Threat Matrix: October 2008

Thanks for the ping STARWISE.

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2099235/posts?page=9#9

Do jihadis follow forums, the news media (in all forms) and events?
Sure they do.
One of the hot topics lately is the U.S. economy.
Jihadica takes a look.

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www.jihadica.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/10-5-08-faloja-husayn-b-mahmud-on-us-economic-crisis.pdf

www.jihadica.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/10-4-08-faloja-akram-hijazi-on-global-economic-crisis.pdf

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http://www.jihadica.com/analyses-of-us-economic-crisis/

“Analyses of U.S. Economic Crisis”
October 6th, 2008

Update No. 9 - 6 Oct - 8:45 pm Eastern: This just in from MSNBC:

FBI warns of potential terror attacks on public buildings
Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 5:54 PM ET

Filed Under: Terrorism

By Jim Popkin, NBC News Senior Investigative Producer
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security today issued an analytical “note” to U.S. law-enforcement officials cautioning that al-Qaida terrorists have in the past expressed interest in attacking public buildings using a dozen suicide bombers each carrying 20 kilograms of explosives.

Authors with the U.S. Office of Intelligence and Analysis added that they have “no credible or specific information that terrorists are planning operations against public buildings in the United States.”

The FBI and DHS analysts said they were releasing the note because “it is important for local authorities and building owners and operators to be aware of potential attack tactics.”

According to the note obtained by NBC News, a “recently discovered audio recording of al-Qa‘ida training sessions conducted several years ago provides instruction to potential suicide terrorists on seizing a publicly accessible building and damaging or destroying it with explosive charges.”

Read the entire article here: MSNBC

http://deepbackground.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/06/1501940.aspx

We do not know whether or not this announcement has any bearing on the 7 October warning, but we are posting it because of its apparent relevance. [Thanks to Jennifer]

http://radarsite.blogspot.com/2008/10/7-october-2008-latest-updates_06.html

Thank you for the ping STARWISE.

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099235/posts?page=1#1

BLOG:

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/193051.php

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http://searchjewwatch.wordpress.com

Quote:

This blog has been archived or suspended for a violation of our Terms of Service.

http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers29/paper2867.html

Paper no. 2867
02-Oct.-2008
“After Baitullah, What? — International Terrorism Monitor-—Paper No. 453”
By B. Raman

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http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers29/paper2866.html

Paper no. 2866
02-Oct.-2008
“Mushrooming Terrorism: Now Agartala - International Terrorism Monitor—Paper No.452”
By B. Raman

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/10/security-surveillance-and-sate/

“Security, Surveillance and Satellites”
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Indeed, as the War on Terrorism evolves, so will it be necessary for the tools used to fight it to do the same.”

By Jay Fraser on October 5, 2008 at 10:38 PM

RECAP:

REWARDS FOR JUSTICE.net - Seeking Information Against International Terrorism: "WANTED ADAM YAHIYE GADAHN Up to $1 Million Reward"

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "DEAD MEN TALKING" (SNIPPET: "al-Qa`ida has released a new video narrated by Adam Gadahn, clearly indicating that he's not dead yet. SNIPPET: "One wonders, however, if the opening message and title is a separate message:" (October 4, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (AP): "AMERICAN TRAITOR SAYS U.S. ECONOMIC CRISIS IS A MUSLIM VICTORY" (October 4, 2008)

Link

READY.GOV
http://www.ready.gov

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http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1222973545857.shtm

“DHS’ Fifth Annual National Preparedness Month Yields Highest Level of Support to Date”

PRESS RELEASE SNIPPET: “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign joined with more than 3,200 National Preparedness Month coalition members in the month of September to educate individuals, families and communities on the importance of emergency preparedness. This year’s coalition of national, regional, state, and local organizations was the largest in the five year history of National Preparedness Month, and represents a 4,000 percent increase in participation to date.

We’ve made great strides over the past five years in encouraging Americans to take steps to get prepared and to get involved during National Preparedness Month,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “But, the civic duty we all share to prepare ourselves, our home and work for an emergency does not end in September. Disasters can happen at any time, and I urge all Americans to make personal preparedness a priority in their daily lives.””

Quote - snippet:

http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=081007082620.j8vywpey.php

07/10/2008 08:26 BAGHDAD, Oct 7 (AFP)
Bomb blasts outside Baghdad ‘Green Zone’

Two powerful bombs exploded just outside Baghdad’s tightly-guarded Green Zone on Tuesday as US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte was due to address reporters inside, an AFP correspondent said.

