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Today: 68 articles and 433 comments as of 16:07.
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Beirut burns as Hezbollah strike explodes into sectarian violence
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 1: WoT Operations
3 00:00 Anonymoose [2] 
2 00:00 ed [1] 
11 00:00 Pappy [2] 
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3 00:00 RD [1] 
14 00:00 Redneck Jim [1] 
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2 00:00 Alias Mama [1] 
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Page 2: WoT Background
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3 00:00 SpecOp35 [7]
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2 00:00 Brett [1]
6 00:00 gromgoru [6]
8 00:00 Procopius2k [4]
5 00:00 trailing wife [8]
6 00:00 USN, Ret. [2]
6 00:00 Old Patriot [8]
8 00:00 RD [1]
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1 00:00 Mike Kozlowski [1]
Page 3: Non-WoT
1 00:00 USN, ret. [2]
27 00:00 JosephMendiola [4]
13 00:00 Jackal [3]
3 00:00 Anonymoose [7]
3 00:00 ed [1]
21 00:00 trailing wife [1]
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2 00:00 James [2]
6 00:00 Frank G [1]
Page 4: Opinion
1 00:00 Frank G [1]
9 00:00 JosephMendiola [2]
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1 00:00 Ebbolump Glomotle9608 [1]
10 00:00 BA [1]
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3 00:00 Mike N. [2]
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Page 5: Russia-Former Soviet Union
6 00:00 KBK [1]
4 00:00 Pappy [2]
15 00:00 Jan from work [1]
11 00:00 RD [2]
10 00:00 ed [1]
13 00:00 RD [1]
6 00:00 polly [1]
Afghanistan
UK offers local Afghans to recruit their own police
British forces are backing plans to hand control of policing to tribal elders across Helmand province in a series of ‘peace deals’ which could pave the way for a large-scale withdrawal of British troops, Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, under the so-called “Helmand Protocols” based on the agreement which allowed British forces to withdraw from the Musa Qala district last year “tribal elders in districts across Helmand will have the right to propose their district and police chiefs and recruit their own police forces. They will receive $500,000 per district in reconstruction aid, a total of $5 million across the province, in exchange for pledging loyalty to central government and promising to evict the Taliban.

Helmand police chief Nabi Jan Mullah Khail said: “Most people absolutely welcome the protocols because they are absolutely fed up with the fighting going on around them.” The new series of deals are officially an arrangement between local tribal elders and the Helmand governor, backed by the Afghan government. However, British military and civil officials are also involved.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Translation. Brits offer to equip tribal militias.
Posted by: gromgoru || 01/24/2007 21:34 Comments || Top||


Suicide Bomber Kills 10 in Khost
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A suicide bomber with explosives strapped to his chest blew himself up in a crowd of laborers waiting outside a U.S. military base in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing as many as 10 people. The suicide bomber struck as hundreds of Afghan workers lined up to enter the base, known as Camp Salerno, outside the city of Khost, said provincial Gov. Jamal Arsalah.

Arsalah, who saw the aftermath of the explosion, said 10 men were killed and 14 injured. However, the NATO-led force, which includes the U.S. base, said eight Afghans, including two policemen, were killed and five wounded. No U.S. or NATO troops were injured in the blast.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said the attacker detonated an explosives-filled vest when he reached the point where people entering the base are searched. Arsalah said concrete barriers that protect the base helped prevent a heavier toll.
Posted by: Steve White || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Africa Horn
U.S. launches new air strike on Somalia
Reuters in heavy quagmire mode...
MOGADISHU (Reuters) - A U.S. Air Force AC-130 gunship has launched a second air strike against suspected al Qaeda operatives in southern Somalia, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing unidentified U.S. officials.

No confirmation of Monday's reported attack was immediately available in the region and a Pentagon spokesman declined to comment. The newspaper said there was no information on the results or the specific targets of the strike. An AC-130 gunship two weeks ago attacked what Washington said were al Qaeda agents fleeing with Islamist forces defeated by Somali government and Ethiopian troops late last month. It was the first overt U.S. action in Somalia since the end of a disastrous peacekeeping mission in 1994.
That was 12 or 13 years ago. The most recent was now two weeks ago. Does Rooters see a pattern the rest of us don't?
Somali government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said he was not aware of a second U.S. attack.
Did he seem concerned?
Washington believes Somali Islamists harbored al Qaeda members accused of bombing two U.S. embassies and an Israeli-owned hotel in east Africa. Any prolonged U.S. intervention in Somalia would be sure to inflame political passions there, joining the chorus of Muslims who see the "war on terror" as a crusade against Islam.
I think by now we can pretty much take it as a given that anything, to include inaction, is sure to inflame political passions among this or that bunch of Moose limbs. The bad guyz have been trying to paint the WoT as a war against Islam before the 9-11 bodies had cooled. Because the U.S. doesn't have a "Ministry of Information," nobody's come up with the idea of simply pointing out that it's more like a war on the Takfir ideology and that the rest of Islam is free to go to hell on its own terms. I'm not sure how the "war on Muslims" meme fits in with Somalia, where both sides in the current dispute are Muslim.
Both sides get to paint it as a "war on Muslims". It's the best of opportunities.
A freelance Somali journalist said on Sunday he had seen U.S. troops on the ground in south Somalia working with Ethiopian forces hunting fugitive Islamists.
"I seen it! I seen it wid me own eyes!"
Ethiopia vehemently denied the report.
"Lies. All lies. Piss off. We're busy."

