Threat Matrix: June 2008

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=49ACAF4E-0915-4BBE-B5D6-C7115A8C89B9

“Co-Conspirators of Hate”
By Joe Kaufman
FrontPageMagazine.com | Monday, June 30, 2008

PROPAGANDA On The Internet:

www.youtube.com/user/ansar119

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20853&Itemid=21

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080629-02
June 29, 2008

Iraqi forces detain AQI member, prevent attacks (Udaim)

Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BALAD, Iraq – Baqubah Emergency Response Force detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq member in Udaim, approximately 112 kilometers north of Baghdad, during an operation in which two structures rigged with explosives were destroyed, June 28.

ERF conducted the operation to disrupt AQI’s movement and decrease their intimidation attacks on the local Iraqis in the Udaim River Valley area. They detained the suspected terrorist, because he is believed to be part of a mortar and rocket cell that targets Iraqi Security and Coalition forces, and local citizens.

During the operation, ground intelligence indicated that two buildings were rigged with IEDs and posed a threat to ground forces. ERF cleared the buildings of all occupants before air support fire was requested and destroyed the two structures.

Iraqi Security Forces are providing security to the area in efforts to deny AQI from maintaining a sanctuary in the Udaim River valley region.

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20854&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080629-07
June 29, 2008

National Police seize nearly 200 weapons (New Baghdad)

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi National Police seized nearly 200 weapons during search operations in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad, June 29.

At 11:30 a.m., police from the 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division reported confiscating about 150 weapons during a clearance operation of Muhalla 733 in the Mashtal area of New Baghdad. The weapons included 133 AK-47 rifles, four AK-22 rifles, three SKS rifles, a bolt-action rifle, two air-gun rifles, an MP-5 sub-machinegun, an RPK machinegun and six pistols.

Also in Muhalla 733, at approximately 1 p.m., police from the 4th Bde., 1st NP Div. reported confiscating 20 AK 47 rifles, two bolt-action rifles and two pistols. In addition, the security platoon assigned to 4th Bde., 1st NP Div. reported seizing 19 AK-47 rifles as part of the Muhalla 733 clearance mission at 3 p.m.

“The National Police are more vigilant than ever in enforcing a weapons free zone to protect the citizens of Baghdad,” said Maj. Joey Sullinger, a spokesperson for 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Multi-National Division – Baghdad. “Successful missions such as this bolster the people’s confidence in the security forces that provide them safety and security, and it sends a message to militants that their days of uninhibited intimidation are over.”

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20857&Itemid=21

Press Release A080630a-238
June 30, 2008

Widespread operations strike al-Qaeda networks

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed six al-Qaeda terrorists and detained 22 suspects during operations targeting various networks within the terrorist group in Iraq Sunday and Monday.

Using information from an operation May 21, Coalition forces conducted several operations Sunday targeting members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell that operates in the Tigris River Valley. During one operation near Balad, Coalition forces identified two terrorists in a vehicle. The driver ignored Coalition forces’ warnings to stop, including warning shots. Coalition forces perceived hostile intent and engaged the vehicle’s occupants, killing both. Inside, they found a weapon and military-style assault vest.

During a second operation near Balad, Coalition forces identified four terrorists in a vehicle. When the driver ignored Coalition forces’ warnings to stop, the Coalition forces perceived hostile intent and fired shots to stop the vehicle. Explosives and ammunition inside the vehicle ignited, burning the vehicle and killing the four men inside.

Follow-on operations in Bayji, about 160 kilometers south of Mosul, netted nine suspected terrorists Sunday and three on Monday. One of the detainees is assessed to be a facilitator who provides safe house locations for foreign terrorists moving through the area to conduct attacks for the AQI cell.

Coalition forces continued to chip away at the AQI network in Baghdad Sunday and Monday, capturing a wanted man and one additional suspect allegedly tied to the terrorist group.

An alleged AQI operative in Mosul is in Coalition forces’ custody after an operation Monday that netted two suspected terrorists, propaganda materials and sophisticated equipment used for forging documents. South of Mosul, Coalition forces captured a wanted man and detained four additional suspects. The wanted man is assessed to be a mid-level leader who is involved in bombings and assassinations.

In Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a man assessed to be an AQI cell leader in the Southern Belt around the city. The man allegedly provides suicide bombers for attacks.

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Sorry, I should have put a /s on the end of my post. ;-)

That’s ok.

Smiling at you.

