Threat Matrix: September 2007

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[nwctwx]

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

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[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070831siouxfalls.htm

August 31, 2007

Sioux Falls man extradited to Bosnia and Herzegovina to serve murder sentence
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A local resident who entered the United States as a refugee in 2000 was extradited to Bosnia and Herzegovina Sunday to serve a prison term for murder. This extradition resulted from the combined efforts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota, and local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Samir Avdic, 40, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was turned over to Bosnian Police at JFK airport in New York on Aug. 26. He originally entered the United States as a refugee after claiming he had suffered persecution at the hands of Bosnian Serb officials, who he said forced him to sign a false confession.

In fact, Avdic was convicted of murder in 1998 in the District Court of Bijeljina, Republic of Srpska, within Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was sentenced to six years in prison. According to court documents, in August 1995 Avdic and another man plotted to kill a third man because they believed he was hiding salt from them. Avdic shot the man in the back with a shotgun, and he and the co-conspirator threw the body off a cliff into a ravine. When he was arrested, Avdic admitted to the crime and “precisely and logically” described it in detail to authorities. Avdic was represented by an attorney throughout court proceedings.

“ICE will not allow aliens who commit crimes in other countries to use the United States as a sanctuary,” said Ken Baird, resident agent in charge ICE Office of Investigations in Sioux Falls. “ICE routinely works with our law enforcement partners locally, nationally and internationally to identify fugitive aliens who pose a threat to public safety.”

“Communities win when we take violent criminals off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Marty J. Jackley, District of South Dakota. “Our office was pleased to help the many local, federal and international law enforcement officers who worked so hard to ensure justice was served.”

The international police agency INTERPOL first contacted the ICE office in Sioux Falls in 2005, and explained that an arrest warrant had been issued for Avdic in Bosnia and Herzegovina in November 2000, following his murder conviction. ICE special agents, working with the Sioux Falls Police Department, determined Avdic lived in the area. INTERPOL coordinated issuing the formal extradition request through diplomatic channels. The request was relayed from the foreign government to the U.S. Department of State, then through the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and ultimately to the local U.S. Attorney’s office.

When the U.S Attorney’s office in Sioux Falls received the formal extradition request in March 2007, ICE agents learned that Avdic had been arrested by Sioux Falls police officers and was being held in Minnehaha County Jail on charges of aggravated assault and reckless driving.

ICE worked with the U.S. Attorney’s office to obtain a federal arrest warrant. Avdic was then transferred to U.S. Marshals Service custody March 22, and was charged by criminal complaint with being a fugitive from a foreign country. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Clapper, District of South Dakota, prosecuted the case.

On June 28, a U.S. district court judge in Sioux Falls certified to the Secretary of State that Avdic could be extradited.

— ICE -

[Cindy]

http://www.memritv.org/subject/en/124.htm
http://www.memritv.org/subject/en/339.htm

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

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

blog:

#

http://billroggio.com/archives/2007/09/flashpoint_afghanist.php

“Flashpoint Afghanistan: Musa Qala”
By David Tate
(September 1, 2007)

#

http://billroggio.com/archives/2007/09/afghanistan_the_jiha.php

“Afghanistan: The jihad within a jihad”
By David Tate
(September 1, 2007)

[Cindy]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070902/FOREIGN/109020046/1001

“Seoul said to have ransomed hostages”
REUTERS NEWS AGENCY
September 2, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Kim Man-bok, the head of South Korea’s lead spy agency, denied at the airport ceremony that the government had paid a ransom, but the senior Taliban leader disagreed.

“We got more than $20 million from [the Seoul government],” the commander said on the condition of anonymity. “With it, we will purchase arms, get our communication network renewed and buy vehicles for carrying out more suicide attacks.””

Page 2:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070902/FOREIGN/109020046/1001&template=nextpage

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “However, Qari Mohammed Yousuf, a Taliban spokesman, later said no ransom was paid, explaining it would discredit the group. There was no explanation for the discrepancy.”

