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Posted on 03/01/2007 8:28:33 PM PST by nwctwx
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Praying for Ex
Feeling strong is excellent news! Take care of yourself Crabbie.
Cause for celebration, thanks NW!
WASHINGTON - The number of experts who believe that terrorists could obtain the apparatus for a nuclear bomb is impressive and growing.
The Sept. 11 Commission described in 2004 the relative ease with which terrorists could conceal the needed weapons-grade plutonium or highly enriched uranium, which it said would be ``about the size of a grapefruit or an orange.'' Since 2001, law enforcement officials have developed training exercises on how terrorists might smuggle eight components for an improvised 10-kiloton bomb into the United States and then detonate it near the White House.
Experts in and out of the government worry that the most likely source of nuclear material is Russia and the former Soviet bloc nations, where stocks of weapons-grade plutonium and uranium are stored at loosely guarded sites.
Excerpted
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/nation/16832204.htm
Five "terrorists" detained crossing into Pakistan from Iran
Saturday March 3, 2007
Islamabad- Pakistani authorities on Saturday detained five foreign nationals attempting to enter the country from Iran with the intent of carrying out terrorist attacks, the Online news agency reported.
Border police said they arrested one Turk, two Afghans and two Russians in the Taftan area and seized sensitive documents. Both countries have intensified security along their border in the wake of illegal movement of people and kidnapping of security personnel.
Iran is in the process of fortifying stretches of the frontier with a ten-foot wall.
http://rawstory.com/news/dpa/Five_terrorists_detained_crossing_i_03032007.html
Mass arrests in Iran over security fears (Iran)
March 4, 2007
Tehran: More than 32 women and several Iranian journalists were arrested on Sunday for "endangering national security", the state media reported. The women were protesting outside a courthouse in Tehran to demand a fair trial for five women arrested last June. The five women on trial had met to demand equal rights for women. They were charged with endangering national security, propaganda against the state and taking part in an illegal gathering.
The Iranian journalists were arrested for charges including "acting against national security foreign backing", Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported. "They were spreading reports to create divisions among Iran's ethnic groups. They were getting significant amounts of dollars from abroad," IRNA quoted a ministry statement as saying.
IRNA’s report did not name the journalists or cite any other countries. The arrests came as Iranian and Saudi leaders meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss the security situation in Iraq and Lebanon, and to prevent Iran from sliding further into isolation.
Targets are often revisited . . .
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1694213/posts?page=825#825
I agree it is a long shot. But one the top Taliban leaders, Dadullah (not the one captured - - Obeidullah) just claimed this week on British TV to be in direct contact with UBL's "comrades". And he also indicated they would know "easily" if he was "martyred". So, in addition to capturing the highest level Taliban official since 9/11, another high-level Taliban official also claimed this week to have constant, though indirect knowledge of UBL's location/status (by easily knowing whether he were dead or alive).
http://news.bostonherald.com/international/europe/view.bg?articleid=185774
And unless he starts staying in the same hut/cave for more than a couple days, by definition it would have to be a fast turnaround. But again, you are right that it is a long shot. And you know it is exactly like chasing someone up and down the Rocky Mountains from New Mexico to Montana when it was still the "wild West" - - no infrastructure, no highways, and not yet under federal military control. That is almost precisely how long the border is. And the mountains are just as high, and in some cases, higher.
It took 8-9 months in 2003 to find Saddam in a flat, desert country with 150,000+ pairs of "boots on the ground". We've never had more than we have now in Afghanistan (roughly 25,000 total coalition) and only a fraction can be deployed on the border because all the rest are needed to keep the country together (which is bigger than Iraq yet only has a fraction of the coalition forces). This is what was bound to happen when we as a nation, over two decades, and still today, refuse to address a slowly imploding military force structure (especially ground troops who are the only ones who can hold and own real estate). The cupboard is now bare. For the first time since the Reagan administration, we are finally talking about building back a little bit of the the ground forces (90,000 troops) over the next several years. But it is like trying to turn the Titanic around when you see the iceburg in front of you.
I hope they catch him one day. But he is not our most dangerous problem at the moment.
