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Militant threat on Eiffel Tower intercepted
Today's Headlines
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Africa North
90 remaining GIA terrorists, says arrested terrorist
Echorouk newspaper quoted security sources as saying that a terrorist, named Youcef Belkheir born in 1990 in Tiaret province, in western Algeria, who was arrested last October by security forces in the city of Médéa, has testified to the presence of a remnant group of 09 [sic] GIA terrorists in the region. A 90 year-old, who is said to be half-blind, is among them, according to the arrested terrorist's testimony.

This GIA terrorist was rounded up by the security forces, together with one of his henchmen alias “Abou Dahdah” in the region of Médéa, just before the beginning of the holy month of fasting of Ramadhan. This residual GIA terrorist grouping is led by the so-called “Abou Yacine” who hails from the region of Boufarik, in central Blida province.

According to the avowals made by the arrested terrorist, the members of this terrorist group have several injured among them and are on a tightrope on account of the security forces’ unflagging stranglehold on their makeshift hide-outs in the neighbouring mountains.
This article starring:
ABU DAHDAHGIA
ABU YACINEGIA
YUCEF BELKHEIRGIA
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 18:47 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Europe
Berlusconi-owned newspaper receives threat, bullets
MILAN, Italy, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- A newspaper, owned by the family of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, received Friday a threat envelope containing two bullets, warning the Italian figure and a family member against repition of the life bid against Pakistan's former Prime Miister Benazir Bhutto.

Il Giornale newspaper posted on its website today the threat note directed to the Berlusconi family, saying that they must stop their media campaign against Islam.

The daily, famous for its campaign against immigrants and Muslims, also indicated that the letter warned the Berlusconi from assassination if their journal did not stop its policy against Islam, adding that the death note was given to the police in order to find the group behind it.
Posted by: Seafarious || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Global Jihad

#1  "the letter warned the Berlusconi from assassination if their journal did not stop its policy against Islam"

That makes perfect sense, I-slam being the Religion of Pieces Peace™ and all....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 01/12/2008 0:38 Comments || Top||

#2  ...and free speech advocates and human right groups immediately jump to the defense of the media...oh, wait, that won't happen. Not even in overt incidents like this.
Posted by: gromky || 01/12/2008 2:09 Comments || Top||

#3  "Il Giornale" newspaper posted on its website today the threat note directed to the Berlusconi family, saying that they must stop their media campaign against Islam.

"Stop criticizing us, or we'll kill you!"
Posted by: Raj || 01/12/2008 8:36 Comments || Top||

#4  "Silence! Or I will kill you!"


/Achmed the dead terrorist
Posted by: WTF || 01/12/2008 9:13 Comments || Top||

#5  Geez, this is Italy. Berlusconi makes a phone call, and every Muslim with any connection to this gets his legs broken. Probably a bunch more get their legs broken on general principles.

One of the advantages of being connected.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 01/12/2008 12:08 Comments || Top||

#6  One word, "Mafia"
two words "Islamic Jihad"

three words, "Not even fair"
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 01/12/2008 13:37 Comments || Top||

#7  Italian Mafia vs Islamic Jihad - now THAT's a battle I'd pay money to see!
Posted by: Old Patriot || 01/12/2008 13:51 Comments || Top||

#8  Two round of bullet! Somewhere a shutter gun is missing its loadout.
Posted by: SteveS || 01/12/2008 13:56 Comments || Top||

#9  Last night on FoxNews they said Jay Leno's wife was threaten with death by Binny unless she quit supporting women's rights.
Posted by: 3dc || 01/12/2008 16:29 Comments || Top||

#10  Ooooh, Binny's in trouble now.(NOT sarcasm)
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 01/12/2008 19:34 Comments || Top||

#11  Reminds me of one of my favorite Movie scenes, in "Rocket Man" the Natzis are in America trying to steal the plans, the FBI AND the Gangsters are both out with thompsons mowing down the Natzis, and the head goon, shoots past the head FBI man, who turns and looks surprised he's alive, the head goon says "I may be a crook, but I'm an american", they grin at each other and go their own ways.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 01/12/2008 19:41 Comments || Top||

#12  #9 3dc - you're kidding, right?

If those clowns try to kill someone in Hollyweird, they're going to lose 90% of their support from the leftists.

Hmmmmm. Maybe we should convince whoever's pretending to be Binny that Sean Penn supports women's rights (particularly in Afghanistan)....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 01/12/2008 19:45 Comments || Top||


Kurdish rebel gives himself up to Turkish security forces
(KUNA) -- A Kurdish rebel belonging to the outlawed PKK has surrendered to Turkish security forces in southeastern Turkey, the Turkish army said here Friday. The Kurdish rebel fled a PKK camp in north Iraq due to intensive pressure by the rebel organization on him before he gave himself up willingly to security forces, the Turkish army said in a release. The PKK has been embroiled in sharp splits and divisions, prompting several elements to flee camps, the release quoted the Kurd as saying.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: WoT
Windows and Orphans Fund Leaders Jugged
Three former leaders of an Islamic charity were convicted on federal tax and fraud charges in Boston yesterday for using tax exemptions to hide support for religious militants and alleged terrorists overseas.

