Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - August 2006

[nwctwx]

Syria Tells Troops to Be Ready for Battle
(Full Story)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has placed his military on full alert, citing "regional challenges", and vowed to continue supporting the "Palestinian and Lebanese resistance more than ever".

In a speech to mark the Syrian Army national day, Mr Assad said the volatile situation across the Middle East required "vigilance, preparation and readiness" and ordered all units of the armed forces to be on alert.

The comments were interpreted by Israel as a morale booster to the Syrian armed forces and not a call to battle. Israeli intelligence chiefs have assessed that Syria is not in the mood for an open war and is instead content to resupply Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanon.

	Iranian Cleric Asks Muslims to Send Weapons to Hezbollah
	Blair Says Syria, Iran Risk Confrontation
	Iran and Syria Beat the Drums of War

Thread Thirty-Nine

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[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:
---

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2006/08/012820print.html

August 22, 2006

Italy stops -- and then lets go -- shipment of assault rifles and plastic explosives sent from Saudi Arabia to USA

Who is shipping them? Who is receiving them? Why will the shipment be allowed to proceed? "Italy reports seizing US-bound arms shipment," from AFP, with thanks to Kathy:

ROME, Italy (AFP) - Italian authorities seized a container full of weapons, including Kalashnikov assault rifles and plastic explosives bound for the United States from Saudi Arabia in May, press reports said yesterday.
Il Mattino newspaper said that the "arsenal" was discovered during a search of a ship registered to an unnamed ex-Soviet republic, which was travelling from Saudi Arabia to the US east coast.

It was boarded by customs officials in the port of Gioia Tauro in the southern Calabria region. They discovered more than 70 AK-47 assault rifles, plastics used in explosives and launch pads for rockets, the daily said.

Without quoting its sources, the Ansa news agency later reported that "the shipment was permitted, but certain papers were missing from the accompanying documents".

It said that the container could continue its journey as soon as the identification documents had been validated.

An inquiry is under way with the participation of US secret services, Il Mattino said.

Posted at August 22, 2006 04:13 PM

[freeperfromnj]

Once accused of bridge plot, Texas men released on bond

Paul Egan / The Detroit News

DEARBORN HEIGHTS -- Three Texas men once suspected in a possible plot to blow up the Mackinac Bridge were released from jail today after more than 10 days in custody.

Terrorism-related charges against Maruan Muhareb, 18; Adham Othman, 21; and Louai Othman, 23, were withdrawn by the Tuscola County prosecutor last Wednesday after the FBI and Michigan State Police said there was no evidence linking the men to terrorism.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060822/UPDATE/608220424/1003/rss

[Cindy]

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/22/amanpour.binladen/story.bin.laden.afp.gi.jpg

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/22/amanpour.binladen/index.html

"Amanpour: Bin Laden still deadly relevant
Ex-CIA official says cleric sets cap of 10 million U.S. deaths"
By Christiane Amanpour
CNN

Tuesday, August 22, 2006; Posted: 12:15 p.m. EDT (16:15 GMT)

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Michael Scheuer, who once headed the CIA's bin Laden unit, says bin Laden has been given permission by a young cleric in Saudi Arabia authorizing al Qaeda to "use nuclear weapons against the United States ... capping the casualties at 10 million."

"He's had an approval, a religious approval for 10 million deaths?" I asked him.

"Yes," Scheuer responded."

[Cindy]

THANKS freeperfromnj and thatnks for all the interesting links today.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1688267/posts?page=20#20

Note: The following post is a quote:
---

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1688267/posts


TV Critic:Kidnapping Not Covered Because Fox News "Set Itself Apart" (they die who cares)
NRO ^

Posted on 08/22/2006 3:38:17 PM PDT by hipaatwo

Bob Laurence, TV critic for the San Diego Union-Tribune, sent a letter to Romenesko setting forth a couple of reasons for the scant coverage given to the kidnapping in Gaza of two Fox News journalists (via Michelle):

... Fox has deliberately set itself apart from other news media. Starting at the top with Roger Ailes, the Fox sales pitch has been to deride other media, to declare itself the one source of the real truth, the sole source of 'fair and accurate' news reporting. As a result, there's not a reservoir of kinship or good will with Fox on the part of the rest of the news media. You can't keep insulting people and then expect friendship when you need it.

You stay classy, San Diego.

[MamaDearest]

The UN is definitely not the team for the job.

They "function" best if there's illicit money to be used to fill their pockets or to back the causes of liberal or hate-filled anti-American governments (even then they lack professionalism and the ability to complete assigned tasks).

