Threat Matrix: August 2008

Previous Thread ^

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2059064/posts?page=5#5

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Thanks to Ernest at the Beach for pointing to this thread.

Quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2059064/posts

Spy Case Casts Light on Hezbollah Recruitment in Germany
Spiegel ^ | 08/07/2008 | Ulrike Putz in Beirut
Posted on August 9, 2008 8:30:07 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach

A young Israeli man who studied in Germany has been arrested on espionage charges in Israel. Khaled K., of Palestinian descent, allegedly spied for the Hezbollah Shiite militia. His case is expected to highlight Hezbollah recruiting activities in Germany.

When Khaled K. stepped off the plane from Germany to start his summer vacation, it wasn’t his family that awaited him at the gate. Instead Shin Bet agents and police greeted the 29-year-old Israeli man of Palestinian descent when he arrived on July 16 at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport. He was arrested and disappeared into custody for two weeks until Israeli officials filed charges against him on Wednesday and lifted a gag order on coverage of his arrest.

AFP
Hezbollah might be more active in Germany than officials thought.

The charges filed by state prosecutors are serious. They allege the man, who comes from the Israeli-Arab town of Kalanswa, sought contact with an agent with connections to Hezbollah in an effort to pass on information.
The indictment alleges he also supplied names of potential recruits to the Shiite militia and that he had expressed his preparedness to take a job at the Rambam Hospital in the Israeli city of Haifa after completing his studies in Germany, where he is enrolled as a student at the University of Göttingen near Hanover. Israeli soldiers in the 2006 war against Hezbollah are still being treated at the Rambam Hospital, and K. was apparently supposed to sound them out in order to obtain information that could be useful to Hezbollah.

(Excerpt) Read more at spiegel.de ...

[Cindy]

AUDIO - DESCRIPTION - QUOTE:

http://covertradioshow.com/podcast.cfm?pid=36

Covert Radio Show: Long War Journal for 080808
This week Bill Roggio Checks in and talks about Hamdan, Pakistan, China’s Uyghur Challenge and their threat to China, as well as the latest on Iraq as well as the fight between Russia and Georgia.

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http://www.longwarjournal.org//multimedia/Reagan-Roggio-08-06-08.mp3

AUDIO - DESCRIPTION - QUOTE:

Bill Roggio joined Michael Reagan on August 6 to discuss the Hamdan decision and the recent captures and deaths of high value targets.

[Cindy]

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

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BLOG:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/08/fighting_escalates_i.php

“Fighting escalates in Pakistan’s Bajaur tribal agency”
By BILL ROGGIO
August 9, 2008 12:44 PM

[Cindy]

WorldNetDaily.com: "BILLBOARDS ANNOUNCE: 'SHARIA LAW IS HATE'" by Drew Zahn (August 8, 2008)

[Cindy]

RECAP and UPDATED:

BBC NEWS: "LIMBS FOUND IN BRAZIL BODY SEARCH" (Page last updated August 4, 2008, 18:17)

INTERESTED PARTICIPANT - blog: "DISMEMBERED GIRLFRIEND IN BRAZIL" (SNIPPET: "His mobile telephone allegedly contained images of the girl when she arrived in Brazil by plane, and then later pictures of her cut-up body. One image showed Burke's body with her decapitated head placed on top, Oliveira Silva said.") (August 1, 2008)

Link

[Cindy]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3579956,00.html

“Qassam rocket lands in western Negev, no injuries”

“Palestinians fire rocket from northern Gaza for first time since last Wednesday”

Yonat Atlas
Published: 08.09.08, 19:05 / Israel News

[Cindy]

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

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Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059177/posts

Italy: 5 arrested on suspicion of planning attacks
Yahoo/AP ^ | Aug 9, 2008
Posted on August 9, 2008 2:20:37 PM PDT by nuconvert

Italy: 5 arrested on suspicion of planning attacks

ROME - Police broke up a suspected terror cell Saturday and arrested five North Africans, including the alleged leader who Italian officials said recruited Islamic extremists for attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...

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Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059119/posts

Italian police arrests jihad recruiters (to be trained in Bosnia)
Radio Netherlands ^ | August 09 2008
Posted on August 9, 2008 10:51:55 AM PDT by knighthawk

The Italian police has arrested four Tunisians and a Moroccan on suspicion of recruiting Islamic fighters for Iraq and Afghanistan.

...

Police say the recruits were trained in Bosnia.

(Excerpt) Read more at radionetherlands.nl ...

[Cindy]

WASHINGTON (state of)...UPDATE:

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/269571.html

Saturday, Aug. 09, 2008
“Evidence from fatal blasts to be sent to California lab”
By Franny White, Herald staff writer

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “MOSES LAKE — Evidence from three suspicious explosions in Grant County is being sent to a federal lab in California for analysis.