The convictions marked a victory for the Justice Department, which has had limited success in prosecuting charity groups suspected of financial ties to al-Qaeda or other terrorist groups since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The defunct group, Care International Inc., described itself as a charity for Muslim refugees.
widows and orphans.
See?
And you thought I was just joking ...
Prosecutors said, however, that the organization distributed a newsletter in favor of jihadist causes and lent other support to Islamic militants since its formation in 1993.

In several previous cases, federal prosecutors had unsuccessfully sought to charge leaders of such charities with explicit terrorism-related crimes. But in this case, the Justice Department charged three former Care International leaders with making false statements, tax code violations and conspiracy to defraud the government.

Emadeddin Muntasser, 43, the group's founder, and Muhammed Mubayyid, 42, a former treasurer, were convicted on all counts. Samir al-Monla, 50, a former Care International president, was convicted on all counts but one. He was acquitted on a false statement charge. Officials said the defendants could face 10 to 19 years in prison.

"Today's verdict is a milestone in our efforts against those who conceal their support for extremist causes behind the veil of humanitarianism," Kenneth L. Wainstein, assistant attorney general for national security, said in a statement.

Prosecutors presented evidence alleging that the group obtained tax deductible donations to support "mujahadeen" fighters overseas. The Justice Department also detailed meetings between Monla and Afghan warlord Gulbadeen Hekmatyar, who has been designated as a global terrorist by the State Department.
Posted by: Bobby || 01/12/2008 09:50 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Hizb-i-Islami-Hekmatyar

#1  The Justice Department also detailed meetings between Monla and Afghan warlord Gulbadeen Hekmatyar, who has been designated as a global terrorist by the State Department.

So they can't throw grenades worth shit either. It's a win-win!
Posted by: Raj || 01/12/2008 10:36 Comments || Top||

#2  Did they ever build that huge mosque in Boston?
Posted by: Super Hose || 01/12/2008 14:26 Comments || Top||

#3  Did they ever build that huge mosque in Boston?

You think Kassams grow on trees?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/12/2008 15:51 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Fugitive Lashkar suspect arrested
A suspected Laskar-e-Taiba activist, convicted in the post-Godhra killings in Gujarat, fell into the police net yet again on Thursday afternoon, this time for his alleged involvement in a fake currency racket in Kolkata.

The detective department rounded up Abbas Khan alias Akhdas Khan alias Mohsin Alam from a house at Chamru Singh Lane in East Kolkata’s Narkeldanga area. Officers seized fakes notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination from him. Khan has been remanded in police custody till January 15.

It was in Narkeldanga that Mumbai Police had arrested a suspect in the local train blasts a year ago. Another key accused in the case, Seikh Sameer, a resident of Maharashtra, had been nabbed from Jorasanko in 2006.

According to police, Khan has close links with LeT and had spent a few years in Pakistan. He was convicted by a Gujarat court for the Godhra violence but was released on bail. He jumped parole and police could not find any trace of him. Finally, on a tip, Kolkata detectives swooped on his hideout. Khan is being interrogated by senior officers of Kolkata Police and central intelligence agencies at Lalbazar. They are trying to establish his links with terror outfits operating from Pakistan and Bangladesh and want to find out if he had a hand in subversive activities.

Police believe Khan was trying to flee to Pakistan but couldn’t make it across due to the stringent vigil on the border in the western and northern sector. He was then planning to escape to Bangladesh from where he would have headed for Pakistan, they say. A special team of the Gujarat Police is reaching Kolkata on Saturday to question Khan. Hyderabad Police officers are also eager to get their hands on him. A team has already landed in the city and is questioning Khan to find out if he is among the terrorists who had a hand in the recent serial blasts in Hyderabad.
This article starring:
ABAS KHANLaskar-e-Taiba
AKHDAS KHANLaskar-e-Taiba
MOHSIN ALAMLaskar-e-Taiba
SEIKH SAMIRLaskar-e-Taiba
Laskar-e-Taiba
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Lashkar e-Taiba


Benazir murder suspects escape raid in Pindi
Police on Friday raided a house in Rawalpindi to arrest two men allegedly involved in former premier Benazir Bhutto’s assasination case, reported a private television channel.

According to Geo News, police raided the house of Qari Shabbir Rabbani in the Koh-e-noor Mills area to arrest a Pakistani and an Afghan national allegedly involved in Benazir’s murder. The two men, however, managed to flee before the police raid. The channel reported that police later launched a search operation in all of Rawalpindi city for their arrest.