[nwctwx]

al Qaida's WMD Fatwa: Shaykh Nasir bin Hamid al Fahd

Until May 2003, al Qaeda did not have sufficient Islamic grounding on which to convincingly justify a WMD attack. In that month, however, a young Saudi cleric named Shaykh Nasir bin Hamid al-Fahd published "A Treatise on the Legal Status of Using Weapons of Mass Destruction Against Infidels."

...

The study is lucidly written, comprehensive, and well-documented justification and authorization for using weapons of mass destruction against infidels-in this case, against the United States.

...

Without Question, Shaykh al-Fahd wrote, the "Proscription [of weapons of mass destruction] Belongs to God Almighty, and to None Other Than He, such as Humans."

Shaykh al-Fahd begins by describing the term "weapons of mass destruction" as an "inexact term," claiming that chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons that killed a thousand people would be called by the West "internationally banned weapons," whereas the use of "high explosive bombs weighing seven tons apiece and [that] killed three thousand or more" would be called "internationally permissible weapons." On that basis, he dismisses the WMD-armed West's treaties and regulations banning WMD proliferation as mere attempts to scare others and protect itself. "Thus it is evident," he wrote, "that [the Western nations] do not wish to protect humanity by these terms, as they assert; rather, they want to protect themselves and monopolize such weapons on the pretext of banning them internationally."

...

"All these terms have no standing in Islamic law, because God Almighty has reserved judgment and legislation to Himself...This is a matter so obvious to Muslims that it needs no demonstration...In judging these weapons one looks only to the Koran, the Sunnah [i.e., the sayings and traditions of the Prophet], and the statements of Muslim scholars."

Summary of al-Fahd's Fatwa:

• Shaykh al-Fahd first cites three examples from the Koran in which God says that Muslims may respond reciprocally for attacks made on them. "Anyone who considers America's aggressions against Muslims and their lands during the past decades," al-Fahd wrote, "will conclude that striking her is permissible merely on the rule of treating as one has been treated. Some brothers have totaled the number of Muslims killed directly or indirectly by their weapons and come up with a figure of nearly 10 million."

• Shaykh al-Fahd next argues that large civilian casualties are acceptable if they result from an attack meant to defeat an enemy, and not an attack aimed only at killing the innocent. "The messenger of God [the Prophet Muhammad]," al-Fahd wrote, "commanded an attack on the enemy. In many traditions, he attacked others...He was not prevented from this by what we know, namely that he knew that women and children would not be safe from harm. He allowed the attack because the intent of the attackers was not to harm them...Thus the situation in this regard is that if those engaged in jihad establish that the evil of the infidels can be repelled only by attacking them at night with weapons of mass destruction, they may be used even if they annihilate the infidels."

• Shaykh al-Fahd concludes by addressing the issue of whether Muslims can kill other Muslims in pursuing jihad in God's name. He says that, indeed, the lives of Muslims are considered sacred and there is no permission from God to wantonly kill another Muslim. But, al-Fahd maintains, "If we accept the argument unrestrictedly, we should entirely suspend jihad, for no infidel land is devoid of Muslims. As long as jihad has been commanded...and it can be carried out only in this way [i.e., with Muslims being killed in attacks by Muslims], it is permitted." God allows this, al-Fahd explains, "so that the enemy cannot force us to abandon jihad by imprisoning a Muslim among them."

Excerpts from, Imperial Hubris , by Michael Scheuer: Pages 154-156

Permanent Link: al Qaida's WMD Fatwa: Shaykh Nasir bin Hamid al Fahd

[MamaDearest]

Tuesday Stock Exchange Wrap-up

Snip: Today we answered the question as to whether a butterfly flapping its wings in Africa can affect the price of oil in the US as oil traders went wild over the naming of an African storm gave them hope that another US city could be wiped out (Yipee!). The fact that there is less than a 10% chance that this storm will track to the Gulf seems to matter little.

Gold was not as excited about the storm but traders there still cling to the fading promise of Jihad after the Imam pulled a no-show this morning. Keep those scimitars sharpened though, as we can debate the exact date for a while now but I am very happy with the way this is progressing so far.

Sensitivity training about jihad at O'Hare

Snip: a VIP tour of security operations at [O’Hare International Airport to]…Muslim officials from the Council on American-Islamic Relations…at the same time the British authorities were working to break up a plot to blow up U.S. airlines…[and] in response to CAIR complaints that Muslim travelers were being unfairly delayed as they entered the U.S. from abroad…Several CAIR leaders have been convicted on terror-related charges… Custom agents…were outraged that headquarters would reveal sensitive counterterrorism procedures to [CAIR]…

In addition to reassuring the CAIR officials that agents do not single out Muslim travelers for special screening, the DHS official informed them that they (the agents) must undergo a mandatory course in Muslim sensitivity training....

