Threat Matrix: February 2007

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[nwctwx]

How al-Qaida Fared in 2006
-Full Story-

In 2006, agents of al-Qaida, as well as those inspired by its ideology, continued their attacks. Violence in Iraq intensified, and Afghanistan saw its bloodiest year since 2001.

Despite worsening chaos on those fronts, counterterrorist forces arrested and killed high-profile terrorists and kept the West free from attack. But these actions don't appear to have weakened the appeal of al-Qaida's agenda. "Home-grown" militants around the world joined its jihad, as regional fighting heightened perceptions of a global war on Islam.

Here's an assessment of some of the most significant gains and losses for al-Qaida last year: Read more..

	Azzam the American: The Making of an al Qaida Homegrown
	Islamic Cells of Revenge Joins the al Qaida Movement
	Most Dangerous Destinations 2007

Thread Forty-Five

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[Cindy]

http://www.satp.org
http://www.saag.org

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo.cms?msid=1642654

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Samjhauta_blasts_Police_release_sketches_of_suspects/articleshow/1642174.cms

"Samjhauta blasts: Police release sketches of suspects"
[ 20 Feb, 2007 1224hrs ISTPTI ]


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "PANIPAT: Haryana Police on Tuesday released sketches of two persons suspected to be behind the Lahore-bound Samjhauta Express train blasts that left 68 people dead.

The duo boarded the train from Old Delhi Railway Station on Sunday night and had alighted from it about 15 minutes before the explosions took place when the train slowed down near the Deewana station, Inspector-General Rohtak Range Sharad Kumar told reporters in Panipat.

The sketches have been prepared on the basis of descriptions provided by passengers, he said."

[Cindy]

Note: Post no. 1021 IS NOT a response or followup to post no. 700.

[Cindy]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070219-112748-6924r.htm

"President links terror war, U.S. war for independence"
By Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 20, 2007

[Godzilla]

placemark

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.satp.org
http://www.saag.org

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=railway
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=trains
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=rtrain

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http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/02/high_density_target_major_terr.php

"High Density Target: Major Terror Attacks on Railway Network in India"
By Animesh Roul

[Cindy]

http://www.dea.gov/pubs/states/newsrel/nyc021507a.html

"Drug Impostor Nabbed"
Guns, Fake DEA Badge, Crack Cocaine and Ammunition Seized

FEB 15, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1787936/posts

"Court: Detainees Can't Challenge Cases"
AP via SFGate ^ | 2/20/7 | MATT APUZZO

Posted on 02/20/2007 7:51:50 AM PST by SmithL

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Guantanamo Bay detainees may not challenge their detention in U.S. courts, a federal appeals court said Tuesday in a ruling upholding a key provision of a law at the center of President Bush's anti-terrorism plan."

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=jihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=jihadmedia
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=jihadpropaganda

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http://www.memri.org/jihad.html

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP146807

"Special Dispatch Series - No. 1468"
February 16, 2007 No.1468

Islamist Websites Monitor Project No. 63-65

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015347.php

February 20, 2007
"A 'different' definition of jihad"


http://media.www.emorywheel.com/media/storage/paper919/news/2007/02/20/Editorials/A.Bestselling.Author.Offers.A.Different.Definition.Of.Jihad-2729676.shtml

"A Bestselling Author Offers a Different Definition of Jihad"
By: Robert Spencer

Issue date: 2/20/07 Section: Editorials

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=pakistan

http://www.billroggio.com/cgi-bin/cms/mt-search.cgi?tag=Pakistan&blog_id=1

http://www.saag.org/searchb10.asp?search=Pakistan&searchtype=all&B1=Submit

---

http://hotair.com/archives/2007/02/20/muslim-fanatic-assassinates-pakistani-woman-minister/

"Muslim 'fanatic' assassinates Pakistani woman minister"
posted at 10:51 am on February 20, 2007 by Allahpundit

[Cindy]

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_021907WABbremertonbombKC.179b3d33.html

"Teenage boys arrested after setting off pipe bombs"
07:00 AM PST on Tuesday, February 20, 2007
KING5.com

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "BREMERTON – Four teenage boys were arrested following at least two explosions in Bremerton Monday."

