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Gaza groups agree to stop firing at Israel
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 1: WoT Operations
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Afghanistan
Twin suicide raids kill at least 6 Afghans
At least five Afghans were killed in the southern city of Kandahar on Saturday in a suicide attack, which took place shortly after a car bomber hit U.S.-led coalition troops, a police offical said. Another police official said he saw five foreign casualties caused by the first attack. One local civilian was also killed in the initial attack, he said. The second attack occurred when a man set off explosives attached to his body at the same location.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 11:57 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Six Taliban, coalition troop and tribal chief killed in Afghanistan
Security forces shot dead six Taliban in a southern Afghan district overrun by rebels last week, while a coalition soldier and a tribal chief were killed elsewhere, officials said on Friday. The Dutch forces in the southern province of Uruzgan meanwhile told a news agency in The Hague they have killed at least 18 enemy fighters over the past 10 days. The six rebels were killed in Helmand province's southernmost Garmser district on the border with Pakistan in a security sweep over the past two days, provincial spokesman Moheedin Khan told AFP.

The Garmser headquarters was invaded by dozens of Taliban late on Monday causing the under strength police force to flee. Afghan and US-led coalition troops entered and secured the town early Wednesday with little resistance. The security forces late Tuesday secured adjoining Naway-i-Barakzayi after its district headquarters was also briefly overrun. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the killing a tribal chief in Helmand's Musa Qala district who was shot dead Thursday by two men on a motorbike, Khan said.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Africa Horn
Ethiopian-Somali Talks Fall Apart
Hundreds more Ethiopian troops moved into a second Somali town on Saturday to protect the country's weak, U.N.-backed government, and talks aimed at easing tensions here fell apart when Islamist militia delegates walked out and the government did not send representatives. About 200 Ethiopian troops with at least five pickup trucks mounted with machine guns and other vehicles moved into Wajid, a U.N. aid base, about 46 miles southeast of the Somali-Ethiopian border, at about 3 a.m. (0000GMT), several witnesses said on condition of anonymity because they feared reprisals. The soldiers took control of the town's airport from a militia serving the local administration, they said.

Arab League talks in Sudan, scheduled to resume Saturday, were aimed at easing the situation in Somalia, where the Islamist militia captured the capital, Mogadishu, from secular warlords and then consolidated their control over most of southern Somalia. Both sides signed a temporary cease-fire agreement June 22, and the Islamists formally recognized the government, something they had previously said they would not do. The talks fell apart Saturday when the Islamists walked out because of the Ethiopian incursion, and the government side said it would not attend until it received international guarantees that any agreement would be respected.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 12:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Kenya is getting nervous.
Posted by: RWV || 07/22/2006 13:10 Comments || Top||

#2  and the Islamists formally recognized the government, something they had previously said they would not do. The talks fell apart Saturday when the Islamists walked out because of the Ethiopian incursion, and the government side said it would not attend until it received international guarantees that any agreement would be respected.

1) The "Islamic Courts" had no intention of actually keeping their word to the secular government (of course).

2) "International Guarantees" aren't worth the paper they are written on. Hell, I would ask the Ethiopian government for guarantees. They seem to be willing to do more than talk, after all.
Posted by: Secret Master || 07/22/2006 13:50 Comments || Top||


Europe
German, Russian intel join search for Israeli soldiers
German and Russian intelligence services are using contacts to Middle East extremists in a bid to win the freedom of three Israeli soldiers being held by militants, a report said Friday. The German Federal Intelligence Agency (BND) - in tandem with Russian intelligence - is seeking to activate long-standing links to both Hamas and Hezbollah, said the Berlin Zeitung newspaper quoting unnamed officials. BND chief Ernst Uhrlau is an experienced negotiator with Mideast militants.

In January 2004, as the intelligence services coordinator to then chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, he helped organise a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hezbollah in which a German Air Force jet flew a kidnapped Israeli businessman and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers from Beirut to an airport in Germany. A second Luftwaffe jet brought more than 30 of the over 400 prisoners to be released by Israel to Cologne for repatriation to Lebanon and other countries. The remaining prisoners were released on Israel's border to Palestinian territories. A similar swap was arranged between Israel and the Hezbollah under chancellor Helmut Kohl in 1996 in which Israel released prisoners for the return of bodies of its soldiers. Uhrlau's continued role in such deals was apparently spotlighted by Israel's foreign ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor. "It is now time for the same functionaries from Germany to get active again," said Palmor in a German ZDF TV interview on Thursday.
Er, no. The point here is to get the soldiers back WITHOUT freeing oodles of bloodthirsty Paleos. Thanks Germany, thanks Russia, we'll work this out the old-fashioned way...brute force.
Posted by: Seafarious || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The Russians are trying to help Israel? If the Russians offered to help me I'd run very fast in the opposite direction.
Posted by: Aztaroth || 07/22/2006 0:51 Comments || Top||

#2  If the Russians are helping then I would take that as a sign that they might be concerned that this whole thing is going in a direction that might not be in Russian long-term interests. Getting those two soldiers back to Israel is probably the keystone to any kind of cooling off of this before some serious fighting goes on.

I doubt there is much they can do, though.
Posted by: crosspatch || 07/22/2006 2:29 Comments || Top||

#3  //German and Russian intelligence services are using contacts to Middle East extremists in a bid to win the freedom of three Israeli soldiers being held by militants//

Why doesn't this surprise me?
Posted by: Thoth || 07/22/2006 3:03 Comments || Top||

#4  "Er, no. The point here is to get the soldiers back WITHOUT freeing oodles of bloodthirsty Paleos. Thanks Germany, thanks Russia, we'll work this out the old-fashioned way...brute force."

Agreed!!
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 8:26 Comments || Top||

#5  Crosspatch,

The Russians probably don't want their fingerprints to be found on the Iraqi WMD burried by Syria (w/ Russian help) in the Bekaa Valley... That would be very, ah, embarrassing.
Posted by: gb506 || 07/22/2006 9:45 Comments || Top||

#6  The Russians are trying to help Israel?

The Russians sell Nuclear stuff to Iran.
Then they sell launching to Israel for sattellite to spy on the Iranians.
Business aside it can be hard to figger.
Posted by: J. D. Lux || 07/22/2006 13:18 Comments || Top||

#7  Whores aren't picky if they see the green.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/22/2006 13:26 Comments || Top||

#8  The Germans and the Russians can help find them. But I don't think this time they will be authorized to negotiate a trade.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/22/2006 22:35 Comments || Top||


Two Kurdish rebels killed, four Turkish soldiers wounded
(KUNA) -- Two Kurdish militants were killed and four Turkish soldiers were injured during clashes in eastern Turkey, a security source said Friday. Ihlas news agency quoted the source as saying the clashes took place in Gurpinar town in Van province near the Iranian borders. The fighting occurred while the Turkish army was combing the area in search of rebels from the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). Two of the wounded Turkish soldiers are in criticial condition, said the source.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: WoT
Pakistani given 30 years in New York al Qaeda case
A Pakistani convicted of supporting an al Qaeda plot to blow up U.S. gas stations was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday in a case Washington has called a victory in its war on terror. Uzair Paracha, 26, has said he falsely confessed under the pressure of three days of interrogation by the FBI, but U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein said Paracha "knew what he was doing" in lending support to al Qaeda. Paracha remained calm after the sentence was read and waved to relatives as he left the courtroom wearing a blue prison jumpsuit.
"G'bye, Mom! I'm off to jug for 30 years!"
"I'll wait for you, Sonny!"
A jury in November convicted him on five counts including conspiracy to provide and providing material support to al Qaeda. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales last year cited the case as one of the top U.S. legal victories in the fight against violent extremists. Prosecutors said Paracha attended several meetings in Pakistan with his father Saifullah Paracha and suspected al Qaeda members Majid Khan and Ammar al-Baluchi. They said Paracha agreed to mail travel documents to Khan in Pakistan and hold $200,000 in al Qaeda funds. The government believes Khan was planning to blow up gas stations in Maryland.

Little evidence of the suspected plot was presented at the trial, and the judge noted that FBI questioning revealed Paracha did not know details of any planned attack. "You are a very intelligent and particularly educated young man," the judge said. "You made a very serious mistake here. It is a loss to the American community and a loss to the Pakistani community."
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "G'bye, Mom! I'm off to jug for 30 years!"
"I'll wait for you, Sonny!"


Think of it as a religious retreat son, you can pound that forehead on the cell floor for 30 years in a row with absolutely no distractions!
Posted by: Papa Paracha || 07/22/2006 0:54 Comments || Top||

#2  Wonderful example. Actions have consequences. Seething and spittle begit a sharp rap across the face!
Posted by: SOP35/Rat || 07/22/2006 1:51 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Indian police say arrest man behind Kashmir attacks
A senior member of a Pakistan-based militant group blamed for a series of attacks in the Indian Kashmir, including last week's bombing of tourist vehicles, has been arrested, police said on Saturday. More than a dozen people, including eight Indian tourists, were killed and at least three dozen wounded in a string of grenade attacks in Srinagar, summer capital of the Jammu and Kashmir state. "Mudasir Gujri, now in police custody, was the main organiser and planner of Lashkar-e-Taiba and brain behind at least 25 recent attacks," Gopal Sharma, state police chief told a news conference.

Gujri, a resident of south Kashmir, had carried a reward of 500,000 Indian rupees ($10,700). "His arrest has revealed certain remarkable things about the LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) and the direct hand of Pakistani agencies in training and organising such saboteurs for subversive activities in Kashmir," Sharma said.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 11:55 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Pak not to allow militants to be questioned by India
Pakistan, which has rejected New Delhi's demand to hand over underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, has said it will not allow leaders of banned militant groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to be questioned by Indian police.

Pakistan will even not furnish records of interrogation of LeT leader Hafiz Mohammed Sayed and JeM chief Masood Azhar till the two countries built a level of trust, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri said in a private TV channel programme.

Asked if Pakistan will allow questioning of terrorist leaders by Indian police, he said "you are asking very strange things. For example we have not allowed the United States of America which is our ally for the last 50 years (to question disgraced nuclear scientist A Q Khan)."

India has made no demand for questioning of leaders of Pakistan-based terror outfits but has asked Islamabad to hand over Dawood and Salahuddin, who are wanted for terrorist and other heinous crimes in the country. The interview will be telecast tomorrow.

To a question on postponement of Foreign Secretary-level talks following the Mumbai blasts, Kasuri said, the SAARC Foreign Secretaries meeting and that of Foreign Ministers to be held in Dhaka on July 31 could provide an opportunity to discuss the future course of the dialogue process.
Posted by: john || 07/22/2006 09:51 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  i think Pakistan are scared of the chance of the ISI being implicated/grassed up!!!!
Posted by: Chash Slolump4856 || 07/22/2006 10:52 Comments || Top||


NYPD gives insights on India terror
The terror blasts in Mumbai last week were the equivalent of bombing seven commuter stations between Manhattan and Westchester, an NYPD intelligence officer said yesterday in an unusual security briefing.

The NYPD - which dispatched the intelligence officer to Mumbai last week after commuter trains were bombed, killing more than 200 people - briefed 65 security chiefs yesterday from major New York corporations, banks and institutions.

In a conference call from India, the lieutenant, whose identity is being withheld, shared new details of the terror attacks, including:

# Terrorists disguised their bombs in burlap knapsacks used by Indian commuters.

# They stuffed the explosives in overhead racks near the train doors - giving themselves an easy way to slip out unnoticed and ensuring that many victims would suffer head wounds.

# The bombers apparently timed the attack so the seven devices detonated within 11 minutes - and blew while the trains were at commuter stations.

The tactic assured more casualties and added to the bombings' psychological warfare by making sure the blasts were seen by rush-hour crowds.
Posted by: john || 07/22/2006 09:38 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Pretty much a repeat of Spain, looks like they used timers instead of cell phones.
Posted by: Steve || 07/22/2006 12:00 Comments || Top||

#2  Interesting that NYPD intelligence is so pro-active.
Way to go...