[MamaDearest]

American decadence blamed for inspiring radicals

Snip: The hard truth is that members of Islam's radical branches have no interest in coming to terms with non-Muslims, or even moderate Muslims. To put it bluntly, they don't care whether we're nice or not. To this breed of radical Muslims, there are only two options: convert or die.

India gears up to begin exporting missiles

Snip: Back in November 2005, The Hindu newspaper reported that India's government has given the go-ahead for exporting missiles, and that India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is looking to market several of its products internationally. The DRDO will participate in international expos as part of its marketing strategy, and government officials have claimed interest from African, Gulf and South-East Asian countries. They have also noted, however, that India's government would be required to approve any foreign sales to specific countries.

The missile systems in question include:

Trishul ("trident") short-range surface-air missile (SAM)

Akash ("sky") medium-range SAM

Nag ("cobra") anti-armor missile;

and the Indo-Russian BrahMos short-medium range supersonic cruise missile, which is primarily designed as an anti-ship weapon but could be modified for land attack.

[freeperfromnj]

You're welcome Cindy.

[Cindy]

OPINION: I agree.

[Cindy]

THANK YOU nw.
No warm fuzzies there, for sure.

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:
---


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1687994/posts

War on the home front
Jewish World Review ^ | Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.

Posted on 08/22/2006 7:10:28 AM PDT by SJackson

The facts are sufficiently clear that we must begin to question the judgment, if not the motivations, of those at home who persist in trying to obscure the central threat we face from the totalitarian political ideology known as Islamofascism.

In recent days, it has become harder than ever to deny the true nature of the conflict in which we find ourselves. As President Bush put it recently, "We are at war with Islamic fascists." To be sure, the mounting evidence does not preclude some from denying this reality. The facts are sufficiently clear, however, that we must begin to question the judgment, if not the motivations, of those at home who persist in trying to obscure the central threat we face from the totalitarian political ideology known as Islamofascism.

One straw in the wind could be found in Sunday's New York Times which prominently featured an article entitled "And Now Islamism Trumps Arabism." Although the author, writing from Cairo, used throughout the euphemism "political Islam," the import was unmistakable: With its attacks on Israel and its survival of Israeli retaliation, the Iranian- and Syrian-supported Islamofascist terrorist group, Hezbollah, has added luster and new recruits to longstanding efforts to subject the entire Muslim world — and, in due course, all non-Muslim populations — to Taliban-style Islamist rule.

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

[BurbankKarl]

I noticed there hasnt been one storm this RECORD BREAKING YEAR....

[Cindy]

Here's another link, nw:

http://internet-haganah.org/harchives/000642.html

QUOTE - SNIPPET:


25 May 2003
YES to WMD: The first Islamist Fatwah on the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA)
Center THE PROJECT FOR THE RESEARCH OF ISLAMIST MOVEMENTS (PRISM)
PRISM SPECIAL DISPATCHES Volume 1 (2003), Number 1 (May 2003)
Director and Editor: Dr. Reuven Paz.

Abstract: This is a new series of special dispatches that translate and analyze articles, reports, religious decrees, and other documents, written in Arabic by Islamist scholars, clerics, activists, or intellectuals, on major issues of interest.

YES to WMD: The first Islamist Fatwah on the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction
By Reuven Paz*
(PRISM Series of Special Dispatches on Global Jihad, No. 1)

[Cindy]

"Bad guys lose all the time -- eventually." -Cindy
---

ON THE NET...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGiz_qbViE0

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1688413/posts

===


Note: The following text is a quote:
---

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/Lists/Press%20Releases/DispForm.aspx?ID=3663&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecentcom%2Emil%2Fsites%2Fuscentcom1%2FLists%2FPress%2520Releases%2FCurrent%2520Releases%2Easpx


Title:
SUSPECTED TERRORISTS CAPTURED NEAR PARU KHYL VILLAGE
Release Date:
8/22/2006
Release Number:
06-08-02PL
Description:
KABUL , Afghanistan – Afghan and Coalition forces conducted a pre-dawn raid on a compound housing suspected terrorists Aug. 22 near Paru Kheyl village in Khowst Province .

Three suspects were taken into custody.

Assorted weapons and ammunition were confiscated in the operation. Weapons included automatic and bolt-action rifles, a shotgun and ammunition-carrying chest racks.

