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

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NOTE: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=73131

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Security Reminder, Pakistan
Consular Affairs Bulletins
South / Central Asia - Pakistan
6 Sep 2007

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4 Sep 2007
Suicide Attacks in Rawalpindi Target Pakistani Military
13 Aug 2007
Warden Message: Pakistan Independence Day, Aug 14
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4 Jul 2007
Warden Message: Continued Islamabad Clashes
3 Jul 2007
Warden Message: Clashes at Red Mosque, Islamabad
U.S. Embassy Islamabad issued the following Warden Message on September 6, 2007:

The U.S. Mission is resending the following Warden Notice as a security reminder to all Americans in Pakistan.

The U.S. Mission has received non-specific information regarding terrorist attacks, possibly suicide attacks, against U.S. interests or places frequented by Westerners in the major cities in Pakistan, such as Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Targets could also include restaurants, Christian churches, markets, the diplomatic enclave and convention center (Islamabad). Americans are advised to take every precaution, avoid popular markets and crowded areas, and vary routes and times.

The Embassy would like to remind the American citizen community of the need to stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, reduce travel to minimum acceptable levels, act self-defensively at all times. We remind American citizens that threats, protests and demonstrations may occur throughout Pakistan without prior notice or warning and to avoid all demonstrations and protests.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html and the Pakistan Consular Information Sheet http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_992.html and Travel Warning can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Contact information follows for all four posts in Pakistan:

The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5; telephone (92-51) 208-0000; Consular Section telephone (92-51) 208-2700; fax (92-51) 282-2632, website
http://islamabad.usembassy.gov

The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, closed its public operations indefinitely due to security concerns. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance should call the consular section in Karachi. Their telephone is (92-21) 520-4200 (after hours: 92-21-520-4400; fax 92-21-568-0496, website
http://karachi.usconsulate.gov

The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located at 50- Sharah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Rotary, telephone (92-42) 603-4000 or 603-4250, fax (92-42) 603-4200, website
http://lahore.usconsulate.gov
Email address: acslahore@state.gov

The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; telephone (92-91) 526-8800; fax (92-91) 527-6712, website
http://peshawar.usconsulate.gov

RECAP:

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ou are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Afghanistan’s National Martyr’s Day
Consular Affairs Bulletins
South / Central Asia - Afghanistan
6 Sep 2007

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Related Reports
16 Aug 2007
Warden Message: Afghanistan’s Independence Day
29 Jul 2007
Warden Message: Threat to Kabul University
26 Apr 2007
Warden Message: Afghanistan Holiday Security
20 Apr 2007
Warden Message: Kabul Bird Flu Outbreak
10 Apr 2007
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
U.S. Embassy Kabul issued the following Warden Message on September 6, 2007:

The U.S. Embassy wishes to inform American citizens in Afghanistan that Sunday, September 9, 2007 is observed as National Martyr’s Day in honor of Ahmad Shah Massoud. Memorial ceremonies are scheduled to take place country-wide. Road closures and limits on vehicle traffic are expected.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul will be closed for all routine services on that day. It will re-open for all normal business on Monday, September 10.

The Embassy will continue to handle emergencies. Americans who find themselves in cases of extreme emergency in Afghanistan may contact the Embassy receptionist via 0700-10-8001 or the Consular Section via mobile at 0700-20-1908.

The Embassy advises all American citizens in Afghanistan to exercise caution that day, avoid crowds and public gatherings, and limit travel within or between cities to essential business only.

We take this opportunity to remind the community to review their safety precautions. Updated information may be obtained by contacting the American Embassy in Kabul at usconsulkabul@state.gov or by calling the Consular Section at 0700-10-8380.

The Department of State also shares information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov . U.S. travelers outside the U.S. may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
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http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2121.html

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

This information is current as of today, Sun Sep 09 2007 00:59:48 GMT-0700.

AFGHANISTAN

April 04, 2007

Good time to recap:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1893379/posts

Osama is in Pakistan: US experts
DAWN ^ | September 09, 2007

Posted on 09/08/2007 10:02:13 PM PDT by Ghayyour

WASHINGTON,

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1893328/posts

“UN says most Afghan suicide attackers are recruited and trained in Pakistan”
Associated Press via Sun Media ^ | 2007-09-08 | Chris Brummitt

Posted on 09/08/2007 7:12:55 PM PDT by Clive

KABUL (AP)

from THE PAKISTAN CHRISTIAN POST...

