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Army intervenes to end fist fights between Hezbollah, Hariri party
Today's Headlines
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Page 1: WoT Operations
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Afghanistan
19 killed as Afghan violence continues
KABUL, Afghanistan - Roadside bombs and military operations in Afghanistan killed 19 people, including 14 terrorists Taliban fighters, as the record violence that Afghanistan saw in 2007 continued into the new year, officials said Wednesday.

Afghan and foreign troops killed eight terrorists suspected Taliban fighters Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, while a roadside bomb in the east's Khost province killed two Afghan security guards working for a U.S. military base, an Afghan Defense Ministry statement said.

Five other terrorists militants were killed in separate incidents when roadside bombs they were planting exploded prematurely, the ministry said. Taliban militants killed an Afghan army officer and wounded another in Helmand province's Sarkono area, it said.

Police in Khost killed a would-be suicide bomber who was carrying hand grenades as he tried to enter a police checkpoint Tuesday, said Wazir Pacha, a spokesman for Khost's provincial police chief.

A roadside bomb in the south killed two border police in Kandahar province, said Gen. Abdul Razik.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 01/02/2008 13:49 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  "separate incidents when roadside bombs they were planting exploded prematurely"

Multiple timely detonations? This is a pattern I like.
Posted by: Glenmore || 01/02/2008 15:26 Comments || Top||


Families migrate from Kurram Agency to Afghanistan, where things are calmer
The ongoing sectarian clashes in Kurram Agency have forced hundreds of people to migrate to the border provinces of Afghanistan, Daily Times reliably learnt. Sources said some 520 families have migrated and taken refuge in the Aryub Zazai and Dand Patan districts of Paktia province in Afghanistan. The two neighbouring countries are sharing around 2,640-kilometre ill-defined border straddled by Pashtun tribes, like Mohmand, Wazir, Shinwari, Yousafzai and Mehsud.

Although officials in the troubled Kurram Agency were unavailable for comments, locals confirmed the migration but would not give the exact number. Dozens of people have been killed and scores more injured in the Shia-Sunni clashes erupted about one and half month back in the Kurram Agency. Dozens of houses, shops and other buildings have been torched by the rival sects while the clashes are still going on.

According to sources, the migrated families are mostly Sunnis and they are stationed in the Kotaki and Ahmad Khel areas of the two districts of Paktia province. The families have no roofs and the locals have provided them with tents which are not enough to guard them against the tattering cold, said an Afghan official.

A source in the agency, however, said those migrated were Afghan residents living on this side of the border since long. Contacted for comments, local journalist Ahmad Jan Siddiqi confirmed the migration of some families, but said those were Afghans who were living in the border villages of Bagzai, Tangai and Inzari. There might be some locals but most of them were Afghans and nomadic people, who left those areas after the breaking out of hostilities about one and a half months ago.

Meanwhile, a local Afghan news agency reported that Afghan President Hamid Karzai had ordered immediate assistance for around 520 families migrated from Pakistan.The Kurram Agency borders the Khost and Paktia provinces of Afghanistan.
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Takfir wal-Hijra


Africa Horn
AU peacekeepers attacked in Mogadishu
(SomaliNet) Somali insurgents launched multiple attacks late Sunday, attacking the Ugandan peacekeepers and leaving eight Somali civilians dead, the Monitor reports. A contingent of Ugandan troops stationed in the city's strategic junction K4, near Mogadishu Airport came under fire late Sunday but the AU Peacekeeper's spokesman Captain Paddy Ankunda said no one was hurt. "We fought them off. No one was hurt," Captain Ankunda said.

In separate incidents, insurgents also attacked bases of Ethiopian troops at the main Mogadishu Stadium with mortar shells. A mortar killed eight members of a family at a refugee camp on Sunday in the latest fighting between Islamist-led rebels and country's interim government, witnesses said.

Over the past two weeks, the small central African nation of Burundi dispatched close to 200 peacekeepers to the Somali capital Mogadishu and is expected to have an 800-strong battalion there by January. Burundi eventually plans on sending 1,700 troops to the war-torn Horn of Africa nation, to reinforce the 1,600-strong contingent from Uganda, the first African country to contribute troops to the AU peacekeeping mission.
Posted by: Steve White || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under: Islamic Courts

#1  Ah, yes, Mogadishu, where entropy is put on a pedestal and worshipped.
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Ketchikan, AK || 01/02/2008 21:35 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Algeria Car Bomb Kills 4 Police Officers
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) - A car bomb exploded near a police station in a town east of the Algerian capital Wednesday, killing at least four officers and ripping off the building's facade, witnesses said. The blast followed twin suicide bombings on Dec. 11 at U.N. offices and a government building that killed at least 37 people in the capital of Algiers.

A journalist and another resident in the city of Naciria said the car sped toward the police station and exploded.

The Interior Ministry said the attack killed at least four police officers and injured 20, including eight police officers. The ministry provided no details other than to say that the bombing was near the police station in the town about 45 miles east of Algiers. The explosion tore off the front of the police station and damaged neighboring buildings. Security forces cordoned off the rubble-strewn ruins.