SAN'A, Yemen - A hundred jailed Muslim extremists, including some who allegedly fought for al-Qaida in Iraq, were released by authorities, a Yemeni security official said.
The official, speaking Saturday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said that some of the released completed serving their sentences, while some of the others were acquitted for lack of evidence. He said the release of the 100 prisoners had been carried out in stages, with the last set free in late February.
The official added that 19 of the released fought under the command of al-Qaida in Iraq's previous leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, prior to his death in a U.S. airstrike last June. Some of the 19 had been convicted of plotting terrorist attacks after they were handed over to Yemen by Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other countries.
Among the released were four Saudis and also members of a Yemeni extremist group — the Aden-Abyan Islamic Army that had kidnapped four tourists — three Britons and an Australian, in 1998. The tourists were killed in a botched rescue attempt by Yemeni security forces.
An interior ministry official, who said that the released members of Aden-Abyan Islamic Army were given $1,000 to help them restart life outside bars.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070304/ap_on_re_mi_ea/yemen_prisoner_release
Unknown militant considered to lead al-Qaida-linked group in RP (Phillipines)
Sunday, March 04, 2007
JOLO, Sulu -- A little-known Filipino militant is being considered to lead the violent al-Qaida-linked group Abu Sayyaf after U.S.-backed troops killed its two top leaders, security officials said.
Citing intelligence information, Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said Saturday that Yasser Igasan has been tipped as a possible replacement. Cedo is overseeing a massive U.S.-backed offensive against the Abu Sayyaf on the southern Philippine island of Jolo.
Igasan, who had been to Libya and the Middle East, was being considered because of his terror training abroad, his good education and his crucial connections with possible foreign financiers - traits which other Abu Sayyaf commanders lack - two security officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, citing policy. The Abu Sayyaf, which is on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations, has been blamed for deadly bombings, beheadings and high-profile ransom kidnappings, including of Americans.
Not much is known about Igasan's background. His name cropped up during intelligence operatives' monitoring of goings-on within the Abu Sayyaf following the separate killings of its chieftain, Khaddafy Janjalani, and presumed successor, Jainal Antel Sali Jr. or Abu Sulaiman, the two security officials said.
Igasan, an explosives expert, may have already returned to Jolo island in Sulu province, Cedo told The AP. "He's from abroad," Cedo said. "He has the connections." Military and police intelligence officials have speculated that the next most likely leader of the Abu Sayyaf would be chosen from among its most senior commanders, led by Radulan Sahiron, a one-armed militant based in the mountain jungles near Jolo's Patikul town.
Despite the emergence of possible successors, it may take time for the Abu Sayyaf to anoint a new leader because its remaining 400 armed members, mostly on Jolo and in nearby Basilan island, were struggling to run away from relentless military assaults, the two security officials said. Hundreds of U.S. troops wound down two weeks of military exercises on Jolo Saturday that focused on development work. Other U.S. military personnel training and arming Filipino troops would stay as long as the Philippine government needed them, U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney told reporters.
thanks so muuch, RR!
Thanks for linking to that post Joe. It was good to, once more, read that interview with Hamid Mir.
thanks, OO!
A three-year investigation into the activities of one of the Middle East's largest and most influential banks is producing extensive evidence of how tens of millions of dollars have flowed from wealthy Saudi Arabians to Palestinian groups that allegedly used some of the money to pay off suicide bombers and their survivors.
The information being turned up by government inquiries and lawyers suing Arab Bank 'will give people a better understanding of the way money moves in that part of the world to support Hamas' and other militant groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, said Stephen Kroll, a terrorism finance specialist and until recently counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
'It's important in focusing the public's attention on the issue of what is and what is not acceptable for banks to be involved in,' Kroll said.
The Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation into the New York branch of Arab Bank, which is based in Jordan, and its financial links to organizations and individuals accused of terrorism, according to three former U.S. counter-terrorism officials.