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1893405/posts

US based Pakistani evangelist Joseph K Din shot dead by militants in Pakistan
PCP ^ | September 09, 2007

Posted on 09/09/2007 1:09:04 AM PDT by Ghayyour

Pakistan: September 4, 2007. Evangelist Joseph K. Din was settled in Virginia State with three daughters, a son and wife who decided to preach word of Lord in Pakistan after his retirement in USA.

He was involved in evangelism at age of 30 but became full time evangelist and headed to his native city of Lahore.

The Din family is serving God through evangelism from four decades and established “ Family Ministry”

The Unique idea of “Family Ministry” was to help local Christian communities to arrange prayer meetings and to offer visits for spiritual encouragements. Family Ministry also worked with local ministries and congregation. Joseph Din’s sister Nazir Din was running Family Ministry when he joined his sister in October 2006, in Lahore.

On August 25, 2007, Joseph K Din returned home at 3:oopm after preaching and was sitting with his sister. He was planning for evening visits to a family for prayers when he saw two bearded young men in home.

When Evangelists Joseph saw them in home, he asked them who are you and how do you get inside? But instead of any reply bearded men took out guns and shot him four times in chest and head.

On hearing firing shots, Nazir Din rushed out of her room and saw he brother fallen on ground in blood bath. She saw those bearded Muslims walking out of home and fleeing on motorcycle.

The neighbors also came after hearing shooting sound and rushed Evangelists Joseph to hospital but he could not survive and went to his eternal home.

The police registered a murder case against un-known people and no arrest has been made till September 4, 2007.

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07090067.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net — E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Two RSS leaders held as Christians attacked by Hindu militants

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

KERALA, INDIA (ANS) — A group of Hindu militants attacked Christians and co-laborers on September 4 near Parasuram temple at Tiruvallam in Thiruvanandapuram city, the capital of Kerala state in India.

According to Salem Voice Ministries News Service, the victims attacked on Tuesday night were named as Jose, George, Santhosh, Bijoy, Jaykrish and Harion. They were attacked and seriously injured by a mob of 15 militants with long swords and other fatal weapons while going back to their residence after their duty at Archana Bar.

A team of police under E.N. Suresh, Circle Inspector of Police in Nemom Circle, G. Binu, Sub-Inspector of Tiruvallam, T. Satheesh Kumar Crime Branch Sub-Inspector, are investigating the case.

Police named the individuals arrested on September 6 as RSS leaders Sreekumar, 36, son of Damodaran of Thankamany Nivas Poonthura, and Lalu, 24, son of Rajendran of Kunnumpala thoppu Vadakke Veedu. Sreekumar is Shareerik Shikshanthak Pramukh (leader of the physical training to the militants) and Lalu is the Mukhya Sikshak (branch leader of the militant group) at Edayar branch. They have been accused in several cases being investigated by police.

The RSS (Rashtriya Swyam Sevak Sangh) is a strong and influential militant group of Hindus.

Both arrested individuals appeared before the court, which remanded them for fourteen days. Police charged them with attempted murder.

Circle Inspector Suresh told the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service they are carrying out an energetic investigation to find other suspects.

Paul Ciniraj, president of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) and the director of the Salem Voice Ministries condemned the attack towards Christians and minorities. He said he also appreciated the immediate action of the police to arrest those involved, who are believed to be militant RSS leaders.

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Lake Forest, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. His weblog appears at: Michael’s Wor(l)d BLOG

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13864&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070908-04
September 8, 2007

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain three extremists in night raids

Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BALAD, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces detained an al Qaeda in Iraq extremist during an intelligence-driven raid on Sept. 6 in the Al Anbar province near Al Qaim.

The detained suspect is responsible for facilitating re-supply of insurgents operating in the southern Rutbah deserts just south of Al Qaim. His facilitation network assists other militants in the area in obtaining weapons, water and food.

In a separate operation, Iraqi Security Forces detained a key leader and a supporter of the Islamic Army in Iraq criminal network during an early morning raid Sept. 7 in Saiwaia near Samarra. The suspected leader is directly related to kidnappings and murders of Samarra citizens.

The two detained were caught trying to flee the assaulting force which also resulted in two seized AK-47 assault rifles and numerous Islamic Army Court documents.

U.S. Special Forces were advisers during all operations. No Iraqi or U.S. forces were injured during these raids.

-30-

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13866&Itemid=21

Sept. 9, 2007
Release A070909a

Six terrorists killed during raids in Tarmiyah

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 21 suspects Saturday and Sunday during operations in the Tarmiyah area and Tigris River Valley to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq’s senior leadership.