The suicide bombings in December and others in April were claimed by al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa, which emerged out of an alliance between Osama bin Laden's international terror network and a local Islamic insurgency movement known as the Salafist Group for Call and Combat.

Security forces have been on maximum alert since earlier this week, after three trucks were stolen in the Algiers region, the newspaper Liberte reported Wednesday. The vehicles included a fuel tanker, and officials fear they might be used in suicide attacks, the report said.

Al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa has increasingly used vehicles packed with explosives to deliver its strikes. In July, a suicide bomber blew up a truck inside a military barracks southeast of Algiers, killing 10 soldiers. Two months later, at least 28 people died after an explosives-packed vehicle rammed into a coast guard barracks in the northern town of Dellys.

Meanwhile Wednesday, Le Soir newspaper said security forces have detained the mastermind behind the April 11 attacks that hit the Algerian prime minister's office and a police station, killing 33 people. Police picked up the 28-year-old suspect at his Algiers home overnight Saturday, the report cited an unidentified security official as saying. The official said the suspect chose the targets, recruited the suicide bombers and bought the substances used to make the explosives. It was not clear whether he was implicated in any other attacks, the newspaper said.

Officials with national security forces declined to comment on the report.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 01/02/2008 13:19 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in North Africa


Islamists blow up Somali colonel
The Islamist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the killing of a senior Somali military official and his bodyguard in south Mogadishu. Colonel Farah Abdulle Ga'al and his bodyguard died when a landmine concealed under the colonel's chair exploded after he arrived at work.

At least two shells exploded in Bakara market, close to where the colonel and his bodyguard were killed. "He used to be there every morning to inspect the security operation, but this morning the land mine blew him up, it was a barbaric act and inhumanity," said Mogadishu's Deputy Mayor Abdi-fitah Shawey.

Al-Shabab posted the claim of responsibility on its internet site.
Posted by: lotp || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Islamic Courts

#1  He used to be there every morning to inspect the security operation...

1) Never follow the same trail twice.
-- Ranger Manual
Posted by: mojo || 01/02/2008 14:09 Comments || Top||


Britain
Soldiers betrayed after Helmand medal 'U-turn'
Veterans of the most ferocious fighting in Afghanistan are said to feel betrayed following an apparent about-turn by Army top brass over the promise of a special award. After a Daily Telegraph campaign, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, said troops who fought in Helmand and Kandahar provinces would receive a Southern Afghanistan clasp to recognise their courage and the harsh conditions. British troops in Helmand and Kandahar provinces have experienced some of the fiercest fighting in Afghanistan

But the plan, backed by ministers and civil servants, has stalled amid opposition from high-ranking officers. In particular, Gen Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, the vice-chief of the defence staff, is said to have made clear his view that the present medals system was adequate. Other officers expressed concern that the bravery of troops elsewhere in Afghanistan could be devalued if the fighting in the south was singled out for recognition.

The Ministry of Defence says the decision remains under consideration, but morale among troops from the Parachute Regiment, Royal Marines and 12 Mechanised Brigade, units which experienced some of the fiercest fighting in the summer, has been damaged.

One Marines officer who has served two tours in Afghanistan said the process had "ground to a halt" with some senior officers "hoping it will all go away". "It's not great for morale and it won't go down well for those just back from the fighting who are expected to return next year," he said.

When Gen Dannatt visited Helmand last year he told troops there should be a clasp to the Afghanistan medal because, "That would be proper recognition of the very difficult circumstances and the fighting that's going on here".

Col Richard Kemp, a former commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, said troops had been engaged in "toe-to-toe" combat. "Anyone who has commanded troops in action understands how important medals are for morale. But perhaps the main opponents of the Helmand clasp and the wounded medal have not commanded forces in battle."
Zing.
Patrick Mercer, a Tory MP and former infantry officer, said it was, "extraordinary that senior officers would stand in the way of this award".

An MoD spokesman said: "There is no truth in the allegation that [Gen Granville-Chapman] is standing in the way of any change. The decision to make the award, or not, will involve all of the chiefs."
Posted by: lotp || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  Well I'd like to see who voted which way and why. And rather than just pull the rug out from under their feet, maybe they could do a documentary on the action. And it sounds like a new kind of medal is in order that might close this gap.
Posted by: gorb || 01/02/2008 1:42 Comments || Top||

#2  Sir Tim wrote back in August 2007, "Your assertion that bureaucracy is standing in the way of issuing medals is also totally unfounded. The basis for awarding medals is considered at the highest level by the military themselves, not least to ensure consistency and fairness."

In other words "don't bother me with this"?

senior source added: "The issue over the Helmand clasp is still being debated and yes, there is resistance to it because we don't want to end up like the American military, where troops seemingly get a medal for anything.

Ouch. But is turns out that Sir Tim has never seen action in his life. For that matter he isn't even a full Knight.