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/jihad

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/alqaeda
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/alqaida

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/whitealqaeda
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/whitealqaida

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/reverts
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/revert

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

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

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/021583.php

#

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Muslim-convert-left-fake-nailbomb.4237292.jp

“Muslim convert left fake nailbomb on bus, court told”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A WHITE Muslim convert planted a hoax bomb on a bus full of people with a note saying that ‘Britain must be punished’, a court was told today.

Nicholas Roddis, 22, is thought to have disguised himself with a long black beard before planting the fake home-made nailbomb on a crowded bus in Rotherham, in May last year.

Leeds Crown Court was told Roddis, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, had recently learnt the teachings of Islam in a move to convert over to the religion and had even recorded the preachings of disgraced cleric Abu Hamza.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “On May 8 last year, a man disguised with a long black beard boarded a bus with two carrier bags, he told the jury.

Not long after he disembarked, leaving one bag behind. A passenger checked inside and saw three packages with nails, wire, a working clock and a note with foreign writing on it.

“Obviously this man was convinced he was looking straight at a bomb and shouted to the driver and the police were called,” Mr Brown said.

Fifty homes were evacuated and a 100 metre cordon was thrown up around the bus, while the bomb was detonated in a controlled explosion and found to be a hoax.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The writing on the piece of paper was in Arabic and read “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the messenger of Allah. God is great, god is great, god is great. Britain must be punished.” It was signed Al Qaeda Organisation of Iraq.

When Roddis was arrested at a house where he was a lodger in Rotherham a large quantity of extremist material was seized.

Mr Brown told the court it was a collection of most of the material needed to make some form of explosive device capable of causing alarm.

“There was electronic and hard copies of ‘how to build a bomb’ and the chemicals needed were in a cupboard,” he said.”

Last Updated: 30 June 2008 5:48 PM
Source: n/a
Location: Yorkshire

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7482312.stm

Page last updated at 19:15 GMT, Monday, 30 June 2008 20:15 UK

“Bomb hoax suspect was ‘extremist’”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Mr Brown added that police searching Mr Roddis’s lodgings found acetone, hydrogen peroxide, a quantity of nails and a false beard.

He told the jury: “He [Mr Roddis] had developed a close interest in what amounts to radical and extremist Islamic activities and radical and extremist Islamic violence.”

The court heard Mr Roddis got a job at the Sheffield firm Loans Assured where he disturbed Muslim colleagues by showing them video clips, including beheadings.

Mr Brown said the defendant downloaded documents from the internet about bomb-making and had a collection of extremist material.”

placemark

RECAP:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/021567.php

June 29, 2008

“Pakistan deports 8 foreigners studying at Islamic seminary, including Americans”

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RECAP:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3558440,00.html

“Report: Al-Qaeda recruiting white Europeans”

SNIPPET: “US intelligence officials fear al-Qaeda currently training white Europeans in Pakistani camps to carry out terror attacks in Europe, North America. Intelligence director: Europeans can enter US without passport, blend in more easily”

Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 06.21.08, 19:26 / Israel News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Citing US intelligence sources, ABC News reported that dozens of white Europeans have trained in terrorist camps in Pakistan’s tribal regions in recent months, in what officials fear may be the beginnings of a new breed of al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorism.

Government officials suspect the terrorists, recruited in Europe, have been dispatched to plan attacks against Europe and possibly the United States. The alleged terrorists hail from Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Romania and Estonia, sources said.

Intelligence officials claim the remote tribal areas along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan have in the last several years become a haven for terrorist recruiting and training. Hundreds of radicals from across the region have flocked to al-Qaeda training camps in the area.”

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12031

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 553-08
June 30, 2008
Charges Sworn Against Detainee Al-Nashiri

The Defense Department announced today that charges have been sworn against ‘Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri of Saudi Arabia. This swearing brings to twenty the number of detainees who are in some stage of the military commission process.