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: tu3031 || 01/24/2007 09:13 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Posted by: Anonymoose || 01/24/2007 9:45 Comments || Top||

#2  Everything the west does pisses of the muzzies. Kill the terrorists and let the rest know if they try anything like the terrorists, they get killed too. And their family, and their donkey, goat, dog, etc.
Enough will get the message and stay quietly on the sidelines.
Posted by: DarthVader || 01/24/2007 10:05 Comments || Top||

#3  That's me anymoose - bringing em back - dead or alive
Posted by: Frank Buck || 01/24/2007 10:13 Comments || Top||

#4  Because the U.S. doesn't have a "Ministry of Information," nobody's come up with the idea of simply pointing out that it's more like a war on the Takfir ideology and that the rest of Islam is free to go to hell on its own terms.

I think that saying that we are not at war with Islam, only with the takfir ideology is a kin to say that if after Pearl harbor we were at war with the Japanese Navy instead of with Japan. We should be telling that Islam attacked us and that it will regret it.
Posted by: JFM || 01/24/2007 10:37 Comments || Top||

#5  Well, the UN delegation has arrived to save the day, just lock up the kiddies and young lassies as a precationary measure.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 01/24/2007 12:24 Comments || Top||

#6  Call it a Crusade and I will sign up.
Posted by: Excalibur || 01/24/2007 13:39 Comments || Top||

#7  Well, the UN delegation has arrived to save the day, just lock up the kiddies and young lassies as a precationary measure.

What, the UN types have gone over to bestiality now? Wouldn't surprise me, actually...
Posted by: Jonathan || 01/24/2007 13:40 Comments || Top||

#8  "{I think that saying that we are not at war with Islam, only with the takfir ideology is a kin to say that if after Pearl harbor we were at war with the Japanese Navy instead of with Japan. We should be telling that Islam attacked us and that it will regret it."

Maybe more like saying that during the later phase of the cold war, we were at war with the USSR and Warsaw Pact, and not with China, Romania, or Yugoslavia. Which did not imply that we didnt think Romania, despite helping us against the USSR, was f**ked up.
Posted by: liberalhawk || 01/24/2007 13:49 Comments || Top||

#9  Don't we have some good, surplus arty and tanks we could give the Ethiops?
Posted by: Brett || 01/24/2007 14:51 Comments || Top||

#10  Since everything seems to "inflame the muzzies", I think we should help out. Napalm does a great job, especially on mobs. This "kinder, gentler war" is a piece of crock. Let them see just how cruel we can really be, and they'll be afraid enough of us to leave us alone. Nothing else will work. They have to be more terrified of us than they are their imams. We can do that.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 01/24/2007 17:54 Comments || Top||

#11  Don't we have some good, surplus arty and tanks we could give the Ethiops?

Likely materiel (and parts) have been quietly purchased with cash from former Soviet bloc countries. It's stuff the Ethiopians are familiar with, and it blends in with the rest of their equipment.
Posted by: Pappy || 01/24/2007 21:58 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Two time bombs, explosives found in ditch
Police detectives recovered two powerful time bombs and some bomb-making materials from a ditch adjacent to Bara Aulia shrine near Taltola Bazar in the city's Khilgaon area late on Monday. Tipped off, a team of Detective and Crime Intelligence (DCI) unit of police raided the area at around 11:00 pm on Monday and recovered the bombs and the materials.