[Cindy]

US-CERT.GOV
http://www.us-cert.gov

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http://news.com.com/U.S.+cybersecurity+czar+has+his+marching+orders/2008-7348_3-6160438.html?tag=nefd.lede

"Newsmaker: U.S. cybersecurity czar has his marching orders"

By Joris Evers
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: February 20, 2007, 4:00 AM PST

[Cindy]

http://www.pandemicflu.gov

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http://www.infragard.net/press_room/articles/article_012507.htm

"Infragard National Members Alliance Announces Efforts Focused on January and February as Pandemic Awareness Months"
January 25, 2007

[Cindy]

Corrected Post:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_012_2007_Release/index.asp#label


http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_012_2007_Release/index.asp

"South Carolina Firm Recalls Chicken Breast Strips For Possible Listeria Contamination"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-012-2007 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Steven Cohen

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2007 - Carolina Culinary Foods, a West Columbia, S.C., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 52,650 pounds of fully cooked chicken breast strips that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following product was manufactured for Oscar Mayer and is subject to recall: [View Label]"

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=nablus

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3367607,00.html

"Report: 3 US women seized in West Bank-Palestinian
Published: 02.20.07, 18:42 / Israel News
Three American women were seized in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, near the city of Nablus, a senior Palestinian security source told Reuters.

No Palestinian group claimed responsibility for any kidnapping. If the women were abducted by terrorists it would be the first abduction of foreigners since Jan. 23 when a French diplomat and two bodyguards were held for a few hours. (Reuters)"

[Cindy]

THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

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

Weekly Piracy Report
14-20 February 2007

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 14 to 20 February 2007.

ALERT

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
Forty seven incidents have been reported since 28.01.2006. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Ships are advised to take extra precautions.

The 2006 Annual IMB Report on Piracy and Armed Attacks against Ships is now published. Please see the end of this page to order.

Suspicious crafts

15.02.2007 0935 LT in position 13:27N - 043:02E, 15 miles NW of Al Mukha, Southern Red Sea.
A 40 metre yacht sighted two small fishing craft underway carrying five personnel each. One craft moved to a position 200m ahead of the yacht while the other swung around and approached from the starboard quarter. Anti piracy measures activated by yacht. Suspicious craft moved away upon seeing crew alertness. The craft could have been operating from a mother vessel.

Recently reported incidents

15.02.2007 0815 LT in position 12:05N – 080:10.7E, India.
Pirates in a fishing boat approached a tug towing a floating crane underway. Tug tried to take evasive manoeuvers but the pirates managed to board the unmanned floating crane from behind. Tug now proceeding to Chennai.

14.02.2007 0415 LT in position 22:16.2N - 091:43.7E, Chittagong Anchorage, Bangladesh.
Robbers boarded a bulk carrier and attempted to steal ship's stores and ropes. As the ropes were secured on winches with wires the attempt failed and they escaped empty handed. Two padlocks damaged.

[Cindy]

Off Topic - FYI:

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/2007/02/070219shuttlebuses.shtml

Shuttle buses collide near airport
an Associated Press report 02/19/07

FORT LAUDERDALE - Two people died after a pair of airport shuttle buses collided head-on near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, authorities said.

Rescue crews transported eight people to Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale with conditions that ranged from serious to critical, the Broward County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. The crash happened around 11 p.m. Sunday.

George Pitter, of Hollywood, and Jameer Fyzool, of Sunrise, died in the crash. Pitter, 64, was driving one of the buses. Fyzool, 71, was a passenger on the other bus, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Public Information Officer Mike Jachles said in the statement.

The eight hospitalized victims have not been identified.