Posted by: john || 07/22/2006 13:46 Comments || Top||


5 Bugti commanders and 300 supporters surrender
DERA BUGTI: Five commanders of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and their 300 supporters surrendered to the government on Friday, an official said. The commanders include Wadera Ghulam Hussain Kalpar, Wadera Fazal Shambani, Wadera Bugti Kalpar, Wadera Juma and Wadera Pahari Kalpar. DCO Abdul Samad Lasi told reporters that the surrender of the five commanders had further weakened Akbar Bugti's command and control system. He said the tribesmen supported the government's development agenda for Balochistan.

Separately, some 590 Bugti tribesmen, who had deserted their homes due to escalating violence, started returned to the area on Friday. The tribesmen reached Looti, Pir Koh and Sui areas from Nasirabad district. DCO Lasi said that people were returning home since peace has been restored in the area. "The government will ensure their safety," he added.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Suspected militants kill local religious leader in SW Pakistan
(KUNA) -- The dead body of a local leader of six-party religious alliance, Mutahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), was found Friday, nine months after he was kidnapped by suspected militants in Southwest Pakistan, said official. Haibut Khan was kidnapped at gunpoint nine months back from Lund Colony of Dera Bugti district, by suspected nationalist militants, said Abdul Samad Lasi, the district police officer (DPO), while talking to KUNA by telephone. He said militants dumped his dead body Friday in the same area from where he was kidnapped. He added that apparently it seemed that he was tortured to death. The DPO said a police case has been registered.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Six LeT guerrillas killed in Jammu-Kashmir
(KUNA) -- Six suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) guerrillas were killed in two separate incidents in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir Friday. According to a report by news agency Indo-Asian News Service, four guerrillas of the LeT were gunned down by Indian security forces in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. In another incident, security forces shot dead two LeT militants at Wampora village in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, the news agency reported.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Iraq
NO accelerated withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq for now
Posted by: 3dc || 07/22/2006 14:22 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Of course not. West -- Syria, East -- Iran.
Posted by: twobyfour || 07/22/2006 14:49 Comments || Top||

#2  GOOD! Iran take note, your next!
Posted by: 49 Pan || 07/22/2006 15:02 Comments || Top||

#3  I'll bet you could get an Iraqi or two to go with us, too! ;-)
Posted by: gorb || 07/22/2006 15:37 Comments || Top||

#4  Maybe US troops will withdraw to Syria. That would be a step in the right direction. Then take a shortcut over to Beiruit when the coast is clear.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 07/22/2006 22:43 Comments || Top||


Five Iraqis killed, scores injured in car explosion in Midtown Kirkruk
(KUNA) -- Five Iraqi civilians were killed and tens of others were injured when a car bomb exploded in Midtown Kirkruk city in Northern Iraq, said a police source Thursday. The source told KUNA that the car exploded near the city hall and added that it caused damage to nearby properties. Violence is still occuring in Kirkuk city despite numerous efforts by the Iraq security forces and Multi-National Force (MNF) to maintain order in the city.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


US army kills five, arrests five Al-Qaeda militants
(KUNA) -- The US army said Thursday American soldiers killed five Al-Qaeda militants and arrested five others in separate operations in Iraq. A statement by the army said the US soldiers killed four gunmen during a raid on their hideout in the southeast of Baghdad. The raid, it added, targeted Al-Qaeda top militants in Iraq or Al-Qaeda affiliates. Another militant was killed in another attack in Samra', northern baghdad, said the army. The operations, aimed at cracking down on militants nationwide, also resulted in the apprehension of five militants, said the army.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Either kill the captured ones as illegals under the Geneva Convention, or hand them over to the opposite faction interrogators.
Posted by: Oldspook || 07/22/2006 21:12 Comments || Top||


Two dead bodies found, 30 suspects arrested in Kirkuk
(KUNA) -- Two dead bodies were found on Friday, one of them is for a child, in the city of Kirkuk, northern Iraq. Iraqi Police sources told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that police patrols in Azadi area found a dead body in a prayer hall in Abu Allouk graveyard, noting that the dead body is for an unidentified two-year old child.

The sources also said that an Iraqi Police patrol found an unidentified, beheaded body on a road in Wasety neighborhood in Kirkuk city.

Meanwhile, the death toll of the Thursday blast nearby the Kirkuk city hall increased to six deaths and 18 injuries, all of them are civilians, in addition to damaging 17 civilian cars.

Meanwhile, a joint Iraqi-US force continued search operations to hunt down gunmen in the areas of Hwaijah and Riyadh, southwestern Kirkuk. The Iraqi forces arrested 11 suspects in Riyadh and seized 30 Kalashnikovs and other weapons and explosives. The forces also arrested 17 suspects and seized 16 Kalashnikovs, rocket-propelled grenades, and materials used in preparing explosives. The search operations were requested by tribal leaders in Hwaijah and Riyadh due to the increasing armed operations in these areas.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


US Army says Iraqi forces executed wide-scale operation north of Baghdad
(KUNA) -- The Iraqi forces on Thursday executed a major, wide-scale military operation with US air support north of Baghdad. A US Army press release said the operation, executed with the support of more than 20 helicopters, aims at hunting down an armed group preparing explosives in northern Baghdad. The Iraqi forces executed a door-to-door search and arrested a gunman for preparing explosives in his residence. Also, assault rifles, machineguns, pistols, ammunitions, detonators, rockets, mortar rounds, and detonating wires were seized in the operation.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  God help 'em. Give them 2 more years of support, trainging growth and soldi gear, and they will be the best military native to the region other than Israel.

Maybe thats what has the Mullahs scared so badly - a US tained and equipped force, one that has been combat hardened, and is backed by oil revenue and the nearly entire populace of the country.

Iran is in for some payback.
Posted by: Oldspook || 07/22/2006 21:11 Comments || Top||


Bomb explosion south of Baghdad injures three MNF soldiers
(KUNA) -- Multi-National Forces (MNF) in Iraq said on Friday that three soldiers were injured when an explosion rocked their patrol vehicle south of Baghdad. A source from the MNF said an improvised bomb device planted on the side of the road exploded when an MNF patrolling vehicle was passing by northwest of the city of Kout in the south of Iraq. Two soldiers from Poland and one from El-Salvador were injured, the source added. An Iraqi police source from a town close to Kout said that a similar bomb exploded when a US military vehicle was passing by, however there were no reports of causalities.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Israel building prison for (future) Lebanese captives
Bu-u-t! I though the israelis were losing? Or on the verge of losing? Only a prisoners swap can end this, our foreign minister sez so! Seems they're thinking otherwise.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/22/2006 16:54 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I'm sure AI and HRW are writing up the human rights violations reports as we speak.
Posted by: tu3031 || 07/22/2006 17:01 Comments || Top||

#2  and each prisoner will be furnished with a Koran, prayer rug and fed properly prepared food, yes? You beat me to it TU
Posted by: GK || 07/22/2006 17:05 Comments || Top||

#3  Yeah, this makes sense. The Israelis will offer to exchange prisoners they have taken AFTER the conflict began for their soldiers. That way, Hezbollah can spin it as some kind of achievement, even though they have gained nothing.
Posted by: Apostate || 07/22/2006 18:12 Comments || Top||


150 Missiles Strike Northern Cities Over Sabbath
Residents of northern Israel spent a very tense Sabbath in their bomb shelters as more than 150 missiles struck various towns and cities in the region. A Terror attack in Tel Aviv was prevented. In all, Magen David Adom officials told Arutz-7 that teams responded to 55 incidents over the sabbath, treating 39 injured individuals. Rockets struck Nahariya, Kiryat Shmona, Carmiel, Rosh Pina, Ma'alot, Hatzor Haglilit, the Golan Heights, Haifa and Tzfat.

In Tzfat, four members of a single family were wounded - the 40-year-old mother seriously, her daughter moderately and her son and husband lightly. In Carmiel, one resident was wounded seriously Saturday evening. Carmiel was also hit earlier in the day, wounding two - one moderately and one lightly - as rockets struck their homes directly. In Kiryat Shmona, 26 missiles slammed into the city injuring six people lightly. On Friday, four people were moderately wounded and 12 lightly when ten rockets hit Haifa in two waves. One resident of Yesod Hama'aleh was lightly injured by shrapnel when a rocket struck the small village.

Friday night, Tel Aviv police succeeded in apprehending three Arab terrorists in the city planning to carry out a bonb attack. The terrorists, who matched descriptions of suspects said to be on their way to an attack, were nabbed in a vehicle at the entrance to the Tel Aviv port, a hub of the city's night life.
Posted by: Steve || 07/22/2006 16:37 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "Praise the Lord and pass the ammo."
Posted by: anonymous2u || 07/22/2006 16:53 Comments || Top||


Gaza groups agree to stop firing at Israel
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Militant groups in the Gaza Strip have agreed to stop firing missiles at Israel at midnight Saturday, senior Palestinian officials said.

The unilateral cease-fire is aimed at ending an Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip that began June 28, three days after militants raided an Israeli army post, killing two soldiers and capturing a third, 19-year-old Cpl. Gilad Shalit, the officials said on condition of anonymity because the agreement was reached at a closed meeting.

More than 100 Palestinians have been killed since then in daily attacks by Israeli warplanes, tanks and artillery, and the militants have fired hundreds of homemade rockets at southern Israel.

The agreement was reached in Gaza City following meetings sponsored by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh aimed at finding a way out of the crisis in Gaza, the officials said. Several Palestinian militant groups attended, including Haniyeh's Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which have been blamed for many of the rocket attacks on southern Israel, the officials said.

The Israeli Defense Forces said it had no immediate comment about the militants' cease-fire.

In fighting in Gaza on Friday, four people — a Hamas activist and three relatives — were killed in an explosion at a home in Gaza City, hospital officials said. Palestinians said the house was hit by an Israeli tank shell. The Israeli military denied using artillery or tanks.
Work accident.
On Thursday, Israeli aircraft carried out a series of strikes against Palestinian militants in the Mughazi refugee camp in central Gaza, the army said. Two militants were killed and at least 15 people, many of them civilians, were wounded, Palestinian medical officials said.

Israeli forces pulled out of the camp Friday.
Posted by: tu3031 || 07/22/2006 13:30 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  just quoting the movie "Silverado" ...."where's the boy?"

but you can if ya wants to quote the same movie about the Hezzie idiot..... "where's the dog?"
Posted by: mag44_vaquero || 07/22/2006 13:44 Comments || Top||

#2  Ran out weapons, did they? Or is it just a temporary case of brute-force syndrome.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 13:45 Comments || Top||

#3  Fox Interviewed the groups. First they had heard of agreeing to anything.
Posted by: 3dc || 07/22/2006 13:49 Comments || Top||

#4  No PRC or Gaza al-queda commitments, eh?

It will NOT stop until the islamofascists are hunting down and exterminated.
Posted by: Brett || 07/22/2006 13:52 Comments || Top||

#5  I heard that same Fox report. I find the notion of any central authority agreeing to anything on behalf of the various terrorist groups in Gaza to be suspect. These groups have long histories of engaging in their own private wars with Israel, notwithstanding the position of the central authority.

If one is to believe any central netogiating authority could cause it to end, one would also have to believe the central authority could have prevented it from starting in the first place.
Posted by: crosspatch || 07/22/2006 13:55 Comments || Top||

#6  Nothing but a PR campaign. "See, we offered cease-fire and Israelis still attack our baby ducks!"
Posted by: twobyfour || 07/22/2006 14:04 Comments || Top||

#7  Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Posted by: Anonymoose || 07/22/2006 14:06 Comments || Top||

#8  Ah, must be time to retreat, regroup, resupply, reequip, and rearm. Can't do that very well without a "cease fire", can we? Also makes for good press because the world community is so naive.
Posted by: gorb || 07/22/2006 14:45 Comments || Top||

#9  Hudnas are so last millenium.
Posted by: ed || 07/22/2006 14:50 Comments || Top||

#10  "naive"

gorb - I think you misspelled "complicit".
Posted by: Uneagum Jaimp5940 || 07/22/2006 14:51 Comments || Top||

#11  Uneagum: My mistake. :-)
Posted by: gorb || 07/22/2006 14:56 Comments || Top||

#12  It looks to me as if the Iranian troops that slid in last week need some time to build forces. Next month should be fun.
Posted by: 49 Pan || 07/22/2006 15:10 Comments || Top||

#13  Latest...what agreement to stop ? Gazers declare ignorance....well that settles that.
Posted by: Inspector Clueso || 07/22/2006 16:51 Comments || Top||

#14  the only reason a group asks or agrees to a cease fire is to re-arm it's forces.

