Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat

Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat

Thread Thirty-One (Index)

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The Threat Matrix

The title refers to a daily report given to the president of the United States detailing the most serious terrorist threats against the country. To tackle those threats, the government has formed a top-notch task force to infiltrate the terror cells and cut off the danger.

"Every morning, the president receives a list of the top ten terrorist threats - this list is known as the threat matrix."

We here at FR are trying to be in conjunction with the daily reports around the world that involve threats. We try to provide a storehouse of information that takes hours of research.

YOU be the judge and get informed!

Home grown Islamists may hit US: FBI chief
Full Story

WASHINGTON -- The United States could be attacked by "home grown" Islamist terror groups, the FBI's chief has warned.

FBI Director Robert Mueller told the London Financial Times newspaper in an interview published Thursday that the United States could face attacks from "home-grown terrorism" very similar to the July 7 bombings in London that killed 52 people and wounded another 700, Mueller said.

When asked if the United States could face such attacks from "home-grown groups", Mueller answered emphatically: "Absolutely, it could," the Financial Times said.

"I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat."

TM Terrorism Handbook

Link to Thread Thirty

"Code Red Implications:
Code Red - Stay Home and Await Word."
From Tm'er and Freeper ~MamaDearest~

Tracking the Chatter with TM

TM 'Be on the Lookout'

Survival Preparedness Info.

Threat Matrix Book List

ExSoldier's Invaluable Tips

Arabic Links and Resources

Godzilla's Summaries

Threat Matrix HTML designed by: Ian Livingston

Today in History:
October 3, (year ?) - Australia
Labor Day
No information provided.

October 3, (year ?) - Honduras
Birthday of Francisco Morazan
The national hero of Honduras, who was a leader in the unsuccessful effort to keep
Central America united.

Upcoming Significant Events:
October 4, 1966 - Lesotho
Independence Day
Moshoeshoe II took the oath of office as king for life.

October 5, 1919 - Portugal
Proclamation of the Republic
No information provided.

October 5, 1921 - Liechtenstein
Establishment of the Monarchy
The Principality of Liechtenstein was established as a hereditary constitutional monarchy
based on the constitution of 1921.

October 5, 1987 - Chile
Lautaro Youth Movement Founded
The leftist terrorist group has commemorated this anniversary by attacking Chilean and
American targets.

October 5, 1988 - Chile
Referendum Ends Pinochet Rule
General Pinochet called a referendum to win eight more years as Chile's military ruler.
When he lost the vote, Pinochet decided to allow the restoration of multi-party
democracy.

October 6, 1973 - Egypt
Armed Forces Day
No information provided.

October 6, 1973 - Egypt
The Yom Kippur War Begins
No information provided.

October 6, 1973 - Israel
The Yom Kippur War Begins
No information provided.

October 6, 1973 - Syria
The Yom Kippur War Begins
No information provided.

October 6, 1976 - Thailand
Overthrow of the Government
Thirty-eight students were killed in Thammasat during protests against the return of
former president Thanom. The government was overthrown the same day.

October 6, 1981 - Egypt
Anwar Sadat Assassinated
No information provided.

October 7, (year unknown) - Peru
Communist Party Founded
No information provided.

October 7, 1958 - Pakistan
Mirza Came To Power In A Coup
President Iskander Mirza, supported by senior military officers, seized power and
imposed martial law.

October 7, 1970 - Libya
Fascist Evacuation Day
Celebrates the departure of the last Italian settlers from Libya. Also called "Revenge
Day."

October 7, 1985 - Egypt, Italy
Hijacking of the Achille Lauro
Four Palestinian gunmen hijacked the Italian cruise ship "Achille Lauro" off Alexandria,
Egypt. While off the Syrian port of Tartus, the terrorists killed a wheelchair-bound
American. Egypt and Italy negotiated the return of the ship and the remaining
passengers. U.S. fighters intercepted an Egyptian jet carrying the hijackers and forced it
down at a NATO base in Italy.

October 7, 1992 - Peru
Guzman Sentenced To Life
On October 7, 1992, Abimael Guzman, the founder and leader of Sendero Luminoso
(Shining Path), was sentenced to life imprisonment by a military court.