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=64C7748B-F68B-4DB0-98F8-A97811DF6EF1

“Counting Islamists”
By Daniel Pipes
FrontPageMagazine.com | Tuesday, October 07, 2008

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http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2005/05/how-many-islamists.html

“How Many Islamists?”
by Daniel Pipes
Tue, 17 May 2005
updated Tue, 30 Sep 2008

A Look at Iran
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

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http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=00FCC7C6-E6D0-4260-A6AA-95BE9AA780E3

“Highest Stakes in the War on Terror”
By Douglas Stone
FrontPageMagazine.com | Tuesday, October 07, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “As the Iranians move closer to obtaining nuclear weapons, we need to begin thinking about what this could mean for our civilization.”

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022995.php
(ITN)

October 7, 2008
“Still another study points to prisons as hubs for ‘radicalization’”

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1492032
(RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH)

“Va. teen sentenced for threatening messages”
October 6, 2008 - 2:25pm

RICHMOND, Va.

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

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October 6, 2008

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://houston.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/ho10062008.htm

DEFENDANT EXTRADITED FROM COLOMBIA PLEADS GUILTY IN COCAINE FOR ARMS DEAL

(Diego Alberto Ruiz-Arroyave, aka El Primo, 46, a Colombian national extradited to the United States for his role in a $25 million arms for cocaine deal, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to provide material support and resources to the AUC, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. The AUC is a paramilitary organization originally designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States Secretary of State on Sept. 10, 2001. Ruiz was extradited to the United States on May 12, 2008.

According to pleadings filed in this case, on Oct. 14, 2004, a superseding indictment was returned by a federal grand jury arising from Operation White Terror which added Javier Conrado Alvarez Correa, aka Javier Alvarez, and Ruiz-Arroyave as defendants charged with conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 2339B.

The focus of Operation White Terror was a $25 million arms-for-cocaine transaction involving the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). Ruiz-Arroyave and Alvarez were the key intermediaries between a cooperating defendant and the leader of the AUC’s Centaurus Block, Miguel Arroyave Ruiz. Ruiz directed the cooperating defendant to coordinate the exchange of weapons with his cousin, Ruiz-Arroyave, and to communicate with Ruiz through Alvarez. The cooperating defendant then had various discussions with Alvarez and Ruiz-Arroyave to work out the details and logistics of the transaction. According to press reports, Ruiz was killed by his own troops on Sept. 19, 2004, for participating in talks to demobilize the AUC. A warrant remains outstanding for the arrest of Alvarez, who is also a Colombian national.

Ruiz-Arroyave faces a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine at his sentencing which has been set for Jan. 8, 2009 at 9:45 a.m.

This case is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation conducted by the Houston offices of the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Vaden.

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

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22789&Itemid=128

Press Release A081007a-104
Oct 7, 2008

Coalition forces apprehend five Kata’ib Hezbollah suspects

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces dealt another blow to the Kata’ib Hezbollah network as they captured an alleged weapons smuggler early Tuesday in Kut, about 150 km southeast of Baghdad.

Acting on intelligence information, Coalition forces targeted a suspected key member of the Kata’ib Hezbollah network assessed to be responsible for Iranian-supplied Explosive Formed Penetrators used against Iraqi and Coalition forces.

Coalition forces approached the targeted individual’s location where he identified himself as the wanted suspect. He and four associates were detained without incident. In addition, Coalition forces discovered numerous passports, and several weapons.

Kata’ib Hezbollah is assessed to be a proxy of Iran and its members are believed to be responsible for recent attacks against Iraqi citizens and Iraqi and Coalition bases.

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22791&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081007-01
Oct. 7, 2008

Coalition Soldiers detain suspected Special Groups criminal in Baghdad

Multi-National Division – Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Soldiers attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Multi-National Division – Baghdad, captured a suspected Special Groups criminal in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad, Oct. 6.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, detained the individual who is suspected of attacks on Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

“Counter insurgency missions such as this help protect the people and defeat extremists in eastern Baghdad,” said Maj. Joey Sullinger, a spokesperson for 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light). “Taking this criminal off the streets will reduce future improvised explosive device attacks in the Kamaliyah and Mamun.”

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Note: To read the full report; click on the link below.

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ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

Weekly Piracy Report
30 September-6 October 2008

The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 30 September to 6 October 2008.

