Threat Matrix: July 2007

Previous Thread ^

[Cindy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6902255.stm

“Turkish poll candidate shot dead”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “An independent candidate has been shot dead in Istanbul ahead of the 22 July general election in Turkey.
Tuncay Seyranlioglu’s car was hit with gunfire on a highway as it was taking him away from a television studio, the Anatolia news agency says.

The 42-year-old businessman owned a construction firm and a newspaper and had been hoping to be elected as an MP for an Istanbul district.”

[Cindy]

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&um=1&tab=wn&q=%22Orange+Amir+Taylor+III%22&ie=UTF-8&scoring=n

#

UPDATE:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070717/NATION/107170043/1002

“3 fired in crime cover-up”

YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) —

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The body of the slain student, Laura Dickinson, 22, was discovered Dec. 15 in her dorm room. At the time, university officials told her parents and the press that she died of asphyxiation but that there was no sign of foul play, despite evidence to the contrary.

It was not until another Eastern student, Orange Taylor III, was arrested in late February and charged with murder that her family and students learned she had been raped and killed. Mr. Taylor has pleaded not guilty to murder and criminal sexual-conduct charges in Miss Dickinson’s death, and is scheduled for trial Oct. 15.”

###

Previously...

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=73396

“Campus crime growing concern following EMU student’s murder”
BY KRISTEN JORDAN SHAMUS, Free Press

Created: 4/2/2007 5:35:09 PM
Updated: 4/2/2007 5:37:23 PM

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

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

#

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07070104.htm

Monday, July 16, 2007

“Peruvian Orphans to Find Refuge at High-elevation Farm”
By Mark Ellis
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “PASADENA, CALIFORNIA (ANS) — Fifteen years of carnage and violence perpetrated by the Shining Path guerillas of Peru left behind a terrible wake – including 14,000 orphaned children. But a 250-acre farm in the cloud-forest area of southern Peru will offer new hope to orphans and take them off the streets.”

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46741

Coalition Forces Capture Suspects, Kill Terrorists in Iraq

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2007 – Coalition forces conducted anti-insurgent operations over the past few days in Iraq, killing terrorists and capturing suspects, military officials reported.

— A senior member of an al Qaeda media cell gave himself up to coalition forces during a raid in Mosul. He led coalition forces to the media cell headquarters, where they discovered jihadist propaganda and media materials. Three additional suspects were detained.

— In Baghdad, coalition forces detained two suspects in a raid on al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and car-bomb cells.

— One suspect was killed and two detained in a raid southwest of the capital city that targeted close associates of al Qaeda senior leaders.

— In Ramadi, coalition forces captured two suspected terrorists during a precision raid. One is an alleged associate of a terrorist who facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists into Iraq for suicide operations.

— Two coordinated raids in Baghdad targeted members of the Baghdad bombing network. Coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists linked to an al Qaeda leader overseeing the bombing network and two more suspected terrorists with ties to an al Qaeda weapons facilitator.

— Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists north of Taji during a raid targeting a direct associate of al Qaeda senior leaders known for using improvised explosive devices.

“We’re targeting the top of al Qaeda in Iraq’s leadership as well as the operatives who conduct attacks that harm innocent Iraqis, and we’re taking them off the streets so the people of Iraq can live without fear of vicious terrorist attacks,” said Maj. Marc Young, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

In other news from Iraq, elements of the Iraqi army, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, captured the alleged emir of Qayyarah for the al Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq yesterday in Qayyarah. The alleged emir directly leads 50 al Qaeda fighters, U.S. officials said.

During the operation, Iraqi army and U.S. Special Forces troops also detained three other individuals at the residence and recovered terrorist propaganda, passports and Korean currency.

Elsewhere, members of the Iraqi army, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained three suspected insurgents linked to a rogue group of the Jaysh al-Mahdi militia during a series of operations yesterday in northern Baghdad. One team received small-arms fire but safely detained the primary and secondary suspects at the location without injury. The third suspect was detained at a separate target location.

The primary suspect is believed to be a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi battalion commander and is suspected of organizing kidnappings and leading death squad killings of Sunni Muslim Iraqi citizens. Intelligence suggests he has been involved in more than half of the detonated improvised explosive devices in two of the northern districts of Baghdad.