Excerpted
http://www.topix.net/content/trb/3247572514341003896109933138374146052182
THANKS to Knitting a Conundrum for pointing to this article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070304/ap_on_re_as/philippines_terror_successor;_ylt=Ag2Cz9TciOepFtQlPrMqZcwBxg8F
"Militant may lead Philippine terrorists"
By JIM GOMEZ, Associated Press Writer Sat Mar 3, 11:34 PM ET
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "JOLO, Philippines - A little-known militant is being considered to lead an al-Qaida-linked terrorism group in the Philippines after U.S.-backed troops killed its two top leaders, security officials said Saturday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, who is overseeing a massive U.S.-backed offensive against the Abu Sayyaf terror group on the southern island of Jolo, identified the militant as Yasser Igasan. He cited intelligence reports for the information.
Igasan was considered a likely new leader of the group because of his terror training abroad and his connections with possible foreign financiers, two security officials told The Associated Press on customary condition of anonymity.
Abu Sayyaf, which is on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations, has been blamed for deadly bombings, beheadings and high-profile ransom kidnappings, including Americans.
Not much is known about Igasan's background. His name appeared during intelligence operatives' monitoring of Abu Sayyaf following the killings of the group's chieftain, Khaddafy Janjalani, in September, and his presumed successor, Abu Sulaiman, in January, the security officials said.
Igasan, an explosives expert, may have already returned to Jolo island in Sulu province, Cedo told the AP. "He's from abroad," Cedo said. "He has the connections.""
I guess the logical question to ask is:
Will Congress be interested enough to request a copy of the report?
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=3251
Coalition, Iraqi Troops Start Clearing Sadr City
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 4, 2007 – More than 600 Multi-National Division Baghdad soldiers and 550 Iraqi security forces began a clearing operation in the eastern Baghdad district known as Sadr City today, military officials reported.
Meanwhile, operations in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq over the last few days have resulted in numerous terrorists being killed or detained and the discovery of large weapons caches.
In Sadr City, soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, with two Stryker companies from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, began their combined clearing operation
early this morning, teaming up with the 8th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, and the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division.
"During operations today, local residents were receptive and cooperative with coalition and Iraqi forces," Army Lt. Col. Scott R. Bleichwehl, Multinational Division Baghdad spokesman, said. "The operation is designed to set secure
conditions for the citizens of Sadr City."
Bleichwehl said no weapons caches were reported or suspects detained. He added there were no incidents of violence, and no casualties to coalition forces, Iraqi security forces
or civilians.
In other news from Iraq, a coalition assessment following an air strike in Arab Jabour yesterday led to the rescue of four Iraqi citizens and the uncovering of a terrorist weapons cache today.
Four Iraqi citizens were liberated from a building near the site of yesterday's air strike, officials said. One of the hostages told military officials the terrorists holding them fled immediately after the air strike.
All four hostages were treated at the scene for various injuries. One of the hostages said he had been held captive for 50 days.
At the site of the air strike, ground forces also found remnants of an anti-aircraft heavy machine gun known as a DShK, as well as rocket-propelled grenades and grenade launchers. A DShK tripod was found dug into the ground along the Tigris River, along with spent ammunition
cartridges.
Coalition forces called in the air strike yesterday after they began receiving small-arms fire from several armed men across the Tigris River and were unable to safely subdue enemy fire. Two precision-guided bombs destroyed a small structure and killed seven terrorists hiding inside.
A large secondary explosion was noted after the initial bombs were dropped on the target, officials said, indicating the presence of explosive material within the structure.
Elsewhere, soldiers from Task Force 1-319 and the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, detained more than 50 insurgents during three days of operations focused on terrorist cells in Abu Ajeel, Wynot, and Owja near Tikrit in Salah ad Din.
Paratroopers from Task Force Loyalty’s Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, detained more than 40 personnel in the Abu Ajeel area with assistance from an Iraqi emergency services unit and the Iraqi army.
The operation disrupted a roadside-bomb cell that has been operating in the area as well as detaining an insurgent cell leader who has been spearheading attacks against coalition and Iraqi security forces in recent months, officials said.
Soldiers from Task Force Loyalty's Battery B detained more than 10 insurgents involved with financing and executing attacks on coalition forces in the towns of Wynot and Owja. During the raids, members of Battery B engaged numerous
insurgents, killing three who were poised to conduct a roadside ambush on coalition forces during the operation.