ALERT

Gulf of Aden
Masters using the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) while transiting the Gulf of Aden are not relieved of their obligation and should continue to maintain a strict 24 hour look out using all available means to get an early warning of an approaching threat. Early indication of a piratical incident will enable the master to contact the Coalition Navies, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and respond appropriately to prevent boarding.

Nigeria
Violent attacks carried out by pirates on board vessels at anchor and vessel carrying out STS operations. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in these waters.

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
The number of attacks has reduced since 2006. However, the area is still listed as a high risk area and mariners are advised to be cautious especially while approaching the anchorage and while at anchor at Chittagong

Suspicious crafts

None reported
Recently reported incidents

02.10.2008: 23.05 LT: Callao anchorage No.12, Peru.
Five masked robbers attempted to board a container ship at anchor via the anchor chain. Alert crew used fire hoses and flashlights to scare off the robbers.

27.09.2008: 2140 UTC: Posn: 06:17.8N – 003:24.0E: Lagos fairway buoy, Nigeria.
One robber boarded a container ship at anchor. Duty crew spotted the robber and raised the alarm. Crew mustered. Robber jumped overboard and escaped in a waiting boat with accomplices. Ship’s stores stolen.

03.10.2008: 0230 LT: Off Mangkai Island, Indonesia.
Six pirates armed with long knives boarded a LPG tanker underway. They stole ships and crew cash before escaping. Further details awaited.

02.10.2008: 0220 LT; Posn: 03:11.50N - 105:22.23E, Off Mangkai island, Indonesia.
Eight pirates armed with guns and knives boarded a chemical tanker underway. Pirates took hostage 2nd mate and a duty AB. Pirates took second mate to captain’s cabin. They held a knife at to the captain’s throat, stole ships cash, and escaped. Master was kicked in the chest.

02.10.2008: 1215 UTC: 20nm south of Bonny signal station, Nigeria.
About ten pirates armed with submachine guns and hand grenades boarded a refrigerated cargo ship drifting. Ship contacted authorities and enforced preventive measures. Pirates escaped in their speedboat. No injuries to crew and nothing was stolen.

01.10.2008: 0300 UTC: Gulf of Aden.
Two speedboats approached a bulk carrier underway on port and stbd bow with intentions to board. Master adopted evasive manoeuvres to prevent boarding. One boat approached on stbd bow and pirates hooked a ladder in order to board. Ship’s crew were able to remove it. Master contacted coalition warships on VHF Ch.16 for assistance. The boats continued their attempts to board on both port and stbd bow. Master kept altering course to avoid the boats. A coalition navy helicopter arrived at location, after surveying the area, informed the ship that there were no pirate boats around / ahead. Ship continued her normal passage.

01.10.2008: 0523 UTC: Posn: 13:13:59N - 047:57.52E: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates in speedboats attempted to board a tanker underway. Master took evasive manoeuvres to avoid boarding. Later, the speedboats aborted the attempt and moved away.

01.10.2008: 0345 UTC: Posn: 13:10N - 047:43E: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates in speedboats attempted to board a chemical tanker underway. Master took evasive manoeuvres and informed owners who contacted the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre for assistance. Duty officer informed authorities to render assistance to vessel. A warship arrived at location and chased the boats away.

01.10.2008: 1435 UTC: Posn: 12:42.08N - 049:09.09E, Gulf of Aden.
Four pirates armed with rifles attempted to board a container ship underway. Master raised alarm and vessel took evasive manoeuvres. The crew mustered and activated fire hoses. The pirates fired upon the ship and aborted their attack after ten minutes.

30.09.2008: 0350 LT: Posn: 02:48.0N – 105:09.2E: Vicinity of Anambas island, Indonesia.
About eight pirates armed with long knives boarded a bulk carrier underway. They tied the captain’s hands and stole cash from him. Then they went to chief engineers’ cabin and stole cash money. They took the captain to aft deck and tied him to the bollard before escaping.

20.07.2008: Beau Vallon Bay, Mahe, Seychelles.
One robber boarded a yacht at anchor. He was spotted and chased away by the crew. Master informed that several other boats were also attacked on that night.
The piracy reporting centre advises all vessels / yacht / boats to be cautious when visiting Mahe, Seychelles islands, and to report all such incidents to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

“Worldwide Caution”
July 16, 2008

SNIPPET: “This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world.”