1] Date: 1 Oct 2005 From: ProMED-mail Source: The Globe and Mail [edited] _____________________________________________________________ Unidentified illness kills 4 Toronto seniors -------------------------------------------- Public health officials are investigating the deaths of 4 people from a "typical respiratory illness" at an east-end senior's residence, but say the outbreak is not SARS. --------------------------------- The 4 victims were residents at the Seven Oaks Home for the Aged in the city's east end, said Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Toronto Public Health's director of communicable disease control. --------------------------------- "We know from the testing that's been done so far that this is not influenza; we know this is not SARS; we know this is not avian influenza," said Dr. Allison McGeer, infectious disease consultant at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital. -------------------------------- "There are many other viruses it could be ... and the Ontario Public Health lab is working very hard on identifying which one of those viruses it might be." ---------------------------------- The unidentified illness has affected 68 residents and 5 employees at the facility. 3 of the victims died at the home while the 4th died in the hospital, she said. Dr. Yaffe said all of the 4 victims had severe pre-existing medical conditions. 2 were in their 90s, another in the late 70s, and the 4th in the 50s. ----------------------------------- She said outbreaks are typical, but this one set off alarms because of its severity. "We get hundreds of outbreaks every year, however in this situation we do have a particularly serious outbreak," Dr. Yaffe said. ---------------------------------- She said 15 people have been admitted to hospitals in the area, but are not being quarantined. "There is no quarantine necessary for this," Dr. Yaffe said, and emphasized that there was no threat to the greater public. ---------------------------------- The speed with which the illness spread led Dr. McGeer to speculate whether a presence of bacteria within the home contributed to the outbreak. --------------------------------- Dr. Yaffe also added that while this outbreak was serious, it was not the worst in recent memory. Last year [2004], 11 people died after an outbreak at a Cobourg, Ontario nursing home, she said. ---------------------------------- CFTO News reported that the 1st signs of the most recent illness were detected Tuesday [27 Sep 2005], but no residents were taken to the hospital until Saturday night [1 Oct 2005]. Dozens of family members were prevented from entering the home Saturday. ---------------------------------- Emergency room staff at Centenary Hospital donned gowns and masks Saturday [1 Oct 2005] as a procedural precaution, a standard practice in Ontario hospitals after the SARS outbreak in 2003. ---------------------------------- "Either people haven't been following precautions that we are supposed to follow now for all people with fever or respiratory illness ... or alternatively, somebody had brought it in from the community to the nursing home, and they weren't really that sick from it," infectious disease specialist Dr. Neil Rau told CTV News. ---------------------------------- Symptoms of the illness include fever, cough, runny nose, and malaise, Dr. McGeer said. ----------------------------------- She said the best way for the public to prevent such outbreaks from occurring is to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently. --------------------------------- -- ProMED-mail ______________________________________________________________ ****** [2] Date: 2 Oct 2005 From: Allison McGeer [ProMED-mail contacted Dr. Allison McGeer about this outbreak and received the following information:] -------------------------------- We have a significantly larger than usual outbreak (71 of 249 residents, and 6 of 290 staff, plus 2 visitors) in a long term care facility for the elderly that is relatively severe (4 deaths in residents, and one older staff member in the hospital with pneumonia). --------------------------------- [The epidemic] is rapidly progressive; ([the] 1st case [had onset on] 25 Sep [2005], what appears to be peak [in the epidemic] with more than 20 cases on 29 [Sep 2005], and only 7 cases with onset on 1 Oct [2005]). In addition, a few residents who initially appeared to have minor illness then deteriorated rapidly. ---------------------------------- All laboratory tests have been negative to date (EIA [enzyme immunoassay], DFA [direct fluorescent antibody] and PCR [polymerase chain reaction] for respiratory viruses all negative, including influenza A H3N2, A H1N1, A H5N1, influenza B, RSV [respiratory syncytial virus], Adenovirus, parainfluenza viruses 1-4, SARSCoV [SARS coronavirus]; several urines were negative for legionella, [there were] no positive bacterial cultures of blood or sputum). ------------------------------------ So it is certainly different than usual, but it does not appear to be out of range for a respiratory viral outbreak in a large long term care facility. A number of other smaller outbreaks have been recently reported in long term care facilities across the province, as is typical for this time of year; no positive viral tests have yet been obtained, suggesting the circulation of a virus that is relatively difficult to culture. ---------------------------------------------- -- Dr. Allison McGeer _____________________________________________________________ [ProMED-mail would like to thank Dr. Allison McGeer for sending us more information on this outbreak. One can speculate on the variety of respiratory viruses that may be responsible for this outbreak, most of which have already been ruled out according to the testing profiles presented above. One wonders whether there might be involvement of the human metapneumovirus or another member of the coronavirus family (other than the SARS CoV) that might be circulating and not as yet part of the routine test panels. More information as it becomes available would be appreciated. --------------------------------- Information from other geographical areas that might be experiencing similar patterns would also be appreciated, as it might help "point a finger" at the etiology of this outbreak. - Mod.MPP] ..............................mpp/msp/jw *######################################################

