.htm
(Pakistan) FATA: Taliban re-occupy PTV booster in Bajaur
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg7_22
Pakistan using ads to appeal to Taliban - to end campaign of bombing girls’ schools
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Pakistan/Pak_using_ads_to_appeal_to_Taliban/articleshow/3307746.cms
(Pakistan) Taliban warn ‘un-Islamic’ businesses of dire consequences — Says women to wear hijab or be ready to get burnt with acid
— Punjab province
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg7_18
(Pakistan) Terrorists develop ‘suicide underwear’ - to evade body searches
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg1_4
Pakistan’s deals see more militancy in Afghanistan, says NATO
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\07\31\story_31-7-2008_pg7_6
(Pakistan) US says Pakistani spies forewarn Al Qaeda allies
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2008/July/subcontinent_July1016.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
— Pakistan probes Taliban collusion - Prime minister sees no spy ties
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/31/pakistan-probes-taliban-collusion/
(India J&K) Bomb defused on Kashmir pilgrimage route: police — on highway used daily by hundreds of Hindus
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2008/July/subcontinent_July1019.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/15_kg_IED_found_on_Amarnath_Yatra_route/articleshow/3309931.cms
(India) Locals involved in terror acts: Gujarat police
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Locals_involved_in_terror_acts_Gujarat_police/articleshow/3310056.cms
— Absconding terrorists keep cops guessing
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Absconding_terrorists_keep_cops_guessing/articleshow/3308145.cms
(India) Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad arrest three in terror mail case — Ahmedabad/Mumbai
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Mumbai_ATS_arrest_three_in_terror_mail_case_/articleshow/3308467.cms
(India) Japan closes India visa office, warns over bombings
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2008/July/subcontinent_July1018.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
— Japanese embassy gets warnings of more bombs
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331153840&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(India) Tamil Nadu (TN) terror module has no links with SIMI, LeT: Police
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/SIMI_LeT_not_behind_TN_terror_module/articleshow/3310975.cms
— TN police bust LTTE’s supply chain
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/TN_police_bust_LTTEs_supply_chain/articleshow/3310293.cms
(U.S.) Terrorism focus of new U.S. military strategy: report
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080731/ts_nm/usa_military_report_dc_1;_ylt=AjDvcYRgkhIthcsUaOg5s_wTv5UB
— Gates Sees Terrorism Remaining Enemy No. 1 - New Defense Strategy Shifts Focus From Conventional Warfare
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/30/AR2008073003240.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR
— multi-dimensional conflict more complex and diverse than the Cold War confrontation with communism
— military efforts to capture or kill terrorists are likely to be subordinate to measures to promote local participation in government and
economic programs to spur development, as well as efforts to understand and address the grievances that often lie at the heart of insurgencies
(U.S.) Washington Times: Interview with James K. Glassman, undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, in war against “extremism”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/31/inside-the-ring-9598419/
— references “Dr. Fadl” as “credible voice... against extremism” — who continues to support global Jihad in Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, etc.
