Threat Matrix: September 2007

The Birth of al Qaedastan

In the year 2016, the world may find itself gloomily marking September 6 as the tenth anniversary of the creation of the Islamic Emirate of Waziristan. The Emirate received de facto recognition when the Taliban used the name on the ceasefire agreement they signed with Pakistan on that day in 2006. If things go terribly wrong in the coming decade, they could come to rule a mountainous fragment of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Emirate would be a nightmare state: Osama bin Laden as sultan, Ayman al Zawahiri as vizier, and Mullah Omar the spiritual leader. An economy built on smuggling and heroin. Primary export: terrorism. Welcome to ‘Al Qaedastan’.

Analysts say the rise of a terrorist state straddling the rugged area between Pakistan and Afghanistan is now viable. The reason is a number of troubling trends. One, the revival of a Taliban firmly in the control of Al Qaeda. Two, the seeming inability of either Kabul or Islamabad to defeat the new threat militarily. Three, and the most striking, the Taliban’s systematic supplanting of the traditional tribal leadership in the area. Full story...

	Lebanon: Tiny Country, Big Threats
	Islamist Web Site Explains 'How to Join Al Qaeda'
	The Ongoing Hunt for Osama bin Laden

Threat Matrix:
September 2007

August 2007

Threat Matrix Index

Theat Matrix Handbook

Theat Matrix 'BOLO'

Invaluable Tips

Preparedness

To: appalachian_dweller

Sure good to see you AD!

2,361 posted on 10/01/2007 8:10:15 PM PDT by JustPiper (If you do not stand behind our Troops~ Then you need to stand in FRONT of our Troops)

Another boy in a burqa who was a homicide bomber.

Thank you Oorang for the info.

2,362 posted on 10/01/2007 9:30:17 PM PDT by Cindy

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47635

Coalition, Afghan Troops Kill 22 Militants, Capture Seven

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2007 – Coalition and Afghan troops killed 22 militants and captured seven during separate operations in Afghanistan’s Zabul and Helmand provinces today, officials reported.

Two militants were killed, another was wounded and detained and six more were detained by Afghan and coalition forces during an anti-terrorist raid conducted in Zabul province’s Shajoy district early today. The Afghan-coalition team also found “significant numbers” of weapons and ammunition during a search of the area, according to officials.

“Afghan and coalition forces exercised extreme discipline while under fire,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. “They used effective communication and applied the necessary amount of force needed to eliminate the threat to the team while minimizing collateral damage.”

Elsewhere, Afghan and coalition troops defeated militant forces in Helmand province today. Afghan and coalition troops were passing through the province’s Reeg district when they came under enemy fire. At least 20 militants were killed in the ensuing firefight.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)

2,363 posted on 10/01/2007 9:34:54 PM PDT by Cindy

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47641

Airstrike Kills 20-Plus Terrorists; Iraqis Nab 34 Suspects

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2007 – A coalition airstrike killed more than 20 militants, and Iraqi security forces accompanied by coalition advisors captured 34 suspected terrorists during operations across Iraq Sept. 29, officials reported.
— A coalition aircraft fired on and killed more than 20 al Qaeda-affiliated insurgents during a battle northwest of Baghdad. The aircraft’s crew defended themselves after insurgents launched rocket-propelled grenades and small arms at the aircraft. Four enemy vehicles were destroyed during the firefight.

— Iraqi special operations troops detained a suspected al Qaeda in Iraq leader and two alleged cell members in Yusafiyah.

— Two more suspects were detained in the Baghdad area. One of the criminals, who is believed to be a member of an explosively formed penetrator cell, is suspected of conducting roadside bomb attacks.

— Iraqi soldiers detained a senior al Qaeda in Iraq leader and 10 other suspects in the Samarra area. The senior leader is believed to be responsible for facilitating the movement of foreign terrorists between Iraq and terrorist training camps in Syria. He also is suspected of supporting criminal activity in the Tash and Dahwa regions of Ramadi.

— Iraqi forces accompanied by coalition advisors detained 18 suspected terrorists linked to al Qaeda in Iraq during a series of raids in the Mandali area of Diyala province. The raids targeted a regional al Qaeda cell believed to be responsible for kidnappings and murders of Iraqis in the Mandali area, improvised-explosive-device attacks and weapons smuggling on the Iranian border. Two of the detainees are suspected high-level al Qaeda in Iraq leaders. In addition, two weapons caches, three vehicles and four motorcycles were destroyed.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

2,364 posted on 10/01/2007 9:36:59 PM PDT by Cindy

2,365 posted on 10/01/2007 10:13:00 PM PDT by Cindy

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=cartoonjihad
http://www.truthusa.com/MoreThanCartoons.html

http://www.reason.com/news/printer/122751.html

“Revisiting the Danish Cartoon Crisis”
An interview with newspaper editor Flemming Rose

Michael C. Moynihan | October 1, 2007

2,366 posted on 10/01/2007 11:14:50 PM PDT by Cindy

To: All; backhoe

WARNING: If you under 18, physically and/or mentally ill; please don’t click here. Thank you.