Posted by: Icerigger || 01/02/2008 8:24 Comments || Top||

#3  But is turns out that Sir Tim has never seen action in his life. For that matter he isn't even a full Knight.

ouch. Nothing like calling attention to your own inadequacy. heh heh
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 01/02/2008 11:38 Comments || Top||

#4  Is a Horse's Tail a special medal in Britain? If so, pin it on Sir Tim.
Posted by: Jack is Back! || 01/02/2008 12:39 Comments || Top||

#5  we don't want to end up like the American military, where troops seemingly get a medal for anything.

Seems good equipment and medical care for the wounded are also other things where you "don't want to end up like the Americans", ya Pommy bastid.
Posted by: Pappy || 01/02/2008 14:28 Comments || Top||

#6  Rule #1: Do NOT alienate front line troops. Brass = Lard Ass
Posted by: Blinky Omaitle1241 || 01/02/2008 18:15 Comments || Top||

#7  Sir Timmy should be awarded with the Medal of the Order of the REMF with Almond Clusters.
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Ketchikan, AK || 01/02/2008 21:39 Comments || Top||

#8  only if the "Almond Clusters" look like thrombose hemorrhoids
Posted by: Frank G || 01/02/2008 22:01 Comments || Top||

#9  Commodore, Frank: the imagery!!! the imagery!!! Please stop!!!
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Ketchikan, AK || 01/02/2008 22:06 Comments || Top||

#10  LOL - I'll set the snark button back to "9" or "7"; YMMV
Posted by: Frank G || 01/02/2008 22:14 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Cops killed in New Year attacks
Unidentified assailants fatally shot two police officers in separate attacks on New Year's Eve in the capital of Russia's war-scarred Chechnya region, law enforcement authorities said on Tuesday. In the first attack, gunmen opened fire from a vehicle, killing a Grozny police precinct chief who was on his way home after work, the regional Interior Ministry said. About two hours later, attackers with automatic rifles fired at a riot police unit commander in his car, fatally wounding him, the ministry said. Police were searching for the assailants.
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Chechen Republic of Ichkeria


Europe
Three injured in Istanbul explosion
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 01/02/2008 13:51 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


50 Turkish CarBQues in the last 2 weeks
Posted by: lotp || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Elderly German badly beaten by Turk & Greek immigrant youts
The real question is whether the German courts will deal with this or mutter 'there, there, you poor misunderstood young men'.
Posted by: lotp || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  20-year-old Turk Serkan A. and his Greek friend Spiridon L.

That is an odd fusion, Turks and Greeks do get along like water and fire. I guess that being a fellow thug overrides mutual national animosity.

Just yesterday, I were browsing through some youtube posts from Balkans and it is amazing how a smidget different ehnica hate each other with unadulterated passion, let alone if they are different nationality. Greeks hate Turks, Albanians (Sqiperians, pronounced shipterians or shiterians), Bulgarians and Macedonians. Serbians hate Albanians, Croats, Bosnians, Turks. Albanians hate... everybody. Bulgarians hate everybody too, albeit ever so subtly, usually they sound resonable until they promise to sexually peruse oponent's mother, daughter, wife, niece, aunt and other female members of his family, roughly in that order.

Posted by: twobyfour || 01/02/2008 2:23 Comments || Top||

#2  Yeah, last week a Sudanese man was badly beaten by some ethnic German yoots.

Whole lotta angry going on in euroyoots. P'raps they should have a draft, learn 'em some manners.
Posted by: Seafarious || 01/02/2008 3:02 Comments || Top||

#3  Turk & Greek immigrant youts

Who says multiculturism doesn't work?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/02/2008 3:30 Comments || Top||

#4  I am ecumenical on the subject of youts. I hate them all regardless of ethnicity.
Posted by: Excalibur || 01/02/2008 8:53 Comments || Top||

#5  Yeah, 2 x 4 and gromgoru, this is the wonderful world of multicultural balkanization.(Duh, Balkans, ya know). Look out yer window here and see it happening in front of you. Allowing all the third world rabble in here in such high numbers in such a short time is the match that will light the fire outside your own doorstep. Buy ammo now while you still can.
Posted by: Woozle Elmeter 2907 || 01/02/2008 9:43 Comments || Top||

#6  And support Pat.
Posted by: Thomas Woof || 01/02/2008 11:53 Comments || Top||

#7  Where is Aris when we need him?
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 01/02/2008 11:57 Comments || Top||

#8  Amen to that,Woozie...good idea.
Posted by: WolfDog || 01/02/2008 13:21 Comments || Top||

#9  Perhaps the Greek is a Muslim Greek which might lead to friendship with Johnny Turk.
Posted by: Whack Guelph5765 || 01/02/2008 13:47 Comments || Top||

#10  Where is Aris when we need him?

SNARK, MAXIMUM heh!

~:)
Posted by: Lashkar-e-Dawg || 01/02/2008 13:48 Comments || Top||

#11  What? Greeks do NOT associate with Turks; they have despised each other for hundreds of years. A friend of mine was once accosted by a group in the streets of Istanbul. His offense? He was wearing a Frat symbol in Greek. He removed it.
Posted by: Blinky Omaitle1241 || 01/02/2008 18:13 Comments || Top||

#12  What about the Christian Turks -- with whom do they associate when they emigrate?
Posted by: trailing wife || 01/02/2008 21:23 Comments || Top||

#13  TW, I'd guess they usually assimilate well, so... with everyone.