— see also Jeffrey Imm July 16 posting
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/07/false_reports_on_jihad.php
(U.S.) Guantanamo Bay: Court hears Bin Laden’s driver lacked terror resume — Salim Hamden
http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKNASU7300220080730
(U.S.) Fireworks at Terrorism Hearing
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/07/isna_mpac_pr_campaign.php
— see also Jeffrey Imm July 30 posting
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/07/isna_mpac_pr_campaign.php
(U.S.) White House cuts into CIA
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24108680-23109,00.html
(U.S.) Half of Voters Still Say U.S. is Winning the War on Terror
http://news.yahoo.com/s/rasmussen/20080730/pl_rasmussen/warterror20080730
(U.S.) Michigan: Canton Man, 18, Charged With Terrorism, Assault — Threatened To Derail Train With Explosives
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/17037699/detail.html
Iran again rejects nuclear deadline
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080731/wl_afp/irannuclearpolitics_080731082904;_ylt=ApEh_G.P0d2lOdM1qWKpctdSw60A
— Nonaligned countries back Iran’s nuclear program
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_nuclear_2;_ylt=AimZ8Qr27Fb0URIOxKYQb7dSw60A
Hamas frees German TV’s cameraman
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/31/africa/ME-Palestinians-German-TV.php
Gaza summer camps teach kids to fire rockets
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3575660,00.html
(West Bank) IDF arrests 8 Palestinian terror suspects in West Bank operations
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331150996&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
In Wake of Tahdiah Agreement, Escalation in Hamas-Fatah Conflict and in Fatah’s Position Vis-a-vis Israel
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=IA45808
(Israel) ‘PM will try for peace deal with Palestinians before end of term’
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331154665&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Nigeria: Reps Accuse Niger Dock of Importing Arms for Militants
http://allafrica.com/stories/200807310507.html
(Sudan) 22 sentenced to death for rebel attack in Sudan
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/31/africa/AF-Sudan-Rebels.php
Sudan’s al-Bashir vows never to deal with ICC
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/31/africa/AF-Sudan.php
(Turkey) Report: Attack on Turkish military vehicle; 1 dead
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/31/europe/EU-Turkey-Attack.php
French court to try 11 Kurds over attacks in France
http://www.expatica.com/fr/articles/news/French-court-to-try-11-Kurds-over-attacks-in-France.html
(Greece) Newspaper: New group claims Greek bomb attack — “Popular Will” takes claim for 2004 bombing
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_re_eu/greece_terror_group_1;_ylt=AiVL.6pyjYhA81dexluT6ckTv5UB
(Thailand) Insurgents kill a local school teacher in Pattani
— and in Narathiwat, bomb exploded at a local outdoor market, injuring 12 people
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/31/national/national_30079472.php
(Philippines) N. Cotabato warns of bloodshed if Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) pact will be signed
— that would define new territories for Muslims in Mindanao
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080731-151834/N-Cotabato-warns-of-bloodshed-if-MILF-pact-will-be-signed
(Australia) Melboune 12 trial: Accused terrorists kept receipts for common fund
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24106715-5006785,00.html
Sri Lanka fighting kills 30 as summit nears
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/31/asia/AS-Sri-Lanka-Civil-War.php
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080731/wl_asia_afp/srilankaunrestsaarc_080731073152
(North Korea) U.S. envoy goes to China to push N.Korea verification
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080730/wl_nm/korea_north_usa_dc_1;_ylt=AqGHcc5B0_PoGsBybB993Q6CscEA
(Colombia) FARC Figure Vows To Fight On,Rules Out Talks With Colombia-TV
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080730\ACQDJON200807301623DOWJONESDJONLINE000910.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=FARC%20Figure%20Vows%20To%20Fight%20On,Rules%20Out%20Talks%20With%20Colombia-TV
Other News:
(U.S.) Head of Saudi school admits he didn’t report abuse — Islamic Saudi Academy in Virginia’s director Abdalla I. Al-Shabnan
failed to report abuse on 5 year old girl
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_re_us/saudi_academy_1
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jul/30/head-of-saudi-school-admits-he-didnt-report-abuse/
http://www.nbc4.com/news/17041223/detail.html?rss=dc&psp=news
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/30/saudi-funded-islamic-scho_n_115953.html
Afghan TV journalist freed from detention — Nasir Fayaz critical of government
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_re_as/afghan_media_3;_ylt=AuDdohZPng3CkLIyMfDg36_OVooA
Turkey ruling party insists it’s not anti-secular — tells CNN
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/31/europe/EU-Turkey-Ruling-Party.php
(UK) The hijab goes high-fashion
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/jul/28/fashion.women
(UK) Passport theft police ‘arrest delivery man’
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article4435145.ece
— theft sparked fears they were to be used by terrorists, but the Home Office stressed that an embedded chip would make the
passports “unusable”
(China) Defiant China hits out at US, stands firm on Internet
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080731/wl_afp/oly2008_16;_ylt=AmYA_1xyd_wQWBR3wPvommxPzWQA
Facebook: ‘Anti-Semitic’ group hijacked by Jewish force
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2478773/Facebook-Anti-semitic-group-destroyed-by-Israeli-hackers.html
Against Nazi News:
German officials dig up neo-Nazi grave to remove swastika flag
http://www.expatica.com/de/articles/news/German-officials-dig-up-neo_Nazi-grave-to-remove-swastika-flag-.html
Speer Aide Made Satirical Cartoons of Hitler’s ‘Germania’
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,569118,00.html
__._,_.___
If reposting elsewhere, please credit source of this research as UnitedStatesAction.com
http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp1096.htm
July 31, 2008
HP-1096
Treasury Targets FARC Financiers and Drug-Traffickers
Washington, DC—The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated six companies and 13 individuals that act on behalf of and materially assist the narcotics trafficking activities of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a designated narco-terrorist organization. Today’s designation, made pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act), is OFAC’s fifth action against the FARC in the past eight months.