The bomb-manufacturing materials include 200 gm sulphur powder, 200 gm explosive gel, 10 blank containers, five packets of ball bearing, a detonator and electric wires. The DCI bomb disposal team exploded the bombs yesterday. Detectives suspected the bombs were made to carry out attack on an Urs (religious gathering) of Bara Aulia shrine slated for January 30.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  No shutter gun?
Well, I suppose the RAB is pretty possessive of it...
Posted by: tu3031 || 01/24/2007 16:19 Comments || Top||


3 JMB men to walk gallows
A special tribunal in Naogaon yesterday sentenced three members of the banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to death for their role in August 17, 2005 serial bombings in the district. The condemned convicts are -- Abdul Qaiyum alias Bhodu alias Kayes, 25, of Puran Pathanpur Madhyapara in Niyamatpur upazila of Naogaon, Minhajul Islam alias Sohel Rana, 18, of Khamarkandi village in Sherpur upazila of Bogra and Abu Sayeed Sheikh alias Hussain, 24, of Sreekol village in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia. Of them, Abu Sayeed was tried in absentia.

After examining the records and 31 witnesses, Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar found them guilty of exploding bombs and pronounced the judgement at a packed courtroom at around 12:00noon. Seven bombs were simultaneously set off at different places in the district, including the Judge Court premises, as part of the JMB's synchronised countrywide bombings on August 17, 2005. Four other accused militants -- Jobair, Tamim, Musa and Elias -- were not produced before the court, as the police could not identify them correctly due to their pseudonyms. They will be produced as soon as the law enforcers become sure about their identities, sources said.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
6 mortars fired at FC checkpost
Six mortars were fired from Afghanistan’s Khost province at a Frontier Corps (FC) check post in Naridag area of Ghulam Khan tehsil, Miranshah, but there were no casualties.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 09:30 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Wazoo Splodydope kills five, injuries 23 in N. Waziristan
h/t bill roggio
MIRAMSHAH/PESHAWAR, Jan 22: A suicide bomber on Monday rammed his explosives-laden car into a military convoy near Mirali, North Waziristan Agency, killing four security personnel and a woman, and injuring 23, including 20 soldiers, officials and eyewitnesses said.
file under: proxie goes feral and bites Master
The incident occurred at the Khajori checkpoint, about two kilometres east of Mirali town, when a joint convoy of the army and paramilitary force was heading from the Bannu Garrison to Miramshah, the restive region’s administrative headquarters.
Mir ali Cantonment 15 clicks west of Bannu
A militant commander in the neighbouring South Waziristan Agency, Baitullah Mehsud, had vowed last week to avenge the Hamzola air strike in which over 10 people were killed and eight others wounded.
Vowed, Had. o dear, 0^0 possible revenge!
Witnesses said that three military vehicles and a passenger coach were also damaged in the first deadly attack since the government and Taliban-backed tribal insurgents signed a peace agreement on Sept 5, 2006. Army and paramilitary troops had vacated the Khajori checkpoint as per condition of the peace deal and it is now managed by members of the Khasaddar force.
members?
perhaps a proxie wrapped within another proxie
Militants in the North Waziristan promptly denounced the incident and claimed they were not involved in the attack.
CIVIL WAR!, *I called it first*!
A statement issued from the security office of the Taliban, North Waziristan, said: “We (Taliban) have no hand in the bomb attack and we want to keep the peace agreement intact and the government should also act upon the deal”.
It waz dem smelly goat stealing bastids from Bâzâr Ahmâd Khân
Local Taliban leaders, Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Mufti Saddiq Noor, immediately called a Shoora meeting in Miramshah to discuss the situation. MNA Maulvi Nek Zaman also joined the session later, the statement said.
Shoora; the gathering was serious, long breaking wind sounds were heard late into the night.
Tension gripped the town and security forces cordoned off the entire area. The Bannu-Miramshah road was blocked for several hours, but no arrest was made.
Of course not all the combatant perps were at the Shoora exchanging ideas battle farts.
Posted by: RD || 01/24/2007 01:16 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  the first deadly attack since the government and Taliban-backed tribal insurgents signed a peace agreement on Sept 5, 2006

Is that the peace agreement in which the Pakistani army agreed to repay a load taken out by the rebellious locals from Al Qaeda? Oh, and interesting bits of local colour, RD. I'm once again reminded to be grateful I was born in the civilized world.
Posted by: trailing wife || 01/24/2007 12:36 Comments || Top||

#2  But the ceasefire is still valid so long as the Israelis Musharaff doesn't retaliate.
Posted by: ed || 01/24/2007 13:13 Comments || Top||

#3  Click Map then use map controls to Zoom & Roam until thy heart's content. hint: Mir ali Cantonment is due West of Jammu close to A-stan.
Posted by: RD || 01/24/2007 16:45 Comments || Top||


3 govt officials kidnapped in Balochistan
Unidentified men kidnapped three officials of the Balochistan Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation Department near Dera Allah Yar, police said on Tuesday.