Zardari: Meanwhile, caretaker Interior Minister Lt Gen (r) Hamid Nawaz Khan said on Friday the Scotland Yard team wants to meet Benazir’s husband, Asif Ali Zardari, News One television channel reported.

Khan denied reports that Pakistan had determined the jurisdiction of the British team, and said the British government had done this prior to the team’s arrival in Pakistan. He said Indian intelligence agency RAW’s involvement in the recent suicide bombing could not be ruled out. Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Robert Brinkley said the Scotland Yard team would provide forensic and other technical assistance to the Pakistani investigation teams probing Benazir’s assassination. The British team is also re-viewing video clips and pictures recorded at the time of the incident in Rawalpindi, Online reported. Also on Friday, three new members of the Scotland Yard team visited the crime scene where Benazir was assassinated, police sources said.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  managed to flee before the police raid.

"Cheese, it's like they knew we was comin', huh Mahmoud?"
Posted by: mojo || 01/12/2008 1:51 Comments || Top||


Troops defeat militant attack in S Waziristan
Troops defeated an attack by hundreds of militants in a restive tribal region this week, inflicting heavy casualties, officials said on Friday.

The attack came hours after thousands of armed tribesmen met at Wana in South Waziristan on Wednesday, vowing to organise a lashkar to hunt down Al Qaeda-linked militants blamed for killing eight of their kinsmen. “Around 250-300 miscreants concentrated and attempted to attack Ladha Fort and Ladha checkpost on the night of January 9 to 10,” chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told AFP.

He said the security forces retaliated with artillery and small arms fire. “The miscreants were forced to retreat and reportedly suffered heavy casualties,” Arshad added.

Meanwhile, APP reported that the curfew in Swat has been relaxed from 7am to 6pm, except in Bariam Bridge, Wanai Bridge and Piochar Valley. Separately, it was reported that four members of a family were wounded when mortar shells hit their house at Mamond village, some five kilometres west of Khar in Bajaur Agency on Friday morning, an official said.

Political tehsildar Sardar Yousaf told APP that a group of militants equipped with rockets and mortar shell attacked Bajaur Scout camp at Badwal Kot around 7.15am on Friday. He said security forces retaliated, but the militants escaped from the scene.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


10 more alleged rioters remanded to police custody
Justice Khawaja Naveed Ahmed of the High Court of Sindh, in his capacity as the administrative judge of the Anti-Terrorism Courts Karachi division, remanded Friday 10 people, who were booked in three different cases of arson, theft and terrorism, to the custody of the investigation police till January 14 and 15. The Sharafi Goth police first produced two accused who were the watchmen of a police warehouse that stores non-serviceable items. Accused Deedar Ali and Ayub were charged with removing goods from the warehouse following the assassination of PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto. The AJ, perusing the remand papers, granted remand of both accused till January 14. The AJ also remanded accused Muhammad Baksh Palari, who was booked by the Gadap police for arson, theft and damage to private and public property on December 27. Earlier, he was produced before a judicial magistrate who declined the remand request and asked the investigation police to produce the accused before the AJ. The AJ also remanded accused Abbas, Muhammad Hasan, Deen Muhammad, Hidayatullah, Ghulam Nabi, Abdul Wahid and Muhammad Baksh to the custody of the Gadap police till January 15. They were charged with rioting, theft and spreading terrorism during the December 27 riots.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Key militant, five suspects rounded up in Swat
Police and security forces on Friday rounded up a hospitalised key militant commander and five other suspects in a joint raid at a private hospital in Saidu Sharif area. They arrested militant Commander Dr Khan along with several other suspects identified as Alamgir, Mian Shahnshah, Mian Qamar Ali Shah and Taza Gul, all residents of Chuparyal Matta.

According to police sources, Dr Khan is an important commander of the militants and is considered among the top aides of cleric Maulana Fazlullah. The sources also said that Muhammad Iqbal, district nazim of the banned Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e Shariat Muhammadi, who was arrested recently from Fateh Pur area, had been shifted to an unknown destination for interrogation while his six colleagues were released after initial investigations. Police seized a large cache of arms from Iqbal’s residence.
This article starring:
ALAMGIRTNSM
DR KHANTNSM
MAULANA FAZLULLAHTNSM
MIAN QAMAR ALI SHAHTNSM
MIAN SHAHNSHAHTNSM
MUHAMAD IQBALTNSM
TAZA GULTNSM
Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e Shariat Muhammadi
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: TNSM


Militants fire missiles at Mohmand Rifles camp
Militants on Friday fired three missiles on a Mohmand Rifles camp in Yousaf Khel, but no casualties were reported, officials said.