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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051003.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 3, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION IRON FIST BEGINS

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – A force of approximately 1,000 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team-2 launched an operation against a known terrorist sanctuary in the western al Anbar province town of Sadah, in the al Qaim region approximately 12 km. from the Syrian border.

Operation Kabda Bil Hadid, or Iron Fist in English, began in the early morning hours in order to root out al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating in the area and to disrupt terrorist support systems in and around the city.

For the past several months, terrorists within Sadah have escalated their intimidation and murder campaign against the local populace and city government officials. The resulting effect was an increased ability to move freely within the area and a base for them to launch attacks against innocent civilians, Iraqi Security forces and Coalition forces.

By interdicting foreign fighters flowing in from the Syrian border, the operation will also serve as a way to provide security for the upcoming referendum.

As with all coalition operations, strict measures are taken to prevent civilian casualties and unnecessary collateral damage to property.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-WEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT CEPAOWO@CEMNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL.
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051005.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 3, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION IRON FIST UPDATE

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – The first day of Operation Kabda Bil Hadid, or Iron Fist in English saw several successful engagements against al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating in and around Sadah, approximately 12 kilometers east of the Syrian border.

The operation continues with a force of approximately 1,000 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team-2. Coalition Forces, including helicopters from 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, engaged and killed eight armed terrorists in fighting early in the day Oct. 1.

During another engagement, terrorists drove two vehicles in the vicinity of a Marine position, dismounted and began to attack with small-arms fire. One of the vehicles was found to be rigged with explosives. The gun battle left four terrorists dead. The fifth surrendered to the Marines.

In the late morning, Marines discovered and destroyed a roadside bomb on the outskirts of Sadah. Shortly afterwards, a M1A1 Main Battle Tank destroyed a vehicle car bomb with one round from its main gun southwest of the city. North of Sadah, U.S. Forces killed three al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists after the group attacked their checkpoint with small-arms fire.

The eighth terrorist was killed when an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter destroyed a vehicle after its driver fired on a Marine position with a rocket-propelled grenade. Another vehicle traveling with the attacker was seen to be carrying additional RPGs and was subsequently destroyed by missile fire from the Cobra. The driver and passenger escaped the blast.

No Marine casualties have been reported.

The goal of the operation is to root out al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating within the area and disrupting terrorist support systems in and around Sadah.

The offensive is part of an overall operation called Sayaid or Hunter in English, which is intended to deny al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists the ability to operate freely in the Euphrates River Valley and to prevent the terrorists from influencing the local population through murder and intimidation.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-WEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT CEPAOWO@CEMNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL.

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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051007.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 3, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRAQI, U.S. FORCES SEIZE TERRORIST WEAPONS, BOMBS

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi Army and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers found five weapons caches hidden in north Baghdad Sept. 30.

The largest discovery was made by combat engineers from the 70th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division at a house in north Baghdad.

The unit captured two suspected terrorists at the house around 8 a.m. and began a search of the area. In just over two hours, the Soldiers discovered three weapons caches containing nine missiles, seven rocket launchers, 20 rockets, 69 mortar rounds, more than 300 rocket-propelled grenades, and 119 hand grenades.

They also found a wide assortment of artillery rounds and bomb-making materials, including 53 detonators, 42 time fuses, three machine guns, several types of rifles, scopes, pistols and ammunition.