So, when you get them on the ropes, keep punching.
Posted by: Armylife || 07/22/2006 17:43 Comments || Top||

#15  When the other side asks for a cease-fire, that means that your side is doing something right, so keep it up.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 07/22/2006 22:46 Comments || Top||


U.S. doubts Israeli figures about damage of air war
Israel is overstating the damage its air war has inflicted on the Hezbollah militia, which hides its weapons in tunnels and civilian neighborhoods throughout Lebanon, Bush administration and intelligence officials said yesterday.

Israeli assessments are "too large," said one U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. But he added, "We are not getting into numbers."

Jerusalem military leaders have put out numbers such as "50 percent" and "one-third" to assess the damage its combat jets have done to Hezbollah's arsenal of 13,000 rockets, and its mortars, launchers, vehicles and other military equipment. Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Daniel Ayalon, told the Associated Press yesterday that bombing has destroyed more than 40 percent of Hezbollah's arms.

A second government source said the amount destroyed is less than one-third. Officials also said an air attack on Hezbollah's headquarters bunker in south Beirut failed to kill any senior militia members, including leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah. The assumption is that no senior Hezbollah members were home when Israeli planes dropped 23 tons of munitions, including concrete-penetrating "bunker buster" bombs.

Since July 12, Israel has struck up to 100 targets a day in an air war that has been years in the planning as it watched Hezbollah, its sworn enemy, build up its rocket force, bunkers and membership numbers in southern Lebanon. War planners are finding that much of Hezbollah's firepower is hidden in hard-to-hit bunkers, tunnels or civilian neighborhoods, or is being spirited away in trucks after rockets are launched. Hezbollah, which touched off the current violence by invading Israel and kidnapping two soldiers, has fired as many as 1,000 short-range missiles at Israeli cities.

Still, Israel, using satellite imagery and human spies, had complied a long list of Hezbollah targets and has been able to destroy a significant number of Hezbollah assets using precision-guided bombs, a defense source said yesterday. Israeli chief of staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz said yesterday the offensive has killed 100 Hezbollah guerrillas. A U.S.-designated terror group, Hezbollah has about 1,000 or fewer combatants, and several thousand active supporters or members.


The problem for Israel is, there are limits to air wars and there are missions that only ground troops can carry out. Aerial bombardment cannot get at all targets, or verify damage. That is one reason Israel is contemplating a limited invasion to clear out bunkers and create a buffer zone free of Hezbollah rockets.

"Clearly [Israeli attacks have] had a very significant impact on their military capability," said a U.S. counterterrorism official. "But Hezbollah still has a significant stockpile of rockets."

Created with Iranian money and training in 1982, Hezbollah receives most of its rockets, the mainstay of its arsenal from Tehran, which ships them via highway routes through Syria to southern Lebanon. Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the enforcers of Iran's Islamic revolution and rigid theocracy, has sent advisers to Lebanon to train Hezbollah in how to operate new models of Katyusha, Fajr and Zelzal rockets that have hit Israel cities.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/22/2006 11:51 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  one U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity

why read any further?
Posted by: Ulirt Gleatch4358 || 07/22/2006 12:41 Comments || Top||

#2  The Hizbees will be spending the next 10 years rebuilding what the Israelis knocked down in 10 days. That's a good return oninvestment. If one wants to get at the last bits, one needs to scrape the ground clean with D9s.
Posted by: ed || 07/22/2006 12:49 Comments || Top||

#3  I thought the percentage numbers were describing the launchers, not the stockpiles.

Doesn't matter how many missles you got if you cant launch them.
Posted by: Oldcat || 07/22/2006 12:56 Comments || Top||

#4  Hiz-b could be resupplied very quickly depending on the the situ on ground following this action. I see this as US putting some muscle behind the argument that the Israelis MUST go in on the ground.
Posted by: Rex Mundi || 07/22/2006 13:15 Comments || Top||

#5  I'm with Old Cat,
Metrics for destruction could very well be based on ability to launch as opposed to hom many arrows still in the quiver.
Posted by: Capsu 78 || 07/22/2006 14:16 Comments || Top||

#6  "I see this as US putting some muscle behind the argument that the Israelis MUST go in on the ground."

You beat me to it Rex. Israel was trying to go for the "Wham Bam" without the dinner and a movie. In other words, Olmert got caught fudging the numbers to get out of this war before the job is finished. The good news is that, not only has U.S. given the green light, the U.S. will make sure the job is finished completely. Olmert is not going to squirm his way out this one.

Now, it makes me wonder. Did Israel request the bunker busters or did Bush say, you WILL take these bombs we are giving you and you WILL use them?
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 14:51 Comments || Top||

#7  Assuming Israel goes through with clearing out a 'buffer area' in the south and bows to international pressure to call off the dogs, isn't it just a matter of time before Syria and Iran supply Hezb'allah with rockets that overcome the buffer with greater range? Unless Israel - or the UN - gets Hizballah out of Lebanon, they'll end up fighting the same fight X years from now.
Posted by: Geoffro || 07/22/2006 18:32 Comments || Top||

#8  You've got it, Geoffro. Now that such an opportunity has presented itself, Israel should not hold back in any way. Doing so guarantees a return engagement just as you described. As I said elsewhere, I hope Syria and Iran decide to openly engage - they must be taken down now, too, to prevent that eventuality. Otherwise, we're merely treating the symptom, not the disease.
Posted by: cruiser || 07/22/2006 18:55 Comments || Top||

#9  The Israelis are trying to do an Iraq without the occupation. The problem is that it isn't possible to eradicate Hezbollah without an occupation. It is obvious, in light of the continued Baath attacks in Iraq, that the removal of Saddam did not kill the party off. Even if the Israelis kill Nasrallah, my feeling is that Hezbollah will live on - it is too organized a force to dissolve with a decapitation strike.

My feeling is that Israel is in a no-win situation. It doesn't want to take the casualties it will take to prevail - a dozen a year in Lebanon were too high, so it withdrew during Barak administration - and the enemy is undeterrable using the means that Israel has deployed so far. The Palestinian Authority can be countered because Israel has an intrusive security presence in-country (West Bank and Gaza). Without something similar in South Lebanon, Israel will continue to be attacked over and over again by Hezbollah. And all because Barak sacrificed Israel's strategic position in South Lebanon for some short-term electoral gains.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 07/22/2006 22:06 Comments || Top||

#10  ZF - I echo much of that. I have a substitute last sentence...

And all because no one has yet decided to stop the sources, Iran and Syria, and end the funding, arming, and military staging and training bases, and support of a state with an arms industry.

My view is pretty simple: It's all about Iran. Everyone else is a bit player. The money drives the whole structure, all of the action. No arms, no payrolls, no bases = brand-new equation with Shia terrorists completely marginalized. When Iran is knocked out, Mullahs deposed, then:

1) Syria will either collapse or sue for a way out, perhaps Libya-style.

2) Lebanon will finally have a chance to hold elections as something other than a Syrian puppet - the real Cedar Revolution.

3) Hezb will disintegrate into nothing more virulent than one of the Paleo factions - which even the Lebs can handle.

4) Iraq, like Leb, will finally have a chance - the strings cut - the Shia block will have to decide for themselves, for a change, just what they want to make of their golden opportunity.
Posted by: cruiser || 07/22/2006 22:25 Comments || Top||

#11  cruiser: And all because no one has yet decided to stop the sources, Iran and Syria, and end the funding, arming, and military staging and training bases, and support of a state with an arms industry.

The Gulf Arabs are handing the Pallies a lot of cash - it's just that this cash alone is enough to support a guerrilla movement but isn't enough to prop up an entire government that provides essential services. I think the thing that differentiates Hezbollah from the PA is that Lebanon does have a somewhat functioning economy, which is why the Iranian and Syrian help is being spent on weaponry instead of being diverted to welfare payments, via the corrupt but time-honored Middle-Eastern tradition of money flows slowing to a trickle as they move towards their final destinations.

There's another angle I hadn't thought of earlier. The Israeli attacks may not kill off Hezbollah, but they will inflict significant damage on Lebanon's ability to finance Hezbollah's war - the damaged infrastructure will be severely recessionary for the Lebanese economy. The Israeli attacks will discourage future investment in Lebanon because the damage from airstrikes is probably uninsurable. It may well be that whatever casualties incurred by Hezbollah are just a sideshow - the real Israeli goal is to divert Hezbollah's terror financing towards repairing the damage. If the Israelis can inflict a few billion dollars worth of damage, Hezbollah might run out of cash. It is possible that the Israelis seek neither to destroy Hezbollah nor to deter it, but to simply slow it down, and to establish a precedent for future bombing runs against Lebanese infrastructure if Hezbollah starts acting up again.

A final note on whether bombing does hurt enemy morale. It is human nature to scream defiance against the guys who are bombing you, but the reality is that getting bombed is really, really bad for your morale. This is why Hitler spent huge amounts of money putting up major anti-aircraft installations to shoot down Allied bombers. If getting bombed were such a morale booster, he would have left German skies open to Allied bombings. Note that atomic bombs ended the war with Japan. It is clear that whatever they did to boost Japanese morale, the effect wasn't enough to prevent a Japanese surrender.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 07/22/2006 22:56 Comments || Top||

#12  Okaaaaay... I wonder, are you talking to me? Oh well.

There's no actual end possible (re: Syria and Leb) as long as Iran is a primary funding source.

And then there's the other primary funding source...
Posted by: cruiser || 07/22/2006 23:07 Comments || Top||

#13  c: Okaaaaay... I wonder, are you talking to me? Oh well.

There's no actual end possible (re: Syria and Leb) as long as Iran is a primary funding source.

And then there's the other primary funding source...


Only the first part. My point is that the Pallies are equally well-funded by the entire Muslim world, which happens to include the oil-rich Gulf states. The Israelis have them in a headlock because of their intrusive security presence and because the well-established ROE in the occupied territories involves bombing anyone who gets in their way. This really hasn't been applied to Hezbollah, on account of Lebanon being a sovereign country and all. The Israeli airstrikes of this campaign are establishing a precedent for future air attacks in Lebanon.

My other comments were in relation to what Israel hopes to achieve. I think Israel's goals may be more limited than it is letting on. I think also that some of the shibboleths about how bombings won't have any impact on enemy morale are wrong - the morale of Hezbollah and and its supporters in Lebanon will be negatively impacted by the Israeli air strikes to the extent that it directly impacts them.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 07/22/2006 23:28 Comments || Top||


US speeds resupply of bunker-busters to Israel
NYT registration required.

The Bush administration is rushing a delivery of precision-guided bombs to Israel, which requested the expedited shipment last week after beginning its air campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, American officials said Friday.

The decision to quickly ship the weapons to Israel was made with relatively little debate within the Bush administration, the officials said. Its disclosure threatens to anger Arab governments and others because of the appearance that the United States is actively aiding the Israeli bombing campaign in a way that could be compared to Iran’s efforts to arm and resupply Hezbollah.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Jackal || 07/22/2006 10:04 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Implicit in the eventual diplomatic package is a cease-fire. But a senior American official said it remained unclear whether, under such a plan, Hezbollah would be asked to retreat from southern Lebanon and commit to a cease-fire, or whether American diplomats might depend on Israel’s continued bombardment to make Hezbollah’s acquiescence irrelevant.

