Threat Matrix: May 2008

U.S. Wary Of Small Boat Terrorism

As boating season approaches, the Bush administration wants to enlist America's 80 million recreational boaters to help reduce the chances that a small boat could deliver a nuclear or radiological bomb somewhere along the 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways.

According to an April 23 intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press, "The use of a small boat as a weapon is likely to remain al Qaeda's weapon of choice in the maritime environment, given its ease in arming and deploying, low cost, and record of success."

While the United States has so far been spared this type of strike in its own waters, terrorists have used small boats to attack in other countries. Read More

	U.S. Confirms Somali Missile Strike
	Fight Al Qaeda's Plan, Not its Ideas
	FACTBOX: Major al Qaeda Leaders Killed or Captured

Threat Matrix:
May 2008

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Preparedness

...urging government employees to avoid words like "jihad," "mujahedeen" or any reference to Islam or Muslims...

Interesting since Middle East news sources use those very same words consistently and they're smack dab in the midst of jihadists and mujahedeen, etc.

Some overpaid 3-piece suit had an overdose of sensitivity training it appears (no doubt by those grievously "offended."). Does this mean Catholic priests, Buddhist monks, Orthodox rabbis (et al other faiths) are similarly protected from media referencing? (sarc.)

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3538945,00.html

Qassam rocket lands in Negev; no injuries reported
Published: 05.03.08, 17:59 / Israel News

A Qassam rocket was fired from northern Gaza and landed in open spaces in Eshkol Regional Council. A red alarm was sounded in the area.

No injuries or damage were reported. (Yonat Atlas)

Note: The following blog entry is a quote:

blog:

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7145.htm

Mahdi Army in Iraq Relies on Youths and Children

The recent attacks by the Iraqi and U.S. forces on the Mahdi Army (namely the Law Enforcement campaign in Baghdad in February 2008, and the Knights’ Attack campaign in Basra in March 2008) forced many of the militia’s commanders to flee to Iran or to go into hiding, which in turn has prompted the younger generation of commanders to come forward and take their place. In addition, the Mahdi Army has taken to using teens and children as scouts. The latter are provided with mobile phones and asked to inform the commanders of the approach of U.S. forces.

Source: Al-Hayat, London, May 2, 2008

Posted at: 2008-05-02

blog:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/05/gmlrs_strike_knocks.php

“GMLRS strike knocks out Special Groups command center in Sadr City”
By BILL ROGGIO
(May 3, 2008 1:25 PM)

BLOG ENTRY SNIPPET: “A member of the Iraqi national police creates an inventory of illegal weapons confiscated by Iraqi national police in the Sadr City District of Baghdad, Iraq, as he turns them over to members of the 42nd brigade, 11th Iraqi army division, at Combat Patrol Base Comanche on April 19. (US Air Force photo/Technical Sergean Adrian Cadiz)

US and Iraqi forces continue to target the Mahdi Army as an Iraqi delegation visited Iran to confront the country over its support of Shia militias battling the government. The US military conducted a guided rocket attack on a Special Groups headquarters adjacent to a hospital in Sadr City, while 14 Mahdi Army fighters have been killed during clashes over the past 24 hours.

The US army targeted and destroyed a Special Groups command and control center with Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System in Sadr City at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, Multinational Forces Iraq reported.”

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19027&Itemid=21

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080503-08
May 3, 2008

“Criminal element command-control center destroyed”
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD

###
###

blog:

Previously...

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/05/iraqis_despise_the_m.php

“Iraqis begin to ‘despise’ the Mahdi Army in Baghdad’s Rusafa district”
By BILL ARDOLINO
(May 3, 2008 11:57 AM)

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/05/sadr_city_barrier_a.php

“Sadr City barrier ‘a magnet’ for Mahdi Army attacks”
By BILL ROGGIO
(May 2, 2008 1:36 AM)

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19053&Itemid=21

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080503-11
May 3, 2008

Iraqi Special Operations Forces capture Special Groups leader
Multi-National Corps – Iraq

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, captured a suspected mid-level Special Groups leader and detained a member of his group in Baghdad May 2.

ISOF conducted the operation to capture the leader of 50 criminal militia members who is suspected of conducting indirect fire attacks against Iraqi Army and Coalition forces in Baghdad.