Authorities believe that Pitter was driving in the eastbound lane of a road that circles the airport when the westbound bus crossed the center line of the road. Detectives are still investigating the crash.

The westbound bus was carrying seven passengers and the driver. Only one passenger was riding on Pitter's eastbound bus, according to the sheriff's office.

Greg Meyer, an airport public information officer, said Monday that he thought some of the people on the buses were airport employees, but wasn't sure how many.

Two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition, Meyer said. He said airport shuttle bus drivers must be licensed and certified to operate the vehicles, which often take airport employees to and from their cars.

[Cindy]

http://www.idf.il

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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_922.html

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

This information is current as of today, Tue Feb 20 2007 09:06:28 GMT-0800.

ISRAEL, THE WEST BANK AND GAZA

January 17, 2007

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Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/121942

18:25 PM
2 Adar 5767, February 20, '07



Reported

High Alert Declared in Bat Yam and Holon Areas

(IsraelNN.com) The Bat Yam and Holon areas have been put on high alert by police due to a terror alert.

Security personnel are requesting cooperation and patience from the public as they try to deal with the threat.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text SNIPPET is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=63807

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Conakry Insecurity Persists
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Sub-Saharan Africa - Guinea
20 Feb 2007

Printer Friendly Email Article
Related Reports
16 Feb 2007
Warden Message: Guinea Air Travel Information
15 Feb 2007
Warden Message: Conakry Airport/Airline Situation
14 Feb 2007
Warden Message: Guinea Flights Resume
14 Feb 2007
Warden Message: Guinea U.S. Government Flight Assistance
13 Feb 2007
Guinea State of Siege
U.S. Embassy Conakry issued the following Warden Message on February 20:

The sustained unrest in Conakry and throughout the country has created extremely hazardous conditions. The situation could deteriorate further. The Department of State has ordered the departure of family members of Embassy employees and strongly urges that American citizens consider leaving Guinea.

The Embassy remains open with reduced staffing. Until further notice, visa services are suspended at the Embassy in Conakry. Visa applicants are encouraged to apply at a neighboring post.

The consular section is now open for American citizen services from Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Americans without valid passports are strongly urged to renew their passports immediately.

The airport in Conakry is open. The following commercial carriers are flying at this time: Air France, Bellevue, SLOK, Paramount and Air Ivoire.

- You can reach Air France at 60- 33-95072, 60-29-77-72, 60-29-64-12 and 60-89-61-79 for information about flights to France.
- Bellevue can be contacted at 60-52-65-35 regarding flights to Abidjan and Lagos.
- SLOK, a regional carrier, is flying a limited schedule to Dakar, Banjul and Abidjan. Their offices can be contacted at 60-55-38-98 and 60-21-62-93 in Conakry or 225-21-24-88-67 in Abidjan.
- Air Ivoire can be reached in Conakry at 60-34-90-09.
- Paramount can be reached in Conakry at 60-55-75-56.

If you still need U.S. government assistance in departing Guinea, please contact the U.S. Embassy consular section at the following numbers:

The Embassy consular section: [224] 30 42 08 61-68 extension 3378 Areeba I [224] 64-40-55-53 Sotelgui I [224] 60-21-56-43


You can also contact the consular section via email at consularconakr@state.gov.

American citizens who are outside of Conakry should only attempt to travel into the capital to take a confirmed commercial flight out of Guinea if they believe they can do so safely and within the curfew hours. The Embassy has no information about availability of shelter, food, and other supplies outside of the Conakry area while you may be en route. If you are unable to assess whether you can travel safely, we recommend you stay where you are until the situation improves or more information becomes available. Keep the Embassy updated about your location at all times.

For American citizens traveling into Conakry, the following hotels are reported to be open. Prices and availability may change without notice.

[cgk]

http://hotair.com/archives/2007/02/20/uh-oh-another-chlorine-gas-bomb-detonated-in-iraq/

From Michelle Malkin & Allahpundit's website, HotAir.com. Don't know if this has crossed the wires you read.