Khawazai tribespeople opened fire on the local Taliban who were fleeing the area after firing missiles and the shootout that lasted for around 30 minutes left a Talib injured.
A tribal official told Daily Times that militants fired three missiles from Dara mountain at around 1pm, adding that two missiles landed near Tora Suka and Bazaar pickets in Yousaf Khel. Security forces retaliated using light machine gun (LMG) and artillery from Ghalani and targeted the area where the missiles had been fired from. Some of the artillery shells also landed in the Miagan Spintangy area that houses a camp of local Taliban, but no casualties were reported. According to sources, the Khawazai tribespeople opened fire on the local Taliban who were fleeing the area after firing missiles and the shootout that lasted for around 30 minutes left a Talib injured.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  These dudes fire off missiles like they are free, and never hit a damned thing.
Posted by: Black Charlie Spavimp8984 || 01/12/2008 11:42 Comments || Top||


Blasts damage two oil tankers in Chaman
Two blasts here damaged as many oil tankers supplying fuel to Nato forces in Afghanistan, police said on Friday. The first blast damaged the frame of a tanker carrying 36,000 litres of JP oil. The tanker was parked near a checkpost for security clearance. More than 8,000 litres of oil was burnt. Another oil tanker was partially damaged in a blast near the Zhara Band area. Police said they were investigating the nature of the blasts.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Taliban

#1  "Police said they were investigating the nature of the blasts"

Probably caused by lightning strikes.

/dripping sarcasm
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 01/12/2008 0:33 Comments || Top||


Iraq
US air strikes 'kill 21 Al Qaeda militants'
A massive US air blitz on Al Qaeda targets south of Baghdad killed a local leader of the jihadi network and at least 20 other militants, the head of an anti-Qaeda front said. "Our information confirmed that Walid Khudair, also known as al-Jahash, leader of Al Qaeda in the southern belts of Baghdad was killed," said Mustaf al-Jabouri, leader of the anti-Qaeda "Awakening" group in the targeted village of Arab Jabour. "Twenty other terrorists were also killed," Sheikh Jabouri, a tribal leader said.

The US military could not confirm that militants were killed in the air bombardments, which saw 21,500 kilograms of explosives dropped on 47 targets in a 10-minute blitz on the Sunni area dominated by date palms and citrus groves. "We have had no reports of any civilians killed," a US military commander Colonel Terry Ferrell told a Baghdad press conference via a video link. Asked if any Al Qaeda fighters were killed, he said, "I don't have the assessment at this time."

He said the air strike, which involved two B-1 bombers and four F-16 fighter-bombers and which was one of the largest since the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, had targeted roadside bombs and arms caches rather than people. "We believe we were able to destroy several major improvised explosive devices (roadside bombs)," said Colonel Ferrell. "We believe we were also able to identify and destroy several weapons caches."

Another commander, Colonel Peter Donnelly, told the news conference that 51 targets had initially been identified in the Arab Jabour area but fears that civilians could be killed had forced them to abort attacks on four of them. "We hit 47 of the planned targets. The remaining targets were not hit due to collateral damage (civilian casualty) concerns. An unmanned aerial vehicle detected civilians and a vehicle in the area, so those targets were not hit."

Mr Jabouri said that according to his information, no civilians were killed. He said the Arab Jabour area had become a stronghold of Al Qaeda, now identified by the US military as the main threat to stability in Iraq. "They used it as a base for storing weapons to carry out attacks against civilians in Baghdad," said the head of the Awakening, one of some 300 anti-Qaeda groups of Iraqis formed by the US military across Iraq. "Al Qaeda has displaced all the families who used to live in this area and made a fortified zone in the palm groves," said Mr Jabouri. "We provided the coalition forces all the information about their presence and their hideouts in order to clear them out of the area."

In recent weeks, Awakening members have become targets for attack, with three prominent leaders killed in Baghdad alone. Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden has termed those participating in the programs as "traitors" while a Qaeda-linked group early December warned they would be specially targeted by insurgents.

Colonel Ferrell said the air strikes were part of a nationwide operation against Al Qaeda codenamed Phantom Phoenix, launched by US and Iraqi forces on Tuesday mainly in four provinces north of Baghdad - Diyala, Salaheddin, Tamim and Nineveh. Other commanders have reported that at least 20 militants have been killed and dozens detained, mainly in Diyala, since the start of the operation. Those rounded up, they said, included militants suspected of involvement in facilitating car and roadside bombings, suicide attacks, kidnappings, executions and "foreign terrorist facilitation."

The US military has reported another two Al Qaeda fighters were killed and 11 suspected militants were also killed in operations in the central and northern cities of Samarra, Tikrit and Mosul.
This article starring:
AL JAHASHal-Qaeda in Iraq
Colonel Peter Donnelly
Colonel Terry Ferrell
Mustaf al-Jabouri
WALID KHUDAIRal-Qaeda in Iraq
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  21 killed, 0 arrested captured.