“Today’s action is the latest in a series of blows to the FARC and builds on the Colombian government’s recent successes against this corrupt narco-terrorist group,” said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. “Our designation targets the logistical and financial support network of the FARC’s 1st Front, the arm of this terrorist group responsible for holding the hostages recently rescued by the Colombian authorities.”
One of the FARC individuals sanctioned today, Alexander Farfan Suarez (a.k.a. “Enrique Gafas”), was captured by Colombian authorities during the July 2, 2008 hostage rescue mission that freed three U.S. citizens—Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, and Keith Stansell—who were held captive roughly five years, as well as 12 other hostages held by the FARC. Also captured was the FARC’s 1st Front commander, Gerardo Antonio Aguilar Ramirez (a.k.a. “Cesar”), who was designated by OFAC on September 28, 2006.
This OFAC sanctions investigation targets a logistical and financial support network of the FARC’s 1st Front, run by Nancy Conde Rubio (a.k.a. “Doris Adriana”). Conde Rubio, arrested by Colombian authorities in February 2008, oversaw individuals and entities that used money derived from FARC narcotics sales to procure weapons, ammunition, communications gear, medical equipment, uniforms, and airplane fuel. Conde Rubio communicated with various persons in the FARC network targeted by this action using Communicaciones Unidas de Colombia Ltda., a call center located in Villavicencio, Colombia, operated by FARC associate Ana Isabel Pena Arevalo. This FARC network laundered its drug trafficking monies through two money exchange businesses or cambistas - Cambios Euro Ltda. and La Monedita De Oro Ltda. - both located in Bogota, Colombia. Two other Bogota-based FARC front companies, Dizriver Y Cia S. En C. and Colchones Sunmoons Ltda., were also designated.
Conde Rubio and eight other individuals sanctioned by OFAC today were named in a February 2008 U.S. federal indictment in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for materially assisting the FARC.
Also designated today is Jose Maria Corredor Ibague (a.k.a. “Boyaco”), considered one of the FARC’s most prolific arms-for-drugs traffickers of the past few years. Josue Cuesta Leon (a.k.a. “El Viejo”) and Edilma Morales Loaiza, both key arms traffickers involved in the FARC’s drug trafficking activities, were also named.
OFAC’s sanctions investigation of the FARC’s 1st Front would not have been possible without the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
In addition, Exchange Center Ltda., a Colombian cambista linked to the FARC’s 27th Front is being designated by OFAC today. Previously, on May 7, 2008, OFAC designated Mercurio International S.A., a Colombian money exchange house (”casa de cambio”) for providing support to the FARC.
On May 29, 2003, President George W. Bush identified the FARC as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker pursuant to the Kingpin Act. Previously, in 2001, OFAC designated the FARC as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224, and in 1997 the FARC was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the Secretary of State.