A comment re Albanians. I was somewhat surpprised that they pronounce Sqiperia as Shiteria, the p changes to pt and the p is almost mute.
To a degree, I have to say it is somewhat apt, especially in the past during Hoxha (pron. Hodja) stalinist regime.

Serbs call the Kosovo Albanians Shiptars, but sometimes those with a reasonble command of English would resort to Shitards and Shiturds.

I am sure there are some juicy endearments thrown in the opposite direction.
Posted by: twobyfour || 01/02/2008 23:28 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
Court Bars Detainee Transfer to Algeria
A federal appeals court Monday blocked the Bush administration from transferring a detainee at Guantanamo Bay to Algeria, where the prisoner says his life would be in danger from the government and al-Qaida. The appeals court is stopping any transfer while it considers Ahmed Belbacha's request that he not be returned to his home country.

Belbacha was brought to Guantanamo Bay in 2002 from Pakistan. He had been an accountant at the Algerian government's oil company, Sonatrach. Belbacha said that after he was recalled for a second term of service in the Algerian army, he was targeted with death threats by terrorists in Groupe Islamique Armee, then at the height of a violent campaign for an Islamic Algeria. Belbacha never reported for duty, but he said the GIA visited his home at least twice and threatened him and his family. He left the country, traveling to France, England, Pakistan and Afghanistan before being taken into custody and sent to Guantanamo Bay.

The U.S. military has classified Belbacha as an enemy combatant, saying he associated with the Taliban in Afghanistan. The U.S. government said he is eligible for transfer subject to appropriate diplomatic arrangements for another country to take him. Belbacha's lawyer, David Remes, said he went to court after hearing from a confidential source that Belbacha was to be sent to Algeria.
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda

#1  Maybe he could move in with Alec Baldwin or Vanessa Redgrave, depending on his choice of climate.
Posted by: Bobby || 01/02/2008 6:54 Comments || Top||

#2  This guy has the smell of GIA about him. Instead of being "threatened" by them he was one of them.
When he was called up by the army, he concocted a bulls*it story about being targeted by the GIA.
Hello!!! Algiers has an army, was every one in the army "threatened".
In 1999 he went to France, but France was coming down hard on GIA .
So he did a runner to the UK. There he applied for asylum, however he had more urgent concern than his asylum application:

"Mr Belbacha claims that in July 2001 he was persuaded by friends to go to Pakistan to undertake religious study. While there he crossed the border into Afghanistan."

Bingo, proof positive he was an Islamic fundamentalist, and everything else was taqiya.

"When the US-led invasion began in response to the September 11 attacks he crossed back into Pakistan. He claims that in December 2001 he was apprehended by villagers near Peshawar, in northwest Pakistan, and sold to the authorities for a bounty."
Send him back to Algiers and let them do to him what the GIA has been doing to the ordinary people.
Why is the Federal court allowed to intervene?
He is not a US citizen.
Posted by: tipper || 01/02/2008 8:38 Comments || Top||

#3  Why is the Federal court allowed to intervene?

Because it gave itself that power. That sort of stuff happens when government is not accountable, by law [which they make up or ignore as they choose] or by fact, to the people. They've been doing a lot of that stuff for fifty years.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 01/02/2008 10:57 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
27 suspects held in Swat
A curfew has been imposed in Swat and Chakdara for an indefinite period, as security forces said they detained 27 suspects, four of them Maulana Fazlullah’s close aides, during an operation on Tuesday.

Local Taliban commanders Naeem and Toti Khan were arrested in the raid in the Koza Bama Khela area, the Media Information Centre said.

A huge quantity of arms, ammunition and communication equipment were recovered from Taliban hideouts during the operation, it added. On Monday night, security forces detained eight suspected militants at the Fiza Ghat and Kanjoo checkposts. Militant commander Mateen Khan from Shakar Dara and a would-be suicide bomber were among the arrested.

A curfew for an indefinite period was imposed in Swat and Chakdara at 7pm on Tuesday. Sources said security forces were preparing to launch a major operation in Matta, Madian, Behrain, Piochar and Khawazkhela areas of Swat. The Swat operation was planned in two phases, sources said.

The first part has been completed, with militants rooted out from the Kabal, Bara Bandai, Kooza Bandai, Charbagh and Manglor areas.

The second phase is due in the next few days. However, the head of the Media Information Centre in Mingora, Colonel Nadeem, said the preparations were part of their routine activities.

Meanwhile, a bomb disposal squad defused a 40-kilogramme locally-made remote-controlled bomb planted on Kalam-Mingora Road, near Charbagh in Swat district, APP reported. Had the bomb exploded, police said it would have wreaked havoc as traffic on the road is heavy and the adjoining vicinity is fairly populated.
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: TNSM


4 FC personnel kidnapped in S Waziristan
Unidentified armed men kidnapped four Federal Constabulary (FC) personnel from the Laddha area of South Waziristan Agency on Tuesday, while militants in North Waziristan extended the January 1 ceasefire deadline for another 20 days. The FC men were abducted while walking from their observation post to get drinking water from a nearby stream, officials said. The security forces launched a search operation soon after the kidnapping.