The second suspect is an alleged rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi cell commander in northern Baghdad under the primary suspect’s control. The second suspect’s cell is accused of conducting death squad killings of Iraqi civilians and using improvised explosive devices against coalition forces.

The third suspect also has been implicated in death-squad killings of Iraqi civilians as well as operations using improvised explosive devices under the leadership of the primary suspect. A fourth additional suspect who was present during the operations also was detained.

In another operation yesterday, an Iraqi army platoon with U.S. Special Forces as advisors detained a key suspected insurgent during an early morning raid in Najaf. Iraqi soldiers detained their primary suspect without incident, while two other suspicious individuals also were detained.

The primary suspect is believed to facilitate Iranian support for the rogue militia. He allegedly provides Jaysh al-Mahdi with improvised explosive devices and Iranian-made explosively formed projectiles used to attack coalition forces. He also is suspected of assisting JAM with cross-border training of their insurgent members and providing the group with financial support, weapons and equipment. The primary suspect is accused of exploiting charity organizations for insurgent recruiting purposes.

On July 14, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces killed two and injured two rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi terrorists conducting an ambush on Iraqi and coalition forces operating in Kut.

Iraqi and coalition forces killed two terrorists, injured two others and destroyed both IEDs in the process.

Meanwhile, insurgents killed one Iraqi civilian and wounded four others as six indirect fire attacks landed in Baghdad neighborhoods July 14-15.

— In the Jazair area of eastern Rashid, six mortar rounds impacted into two separate areas, killing one civilian and wounding four others. Coalition forces responded to the attacks, treating the wounded at the sites and escorting others to a nearby clinic and hospital.

— In the Mashtal neighborhood in eastern Baghdad, three mortar rounds impacted for the second day in a row.

— The Babil and Jamil neighborhoods in Rusafa also received one mortar round each.

— The Amin area in Rusafa received five indirect fire rocket rounds in the early morning hours yesterday. The rockets caused no injuries but did minor damage to a building.

“Extremists continue to use indirect-fire attacks that injure and kill innocent Iraqis,” said Army Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, deputy commanding general of Multinational Division Baghdad and 1st Cavalry Division. “The coalition and Iraqi security forces will continue to seek out and stop those responsible for these attacks.”

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq, Multinational Corps Iraq, and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Arabian Peninsula news releases.)

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12876&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070716-17
July 16, 2007

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces detain insurgent linked to Iranian IEDs
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi Army platoon with Coalition Forces as advisers detained a key suspected insurgent during an early morning raid, July 15 in Najaf.

Iraqi Soldiers detained their primary suspect without incident, while two other suspicious individuals present during the raid were also detained.

The primary suspect is believed to facilitate Iranian support for the rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia, a well-known insurgent group in Iraq. He allegedly provides rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi with improvised explosive devices and Iranian-made explosively-formed projectiles which have been used to attack Coalition Forces. Additionally, he is suspected of assisting rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi with cross-border training of their insurgent members and providing rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi with financial support, weapons, and equipment. The primary suspect is accused of exploiting charity organizations for insurgent recruiting purposes.

No Iraqi or Coalition Forces were injured during this operation.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12882&Itemid=128

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces capture Al Qaeda Emir in Qayyarah
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070717-02
July 16, 2007

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces capture Al Qaeda Emir in Qayyarah
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Elements of the Iraqi Army Second Division, with Coalition Forces as advisors, captured the alleged emir of Qayyarah for Al Qaeda during an intelligence driven operation July 15 in Qayyarah.

During the operation, Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces also detained three other individuals at the residence and recovered terrorist propaganda, passports and Korean currency.

The capture of this individual will disrupt terrorist networks operating in eastern Ninewa Province. The individual has high level contacts in the Al Qaeda network, cells for foreign fighters and improvised explosive devices.

No Iraqi or Coalition Forces soldiers were injured in the operation.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12880&Itemid=128

“Coalition Forces detain suspected al-Qaeda senior leader in Mosul”
July 17, 2007
Release A070717a

Coalition Forces detain suspected al-Qaeda senior leader in Mosul

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists during operations in Mosul targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders Tuesday.