Today’s action freezes any assets the designated entities and individuals may have under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions involving those assets. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act range from civil penalties of up to $1,075,000 per violation to more severe criminal penalties. Criminal penalties for corporate officers may include up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000,000. Criminal fines for corporations may reach $10,000,000. Other individuals face up to 10 years in prison for criminal violations of the Kingpin Act and fines pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code.
For a complete list of the individuals and entities designated today, please visit:
http://www.treasury.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/
To view previous OFAC actions directed against the FARC, please visit:
*
Treasury Action against the FARC on May 7, 2008.
*
Treasury Action against the FARC on April 22, 2008.
*
Treasury Action against the FARC on January 15, 2008.
*
Treasury Action against the FARC on November 1, 2007.
*
Treasury Action against the FARC on September 28, 2006.
*
Treasury Action against the FARC on February 19, 2004.
July 31, 2008 PM Anti-Terrorism News - UnitedStatesAction.com
Iraq: Troops arrest 189 in security swoop - in Diyala
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.2382082778
(Afghanistan) Al-Qaida commander killed in Afghanistan — Abu Abdullah al-Shami had escaped from Bagram prison 3 years ago
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_re_mi_ea/al_qaida_commander_killed_1;_ylt=AoG0Irvnn.LbmBiA7xo4Y3YTv5UB
(Afghanistan) ABC: Taliban - ‘We’re Too Busy in Afghanistan’ to Work with Pakistan
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5490126&page=1
(Pakistan) Roznama Ausaf: New Taliban Outfit Surfaces In Southern Punjab
http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/8868.htm
Pakistan FM says ‘minor incidents’ not to mar war on terror
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080731/wl_sthasia_afp/uspakistanattacksciaqureshi_080731183150;_ylt=Ajeh5s6ccy10v4e0YmCkJGwTv5UB
(U.S.) Prosecution finishes in first Guantanamo trial — Salim Hamdan trial
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080731/wl_nm/guantanamo_hearings_dc_4;_ylt=Aggh.fcwZKMjDMFvKVLRYSYTv5UB
— Guantanamo judge allows disputed interrogation
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/guantanamo_bin_laden_s_driver_12;_ylt=Ao2MyhsIL4lKc_i3nQqjZyQTv5UB
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/222785,federal-agent-testifies-in-hamdan-case-over-defences-objections.html
(U.S.) TSA may fine for wrong terrorist IDs — may fine airlines up to $25,000 when they wrongly tell passengers they’re on a terrorist watch list
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/07/31/TSA_may_fine_for_wrong_terrorist_IDs/UPI-50381217527074/
U.S. National Defense 2008 document (PDF) at WP website
http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/national_defense_strategy_073108.pdf?sid=ST2008073100531&pos=list
(U.S.) Treasury Targets FARC Financiers and Drug-Traffickers
http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp1096.htm
(Iran) US holds back from imposing strict nuclear deadline on Iran
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080731/pl_afp/irannuclearpoliticsus_080731160359;_ylt=Av_EvoGEAhl9.AqymuFosD9Sw60A
(Gaza) Hizb ut-Tahrir: Thousands of supporters of worldwide Islamic state march in Gaza
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331160956&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(West Bank) Abbas: Release 200 Hamas prisoners in West Bank
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/31/africa/ME-Palestinians-Hamas-Prisoners.php
Palestinian Authority officials: ‘Zero’ chance of peace deal by year’s end
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331163057&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Somalia: Insurgents Kill Police Officer in Sneak Attack — in Mogadishu
http://allafrica.com/stories/200807311228.html
Somali insurgents reject UN-mediated truce — Armed Islamist group insists accord signed in Djibouti is null, Sharia law must be implemented
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=27172
(North Korea) US: NKorea must address “abysmal” human rights
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_go_co/us_nkorea_1;_ylt=Ar7ySFXadtodbxO789TDnfWCscEA
Commentaries:
The Jihad against Free Speech — by Patrick Poole
