Threat Matrix: March 2007

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[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

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[Cindy]

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

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

===

http://billroggio.com/archives/2007/03/a_cross_border_raids.php

"A cross border raid into Waziristan; Achilles update"

"Deputy Taliban commander in Waziristan captured by Task Force 145; Taliban commander arrested in Kandahar; Tora Bora Front cell broken up; Achilles update"

[WestCoastGal]

Oh MamaD, I am so very sorry to hear this.

I will definitely pray for you, your sister, her daughter and send God's blessings to the little girl. The angels will watch over her.

[Cindy]

UBL, you're turning 50?

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/southasia/features/article_1274375.php/Bin_Laden_turning_50_in_freedom

Do yourself a favor.
Turn yourself in.

OR...

Maybe someone wants to get really, rich on your birthday.
Who knows, maybe it will be someone close to you.

So, let's put up a link to your WANTED POSTER here and maybe a special person(s) will give you a BIG surprise.

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/index.cfm?page=Bin_Laden

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797930/posts


"Why They Pray - The trials of war strengthen many soldiers' faith"
The Wall Street Journal ^ | March 9, 2007 | Andrew Carroll

Posted on 03/09/2007 3:44:48 AM PST by Zakeet

[WestCoastGal]

There's a large city not far from St George that we all researched several months after this thread began. There's also a very large sporting event there this weekend.

From that article I can't see kids stealing ammonium nitrate for kicks. Sometimes the police have just duh moments.

[Rushmore Rocks]

Oh my, how awful. Of course, you can count on my prayers. I'm so very sorrry.

[nwctwx]

Granting Al-Qaeda's Wish
By Bruce Riedel

Al-Qaeda sees a war between America and Iran as its fondest dream come true. For the terrorists who attacked America on 9/11 and have been waging war against our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan ever since, a war between the United States and Iran would be a tremendous strategic victory since two of their most deadly enemies would bleed each other. The Sunni Arab jihadist community would kill two birds with one stone.

In February, the new head of al-Qaeda in Iraq, the self proclaimed Amir of the Islamic State of Iraq, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, issued a statement welcoming the surge of more American troops into Iraq and looking forward eagerly to an American nuclear attack on Iran. For al-Qaeda, the American occupation of Iraq has been an opportunity to attack U.S. forces in territory sympathetic to the terrorists. Osama bin Laden welcomed the U.S. invasion four years ago, and his lieutenants have openly called the occupation the best opportunity they have had since 9/11 to strike at Americans. As Omar put it "in order to kill the beast, we must get it to leave its den ... the idiot Bush sent his army to where we laid ambushes."

But for al-Qaeda, the downside of the American occupation of Iraq has been the increase in Iran's influence in the region. Last November another al Qaeda leader in Iraq complained that "the stupid Bush revived the glory of the old Persian Empire in a very short period of time." The Sunni terrorists have deliberately sought to provoke a civil war between Iraqi Sunni and Shiite Muslims to create the quagmire they hope will bleed America to defeat. However, they have been alarmed at the consequent growth in Tehran's influence in the country.

Thus, war between the Crusaders and the Safavids, as they call it, will only benefit the jihad against both. Al-Qaeda would best be served by a full scale invasion and occupation, similar to that in Iraq, which would expand the battlefield available to work against the U.S. all the way from Anbar province in the west to the Khyber Pass in the east. However, they seem to understand the American military is too over stretched already to offer such an opening. Thus, they expect us to use nuclear weapons on Iran and have told Sunnis in Iran to evacuate towns close to Iranian nuclear installations.

The United States should do its utmost to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons -- and from fomenting violence and supporting terror in the Middle East. Tough diplomacy matched with targeted economic and financial sanctions is the right way to do so. A military operation is not; it will only play into the hands of our worst enemies. That is why they want it so much.

Bruce Riedel is a Senior Fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Studies at the Brookings Institution and teaches at Georgetown University. He is a 30 year veteran of the CIA and advised the last three Presidents on Iran in the National Security Council.

[Godzilla]

placemark

[texpat72]

Glad to have you back with us!

[texpat72]

So sorry for your family's loss.

[MamaDearest]

Thank you. My family is still in shock about the loss of this beautiful little girl. They lived in an old house with no working smoke detectors. This is a wakeup call to all who believe it could never happen to them or theirs. If you know anyone living without working smoke detectors, please let them know how important they can be to save their lives. Some fire departments give them away for free.

[texpat72]

We always change the batteries on our smoke detectors twice a year, when we change our clocks. I need to buy batteries for this weekend!