The military said five rebels had been killed and 20 others detained in the fighting, reported AFP. “Troops retaliated and launched an operation supported by artillery fire,” a statement said. “Security forces apprehended 20 miscreants and killed five others.” Officials confirmed that two civilians were injured in the artillery shelling. However, locals said the casualties were greater than those mentioned by the officials.

South Waziristan is the stronghold of Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud, who was recently implicated by the government in the killing of former Pakistan People’s Party chairwoman Benazir Bhutto.

Separately, local Taliban in North Waziristan Agency have extended their ceasefire deadline. Ahmadullah Ahmadi, a spokesman for the local militants in the agency, told Daily Times over the telephone that the deadline had now been extended till January 20. The ceasefire was announced some 10 days back and the last date was set as January 1, which expired on Tuesday. The militants’ demands have been forwarded to the government and negotiations are underway to reach an agreement, he said. Insiders told Daily Times that negotiations between representatives of the Taliban and local officials were continuing to reach an agreement over ceasefire in the troubled region.
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Kurram clashes continue for 10th consecutive day
SADDA: The sectarian clashes in Kurram Agency continued for the 10th consecutive day on Tuesday but no casualties were reported, sources said. So far around 84 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in the clashes between people from the Sunni and Shia sects. Meanwhile, a jirga constituted by the NWFP governor is trying to restore peace in the agency. The 13-member Hangu Peace Jirga consists of six Sunni elders and seven Shia elders

Jirga member Shah Hussain Khan told reporters on Tuesday that they had held talks with the Shia community, who assured a ceasefire. He said the Sunni elders would meet in Sadda today (Wednesday) and hoped that a ceasefire would be signed between two sects. He said the Sunni population in 22 villages around Parachinar had been provided with medicines and food.
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Takfir wal-Hijra


Iraq
Female Male suicide bomber kills 10 in Iraq
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 01/02/2008 13:41 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Something for the feminists?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/02/2008 16:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Not a woman, according to this:

Initial reports of a suicide bombing in Baquba on Tuesday indicated the assailant was a woman, but it has now been confirmed the suicide bomber was in fact a male terrorist, the US military said in a statement on Wednesday.
The identity of the bomber is not yet known, the statement added.
The statement also said the suicide bomber reportedly blew himself up after he jumped onto the hood of a car being driven by a Concerned Local Citizen (CLC).
The explosion killed the driver of the car and three other Iraqis, while injuring six innocent civilians, the statement noted.
Earlier, Iraqi police said the attack was carried out by a suicide female which resulted in the killing four Iraqi civilians, and injuring 18 others.
The Iraqi story also indicated that among those who were killed was one of the US-sponsored Al-Sahwa (Awakening) council leaders in Baquba, Sheikh Abu Sajaad.
Posted by: Seafarious || 01/02/2008 19:14 Comments || Top||

#3  Did not know that burka became chic in Jihadi mens fashion.
Posted by: twobyfour || 01/02/2008 19:55 Comments || Top||

#4  72 Trannies for Al-Boomer.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 01/02/2008 20:38 Comments || Top||


Iraq denies arrest of Iranians
(KUNA) -- An Iraqi security spokesman denied here Tuesday that Iranians might be picked up in the country.
"No, no, certainly not!"
Brigadier Qassem Atta, spokesman for the Operation Imposing Law, made the denial following reports that the US-backed Sahwa (Awakening) Group in Al Azmaiya caught three Iranians, making it certain that the arrested persons worked at the Interior Ministry.

But, Maj. Gen. Abdel-Karim Khalaf, chief of operations at the Iraqi Interior Ministry, said that the Multi-National Force would set them free immediately. "I dismiss that the three persons, who were arrested by US forces yesterday after they were stopped by Al Azmaiya Sahwa Group, may hold Iranian nationality," he told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) "Belonging to the Interior Ministry, they were roaming Al Azmaiya as security forces and Sahwa Councils at the area managed to prevail security there. It is their right as Iraqis to go wherever they want," he said.
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: IRGC


Marine avoids Iraq murder charge
The alleged ringleader of US troops who killed 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians in 2005 in Haditha will not face murder charges, a US Marines spokesman said. Sgt Frank Wuterich, 27, will stand trial for voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, dereliction of duty and other charges, officials said.

The decision was made by Lt Gen Samuel Helland, who is overseeing the case.

Sgt Wuterich is the last of four marines to have the murder charge against him dropped. Another marine, 1st Lt Andrew Grayson, was ordered to face court-martial for making false official statements and other charges.
Snide BBC comments omitted
John Murtha couldn't be reached for comment.
Posted by: lotp || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "Ringleader" of a group against whom charges have been dropped, often with scathing criticism of the investigation and original charges by the reviewing officer, leading many to hope that the prosecution itself will be investigated or reviewed.

Do people generally know the BBC's tireless efforts on behalf of racism, fascism, and dictatorship are paid for by funds expropriated from any British citizen wanting to own a TV?