http://frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=7E42EB9C-39CD-4E55-87DA-D6A389A6D9CD
“The First Time Ever They Saw Jihad?” — Israel’s Chelmite “Leadership”
http://www.andrewbostom.org/blog/2008/07/31/%E2%80%9Cthe-first-time-ever-they-saw-jihad%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94israel%E2%80%99s-chelmite-%E2%80%9Cleadership%E2%80%9D/
Other News:
(U.S.) Obama appoints Muslim liaison — Mazen Asbahi
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0708/Obama_appoints_Muslim_liaison.html
http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=673
— biography of Mazen Asbahi in Chicago law firm of SchiffHardin
http://www.schiffhardin.com/MazenAsbahi.htm
— role of Mazen Asbahi in 2006 board of directors of Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (IPSU)
http://ispu.org/files/PDFs/nl.mar%202006.final.pdf
http://www.ispu.us/files/PDFs/nl.2006-12.pdf
http://ispu.org/about_ispu/board_of_directors.html
http://ispu.org/about_ispu/pagedetailpbpfv_all.html
— role of Mazen Asbahi in 2005 board of directors of Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (IPSU)
http://www.ispu.org/files/PDFs/nl.2005-04.pdf
— IPSU advisor in March 2006 newsletter urged U.S. “to not derail the democratically elected Hamas-led government”
http://ispu.org/files/PDFs/nl.mar%202006.final.pdf
— July 2006 IPSU newsletter: “publishing the cartoons of Muhammad in the United States could be made a criminal offense”
— in same issue Mazen Asbahi named as “Executive Director” of IPSU
http://www.ispu.org/files/PDFs/nl.2006-07.pdf
— while Mazen Ashbah was Executive Director of IPSU, ISPU Fellow Dr. Louay Safi spoke on “Islamophobia” conferecne in Washingt DD
http://usa.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/24568
— Louay Safi has served as Executive Director and Director of Research for the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)
— headquartered in Herndon, VA with seed money from Muslim Brotherhood
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/014538.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louay_M._Safi
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12823-2004Sep10_4.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Institute_of_Islamic_Thought
— Louay Safi also serves today as ISNA Leadership Development Center (ILDC) executive director
http://www.isna.net/articles/ILDC-News/Combating-Islamophobia-in-Milwaukee.aspx
http://web.archive.org/web/20040225180221/www.isna.net/news/miniheadlines.asp?dismode=article&artid=219
— Mazen Asbahi was also director of publications for the Nawawi Foundation, which include ISNA’s Ingrid Mattson on Board of Directors
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Nawawi_Foundation
— Nawawi Foundation hosted Hamza Yusef Hanson to speak
http://www.nawawi.org/courses/event_connecting_to_god.html
http://www.zaytuna.org/eventDetails.asp?id=23
-— Hamza Yusef has described Judaism as a “most racist religion”
http://ohioagainstterror.blogspot.com/2008/07/1995-isna-convention-judaism-most.html
Turkish ruling party drops bid to lift scarf ban
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_re_mi_ea/turkey_8;_ylt=ArD8MXvTxDCY94_3Qn1J0OXtfLkA
(Hamas) Son of top Hamas leader converts to Christianity
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=71097
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1007097.html
Saudi Arabia: Academic gets 600 lashes for ‘phone relationship’ with female pupil
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/CultureAndMedia/?id=1.0.2379436708
— woman also got 350 lashes and 4 months in prison
Saudi Arabia bans sale of dogs, cats in capital
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saudi_dog_and_cat_ban;_ylt=Amw_ovubQ35JltoZGaQ88bDuOrgF
__._,_.___
If reposting elsewhere, please credit source of this research as UnitedStatesAction.com
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1071.htm
July 8, 2008
hp-1071
Treasury Designates Iranian Proliferation Individuals, Entities
Washington - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated four individuals and four entities for their ties to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
“Iran’s nuclear and missile firms hide behind an array of agents that transact business on their behalf,” said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. “As long as Iran continues to engage in such deceptive practices, companies and banks must exercise extraordinary vigilance to avoid participating in illicit transactions.”