[Rushmore Rocks]

Mr. RR is fanatical about smoke detectors and CO2 detectors. We have them everywhere. A smoke detector not only needs new batteries twice a year, but the dectectors need to be replaced every eight to ten years. I'm so sorry for the loss to your whole family.

May I mention another sad cautionary tale. About six weeks ago, my three-year old grandnephew got into his grandmother's supply of Lomotil (anti-diarrheal prescription). They had a sweet flavored coating, and he swallowed a bunch of them. Sadly, he died of acute respiratory failure the next morning.

Please everyone, keep meds locked up and check those detectors. Lives, literally, depend on it.

[Cindy]

"We always change the batteries on our smoke detectors twice a year..."

Ditto.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

March 8, 2007

Two foreign nationals and one U.S. citizen sentenced on drug trafficking charges

NEW ORLEANS - Michael A. Holt, special agent in charge, Office of Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Jim Letten, United States attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced today that two Colombian nationals and one U.S. citizen were sentenced to long prison terms for conspiring to distribute over 500 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.

Ferney Alonso Angulo-Estupiyan aka Mesach Cardona, age 39, received a sentence of 262 months; Jhon Alexander Ibarguen-Vanegas aka Edgardo Reyes Rodriguez, age 33, received a sentence of 262 months and Tracy Lamont Walton, age 32, a U.S. citizen, received a sentence of 120 months. The defendants admitted they smuggled cocaine from Venezuela into the United States using stowaways on board various cargo vessels. The narcotics were distributed to different cities including New Orleans, La., Houston, Texas, and Jackson, Miss.

ICE agents seized 262 kilograms of cocaine that had been smuggled in the rudder compartment of the MV Genmar Agamemnon. Agents also observed four stowaways swimming away from the rudder compartment at the time of the seizure. Three individuals were arrested on the bank of the Mississippi River. Agents later learned that the fourth stowaway died in his attempt to flee.

"It's an ICE priority to identify and dismantle the vulnerabilities that threaten the security of our country said Michael A. Holt, special agent in charge, Office of Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) here in New Orleans. "These convictions have taken serious criminals off the street and shut down an illegal drug trafficking enterprise that threatened the welfare of our communities. I want to commend the ICE special agents who worked this case."

United States Attorney Jim Letten stated, "Today's sentences are significant in a number of respects. First and most importantly, it is further evidence of the commitment and dedication of the United States Attorney's Office and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to investigate and dismantle drug smuggling operations. It is also compelling evidence of the outstanding partnership between state and federal law enforcement throughout Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. My special thanks goes out to Special Agents of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Mississippi's Madison County Police Department and Hinds County Sheriff's Department, the Houston Police Department and the Texas Attorney General's Office."

This multi-jurisdictional investigation was led by special agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in New Orleans and involved the Galveston and Houston, Texas offices, the Jackson, Mississippi offices, as well as the cooperation of the Madison County Mississippi Police Department, the Hinds County Mississippi Sheriff's Department, the Houston, Texas Police Department, and the Texas Attorney General's Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Theodore R. Carter, III and William Gibbens prosecuted the case.

-- ICE --

[Cindy]

CORRECTED POST.

Note: The following text is a quote:


http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070308baltimore.htm


March 8, 2007

Indonesian pleads guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, money laundering and attempted export of arms
Aided Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers in attempted purchase of surface-to-air missiles, night vision devices, machine guns and firearms

BALTIMORE — Haji Subandi, 69, a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, two counts of money laundering and attempted exportation of arms and munitions, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, “We are committed to using all available legal tools to prevent terrorism, including undercover operations targeting people who attempt to obtain military weapons in violation of American law.

“Keeping sophisticated U.S. weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists has never been more important,” said James A. Dinkins, special agent in charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Baltimore. “This three-year undercover investigation conducted by ICE, in collaboration with the our federal and local law enforcement partners, highlights the reach and impact of international arms trafficking. As this case demonstrates, ICE has no tolerance for international arms brokers looking to equip terrorist organizations with advanced American weaponry.”

Special agent in charge (SAC) William D. Chase, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office, said, "The disruption of the supply chain of this organization should reassure the public that the U.S. Government is committed to dismantling terrorist groups worldwide. The FBI will continue to work to prevent any person from using the United States to raise funds or procure arms to commit acts of terrorism."