PHOTOS:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=burma
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=myanmar

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905248/posts?page=5#5

There are more graphic ones at:
http://english.dvb.no/photo1.php

5 posted on 10/02/2007 12:50:38 AM PDT by killjoy (Life sucks, wear a helmet.)

2,367 posted on 10/02/2007 1:04:51 AM PDT by Cindy

THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

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

Weekly Piracy Report
25 September-1 October 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 25 September to 1 October 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

Recently reported incidents

13.07.2007: 0320 LT: Santos anchorage, Brazil.
One boat with more than three persons onboard was sighted near an anchored container ship. Four robbers armed with guns and knives and wearing black masks boarded the ship and threatened the forward security watchman. During the incident, crewmembers were ordered inside accommodation while waiting for the arrival of the police. The federal police boat arrived and circled the ship. Due to the sea state, the police could not board the ship. They were subsequently able to come on board and investigate the incident after the robbers escaped. Ship’s property was stolen.

21.07.2007: 0245 LT: Santos anchorage, Brazil.
Two, crew on deck patrol onboard a container ship, at anchor, reported to the bridge, via radio, that they had sighted two robbers wearing ski masks and armed with automatic pistols. The deck patrol radios were stolen but the crew were unharmed. Security message was broadcast and security procedures were followed. Both robbers fled in a small aluminium boat with an outboard engine, which had been seen earlier on the starboard side. At least three other robbers were believed to be in the boat. All crew mustered and then half of the crew, led by the SSO and the chief officer went forward to search for the deck patrol. Six broken container seals were found on deck, one container had been unlatched and two containers appeared to have been opened. Incident reported to the Santos pilot station, CSO, superintendent, local agents and charterer.

11.07.2007: 1650 LT: Liverpool, United Kingdom.
The Second Officer onboard a bulk carrier saw two men coming up the gangway, dressed as stevedores. When the duty officer asked to see their id, they replied that they did not have the ID but would go back and return with it. Due to prior police warning about thieves operating in the area and being suspicious, the local police were informed. The police caught one of the thieves who turned out to be on the wanted list of the police.

09.6.2006: 0400 LT: Lagos, Nigeria.
While berthed, robbers armed with guns and knives boarded a chemical tanker. The ship repeatedly tried to call Lagos pilot but did not receive any response.
One crewmember was injured and ship’s stores stolen.

12.03.2007: 0200 LT: 08:44.60N – 013:51.20W: 40 nm off Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Pirates armed with machine guns and knives boarded a tanker underway. They stole cash and valuables and escaped in their speedboat. The master and officer on the bridge were unable to activate the SSAS as they were under close observation of the pirates. No crewmembers were injured. Incident reported to the coastal state authorities.

09.02.2007: 0230 LT: 06:15.00N - 003:15.00E, Lagos roads, Nigeria.
The bridge security guard on a tanker observed three robbers boarding on port side aft during bunkering operations. They informed the officer on watch via a handheld radio and general alarm was raised. Upon seeing the crew approach, two of the robbers jumped overboard and the third one hit the master on the face with a knife before jumping.

24.09.2007: 0145 LT: 06:36S - 039:35E, Dar es Salam, Tanzania.
While adrift, awaiting berth, a crewmember onboard a container ship noticed three robbers on the port side deck. The alarm was sounded and the robbers disembarked into a small boat alongside the ship. The bridge directed a search light towards the small boat and observed a 25 ft wooden boat with a blue strip, center console, and outboard engine slowly moving away. The boat had around 15 – 20 robbers onboard and a ladder. The robbers were dressed only in shorts. A search of the vessel found no other robbers onboard. However, a container seal was broken and some of the cargo removed and left on deck. In addition, a forward storeroom lock was found damaged. The port authorities notified.

17.05.2007: 0036 LT: Mombassa port inner anchorage, Kenya.
The deck watchman noticed two containers open with broken seals on the forecastle, which he had not noticed during his first round. Both containers were re-sealed and additional watchmen were posted. Security level increased to level 2. Incident reported to port state control.

24.04.2007: 1930 LT: 03:56:60N - 098:45.70E, Belawan roads, Indonesia.
Duty watch onboard a container ship detected three robbers on the forecastle deck and warned the OOW. The master raised the general alarm and the Second Officer started the fire pump. The master tried to contact the local port control and pilot station VHF Ch. 16/12 but without success. Sound signal by whistle given. Search by crew team indicated that the robbers had escaped.