The charges allege that Mr. al-Nashiri participated in the planning and preparation for the attack on the USS Cole in the Port of Aden, Yemen, on Oct. 12, 2000. It is alleged that two men dressed as civilians piloted what appeared to be a small, civilian garbage barge up to the ship. The two men allegedly made friendly gestures to several crewmembers aboard the ship before detonating explosives concealed within their boat. The attack killed 17 sailors, wounded 47 sailors, and severely damaged the ship. It is alleged that al-Nashiri was involved in the following actions, among other things:

Renting apartments and houses near Aden, Yemen, for use in observing the Port of Aden and preparing for an attack against a U.S. Naval vessel;

Purchasing a small, civilian boat in 1999 and arranging for a vehicle to tow the boat;

Obtaining explosives, transporting them to a safe house, and concealing the explosives in the boat;

Attempting unsuccessfully to use the explosives-laden boat to attack the USS The Sullivans as it was refueling in the port of Aden on Jan. 3, 2000;

Recovering and refitting the boat and explosives for use in the later attack on the USS Cole;

Meeting with Usama bin Laden and other co-conspirators in Afghanistan to reorganize their plot in the summer of 2000, prior to the attack on the USS Cole;

Testing the explosives recovered after the failed attack on the USS The Sullivans;

Arranging for two co-conspirators to launch the explosives-laden boat in the Port of Aden and detonating their explosives alongside the USS Cole, killing 17 sailors, wounding 47 other sailors and blasting a 40 foot hole in the side of the ship;

Assisting in the attack on the SS Limburg, a French super-tanker, in the Gulf of Aden on Oct. 6, 2002, resulting in the death of a crewmember and the spillage of approximately 90,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf.

Based on these allegations and others outlined in the charge sheet, al-Nashiri is charged with the following substantive offenses: conspiracy to violate the law of war, murder in violation of the law of war, treachery or perfidy, terrorism, destruction of property in violation of the law of war, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, providing material support to terrorism, and attempted murder.

In accordance with the Military Commissions Act of 2006, these sworn charges will be forwarded to the Convening Authority, Susan J. Crawford. She will then make an independent determination as to whether to refer some, all, or none of the charges to trial by military commission. If the convening authority decides to refer the case to trial, she will designate commission panel members (jurors). The chief trial judge of the Military Commissions Trial Judiciary will detail a military judge to the case.

The chief prosecutor has recommended the charges against al-Nashiri be referred as capital. If the convening authority, in her sole discretion, decides to refer the case as capital, the accused may face the possibility of being sentenced to death.

The military commissions provide the following protections for the accused: to be represented by detailed military counsel, as well as civilian counsel of his own selection and at no expense to the government; to elect not to testify at trial and to have no adverse inference drawn from it; to examine all evidence presented to a jury by the prosecution; to obtain evidence and to call witnesses on his own behalf including expert witnesses; to cross-examine every witness called by the prosecution; to be present during the presentation of evidence; to have no statements obtained by torture admitted; to have a military commission panel (jury) of at least five military members determine guilt or innocence by a 2/3 majority, or in the case of a capital offense, a unanimous decision of at least 12 members; and the right to an appeal to the Court of Military Commission Review, then through the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to the United States Supreme Court.

The charges are only allegations that the accused has committed offenses under the Military Commissions Act, and the accused remains innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Conducting fair, just, and open military commissions is the Department of Defense’s top legal services priority. In conjunction with that, it is important that the commissions be accessible to victim family members.

The Department of Defense is developing plans to provide access to commission proceedings for victim family members at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Department is also working towards providing a closed circuit television feed at a selected U.S. site to allow victim families to view trial proceedings.

Terrorism task force searches McHenry County home (Chicago suburb)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-il-fbisearch,0,3841447.story

Thank you Velveeta.
Updates appreciated.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3562032,00.html

“Hospitals in north instructed to prepare for earthquake”

SNIPPET: “Health Ministry director-general sends letter to medical facilities in northern Israel, warning them Geophysical Institute believes large quake may hit area soon. Hospitals urged to ready for possible mass casualty event”
Meital Yasur-Beit Or
Published: 06.30.08, 12:02 / Israel News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “An inter-office governmental committee reviewing seismographic assessments by the Geophysical Institute of Israel (GII) concluded recently that a large earthquake might hit northern Israel in the near future.

Following the report, Health Ministry Director-General Prof. Avi Yisraeli ordered hospitals in the north to implement the necessary procedures in order to be able to handle a mass casualty event.”

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/

“Latest Earthquakes in the World - Past 7 days”

Updates appreciated.

I would think that earthquake disaster preparations would be quite similar to those for an anticipated military attack.

Very similar, indeed.

OPINION: I agree — kind of like TM preparedness.

READY.GOV
http://www.ready.gov

BLOG:

http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2008/07/how-europes-counterterrorism-laws-differ.html

“How Europe’s Counterterrorism Laws Differ from America’s”

by Daniel Pipes
Thu, 3 Jul 2008