Threat Matrix: March 2007

Previous Thread ^

[nwctwx]

Senior Taliban leader held in Pakistan
-Full Story-

Pakistani security forces have captured a high-ranking Taliban leader in the southwestern city of Quetta, a senior security official and Taliban sources said late Thursday

The capture of Mullah Obaidullah Akhund marked the first Pakistan arrest of a senior leader of the Islamist militia since it was driven from power in Afghanistan in 2001 when thousands of its fighters fled into Pakistan.

The security official and Taliban sources said Akhund, the third most senior member of the Taliban's 10-member leadership council, was arrested late on Monday, hours after a surprise visit to Pakistan by U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney.

	Pakistan Denies bin Laden in Country
	Al-Qaida Grows Stronger in Pakistani Safe Havens
	Taliban Commander Mullah Dadullah: Usama bin Laden is Alive

Thread Forty-Six

Previous | TM Index

TM Terrorism Handbook

TM 'Be on the Lookout'

Godzilla's Summaries

Invaluable Tips

Preparedness

Search: News | Images

Threat Matrix HTML designed by: Ian Livingston

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=eta
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=spain
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=france

===
===

http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=81&story_id=37321

"ETA may plan attacks in France, trial reveals"
7 March 2007

PARIS

[Cindy]

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

===
===

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3374032,00.html

IAEA governors ratify cut in nuclear aid to Iran

Published: 03.08.07, 12:42 / Israel News

UN nuclear agency governors on Thursday ratified cuts in technical aid to Iran over concern that Tehran might be trying to build nuclear bombs under cover of a civilian atomic energy program, diplomats said.

The move by the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) followed UN sanctions passed in December that ban transfers of technology or expertise to Iran that might be of use in producing nuclear fuel. (Reuters)

[Cindy]

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

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Thu Mar 08 2007 02:59:44 GMT-0800.

Worldwide Caution

October 11, 2006

[Cindy]

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

[Cindy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20FATC57Ai8

"Qaradawi on why he thinks Islam justifies suicide bombs"
(Added February 24, 2007)

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015546.php

March 07, 2007

Thailand: Jihadists behead man, set his body aflame
Thai Jihad Update: Jihad against rubber tappers. "Man beheaded, two shot dead in restive Thai south," from AP, with thanks to Jeffrey Imm:

NARATHIWAT, Thailand (AFP) - Suspected Islamic separatists have killed three people in Thailand's restive south, including one man they beheaded and set alight, police said Wednesday.

The 53-year-old rubber tapper was beheaded Wednesday in Yala, police said, one of three Muslim-majority provinces along the Malaysian border hit by a worsening insurgency that has killed about 2,000 people in three years.

The man's head was left in the middle of the street, about one kilometre (half a mile) from the charred remains of his body, police Lieutenant Mit Khunchum told AFP.

Mit said the attack was aimed at terrifying residents in the region, where violence has escalated recently despite a raft of peace-building measures proposed by the government, which was installed after a coup in September.

Might the attackers be inspired by a Qur'an verse like this one? "Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly." (8:60)

Shortly after the bloody attack early Wednesday, a 25-year-old Buddhist man was killed in a drive-by shooting in nearby Pattani province.
The attacks followed the deadly shooting late Tuesday of a 43-year-old Buddhist rubber tapper in Narathiwat province.

Posted by Robert at March 7, 2007 08:36 AM

[callmejoe]

"the past as prologue"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1777773/posts?page=934#934

http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0605/31/ltm.02.html

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400098354

" . . . Though years of digging yield the name of a suspect—an Iranian math genius turned terrorist—the trail seems too cold to justify further effort. . . Eluding a global surveillance net, Max—in the summer of 2001—begins tracking the spore of a complex conspiracy, meeting clandestinely with suicide bombers and Arab royalty and ultimately realizing the Iranian he’d sought for a decades-old crime is actually at the nexus of a terrifying plot. . ."

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/ahmadinejad.htm

Ahmadinejad's Biography

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was born in Garmsar, southeast of Tehran in 1956. He is the fourth son of an ironworker who had seven children. Mahmoud and his family migrated to Tehran when he was one-year-old. He got his diploma and was admitted to the University of Science and Technology in the field of civil engineering after he ranked 130th in the nationwide university entrance exams in 1975. He was accepted as an MS student at the same university in 1986 and got his doctorate in 1987 in the field of engineering and traffic transportation planning.

Following the 1979 Islamic revolution he became a member the ultra-conservative faction of the Office for Strengthening Unity [OSU] Between Universities and Theological Seminaries. The OSU was established by Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, one of Khomeini’s key collaborators, to organise Islamist students against the rapidly growing Mojahedin-e Khalq (MeK). When the idea of storming the American embassy in Tehran was raised by the OSU, Ahmadinejad suggested storming the Soviet embassy at the same time.