Perfect kill/capture ratio.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 01/12/2008 0:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Obviously excellent intel. Almost makes you wonder if they were set up.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 01/12/2008 8:14 Comments || Top||

#3  47 Strikes within minutes of each other. I always wondered what would be like when you loaded out a B-1 with JDAMS.

Sounds like somebody at MNF-I is finaly getting a clue!
Posted by: N guard || 01/12/2008 9:08 Comments || Top||

#4  I guess it is abacus time for chuck. If I was a white raisin I would be very fearful for my life...
Posted by: Ol Dirty American || 01/12/2008 10:26 Comments || Top||

#5  What, no one going to Gitmo? Excellent solution.
Posted by: KBK || 01/12/2008 12:54 Comments || Top||

#6  That's 21 that they could find. How many were blown to smithereens so they couldn't even be found?
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 01/12/2008 15:09 Comments || Top||

#7  #6 EU: Tsk, tsk - such thoughts.

Cockles. Heart. Warm. :-D
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 01/12/2008 15:23 Comments || Top||

#8  You would think that their command and control structure would have to exist outside the theater for them to continue operions. I think it's pretty obvious where that structure exists for the Taliban. I wouldn't think that there would be much difficulty or downside to infiltrating and neutralizing that type of structure if it were in Syria. If we are headed with conflict with Iran, it would be good to have a identified likely nexi for this actvities for early action. The same goes for if Musaref falls. I can't think of anything that would prevent us from taking action in SWAT, if Pakistan is already destabilized.
Posted by: Super Hose || 01/12/2008 15:43 Comments || Top||


Al-Qaeda commander killed in military operation north of Baghdad
(KUNA) -- Governor of Salah Eddin province Hamad AL-Kashti said on Friday that Al-Qaeda Commander Abu Qutada Al-Saudi was killed today during a military operation carried out by Iraqi security forces and US military in the city of Samarra north of Baghdad.

AL-Kashti told KUNA, two days ago Iraqi security forces in collaboration with Iraqi military and police in the province, and US coalition forces raided a hide out for the terrorists after receiving intelligence information regarding the hide out.

Iraqi security force were able to kill Abu Qutada and three of his followers, including the arrest of 12 others, Al-Kashti said. The Iraqi governor added US military air planes supported operations near the area.

For his part, Iraqi Police Commander Brigadier in the province said that Abu Qutada was carrying an explosive belt when he was killed, noting that weapon caches and explosives were confiscated after the operation.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Iraq

#1  These cats always seem to have a 'suicide belt nearby' when they're taken, but seems like i never hear of any of them actually detonating themselves. Curious that.
Posted by: Geoffro || 01/12/2008 14:24 Comments || Top||


Yarmouk leader killed by extremist attack (Baghdad)
A Baghdad neighborhood council chairman was killed by an extremist who detonated a car bomb Jan. 8 in western Baghdad. Dr. Faleh Mansour Hussain served his community as the chairman of the Yarmouk Neighborhood Council.

Following the detonation, Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, sealed off the area and assisted in the aftermath of the attack.

Iraqi first responders transported him to the Yarmouk Hospital where he was pronounced dead. “Dr. Faleh was an honorable man who always held the interest of the Yarmouk neighborhood first,” said Maj. J. Frank Garcia, public affairs officer for 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. “Attacks on civilians like this are done by those who are trying to prevent the peace and stability Iraqi citizens deserve.”
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Iraq


Coalition targets al-Qaeda leadership, media networks; two killed, 11 detained
Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 11 suspects today and Thursday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.

During an operation north of Samarra Thursday, Coalition forces targeted a suspected associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist operating in Samarra. The suspect is associated with numerous terrorist leaders operating in the Salah ah Din province, to include one who was killed during an operation Nov. 21 for his role in the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in Kirkuk (see MNF-I press release A071121a, “Six killed, 10 detained as Coalition forces target al-Qaeda leadership, foreign terrorist facilitators,” dated Nov. 21, 2007).

During the operation, Coalition forces confirmed the presence of the wanted individual and a supporting aircraft were called. Two armed terrorists were killed during the operation. One of the terrorists was wearing a suicide vest armed with three initiation systems. In addition to the suicide vest, the ground force also found numerous explosives and weapons in a vehicle on site, all of which were safely destroyed to prevent further use for terrorist activity.

This morning in Tikrit, Coalition forces targeted a suspected terrorist believed to be involved in al-Qaeda media and propaganda operations, and to have ties to foreign facilitation networks operating in and outside of Iraq. Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists and found numerous media materials on site.