This group is also suspected of kidnapping and murder, having reportedly killed a local clinic director for not treating an injured criminal militia fighter.

“Operations like this demonstrate the growing capabilities of ISOF to plan and conduct missions and represent the on-going commitment by the Government of Iraq to disrupt criminal activity and restore stability to the country,” said Col. Bill Buckner, MNC-I spokesman.

-30-

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19052&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080503-10
May 3, 2008

EFP cache found in Warij

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Coalition forces found a weapons cache of explosively formed penetrators in the southern Baghdad community of Warij May 2.

Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were on patrol in Warij when they discovered four EFPs hidden in a closet shelf in a factory office. A brand new 107 mm rocket was also discovered. The EFPs were covered with foam and had wires leading from the back.

The cache also included 40 pounds of unknown bulk explosives, a rocket sled and blasting caps.

A guard at the factory was detained after it was determined he lied about having prior knowledge about the rocket and EFPs.

The cache was taken to a nearby forward operating base for investigation.

-30-

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19055&Itemid=21

Press Release A080503c
May 3, 2008

Six al-Qaeda suspects detained in central Iraq

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central Iraq Saturday.

During a precision operation in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a suspected would-be suicide bomber believed to be targeting an area near Baghdad International Airport.

Two operations targeted AQI in Salah ad-Din province. Coalition forces disrupted the network by capturing a suspected terrorist liaison and three additional suspects 70 miles northwest of Baghdad. Using information from an operation April 23, Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist believed to be part of the AQI network in the province during a mission 80 miles north of Baghdad.

“We will not allow al-Qaeda in Iraq’s tactics to derail the government elected by the Iraqi people,” said Lt. Col. Maura Gillen, MNF-I spokesperson. “The indiscriminate attacks of these terrorists are contrary to the ideals of peaceful Iraqis and will not be tolerated.”

- 30 -

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19054&Itemid=21

Press Release A080503b
May 3, 2008

14 al-Qaeda suspects captured in northern Iraq

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained 14 suspected terrorists in northern Iraq while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operations Saturday.

In Mosul, Coalition forces used information from an operation April 13 to capture two wanted individuals and detain six additional suspected terrorists during a series of raids targeting an AQI bombing network in the city. One of the wanted men is believed to facilitate terrorist bed-down locations, and another is allegedly associated with suicide bombers.

Using information from an operation April 21, Coalition forces targeted a senior leader in the AQI network in Mosul, detaining one suspected terrorist.

Iraqi and Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting the AQI network near Tuz Khurmatu, 50 miles south of Kirkuk.

Coalition forces captured an alleged member of an AQI bombing network and three additional suspects during an operation 40 miles west of Kirkuk. The suspected network member allegedly received orders to conduct assassinations and attacks against Coalition forces and the Iraqi government.

“The government of Iraq and Coalition forces are committed to ending al-Qaeda in Iraq’s indiscriminate attacks,” said Lt. Col. Maura Gillen, MNF-I spokesperson. “The people of Iraq have shown they are rejecting terrorism and embracing a future of peace.”

- 30 -

U.S. CERT.GOV
http://www.us-cert.gov

blog:

http://ddanchev.blogspot.com/2008/05/segmenting-and-localizing-spam.html

FRIDAY, MAY 02, 2008
“Segmenting and Localizing Spam Campaigns”
by Dancho Danchez

blog:

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/29822_Its_a_World_of_Spambots

“It’s a World of Spambots”
Fri, May 2, 2008 at 8:05:44 pm PST

ADDING 1 link to Oorang’s post no. 76:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7382289.stm

Page last updated at 17:27 GMT, Saturday, 3 May 2008 18:27 UK

“Hezbollah in airport spying row”
By Jim Muir
BBC News, Beirut

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The allegation levelled by leaders of the government is that Hezbollah set up a hidden, remote-controlled camera in a container park overlooking the main runway of Beirut’s international airport.

A newspaper that supports the government, an-Nahar, published documents in which the Lebanese Army’s intelligence agency purportedly confirms that the camera was spotted in the last week of April, apparently directed at the runway, but was removed by three men in civilian clothing before it could be impounded.

The accusation is that the radical Shia movement, which controls the suburbs where the airport is located, was spying on air traffic in preparation for a possible attack, perhaps aimed at assassinating one of the prominent pro-government figures who fly in and out of the facility.”