Ahhh -- savor that last phrase like fine brandy.
Posted by: regular joe || 07/22/2006 10:25 Comments || Top||

#2  why are arab countries always mad about civilian casualties unless it is an arab doing it?
Posted by: Thromort Glomoger4987 || 07/22/2006 10:50 Comments || Top||

#3  ...threatens to anger Arab governments and others because of the appearance that the United States is actively aiding the Israeli bombing campaign in a way that could be compared to Iran’s efforts to arm and resupply Hezbollah

Once again the NYT editorializes the news with speculation that we're just as bad, if not worse, than "them"...
Posted by: Inspector Clueso || 07/22/2006 11:08 Comments || Top||

#4  pants off
Posted by: Clerert Uneamp2772 || 07/22/2006 11:21 Comments || Top||

#5  threatens to anger Arab governments and others because of the appearance that the United States is actively aiding the Israeli bombing campaign in a way that could be compared to Iran’s efforts to arm and resupply Hezbollah

Once again, the NYT reveals a gov't initiative in a way that could be compared to Julius and Ethel Rosenberg's efforts to arm the Soviet Union.
Posted by: charger || 07/22/2006 16:00 Comments || Top||


Police seeking suspected terrorist in Tel Aviv
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has issued an alert to police of a possible suicide terrorist currently making their way through the Tel Aviv area. Roadblocks were being set up in the area and police were out in force in searches for the individual.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  It was a woman and she and her accomplices hve been caught. See J-Post site.
Posted by: Apostate || 07/22/2006 2:32 Comments || Top||


Four Palestinians killed, three wounded in Shujaiya, eastern Gaza
(KUNA) -- Four Palestinian civilians were killed Friday and three others were wounded after Israeli forces shelled a house in the Shujaiya district, eastern Gaza. Palestinian security and medical sources confirmed that those killed and wounded were members of the same family, that of Jabur Harara and that their home had been hit with Israeli cannons very early this morning while they were still asleep. Director of public relations at Shifaa Hospital Dr. Jomaa Al-Saqqa said wounds of three family members were serious, adding that the severed remains of those killed -- the mother, elder son, second son, and cousin -- were burnt and charred.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Ducks and bunnies count NOT shown? WTF??
Posted by: Brett || 07/22/2006 0:04 Comments || Top||

#2  No, the ducks and bunnies were infidels.
Posted by: Korora || 07/22/2006 0:22 Comments || Top||


Casualties of Hezbollah Katyusha rockets increased to 19 in Haifa
(KUNA) -- The number of injured people in the bombing of Haifa's old market Friday increased to 19 people, two of whom are in critical condition. Israeli radio said that Hezbollah rocket attack on Haifa's old market resulted in the largest number of casualties among Israelis since the beginning of the war. Safad city and Rosh Pina settlement were also targeted by Hezbollah's Katyusha rockets, but no casualties were reported.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


UNRWA: Israel dropped leaflets in Gaza warning it will attack homes with weapons
(KUNA) -- Chief UNRWA Officer and Spokesman in Geneva Matthias Burchard told reporters Friday that UNRWA is extremely worried after the Israeli forces dropped leaflets throughout the Gaza strip warning it will attack homes alleged to hide weapons. "UNRWA is extremely concerned about this new policy that threatens directly homes of civilians," he added.
Any concern over whether they're chock full of weapons?.... [Chirrup!]
He added, that this morning the Israeli forces withdrew from the Maghazi refugee camp, which lodges 23,000 Palestinian refugees, located in the centre of the Strip. The result of the nearly 3 day military incursion, he said, is 17 dead Palestinians, and 107 wounded.
All are innocents, of course, the majority puppies and kittens...
"UNRWA is presently assessing the damage, but it is clear already that considerable damage has been done, including to UNRWA installations. Especially worrying was that residents could not flee the fighting, partly also due to embankments the Israelis had built for their tanks. Residents were lying on the floor as the only means of trying to protect themselves," he said. Burchard explained that this destruction comes just days after widespread destruction in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza strip of 4 UNRWA schools and a health clinic, all of course widely identifiable as UN installations. Concerning access, Burchard said that it has become erratic in terms of movement within the strip, and precarious for getting anything in, a gamble of getting something out, and tragic for locals wishing to leave or return via Rafah.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  You mean every hovel has munitions stored in it. You Paleos better run like your ass is on fire. Pronto. No more time for pleading, spitting , and sputtering.
Posted by: SOP35/Rat || 07/22/2006 1:54 Comments || Top||

#2  UNRWA is probably the best example of just how amazingly distorted and bigoted the UN has become. A burlesque of dysfunction, artifice, and fraud.

The fact that they are getting precisely what they've demanded and voted for is no tragedy, Drone Burchard, that's free will, baby.
Posted by: Shinegum Thraiger5571 || 07/22/2006 2:11 Comments || Top||

#3  So?? attackng homes wth weapons is legitmate
Posted by: Clerert Uneamp2772 || 07/22/2006 8:46 Comments || Top||

#4  These people are just chomping at the bit to get Israel into the Hague, by any means necessary. It's not going to work. I don't think Israel signed onto the ICC. At least, I hope not.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 9:57 Comments || Top||

#5  War stinks, buddy.

That's why sensible countries don't provoke one.
Posted by: Oldcat || 07/22/2006 10:55 Comments || Top||

#6  Chief UNRWA Officer and Spokesman in Geneva Matthias Burchard...

Yeah. Lots of "refugees" in Geneva...
Posted by: tu3031 || 07/22/2006 17:05 Comments || Top||

#7  Yesterday Fox was showing footage of the destruction in Lebannon and, I shit you not, one scene showed a stuffed bunny atop the rubble. I looked really hard at it and it seemed to me it was planted. No dust on it, no scorch-marks, just a fluffy bunny.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 07/22/2006 18:09 Comments || Top||

#8  The purple tricycle. I've seen it about 20 times. On every network.
Posted by: tu3031 || 07/22/2006 18:17 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Debka: Tehran Takes Control, Directing Hezbollah, Arms Airlift
Syria placed its army on war preparedness, pointed Scuds at Israel from Thursday, July 20, the day Tehran took control of Lebanon War.

Our sources add Syrian fighter pilots are sitting in their cockpits.

These orders went out from Syrian president Bashar Assad July 20 when Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander Brig.-Gen Yahya Rahim Safavi (picture) assumed command of the Lebanon war from Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Tehran’s direct military intervention in the conflict was accompanied by an Iranian weapons airlift which began landing Wednesday, July 19, at the Abu Ad Duhur military airfield north of Homs. The deliveries include large quantities of new missiles, including the long-range Zelzal and Fajr 3 and Fajr 5 missiles, Katyusha rockets, anti-tank and anti-air missiles sent out from RG HQ in Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf.

Assad acted on the assumption that Israel, whose air force and ground forces are already hammering the cross-border supply routes north of the Litani River to block the passage of Iranian hardware to Hizballah, will soon decide to go for Iranian military operations in Damascus and Abu Ad Duhur.

Gen. Safavi has set up two forward command posts which coordinate war operations with Hizballah chief of staff Ibrahim Akil.

One center is working out of a cellar of the Iranian embassy in Beirut to regulate Hizballah rocket fire against Israel and direct the groups of 3 or 4 RG officers taking part in every Hizballah face-to-face engagement with Israeli ground troops in the south.

The second, housed in the basement of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, is in charge of communications, intelligence and getting hardware into Lebanon.

The deliveries were made to the Abu Ad Duhur airfield because it belongs to the joint Iranian-Syrian Scud missile factory which employs a large number of Iranian engineers and technicians.

DEBKAfile’s military sources report that some of the Iranian arms have Hizballah in Lebanon notwithstanding intense Israeli cutoff operations and their impact will probably be palpable in the coming days.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 07/22/2006 20:30 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Do they fly over Iraq to get to Syria?
Turkey?
Saudi?
Posted by: 3dc || 07/22/2006 20:51 Comments || Top||

#2  Homs is in north syriana, so it would be through turkey.
Posted by: Brett || 07/22/2006 20:53 Comments || Top||

#3  If this is true, thenthe Turks ARE complicit in Iranian resupply of Syria and Hezbollah.

Turkey has cast the die.

Arm the Kurds and let them loose on Iran and Turkey.

Posted by: Oldspook || 07/22/2006 20:59 Comments || Top||

#4  FYI: reaosn for claims of complicity: there are only 2 flight routes that Iranian and Syrian aircraft have the range to take: over iraq or else over Turkey.

And they damn sure didnt fly over Iraq.

If these resupply flights did in fact happen, the Turkey has some explaining to do.

Or else we need to post F-16s in the north and secure Turkey's airspace for them.
Posted by: Oldspook || 07/22/2006 21:01 Comments || Top||

#5  They can make it with civilian aircraft.

Israel didnt understood yet. If they dont destroy Hizballah next time will be WMD rockets.
Posted by: Clerert Uneamp2772 || 07/22/2006 21:30 Comments || Top||

#6  The Iranians transported support to Somalia and Sudan. Last month they moved troops to Sudan. Looks to me as if they have a log train set up for the Gaza and into syria.
Posted by: 49 Pan || 07/22/2006 21:35 Comments || Top||

#7  Maybe salt lick, but I will post it anyway. For Hezbollah and Syria's sake, I hope it's not true.

Farah's G2 Bulletin is reporting that Hezbollah is poised to “launch rain of terror” with rockets equipped with “dirty bomb” nose cones. Farah’s source is the British MI6. MI6 and Mossad believes Hezbollah have about a 1000 of these. Here is how it’s done:

“The nose cones will contain spent nuclear rods from Iran’s nuclear programme. The rods are wrapped with conventional explosives. The dirty bombs are primarily intended to create increased panic across an already nervous population in northern Israel,” claimed a senior intelligence officer in London.”
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 21:35 Comments || Top||

#8  Dirty bombs are very, very, ineffective. They can only contiminate a very small area and all Israel's citizens have gas masks. So contamination would be minimal. Expect Terhan to take several direct his of full blown atomic weapons if such an attack occurs.

I am taking this with 50 pound of salt.

The nut jobs that started this have chem andf Bio weapons and will use them perhaps. If they do expect the same result but inclue Damascus on the list of targets. Unlike the crude guidance of the weapons Terhan is using Israel's are precise.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 07/22/2006 22:20 Comments || Top||

#9  If anything, the next improvements will be better guidance to hit the petro-chemical installations in Haifa.
Posted by: Penguin || 07/22/2006 22:23 Comments || Top||

#10  I saw that too, Poison Reverse. But where would Hizb'allah get spent fuel rods? Aren't those pretty carefully controlled?
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/22/2006 22:31 Comments || Top||

#11  Pakistan (possibly North Korea) via Iran, perhaps?
Posted by: Ulath Glereck6991 || 07/22/2006 22:33 Comments || Top||

#12  "Aren't those pretty carefully controlled?"

LOL! There is nothing like the feeling of rum coming out of your nose.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 22:36 Comments || Top||

#13  PR, coffee does almost the same, except the cleanup job. Rum is, indeed, a weapon of mass bacterial destruction! ;-)
Posted by: twobyfour || 07/22/2006 22:44 Comments || Top||

#14  I will have to believe that Iran is not THAT stupid to make dirty bombs. But if they are. Iran, in key places will be nuked. Israel will do it. If the Israelis do not retaliate, then THEY will be the ones who are doomed.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 07/22/2006 22:50 Comments || Top||

#15  Map shows Homs/Hims as 20 miles from the north eastern border of Lebanon, sixty miles inland from the Med--most of that over Lebanese territory. I wonder if some of the Israeli action in the north wasn't prep to go after Abu Ad Duhur when they need to.
Posted by: Classical_Liberal || 07/22/2006 23:22 Comments || Top||

#16  AP, they ARE that stupid and they WILL be nuked. I actually pray they do that before they are able to launch the real thing.
Posted by: twobyfour || 07/22/2006 23:24 Comments || Top||

#17  The origin of any such material would be quickly identified. Possibly in less than 24 hours. The results on the originating country would be spectacular.
Posted by: crosspatch || 07/22/2006 23:42 Comments || Top||


US rules out troops in Lebanon
THE United States says it will not contribute troops to a possible international force in Lebanon, as world powers weigh the precise mandate and design of a proposed peacekeeping mission there.