Akhtar Hussain, Nasirabad Range police deputy inspector general, said that PHE Sub-Divisional Engineer Shakeel Ahmed Ansari, Irrigation SDO Abdul Karim Luni and Irrigation Sub-Engineer Abdul Shakoor were kidnapped when they were going from Jacobabad to Dera Murad Jamali in an official vehicle on Monday night. He said that the police later seized the vehicle from Goth Peeru Khan, and added that an operation to recover those abducted was in progress. He said Dera Allah Yar police had also registered a case against the unidentified kidnappers.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


LJ ameer arrested
An amir of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ), Mohammad Ali alias Mama, was arrested by a team of the CID police during a raid in Korangi late Monday night.

CID SP Fayyaz Khan told Daily Times Ali was a suspect in the murders of Lyari’s Qari Habibur Rehman and Maulana Abdul Kareem Naqshbandi. He was nominated the LJ Karachi amir about a year ago. Khan added that Ali trained at Kabul’s Shah Ismail training center in 2000. He said the police believed that Ali was planning a terrorist act this Muharram as its successful completion would ensure funding for the outfit. Police sources said that a list of possible targets was allegedly recovered from Ali’s possession and included the names of some police officers and Shia and Sunni clerics.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Alias Mama?

Posted by: mojo || 01/24/2007 13:37 Comments || Top||

#2  Yo Mama!
Posted by: Alias Mama || 01/24/2007 13:46 Comments || Top||


Iraq
Baghdad: details of a battle on Haifa Street today
In fighting Wednesday, U.S. and Iraqi troops battled gunmen firing heavy weapons from concrete high-rises in another Sunni insurgent stronghold, on the west bank of the Tigris north of the heavily fortified Green Zone. Iraq's defense minister said as many as 30 militants were killed and 27 captured.

Apache attack helicopters buzzed past the tall buildings and radio towers along Haifa Street, while several Humvees drove on the tree-lined street below. Gunfire rang in the background as shells fell, according to AP Television News footage.

The U.S. military said the targeted raids were intended to clear the area of militants, dubbing the operation dubbed Tomahawk Strike 11. The clashes were the second major fighting to break out in the area in less than a month.
Good hunting, guys!
The military reported separately that an American soldier was killed Wednesday in fighting near the city's center, but officials declined to say whether it was connected to the Haifa Street fighting. The military also said that two Marines were killed Tuesday in western Anbar province.
Rest in peace with our thanks. As you kept faith with us, may we keep faith with you until this war is won.
Posted by: trailing wife || 01/24/2007 14:59 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  As I read the reprots, we're moving building by building, in the heart of the city. Snipers in the highrises and boobytraps. As we clear a few buildings, we put in a permanent security post. Kinda like trying to clear Manhatten. Slow and steady wins the race.
Posted by: Chuck Simmins || 01/24/2007 21:38 Comments || Top||

#2  Screw the security outposts; that eats men and materiel, plus requires the ability to provide support in the event of an attack on that position.
Better idea: bring in some IDF D-9's; its not like they are using them.
Posted by: USN, ret. || 01/24/2007 22:51 Comments || Top||

#3  USN: They are most likely filling the posts with Iraqi soldiers, armed with rifles, rations and a radio. It will be bugger all hard for the bad guyz to return to those positions.

Plus the locals will be very pleased to note that we did not do the alternative--reducing the high rises to rubble.

Actually, the more I think about that tactic, the more that I like it--having permanent outposts on all the high ground, doubling as building security. That's damned smart.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 01/24/2007 23:02 Comments || Top||


17 Palestinians abducted in Iraq
Men allegedly wearing uniforms of the Iraqi security forces abducted a group of 17 Palestinians in Baghdad early on Tuesday, the UN refugee agency said. Several uniformed men entered the building rented by UNHCR at 5 a.m., broke doors and windows and took away 17 Palestinian men but left women behind, the agency's spokesman Ron Redmond told reporters. Some of the Palestinians were released later on Tuesday, he said. But Redmond was unable to say how many and how they were released. "UNHCR is very concerned and is seeking information on the Palestinians' whereabouts from Iraqi authorities," he said.