With the start of the Iraq war in 1980, Ahmadinejad rushed to the western fronts to fight against the enemy and voluntarily joined special forces of the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC) in 1986. He served in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps intelligence and security apparatus.

Ahmadinejad was a senior officer in the Special Brigade of the Revolutionary Guards, stationed at Ramazan Garrison near Kermanshah in western Iran. This was the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards’ "Extra-territorial Operations" -- mounting attacks beyond Iran’s borders. His work in the Revolutionary Guards was related to suppression of dissidents in Iran and abroad. He personally participated in covert operations around the Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

With the formation of the elite Qods (Jerusalem) Force of the IRGC, Ahmadinejad became one of its senior commanders. He directed assassinations in the Middle East and Europe, including the assassination of Iranian Kurdish leader Abdorrahman Qassemlou, who was shot dead by senior officers of the Revolutionary Guards in a Vienna flat in July 1989. Ahmadinejad was a key planner of the attack. He was reported to have been involved in planning an attempt on the life of Salman Rushdie. . .

http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report_Ch7.htm

"Assistance from Hezbollah and Iran to al Qaeda

As we mentioned in chapter 2, while in Sudan, senior managers in al Qaeda maintained contacts with Iran and the Iranian-supported worldwide terrorist organization Hezbollah, which is based mainly in southern Lebanon and Beirut. Al Qaeda members received advice and training from Hezbollah.

. . . After 9/11, Iran and Hezbollah wished to conceal any past evidence of cooperation with Sunni terrorists associated with al Qaeda. A senior Hezbollah official disclaimed any Hezbollah involvement in 9/11. 128

We believe this topic requires further investigation by the U.S. government."

[freeperfromnj]

Suspicious package found at White House

3/8/2007, 8:47 a.m. ET
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Secret Service was investigating a suspicious package found on the White House grounds Thursday and part of Pennsylvania Avenue was closed.

The package was found near the Pennsylvania Avenue fence around 7:30 a.m., a Secret Service spokesman said.

Two blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue that are normally open only to pedestrians were closed off with yellow police tape, as was Lafayette Park, and more than a dozen fire and police vehicles were on hand. News camera crews normally stationed on the north side of the White House were moved away while officials investigated whether the package posed any threat.

http://www.nj.com/newsflash/washington/index.ssf?/base/politics-9/11733623514000.xml&storylist=washington

[Godzilla]

placemark

[freeperfromnj]

N.Y. Imam Sentenced in Terror Sting

By MICHAEL HILL
Associated Press Writer

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- The former imam of an Albany mosque was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison for his role in a money laundering scheme involving a fictional terror plot set up as an FBI sting.

Yassin Aref professed innocence before his sentencing and criticized the government's treatment of Muslims.

"I never had any intention to harm anyone in this country," the 36-year-old Kurdish refugee said. "And I don't know why I'm guilty."

Aref and pizzeria owner Mohammed Hossain were convicted in October for their roles in a money laundering scheme involving an FBI informant who pretended to be an illegal arms dealer.......

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MOSQUE_RAID?SITE=1010WINS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[freeperfromnj]

I'M GOING TO DISNEY.............

Disney Trip OK'd For Former Terror Funding Suspect
Mohammed Salah Cleared Of Racketeering, Convicted On Lesser Charge

(AP) CHICAGO A federal judge in Chicago has approved a trip to Disney World for a major figure in a government terrorism investigation.

U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve on Thursday brushed aside prosecutors' claims that Muhammad Salah might take the opportunity to flee.......

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_067112857.html

[piasa]

Congo nuke chief ping

[freeperfromnj]

My mistake - you are right Oorang. It is Missouri, not Columbia, South America. At first read, I thought there was a Missouri-Columbia (SA) connection.

[Fedora]

Thanks, will be interesting to see what comes out of that.

[Cindy]

ADDING 3 links to post no. 389:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797332/posts?page=3#3

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797332/posts?page=5#5

---

Thanks to piasa for the ping to this thread (a few more details):

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797332/posts


"Charity charged with funneling funds to Iraq"
Kansas City.com ^ | March 8, 2007 | Mark Morris

Posted on 03/08/2007 5:49:44 AM PST by KeyLargo

[Cindy]

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&tab=wn&q=%22Mohammed+Salah%22&scoring=d

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/news/289076,dst_salahdisney_308.article

"Judge: Salah may go to Disney World"

March 8, 2007
The Associated Press

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A federal judge today approved a trip to Disney World for a major figure in a government terrorism investigation, brushing aside claims by prosecutors that he might take the opportunity to flee.