PBS is an outrageous enough scandal. Imagine being forced to pay the twits who produce the Beeb's garbage.
Posted by: Verlaine || 01/02/2008 1:08 Comments || Top||

#2  Sounds like whoever wrote this "piece" thinks that combat is like a fistfight that ends when one guy doesn't feel like fighting anymore.

I have an idea. It involves having reporters having to carry a gun for a year in a meaningful way before they get to put pen to paper.
Posted by: gorb || 01/02/2008 21:26 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Amihai and Rubin were murdered by 'Palestinian policeman' and Fatah member
The General Security Service is confirming tonight that the two terrorists who murdered off-duty IDF soldiers Ahikam Amihai and Yehuda Rubin HY"D on Friday were a member of the 'Palestinian police' and a member of Fatah, respectively.
Posted by: Bernie || 01/02/2008 04:47 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Isn't killing Jews part of their charter?
(The arabic version)
Posted by: 3dc || 01/02/2008 12:48 Comments || Top||


Debka: Two Israeli off-duty soldiers were murdered by Fatah operatives
Fatah operatives who murdered two Israeli off-duty soldiers near Hebron last Friday were members of Mahmoud Abbas’ security services. Ahikam Amihai and David Rubin were on a hike when they were stalked and shot in cold blood by Ali Dandanes, 24, a Shariya court clerk with ties to Palestinian General Intelligence, and Amar Taha, 26, full-time member of the Palestinian national security service. Both were from Hebron. They then turned themselves in to the Palestinian Authority for protection against Israeli military pursuit. The wounded soldiers fought back and killed a third member of the band. The third hiker, a girl, escaped and phoned for help.

The PA and its heads, Mahmoud Abbas and Salam Fayyad secretly protected the two killers from Israeli capture to the point of putting out a false tale that the three Israelis had rendezvoused with the Palestinians for an illegal drug deal and fallen out.

The PA then asked the family of the dead Palestinian gunman, Bassal Natshe to ask Hamas in the Gaza Strip to take responsibility for the attack in order to get Abbas’ Fatah and PA off the hook. Hamas’ ally Islamic Jihad consented and issued a statement.

Saturday, Fayyad paid a visit to Israeli president Shimon Peres. Pretending innocence, he promised that the Palestinian Authority would catch the killers and in future combat terror. Only after the Shin Bet discovered the terrorists’ whereabouts and confronted the PA, did Palestinian officials admit that the two men they were harboring had plotted the attack and even posted a lookout to track their victims.
This article starring:
Ahikam Amihai
ALI DANDANESFatah
AMAR TAHAFatah
BASAL NATSHEFatah
David Rubin
Salam Fayyad
Shimon Peres
Islamic Jihad
Posted by: Bernie || 01/02/2008 01:28 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Fatah


Palestinian security arrests 3 Hamas' members
Ma'an – Hamas movement said on Tuesday that the Palestinian security services arrested 3 Hamas members on Monday evening in the West Bank. In a statement, Hamas said the Palestinian security arrested Sheikh Muhammad Alqam, Imam of a mosque in Salfit in the northern West Bank, who was arrested twice before in addition to Bahjat Shalabi from Masha village near Salfit. The statement added that a high-school Hamas-affiliated student was arrested in Jenin in the northern West Bank.
This article starring:
BAHJAT SHALABIHamas
SHEIKH MUHAMAD ALQAMHamas
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  Jay-walking?
Posted by: Scott R || 01/02/2008 12:42 Comments || Top||

#2  Failure to demonstrate a batshit crazy, mouth foaming hatred for the joooooos?
Posted by: Scott R || 01/02/2008 12:45 Comments || Top||


Israeli forces raid Jenin district
Ma'an – The Israeli forces on Tuesday morning raided the northern West Bank city of Jenin and the nearby towns of Qabatia and Kufur Dan, Ma'an's reporter said.

Palestinian security sources said that Israeli patrols stormed Jenin and fired gunshots and sonic bombs in the streets in addition to breaking into several houses conducting inspections.

In Qabatia south of Jenin, sources within the Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades said their combatants clashed with the invading Israeli forces in the town.

Local sources told Ma'an that the invading Israeli forces ransacked several homes in Qabatia and forced the residents to leave their houses and sit in the open air suffering from very cold weather.

Eyewitnesses from Kufur Dan near Jenin said that Israeli forces raided their village and conducted house-to-house inspections. No casualties or arrests have been reported.
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Islamic Jihad

#1  Qabatia and forced the residents to leave their houses and sit in the open air suffering from very cold weather.

Frozen kittens, yammy!
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/02/2008 4:04 Comments || Top||

#2  Pupsickles be tasty! ; )
Posted by: swksvolFF || 01/02/2008 16:59 Comments || Top||


Hamas' police arrests the spokesperson of Fatah's Ayman Juda Brigades
Ma'an – The Hamas-affiliated security of the de facto Palestinian government in Gaza Strip arrested on Tuesday Faruq Al-Adgham known as Abu Thaer, the spokesperson of the Fatah-affiliated military group Ayman Juda Brigades, his wife said.
Who the hell are the Ayman Juda Brigades? Never heard of them. G(r)om? Have you?
She told Ma'an via telephone that a number of Hamas-affiliated security officers came to the family home at 1:30 am and arrested her husband.