Several synchronized raids in Tarmiyah targeted the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the northern belt around Baghdad, including its leaders. The network is responsible for car bombings, kidnappings, publishing extremist propaganda and operating an illegal court system in the area.

As Coalition forces cleared a building, three men inside reached for weapons in the room. Responding to defend against the threat, Coalition forces engaged the three armed men, killing them.

A related assault force entered a target building and encountered an armed man who attempted to draw his weapon. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged the armed man, killing him.

In another coordinated raid, one female refused to comply with the interpreter’s instructions. After the ground forces made several attempts to get the woman to comply, she lunged to reach behind some furniture. Coalition forces, perceiving a hostile threat to the force, engaged the woman, killing her.

Coalition forces securing a target building nearby found an armed man hiding in a closet. When he was discovered, the armed man fired on the assault force, which returned fire in self-defense and killed the terrorist.

On the scene, the ground forces found a cache of weapons, including 25 mortar rounds, 30 high-explosive rounds, 5,000 anti-aircraft rounds and other ammunition. They also discovered four improvised explosive devices planted in the immediate area. A Coalition forces explosives team safely destroyed the IEDs, weapons and ammunition. Nearby, the ground forces discovered a cache of extremist propaganda and media production materials.

Over the two-day operation, Coalition forces destroyed seven buildings believed to be used for terrorist activities. The ground forces thoroughly cleared and secured each building prior to any detonation to ensure no civilians were inside. One building was destroyed by an air strike, while the other six were destroyed with ground munitions. Coalition forces detained 17 suspected terrorists during the operations in Tarmiyah.

Coalition forces extended their operations to the north while targeting advisers of al-Qaeda in Iraq’s senior leaders who had fled to an area south of Mosul. The ground forces detained two suspected terrorists during the operation there.

Coalition forces in Mosul captured a suspected member of the Kirkuk car-bombing network during a raid. In another raid east of Balad, Coalition forces used information from an operation Aug. 8 to target an al-Qaeda in Iraq operative who facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists. The ground forces detained one suspected terrorist.

“We’re continuing to conduct precision operations to destroy al-Qaeda’s networks and bring their members to justice so they cannot attack the Iraqi people,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman.

-30-

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3447527,00.html

3 pipe bombs found on youth near Nablus

Published: 09.09.07, 11:42 / Israel News

A Palestinian youth arriving at a checkpoint west of Nablus was found in the possession of three pipe bombs.

The bombs were detonated by Border Guard sappers and the youth was taken in for investigation. (Efrat Weiss)

Note: The following News Brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3447487,00.html

Qassam lands in western Negev

Published: 09.09.07, 10:34 / Israel News

A Qassam rocket fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed in an open field in the northern Negev.

No injuries or damage were reported. (Shmulik Haddad)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6985808.stm

Last Updated: Sunday, 9 September 2007, 09:39 GMT 10:39 UK

“Israeli ‘neo-Nazi gang’ arrested”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Police in Israel say they have broken up a gang neo-Nazis who stand accused of carrying out a string of attacks on foreigners, gays and religious Jews.

The eight suspects, aged 16-21, are all Israeli citizens from the former Soviet Union. They were arrested a month ago, but the news only emerged on Saturday.

Police say searches of their homes yielded Nazi uniforms, portraits of Adolf Hitler, knives, guns and TNT.

Israel was founded in the wake of the Nazi Holocaust in which millions died.

The arrests follow a year-long inquiry which began after a synagogue in Petah Tikva, a city east of Tel Aviv, was desecrated with graffiti of Nazi swastikas and the name of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890027/posts?page=691#691

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

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1893408/posts

Report: Syria calling reserve forces
Al Bawaba ^ | 09-09-2007 , 10:11 GMT

Posted on 09/09/2007 3:33:58 AM PDT by maquiladora

Syria was reportedly calling its reserve forces. The Daily newspaper an-Nahar, in an un-attributed report, said Syria has “called to service part of its reserve force.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told ministers at the weekly cabinet meeting Sunday that Israel cannot always expose its military operations to the public.

“The security sources and IDF soldiers are demonstrating unusual courage,” said Olmert, according to Haaretz. “We naturally cannot always show the public our cards.”

The Israeli leader did not specifically refer to Syria’s outrage after Israeli jets violated its airspace early Thursday. Olmert’s remarks, however, come amid an ongoing Israeli blackout regarding the Syrian charges.

Cabinet ministers and senior Israeli officers refused to comment on or off the record on the incident.

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