The individuals designated today include Dawood Agha-Jani, Moshen Hojati, Mehrdada Akhlaghi Ketabachi, and Naser Maleki. The entities designated today include Shahid Sattari Industries, Seventh of Tir (a/k/a 7th of Tir), Ammunition and Metallurgy Industries Group (AMIG), and Parchin Chemical Industries.
This action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13382, an authority aimed at freezing the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters, and at isolating them from the U.S. financial and commercial systems. Designations under E.O. 13382 are implemented by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the State Department, and they generally prohibit transactions between the designees and U.S. persons, and freeze assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction.
The Annex to E.O. 13382, issued by President George W. Bush in June 2005, designated the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), the Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG), and the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG) as entities of proliferation concern.
The AEOI, which reports directly to the Iranian President, is the main Iranian
organization for research and development activities in the field of nuclear technology, including Iran’s centrifuge enrichment program; it also manages Iran’s overall nuclear program. The AEOI is identified in the Annex to United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737 for its involvement in Iran’s nuclear program.
Dawood Agha-Jani is being designated because he acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the AEOI. Agha-Jani was listed in UNSCR 1737 for his involvement in Iran’s nuclear program, and identified as the head of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) at Natanz. Natanz, which is subordinate to the AEOI, is Iran’s main uranium enrichment facility. The PFEP is a test facility that has the capacity to hold 1,000 centrifuges.
Moshen Hojati is being designated because he acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the AIO and the Fajr Industries Group. The AIO, a subsidiary of the Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, is the overall manager and coordinator of Iran’s missile program. AIO oversees all of Iran’s missile industries. Its subsidiaries, SBIG and SHIG, were both identified in the Annex to UNSCR 1737.
Hojati has been linked to the AIO since at least 2001, serving in various capacities. Hojati was listed in UNSCR 1747 for his involvement in Iran’s ballistic missile program, and identified as the head of the Fajr Industries Group, an entity identified in the Annex to UNSCR1737 and designated by OFAC under E.O. 13382, on June 8, 2007, for being owned or controlled by the AIO.
Mehrdada Akhlaghi Ketabachi is being designated because be acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, SBIG. As the head of SBIG, Ketabachi plays a key role in SBIG’s day-to-day affairs. Ketabachi is also active in negotiating the procurement of equipment for SBIG.
Naser Maleki is being designated because he acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, SHIG. Maleki has been identified in UNSCR 1747 as the head of SHIG and an Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) official who oversees work on the Shahab-3 ballistic missile program.
Also designated today is Shahid Sattari Industries, an entity which is owned or controlled by, and acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, SBIG. Shahid Sattari Industries is involved in the manufacturing and maintenance of ground support equipment for SBIG.
The other three entities designated today, Seventh of Tir (a/k/a 7th of Tir), Ammunition and Metallurgy Industries Group (AMIG), and Parchin Chemical Industries, are owned or controlled by, or act or purport to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Iran’s Defense Industries Organization (DIO). The U.S. Department of State designated DIO under E.O. 13382 on March 28, 2007, for engaging or attempting to engage in activities or transactions that materially contributed to or pose a risk of materially contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery. DIO also is identified in the Annex to UNSCR 1737.
AMIG was listed in UNSCR 1747 for its relationship with Seventh of Tir, which it controls. Seventh of Tir has been involved in a variety of international transactions related to weapons procurement. UNSCR 1737 described Seventh of Tir as a subordinate of DIO, widely recognized as being directly involved in Iran’s nuclear program. Seventh of Tir has been connected to Iran’s centrifuge development program.
Parchin Chemical Industries is an element of DIO’s chemical industries group and is identified in the Annex to UNSCR 1747. As a subordinate of DIO, Parchin acts on behalf of DIO, importing and exporting chemical goods throughout the world. In April 2007, Parchin Chemical Industries was identified as the final recipient of sodium perchlorate monohydrate, a chemical precursor for solid propellant oxidizer, possibly to be used for ballistic missiles.