To defuse an escalating crisis, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and others have called for a "robust" force much larger than the 2,000-strong UN observer mission already in Lebanon. Whatever force takes shape, Washington made clear that US troops will not be on the ground. "We are looking at what kind of international assistance force makes sense, but I do not think that it is anticipated that US ground forces are expected for that force," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters yesterday.

Rice said she had spoken with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan about a possible multinational force and discussions were underway with US allies to resolve key issues. "The questions about what kind of force it is, what its command structure is, is it a UN force, is it an international assistance force, those are the discussions that are going on and I think are going to go on over the next few days," Rice said.

Any UN or international force would have to be strong enough to prevent the Shi'ite Hizbollah militia from operating out of southern Lebanon, she said. "That's going to take a robust force."

An Israeli offensive against the militant Shi'ite group Hizbollah, launched in response to the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers, has left more than 352 people dead in 11 days.

Former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer has said it would make "little sense" to deploy a bigger UN force in Lebanon to stabilise the country. "Another blue-helmet mandate will make little sense. Only a robust force with a robust mandate could perhaps achieve something positive. But the risks are enormous," Fischer recently told Die Zeit newspaper.

In New York, the US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, said talks on a stabilisation force had to address "broad questions" about the contingent's authority to confront and disarm Hizbollah, as well as its relationship to the existing UN mission and the Lebanese government. Bolton warned against creating a new mission that would simply add a new layer of UN bureaucracy in the region. "And while hardly an interim force, it is reasonable and responsible to ask how a new force would differ from and be more effective than UNIFIL (the UN Interim Force in Lebanon)," Bolton said.
Posted by: tipper || 07/22/2006 17:57 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I nominate the IDF for the job.
Posted by: Raj || 07/22/2006 18:18 Comments || Top||

#2  Screw everybody Israel. You do what you need to do. This war needs to end and end hard. I don't care what it takes and I do not care who you have to hit.
Posted by: closedanger || 07/22/2006 19:03 Comments || Top||

#3  The EU nations will mostly stay out of Leabanon since some of their troops might get killed and they have no plans to confront Iran, Syria or their proxies.

A force that will not take military actions against Hizb'allah will not be effective. The UN is less than worthless at keeping or establishing peace. Leabanon already has US bl;ood on it's hands so no help is comming from us ever in all likelihood.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 07/22/2006 20:42 Comments || Top||

#4  Pakis and Finns?
Posted by: Brett || 07/22/2006 21:11 Comments || Top||

#5  one mile of cement parking lot on each side of the buffer with the center turned into a Six Flags Amusement Park with lots of rides.
Posted by: 3dc || 07/22/2006 21:13 Comments || Top||

#6  Somebody say Amusement Park.

Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 22:22 Comments || Top||


IDF Carries Out Widespread Ops in Lebanon, US Supports
Ten Lebanese villages that rockets were launched from have been order to leave their homes immediately as the IDF continues to comb Lebanon for munitions caches, hideouts, bunkers and launch-sites. Residents of the ten additional villages from which rockets have been fired were warned to evacuate their homes by 7 PM Saturday ahead of IAF air strikes.

The Meron A-Ras area of southern Lebanon has been taken by IDF ground troops. The Hizbullah bunkers in, around and below the village have all been raided and the IDF has now stationed troops in the village. Security forces in the area report scores of Katyusha shells, missile storage areas and missile-launchers, which were concealed in the village's mosque.
They took the high ground and are now looking down at the Hizbullah postions.
Over the weekend, air strikes in Lebanon destroyed a building described as 'Hizbullah Headquarters,' a half-dozen missile launchers, communications lines and a cache of long-range missiles, anti-tank missiles and guns. Several television broadcast facilities were also hit, presumably due to their complicity in broadcasting Hizbullah's Al-Manar television channel.
Now reportedly back on the air.
More than 1,800 targets have been hit by Israel's Air Force since the beginning of the Reengagement War.

Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said the air strikes will continue as long as they have to. "It takes time to hit at terrorism," he told reporters Friday. "We will fight terror wherever it is, because if we do not fight it, it will fight us - if we don't reach it, it will reach us." Halutz added that Hizbullah has made a practice of using mosques to hide the Katyusha missile launchers.

Thousands of Israelis received their Tzav Shmoneh emergency call-up orders Thursday evening. Most will be taking the place of members of the standing army who will be headed into Lebanon in what the IDF brass is calling a limited ground invasion. As a result, in addition to the two million Israelis spending the Sabbath away from their northern homes or in bomb shelters, thousands more made due without their fathers and sons.

Responding to the extensive coverage of recent IDF casualities in both the print and televised media, IDF Commander of the North Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam urged Israelis to refrain from shedding tears for the fallen until the war is won.
"We have to change our way of thinking," he said. "Human life is important but we are at war and it costs human lives. We won't count the dead at present, only at the end. We'll cry for the dead and will encourage their brothers in arms. There are more places like Meron A-Ras, and unfortunately we'll have to reach them." Asked the common question voiced by Israel's media - whether the IDF will become "bogged down in the Lebanese mud" - Maj.-Gen. Adam urged Israelis exercise patience. "This is not a short story," he warned, "but it will not be never-ending either."

Meanwhile, in his weekly radio address, US President George W. Bush reassured those concerned that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's upcoming visit is intended to pressure Israel that Rice would "make it clear that resolving the crisis demands confronting the terrorist group that launched the attacks and the nations that support it." Bush, referring to Syria and Iran, added: "Their actions threaten the entire Middle East and stand in the way of resolving the current crisis and bringing lasting peace to this troubled region."

MK Zahava Gal-On (Meretz), who is advocating immediate negotiations with Hizbullah, responded to Bush's statements that forcing an early cease-fire would not be prudent, saying, "We must not turn the IDF soldiers into Bush's cannon fodder."

DEBKA adds: Israel sends more forces and tanks into S. Lebanon, gains control of Maroun er Ras which overlooks Hizballah command posts. The Maroun er Ras tunnels were finally cleared out Friday night with short range ground missiles after a ferocious three-day battle.
Wonder if they have those thermobaric warheads we are using in Afghanistan?
In the banana and citrus groves around Tyre, from which rocket fire batters the coastal towns of northern Israel, special forces have taken over from the air force and for the third day are fighting hand-to-hand to flush out the hundreds of Hizballah fighters hiding in a rabbit warren of fortified trenches and tunnels. They were supported Saturday, July 22, by Israeli navy gunships opposite Tyre port.
Posted by: Steve || 07/22/2006 16:28 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Good to see Israel take the high ground.

The west is going to have to get over this "respecting of holy places" stupidity. For islam war and faith are bound and inseparable. The mosque is a logical place to store war material and attack from under such 'logic' and belief. islam doesn't respect any other faiths religious places so there is little to lose. As in the Geneva Conventions respecting them against people who violate them as a matter of course is suicidal.

muslims do not think as any other faith does. Only those deceived by it think so. muslims are not like "us". Quite thinking they are. If you want to fight them and win you must change your thinking and tactics.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 07/22/2006 16:52 Comments || Top||

#2  "MK Zahava Gal-On (Meretz), who is advocating immediate negotiations with Hizbullah, responded to Bush's statements that forcing an early cease-fire would not be prudent, saying, "We must not turn the IDF soldiers into Bush's cannon fodder.""

Bush has already taken over. This renewed Bush is the old Reagan that I have been waiting for. Bush is tired of the Israeli PM and DM running this war like a day care. I am glad that the adults have taken over and it’s about time. If anyone thinks our battle groups are in Cyprus just for extracting American citizens, I got 100 acres of land that I want to sell you 200 miles east of Boston. Just for fun, we will call it “Israeli intelligence with no U.S. cooperation” from now on. Also, the “newly requested” bunker busters and JDAM’s for Israel are a gift to the IDF that they must use. We are now, way beyond “green light.”
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 17:03 Comments || Top||

#3  Way beyond is right. Go get em.
Posted by: closedanger || 07/22/2006 17:43 Comments || Top||

#4  Poison Reverse - I have 2 cents to toss in for your consideration. I am very happy with Bush's brass, no doubt about it, but you give no credit to Olmert or his cabinet or the Israeli military. Why the all or nothing view so often?

Spread the credit around for good decisions and actions - that's reality. Spread the blame around for the screw-ups - that's reality. I have been around a long time and the light-switch analogy has never accurately represented reality. It takes a team with a common goal to succeed and a committee to fuck things up, IMO. Just my experience. I think Olmert kicked this off - surprising many - and deserves some plaudits.
Posted by: cruiser || 07/22/2006 17:56 Comments || Top||

#5  You're right, Crusier. Let's not forget that it was Sharon "the bulldozer" who exchanged hundreds of prisoners for two corpses and a businessman in 2004. One of the key aims of this operation will be to restore Israeli deterrence. Sheik Nasty has already started downplaying expectations by admitting the Israelis can occupy the South if they want to, but says they'll have to pay a heavy price. Before he was saying that Israel was as "weak as a spider's web".
Posted by: Apostate || 07/22/2006 18:20 Comments || Top||

#6  Apostate - Yep - seems to me Olmert's shown he's got some serious stones. Today I decided to go wading in the hate pool to see what they were saying, CNN for example, and they were emphasizing the early Israeli losses and the fluffy bunny and innocent Lebs angles.

On the first topic, I would expect some losses initially - even high losses, in fact. As Israel enters the ground operation in the border area where Hezb has had 6 years to figure out where to set traps, ambushes, and mines - they will take hits. I will wager that Hezb does not have much depth to their countermeasures, however. The further forward Israel pushes, the fewer set-piece losses they'll take - I do not credit Hezb with being a professional military force - i.e thinking on their feet and successfully defending territory in realtime.

The "innocent" Lebs footage with voiceover was laughable for those who've seen combat, but probably effective on the average viewer. Fox (sheesh!) ran a SkyNews piece from northern Leb which was so biased I was yelling at the TV. This is where Israel, despite its great care not to overtly harm true civilians, will lose "international" support. Now, personally, I don't much care about that imaginary support, and I believe Israel shouldn't either, but it worries me they may feel the need to go softer, just when they should be punching harder. No one will give Israel credit for the precautions taken or the lives spared, just blame them for any mistakes or the unavoidable casualties.

Lebanon's Syrian / Iranian puppet "leaders, and the Shiite population in particular, created this situation by not making Hezb a political pariah. That mistake left no means, no impetus, for any external enforcement of 1559. Now they will pay. And from my view, Israel has absolutely nothing to lose by doing what is best for Israel - and everything to gain.

Please, please, Syria / Iran - escalate and engage. Hurry! Save your proxies from destruction. Then the gloves will finally come off for the US, too.
Posted by: cruiser || 07/22/2006 18:49 Comments || Top||

#7  cruiser,

You’re correct that Olmert has taken decisive steps ever since the kidnappings. I have even expressed my happiness with Olmert in some of my other posts. I have criticized Sharon many times in the past, ever since the Gaza Disengagement. I was dead against the Gaza Disengagement. I posted many times that the Gaza Disengagement would be an appeasement to the terrorists and would end up in utter failure. I don’t mention Sharon anymore because he is brain dead and I don’t see any sense bringing him up.

My disgust goes way back. I know the specific details with what brute force Sharon extracted the 10,000 Jewish families from Gush Katif. Then they were forced on buses afterwards and ship to other parts of Israel. The sight of Jews forced on buses, trains, or planes is not a sight that I never want to see. Olmert was chosen specifically by Sharon to continue his policies. Olmert also used extreme brute force to extract Jews from Judea and Samaria. The extracted Jews were supposed to receive reparations from the Israeli government, but reneged. So you had more that 10,000 Jewish families living in tents and using public bathrooms for more than a year now. The world has forgotten them, I won’t. The families that were kicked out, owned greenhouses which grew tremendous amount of fruits and vegetables. They even hired many Palestinians to take care of the fruit and vegetable gardens. It was an astonishing 100 million dollar economy. All of it destroyed by Sharon and Olmert. Even though these were forced out and their homes destroyed, they still have to make mortgage payments on houses they don’t live in. I get email from them all the time. Currently, I donate what I can to help these families. Use this link to familiarize yourself with Gush Katif. Here is more proof that Olmert is a train wreck waiting to happen. Olmert: Nothing can sink the Titanic. Olmert history has always been to talk out of the both sides of his mouth. This is why I don’t trust him.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 19:13 Comments || Top||

#8  I think Olmert kicked this off - surprising many - and deserves some plaudits.
Posted by: cruiser || 07/22/2006 19:28 Comments || Top||

#9  Dean Barnett (soxblog.com) has a terrific post -- essentially a "Why we fight" piece for this war.

