Threat Matrix: March 2008

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[nwctwx]

Petraeus: Al Qaida Trying to 'Come Back In'

U.S. military officials said there will be no significant reduction in coalition troops in the Baghdad area as part of an effort to stop the Al Qaida offensive in northern Iraq.

They said Al Qaida was trying to reenter Baghdad and reverse its losses in 2007.

"Al Qaida is trying to come back in," U.S. military commander Gen. David Petraeus said. "We can feel it and see it, and what we're trying to do is rip out any roots before they can get deeply into the ground." Read More

	Militants Assert Themselves in Pakistan
	U.S. Optimistic about Afghanistan Reinforcements
	‘You Have to Rethink War’

Threat Matrix:
March 2008

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[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17695&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080319-02
March 19, 2008

Local resident leads Coalition forces to weapons caches (Baghdad)

4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

Multi-National Division – Center PAO

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi citizen led Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division to two separate weapons caches in the Shaka 3 region March 17.

The first cache included 47 82 mm mortar rounds, 10 60 mm mortar rounds and 13 mixed sizes of mortar fuses.

An explosive ordnance disposal team from Forward Operating Base Kalsu disposed of the explosives on-site through a controlled detonation.

The second cache included eight 155 mm mortar rounds, one rocket launcher and four chlorine tanks. The cache was brought back to FOB Kalsu.

“This shows that the locals are cooperating with us and they want their area safe,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Keaton, Company C.

-30-

[Cindy]

UPDATING Post no. 624:

OSAC.gov - Consular Affairs Bulletin - Report: "WARDEN MESSSAGE: YEMEN MORTAR ATTACK" (March 18, 2008)

JPOST.com - JERUSALEM POST (AP): "YEMEN: 1 YEMENI GUARD KILLED IN EXPLOSION NEAR US EMBASSY IN SAN'A" (March 18, 2008, 13:49)

[Cindy]

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=81449

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: U.S. Embassy Managua Encourages Extra Caution
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Americas - Nicaragua
18 Mar 2008

[MamaDearest]

Prosecutors balk a information request in USF explosives case

Federal prosecutors say they shouldn't have to give defense attorneys more information about a terrorism charge against a former University of South Florida student.

Attorneys for Ahmed Mohamed have filed a motion asking a judge to order the prosecution to specify what terrorists stood to benefit from a video Mohamed is accused of making and posting on the Web site YouTube. The defense also asked in the motion — known in legal parlance as a request for a bill of particulars — for specific information about the intended victims.

In the video, the prosecution says, Mohamed demonstrates how to use a remote-controlled toy to detonate a bomb. As a result, Mohamed was charged with trying to help terrorists by teaching or demonstrating the use of explosives.

Mohamed is also charged, along with fellow Egyptian citizen Youssef Megahed, with illegally transporting explosives. The pair were arrested Aug. 4 in South Carolina after deputies there said they found explosive devices in the trunk of their car. The defense maintains the devices were homemade fireworks.

[Cindy]

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Attorneys for Ahmed Mohamed have filed a motion asking a judge to order the prosecution to specify what terrorists stood to benefit from a video Mohamed is accused of making and posting on the Web site YouTube. The defense also asked in the motion — known in legal parlance as a request for a bill of particulars — for specific information about the intended victims.”

OPINION:

Thanks MamaDearest.

It seems to me the attorneys are on a fishing trip — and possibly out on a limb.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iran/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/syria/

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hamas/

#

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_160308e.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
March 17, 2008

“Senior Hamas operative figure tells London Sunday Times’ Gaza Strip correspondent about Iranian and Syria military aid, detailing the training received by hundreds of Hamas terrorist operatives and describing the transmission to Hamas of Iranian technical know-how for the manufacture of rockets and IEDs.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/pij
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/islamicjihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hezbollah
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hizballah
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hizbullah

#

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ct_160308e.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
March 17, 2008

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/Hebrew/heb_n/html/img/m_s.jpg