At 6 p.m., Iraqi Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) found a fourth weapons cache while patrolling in north Baghdad. The cache consisted of 20 mortar rounds and bomb-making materials, including five pounds of plastic explosives, one box of rocket fuses, cut lengths of wire, two remote-controlled detonation devices and an instruction book on how to build bombs.

Minutes later in a different area of north Baghdad, a Task Force Baghdad patrol found the fifth cache. The cache contained five bombs consisting of mortar rounds already wired with detonation cord, three RPG launchers with 12 RPGs, plastic explosives, three AK-47 assault rifles, a pistol and ammunition.

Coalition Forces also found two improvised explosive devices. One of the bombs was an anti-tank mine connected to a radio, and the other bomb was two artillery rounds attached to a telephone. In both cases, the Soldiers cordoned off the area to keep people away from the bomb site, and called in explosives teams to safely dispose of the bombs.
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051009.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 3, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TASK FORCE BAGHDAD NABS TERROR SUSPECTS, WEAPONS

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Coalition forces detained 14 suspected terrorists, found six weapons caches, and seized terrorist propaganda materials during a series of combat operations conducted throughout the capitol city Oct. 1.

The largest operations of the day were a pair of late-night raids resulting in the capture of 10 terror suspects in south Baghdad. One of the raids, which netted four suspects, was carried out after an Iraqi citizen provided a tip to Coalition forces about terrorist activity taking place in his neighborhood.

Just before dawn, Task Force Baghdad Soldiers acting on another tip from an Iraqi citizen, conducted a cordon-and-search operation in north Baghdad. In one hour, the Soldiers searched four safe houses in the area and captured two terror suspects.

Later, around 8 a.m., a Task Force Baghdad patrol found a weapons cache while working in southwest Baghdad. The cache contained 22 mortar rounds wired with detonation cord, three artillery rounds, two hand grenades and some assault rifle ammunition.

Task Force Baghdad Soldiers made their largest find of the day just before 10 a.m. After discovering 25 mortar rounds hidden in west Baghdad, the patrol fanned out to search the entire area.

A half hour later, the Soldiers found a second cache 150 yards away, then a third cache between the other two. The Soldiers continued to look and ended up finding two more caches. The five caches consisted of 64 mortar rounds, two mortar tubes, three rockets, three bombs, 20 rocket-propelled grenades, 12 hand grenades and numerous handguns.

In other combat operations, U.S. Soldiers detained a suspected bomb maker at a house in north Baghdad at 10:30 p.m.

Task Force Baghdad Soldiers also caught another terror suspect and seized terrorist propaganda while searching three more houses in north Baghdad.

CUTLINES:
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A Task Force Baghdad Soldier inventories the contents of a weapons cache found in north Baghdad. The cache was one of five found in the area. The caches consisted of 64 mortar rounds, two mortar tubes, three rockets, three bombs, 20 rocket-propelled grenades, 12 hand grenades and numerous handguns. (U.S. Army photo)

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A Task Force Baghdad Soldier inventories the contents of a weapons cache found in north Baghdad. The cache was one of five found in the area. The caches consisted of 64 mortar rounds, two mortar tubes, three rockets, three bombs, 20 rocket-propelled grenades, 12 hand grenades and numerous handguns. (U.S. Army photo)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SGT. FIRST CLASS DAVID ABRAMS AT DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL.

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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051011.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 3, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TERRORIST ENCAMPMENT AND LARGE CACHE FOUND IN DIYALA PROVINCE

TIKRIT, Iraq— Task Force Liberty and Iraqi Army Soldiers uncovered information leading to a possible anti-Iraqi force encampment during the discovery of a large weapons cache near Ghalibiyah at 12:30 a.m. Oct 3.

The cache was discovered after Iraqi Army Soldiers were attacked while on patrol, returned fire and pursued the attackers to two large farmhouses in the area. Iraqi soldiers requested Task Force Liberty assistance and then conducted a joint raid.