During an operation in Mosul today, Coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists while targeting a suspected associate of the al-Qaeda senior leader for the region. “As Iraqi and Coalition forces continue to target al-Qaeda at every level of their network, the Iraqi people are rejecting their senseless and barbaric attacks,” said Navy Capt. Vic Beck, MNF-I spokesman.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Iraq

#1  One of the terrorists was wearing a suicide vest armed with three initiation systems.

appears four initiation systems is now the magic number, or else he went cowardly to his death. Pretty soon they'll have so many initiation systems, a door slamming will set em off :-)
Posted by: Frank G || 01/12/2008 8:49 Comments || Top||

#2  This morning in Tikrit, Coalition forces targeted a suspected terrorist believed to be involved in al-Qaeda media and propaganda operations, and to have ties to foreign facilitation networks operating in and outside of Iraq.

gotta make the NYT and CNN nervous.
Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 || 01/12/2008 9:43 Comments || Top||

#3  gotta make the NYT and CNN nervous.

Kinda hard to fly an Apace Longbow down through New York's canyons, but if you'd offer the mission, I'm sure you'd have some takers...
Posted by: Old Patriot || 01/12/2008 15:38 Comments || Top||


Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq IED specialists (Hillah)
Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq improvised explosive device specialists in separate raids Dec. 28.

The Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics team and U.S. Special Forces detained a suspected AQI terrorist believed to be a primary facilitator of improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Additionally, the suspected terrorist is thought to have helped foreign fighters enter the country and facilitate suicide bombings in northern Babel province. He is also believed to be responsible for the murder of numerous Iraqi citizens.

Near the city of Balad, Iraqi Special Operations Forces and U.S. Forces detained a suspected AQI terrorist who specializes in IED construction. He is also believed to belong to a terror cell that is responsible for IED emplacement and weapons trafficking as well as the intimidation of Iraqi citizens.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Iraq

#1  Off with their heads!
Posted by: Omealet Big Foot9727 || 01/12/2008 8:07 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Private American school Attacked in Gaza
BEIT LAHIYA, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Gunmen smashed windows, burned buses and looted computers belonging to a private American school in Gaza before dawn Saturday, an attack officials believed was linked to President Bush's visit to the West Bank earlier this week. Saturday's attack on the American International School was the second in 48 hours. On Thursday, just before Bush arrived in the West Bank, gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the school.

On Saturday, gunmen locked the school's unarmed guard in a room, burned six school buses, and smashed windows and computers, said principal Ribhi Salim. Other computers were stolen. No one claimed credit for the attack, which left one side of the building scarred with black smoke. "This is terrorism against education," Salim said, while inspecting damage.

The school has been repeatedly targeted by vandals in the past for its perceived U.S. link. Many Palestinians resent the U.S. government for what they consider a pro-Israel bias. The private school in northern Gaza holds classes in English and uses a U.S.-style curriculum but has no ties to the U.S. government.

Ihab Ghussein, a spokesman for the Hamas-led Interior Ministry in the Gaza Strip, condemned the incident and said he believed the attacks were related to Bush's recent visit. "Regardless of the reasons - whether to protest, or because of the visit of the American president, this is not a way to express oneself. This is a criminal act," Ghussein said.
More mayhem at link
Posted by: DepotGuy || 01/12/2008 11:54 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  You gotta be a flippin' idiot to even *consider* attending/working at an American school in Gaza!
Posted by: Geoffro || 01/12/2008 13:58 Comments || Top||

#2  You gotta be a flippin' idiot to even *consider* attending/working at opening an American school in Gaza

There - fixed that for ya', Geoff.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 01/12/2008 14:05 Comments || Top||

#3  Now the obligatory invoice will be fax'd to congress for repairs and upkeep.
Posted by: Super Hose || 01/12/2008 14:25 Comments || Top||

#4  we don't need no stinkin' education
Posted by: Jan || 01/12/2008 15:02 Comments || Top||

#5  Hey, teacher, leave them kids alone!
Posted by: Mu Ham Head || 01/12/2008 15:12 Comments || Top||


Hamas: security services arrest 6 Hamas members in West Bank
Ma'an - Hamas said on Friday that Palestinian security services had arrested six of their supporters in the West Bank on Thursday evening.

In the Nablus district they arrested Nasr Al Betawi, after storming his house, along with Ayman Taha. In the district of Salfit, the security services arrested Issam Samer Suleiman from Marda in the south of the city after storming his house. In the governorate of Hebron, the security agencies arrested Abdul Rahim Ashalalda and Imadad Shalalda from Sa'ier.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Hamas


Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Air Force claims to destroy LTTE sea base in Mullaithivu
(KUNA) -- The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets Friday claimed to have destroyed a sea base of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and 20 rebels have been killed in ground clashes with the government soldiers in the northern part of the island nation. "SLAF fighter jets attacked LTTE sea base at Allampili in the Mullaithivu area this morning," the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry said in a statement in Colombo. The target was destroyed in the attack, the Ministry claimed. In ground clashes, at least 13 LTTE cadres were killed today in North-western Mannar, the statement said, adding government troopers suffered no casualties. In another incident, three LTTE rebels were killed at Palaikulli in North-western Mannar region yesterday, news agency Press Trust of India reported tiday. In yet another incident at Parappakandal also in the Mannar region, as many as three rebels were killed yesterday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said today.