[Cindy]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47262

“Paratroopers Take Fight to Taliban During Operation Destined Strike”

By Sgt. Brandon Aird, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://memritv.org/subject/en/121.htm

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890121/posts

“Italy Urges Diplomacy Over Iran Nuclear Issue”
Reuters by way of Javno (Croatia) ^ | 01SEP07 | Reuters

Posted on 09/02/2007 1:47:39 AM PDT by familyop

[Cindy]

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

#

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=akyR.0Esyd_k&refer=latin_america

“Mexico’s Tallest Building Evacuated for Third Time (Update1)”
By Valerie Rota and Patrick Harrington

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Aug. 31 (Bloomberg) — Mexico’s Torre Mayor, the country’s tallest building, was partially evacuated today after an anonymous bomb threat, a police spokesman said.

Dozens of police searched the Mexico City building after authorities received a call warning of a bomb in the parking garage, police spokesman Ricardo Olayo said in a telephone interview. Building officials said occupants had evacuated voluntarily.

The partial evacuation indicated heightened concern after authorities found a bomb in a parked car in the building yesterday and ordered an evacuation. There was a another threat, which turned up nothing, on Aug. 29.”

[Cindy]

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

[ExSoldier]

Thanks, Ian! Although we never forget the dark event that necessitated the creation of this thread, this month is the month to remember; to ruminate; to ponder, speculate and above all...prepare. August always seems like an ending, of sorts. Of course, it is. Summer vacation is ending for teachers and kids and the cycle begins anew. For those of us in education, August is a time to recharge and re-energize to face the coming year. I think the same can be said for the rest of the country in terms of facing reality. We were hit once and hard. We struck back. Think of September as the empty stillness between gunshots.

[Cindy]

More details...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1889633/posts

#

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=273453704961927

“Terror Calls Mexico”
By INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Friday, August 31, 2007 4:20 PM PT

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “War On Terror: Mexico may think its differences with the U.S. and status as a nonaligned country somehow shield it from the global war on terror....”

ARTICLE Nearly 11,000 people were evacuated Thursday from Torre Mayor, Mexico City’s tallest, ritziest tower, after a terrorist called in a car bomb. The device, which Mexican investigators called “artesanal,” was easily dismantled. But the unprecedented evacuation echoed the disruptions Manhattan has seen as an al-Qaida target since 1993.

An obscure group called EPR claimed credit the next day, but it doesn’t seem to be linked with global terrorist networks.There’s reason to worry, however, that it will be.

EPR’s strategy resembles al-Qaida’s in that the target wasn’t some quaint adobe, but rather Mexico’s starkest symbol of global capitalism, its equivalent of New York’s World Trade Center.”

###

Previously...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1889633/posts?page=6#6

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=256519917282670&kw=venezuela

“Terror Incognito?”
By INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Friday, February 16, 2007 4:20 PM PT

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “World War III: Al-Qaida’s new threat against oil facilities has opened a new front in the war on terror. Mexico and Canada recognize the enemy, but Venezuela doesn’t. It could be a disaster.

The Saudi al-Qaida organization announced its next campaign to target America’s oil suppliers in the Western Hemisphere.

With a warning on the Sawt-al-Jihad Web site, al-Qaida vowed to attack three of the top four oil suppliers to the U.S. — Mexico, Canada and Venezuela — on the logic that the economic disruption would drive the U.S. from Iraq.
It’s a credible threat, not only because the Saudi wing of the global terror organization is obsessed with economic warfare, but also because it launched similar attacks in 2004 that disrupted oil and petrochemical production and drove up prices globally. It knows it can do this.

Of the top four U.S. oil suppliers, No. 2 Saudi Arabia now has high security at its installations, which may explain why the local al-Qaida group is looking for easier targets. No. 3 Mexico and No. 1 Canada say they’ll beef up security. They’re still vulnerable, but they won’t make it easy.”

[Cindy]

HI ExSoldier.

Yes, it’s been feeling like September 10, 2001 for awhile now.