“Four wanted terrorists belonging to
the Palestinian Islamic Jihad killed in Bethlehem”

Photo caption: “The body of wanted terrorist Muhammad Shehadeh,
wrapped in the Hezbollah flag (Palestinian TV, March 13)”

[Cindy]

ADDING 1 link to post no. 666:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=39844F48-1674-4C41-B3D3-A0CE7DE1543E

“Iran’s Hidden Hand in Gaza”
By Avigdor Haselkorn
FrontPageMagazine.com | Wednesday, March 19, 2008

[Cindy]

Link Set UPDATED:

CNS NEWS.com: "OIC DENOUNCES TERROR, BUT FIGHTING 'OCCUPATION' STILL EXEMPTED" by Patrick Goodenough (March 18, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (AFP): Dakar - "INDONESIAN PRESIDENT: "ISLAM HAS BEEN UNJUSTLY ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENCE'" (March 15, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "FITZGERALD: THE OIC's REBRANDING GAME" (March 15, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "OIC: 'COMBATING ISLAMOPHOBIA IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACED BY THE MUSLIM WORLD'" (SNIPPET: "Well, Jihad Watch can offer a handy five-point plan for countering 'Islamophobia'...") (March 12, 2008)

CNS NEWS.com: "STATE DEPT INTRODUCES NEW ENVOY TO MUSLIM NATIONS" by Susan Jones (March 10, 2008)

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "JIHAD, ISLAMISM, AND U.S. ENVOY TO OIC" by Jeffrey Imm (February 29, 2008)

WHITEHOUSE.gov - news release: Oval Office - "PRESIDENT BUSH MEETS WITH SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE" (February 27, 2008, 2:01 pm EST)

[Cindy]

ADDING to post no. 647:

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.state.gov/p/af/rls/fs/2008/102335.htm

Fact Sheet
African Affairs
Washington, DC
March 18, 2008

Somalia: Ensuring Long-Term Peace and Stability

PDF version

“Unchecked, terrorists will continue to undermine and threaten stability and the lives of civilians inside Somalia and throughout the region. Fighting terrorism in Somalia is not our sole priority, but rather is part of a comprehensive strategy to reverse radicalization, improve governance, rule of law, democracy and human rights, and improve economic growth and job creation.

This is a difficult and long-term effort in Somalia. As we encourage political dialogue, we will continue to seek to isolate those who, out of extremism, refuse dialogue and insist on violence. We will remain engaged in working with our regional partners, Somali stakeholders, to ensure a successful political process leading to the return of effective governance and lasting peace and stability.” Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer

AL-QAIDA OPERATIVES IN EAST AFRICA

Fazul Abdullah Mohammed (aka Harun Fazul): Senior al-Qaida operative in East Africa; was indicted for his alleged involvement in the bombings of the United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, on August 7, 1998.

Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan: Senior al-Qaida operative in East Africa; Wanted for questioning in connection with the 2002 attacks against a hotel and an Israeli airliner in Mombasa, Kenya.

Issa Osman Issa: Al-Qaida operative implicated in the 2002 attacks in Mombasa, Kenya; maintained contact with the leaders of al Shabaab and commanded militia fighting for the now-defunct Council of Islamic Courts near the interim capital of Baidoa.

LEADERS Of AL-SHABAAB (aka Mujahideen Youth Movement)

Aden Hashi Ayrow: Trained with al-Qaida in Afghanistan prior to 2001. Issued statements praising al-Qaida leader Usama bin Laden, inviting foreign fighters to participate in “holy war” against Ethiopian and Ugandan forces in Somalia, and linking Somalia to al-Qaida’s global operations. Responsible for assassination of a Somali peace activist in July 2005 and multiple targeted assassinations and harassment of civil society figures, government officials, and journalists. Implicated in the murder of an Italiannun in Mogadishu in September 2006.

Mukhtar Robow (aka Abu Mansoor): Senior military commander spokesman for al-Shabaab; provided logistical support for al-Qaida operatives inside Somalia; has called for attacks on the African Union forces in Somalia.