The de facto government's police has arrested several Fatah affiliates last night including 3 members of Al-Qirm family in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip in addition to 4 others from As-Sir family in the same city.
This article starring:
ABU THAERAyman Juda Brigades
FARUQ AL ADGHAMAyman Juda Brigades
Ayman Juda Brigades
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  The A J brigades have been around since at least 2006. They claim to make homemade rockets that are fired into Israel.
Posted by: mhw || 01/02/2008 19:18 Comments || Top||

#2  looks like Ayman = holy and Juda = beautiful

They must think they can leverage the brand.
Posted by: mhw || 01/02/2008 19:20 Comments || Top||


On the New Year's Eve, 8 Palestinians killed in renewed Hamas-Fatah clashes
Ma'an –The residents of Gaza Strip, namely, As-Sabra and Ash-Shuja'iyy neighborhoods in Gaza city were not able to sleep on the New Year's Eve as clashes did not stop between the Hamas-affiliated police, the Dugmush family and Fatah supporters, Ma'an's reporter said.
Damn those Dogmushes, anyway!
Palestinian medical sources at Ash-Shifa hospital in Gaza city announced the death of Muhmoud Dugmush and Sulaiman Ad-Diry in the clashes. According to eyewitnesses in As-Sabra neighborhood, clashes erupted as a group of policemen attempted to a prevent public gun sex shooting into the air from a house belonging to Dughmush family and to remove flags from the top of that house.
"Here, you Dogmushes! Knock it off! That's indecent! And get those flags down!"
"Piss off, coppers! We got a Legitimate Right™ to shoot off!""
As the police left, they came under fire which left three of them injured.
[KAPOW!] "Take that, coppers!"
Immediately, back-up police forces arrived, besieged the area and set fire to the house.
"SWAT team, reporting for duty, sir!"
"Burn 'em out!"
Clashes lasted from 2 to 5:00 am.
"What time is it, Ahmed?"
"4:45, sir!"
"Okay. You can call the fire department."
Fierce clashes erupted also at Ash-Shuja'iyya neighborhood between the de facto government's police and gun men from Hillis family near the home of Fatah's leader Ahmad Hillis. As a result, a member of Hillis family was killed and several others were injured including policemen. The deceased is believed to be Ahmad Hillis's nephew.
"They bumped off little Mustafa!"
"He was just a lad!"
"Aye! A dangerous lad, too!"
"We must have Dire Revenge™!"
Earlier on Monday evening, Gaza Strip witnessed bloody clashes in different areas between Fatah' supporters and the Hamas-affiliated police leaving behind 6 people dead and many injured.
[BANG! BANG! BANGETY BANG!]
"Hot damn! These clashes are really bloody!"
"Call for more ammunition!"
"Yes sir, I'll get the ambulance here right away!"
Palestinian medical sources named the deceased as Thabit Hillis from Ash-Shuja'iyya, Hussain Mushtahi aged 25, Mahmoud Taha 35, and Umar Asfur 20 (police officer), in addition to a child named Muhammad Abu Al-Wafa and an elderly man Muhammad Abu Dalkh aged 61.
"They banged Muhammad Abu Dalkh!"
"Dead, is he?"
"Yar. Deader'n a rock!"
"That's the way he'da wanted to go!"
"He wuz a dangerous old man!"
Fatah and Hamas traded accusations and each side blamed the other holding him responsible for the bloody clashes.
"They started it!"
"Did not!"
"Did, too!"

This article starring:
AHMED HILLISFatah
HUSEIN MUSHTAHIFatah
MAHMUD TAHAFatah
Muhammad Abu Al-Wafa
Muhammad Abu Dalkh
MUHMUD DUGMUSHHamas
OMAR ASFURHamas
SULAIMAN AD DIRYHamas
THABIT HILLISFatah
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Fatah

#1  between the Hamas-affiliated police, the Dugmush family and Fatah' supporters

A 3-cornered fight = wasabi popcorn
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/02/2008 3:24 Comments || Top||

#2  I was going to ask how that National Unity and Reconciliation(tm) plan was coming along, but nevermind....
Posted by: Scooter McGruder || 01/02/2008 4:40 Comments || Top||

#3  Later that evening some 20 masked Hamas men arrested Ibrahim Abu al-Naja, head of the Fatah high committee in the Gaza Strip, at his home in Gaza City. He was released several hours later, but his moustache was shaved off in an apparent attempt to humiliate him, his son said.

I suppose if it's the moustache or a coupla rounds in the feet...
Posted by: tu3031 || 01/02/2008 8:36 Comments || Top||

#4  I'm glad to see they rang in the new year right.
Posted by: DarthVader || 01/02/2008 9:27 Comments || Top||

#5  A very special edition of "A Doghmush Rockin' New Year's Eve"
Posted by: Seafarious || 01/02/2008 14:24 Comments || Top||


Southeast Asia
Thai Bomb Blasts in New Year's Festivities
A bomb attack wounded 27 people Monday in a Thai tourist town where people had gathered to celebrate the New Year, officials said.