A search of the properties yielded two vehicles prepared as improvised explosive devices (propane tanks with TNT), one suicide bomber vest, 19 57mm rockets, 18 SPG 9 (anti-tank) rockets, 16 rocket propelled grenades, two launchers, 10 anti- tank mines, 20 mortars, 25 mortar fuses, three machine guns, two AK-47 rifles, and 4 hand grenades.

Also found was an Iraqi Army uniform, two Al-Qaeda flags, an Al-Qaeda flier, an Al-Qaeda Jihad book and miscellaneous medical equipment. Task Force Liberty explosive ordnance disposal personnel conducted a controlled blast to destroy the munitions.

Although the attackers escaped, they were later apprehended at the Khalis Hospital while one was receiving medical treatment for wounds received during the firefight.

For more information, please contact the 42ND Infantry Division Public Affairs Office 42 ID PAO at fortysecond.id.pao@us.army.MIL.

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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051012.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 4, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRAQI, U.S. FORCES NAB 78 SUSPECTS, SEIZE WEAPONS

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi and Coalition forces captured 78 suspected terrorists and seized eight weapons caches while carrying out a combined total of 12 raids and 66 search operations throughout the city from Sept. 28 through Sept. 30. Iraqi Security forces and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers also conducted nearly 1,600 combat patrols, and continued to receive tips from Iraqi citizens fed up with terrorist violence in their neighborhoods.

During one dismounted patrol on Sept. 28, Task Force Baghdad Soldiers were approached by an Iraqi citizen who told the unit about a large weapons cache in the Radwiniyah district of west Baghdad.

When the Soldiers investigated, they found 175 sticks of dynamite, 109 grenades, 149 rockets, mortar and artillery rounds, two rocket launchers, 46 anti-personnel mines and 20 pounds of TNT. The cache also contained 28 rocket-propelled grenades, 23 fragmentation grenades, one missile, one machine gun with 1,000 rounds of ammunition and bomb making materials.

Task Force Baghdad Soldiers also seized nine missiles, seven rocket launchers, 20 rockets, 89 mortar rounds, three rocket propelled grenade launchers and over 300 rocket propelled grenades from other weapons caches found in the city. Additionally, the Soldiers uncovered 119 hand grenades and bomb making materials to include plastic explosives, detonation cord, remote controlled detonation devices, a bomb building instruction book, machine guns, rifles, pistols and ammunition.

Iraqi and Coalition forces also continued to establish and man traffic control points throughout the city to provide security.

After setting up an impromptu control point in northeast Baghdad, Task Force Baghdad Soldiers stopped four suspicious vehicles around 11:55 p.m. Sept. 29.

Upon searching the car, the Soldiers discovered terrorist propaganda, 10 Iraqi Police badges and six IP-issue Glock pistols. Soldiers captured 12 terror suspects in the four cars and detained them for further questioning.

About 10 minutes later, another vehicle was stopped at the same check point and the four occupants in the car had Iraqi government badges, three AK-47 assault rifles and one Glock pistol in their possession. Iraqi Police took the four suspects into custody for questioning.

At 12:30 a.m. Sept. 30, a Task Force Baghdad patrol saw two suspected terrorists placing a roadside bomb on a highway south of Baghdad. The Soldiers fired on the suspects and they ran away. The area was cordoned off to keep people away, and an explosive ordnance disposal team safely destroyed the bomb.

###

THIS STORY HAS AN ACCOMPANYING PHOTOGRAPH. TO RECEIVE THE PHOTO: CONTACT THE TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLANS AND OPERATIONS NCO, SGT. FIRST CLASS DAVID ABRAMS AT: DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL.

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2005/20051003_2915.html

Coalition, Iraqi Forces Net Numerous Suspects, Weapons Caches

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2005 – A physics professor, allegedly working as a terror cell leader in west Baghdad, was one of seven suspected terrorists detained during an early-morning raid Oct. 2, military officials in Iraq reported.

A Task Force Baghdad soldier inventories the contents of a weapons cache found in north Baghdad, among numerous caches discovered in recent days. U.S. Army photo
Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, found bomb-making materials and various chemicals and detained seven men in two separate locations in Saydiyah. The men were suspected of using the materials and chemicals to make lethal roadside bombs to target coalition Iraqi security forces.

Other items found during the raid included electronic circuit boards, circuit testers, wireless car alarms, spools of wire, a computer central processing unit, a loaded AK-47 assault rifle and a pistol.