Grant County Undersheriff John Turley said Friday that he is sending physical evidence from two fatal explosions Aug. 2 and Sunday near Moses Lake and a Soap Lake pipe bomb explosion that destroyed a truck about two weeks ago.

The evidence is headed to a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms lab in Concord, Calif. Turley said he hopes to have results within two weeks but doesn’t know if the lab’s current workload makes that possible.”

[Cindy]

ADDING TO post no. 280:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5253.htm

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http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_georgia.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Sat Aug 09 2008 16:04:28 GMT-0700 (PDT).

GEORGIA

August 9, 2008

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http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/08/20080809-2.html

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 9, 2008

“President Bush Concerned by Escalation of Violence in Georgia”

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50737

“Pentagon, U.S. State Department Monitoring Georgian Situation”
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2008

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50751

Bush Calls for End of Hostilities in South Ossetia Conflict

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2008 – President Bush today called for an end to hostilities in South Ossetia that’s pitting Georgian forces against Russian troops and regional separatists.
In Beijing to view the start of the Summer Olympic Games hosted by China, Bush said the conflict in South Ossetia, a part of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, threatens peace across the region.

“We have urged an immediate halt to the violence,” Bush told reporters in Beijing. He also called for an end to Russian air strikes that reportedly have bombed targets in South Ossetia and Georgia.

Bush reportedly has discussed events in South Ossetia with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who was also in Beijing.

Georgia declared its independence from the then-Soviet Union in 1991. However, many South Ossetia residents continued to profess Russian allegiance.

Yesterday, Russian tanks and troops crossed the border into South Ossetia. Fighting escalated in and around Tskhinvali, South Ossetia’s capital city and reportedly has reached into parts of Georgia.

Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman told Pentagon reporters yesterday the Pentagon was closely monitoring the situation in South Ossetia. Whitman said about 130 U.S. military and civilian personnel were located near the Georgian capital of Tbilisi helping to train Georgian troops for an upcoming deployment to Iraq. All of the Americans have been accounted for, and none had been injured, he said.

The U.S. State Department is the lead U.S. agency regarding the situation in South Ossetia, Whitman said yesterday.

“The United States calls for an immediate ceasefire to the armed conflict in Georgia’s region of South Ossetia,” U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement released yesterday. “We call on Russia to cease attacks on Georgia by aircraft and missiles, respect Georgia’s territorial integrity, and withdraw its ground combat forces from Georgian soil.”

Rice said she and other senior U.S. officials “have spoken with the parties and continue to work with them to seek an end to hostilities.” The United States, she continued, is working with its European partners to launch international mediation to end the conflict.

“We urgently seek Russia’s support of these efforts,” Rice said in her statement.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department reportedly has dispatched a senior envoy, deputy assistant secretary of state Matthew Bryza, to the region to try to arrange a peace agreement.

Senior UN and NATO leaders have also called to end the fighting in South Ossetia and urged that a peaceful settlement be found.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21717&Itemid=128

Saturday, 09 August 2008
Press Release A080809b-277
August 9, 2008

Coalition supports Iraqi led Omens of Prosperity Operation by detaining suspected terrorists (Diyala Province)BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained eight suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists during a sweeping security operation that concluded Aug. 8 near the village of Qarah Tappah, about 130 kilometers northeast of Baghdad. The two-day sweep northeast of the Hamrin Mountains supports the joint Iraqi and Coalition Operation Omens of Prosperity, targeting terrorist elements in Diyala province. Intelligence reports indicate extremist groups in the Qarah Tappah area have aligned with al-Qaeda in Iraq to intimidate local residents and conduct bombing attacks, indirect fire attacks and kidnappings. During the operation, Coalition forces tracked down a man who identified himself to the force as a wanted individual. He is allegedly the leader of a sniper cell in the area. Another wanted man was identified by his associates as an AQI member wanted by Iraqi and Coalition authorities. Coalition forces detained six additional suspected terrorists and discovered a small cache of weapons and military-style equipment, which they destroyed on site. “Coalition forces are supporting the Iraqi Security Forces and the people of Iraq by ridding their communities of indiscriminate attacks from bombers, snipers and kidnappers,” said John Hall, MNF-I spokesman. “We will continue to support these Iraqi led operations to clear out the remaining elements of terrorism in Iraq.” -30-

[Cindy]

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21718&Itemid=128

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080809-03
Aug. 9, 2008

“Tip prevents potential VBIED attack in Adhamiyah (Baghdad)”
Multi-National Division – Baghdad

BAGHDAD

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21725&Itemid=128

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080809-05
Aug. 9, 2008

ISF, MND-B Soldiers discover multiple munitions caches in Baghdad Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers discovered multiple munitions caches in Baghdad Aug. 8

At approximately 10 a.m., soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraq Army Division, found six 82 mm mortars, two rocket propelled grenades and two improvised explosive device fuses in the Kadamiyah district of Baghdad.