Coalition Forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in Mosul who is believed to have been promoted within the organization after recent Coalition operations created numerous vacancies in the terrorist leadership structure. Intelligence reports also indicate the individual is responsible for mortar and sniper attacks against Iraqi forces and a December attack against Coalition Forces. Two other suspected terrorists were also detained during the Tuesday operation.

“We’re putting continuous pressure on al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and their networks,” said Maj. Marc Young, an MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue attacking these networks so Iraqis can live peacefully, without fear of vicious terrorist attacks.”

-30-

[Cindy]

Note; The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3426541,00.html

Negev: Man lightly injured by mortar shell

Published: 07.17.07, 13:06 / Israel News

A mortar shell was fired from the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon, and landed by the border fence.

One man was lightly injured from the shell. (Shmulik Hadad)

[Cindy]

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/123101

2 Av 5767, July 17, ‘07

Published: 07/17/07, 11:44 AM
“Kassam Rocket Hits Power Cable South of Ashkelon”
by Hana Levi Julian

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “(IsraelNN.com) Palestinian Authority terrorists scored a direct hit on a power cable south of Ashkelon Tuesday in a Kassam rocket attack launched from northern Gaza.

The attack occurred near Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, one of Israel’s top producers of exotic honeys, fruit preserves, and natural health products.

Kibbutz Yad Mordechai is located close to the former Gush Katif community of Elei Sinai, which was destroyed as part of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s 2005 Disengagement from Gaza.

No damage or injuries were reported in the attack.

Earlier in the morning, Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza fired two rockets at the western Negev. Both slammed into Kibbutz Nir Am, located in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council near the besieged city of Sderot. The kibbutz, home to 80 families, operates the Michsaf Silverware factory.”

[Cindy]

http://www.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 Jul 17 2007 03:25:27 GMT-0700.

ISRAEL, THE WEST BANK AND GAZA

July 13, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&2808B6AAAF1E7B49C225731B00315338

Lebanon

“Illegal Arab Immigrants Arrested in Tyre after Attack on U.N.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Ten illegal Arab immigrants have been arrested in the southern port city of Tyre, police announced on Tuesday, a day after a roadside bombing targeted a U.N. peacekeeping vehicle in Qassmiyeh.
A police spokesman said eight Sudanese and two Iraqis were detained in a raid by the army’s intelligence service Monday night as they slept in an apartment building under construction on the outskirts of Tyre.

He declined to link the arrests to the bombing in which a vehicle of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was damaged at Qassmiyeh bridge north of Tyre, without causing casualties.”

Beirut, 17 Jul 07, 10:59

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3072.html

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

This information is current as of today, Tue Jul 17 2007 03:32:03 GMT-0700.

LEBANON

June 14, 2007

[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, Tue Jul 17 2007 03:40:44 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

April 10, 2007

[Cindy]

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

[Cindy]

ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

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

Weekly Piracy Report
11-17 July 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 11 to 17 July 2007.

ALERT

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
Fifty two 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

16.07.2007: 2000 UTC: Off Somalia
Inspite of rough weather, one suspicious boat tried to approach a ship underway. The boat stopped altered course and moved away when she noticed alert crew on board

Recently reported incidents

12.07.2007: 1555 UTC: Chittagong anchorage ‘B’, Bangladesh.
Six robbers, armed with knives, boarded an anchored container ship. D/O raised the alarm, all crew mustered and chased the robbers. Robbers stole ship’s stores and escaped.

11.07.2007: 0500 LT: Belawan anchorage, Indonesia.
Duty crew, on an anchored chemical tanker, spotted a robber on the forecastle deck. The OOW was informed and the alarm raised. The robber jumped overboard and escaped in an unlit boat. Later ships stores were found missing.

10.07.2007: 0245 UTC: Posn 12:59N – 049:17E 90 nm North of Somali northern coast, Gulf of Aden.
A tug, underway, observed a dhow type-fishing vessel on her port side proceeding on a reciprocal course. The fishing vessel altered and started coming closer to the tug. As the tug altered course, the fishing vessel altered her course and increased speed as well. Once the tug increased speed, the fishing vessel aborted the attempt.