Three other males found in the compound were released after questioning. More than 20 women and children were also located within the facilities. The Coalition notes that extremists are deliberately and immorally surrounding themselves with innocent civilians, knowing the Coalition takes extraordinary measures to prevent civilian casualities.

The purpose of this operation was to capture a known al Qaeda facilitator. Credible intelligence linked the targeted individual to suspected terrorist activities and attacks against the Afghan and Coalition forces in Khowst Province .

The Coalition is currently assessing information taken from the raid and determining the level of involvement of the three suspected terrorists taken into custody.

No shots were fired and no Afghan or Coalition forces were injured during the operation.

This operation was a coordinated effort between Afghan and Coalition forces,” said Col. Thomas Collins, Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan spokesman. “This joint team will continue to target the al Qaeda network and remove their means of support in order to extend the reach of the government and ultimately improve the lives of the Afghan people.”


For more information please contact: Kabul-Presscenter@cfc-a.centcom.mil

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=78134&d=20&m=8&y=2006

"Irresponsible Statements Fueling Radicalism: WAMY"
Javid Hassan, Arab News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "RIYADH, 20 August 2006 — US President George W. Bush’s recent usage of the term “Islamic fascists” and other remarks made by White House officials are encouraging extremism, said Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaibi, secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).

In an interview with Arab News, Al-Wohaibi described Bush’s remarks as being unhelpful and said they were instrumental in creating problems for a pan-Islamic organization such as WAMY, which is trying to fight extremism among the youth. “They make our task difficult,” he said.

The WAMY chief has appealed to the Western intelligentsia in general and those from the US in particular to counter the “unjust campaign against Muslims and their beliefs to avoid any possible conflict, which the neocons and their spokesmen are instigating.”

Al-Wohaibi said that in any such conflict the bigger loser would be the West, which plays a central role in the international arena."

===
===

ON THE NET...

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2006/08/fuel_for_radicalism.php

"Fuel for Radicalism?"
By Tamar Tesler

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The Arab News published an article this week called “Irresponsible Statements Fueling Radicalism: WAMY" A headline that could easily be a parody in The Onion or on Saturday Night Live.
“In an interview with Arab News, [Saleh] Al-Wohaibi [Secretary General of WAMY] described Bush’s remarks [“Islamic fascists”] as being unhelpful and said they were instrumental in creating problems for a pan-Islamic organization such as WAMY, which is trying to fight extremism among the youth. ‘They make our task difficult,’ he said”

This is the same WAMY that published and distributed a book titled, Islamic Camps: Objectives, Program Outlines, Preparatory Steps, as a guide for other Muslim groups planning camps. The book lists steps for starting a camp, creating a program, inviting participants, establishing goals, and other technical advice. It also includes sample schedules, a list of sports and activities, lectures, meals and free time. In the index, Islamic Camps suggests chants such as:

“Hail! Hail! O Sacrificing Soldiers! / To Us! To Us! So we may defend the flag / on this Day of Jihad, are you miserly with your blood?!…Come! So we may revive the times the times of our predecessors!”

Yet in a previous interview in the Arab News Saleh Al-Wohaibi lamented that “WAMY and other charitable organizations suffered a loss of image as they were linked to terrorism by the Western, more specifically, the American media.” He complained that WAMY summer camps will suffer due to loss in revenue and told the Arab News that “the best way to wean youth away from undesirable activities was to install sound values based on Islamic teachings. According to al-Wohaibi, “That’s what the summer camps were about.”

WAMY does not by any means limit its teachings to summer camps. A WAMY booklet that is allegedly circulating in the US prison system is called The Difference Between The Shi'ites and the Majority of Muslim Scholars. This booklet describes Shiism as having been formed as a result of “various tribalist, racist and Jewish movements” and states that “the claim that Ali should have been the first caliph started mainly as a political claim and was designed to create discord among Muslims by agitating tribal and racial differences and hostilities.”

It is no surprise that the New York prison system, as reported by Paul Barrett in a February 2003 Wall Street Journal article, How a Muslim Chaplain Spread Extremism to an Inmate Flock, “has seen a rash of complaints from inmates who adhere to the minority Shiite sect of Islam” due to actions of some Sunni prison chaplains."

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "MISS MARTYR CAMP AT THE Y" -Column by Joe Kaufman (August 18, 2006)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "YOUNG MUSLIMS' SECRET CAMP" -Column by Joe Kaufman ((August 1, 2006)

[MamaDearest]

I noticed there hasnt been one storm this RECORD BREAKING YEAR....

Guaranteed Al "Global" Gore will come out of hibernation along with the first one, even if the storm is a complete fizzle.