Muslim insurgents were suspected in the attack in Sungai Kolok on the border with Malaysia, where two blasts went off inside a hotel discotheque and one in the basket of a motorcycle outside a hotel, army spokesman Col. Akara Thiprote said.
Posted by: lotp || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Army intervenes to end tension between Hezbollah & Mustaqbal
The Lebanese Army on Tuesday opened fire in the air to disperse angry crowds from the Al -Mustaqbal movement and Hezbollah in Beirut's Basta district, a security source reported. The source told Naharnet a group of Al -Mustaqbal Movement supporters were re-erecting a poster of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri when they were attacked by Hezbollah supporters in this densely-populated district of Beirut

The Hariri poster, according to the source, was torn apart Monday night by unidentified assailants. Al-Mustaqbal Movement , which is headed by Lebanon’s parliament majority leader Saad Hariri, lodged a complaint with the security authorities against the attack. The Al -Mustaqbal Movement was allowed to re-erect the poster that had been registered with the Beirut Municipality and for which legal fees had already been paid. The army intervened when the Al-Mustaqbal supporters were attacked, opened fire in the air to disperse both groups and avert a clash between the Sunni and Shiite factions, the source added.

Army units cordoned off the district and its environs demanding surrender of the Hezbollah members, who tried to prevent Al-mustaqbal from re-erecting the poster, added the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Seven individuals were arrested by the army the local media reported.

A local observer told Ya libnan " I am really shocked that Hezbollah is trying to prevent The Sunnites of Beirut from erecting a poster for their beloved martyr and Hero in the Basta region. This is another solid proof that Hezbollah is using its military strength to act like a state within a state and trying to dictate what goes on in all Lebanon without any concern for law and order . Go to the Hezbollah districts and you will find them flooded with posters and statues of Iranian leaders. Is this fair?. At least Hariri is Lebanese !"
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah

#1  Beirut's Basta district

Named by the Italians?
Posted by: mojo || 01/02/2008 14:21 Comments || Top||

#2  Army intervenes to end tension between Hezbollah & Mustaqbal

Yeah, but what kind of tension, was it sexual tension? Just asking.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 01/02/2008 14:37 Comments || Top||

#3  but what kind of tension

Surface
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/02/2008 16:23 Comments || Top||


Good morning
Posted by: Fred || 01/02/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Is there another tiger on the loose? Something seems to have taken a chunk out of poor Ann's back...
Posted by: Eohippus Chavilet7436 || 01/02/2008 5:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Ann is still very much with us, having celebrated her 87th birthday on November 2.

Photo of Ann in 2005
Posted by: Gromomble Oppressor of the Iowans8916 || 01/02/2008 5:39 Comments || Top||

#3  Slinky.
Posted by: Excalibur || 01/02/2008 8:51 Comments || Top||

#4  Ann is definitely ogival! And the side shot shows she may well be spathic! My kind of gal!

OMG... I've run out of exclamation points ...
Posted by: Almost Anonymous5839 || 01/02/2008 9:29 Comments || Top||

#5  That's one of those nice black & white portraits they don't take anymore.
Posted by: Mike || 01/02/2008 12:26 Comments || Top||

#6  Cougar.
Posted by: mojo || 01/02/2008 12:36 Comments || Top||

#7  I like the 2005 model best. Older, wiser, more fully bodied - like a magnum of Pomerol.
Posted by: Jack is Back! || 01/02/2008 12:36 Comments || Top||

#8  Im make you up a little care package 5089, solid American puncktuatshun, albeit made by messicans.
Posted by: Thomas Woof || 01/02/2008 15:51 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
66[untagged]
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2Islamic Courts
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1Islamic Jihad
1TNSM
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1al-Qaeda in Turkey
1Govt of Sudan
1al-Qaeda
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In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
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trailing wife
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Two weeks of WOT
Wed 2008-01-02
  Army intervenes to end fist fights between Hezbollah, Hariri party
Tue 2008-01-01
  Iraq December death toll lowest in 22 months
Mon 2007-12-31
  Little Pugsley appointed PPP chairman, Gomez regent
Sun 2007-12-30
  Bin Laden vows jihad to liberate Palestinian land
Sat 2007-12-29
  Sindh Rangers given shoot-at-sight orders
Fri 2007-12-28
  Bhutto's assassination triggers riots
Thu 2007-12-27
  Benazir Bhutto killed by suicide bomber
Wed 2007-12-26
  15-year-old bomber stopped at Bhutto rally
Tue 2007-12-25
  Government amends Lebanon constitution for presidential election
Mon 2007-12-24
  Hindu nationalists win Indian election
Sun 2007-12-23
  Somalia Islamic movement appoints new leadership
Sat 2007-12-22
  Paks raid madrassah after mosque boom
Fri 2007-12-21
  France Detains Five Men In Connection With Algeria Bombing
Thu 2007-12-20
  Hamas leader appeals for truce with Israel
Wed 2007-12-19
  Turkey's military confirms ground incursion; claims heavy PKK losses


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