In Navathkulam in Vavuniya, at least LTTE rebel was killed, the MCNS said. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has said it could invite the LTTE for negotiations. "Once the government's devolution proposals are accepted by all democratic establishments in the country, they would have to be ratified by a referendum, " Sri Lankan newspaper 'Daily Mirror' reported Friday quoting Presidential advisor and parliamentarian Basil Rajapakse said. "After the proposals were ratified, the government would invite the LTTE for direct talks based on the proposals," said Basil Rajapakse, the younger brother of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse. The President yesterday urged all political parties to end their differences and agree on a final draft on devolution package. Rajapakse said the government would give a new set of proposals to the LTTE based on the 'Mahinda Chintana', launched by the President for building a new Sri Lanka. Basil Rajapakse said the proposals would be drafted taking into consideration the sentiments of all stakeholders in the protracted ethnic conflict. The proposals would be preparted after the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) submits its report to President Rajapakse. The APRC is likely to submit its report by month-end, he added.
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Bomb blast in colombo rail station
COLOMBO - A powerful bomb exploded at Sri Lanka’s main railway station Friday as the government said it was pressing ahead with efforts to defeat Tamil Tiger rebels and dismissed rebel talk of salvaging a truce. The blast went off on one of the platforms at the Fort station in Colombo, a police official said, adding that one man had been taken to hospital following the explosion.

“Only one person has been wounded,” the official said. “The train services have been halted temporarily. A search operation is now underway at the Fort railway station.”

There was a similar bomb blast in Colombo three days ago. That attack came hours after a roadside bomb just outside Colombo killed a government minister and his bodyguard.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the authorities had blamed the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for all the bombings.
Posted by: Steve White || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Full Iranian video of Straits of Hormuz incident
The full US video is supposed to be out there somewhere, too.

Click the link, of course!
Posted by: gorb || 01/12/2008 03:42 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  IIRC - the Iranian vid is of an entirely different ship?
Posted by: Frank G || 01/12/2008 9:30 Comments || Top||

#2  Interesting interpretation I read today about this "incident" is that the Navy may have played it up (i.e., wildly exaggerated it)with the express intent of preventing further non-incidents from becoming the non-incident that starts a war.

In other words, far from highlighting the reality of an Iranian threat that needs to be responded to, the event was blown out of proportion precisely to ensure that a militant over-reaction, confrontation does not occur.

A push for improved communication between the U.S. and Iran so that such a confrontation is actually avoided.
Posted by: wakeupbeautiful || 01/12/2008 10:11 Comments || Top||

#3  a push for less bellicose and threatening actions by your Iran would be even better.
Posted by: Frank G || 01/12/2008 10:57 Comments || Top||

#4  Frank: I posted an article a couple of days ago thinking the numbers didn't match. It's because I took the number off the wrong kind of ship that I was wrong about it being another ship. It turns out that at least two of the ships in the Iranian video are the correct ones, and the third is hard/impossible to see without enhancement, so it's probably good footage.

The thing I've heard/seen is that some interloper from shore may have been screwing with the proceedings. Or the interloper could have been on the US ship itself for all we know. Or it could have been done the the US government. Or it could have been one of the Iranian guys screwing around.

There are claims that there are two voices in the audio.

Funny that I don't recall hearing about this before . . . .
Posted by: gorb || 01/12/2008 11:56 Comments || Top||

#5  the latest I read (this AM) was that the Iranian vid, which wakeupIran is so enamored over, was taken of the correct ships, same day - different proper passing of the Navy group from another Iran group.... i.e.: not the same incident
Posted by: Frank G || 01/12/2008 12:30 Comments || Top||

#6  The progressive Left is all churned up thinking that this was supposed to be a 'Gulf of Tonkin' type situation, being ginned up (by us, of course) so that Bush would have justification for flattening Iran. This misses a couple of points, of course.

First, the Navy went out of its way to play this down and to avoid a shooting confrontation. As lotp pointed out the other day, that's our training and discipline, and good thing too.