Redmond said around 15,000 Palestinians lived in Baghdad as refugees, but faced constant threats and were unable to move freely. "Palestinians are increasingly targeted for killings, kidnapping, harassment and other abuses," he said. "It's very difficult for Palestinians to move because of a lack of documentation." They were often unable to get the necessary paperwork to leave the country, Redmond said. "Many of those in Baghdad who have tried to leave have been turned back by militia," he added.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I have an idea! Let Israel hire Iraqi mercs to deal with Paleos.
Posted by: twobyfour || 01/24/2007 0:22 Comments || Top||

#2  Looks like the Shia weren't bluffing when they told the paleos to hit the road.
Posted by: Mike N. || 01/24/2007 0:43 Comments || Top||

#3  That would be like the Romano/British Celts hiring Saxons to fight the Danes. Didn't work then either.
Posted by: Uleanter Ebbinenter1449 || 01/24/2007 7:19 Comments || Top||

#4  In a, totally unrelated, news item
Number dead in Fatah-Hamas clashes rises to four

Posted by: gromgoru || 01/24/2007 8:57 Comments || Top||

#5  It says something about the state of affairs in Palenstine when you have to go to Iraq as a "refugee".
Posted by: Jack is Back || 01/24/2007 10:16 Comments || Top||

#6  No, no, Jack. I've no doubt the Palestinians in question are three or four generations removed from fleeing the 1948 establishment of Israel. Refugee is the classic noun appended to the pseudo-nationality adjective, like fluffy goes with bunny or cuddly with puppy.
Posted by: trailing wife || 01/24/2007 12:42 Comments || Top||

#7  17 Palestinians Abducted in Iraq

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of folks, honest!
Posted by: BA || 01/24/2007 13:01 Comments || Top||

#8  Most likely kicked out of Kuwait in 1991.
Posted by: ed || 01/24/2007 13:15 Comments || Top||

#9  A strong possibility, ed. Although in that case likely their parents are still living in the Territories, which they themselves had left to work -- temporarily as it turned out -- for the oil plutocrats. There's a dreadful price to be paid for backing the wrong evil tyrant.
Posted by: trailing wife || 01/24/2007 13:32 Comments || Top||

#10  Refugee is the classic noun appended to the pseudo-nationality adjective

So like DeaconMan is a Confederate refugee!
Posted by: Shipman || 01/24/2007 16:09 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Girl allegedly killed by Border Police may have been hit by rock
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 01/24/2007 14:31 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  when I first saw this I thought it was OUR border. How silly of me.
How sad learning she was standing near the entrance to her elementary school. Then I wonder why is the elementary school so near the border?
Posted by: Jan from work || 01/24/2007 14:52 Comments || Top||

#2  I wonder why is the elementary school weapons depot so near the border?
Posted by: ed || 01/24/2007 15:36 Comments || Top||


Self-proclaimed al-Qaida gunmen destroy resort
A group of masked gunmen claiming to be members of al-Qaida on Tuesday attacked an empty seaside tourist resort in Gaza City with explosive devices and automatic weapons, saying they wanted to send a warning to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah legislator Muhammad Dahlan. According to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the Oasis Resort is owned by Dahlan, although its registered owner is listed as Yussef Barakeh, a resident of Bani Suheila near Khan Yunis. At least 70 percent of the resort was destroyed in the predawn attack, said Bashir Thari, the local manager. "About 40 masked gunmen participated in the attack after they overpowered the three guards."

He said the attackers identified themselves as members of al-Qaida and asked him to deliver a message to Dahlan to the effect that "al-Qaida has arrived in the Gaza Strip."

The resort, the biggest tourist site in the Gaza Strip, consists of several cottages and wedding halls, as well as a hotel and restaurant. PA security officials said they did not rule out the possibility that the attackers were Hamas members. "We don't believe that al-Qaida is operating in the Gaza Strip," said one official. "This attack carries the fingerprints of Hamas."
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  ...For some reason, the 'one official' mentioned at the end of the story reminds me of Col. Flagg...

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 01/24/2007 6:01 Comments || Top||

#2  A tourist resort in Gaza? Who could be so moronic for spending holidays in Gaza? Not even saoudis would want to go there?
Posted by: JFM || 01/24/2007 8:53 Comments || Top||

#3  P.J. O'Rourke, perhaps? He did spend a holiday in Beirut.
Posted by: Jackal || 01/24/2007 9:08 Comments || Top||

#4  I have it. This tourist resort was specially built with fundings from the US and EU for the purpose of being blown. Your taxes at work!
Posted by: JFM || 01/24/2007 9:26 Comments || Top||

#5  An empty seaside resort on the south shore of the Med in January? Go figure.
Posted by: Jack is Back || 01/24/2007 10:18 Comments || Top||

#6  Only in Paleo-land could you raid a "resort" that's completely empty (except a few guards) and still brag about it!
Posted by: BA || 01/24/2007 13:02 Comments || Top||

#7  Forty against three. Exactly. I think I like them better when they are throwing rocks at tanks.
Posted by: CB || 01/24/2007 16:56 Comments || Top||


Paleojournalists on 1-day strike
Palestinian journalists went on a one-day strike Tuesday to protest Monday night's attack on the offices of the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV satellite station in Gaza City. A powerful explosion ripped through the TV station's offices on the 11th floor of the Shurouq Tower in the Rimal neighborhood, causing extensive damage. No one was hurt. The offices were empty at the time of the explosion because the employees have not been reporting to work for the past week following death threats from Hamas. The threats came after Al-Arabiya aired a tape of PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in which he is heard making an offensive remark against God.