08.07.2007: 1842 LT: Posn 00:19:0N - 050:45:0E, Somalia
OOW on a container ship, underway, spotted a small craft at distance of 13nm on the starboard bow. The craft increased speed and headed directly for the ship. The master was notified and the ship carried out evasive manoeuvres. The craft adjusted its course and speed to close onto the ship. The master ordered all lights to be switched off and increased speed. The distance between the craft and ship slowly decreased, however, later the craft moved away.

20.06.2007: 1930 LT: Posn 13:21N – 052:21.2E, Somalia
An unlit craft approached a bulk carrier, underway from the starboard bow. The master continuously altered course; the craft also adjust her course and speed. Later the ship spotted another unlit craft, which also started adjusting course and speed towards the ship. The master notified all crew and took maximum precautions. This continued for about two and a half hours before the small crafts aborted their attempt.

[Cindy]

http://www.fbi.gov/page2/july07/newyork_intel071607.htm

“TRACKING TERROR THREATS
A New Day in New York, Part 1”

07/16/07

[nwctwx]

Media announcing that a partial release of the National Intelligence Estimate on terror risk will occur in the next hour.

[nwctwx]

Terror Threat Against U.S. Said Serious
Jul 17 09:07 AM US/Eastern
By KATHERINE SHRADER and ANNE FLAHERTY

WASHINGTON (AP) - The terrorist network Al-Qaida will likely leverage its contacts and capabilities in Iraq to mount an attack on U.S. soil, according to a new National Intelligence Estimate on threats to the American homeland. The declassified key findings, to be released publicly on Tuesday, were obtained in advance by The Associated Press.

The report lays out a range of dangers—from al-Qaida to Lebanese Hezbollah to non-Muslim radical groups—that pose a "persistent and evolving threat" to the country over the next three years. As expected, however, the findings focus most of their attention on the gravest terror problem: Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network.

The report makes clear that al-Qaida in Iraq, which has not yet posed a direct threat to U.S. soil, could become a problem here.

"Of note," the analysts said, "we assess that al-Qaida will probably seek to leverage the contacts and capabilities of al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI), its most visible and capable affiliate and the only one known to have expressed a desire to attack the homeland."

The analysts also found that al-Qaida's association with its Iraqi affiliate helps the group to energize the broader Sunni Muslim extremist community, raise resources and recruit and indoctrinate operatives—"including for homeland attacks."

National Intelligence Estimates are the most authoritative written judgments of the 16 spy agencies across the breadth of the U.S. government. These agencies reflect the consensus, long-term thinking of top intelligence analysts. Portions of the documents are occasionally declassified for public release.

The new report echoed statements made by senior intelligence officials over the last year, but provided some new depth on their thinking and concerns.

For instance, the report says that worldwide counterterrorism efforts since 2001 have constrained al-Qaida's ability to attack the U.S. again and convinced terror groups that U.S. soil is a tougher target.

But, the report quickly adds, analysts are concerned "that this level of international cooperation may wane as 9/11 becomes a more distant memory and perceptions of the threat diverge."

Among the report's other findings:

_Al-Qaida is likely to continue to focus on high-profile political, economic and infrastructure targets to cause mass casualties, visually dramatic destruction, economic aftershocks and fear. "The group is proficient with conventional small arms and improvised explosive devices and is innovative in creating new capabilities and overcoming security obstacles."

_The group has been able to restore key elements it would need to launch an attack on U.S. soil: a safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areas, operational lieutenants and senior leaders.

_The group will continue to seek weapons of mass destruction—chemical, biological or nuclear material—and "would not hesitate to use them."

_Lebanese Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim extremist group that has conducted anti-American attacks overseas, may be more likely to consider attacking here, especially if it believes the United States is directly threatening the group or its main sponsor, Iran.

_Non-Muslim terrorist groups probably will attack here in the next several years, although on a smaller scale. The judgments don't name any specific groups, but the FBI often warns of violent environmental groups, such as Earth Liberation Front, and others.

[nwctwx]

National Intelligence Estimate on Terrorism Threat Here:
http://www.dni.gov/press_releases/20070717_release.pdf

Fran Townsend in press conference states “we are currently in a heightened threat environment.”