Second, if Bush decides to flatten Iran, he won't need a 'Tonkin' incident. Think about that one, Short Round.
Posted by: Steve White || 01/12/2008 13:39 Comments || Top||

#7  It is also worth noting that Iran has two navies. One is the actual Iranian navy which seems to display at least minimal professionalism. The other is the Revolutionary Guard who are, at best, wacked out religious nutters. I suspect the latter is behind this latest incident.
Posted by: SteveS || 01/12/2008 13:42 Comments || Top||

#8  The American Thinker had a good history of our naval combat with Iran. The wikipedia entry included a Lloyd's of London estimate of 430 civilian casualties. I participated in Ernest Will later on, but didn't realize the extent of the preious festivities. I understand the concept of keeping things on the down-low, but maybe the info would have been helpful to me back then.
Posted by: Super Hose || 01/12/2008 14:22 Comments || Top||


Lebanon arrests another Fatah al-Islam militant
The Lebanese army arrested on Friday a suspected militant and a member of the Islamist group Fatah al-Islam which waged a 15-week a battle against the Lebanese army last summer in northern Lebanon, an army official said. Othman Turkmani, was detained in an army ambush on a street in the Bab el-Ramel neighborhood of the northern city of Tripoli, the official said. Turkmani wasn't armed at the time of his detention, he said.

It was the third detention of Fatah al-Islam militants in northern Lebanon in two days. On Thursday, two Fatah al-Islam members were seized in separate incidents, including high-ranking militant Nabil Rahim who, security sources said, is known to have links with the al-Qaeda terror network. Rahim's wife was also detained.

The security sources told the Al Hayat newspaper that Nabil Rahim, who was born in 1971, was always in contact with the second man in Fatah al-Islam Shehab al-Qadour, who was killed a few months ago as he was going to meet with Rahim. Rahim was responsible for training the Saudi militants in his apartment in Tripoli to send them to Iraq. The source explained that the organization's top official Sheikh Bassam Hammoud was detained in Saudi Arabia. The security sources revealed that they expect to extract more information on extremist groups in Lebanon from Rahim.

Shehab al-Qadour, who goes by the code name of Abu Huerira, was a member of a Sidon Fatah al-Islam at Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp before moving to north Lebanon's Nahr al-Bared camp.

The al-Qaeda-inspired Fatah Islam group is an extremist organization that engaged the Lebanese army for 106 days of fierce fighting last year in the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in Tripoli. The battle ended when the army overran the camp on September 2, 2007 and declared victory. The army arrested many but some members including their leader Shaker al Absi were able to escape. Absi fled to Syria .

The Nahr el Bared battle was bloody. According to the government 168 Lebanese soldiers died, 222 Fatah al-Islam terrorists were killed and 200 were arrested. Last week Absi threatened attacks against the Lebanese army : "Nahr al-Bared camp will stand witness to your shame until the mujahideen tread your (bodies) with their shoes," a speaker identified as Shaker al-Absi said in a 58-minute audio recording posted on a Web site used by al Qaeda and other Islamist groups on Monday. "This was only the beginning ... By God you will not live safely," he said. "The mill of war has started to grind ... between the infidels and the believers."
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Fatah al-Islam

#1  "The security sources revealed that they expect to extract more information on extremist groups in Lebanon from Rahim."

Ouch man...that's gonna smart.
Posted by: DepotGuy || 01/12/2008 12:09 Comments || Top||


Two Israeli jets violate Lebanese airspace
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  How can you "Violate" what God gave you to start with?
Posted by: newc || 01/12/2008 0:14 Comments || Top||

#2  "Hi, remember us?"
Posted by: mojo || 01/12/2008 1:52 Comments || Top||

#3  I guess they should file it with the un.
Posted by: Omealet Big Foot9727 || 01/12/2008 8:05 Comments || Top||


Good morning...
Posted by: Fred || 01/12/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  She looks good in skin...
Posted by: Throger Thains8048 || 01/12/2008 1:21 Comments || Top||

#2  Skins, why do they h...
Wait!
Posted by: Spike Uniter || 01/12/2008 4:20 Comments || Top||

#3  A broad who was broad where a broad should be broad.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 01/12/2008 8:16 Comments || Top||

#4  nice lady. too bad she lived in the era of cement hair.
Posted by: Uneregum the Wicked8746 || 01/12/2008 18:10 Comments || Top||

#5  If memory serves, the lovely lady has a PhD in physics.
Posted by: RWV || 01/12/2008 21:01 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
35[untagged]
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1al-Qaeda
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1Global Jihad
1Govt of Syria

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Two weeks of WOT
Sat 2008-01-12
  Militant threat on Eiffel Tower intercepted
Fri 2008-01-11
  Lahore suicide kaboom kills at least 20, injures 80
Thu 2008-01-10
  40,000 pounds of US bombs hit 38 Qaeda 'safe havens'
Wed 2008-01-09
  Mullah Fazlullah deadullah?
Tue 2008-01-08
  Chadian planes bomb rebels in Sudan
Mon 2008-01-07
  Arab FMs urge immediate Leb presidential election
Sun 2008-01-06
  Morocco jails 50 Islamists for terror plots
Sat 2008-01-05
  Fatah al-Islam sez they're infesting Ein el-Hellhole
Fri 2008-01-04
  Coalition forces kill AQI big turban in Baghdad
Thu 2008-01-03
  Baquba Awakening Council leader killed by cross-dressing suicide squeegeeman
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

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