Key point: Why should Isreal seek or accept a cease fire? Did the US seek one with Japan? The only goal is and should be VICTORY against the aggressors.
Posted by: Norman Rogers || 07/22/2006 21:19 Comments || Top||


Israeli Soldiers Move Into Lebanese Village
Israel's Air Force today pressed ahead with punishing bombing raids on Lebanon, and Israeli soldiers moved into a village just across the Lebanese border in what the military described as a limited operation against a Hezbollah stronghold. Israeli soldiers in armored vehicles were operating today in Maroun al-Ras, an area where intense firefights took place on Wednesday and Thursday. Six Israeli soldiers and a number of Hezbollah fighters were killed in those battles just across the border.

The Israeli troops were in control today, but the military was continuing to hit nearby areas with bombs or shells. The Israeli soldiers were searching for Hezbollah bunkers and other posts, as well as rockets and other arms, the military said. According to an Associated Press report from the border, a group of Israeli tanks, bulldozers and personnel carriers knocked down a border fence and entered the Maroun al-Ras this afternoon. Gunfire could be heard from the village, the A.P. reported, and artillery based inside Israel also was firing into the area. In all, up to 2,000 Israeli troops entered the area today, but some later returned to Israel.

The Israeli Army is looking to systematically destroy Hezbollah positions near the border, but the military leadership remains extremely wary of a large-scale ground incursion.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 11:53 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Watched a YouTube video where the Israelis destroyed a minivan carrying rockets. Of course it was parked in a mosque. Raze it, scrape the ground to bedrock.
Posted by: ed || 07/22/2006 13:45 Comments || Top||

#2  No more of this "mosques are sacred" crap. Do the enemies consider our ammunition warehouses to be sacred?
Posted by: Elmaiper Omoque1468 || 07/22/2006 16:04 Comments || Top||

#3  I think I've found the YouTube video of some Israeli soldiers checking out the burnout out remains of the minivan in the grounds of the mosque. There is a commentary by one of the soldiers, but I can't understand the language.
Posted by: Tony (UK) || 07/22/2006 16:36 Comments || Top||

#4  Our ammunition warehouses are WAY more sacred than their mosques!! WAY!!

Posted by: Justrand || 07/22/2006 18:08 Comments || Top||


Syria placed its army on war preparedness, pointed Scuds at Israel (Debka)
Posted by: Elmoling Cromons1915 || 07/22/2006 07:50 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Bring it on.Will the US get involved once Syria/Iran show their hand?
Posted by: Chash Slolump4856 || 07/22/2006 11:02 Comments || Top||

#2  Anybody got a salt mine?
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/22/2006 11:21 Comments || Top||

#3  Maybe a rhetorical question, but is Syria really this stupid?
Posted by: Raj || 07/22/2006 11:34 Comments || Top||

#4  Imagine Syria attacking Israel at the same time Turkey and Iran are attacking in Iraq.
Posted by: Phil || 07/22/2006 11:41 Comments || Top||

#5  If this is true, this is part of the culmination of the supposed 12th Imam arrival. Here is a quote from Ken Timmerman

"This guy (President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) is not a politician," the source quoted one top Iranian official as saying. "He is certifiably insane. And he is obsessed with the Imam Zaman," the legendary 12th imam, or Imam Mahdi, whom many Shiite Muslims believe will return in the "end times" after a period of horrific battles, famine and pestilence."

This is why I say that this war looks like in the verge of going out of control. This is Islamic prophecy on steroids.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 11:43 Comments || Top||

#6  "Feel lucky punk? Go ahead make my day."
Posted by: BrerRabbit || 07/22/2006 11:47 Comments || Top||

#7  Poison Reverse: ...in the verge...

The expression is "on the verge". You're welcome.

Posted by: Idiom Police || 07/22/2006 12:00 Comments || Top||

#8  Syria launching Scuds into Israel could be the Archduke Ferdinand moment we've been waiting for.
Posted by: Steve || 07/22/2006 12:04 Comments || Top||

#9  Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander Brig.-Gen Yahya Rahim Safavi (picture) assumed command of the Lebanon war from Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Very interesting. Iran is now directly at war with Israel? What happened to Hassan? Is he alive and still incompetant or is he titzup?
Posted by: GK || 07/22/2006 12:08 Comments || Top||

#10  Iranian Republican Guard commander Brig-Gen. Safavi has set up two forward command posts which coordinate war operations with Hizballah chief of staff Ibrahim Akil. One center is working out of a cellar of the Iranian embassy in Beirut to regulate Hizballah rocket fire against Israel and direct the groups of 3 or 4 RG officers taking part in every Hizballah face-to-face engagement with Israeli ground troops in the south. The second, housed in the basement of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, is in charge of communications, intelligence and getting hardware into Lebanon.

Actually, this sounds plausible, including the bit about Syrian pilots sitting in their cockpits with the engines running. They do not want the airforce destroyed on the ground as Israel has done in the past. They'll wear out their nerves waiting, which isn't a bad thing.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/22/2006 12:10 Comments || Top||

#11  Syria launching Scuds into Israel could be the Archduke Ferdinand moment we've been waiting for.

More like a Dmitri Kissoff moment.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/22/2006 12:11 Comments || Top||

#12  Excuse the ignorance, but if Syria were to commence overt warfare against Isreal would the US assets in Iraq join the fray?
Posted by: BrerRabbit || 07/22/2006 12:15 Comments || Top||

#13  Why would they need to?
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/22/2006 12:17 Comments || Top||

#14  Syria is such a target rich environment. All their aiding and abetting Hiz, as well as them being a client of Iran and aiding and abetting terrorist operations in Iraq just BEGS for a hit. They are the enablers. As far as I can see, the US has done NOTHING significant to Syria as a consequence of their actions. We have been acting as a paper tiger. If hiz and Syria are not dealt with now, they will have to be dealt with later, with much more casaulties.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 07/22/2006 12:40 Comments || Top||

#15  Re Poison Reverse..

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has chosen he 22nd of August to reply to the requests of he international community on their nuclear "experiment". The 22nd of August is a different date on the muslim calendar....check it out
Posted by: Jeng Unerens5921 || 07/22/2006 12:51 Comments || Top||

#16  Phil, were Turkey and Iran to attack us in Iraq, both would be bombed back to the 18th century or earlier. The last nations that attacked the US were Japan and Germany in WWII. Think Dresden and Tokyo. B-29s burned out 16 square miles of Tokyo in one raid. Hiroshima and Nagasaki come to mind. Once you make the decision that your objective is the destruction of your enemy, it gets easy. America is slow to anger, but once engaged prosecutes the war with Jacksonian fury. There would be no rebuilding this time, just a hot dry wind stirring the ashes of once great civilizations.
Posted by: RWV || 07/22/2006 13:07 Comments || Top||

#17  Take out the well the invisible (12th 13th whatever) Iman is suppose to come out of (a known place) with some JDAM bunker busters. So completely its not a well and the ghost can't exit it. Then watch Ahmadinejad totally and completely despair!

It would ruin his whole insane game plan.
Posted by: 3dc || 07/22/2006 13:34 Comments || Top||

#18  Hey, I mused about that one. Would be very funny, in a mean way, collapsing the whole theology of the 12th imam shiites (can't say duodécimains in english, not even sure at all it's the right word in french), and watching them run around in circles like headless chicken.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/22/2006 14:08 Comments || Top||

#19  I suspect we have STRATCOM assets on a short leash. If the Iranians do something really, REALLY stupid...I feel certain that we would put about 500 TLAMs on them so fast it would make their black hats spin. We would follow up with stand off munitions from the B-2s. Knock out the military installations, 3C infrastructure, and a few refineries and terminals.

Let them piss up a rope.
Posted by: anymouse || 07/22/2006 14:10 Comments || Top||

#20  BTW...I still say that child-12th iman Ahmadinejad is looking for is really the baby in that movie "Little Man".
Posted by: anymouse || 07/22/2006 14:14 Comments || Top||

#21  I think we've seen this before .
Posted by: Perfesser || 07/22/2006 14:29 Comments || Top||

#22  JU,

Good point. August 22nd points to Rajab 27 on the Muslim calendar. Here is a money quote from Geostrategy Direct via RegimeChangeIran.

”Aug. 22 corresponds to Rajab 27 on the Muslim calendar. The date is called Lailat Al Israa, when Mohammed ascended to heaven from the Al Aqsa mosque to receive the five daily prayers. Later, Al Aqsa came to represent Jerusalem.”

“What is clear is that Ahmadinejad does not see himself as an Iranian leader, but a Muslim prophet, using imagery to portray himself as a messiah for both Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims.”


This is why, I feel that this war is “on” (per Idiom Police) the verge of going out of control.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 15:25 Comments || Top||

#23  The second, housed in the basement of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, is in charge of communications, intelligence and getting hardware into Lebanon.

Damascus in rubble?

This is such a train wreck in motion. It's like we are waving madly to warn the speeding train that the bridge is out and they all smile and wave back at us.
Posted by: 2b || 07/22/2006 16:24 Comments || Top||

#24  Interesting comments about August 22nd. I think this whole thing is orchestrated by Iran to divert Israeli recon. assets towards Lebanon so they can put the final touches on their nuke test. Makes you wonder if NK shot off their missiles so US recon assests were also diverted from Iran. Whole thing makes sense if you take a step back and assess the end game here.

Btw, interesting comments about the 12th Imam from Iraq the Model's blog...
Just new banners, or war drums?
Posted by: NickVtx || 07/22/2006 17:01 Comments || Top||

#25  Got some junk at the end of your URL, NickVtx, this one works.
Posted by: Tony (UK) || 07/22/2006 17:11 Comments || Top||


Do not expect full-scale incursion: Israel
An Israeli military source says the Israeli army plans to step-up pinpoint incursions into southern Lebanon but will stop short of a full-scale ground invasion.

The military source made the comments after a US television network reported that an Israeli invasion of Lebanon was imminent.

"You should not expect a full-scale incursion into Lebanon," the Israeli military source said, adding that brief, targeted incursions would intensify along the border.

"We are already inside Lebanon and troops will continue to operate there because it is the only way to act against the Hezbollah bunkers there," the source said.

The source estimated that several hundred troops were currently operating in Lebanon.

The source cited as a possible model Israel's tactics in the Gaza Strip, where ground forces have pushed into certain areas to carry out set missions for a few days and then moved out.

Israel on Friday ordered several thousand reserve soldiers to report for duty in a possible sign that the army was massing for a ground invasion of southern Lebanon to try to drive Hezbollah fighters away from the border.

CNBC reported that intelligence sources told NBC News that an Israeli invasion of Lebanon was likely on Friday night.

A military source said more than 3,000 reservists have been called up. Army Radio said it could be six battalions, which might mean up to 6,000 soldiers.

Such a build-up would be one of Israel's biggest since it invaded Lebanon in 1982 to try crush Palestinian militants operating there. The army withdrew in 2000.

Israel has been moving troops and armour in since the crisis with Hezbollah erupted on July 12 when the group abducted two soldiers and killed eight others in a cross-border raid.
-Reuters
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/22/2006 02:26 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  heh. Smart chess move. By doing this they decrease the anxiety and prevent desperate measures, don't raise expectations about their capabilities beyond their ability to execute, keep pressure on the rest of the world to put up or shut up .... and can still do a full scale invasion if they feel like it.
Posted by: 2b || 07/22/2006 6:48 Comments || Top||

#2  They have to do a full scale incusion. Hezbollah has learnt from Iran how to conduct Asymmetric warfare. The weapons and tactics have surprised Israel and other countries. The initial attacks have not been a great success to Israel so far. The underground infrastructure needs to be destroyed and soldiers have to fight from bunker to bunker....it's going to be tough out there
Posted by: Phomons Clomble2131 || 07/22/2006 7:47 Comments || Top||

#3  "You should not expect a full-scale incursion into Lebanon,"

Riiiight! And the D9's are there for emotional support. Wink Wink.