2,368 posted on 10/02/2007 1:19:43 AM PDT by Cindy

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=054623C4-D3E5-4AF1-8B40-4F6714CBBCF5

“To Preempt Terrorists, or Not to Preempt Terrorists?”
By Daniel Pipes
FrontPageMagazine.com | Tuesday, October 02, 2007

2,369 posted on 10/02/2007 2:14:02 AM PDT by Cindy

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14381&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071002-06
October 2, 2007

Soldiers find four Iranian hand grenades in weapons cache
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

BAGHDAD — Coalition troops discovered a cache Sept. 30 while conducting area searches south of Patrol Base Murray.

Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team found the cache in a buried plastic barrel.

It consisted of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, seven RPGs, four Iranian hand grenades, an AK-47 with four full magazines, more than 400 machine gun rounds, 20 mortar primers, a set of body armor and 13 RPG propellant charges.

-30-

2,370 posted on 10/02/2007 2:32:04 AM PDT by Cindy

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14382&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071002-07
October 2, 2007

Coalition Forces find cache near Euphrates
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — Coalition Forces operating on a tip from concerned local citizens southwest of Rushdi Mullah, Iraq, discovered a cache the morning of Oct. 1.

Soldiers of Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., searched the area based on the tip and found a cache.

The cache contained 53 82mm mortar rounds, four 60mm rounds, eight 80mm rockets, 26 68mm flechette rockets, an OG-7V rocket and 200 sticks of propellant.

The weapons cache was destroyed in a controlled detonation by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

-30-

2,371 posted on 10/02/2007 2:33:36 AM PDT by Cindy

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

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/018340.php
(NEWS.com.au)

October 2, 2007

“Rewarding jihad violence in the spirit of the season”

2,372 posted on 10/02/2007 2:55:50 AM PDT by Cindy

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

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=reform&ID=SP172907

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1729
October 1, 2007 No.1729

“Tunisian Reformist Lafif Lakhdar: European Muslims Should Adopt Universal Values; There is Only One Civilization; The Koranic Verse on Wife-Beating Should Be Abrogated; When Bourquiba Abolished Polygamy in Tunisia, the Majority of Women Were Opposed; Why Bring the Mosque into French Schools When the Church Has Been Taken Out of Them; To Respect Muslims’ Religious Freedom to Beat Their Wives and Circumcise Their Daughters, France Would Have to Violate Human Rights”

2,373 posted on 10/02/2007 3:00:49 AM PDT by Cindy

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

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905172/posts

“Zimbabwe runs out of bread”
Guardian Unlimited ^ | October 1, 2007 | Chris McGreal

Posted on 10/01/2007 7:08:53 PM PDT by george76

2,374 posted on 10/02/2007 3:19:48 AM PDT by Cindy

To: All; Jet Jaguar

October 1, 2007

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/news/politics_1640280KathiLev&xml/&aspKath/politics.asp?fdate=01/10/2007

HUMAN TRAFFICKERS
Eight alleged smugglers arrested

A Bulgarian man was arrested in northeastern Greece yesterday on suspicion of trying to smuggle four illegal immigrants into Greece in his car. All five were arrested at a border crossing in Evros. In a separate incident, seven suspected people smugglers, two Greeks, an Albanian and four Turks, were arrested trying to help 69 illegal immigrants cross into Greece from Turkey, authorities said on Saturday. The group had crossed into the country via the Evros River.

2,375 posted on 10/02/2007 3:24:40 AM PDT by Cindy

To: All; Jet Jaguar; Turk; a_Turk; Turk2

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

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

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3455672,00.html

2 bomb blasts kill 1, injure 4 in western Turkish city
Published: 10.02.07, 11:15 / Israel News

Two bomb blasts outside a shopping mall in the western city of Izmir killed one person and injured four others on Tuesday, media reports said.

The first bomb went off in a garbage container Tuesday morning in the district of Buca, injuring two cleaning workers, the state-run Anatolia news agency said. Hours later, a second bomb exploded at the same site, killing one person and injuring two more people, private NTV television reported. There was no claim of responsibility for the attacks. (AP)

2,376 posted on 10/02/2007 3:31:35 AM PDT by 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 Oct 02 2007 03:34:49 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

April 10, 2007

2,377 posted on 10/02/2007 3:34:39 AM PDT by Cindy

2,378 posted on 10/02/2007 3:35:37 AM PDT by Cindy

Apologies for not getting a new TM up yesterday — crazy busy these days. Our website at Brookings is about to switch over to a whole new site next week... lots of work! I will have the new TM up later today.

2,379 posted on 10/02/2007 7:16:43 AM PDT by nwctwx

2,380 posted on 10/02/2007 7:58:52 AM PDT by Godzilla (Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.)

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