Earlier this week, Hamas strongly condemned the station and accused it of trying to defame Haniyeh by taking his remarks out of context. Al-Arabiya correspondent Seif Eddin Shahin said he and his colleagues received many death threats over the past week.

Hundreds of Palestinian journalists participated in a sit-in strike in Gaza City Tuesday to protest increased attacks on their colleagues and news organizations in the Palestinian territories. The protest was organized by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, which issued a statement condemning the "war against the freedom of expression."

Riham Abdul Karim, bureau chief of Al-Arabiya in the Gaza Strip, held the Hamas-led government responsible for the attack. She said Haniyeh knew about the threats against the station, but failed to take measures to prevent the attack. She added that Al-Arabiya tried to settle the dispute with Hamas "peacefully," but to no avail.

Saleem al-Hindi, a reporter with the Gaza-based Voice of Laborers radio stations, described the attack as an organized crime against the media. He noted that his station was also attacked by Hamas last November. Hamas officials strongly denied responsibility for the attack, claiming that it could have been carried out by Fatah gunmen to drive a wedge between the station and Hamas.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Oxymoron alert. I think they mean "propaganda specialists"...
Posted by: mojo || 01/24/2007 10:19 Comments || Top||


Southeast Asia
Indon terrorist, Abu bandits killed in Sulu sea battle
An Indonesian member of the Al Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist organization was among six Muslim terrorists killed in a sea clash with troops off Tawi-Tawi province early this month, officials said yesterday. The Army, Navy, and Marines were involved in the gunbattle that killed the six Muslims aboard a motorboat in the waters off Balingbing in Panglima Sugala town, Tawi-Tawi, Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said.

He said Indonesian terrorist suspect Gufran, also known as Abu Samur, who allegedly belonged to the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah terror group, was among the dead. Five Filipino members of Abu Sayyaf also were killed, he added. Four of them were identified as Abu Hubaida, Jundam Jamalul alias Black Killer, Ibrahim Hassan alias Abu Muksin, and Gadar Abubakar. Gufran was a key aide of Dulmatin, a top Indonesian terror suspect who has been hunted by troops in a months-long US-backed offensive on Jolo island, he said.

Marine commander Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban said captured members of the Abu Sayyaf identified the dead men, many of whom were aides of leaders of the group. Sabban said all indications were that top Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah members, including bomb-makers Dulmatin and Umar Patek, were still on Jolo or its surrounding islands. Both are wanted for assembling and detonating bombs on the Indonesian island of Bali in 2002, killing more than 200 people.

Gufran's reported death bolsters military reports that Indonesian terrorists have taken refuge in the southern Philippines. One of the Filipinos killed was Jamalul, one of 17 Abu Sayyaf members, including the group’s chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, who are wanted by the US for attacks on American citizens. US and Philippine authorities have offered a reward of $20,000 (about P1,000,000) for Jamalul’s capture.

Another ranking Abu Sayyaf member, Abu Hubaida, and two key aides of Janjalani and prominent Abu Sayyaf commander Abu Sulaiman were also killed in the clash. Troops recovered two M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, and huge amounts of ammunition on the rebels boat, Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan said. Troops were pursuing the terror suspects but they managed to flee from Jolo earlier. Marines spotted and engaged the group Saturday in a firefight off Tawi-Tawi, he said.

An officer involved in the assault said the military had information that the slain terrorists were planning to carry out kidnappings in Tawi-Tawi to raise funds. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to the media.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Beirut burns as national strike explodes into sectarian violence
Lebanon’s political crisis flared into violence yesterday as opposition supporters enforced a nationwide general strike in a renewed attempt to bring down the Western-backed Government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. At least three people were reported killed and more than 130 wounded as opponents of the Government blocked roads and rival factions fought each other with stones and sticks. Areas north of Beirut witnessed confrontations between rival Christian groups while Sunnis and Shia clashed in the capital.

Plumes of thick black smoke hung over Beirut and the main north and south highways. Roads were blocked with burning tyres and rubbish bins, and the airport was cut off from the city centre, forcing the cancellation of several flights. Lebanese troops and riot police accompanied by fire engines fanned out at key intersections and trouble spots along the main roads, but did not attempt to remove the blockade by force.