Don't forget history. In 1982, Ariel Sharon asked Menachem Begin's permission for a small incursion into Lebanon that would last only 48 hours. Oh pretty please, pretty please PM Begin. Begin gave the permission. Sharon and his tanks ended up far north to the outskirts of Beirut. So much for only 48 hours. Beirut was in the verge of being pounded into smithereens. Then Reagan (I mean his Saudi friendly cabinet) stepped in to stop Israel, sent the U.S Marines as a peace keeping force. The result, 241 Marines died by the hands of the terrorists that Reagan and his cabinet saved from being destroyed by Sharon. Soon after, Arafat rose to power and the rest is history.

Fast forward to today. The current generals are asking for the same small incursion from the Leftist Israeli PM Olmert. Olmert has already given his permission. Since Olmert or his defensive minister does NOT have any extensive military experience, I will looking for that "just pumped the neighbor's cat look" on their faces when this becomes a large scale invasion. To Olmert' credit, at least he is giving the permission. I am happy about that.

Needless to say, wars are unpredictable, this small incursion will probably become so huge and full of destruction for Lebanon, that the world body will have that famous Macaulay Culkin look. I say this because the terrorists could lose many wars, but the U.S. and Israel cannot afford to lose one. It will start with a small incursion, then the terrorists will up the ante and so on and so on, until Syria and Iran will have no choice but OPENLY step in.

Israel just put in a request for more BB's and possibly JDAM's. Thanks to Bush, the request have been already granted. Israel wouldn't have to order more in the first place if they didn't turn down the original US offer. The Leftist Olmert simply thought that giving up acre after acre of Israeli land will turn Hamas and Hizballah into trainable little puppy dogs. Here is an unbelievably scary quote from World Tribune " Indeed, the air force did not even deem the purchase of deep penetration munitions a priority. Earlier this year, Israel decided against purchasing U.S.-origin bunker-buster weapons regarded as a requirement for any air strike against Iran or Syria."

Here is one excellent explanation of Isaiah 17, that this may end with the complete destruction of Damascus.

Isaiah 17: "1 An oracle concerning Damascus:
"See, Damascus will no longer be a city
but will become a heap of ruins."


Remember, never in history has Damascus ever ceased to be a city. This verse definitely a future event in the Bible. I unequivocally believe in the Bible.

Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 8:17 Comments || Top||

#4  I'm an athiest, but if Damascus is turned into a pile of rubble, I'll be ullutating from my rooftop. It's called justice.
Posted by: phil_b || 07/22/2006 8:45 Comments || Top||

#5  Amen
Posted by: DarthVader || 07/22/2006 9:27 Comments || Top||

#6  It’s good to be happy about Isaiah 17. But if you want to ululate, wait for the future Ezekiel 38. Many years after the destruction of Damascus, there is another one coming. A future federation of Muslim states, where Russia will a take lead tactical role, will come against Israel after recovering from the war that destroyed Damascus. Below is a list of the nations that are listed in Ezekiel 38 Israel's enemies:

1.Rosh
Russia or Chief
Ancient Sarmatians known as Rashu, Rasapu, Ros, and Rus or translated as the adjective Chief.

2.Magog
Central Asia
Ancient Scythians - Islamic southern republics of the former Soviet Union with a population of 60 million Muslims. This territory could include modern Afghanistan.

3.Meshech
Turkey
Ancient Muschki and Musku in Cilicia and Cappadocia.

4.Tubal
Turkey (also southern Russia and Iran)
Ancient Tubalu in Cappadocia.

5.Persia
Iran
Name changed from Persia to Iran in 1935.

6.Ethiopia (Cush)
Sudan
Ancient Cush, south of Egypt.

7.Put
Libya
Ancient Put, west of Egypt.

8.Gomer
Turkey
Ancient Cimmerians - from the seventh century to first century B.C. in central/western Anatolia.

9.Beth-togarmah
Turkey
Til-garimmu - between ancient Carchemish and Haran (southern Turkey).

10.Many peoples with you
Other Islamic nations
Possibly Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt

…and this is what will happen to them.

Ezekiel 38:18 ”This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. 19 In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. 20 The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. 21 I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man's sword will be against his brother. 22 I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. 23 And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.'

Ezekiel 39:11 "On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east toward [b] the Sea. 12 ”For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land.”


None of this has happened, yet, in history. Then comes Armageddon where 200 million of Israel’s enemies will die. You will get tired of popcorn by the time this is done.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 9:42 Comments || Top||

#7  "You should not expect a full-scale incursion into Lebanon," "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. Oh, hey look over there - a clown!"
Posted by: Hupeasing Clomort3334 || 07/22/2006 11:03 Comments || Top||

#8  Sit Ubu, Sit.

Changing Prophecy - one nation at a time.
Posted by: newc || 07/22/2006 11:46 Comments || Top||

#9  "just pumped the neighbor's cat look"

It's wonderfully colourful, Poison Reverse, but I haven't the slightest idea what it means. Please explain, so I don't sound the fool when I use it? Thanks!
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/22/2006 12:04 Comments || Top||

#10  Don't sound like a fool, TW. Don't use it.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/22/2006 12:13 Comments || Top||

#11  Maintain this status quo; sit tight and use special ops. Use air superiority in support of the operators. No sense rushing into a long series of ambushes.
Posted by: Huponter Thaling4526 || 07/22/2006 12:41 Comments || Top||

#12  tw- shot the cat with a bb gun. Bravo - very descriptive.

If you step back and look at where this is all headed right now, it is very depressing. Bible prophecy aside - it's not hard to imagine a russian led federation as you mention. Don't think so? Look at their history. The fact that it is not in Russia's long term interest doesn't mean that they won't do it. In fact they seem to be drawn to that type of short-term self-destructive behavior. Nor is it hard to imagine damascus being reduced to rubble. And the people with their heads in the sand are proposing that we should put an army, headed the UN body which is openly hostile to Israel and manned by people from countries openly hostile to Israel is just plain stupid. Every man's sword will be against his brother seems a certain result! I don't understand why people don't grasp that the UN has grown beyond our ability to control it.

This is the first time in the history of mankind where the prophecies of utter destruction are capable of coming true. Man didn't have the capacity to do it before now, but today he does. What's worse is that they are likely to come true. Nukes will be used we can count on that.

Sigh. I'm not going to carry around a placard that says "the end is near" because I may be long dead in my grave before all hell breaks loose. But the capacity for it to happen exists now unlike it has ever existed before.

And really - when you look at it, how can this not happen? It's not going to go away or suddenly get better. We're headed down a road where a conflict between Israel and the west will indeed have to happen. Maybe soon, maybe not - but it's not going to resolve itself with happy talk or wishing it away. It is the certain result of events that are happening today.
Posted by: 2b || 07/22/2006 13:24 Comments || Top||

#13  oops...I said Israel and the west - what I meant was, in a nutshell, West v/s East.
Posted by: 2b || 07/22/2006 13:26 Comments || Top||

#14  tw,

Don't use it. I shouldn't have used it myself. It's just my fustration at the Olmert Govt.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 13:49 Comments || Top||

#15  2b,

Good run down. What makes this different from anything else is that the 12th Imam prophecy is in the middle, driving all this. The Islamic prophecy have never played a central figure before. The Islamic religion have always been at the forefront.

BTW, the League of Nations couldn't stop Hitler, or Lenin. What makes anyone think the UN can stop present or future wars with deadlier weapons.

Background:
The League of Nations was the brain child of the Democrat Woodrow Wilson. Here is an Interview with Jim Powell author of Wilson's War: How Woodrow Wilson's Great Blunder Led to Hitler, Lenin, Stalin and World War II. He is a great historian and he gives it to straight. If handling the truth is a problem then I don't recommend anyone reading the interview.

If one studies what happend during the League of Nations, one can easily realize that the present UN is a deadlier mirror image.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 14:34 Comments || Top||

#16  thanks pr. You've really put some things into foucus for me. That said, I'm not sure I like being able to see where this is headed.
Posted by: 2b || 07/22/2006 15:12 Comments || Top||

#17  focus.
Posted by: 2b || 07/22/2006 15:12 Comments || Top||

#18  foucus, focus

I just read the first bit with a French accent, 2b, and it made perfect sense. ;-) And as I am eminently not qualified to use gun similies, I won't mention Poison Reverse's pumped cat, the poor thing.

Separately, I have enough trouble reading the tea leaves of the present without delving into Biblical prophesy. God helps those who help themselves, and all that. My bat mitzvah portion was Isaiah's hills skipping like lambs and mountains like rams, and beyond that I took seriously Maimonedes' instruction that a person ought not study the mysteries until after the children are grown. So I've a while yet to go. ;-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/22/2006 23:25 Comments || Top||

#19  tw,

"Pumped cat" is not a gun simili. If you can, point your eyes to the gutter.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 23:42 Comments || Top||

#20  Then you'd probably better not define it for me, PR. I guess 2b was being gentle with my hopeless ignorance.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/22/2006 23:57 Comments || Top||


Israel 'has 13 Hizbollah bodies'
From correspondents in Jerusalem

ISRAEL is holding corpses of 13 Hizbollah fighters killed during clashes with Israeli soldiers on Lebanese soil and has killed "about 100" of its fighters since July 12, the army chief of staff said today.

General Dan Halutz told journalists "about 100 Hizbollah terrorists of all ranks have been killed".
"We will not release the names of those we know," Halutz added. "We will leave it up to them to publish names they have (so far) not divulged."

"During fighting yesterday (Thursday) about 13 combatants were killed," the general said. "We are now deciding what to do with their bodies."

The guerrillas were killed in clashes on Lebanese territory close to the border north of the Israeli town of Avivim. Four Israeli soldiers from an elite commando unit also died.

Hizbollah has said two of its fighters were killed in the fighting.

"We are in possession of corpses of Hizbollah fighters," an Israeli military spokesman said.

"As you know, we do not exploit bodies as they (Hizbollah) are in the habit of doing," Halutz said.

Asked whether Israel might ask for information about its two soldiers captured by Hizbollah on July 12 in exchange for the bodies, the general replied: "Let's leave that question for later."

"We are not like those who use bodies like money in exchanges," he added.

"If only for respect, we will not leave bodies on the battlefield that no one (else) can recover," Halutz said.

In January 2004, Israel freed 400 Palestinians and 23 Lebanese following the release by Hizbollah of abducted Israeli businessman Elhanan Tanenbaum and the return of the remains of three of its soldiers captured in October 2000.

Referring to the humanitarian corridor opened to allow those wanting to leave Lebanon to do so, Halutz said Israel had also agreed to a special corridor for aid.

"Following requests and information concerning the many shortages, we have opened a corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Lebanon," he said.

"All countries wanting to send this type of aid can do so by coordinating with Israel," the general added.

Since it began its offensive against Lebanon following the July 12 capture by Hizbollah of two soldiers and the deaths in attacks of eight others, Israel has imposed an air, sea and land blockade on the country.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/22/2006 02:17 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Show them to any journalists who want to see them to prove that Hizbullah's own casualty figures are Hizbullshit.
Posted by: Apostate || 07/22/2006 2:29 Comments || Top||

#2  chum?
Posted by: 3dc || 07/22/2006 2:56 Comments || Top||

#3  shuld jus leeve em in em feelds an see who wanna play fech
Posted by: muck4doo || 07/22/2006 2:59 Comments || Top||

#4  any iranians in that bunch?
Posted by: someone2 || 07/22/2006 6:05 Comments || Top||

#5  ""During fighting yesterday (Thursday) about 13 combatants were killed," the general said. We are now deciding what to do with their bodies."