In separate action, Iraqi army and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers, working together and independently, seized six suspected roadside-bomb emplacers, detained two car bombing suspects, and unearthed three weapons caches during combat operations Oct. 2.

Five terror suspects were captured in two early-morning raids conducted by Iraqi and U.S. forces in west Baghdad.

At 2:30 a.m., soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Iraqi Army Brigade, teamed up with 1st Battalion, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, to search an apartment complex. In less than 90 minutes, the soldiers captured three suspected terrorists believed to be responsible for placing roadside bombs in the area.

The second Iraqi-U.S. operation netted two more terror suspects in west Baghdad just before 4 a.m. The suspects are thought to be involved in a car-bombing cell.

At 8:10 a.m., Task Force Baghdad soldiers patrolling in southwest Baghdad struck a roadside bomb. No one was injured, and the patrol caught two suspicious-acting men. The patrol then searched two houses 100 yards from the scene of the attack and found bomb-making materials, including batteries, wires, timers and radio detonation devices. The soldiers also found two AK-47 assault rifles and two sniper rifles in the houses.

Task Force Baghdad soldiers, acting on an Iraqi citizen's tip, nabbed the sixth suspected roadside bomber just before 3 p.m. in north Baghdad.

All eight terror suspects were taken into custody for questioning.

In other Oct. 2 combat operations, Iraqi and coalition forces found three weapons caches in west Baghdad.

One cache was discovered lying out in the open in burlap bags, indicating the weapons were either about to buried or were being recovered for a possible terrorist attack.

The cache contained two machine guns with 150 links of ammunition, six AK-47s with 16 full magazines, and eight hand grenades.

The second cache consisted of 76 artillery rounds; one missile; one rocket; 10 mortar rounds; and a mortar tube, base plate and bipod for firing the munitions.

Task Force Baghdad soldiers also found 10 mortar rounds, four rockets, five grenades, five AK-47s and ammunition and three bullet-proof vests in a third weapons cache. The third cache also contained fake license plates and nearly 20 bombs.

Officials also reported that Iraqi army troops and coalition forces detained 10 suspects in joint operations conducted Oct. 2 near Baqubah.

No injuries or damages were reported, and the suspects are being held for further questioning by authorities.

In other action, coalition forces detained numerous terror suspects and seized multiple weapons caches in operations conducted between Sept. 29 and Oct. 1.

During a series of combat operations conducted throughout Baghdad beginning Oct. 1, U.S. forces detained 14 suspected terrorists, found six weapons caches, and seized terrorist propaganda materials.

The largest operations of the day were a pair of late-night raids resulting in the capture of 10 terror suspects in south Baghdad. One raid, which netted four suspects, was carried out after an Iraqi citizen provided a tip to coalition forces about terrorist activity taking place in his neighborhood.

Just before dawn, Task Force Baghdad soldiers acting on another tip from an Iraqi citizen, conducted a cordon-and-search operation in north Baghdad. In one hour, the soldiers searched four safe houses in the area and captured two terror suspects.

Later, around 8 a.m., a Task Force Baghdad patrol found a weapons cache while working in southwest Baghdad. The cache contained 22 mortar rounds wired with detonation cord, three artillery rounds, two hand grenades and some assault rifle ammunition.

Task Force Baghdad soldiers made their largest find of the day just before 10 a.m. After discovering 25 mortar rounds hidden in west Baghdad, the patrol fanned out to search the entire area.

A half hour later the soldiers found a second cache 150 yards away and then a third cache between the first two. The soldiers discovered two more caches during the search.

The five caches consisted of 64 mortar rounds, two mortar tubes, three rockets, three bombs, 20 rocket-propelled grenades, 12 hand grenades and numerous handguns.

U.S. soldiers also detained a suspected bomb maker at a house in north Baghdad at 10:30 p.m. Also, Task Force Baghdad soldiers detained another terror suspect and seized terrorist propaganda while searching three more houses in north Baghdad.

Elsewhere in Iraq, Task Force Baghdad soldiers apprehended two men northwest of the capital Sept. 29 who violated curfew and possessed a loaded rifle.

Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, heard gunshots and observed two men in a car on a highway after curfew. Upon stopping the vehicle, the soldiers discovered a loaded AK-47 assault rifle in the passenger's lap.

In Sadr City, Task Force Baghdad soldiers detained 12 Iraqis on Sept. 29 for suspected involvement in illegal punishment committee activities.

Punishment committees are often associated with executions of persons believed to have violated Islamic law.

Around 11:30 p.m., coalition forces stopped the vehicles containing 12 individuals at a checkpoint east of Sadr City in Baghdad.

Inside the vehicle, the soldiers found punishment committee and Mahdi Militia propaganda. The dozen Iraqis were questioned at the scene. One person possessed a card identifying him as a Sharia - or Islamic law - court judge of the Sadr Bureau's Punishment Committee.

A Sharia judge reportedly provides the official sanction of capital punishment against violators of Sharia law. In Iraq, only the sovereign Iraqi government has the judicial authority to enforce laws, detain subjects or pass judgment.

All 12 individuals are being processed through the Iraqi judicial system. In other news from Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 36 close-air-support and armed-reconnaissance sorties Oct. 2 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

U.S. Air Force F-15s performed a pre-planned strike against an improvised-explosive-device staging area in the vicinity of Balad, expending one GBU-38 bomb with good effects.

Other U.S. Air Force F-15s and F-16s and British Royal Air Force GR-4s provided close air support to coalition troops in the vicinities of Balad, Fallujah, and Jalula.

In addition, 10 U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Royal Air Force fighter aircraft also performed in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

(Compiled from Task Force Baghdad, U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward and Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq news releases.)

Related Sites:
Multinational Force Iraq
Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq
U.S. Central Command Air Forces

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http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsreleases/articles/051003national.htm

News Release

October 3, 2005

ACCUSED LEADER OF INTERNATIONAL COUNTERFEIT MOTION PICTURE NETWORK ARRESTED ON U.S. CHARGES AFTER EXPULSION FROM CHINA
-- Arrest & Charges in U.S. stem from first joint IPR investigation by ICE and Chinese authorities --

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi today announced that Randolph Hobson Guthrie III has been arrested in the United States pursuant to an 18-count indictment filed in the Southern District of Mississippi charging him with trafficking in counterfeit goods and money laundering.

ICE agents arrested Guthrie at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday after he was expelled from China and arrived on a flight from Shanghai, China. Guthrie is scheduled to have a bond hearing tomorrow in federal court in Los Angeles. Afterwards, he is expected to be transferred to Mississippi to face the federal charges against him there.

In April of this year, Guthrie and Abram Thrush, another U.S. citizen, were convicted in China as a result of the first joint Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) investigation by ICE agents and Chinese law enforcement. China’s Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court convicted Guthrie on criminal charges of illegally selling and distributing more than $840,000 worth of pirated motion picture DVDs via the Internet to buyers in more than 20 nations, including the United States. Chinese prosecutors maintained that, since October 2002, Guthrie had illegally sold some 180,000 pirated DVDs around the globe through eBay.com and a Russian based-website at www.threedollardvd.com.

The Chinese court sentenced Guthrie to a jail term of two years and six months in China, a fine of 500,000 Chinese Renminibi (RNB), and deportation from the country upon completion of his sentence. Thrush was sentenced to a jail term of one year in China, a fine of 10,000 RNB, and was returned to the United States in July 2005. Two Chinese accomplices were also convicted and sentenced in this case.

Guthrie now faces charges in the United States pursuant to a criminal indictment returned in the Southern District of Mississippi. Count 1 of the U.S. indictment charges Guthrie with conspiring to infringe copyrights for purposes of commercial advantage and private financial gain in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2319(a)(b)(1) and (c)(1) and Title 17, United States Code, Section 506(a)(1) and (a)(2); to traffic in goods and use counterfeit marks on and in connection with such goods in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2320(a); and to fraudulently and knowingly import unauthorized reproductions of U.S. copyrighted motion pictures stored on digital versatile discs into the United States contrary to law in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 545.