[Cindy]

Correcting 1 word in the title of post no. 39.
It should be “PLOT”.

[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, Sun Sep 02 2007 03:05:06 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

April 10, 2007

[Cindy]

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

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13701&Itemid=21

Sept. 1, 2007
Release A070901d

Coalition forces detain eight suspected Special Groups terrorists in two separate operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces conducted two separate raids to capture or kill suspected Special Groups operatives in Baghdad before dawn on Saturday.

Coalition forces detained eight suspected Special Groups terrorists during the raids.

Coalition forces conducted two deliberate ground assaults to raid what were believed to be the residences of two high-level Special Groups leaders. The targeted individuals are believed to be leaders of Special Groups responsible for logistical facilitation of Iranian weapons and lethal aid flowing into Iraq. Both targeted individuals are implicated in anti-Coalition forces attacks and the recruitment of extremists to conduct criminal activity. A search of several buildings during the raids produced three AK-47s, a large sum of Iraqi currency, suspicious documents and photographs.

“Continuing a series of synchronized operations against the Special Groups that utilize Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps – Quds Force support to import weapons, explosives and training, Coalition forces conducted a set of sequential raids last night in Baghdad targeting Special Groups operatives,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesman. “Coalition forces continue to target Special Groups terrorists and weapons facilitators who are responsible for directing attacks against innocent Iraqi people, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition troops.”

-30-

[Cindy]

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

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

#

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/2722.htm

“Senior Iranian Cleric Ayatollah Kashani: Iran’s Justice-Seeking Nature Worries West”

(”Source: Fars, Iran, August 30, 2007”)

Posted August 31, 2007

#

http://www.memritv.org/subject/en/382.htm

MEMRI TV.org - Video Clips - Subject: “Ayatollah Mohammad Emami-Kashani”

[Cindy]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3444604,00.html

“Rockets land near Sderot on first day of school”

SNIPPET: “As two Qassams land outside southern town of Sderot, parents in rocket-battered town say, ‘We’re gambling on our lives.’ Islamic Jihad’s military wing claims responsibility; no injuries or damage reported. Sderot mayor: Rockets will be part of school year”

Anat Bereshkovsky
Latest Update: 09.02.07, 11:16 / Israel News

[Cindy]

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

#

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295524,00.html
(AP)

“Lebanese Army Kills 15 Al Qaeda-Inspired Militants at Refugee Camp”
Sunday, September 02, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “BEIRUT, Lebanon — Lebanese troops fought Al Qaeda-inspired militants who broke out of a besieged Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon on Sunday, killing 15 and capturing 15 others, officials said.

Heavy gunbattles that began during the dawn breakout continued through midday, with troops engaging Fatah Islam fighters in buildings, fields and roads around Nahr el-Bared camp, residents and television stations reported.

In a statement, the military said troops were attacking the remaining militant strongholds inside Nahr el-Bared and “chasing the fugitives outside the camp” who had staged “a desperate attempt to flee.”

It called on Lebanese citizens to inform the nearest army patrol of any suspected militants in their area, but gave no specifics on casualties excepting saying “a large number” had been killed or captured.

Lebanese security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because no official casualty figures had been released by the military, said 15 militants were killed and 15 captured, all of whom were wounded.”

[sidetracked]

FYI: The DOJ link in the first column is no longer active.

[JustPiper]

Thank you Ian

[JustPiper]

Iran reaches atomic milestone: Iranian president - TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iranian state media reports that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims the Islamic Republic has reached its goal of 3,000 centrifuges to enrich uranium for its nuclear program.

Newspaper refuses to apologize for Muhammed-as-dog cartoon 'You must be allowed to criticize religion, but I am not opposed to Islam

[Oorang]

If I may interject, I don’t think the doors/Bombay was the significant part. Why the neighbors chose “Bombay” I don’t know, perhaps they thought the occupants were from India. I think the significant part was the fortification rather than the doors themselves. Just my speculation.