Send them to Kofi's house. I thank Israel for not taking prisoners. The last thing Israel needs is a judicial nightmare, as per Gitmo.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 07/22/2006 8:22 Comments || Top||

#6  Stove Top Stuffing for Pork.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 07/22/2006 10:35 Comments || Top||

#7  By just holding them for 24 hours is desecrating them. The west seemed to miss that point and I love how Israel makes it look like a humanitarian thing. Now the Hizbollah know that Israel will take the bodies and ignore muzzie practices sending them to hell. This is great IO.
Posted by: 49 Pan || 07/22/2006 11:18 Comments || Top||

#8  Interesting point, 49 Pan. The question then becomes, does the holiness of dying doing jihad offset the guarantee of Hell because the bodies are picked up by Israel? Brows must be puckering wherever Muslim wise men are gathered today.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/22/2006 12:16 Comments || Top||

#9  Note also, they report killing over 100, yet claim to be in possession of 13 bodies. Which and who were they? Perhaps they were rather "selective" in those bodies they decided to hold. A nice poke in the eye to AhMad.
Posted by: Rex Mundi || 07/22/2006 13:12 Comments || Top||

#10  Stake the bodies on the border of the Forbidden Zone, ala Planet of the Apes.
Posted by: ed || 07/22/2006 13:16 Comments || Top||

#11  49 pan.

a very good point. if you want to get into the legal aspects of it. Here is the kicker... the Israelis know that no one will come forward and claim the corpse. To assume that the IDF is just sayint this to "wash their hands" of any Geneva Convention agreements is way off. The reason they are saying this is because these terrorist groups have held the remains (ergo, dead) of IDF soldiers as bartering chips.

Is it IO? Sure. Everything is IO if spun in the right direction. The real question should be were they desecrated? Highly doubtful. The IDF, like most Western countries, does not desecrate corpse. Enlightened reasoning says that it serves no purpose.

Islamic groups (insert all freakish fanatics here) see desecration as a means to finally intimidate their foe.

A point to remember; Islam has never had an age of enlightenment like the "west" has. That is why they are fighting so hard to resist the entry to the modern world.

So what do you do with the bodies? Dig a mass grave and be done with it. Here is a kick in the ass, if American Soldiers have to dig a grave for a muslim enemy, we point them toward the big, shiny rock. Political correctness is going to kill our military.

Sorry. Got carried away.
Posted by: Armylife || 07/22/2006 17:25 Comments || Top||

#12  Here is another Geneva Convention fun fact!

If the force in possesion of the enemy bodies considers it a "health hazard" that no one has claimed them, they can be torched.

So for hygiene sake, torch them.... and throw some ribs and bacon on to make sure the fire ignites.

Nothing in the Geneva Convention about that.

Posted by: Armylife || 07/22/2006 17:29 Comments || Top||

#13  No one will claim the bodies. And yet the Israelis will trade live prisoners to recover their dead. That's really all you need to know about Islam.
Posted by: Iblis || 07/22/2006 18:19 Comments || Top||

#14  Armylife, I guess I needed to define desecrate when I put it there. The IDF will never desecrate a body in our terms. To the muzzies having the body out of the ground is desecration. Fuck them let them rot in the sun!
Agreed, I hate this being nice shit.
NSDQ!
Posted by: 49 Pan || 07/22/2006 20:58 Comments || Top||

#15  Set them out for the buzzards?
Posted by: 3dc || 07/22/2006 21:16 Comments || Top||

#16  Set them out for the buzzards?

Is it the Sikhs that consider that the only respectful way to handle the dead? Returning the bodies to the circle of life and all? I remember there being an issue because apparently these days there are more bodies but significantly fewer buzzards to take care of them...
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/22/2006 23:28 Comments || Top||

#17  That is done in Nepal. I'm not sure where else...
Posted by: Unoling Hupinens1262 || 07/22/2006 23:32 Comments || Top||


IAF destroys 3 Katyusha launch cells in s. Lebanon
The IAF destroyed three Katyusha launching cells in southern Lebanon on Friday evening. One cell was deployed in Tyre, while the other two were stationed in the village of Tibnin in south Lebanon, Channel 2 reported.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1 

25 minute walk thru Hezbollah neighborhood, South Beirut

Bargain Hunters Alert: Lots of fixer uppers, courtesy ISRAEL.

If you're fond of Ingmar Bergman's pace and loved his work in Virgin Spring by all means watch the entire thang, 'cause you'll find happiness right now with the Raw Video guaranteed.

Bonus sound tract, extra high quality schlepping footstep audio included. Lebanon TV


/couple tabs of sunshine plz.
Posted by: RD || 07/22/2006 9:29 Comments || Top||

#2  woof!
Posted by: 6 || 07/22/2006 9:42 Comments || Top||


UN-run post caught in IDF-Hizbullah crossfire
A UN-run observation post near the border was struck during fighting between Israel and Hizbullah operatives on Friday, while Israel pushed ahead with air strikes on Lebanon and warned people in the south to flee as it prepared for a possible ground invasion on Friday. The IDF said Hizbullah rockets hit the UN post near Zar'it, but a UN officer said it was an artillery shell fired by the IDF. The facility was severely damaged, but nobody was injured as the Ghanian troops manning the post were inside bomb shelters at the time of the strike, the UN official said.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Musta alarmed the three blind mice
Posted by: Captain America || 07/22/2006 0:36 Comments || Top||

#2  but a UN officer said it was an artillery shell fired by the IDF

As we all know, these guys are very observant. Probably the same team that missed the Israeli getting abducted 300m from their position. :-)
Posted by: gorb || 07/22/2006 2:51 Comments || Top||

#3  Nice to observe the UN pisskeeper/observers earn their keeps on rare occasion when they simply couldn't turn tail fast enough as is their operational modus operandi. African troops, eh? They should be more concerned with their pay, probably at least quadruple regular pay at home....pointless to earn that much and be unable to spend it afterwards.

How much did/can they observe in a bunker anyway? Send the shell/rocket fragnemts for analysis before blathering claims.
Posted by: Duh! || 07/22/2006 8:00 Comments || Top||

#4  Unfortunately, this wasn't an RAB "crossfire," so the UN terrorist support network observers got away.
Posted by: Jackal || 07/22/2006 9:45 Comments || Top||

#5  Too bad they couldn't cap[ture one to lead them to weapons cache at 3:45 am.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/22/2006 9:48 Comments || Top||

#6  Standard "accomplises/cohorts escaped" story. RAB should take a hint and look for blue helmets.
Posted by: Inspector Clueso || 07/22/2006 9:59 Comments || Top||

#7  Tap tap tap.

Nope, Sympathy Meter™ still stuck on zero.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 07/22/2006 16:00 Comments || Top||

#8  I asked yesterday what Ghana gives the planet. Now I know. Chocolate, incompetent UN Secretary Generals, and ineffective UN observers.
Posted by: tu3031 || 07/22/2006 16:36 Comments || Top||

#9  Serendipity or intentional? LOL.
Posted by: cruiser || 07/22/2006 17:42 Comments || Top||


Destroying the Launchers --Israeli Air Force footage
From Mideast On Target website. Scroll down and then click viewer to play footage. Boom.
Posted by: Odysseus || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The link is hosed.
Posted by: 11A5S || 07/22/2006 0:25 Comments || Top||

#2  Link found and inserted.
Posted by: Pappy || 07/22/2006 0:59 Comments || Top||

#3  Woomp here it is
Posted by: RD || 07/22/2006 1:02 Comments || Top||

#4  yoo eveil evil yooz. ima shure yore hurtin sumbodys feelins with this....
Posted by: muck4doo || 07/22/2006 2:50 Comments || Top||

#5  I think the last one was an old fashioned teevee Maverick.
Posted by: 6 || 07/22/2006 9:45 Comments || Top||


Army troops bury bodies of 74 victims killed in Israeli aggression on Lebanon
(KUNA) -- The Lebanese army held a group burial Friday for the bodies of 74 victims who were killed in the Israeli attacks on Lebanon. The burial ceremonies were conducted near the army barracks in Sour area. The burial was attended by the families of the deceased, the security forces and Sour area's Mufti who led the burial prayers. A total number of 350 deaths and 1100 injuries were reached since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on July 12, said medical and security sources.

In the meantime, Egypt sent two military planes, which were filled with relief aids, to Syria in an effort to reduce the suffering of citizens in Lebanon. The Middle East News Agency (MENA) said that a senior Egyptian military official has ordered the two planes' departure to Syria after he received his orders from President Hosni Mubarak.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Body of Israeli soldier found in south Lebanon
Al Arabiya television said on Friday the Israeli army had found the body of an Israeli soldier who had previously been reported missing. It later said the body was found in southern Lebanon, but gave no more details. Earlier on Friday, Israel's army confirmed that four soldiers had been killed and several wounded in fierce clashes with Hizbollah guerrillas just inside Lebanon on Thursday.
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Turkish Army in Iran fighting the PKK
The lousy English is theirs.
Turkish troops entered the Iranian territories to prevent the PKK terrorist attacks in coordination with the Iranian authorities. Turkish troops based near the Iraqi borders in Iran. Iran supports Turkey's possible military operation in North Iraq. Turkey argues that it has all the self-defence right.

Turkish daily Aksam wrote on Friday that Turkey and Iran continue the military operations against the PKK. According to Aksam daily the Turkish troops based near Hoy (Khovoy) and Mirgever towns.

Time to time Iranian airforce contribute to the Turkish operations against the PKK. Iran had made military operations against the PKK camps in Iraq in the past.
The article continues at length with a big screed against the U.S. for not letting the Turks run around in Iraq ad lib to whack the PKK.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Likely to be a bad idea.
Posted by: mojo || 07/22/2006 0:25 Comments || Top||

#2  another front in the war on terror. For some reason, the Turks manage to make everyone think they are just busting a few heads and instead of Erdogan's blatant delusions of gradeur. Why no one else seems to be taking notice of his true intentions is beyond me. More nonsense about how the military will step in I suppose. And Clinton will appease the terrorists any day now.... oh wait, that was yesterday - this is today.
Posted by: 2b || 07/22/2006 1:13 Comments || Top||


Good morning...
Alligator found in hotel bathtubRice Rejects Quick Fix in MideastKennedy Says Bush's Mideast Policy Is a `Disaster'Pakistani given 30 years in New York al Qaeda caseIndia demands Pakistan hand over Kashmiri militantKhmer Rouge 'butcher' dies waiting to be triedCharles Taylor unhappy with conditions in jug
Posted by: Fred || 07/22/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  say it fred! say it....100k artikles beeyoch!!!!
Posted by: muck4doo || 07/22/2006 0:57 Comments || Top||

#2  sweet kongrats. :)
Posted by: muck4doo || 07/22/2006 0:58 Comments || Top||

#3  And he's read every one (or danged close to it).

Ethel is a very patient woman!
Posted by: Steve White || 07/22/2006 1:10 Comments || Top||

#4  Today's cheescake gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "hold the mayo."

(ducks)
Posted by: Mike || 07/22/2006 13:05 Comments || Top||

#5  What is that thing growing out of her head? Charlie Brown's Christmas tree?
Posted by: Swamp Blondie || 07/22/2006 13:24 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Sat 2006-07-22
  Gaza groups agree to stop firing at Israel
Fri 2006-07-21
  Ethiopia enters Somalia to back government
Thu 2006-07-20
  Siniora pleads for world's help
Wed 2006-07-19
  IAF foils rocket transports from Syria
Tue 2006-07-18
  Israel flattens Paleo foreign ministry, Hamas offices
Mon 2006-07-17
  Israel attacks Beirut airport with four missiles
Sun 2006-07-16
  Chechens Ready to Hang it Up
Sat 2006-07-15
  IDF targets Beirut, Tripoli ports & Hizbollah leadership
Fri 2006-07-14
  IAF Booms Hezbollah HQ, Misses Nasrallah
Thu 2006-07-13
  Israel bombs Beirut airport, embargos coast
Wed 2006-07-12
  IDF Re-Engages Lebanon, Reserves Called Up
Tue 2006-07-11
  163 dead in Mumbai train booms
Mon 2006-07-10
  Shamil breathes dirt!
Sun 2006-07-09
  Hamas gov't calls for halt to fighting
Sat 2006-07-08
  Lebanese Arrested In Connection With New York Plot

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