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354068,00.html

“Bank Teller Who Lost Unborn Twins in Robbery Says Gunman Wouldn’t Allow 911 Call”
Saturday, May 03, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “INDIANAPOLIS — A bank teller who lost the twins she was pregnant with after a gunman shot her in a robbery says the man wouldn’t let her co-workers call for help as she lay bleeding.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Her voice cracked with emotion as she recalled being shot April 22 in the abdomen and falling to the floor screaming, “Please help me. He shot me, he shot me. My babies!”

Two days after the Huntington Bank branch shooting, Shuffield lost her twins.”

Note: Watch video for details on the suspects.

http://wfmz.com/view/?id=261636

POSTED: 05-03-2008 06:59 PM ET | MODIFIED: 05-03-2008 07:02 PM ET
“Philadelphia Police Officer Shot and Killed by Robbery Suspect”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Police say they are looking for three suspects who at the time were dressed from head to toe in Muslim garb. - description - Police say those dreadlocks could be a wig. They also say a dark colored Jeep was involved in the getaway. If you have any information contact Philadelphia Police.”

RECAP AND UPDATED:

JIHAD WATCH.org (CHANNEL4): "'DEATH TO THE BLASPHEMER': 5,000 DEMONSTRATE AGAINST FITNA IN PAKISTAN" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The crowd also protested against the reprinting of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in Danish newspapers.") (May 3, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (DAWN): Islamabad - "PAKISTANI SENATE CONDEMNS MOTOONS, FITNA, URGES UN TO TAKE 'ALL NECESSARY LEGAL, POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STEPS TO CURB THIS TREND'" (April 25, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "BIG SURPRSE: DUTCH MUSLIMS REJECT DEBATE WITH WILDERS OVER FITNA" (April 25, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "FITNA's QUR'AN VERSES -- IN CONTEXT" (April 21, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "DOES FITNA MISQUOTE THE QUR'AN?" (April 19, 2008)

THE JAWA REPORT - blog: "Will Some One Please Kill Yousef Ahmadi Now?" (BLOG ENTRY SNIPPET: "Oh, and a special note to "Zabihullah Mujahid", the other official spokesman for the Taliban:" (April 18, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (AFP): "TALIBAN KILLS DUTCH MILITARY CHIEF'S SON IN REVENGE FOR FITNA" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Ahmadi's claim could not be independently confirmed and the rebel spokesman has in the past made exaggerated claims...") (April 18, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (ASIAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL via NewKerala.com, April 15, 2008): "PAKISTAN: FITNA RAGE FROM 500 LAHORE LAWYERS: 'DEATH IS ACCEPTABLE IN THE SERVICE OF THE PROPHET'" (April 16, 2008)

HOT AIR.com (JIHAD WATCH.org): "A FITNA OVER FITNA" (Note: Video included.) (April 11, 2008)

Video - Link

JIHAD WATCH.org (REUTERS): Jakarta - "INDONESIAN INTERNET PROVIDERS BLOCK YouTube over FITNA" (April 8, 2008)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "THE UN's ATTACK ON OUR FREEDOMS" by Joseph Klein (April 8, 2008)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "FITNA: THE CARROT AND THE STICK" by Robert Spencer (April 8, 2008)

WESTERN RESISTANCE.com - blog: "NETHERLANDS: MUSLIMS' CLAIM AGAINST WILDERS REJECTED" (April 7, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (RADIO NETHERLANDS.nl via EUROPE NEWS.dk): "SANITY ALERT: DUTCH JUDGE CLEARS GEERT WILDERS OF SPREADING HATE" (April 7, 2008)<>/B>

YNET NEWS.com (AP): "MORE THAN 25,000 PAKISTANIS RALLY AGAINST ANTI-KORAN FILM, PROPHET CARTOONS" (Published April 6, 2008, 19:40)

A LOOK AT IRAN

JIHAD WATCH.org (FARS News Agency): "IRANIAN GROUP STARTS PRODUCTION OF FILM ON BIBLE TO COUNTER FITNA" (April 6, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "'We will not forgive those who insult Prophet and Qoran'" (April 4, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "Yes, it's Friday" (April 4, 2008)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "GEERT WILDERS IS A ZIONIST PLOT?" (April 3, 2008)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "MORE ABOUT FITNA" (April 3, 2008)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "FITNA AND THE CHALLENGE TO MODERATE MUSLIMS" by Thomas Haidon (April 2, 2008)

