Threat Matrix: September 2008

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[nwctwx]

How The West Was Won

The rapid and unexpected decline of the Sunni insurgency in Iraq was officially recognized this week, when Maj. Gen. John Kelly, commanding the Marine Expeditionary Force, turned operational control of Anbar Province over to the Iraqi army and police.

Anbar, a vast expanse of desert the size of North Carolina, had been the stronghold of the Sunni insurgency. For years, foreign fighters loyal to al-Qaida had sneaked across Iraq's northwestern border with Syria, into Anbar and down a "rat line" of safe houses in Haditha, Ramadi and Hit.

From Fallujah, the arch terrorist Zarqawi dispatched suicide bombers to murder hundreds of Shiites in Baghdad. So fearsome were the al-Qaida leaders in Iraq that by 2005 they had taken control or intimidated Sunni resistance cells 10 times their size. Read More

	Pakistan Official: We Just Missed Al Qaeda Number Two
	U.S. Conducts First Raid on Terrorists in Pakistan
	Video: 1st Column Erected at World Trade Ctr. Memorial

Threat Matrix:
September 2008

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[Cindy]

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=90748

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Islamabad Bombing Update
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
South / Central Asia - Pakistan
21 Sep 2008

[Cindy]

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

[Cindy]

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

“Worldwide Caution”
July 16, 2008

SNIPPET: “This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/egypt/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/sudan

#

UPDATING post no. 560:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3600362,00.html
(REUTERS)

“Rome says 5 Italians kidnapped in Egypt”
Published: 09.22.08, 14:02 / Israel News

#

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3600353,00.html
(REUTERS)

“Report: 2 Israelis kidnapped in Egypt”
Published: 09.22.08, 13:48 / Israel News

[Godzilla]

Afghanistan - Taliban abduct 140 civilian workers from construction project

Not good, however, we are shifting to a surge in Afghanistan, so the slimeballs days are numbered.

[Cindy]

“...so the slimeballs days are numbered.”

I sure hope so.

[Cindy]

Thanks to Nick Grace for this new article.

Note: Photo included.

BLOG:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/09/mystery_surrounds_hi.php

Mystery surrounds hijacked Iranian ship
By NICK GRACESeptember 22, 2008 12:20 PM
Written by Nick Grace & Abdiweli Ali, Ph.D.

PHOTO CAPTION: “The MV Iran Deyanat. Photo from Maritime News Russia.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A tense standoff is underway in northeastern Somalia between pirates, Somali authorities, and Iran over a suspicious merchant vessel and its mysterious cargo. Hijacked late last month in the Gulf of Aden, the MV Iran Deyanat remains moored offshore in Somali waters and inaccessible for inspection. Its declared cargo consists of minerals and industrial products, however, Somali and regional officials directly involved in the negotiations over the ship and who spoke to The Long War Journal are convinced that it was heading to Eritrea to deliver small arms and chemical weapons to Somalia’s Islamist insurgents.”

[Cindy]

http://www.infolive.tv

#

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1222017355446&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Sep 22, 2008 11:59 | Updated Sep 22, 2008 21:56
“Soldier attacked with acid may lose eye”
By YAAKOV KATZ

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “An IDF soldier may lose sight in one eye after a Palestinian woman threw acid in his face on Monday as she tried crossing the Hawara checkpoint outside Nablus.

The soldier was hospitalized with light-to-moderate wounds and doctors said there was a chance that he would lose the sight in one of his eyes.

The woman, identified as a 19-year-old resident of Nablus, was behind a similar attack earlier in the month when she threw acid in the face of an officer at the checkpoint but succeeded in fleeing back into Nablus. On Monday she was captured and taken into police custody.”

###

More details:

http://www.infolive.tv/en/infolive.tv-29730-israelnews-breaking-news-terrorist-slams-car-crowd-jerusalem-street-corner-woun

“Breaking News - Terrorist Slams Car Into Crowd On Jerusalem Street Corner Wounds 18, Shot Dead By Soldier & Policeman”
Terrorism
23/9/08www.infolive.tv

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A terrorist slammed his car into a crowd standing on a Jerusalem street corner at an intersection near Jerusalem’s Safra Square, wounding 18 before he was shot dead by a soldier. Magen David Adom officials said two suffered serious wounds, four were in moderate condition and the rest suffered light injuries..
Unconfirmed reports claim the terrorist is an Arab resident from the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, the same neighborhood from where the terrorist who gunned down and murdered eight yeshiva students at the capital’s Mercaz Harav yeshiva in March came from.

Jerusalem Police Commander Aharon Franco was unable to confirm the reports noting that the black BMW car the terrorist drove is registered in the name of a resident of Jabel Mukaber.”