Many Lebanese stayed at home for the day, some in observance of the strike call, others because they were afraid to venture out and challenge the opposition roadblocks. Some Lebanese, however, were determined to overcome the obstacles and reach work. When Mona Alameh, 32, encountered a road block of burning rubbish bins on a main Beirut street, she tried to shove them aside with her car. But a picket of club-wielding opposition supporters beat her car with sticks and told her to go back. “I was so angry I could not control myself,” she said. “I told them this was my street and my country and they had no right to stop me.”

One of the men threw a burning stick into her car. She threw it back out and accelerated through the barrier. “If this keeps escalating it is going to be very bad for everyone,” Ms Alameh said.

The Hezbollah-led opposition, sympathetic to Syria, launched its campaign to topple the pro-Western Government on December 1, erecting a tent city in central Beirut to house thousands of protesters for an indefinite sit-in. But the Government, which has roughly equal public support to the opposition, refused to yield, creating a political deadlock that has so far defied even international mediation.

The opposition is demanding the formation of a national unity government, giving it an increased share of Cabinet seats, before holding fresh parliamentary elections. The strike came two days before a key fundraising conference in Paris in which the Lebanese Government hopes to raise up to $7 billion (£3.5 billion) to revive the debt-laden economy and push through a package of economic reforms.

Mr Siniora had urged the Lebanese to ignore the strike and go to work as normal, saying that the opposition’s action was intended to jeopard-ise the success of the donor conference. Although Mr Siniora was planning to fly to Paris yesterday, he was forced to delay his trip as it was considered too dangerous to attempt to reach the airport.

The confrontation between the Government and opposition has strained already tense relations between Lebanon’s Sunni and Shia communities, eclipsing for the first time the more traditional Christian-Mus-lim divide.

Fears that the strike could descend into sectarian violence were realised in the Beirut neighbourhood of Mazraa when Shia supporters of Hezb-ollah and the Amal movement fought with Sunni followers of the Future movement, which is headed by Saad Hariri, the leader of the parliamentary majority and son of Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister many Lebanese believe was murdered on Syria’s orders.

Split by dozens of Lebanese soldiers, the two groups, numbering several hundred each, took up position on either side of the broad palm-tree-lined Corniche Mazraa and hurled insults and stones at each other.

The troops struggled to contain the situation. One soldier fired his automatic rifle one-handed in the air as others swung at rioters with batons. Armoured personnel carriers clattered up the street swerving wildly to herd the rioters back to their respective sides. Tear gas grenades were fired at both crowds, the canisters flying in steep arcs over the crowded apartment blocks trailing coils of billowing white smoke. But the gas could not curb the anger of the protagonists.

The soldiers regained control and the two groups began hanging large banners of their political leaders, while jeering and chanting insults across the barriers.
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  ...creating a political deadlock that has so far defied even international mediation.

Time to send in the Peanut Farmer!
Posted by: Bobby || 01/24/2007 6:24 Comments || Top||

#2  Yeah! Maybe he'll have a "crossfire" incident.
Posted by: Spot || 01/24/2007 8:10 Comments || Top||

#3  Where's my nano-violin?
Posted by: gromgoru || 01/24/2007 8:59 Comments || Top||

#4  One of the men threw a burning stick into her car. She threw it back out and accelerated through the barrier. “If this keeps escalating it is going to be very bad for everyone,” Ms Alameh said.
Not only does this lady have guts, but she fails to miss the obvious. I love her spirit, but she must choose her battles more carefully, so she is not the first to die trying.
Posted by: wxjames || 01/24/2007 9:47 Comments || Top||

#5  Anyone ever noticed that having large groups of radical Islamo-nuts in your neighborhood tends to lower property values?
Posted by: SteveS || 01/24/2007 10:20 Comments || Top||

#6  waiting for the enviros to protest the burning of tires
Posted by: mhw || 01/24/2007 10:26 Comments || Top||

#7  One website implies that Hizb is calling a 'pause' in their stike

LINK
MOD NOTE: Please post long URLs as links; some browsers don't wrap long lines of text, and long URLs can garf up the page formatting.
Posted by: mhw || 01/24/2007 10:54 Comments || Top||

#8  Iran needs to control the mediterranean in order to pressure Europe and to attack Israel. It is funny how the news networks don't highlight current events in Lebanon as they did before. Well let's see how our friends of the UN will behave in this very explosive situation. Will the French come to the rescue?
Posted by: Spegum Thomosh8532 || 01/24/2007 16:16 Comments || Top||

#9  the french are offering the Leb Govt alot of money. No ones offered troops - its not clear at this point that more conventional troops would help. I saw somewhere that some Shiites are starting to get anxious about Hezbs tactics.
Posted by: liberalhawk || 01/24/2007 21:52 Comments || Top||

#10  It is funny how the news networks don't highlight current events in Lebanon as they did before.