Ahmed Abdi Godane: Senior member of al-Shabaab; trained and fought with al-Qaida in Afghanistan; implicated in the murders of Western aid workers in Somaliland in 2003 and 2004.

Ibrahim Haji Jama (aka al Afghani): Senior member of al-Shabaab; trained and fought in Afghanistan and Kashmir before returning to Somalia in the early 1990s.

PRE-EXISTING TERRORIST LINKAGES

Hassan Abdullah al-Turki: Designated under U.S. Executive Order 13224 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267 for his associations with al-Qaida. Implicated in the murder of an American citizen inside Somalia in 1999. Runs a military training camp for al-Shabaab fighters near the Kenya-Somalia border.

Hassan Dahir Aweys: Designated under U.S. Executive Order 13224 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267 for his associations with al-Qaida.

[Cindy]

We have an early morning STUCK ON STUPID award winner.

Note: The folloiwng post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1988002/posts

Eco-Terrorism On Orcas
Island Guardian ^ | 03/17/2008 | not stated

Posted on 03/19/2008 2:06:34 AM PDT by caveat emptor
03/17/2008: “Eco-Terrorism On Orcas” ”I did it to punish the rich white people of Orcas Island and make them pay for the death of the whales and the depletion of the rain forests” -Mondragon

Gabriel Thomas Mondragon, 29 years old, who recently arrived from New Mexico, explained to Sheriff’s Deputies that in an attempt to make the people on Orcas “suffer just like the whales and trees”, he attempted to use a tree limbing saw -on a metal pole- to cut through a 69,000 volt power line.

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

[Cindy]

Note: This blog has been updated on March 18, 2008:

http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/720

“Islamists in the Hospital Ward”

by Daniel Pipes
Weblog
December 29, 2006

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/kuwait/

Thanks to Jet Jaguar for starting this thread.

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1988024/posts

Kuwait ruler dissolves parliament: Jazeera TV
reuters ^ | Wed Mar 19, 2008 | Reuters
Posted on 03/19/2008 4:07:06 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar

KUWAIT (Reuters) - Kuwait’s ruler has dissolved parliament days after the government resigned, Al Jazeera television reported on Wednesday.

It said the ruler had informed the Kuwaiti parliament speaker Jassem al-Kharafi that the assembly was dissolved. It gave no more details.

[Cindy]

NOTE: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3521063,00.html

Qassam rocket lands in Shaar Hanegev Regional Council; no injuries
Published: 03.19.08, 12:30 / Israel News

A Qassam rocket fired from northern Gaza landed near a town in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. Four mortar shells also landed near the fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Earlier in the day, an additional rocket landed within Palestinian territory. (Shmulik Hadad)

[Cindy]

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

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

“Worldwide Caution”
January 17, 2008

SNIPPET: “This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.”

[Cindy]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,339129,00.html

“Pakistani Man Charged in Slayings of Hong Kong Sex Workers”
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “HONG KONG — A Pakistani man living in Hong Kong has been charged with murder in the slayings of three sex workers in the past week, police said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old man, whose name and profession were not released, was scheduled to appear in court later Wednesday, police spokesman Fai Chau said.”

[Godzilla]

Most interesting, thanks joe.

[callmejoe]

you are welcome

[callmejoe]

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=46109&sectionid=351020203
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/961107.html
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3396874,00.html
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJgNa6PA_gJ48W37_TNH4mAO03Ew
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j4q816xlraI6cuI0zJndBEadS61Q
http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=14461
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gSuDvlD4Vuuw3zj-OqLtJLk5Vjlw
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/5878.htm
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=46129&sectionid=351020104
http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/line-22/0803044730155536.htm
http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-17/0803069391154309.htm
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSL0257171920080302
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/08/18/iran.guard/
http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0802136397184023.htm
http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD182808
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=IA40707
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD134706
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=43391&sectionid=3510203
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15914-2004Jun29.html