Counts 2 through 8 charge substantive violations of Section 545, that, in aggregate, allege that the defendant imported contrary to law more than 2,000 unauthorized DVDs containing copyrighted motion pictures. Count 9 charges the defendant with infringing a copyright for purposes of commercial advantage and private financial gain by reproducing or distributing, during a 180 day period, copyrighted works having a retail value in excess of $2,500.00 in violation of applicable law.

Count 10 through 16 charge substantive violations of section 2320, offenses that make it illegal for someone to intentionally traffic or attempt to traffic in pirated DVDs and using counterfeit marks in connection with such pirated materials. Count 17 charges a money laundering conspiracy in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h) and Count 18 seeks forfeiture of more than $1 million in U.S. currency which he is alleged to have made in committing the offenses.

The investigation that led to the charges against Guthrie in China and the United States began in September 2003 when undercover agents from the ICE Resident Agent in Charge office in Gulfport, Mississippi purchased counterfeit DVDs in September 2003 at a Mississippi flea market.

Ultimately, the investigation known as “Operation Spring” grew to include the ICE Attaché in Beijing, China, the ICE Special Agent-in-Charge office in Houston, and the National Intellectual Property Rights Center in Washington, D.C. Chinese law enforcement joined in the investigation, turning the case into the first joint undercover case conducted by Chinese and U.S. authorities.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) provided crucial assistance and background information to U.S. and Chinese law enforcement agencies in this case. The MPAA has closely tracked the negative economic effects on member studios caused by this counterfeiting network and other accused intellectual property rights violators worldwide. In total, the MPAA estimates that the U.S. motion picture industry loses more than $3.5 billion annually in potential worldwide revenue due to piracy.

This landmark case represents the latest success of ICE in targeting IPR violators around the globe. As the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, ICE plays a leading role in targeting criminal organizations responsible for producing, smuggling, and distributing counterfeit products. In Fiscal Year 2004, ICE agents arrested 218 individuals and brought 140 indictments for IPR violations, roughly double the 132 arrests and 70 indictments brought by ICE the prior fiscal year.

At the same time, ICE agents and U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officers together made 7,255 seizures of counterfeit goods worth $138 million in FY 2004, up from the roughly 6,500 seizures worth $94 million the prior year. Together, ICE and CBP have seized more than $600 million worth of counterfeit goods from FY 1998 through FY 2004.

# ICE #

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

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Tue Oct 04 2005 03:14:33 GMT-0700.

Russia

October 3, 2005

This public announcement is being renewed to inform American citizens traveling or living in Russia that there remains a heightened potential for terrorist actions, including attacks against civilians. This situation is likely to continue for some time. This supersedes the public announcement of March 30, 2005 and expires on March 30, 2006.

Acts of terrorism including bombings and hostage taking have occurred in Russia over the last several years. Bombings have occurred at Russian government buildings, hotels, tourist sites, markets, entertainment venues, schools, residential complexes, and on public transportation including the subway and scheduled commercial air flights. Hostage taking incidents have included a raid on a school that resulted in horrific losses of life of children, teachers, and parents.

Presently, there is no specific indication that american institutions or citizens are targets but there is a general risk of american citizens being victims of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. American citizens in Russia should be aware of their personal surroundings and follow good security practices. Americans are urged to remain vigilant and exercise good judgment and discretion when using any form of public transportation. When traveling, americans may wish to provide a friend, family member, or coworker a copy of their itinerary. Americans should avoid large crowds and public gatherings that lack enhanced security measures. Travelers should also exercise a high degree of caution and remain alert when patronizing restaurants, casinos, nightclubs, bars, theaters, etc., especially during peak hours of business.

Due to continued civil and political unrest throughout much of the caucasus region, the department of state already warns u.s. citizens against travel to Chechnya and all areas that border it: North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya and Kabardino-Balkariya. United states government personnel are generally prohibited from traveling to these areas, and American citizens residing in these areas should depart immediately as the safety of americans and other foreigners cannot be effectively guaranteed.

American citizens living in Russia or traveling there for even a few days are strongly urged to register with the embassy or nearest consulate general. Registration will allow the embassy to provide direct information on the security situation as necessary. Registration is done on-line and can be done in advance of travel. Information on registering can be found at the embassy web www.usembassy.ru or at the Department of State's Consular Affairs website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html.

As the department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

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