WESTERN RESISTANCE.com - blog (FAMILY SECURITY MATTERS): "GEERT WILDERS AND HIS NOTORIOUS ISLAM MOVIE" by Adrian Morgan (April 2, 2008)

CNS NEWS.com: "YouTube WARNED TO REMOVE KORAN FILM" by Patrick Goodenough (April 2, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (CBC): "FITNA RAGE IN INDONESIA: 'The Dutch government must arrest him. Wilders must be killed because he has declared war on Muslims.'" (April 2, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (AP via Yahoo News): "DUTCH LAWMAKER TO EDIT ANTI-QURAN FILM" (April 1, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (NISNews.nl): "FILM 'WORSE THAN FITNA' ABANDONED: FILMMAKER SAYS DUTCH GOVERNMENT CAN'T PROTECT HIM" (April 1, 2008)

HUMAN EVENTS.com: "GEERT WILDERS' 'FITNA': INSIGHTFUL AND INCITEFUL" by Robert Spencer (MARCH 31, 2008)

THE JAWA REPORT - blog: "UPDATE ON FITNA SITE HACKING" (April 2, 2008)

JAWA REPORT - blog: "FITNA WEBSITE HACKED BY CYBERTERRORISTS!" (March 31, 2008)

Link

JIHAD WATCH.org (RADIONETHERLANDS.NL): "26 ISLAMIC COUNTRIES ASK NETHERLANDS TO BAN FITNA" (March 31, 2008)

HOT AIR.com: "LIVELEAK RESTORES 'FITNA'; VIDEO: INDONESIANS CALL FOR WILDER'S DEATH" (March 31, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (REUTERS) - Snippet: ""I call on Muslims around the world, if you run into the maker of the film, kill him," said one of the speakers at the rally, Awit Mashuri. "Geert Wilders is a Christian terrorist," declared a placard held up by a protester. "Kill Geert Wilders," read another..." (March 31, 2008)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "FITNA" (March 31, 2008)

Link

JIHAD WATCH.org: "JIHADIST CLERIC OMAR BAKRI: FITNA 'COULD BE A FILM BY THE MUJAHIDEEN'" (March 29, 2008)

Link

EZRA LEVANT.com: "FITNA UPDATE" (COMMENTARY SNIPPET: "Thoughtful defenders of Western, liberal values will see the irony here: a film about radical Islamic violence is stopped by the threat of radical Islamic violence. It proves Wilders' point.") (March 28, 2008, 7:08 pm)

THE JAWA REPORT - blog: "Reader Love Mail: Fitna YouTube Edition" (March 28, 2008)

CNS NEWS.com: "KORAN FILM: 'THE DAY WILL COME WHEN WE WILL RULE AMERICA'" by Patrick Goodenough (March 28, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (AFP): "'DEATH TO THE FILMMAKER'" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "In Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, about 40 supporters of the hardline Islamist party Jamaat-i-Islami staged a protest, chanting 'Death to the filmmaker'") (March 28, 2008)

Link

WESTERN RESISTANCE.com - blog: "MEDIA: GEERT WILDERS' MOVIE ON ISLAM" (March 27, 2008)

Link

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

Note: The following blog entry is a quote:

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7146.htm

New Muslim Brotherhood Leader in Jordan

Dr. Himmam Sa’id, affiliated with the extremist faction of the movement, has been elected head of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan.

Source: Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, May 2, 2008

Posted at: 2008-05-02

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/05/an_interesting_pairing_at_an_m.php

“An Interesting Pairing at an MB Conference”
By Douglas Farah

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “As I wrote in the analysis for the NEFA Foundation, “In the document, the author is strikingly clear about the ultimate goal of the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States.””

(May 1, 2008)

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

blog:

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/05/mexico-violence-breaks-out-aga/

“Mexico – Violence Breaks Out Again – State Department Warns Americans”
By Jay Fraser on May 2, 2008 at 11:16 PM

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

Travel Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
This information is current as of today, Sat May 03 2008 18:42:52 GMT-0700 (PDT).

Mexico

April 14, 2008

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