Threat Matrix: January 2007

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ARBIL
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=Iraq

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=IRAN

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Thanks Fair Opinion for starting this thread and for the update:

NOTE: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=arbil

US forces raid Iranian consulate in Iraq (detain 5, confiscate computers, documents
Reuters ^ | Jan. 11, 2007 | Reuters

Posted on 01/11/2007 2:03:26 AM PST by FairOpinion

ARBIL, Iraq, Jan 11 (Reuters) - U.S. forces raided the Iranian consulate office in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil on Thursday and arrested five employees, the official Iranian news agency IRNA said.

There was no immediate comment by the U.S. military on the raid which came hours after President George W. Bush vowed in a speech to interrupt what he called the "flow of support" from Iran and Syria for insurgent attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.

The raid was the second such operation in the past month against Iranian interests in Iraq by U.S. forces.

"Around 5.00 a.m., after disarming the guards they (U.S. troops) broke into the office, without giving any explanation and arrested five employees," the official IRNA news agency reported, adding that documents and computers were seized.

It said Iran had sent a protest letter to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

Earlier Iraqiya state television reported the raid on the building in central Arbil and a Kurdish station said Kurdish security forces had taken over the building after the Americans left the area.

U.S. officials have repeatedly accused non-Arab, Shi'ite Iran of interfering in Iraq, where the long-oppressed Shi'ite majority is now in power.

In December, U.S. forces in Baghdad arrested a number of Iranians they said were suspected of planning attacks on Iraqi security forces, including diplomats who were later turned over to Iraqi authorities.

A U.S. official said that the arrests in December validated U.S. assertions about "Iranian meddling" in Iraq. (Additional reporting by Edmund Blair in Tehran) (Writing by Ibon Villelabeitia, editing by Diana Abdallah)

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1765759/posts

"US forces raid Iran official office in Iraq - TVs"
Reuters (excerpt) ^ | January 11, 2007

Posted on 01/11/2007 12:50:03 AM PST by HAL9000

ARBIL, Iraq, Jan 11 (Reuters)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=bosnia

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http://www.sudbih.gov.ba/files/docs/optuznice/Bektasevic_indictment.pdf

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http://www.sudbih.gov.ba/?id=340&jezik=e
COURT OF BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
"Mirsad Bektaševi?, Abdulkadir Cesur, Bajro Ikanovi? and Senad Hasanovi? found guilty"
(10.01.2007. 17:10)

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http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/01/bosnia_suicide_bomb_plotters_f_1.php

"Bosnia Suicide Bomb Plotters Found Guilty (UPDATED)"
By Evan Kohlmann
(January 10, 2007)

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1765670/posts?page=5#5
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1765670/posts?page=11#11

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1765670/posts

"4 men convicted in Bosnia of plotting terror attack in Europe"
Calibre ^ | Wednesday, January 10, 2007 | Staff

Posted on 01/10/2007 7:34:03 PM PST by Bokababe

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina

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http://www.svd.se/dynamiskt/inrikes/did_14397922.asp

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1765356/posts?page=1#1

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1765356/posts

Breaking: Swedish man sentenced to 15 years in Bosnia for terror crime
Svenska Dagbladet ^ | 10 Januari 2007 | TT

Posted on 01/10/2007 9:40:42 AM PST by ScaniaBoy

The article in Swedish. Translation as follows: The 19 year old Mirsad Bektasevic from Kungälv on the Swedish west coast today became the first Swedish citizen to be convicted of planning a terror crime in Europe. The Bonsniac court in Sarajevo sentenced him to prison for 15 years and 4 months.

(Excerpt) Read more at svd.se ...

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=61738

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Rio de Janeiro Gang Violence Increasing
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Americas - Brazil
10 Jan 2007

Printer Friendly Email Article
Related Reports
4 Jan 2007
Sao Paulo Military Police Battalion Explosion
11 Dec 2006
Continuing Brazil Air Traffic Delays
3 Nov 2006
Warden Message: Brazil Air Traffic Delays
3 Nov 2006
Brazil Air Traffic Delays
11 Oct 2006
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
U.S. Embassy Brasilia issued the following Warden Message on January 10:

This warden message is to alert American citizens living in or traveling to Rio de Janeiro to an increase in gang activity in the city of Rio de Janeiro. American Citizens are reminded to take great care when traveling on public transportation in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Although there is no evidence that American citizens have been targeted, recent criminal gang activity has targeted public transportation. Several people were killed as a result of recent attacks. There is a possibility of further attacks targeting public transportation. American citizens are advised to review their personal security and take precautions when necessary.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Specific information on Brazil may be found in the Consular Information Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html . Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=61739

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: El Salvador Criminal Tactics
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Americas - El Salvador
10 Jan 2007

Printer Friendly Email Article
Related Reports
13 Oct 2006
Warden Message: El Salvador Volcanic Alert
11 Oct 2006
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
U.S. Embassy San Salvador issued the following Warden Message on January 10:

Criminal Tactics to stop your Vehicle

This Warden Message is to remind U.S. citizens in El Salvador of the importance of observing personal security measures when driving in El Salvador. This past weekend an official U.S. employee stationed in El Salvador was carjacked near Zona Rosa in San Salvador, kidnapped, and held at gunpoint for two hours before being released unharmed. The victim had his car struck from behind by an SUV. When the victim exited his vehicle to assess the damage, he was taken at gunpoint and driven around San Salvador before being released later that evening.