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REPORTS
* Fact Sheet on Iranian Designations
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1075.htm
July 10, 2008
HP-1075
Treasury Targets Rami Makhluf’s Companies
Washington - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today added Syriatel, Syria’s largest mobile phone operator, and Ramak, a chain of Syrian duty free stores, to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. All property and interests in property of these entities are blocked as a result of the direct or indirect ownership interest of at least 50 percent by Rami Makhluf in each entity.
“Rami Makhluf uses his access to high-level Syrian Government insiders to enrich himself at the expense of the Syrian people,” said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). “We will continue to target Makhluf and his commercial empire as well as others who follow in his footsteps.”
Makhluf was designated on February 21, 2008 pursuant to Executive Order 13460, which targets individuals and entities determined to have contributed to, or to have benefited from, the public corruption of senior officials of the Syrian regime.
Makhluf, a maternal cousin of Syrian president Bashar al-Asad, has exploited his relationships with Syrian regime members to amass his commercial empire. Makhluf has manipulated the Syrian judicial system and has used Syrian intelligence officials to intimidate business rivals.
Pursuant to E.O. 13460, any assets in Syriatel’s or Ramak’s names held in the United States or within the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked, and U.S. persons, therefore, are prohibited from engaging in business or transactions with Syriatel or Ramak.
President George W. Bush issued E.O. 13460 on February 13, 2008 to take additional measures to address the threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States posed by certain conduct of the Government of Syria.
This new authority builds on E.O. 13338, which was issued by President Bush in May 2004, by targeting activities that entrench and enrich the Syrian regime and its cohorts thereby enabling the regime to continue to engage in threatening behavior, including actions that undermine efforts to stabilize Iraq. Corruption by the regime also reinforces efforts that deny the people of
Syria political freedoms and economic prosperity, undercut peace and stability in the region, fund terrorism and violence, and undermine the sovereignty of Lebanon.
Identifying Information
RAMAK
AKAs:
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd
Ramak Duty Free Shops Ltd.
Ramak Duty Free Shops - Syria
Ramak Duty Free
Ramak Firm for Free Trade Zones
Addresses:
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd., Free Zone Area, Jamarek, PO Box 932,
Damascus, Syria
Ramak Duty Free Shops - Syria, Al Rawda Street, PO Box 932,
Damascus, Syria
Abu Ramana Street, Rawda, Damascus, Syria
Damascus Duty Free, Damascus International Airport, Damascus, Syria
Dara’a Duty Free, Naseeb Border Center, Dara’a, Syria
Aleppo Duty Free, Aleppo International Airport, Aleppo, Syria
Jdaideh Duty Free Complex, Jdaideh Yaboos, Damascus, Syria
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd., Bab el Hawa Border Center, Aleppo
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd., Lattakia Port, Lattakia
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd., Tartous Port, Tartous
Telephone:
+963 11 2139222
+963 11 2138990
+963 11 2114666
Email:
dam.d.free@net.sy
Website:
http://www.ramakdutyfree.net
SYRIATEL
AKAs:
Syriatel Mobile Telecom SA
Syriatel Mobile Telecom
Syriatel Mobile
SyriaTel Mobile Telecom
Address:
Doctors Syndicate Building, Al Jalaa Street, Abu Roumaneh Area,
PO Box 2900, Damascus, Syria
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http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1085.htm
July 17, 2008
HP-1085
Treasury Targets Al Qaida-Affiliated Terror Group in Algeria
Washington, DC—The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated four leaders of al Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a terrorist organization that has carried out numerous attacks in Algeria. On July 3, 2008, these four individuals were added to the United Nations Consolidated List of individuals and entities associated with Usama Bin Laden, al Qaida, and the Taliban.
“Algeria has shown remarkable courage in the face of horrifying terrorist attacks against its people,” said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). “The four terrorists that we have targeted today are among the most culpable for this violence, as leaders of al Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb. We are proud to support the efforts of Algeria and the world community to combat this deadly threat and we will continue to do so.”