This morning, coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists during a raid in Baghdad.
The targeted suspected terrorist was detained on the scene, and is reported to be involved in the procurement and distribution of weapons, including explosives to conduct bomb attacks against Iraqi citizens and coalition forces.
While conducting the raid, coalition forces entered a mosque where the targeted suspect was hiding. They detained the targeted suspect along with two other suspected terrorists.
A local Iraqi woman was injured. Coalition medical personnel treated her at the scene, and she was transported to a local hospital for further care.
"Coalition forces soldiers respect the sanctity and holiness of all places of worship and exercise the utmost restraint when planning for and considering the conduct of operations in and around mosques," Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said. "We do not enter mosques for the sole purposes of disrupting insurgent activities or conducting a show of force. Mosque entries occur only as a last resort, and only when substantial and credible evidence shows insurgent activity is occurring there - i.e., meetings, storage of weapons, harboring of insurgent leaders."
In Basra today, special Iraqi army forces, with coalition advisors, captured an alleged weapons smuggler and trafficker.
The suspect reportedly funnels weapons and homemade bombs to rogue elements for use in attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces. Iraqi forces captured the alleged trafficker without incident.
In Babil province on March 2, an Iraqi special weapons and tactics team, in conjunction with coalition advisors, captured the suspected leader of a rogue militia cell.
The suspect allegedly controls a roadside-bomb cell responsible for attacks against Iraqi civilians and coalition forces. He also is implicated in six roadside attacks that have resulted in the deaths of three coalition forces soldiers since December and is involved in the murder of Iraqi civilians working with coalition forces.
Iraqi forces detained five additional suspected cell members for questioning.
In Fallujah, the Iraqi police captured three suspected members of an al Qaeda-linked insurgent network during operations with coalition advisors March 2.
One suspect is believed to have participated in a recent attack on the Saqlawiyah police station. The other suspects are implicated in recording insurgent attacks against coalition forces on video and selling them to an Iraqi television station. The videos are broadcast to support al Qaeda’s effort to recruit more insurgents and incite attacks against Iraqis civilians and coalition forces.
Iraqi forces detained one additional suspect for questioning.
South of Baghdad on March 2, paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, located an ammunition cache containing more than 100 mortar rounds near Bahbahani while on a dismounted patrol.
The cache also contained 60 mm mortar rounds, 82 mm rounds, 120 mm rounds, 122 mm round, 130 mm rounds and 155 mm rounds. The cache was secured for a controlled detonation.
Another weapons cache was discovered the same day as the result of a tip from a resident of the western Baghdad district of northern Ghazaliya.
Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment conducted an early morning raid but found nothing at the target house. However the troops investigated the house next to it and found automatic weapons, a pistol, a hand grenade, and a large amount of ammunition. Roadside bomb-making materials also were found inside the house.
Two men who were in the house were taken into custody for further questioning.
The cache was discovered within sight of the Joint Security Station in Ghazaliya. The station is an integral part of the new security plan, officials said. It is jointly run by Iraqi and American forces, and, in the few weeks it has been operational, has been credited with several success stories, including a significant reduction in violence in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Following the discovery of a massive weapons cache Feb. 26 near the village of Maalef, Iraqi army soldiers from the 2nd Iraqi Army Division, supported by the 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment troops, discovered more illegal weapons near the village of Tortia on March 1.
The cache was found inside two large freezers and four large barrels, and contained rounds of assorted small-arms ammunition, rockets, mortar rounds, fuses, rocket-propelled grenades and launchers, grenades, projectile fuses, mortar tubes, high-explosive rounds, smoke rounds, TNT blocks, blasting caps, propellant and communication gear.
Coalition forces explosive ordnance disposal teams were on site conducting an assessment of the find and preparing the items for transportation and eventual reduction.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
"...feeling strong!"
And I never forget to pray for you Crabbie.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
THANKS AD.
I visited the other thread already.
We're praying for him.
"Taliban gloomy"
Smiling at you nw.
THANKS for the update.
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