Later, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Iraqi police with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division, found five 125 mm mortars and six 120 mm mortars in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad.

Just before 2 p.m., Soldiers with Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division seized a gallon jug of bulk explosive material just north of Baghdad.

At approximately the same time, Soldiers with Company B, 1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div., found a machine gun and a variety of bomb-making material north of Baghdad.

Later in the afternoon, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Soldiers with Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div., found 14 81 mm Iraqi air-to-ground rockets, a speed bump IED and a truck bed containing hollowed out rockets and components north of Baghdad.

Lastly, at approximately 9 p.m., Soldiers with Company E, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, found a hand grenade, three AK-47 rifles, AK-47 ammunition, a bag of propaganda materials and Iraqi Army uniforms in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad.

“Through combined efforts, the Iraqi Army and Coalition forces continue to sweep through areas of Baghdad ridding the populace of these deadly weapons, making it a much safer place to live and work”, said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman for Multi-National Division Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division.

-30-

[Cindy]

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/193575.php

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http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/09/china.explosion/index.html

“Explosions kill two in northwestern China”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: (CNN) — Several explosions rocked a county in northwestern China early Sunday, killing at least two people, state-run media reported.

The explosions, which occurred between 3:20 and 4 a.m., blasted the 400-population Kuqa County in China’s remote Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, which borders Tibet to the south, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/bus
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/airport
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/spokane
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/washington

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http://www.krem.com/topstories/stories/krem2-080908-airporthostage.2fc4b44f.html

“Man holds teen hostage near Spokane Int’l Airport”
08:22 PM PDT on Saturday, August 9, 2008
KREM
VIDEO > Report: Motive is unclear

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “SPOKANE – Police arrested a 48-year-old man Saturday afternoon after they say he held a teenage boy hostage at knifepoint at Spokane International Airport.

Soon after the STA bus pulled away from the terminal, police say the man pulled the knife on the teen.

It happened on a STA bus that had just pulled away from the terminal.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Officers say he had no prior criminal history, he did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and the man had no relation to the boy.

He was booked into Spokane Co. Jail.”

[Cindy]

ADDING to post no. 289:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2055031/posts?page=289#289

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058674/posts

“First Georgian Russian War images becoming available (we must support and aid Georgia)”
VArious Russian and Georgian news outlets | 8 Augt 2008 | Jeff Head
Posted on August 8, 2008 10:43:34 AM PDT by Jeff Head

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http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/193572.php

Note: Photos included:

http://apnews.myway.com/image/20080809/APTOPIX_Georgia_South_Ossetia.sff_MOSB111_20080809062810.html?date=20080809&docid=D92EOHQ00

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080809/D92EOHQ00.html

“Georgia reports new air attack near capital”
Email this Story

Aug 9, 8:05 AM (ET)
By MISHA DZHINDZHIKHASHVILI

GORI, Georgia (AP)

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http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&&rls=en&q=georgia+%2B+russia&btnG=Search+Images

[Cindy]

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

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http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jew4hbednfBuUUOi9jqBvnYtFt6gD92F9D9G1

“Radio says 7 killed in suicide bombing in Algeria”
21 minutes ago

SNIPPET: “ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algerian national radio says seven people were killed in a suicide bombing in the northern city of Zemmouri.

The broadcaster did not provide any more details on the blast, which it says hit on Sunday morning.”

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

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

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7552146.stm

Page last updated at 06:43 GMT, Sunday, 10 August 2008 07:43 UK

“Philippines rebels under attack”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The Philippine military has launched an attack on Muslim fighters who defied a deadline to pull out from Christian villages in the country’s south.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/alarian
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/samialarian

UPDATE:

http://www.investigativeproject.org/article/747

“Judge Postpones Al-Arian Contempt Trial”

IPT News
August 8, 2008

[Cindy]

BLOG:

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/08/seaborne-scud-threat-to-us/

“Sea-Borne SCUD Threat to US?”

SNIPPET: “Yes, the threat exists. Yes, it is possible. But the very limited likelihood of success combined with the increased detectability make it clearly not the most pressing terrorist threat Americans should concerns themselves with.”

By Steve Schippert on August 7, 2008 at 10:39 AM

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Previously...

http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/aug/07/threat-of-scud-attacks-a-reality/

“Threat of scud attacks a reality”
Martin Sieff, UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Thursday, August 7, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The threat is that of old, short-range Scud ballistic missiles being launched with nuclear or biological warheads from large container cargo ships from outside U.S. territorial waters, some of the nation’s leading experts in ballistic-missile defense (BMD) warn.”

[Cindy]

ADDING 1 thread to post no. 295:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2055031/posts?page=295#295

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059345/posts

“Pictures thread (Georgia)”
http://images.google.com ^ | August 2008 | http://images.google.com
Posted on August 10, 2008 1:08:32 AM PDT by Maelstorm