AQIM carried out three attacks east of Algiers in early June 2008, including a bombing near a train station that killed a French national. In February 2008, AQIM kidnapped two Austrian tourists in Tunisia and has issued demands to the Austrian government for their release. In April 2007, AQIM bombed both the Algerian prime minister’s office and police facilities in Algiers. AQIM conducted dual bombings in December 2007 of two United Nations offices and the headquarters of Algeria’s Constitutional Council.
AQIM, which was formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), merged with al Qaida in September 2006. GSPC was one of the sixteen entities originally named a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to E.O. 13224 on September 24, 2001. GSPC was added to the U.N. list on October 6, 2001. AQIM was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 on February 21, 2008 and was added to the U.N. list on April 26, 2007.
Identifier Information
SALAH GASMI
AKAs:
Salah Abu Muhamad
Salah Abu Mohamed
Bounouadher
DOB:
l3 April l97l
POB:
Zeribet El Oued, Biskra, Algeria
Gasmi is the head of AQIM’s information committee and is responsible for developing statements, circulating claims of responsibility for terrorist activities, and creating videos for AQIM.
As AQIM’s representative to the media, Gasmi issued AQIM’s claim of responsibility for its kidnapping of the Austrian hostages. Gasmi is one of the principal figures negotiating with the Austrian government for the release of the hostages. He represents AQIM leader Abdelmalek Droukdel’s interests in the negotiations. Droukdel was added to the U.N. list on August 27, 2007 and was named an SDGT by the Treasury Department on December 4, 2007.
Gasmi also directs AQIM’s internet communications with al Qaida senior leadership.
YAHIA DJOUADI
AKAs:
Yahia Abu Amar
Abu Ala
Abou Alam
DOB:
1 January 1967
POB:
M’Hamid, Sidi Bel Abbas, Algeria
Djouadi is based in northern Mali and serves as the leader of AQIM in Africa’s Sahara-Sahel region (also known as the AQIM South Zone). He is responsible for managing AQIM members in the South Zone and was actively recruiting Mauritanians as of early 2008.
Djouadi provided financial and operational support to a Moroccan AQIM-affiliated extremist who planned to establish an AQIM support base in North Africa.
Djouadi headed the AQIM military committee prior to his appointment as AQIM South Zone Emir.
AHMED DEGHDEGH
AKAs:
Abd Al Illah
Abu Abdallah
DOB:
17 January 1967
POB:
Anser, Jijel, Algeria
Deghdegh is AQIM’s finance chief.
Deghdegh has relayed AQIM messages in ongoing hostage negotiations; as AQIM’s designated negotiator, Deghdegh communicated stipulations for the release of the hostages and issued ransom demands.
Deghdegh has acknowledged that AQIM has worked to undermine the interests of countries that support U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
ABID HAMMADOU
AKAs:
Abid Hamadu
Abdelhamid Abu Zeid
Abdelhamid Abou Zeid
Youcef Adel
Abu Abdellah
DOB:
12 December 1965
POB:
Touggourt, Ouargla, Algeria
Hammadou is the deputy leader of AQIM’s Tarek Ibn Zaid battalion and is based in northern Mali.
Hammadou was involved in kidnapping the Austrian tourists for AQIM in February 2008.
In 2003, Hammadou participated in the kidnapping of 32 foreign tourists in Algeria by the GSPC, AQIM’s predecessor organization. Hammadou was appointed by regional AQIM leader al-Para to lead the Tarek Ibn Zaid battalion, which carried out the kidnapping (El Para, AKA Saifi Ammari, was named an SDGT on December 5, 2003). Hammadou and other members of the battalion received part of the ransom paid to liberate the tourists and allegedly used the funds to purchase weapons.
In June 2005, Hammadou led a unit of AQIM operatives in an attack on a Mauritanian military outpost that killed fifteen soldiers and wounded at least another fifteen.
Hammadou established a camp for AQIM recruits in northern Mali that included training in combat techniques, making and defusing bombs, and guerilla tactics.
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