The last thing the MSM wants now is to distract Congress from their agenda.
Posted by: Pappy || 01/24/2007 22:06 Comments || Top||


G'morning...
Israeli President Katsav to Step Down as Indictment NearsBeirut burns as national strike explodes into sectarian violenceEthiopian Troops Begin to Leave Somalia3 JMB men to walk gallowsSelf-proclaimed al-Qaida gunmen destroy resortIndon terrorist, Abu bandits killed in Sulu sea battleAhmadinejad: U.S. Incapable of Inflicting 'Serious Damage' on IranDiver used chisel to fight off shark that swallowed his head
Posted by: Fred || 01/24/2007 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "Who's on First?"
(Now with that outa the way, let the real comments begin.....)
Bonus points: What is the naem of the 2-billed hat?
Posted by: USN, ret. || 01/24/2007 0:21 Comments || Top||

#2  the lady that invented the "extra soft" lotion? - now that would be very counter intuitive.
Posted by: Broadhead6 || 01/24/2007 0:47 Comments || Top||

#3  Easy. A deerstalker.
Posted by: SteveS || 01/24/2007 0:47 Comments || Top||

#4  Gred I just read on another site that the US has launched another AC-130 gunship attack again in Somalia.. Its in the Washington Post...
Posted by: Chenter Unimp7361 || 01/24/2007 6:49 Comments || Top||

#5  Sorry Fred... for the mis-spell on the name.
Posted by: Chenter Unimp7361 || 01/24/2007 6:50 Comments || Top||

#6  Some good sub-heads in there, Fred. "Strike yer colors . . ." "Spit that out!"
Posted by: Mike || 01/24/2007 6:58 Comments || Top||

#7  It's almost as if the Pencilneck is being asked to intervene (again)...by his minions. Guess "Victory over Israel" didn't satisfy them?
Posted by: Frank G || 01/24/2007 8:28 Comments || Top||

#8  Looking for info regarding OBAMA's "schooling" in Indonesia. Claims it was a "public school" and not a madrassa. Does anyone know if he was at a consulate school or is he claiming a regular Indonesian public school? THANKS.
Posted by: ex-lib || 01/24/2007 10:58 Comments || Top||

#9  I found this with a video link on a CNN news website. Looks like it was a regular Indonesian school. Also, it gives a quick insight into the majority viewpoint of Indonesians regarding a more broad-based and accepting understanding of religion.

Was very relieved Obama wasn't raised in Ache. Now THAT would be a pretty big problem.
Posted by: ex-lib || 01/24/2007 11:12 Comments || Top||

#10  What the hell is crawling up her leg?!
Posted by: Snimble Hupomorong4559 || 01/24/2007 13:08 Comments || Top||

#11  Sheer harem pants with velvet banding at the ankle, Snimble Hupomorong4559. For modesty, one imagines.
Posted by: trailing wife || 01/24/2007 13:29 Comments || Top||

#12  I would be happy to see more of Adele Jergens...
Posted by: Old Patriot || 01/24/2007 17:44 Comments || Top||

#13  nice - a flashlight pointed a sheer garments...the first "up-skirt" video
Posted by: Frank G || 01/24/2007 19:04 Comments || Top||

#14  Thr hat is a Deerstalker (Think Sherlock Holmes)He"s wearing it sideways
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 01/24/2007 19:19 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Wed 2007-01-24
  Beirut burns as Hezbollah strike explodes into sectarian violence
Tue 2007-01-23
  100 killed in Iraq market bombings
Mon 2007-01-22
  3,200 new US troops arrive in Baghdad
Sun 2007-01-21
  Two South Africans accused of Al-Qaeda links
Sat 2007-01-20
  Shootout near presidential palace in Mog
Fri 2007-01-19
  Tater aide arrested in Baghdad
Thu 2007-01-18
  Mullah Hanif sez Mullah Omar lives in Quetta
Wed 2007-01-17
  Halutz quits
Tue 2007-01-16
  Yemen kills al-Qaeda fugitive
Mon 2007-01-15
  Barzan and al-Bandar hanged; Barzan's head pops off
Sun 2007-01-14
  Somalia: Lawmakers impose martial law
Sat 2007-01-13
  Last Somali Islamist base falls
Fri 2007-01-12
  Two US aircraft carrier groups plus Patriot missile bn planned for ME
Thu 2007-01-11
  US Warships picking up Al-Q hardboyz at sea
Wed 2007-01-10
  Troop Surge Already Under Way


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