According to the plea agreement, from April to September 29, 2006, Subandi and Erick Wotulo conspired with others to export state-of-the-art firearms, machine guns and ammunition, surface-to air missiles, night vision goggles and other military weapons to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Tamil Tigers) operating within Sri Lanka, to be used to fight against Sri Lankan government forces.

The conspirators contacted an undercover business located in Maryland about the sale of military weapons. Subandi and Wotulo aided in the acquisition and proposed delivery of military technology to the Tamil Tigers by requesting price quotes and negotiating the purchases. Subandi sent an itemized list of 53 military weapons, including sniper rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers that he wanted to acquire for the Tamil Tigers.

On June 7, 2006, Subandi e-mailed the undercover business that Tamil Tigers is a terrorist organization and is “sealed off by the U.S. government and the EU countries as terrorist.” In July, a conspirator met with undercover agents in Baltimore to inspect and test-fire some of the weapons.

Central to the plan to acquire arms and munitions for the Tamil Tigers was the international wire transfer on Aug. 2, 2006, of $250,000 into an undercover bank account in Maryland. This transfer was a down payment for the arms, and the conduct is reflected in the money laundering charge contained in count three of the superseding indictment. An additional $452,000 payment was transferred on Sept. 28, 2006 for the arms.

In September 2006, Subandi repeatedly met with undercover agents in Guam, and discussed current and future sales of weapons and other technology to the Tamil Tigers and to other customers. He was arrested on Sept. 28, 2006.

On Sept. 24, 2006, Subandi, Rinehard Rusli and Helmi Soedirdja contacted undercover agents to acquire monocular night vision devices and a holographic weapons sight from the United States to the Indonesia. On Aug. 31, 2006, Rusli and Soedirdja transmitted $2,950 from Indonesia to the United States to obtain the items, which contain military technology that cannot be exported without a license or written authorization from the State Department. Subandi, Rusli and Soedirdja arrived in Guam from Indonesia on Sept. 21, 2006, and subsequently met with undercover agents to examine the night vision devices. They also discussed the future acquisition of additional military use technology items. Satisfied with the night vision devices and holographic weapons sight, Rusli and Soedirdja placed the items in their luggage and traveled to the airport in Guam to return to Indonesia. ICE agents detained them at the airport and the devices were recovered from their luggage. Subandi stayed in Guam to attend to matters relating to the arms acquisition for the Tamil Tigers.

Wotulo, 59, a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia, and a retired Indonesian Marine Corps General, pleaded guilty on Feb. 23, 2007, to conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and money laundering. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for money laundering. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled Wotulo’s sentencing for May 25, 2007, at 10 a.m.

Rinehard Rusli, 34, and Helmi Soedirdja, 33, both citizens of Indonesia, pleaded guilty to attempting to illegally export arms and money laundering on Jan. 30, 2007. They face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and a $500,000 fine for money laundering and 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine for attempted exportation of arms. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled their sentencing for April 27, 2007, at 11 a.m.

Founded in 1976, the Tamil Tigers has advocated the violent overthrow of the Sri Lankan government, employing acts of violence, including suicide bombings, against both civilian and military targets. Approximately 200 such attacks have been attributed to the Tamil Tigers to date. The Tamil Tigers rely heavily upon supporters throughout the world to raise and launder money, acquire intelligence and purchase military use technology. The State Department designated the Tamil Tigers as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in1997. As such, the Tamil Tigers cannot legally raise money or procure operational equipment in the United States.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI and the Baltimore City Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Maryland James G. Warwick, and Harry M. Gruber, who are prosecuting the case; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey Eisenberg, Chief of National Security, who is supervising the case.

-- ICE --

[Cindy]

I consider this unconfirmed at this time until an official release and/or American sources confirm it.

---

NOTE: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1798231/posts


BREAKING: Abu Omar al-Baghdadi Captured
ap ^ | 3/9/07

Posted on 03/09/2007 12:55:31 PM PST by bnelson44

BAGHDAD (AP) -- An Iraqi military spokesman says the leader of the al-Qaida-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, has been captured in a raid west of Baghdad. U.S. officials had no confirmation

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

[Cindy]

http://sfir-arabicsource.blogspot.com/2007/03/blog-post.html

---

http://www.internet-haganah.com/harchives/005939.html

09 March 2007

"OPSEC: controlling information"

SNIPPET: "A rather lengthy essay regarding the need for the mujahedeen to control what information they publish, lest it fall into the hands of their enemies."

[Cindy]

http://www.internet-haganah.com/harchives/005938.html

09 March 2007
"OSINT: Jailbreak fever"