###

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3600634,00.html

“Terror attack in Jerusalem, 17 wounded”

SNIPPET: “At least 17 reported wounded as terrorist runs private car into pedestrian crowd at busy intersection in central Jerusalem. Paramedics say two in serious condition. Terrorist reportedly shot dead by IDF officer”

Efrat Weiss
Latest Update:
09.23.08, 00:17 / Israel News

###

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e006.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
September 21, 2008

“Hamas security forces exerted massive military power to confront the Dugmush clan and operatives of the Army of Islam, a network affiliated with Al-Qaeda. It was another Hamas step to suppress opposition and tighten its control over the Gaza Strip.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/france
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/spain

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/aqim
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/internet

#

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022795.php
(ADNKRONOS INTERNATIONAL)

September 22, 2008

“Al-Qaeda leader in North Africa threatens France, Spain”
Algiers, 22 Sept. (AKI)

[Cindy]

RECAP and UPDATED:

JIHAD WATCH.org (ABC NEWS: "MAURITANIA: AL-QAEDA DUMPS DECAPITATED BODIES IN STREET AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF ABATING ITS JIHAD" (September 22, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (AP, September 17, 2008): "AL-QAEDA CLAIMS MAURITANIA ATTACK: "This jihadist operation targeted the allies of the Americans, the crusaders on Islamic Mauritanian territory occupied by infidels"") (September 18, 2008)

JIHAD.org (AGENCE-FRANCE PRESSE, September 15, 2008): "AL-QAEDA-LINKED JIHADIST GROUP KILLS 12 MAURITANIAN SOLDIERS" (September 16, 2008)

Link

[Cindy]

UPDATING POST NO. 568:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3600648,00.html

“Monday’s terrorist an east Jerusalem resident
As in previous rampages, terrorist behind Monday’s attack an east Jerusalem resident”

Efrat Weiss
Published: 09.23.08, 00:08 / Israel News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “There we go again: The terrorist who carried out Monday night’s terror attack in the capital has been identified as an east Jerusalem resident. At this time, authorities have not yet released his name for publication.

This marks the third time that a resident of eastern Jerusalem perpetrates a similar attack this summer.”

[Cindy]

UPDATE - Breaking news:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1222017359431&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Sep 22, 2008 23:05
“Top Egyptian diplomat: All hostages freed and safe”
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK

#

Previously...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7629171.stm

Page last updated at 18:16 GMT, Monday, 22 September 2008 19:16 UK

“Eleven tourists seized in Egypt”

[WestCoastGal]

Cindy do you have anything on one of the threat agencies picking up chatter on the terror sites about an attack before the election? I know they usually do this, but it seemed like a go or get ready order. I saw a running blurb about this on Fox ticker but they’re so busy with other things I haven’t any reports on this.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/philippines
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/gwot
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/abusayyaf

#

UPDATE On This Kidnapping in the Philippines:
(GMA NEWS, September 21, 2008)

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022796.php

September 22, 2008
“Philippines: Marines rescue kidnapped children from al-Qaeda group”

[Cindy]

I have seen nothing in public sources on the internet, WestCoastGal.

#

The globaljihad is 24/7 and the GWOT is 24/7. -Cindy

[WestCoastGal]

Ok thanks, I will look to see if I can find something. It sounded feasible to me this time. I remember the Spanish elections a few years ago when they bombed Madrid to elect a socialist.

[Cindy]

Ok, I found something from a public source.

http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/october_surprise_attack/2008/09/22/133139.html

“Al-Qaida Threatens ‘October Surprise’ Attack”
Monday, September 22, 2008 11:49 AM
By: Tim Collie

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The attacks would likely be at American bases or allies abroad, since most experts think the group’s ability to penetrate the U.S. homeland has deteriorated since 9-11. Still, al-Qaida is aggressively recruiting both North African and European operatives who may have a greater ability to enter the United States and blend in before launching an attack, according to U.S. intelligence officials.”

[Cindy]

Speaking of Spain, here’s a current threat by AQIM regarding Spain and France.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2074194/posts?page=569#569

[WestCoastGal]

Looks like this may be it.

October Surprise - Spies Warn al Qaeda May Be Plotting Terror Attacks
September 22, 2008

October Surprise - There is growing speculation that al Qaeda may be plotting additional terror attacks both abroad and in the US leading up to the US Presidential elections.

In the aftermath of two major terrorist attacks on Western targets, America’s counterterrorism community is warning that Al Qaeda may launch more overseas operations to influence the presidential elections in November.

Call it Osama bin Laden’s “October surprise.” In late August, during the weekend between the Democratic and Republican conventions, America’s military and intelligence agencies intercepted a series of messages from Al Qaeda’s leadership to intermediate members of the organization asking local cells to be prepared for imminent instructions.

An official familiar with the new intelligence said the message was picked up in multiple settings, from couriers to encrypted electronic communications to other means. “These are generic orders,” the source said — a distinction from the more specific intelligence about the location, time, and method of an attack. “It was, ‘Be on notice. We may call upon you soon.’ It was sent out on many channels.”

Also, Yemen’s national English-language newspaper is reporting that a spokesman for Yemen’s Islamic Jihad, the Qaeda affiliate that claimed credit for last week’s American embassy bombing in Sa’naa, is now publicly threatening to attack foreigners and high government officials if American and British diplomats do not leave the country.
http://www.nationalterroralert.com/updates/2008/09/22/october-surprise-spies-warn-al-qaeda-may-be-plotting-terror-attacks/

[WestCoastGal]

Maybe they are serious or just feel slighted that they are not in the news any longer.

Thanks for the links.