‘‘I’m confident that he will come back,’’ U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve said in giving Bridgeview resident Mohammed Salah permission to make the trip to the Florida vacation spot."


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Salah is to be sentenced June 15."



====
====

THANKS to FreeperfromNj for this update.

QUOTE:

I'M GOING TO DISNEY.............

Disney Trip OK'd For Former Terror Funding Suspect
Mohammed Salah Cleared Of Racketeering, Convicted On Lesser Charge

(AP) CHICAGO A federal judge in Chicago has approved a trip to Disney World for a major figure in a government terrorism investigation.

U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve on Thursday brushed aside prosecutors' claims that Muhammad Salah might take the opportunity to flee.......

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_067112857.html

[Cindy]

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1079007

"Palo Ritual May Be Behind Skull Found in Cauldron"
Mar 8th - 1:25pm
(AP)


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A cauldron found last week with a human skull and some bones inside may be part of a Palo ritual, an African religion rarely practiced in the United States, state police said.

Residents discovered the cauldron in a wooded area near Conowingo last week. Inside the cauldron were a human skull, two human femurs, toy handcuffs, turtle shells, a cross, feathers, a plastic skull, animal jaw bones, purple and red cloth and two small statues.

Police said they were contacted by Jennifer Rose Emick, an expert in alternative religions, who told them the items were similar to those used in initiation ceremony by practitioners of the Palo Mayombe, a religion originally from the Congo region of Africa and brought to the Americas by enslaved men and women.

The cross is not representative of the Christian faith but signifies positive energy, Emick told the Cecil Whig."

[Cindy]

Thanks freeperfromnj for that article.

Here is an update:

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1082157
(AP)

"White House Suspicious Package Was Not a Threat"
Mar 8th - 12:26pm

ARTICLE SNIPPET:WHITE HOUSE - A suspicious package that prompted Secret Service concern did not present a threat. The package was found on the White House grounds near the fence along Pennsylvania Avenue around 7:30 a.m."

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The package was a yard-long canister containing a poster."

[Cindy]

That's an interesting collection of links.
Thank you callmejoe.

[Cindy]

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=3307

33 Detained in Iraq; Suicide Bombing Kills 28

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2007 – Coalition forces detained 33 terrorist suspects and responded to a suicide-bomb attack in Iraq over the past two days.

About 400 Iraqi army soldiers, from the 2nd Strategic Infrastructure Brigade, detained more than 24 suspected terrorists during joint operations in Bayji today. Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, provided quick-reaction assets.

"The Iraqis are taking great strides in leading and planning operations," said Army Col. Bryan Owens, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. "Their continued success will help to make Salah ad Din a peaceful place for all its citizens."

In other operations today, Iraqi army soldiers from the 1st and 3rd battalions of the 4th Division, and Iraqi police from Tikrit's emergency service unit detained eight suspected terrorists in Duluiyah and the Jabouri peninsula.

U.S. Army soldiers from Company A, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, and attack helicopters assisted the Iraqi-led operations, which began at the request of the local populace.

"This operation demonstrates the ability of the (Iraqi security force) to react and conduct complex operations,” said Army Lt. Col. Kevin Dunlop, commander of the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. “The support of the forces from Tikrit has been outstanding, and it's impressive that the Iraqi army is able to mass forces at different points in the province."

“Operations like this are possible only because local people come forward with information and ask for help,” he said. “The more information and cooperation the Iraqi army receives, the more frequently it can conduct these missions, so that security is provided for everyone.”

Yesterday in Iraq, soldiers of the 4th "Polar Bears" Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, spotted two local men -- one armed with an AK-47 assault rifle -- emplacing an improvised explosive device near a canal in Yusufiyah.

Soldiers fired a single warning shot, and the armed man returned fire. The soldiers returned well-aimed fire and wounded the terrorist in the shoulder and leg, U.S. officials said. The other man fled. The wounded man was evacuated for medical treatment and is being held for questioning.

Elsewhere in Iraq yesterday, a terrorist suicide bomber attacked a coffee shop and killed 28 local citizens and wounded 31 in Dor Mandali, near Balad Ruz.

"These acts are indicative of a desperate and cowardly enemy which will only strengthen the resolve of the free people of Balad Ruz and Diyala," said Army Lt. Col. Andrew Poppas, commander of the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, responded to the site in coordination with a platoon of soldiers from the 293rd Military Police Company, to provide medical assistance and security.

“Al Qaeda using suicide bombers to attack the coffee shop in Balad Ruz are nothing more than barbarians who have no reverence for the innocent people of Diyala,” said Army Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of 3rd Battalion, 1st Cavalry, and the senior coalition forces commander in the province.

“These terrorists have no respect for human rights and show nothing but contempt to the population and their desire to become a free and democratic society,” he said.

(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)