Criminals are known to use various ruse tactics, such as accidentally bumping into their "target's" vehicle or blocking vehicles with their own car. To help avoid being a victim of these tactics, always give yourself plenty of space between your car and the car in front of you when entering roundabouts or approaching stop lights and intersections, and always leave yourself room to maneuver around the vehicle in front of you. If you find yourself in such a situation, the Embassy suggests that you do not exit your vehicle. Instead, proceed to the nearest safe area, i.e. a Police station, a well protected shopping center/Mall, a hospital, or any public location with a guard.

If you are ever confronted by armed gunmen -- do not resist. It is important for your own safety that you readily and without hesitation give up your vehicle and all valuables to your assailants. Do not make any sudden moves with your hands, keeping them in plain view at all time times and don't reach under the seat of towards the glove box.

While In Your Car:
- Drive with your windows up and doors locked at all times (PNC advised the Embassy that the majority of carjackings occur when windows are down and doors unlocked).
- Keep your house keys separate from car keys.
- When in crawling or stopped in traffic, leave at least a half car length between you and the car ahead, to allow space to exit rapidly if necessary.
- Don't leave valuables in your vehicle, in the seat, or in the trunk. Thefts from parked cars occur frequently throughout the country in all locations.
- Park your vehicle in a secure parking garage or near a guard.
- Have your keys out and ready as you approach your vehicle. Fumbling for keys with an armload of packages makes an easy target for muggers or carjackers
- Be alert when approaching your parked vehicle. If someone is watching you too closely, or is loitering near your vehicle, return to a safe location.
- Always check the back seat of the car before entering the vehicle.
- Avoid pulling into a gated front driveway until the gate opens with ample space for you to enter. Carjackers have been known to use this situation to their advantage by positioning their vehicles directly behind yours, trapping you in between them and the gate.

Criminals also target isolated roads in and outside of the city. These basic precautions can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a target of opportunity for criminals:
- It is best to travel outside the city limits during day light. Avoid night travel when at all possible.
- Select well traveled routes.
- Be sure someone in your office and family is aware of your exact travel plans and route you are traveling.
- Be sure your cell phone is working and charged.
- Whenever possible travel in a caravan.
- Be especially alert on remote stretches, approaching curves or hills, or when unusual groups of individuals appear near roadways.
- Make sure you have at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle, never allow the tank to go below a quarter tank.
- Hire a guard for your travel.
- Be sure your vehicle is in good working order (spare tire, etc.)

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_917.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Thu Jan 11 2007 03:22:33 GMT-0800.

HAITI

January 10, 2007

This Travel Warning is being issued to remind American citizens of ongoing security concerns in Haiti, including frequent kidnappings of Americans for ransom. Travelers are strongly advised to thoroughly consider the risks before travel to Haiti, and to take adequate precautions to ensure their safety if they do so. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued July 7, 2006, and expires July 9, 2007.

U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Haiti are reminded that there is a chronic and growing danger of kidnappings. Most kidnappings are criminal in nature, and the kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race, gender or age; all are vulnerable. Over 60 Americans were kidnapped in 2006, most in Port-au-Prince. Many abductions are the result of carjacking or home invasions. Past kidnappings have been marked by deaths, sexual assault, shooting and physical assault of Americans. The lack of civil protections in Haiti, as well as the limited capability of local law enforcement to resolve kidnapping cases, further compounds the element of danger surrounding this trend.

U.S. citizens are also reminded of the potential for spontaneous protests and public demonstrations that can occur at any time, day or night, and may result in violence. While the nation-wide elections for municipal and other local positions on December 3rd, 2006, were conducted peacefully, political violence can occur at any time. American citizens are advised to take commonsense precautions and avoid any event where crowds may congregate. Visitors and residents must remain vigilant due to the absence of an effective police force in much of Haiti; the potential for looting; the presence of intermittent roadblocks set by armed gangs or by the police; and the possibility of random violent crime, including carjacking and assault.

Travel can be hazardous within Port-au-Prince. Some areas are off-limits to embassy staff, including downtown Port-au-Prince after dark. U.S. Embassy personnel are under an embassy-imposed curfew and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew. The embassy has limited travel by its staff outside of Port-au-Prince and therefore its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port-au-Prince is constrained. The UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) remains fully deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in providing security.

Due to the current security situation in Haiti, the Department of State reminds U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Haiti to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security; they are strongly advised to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ or with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. The Consular Section can be reached at (509) 223-7011, fax number (509) 223-9665, or e-mail address acspap@state.gov. Travelers should also consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Haiti and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas. In Haiti citizens can call 509/222-0200, ext. 2000.

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_918.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Thu Jan 11 2007 03:24:29 GMT-0800.

INDONESIA

January 09, 2007

This Travel Warning updates information concerning the security situation in Indonesia and reminds Americans of the risks associated with travel to that country. This Travel Warning supersedes the November 18, 2005, Travel Warning for Indonesia.

Due to the possibility of terrorist attacks directed against American or other Western citizens and interests, the Department of State urges American citizens to evaluate carefully the risks of travel to Indonesia. The October 1, 2005, terrorist attacks in Bali in which suicide bombers killed 20 people and injured more three than 100 are a reminder that terrorists remain active in Indonesia. The possibility of future attacks in Bali, Jakarta, or other areas of Indonesia cannot be ruled out.

Terrorist attacks in Indonesia could occur at any time and could be directed against any location, including those frequented by foreigners, as well as identifiably American or other Western facilities or businesses in Indonesia. Such targets could include but are not limited to places where Americans and other Westerners live, congregate, work, study, shop, or visit, including hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, identifiably Western businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or public recreation events. While past terrorist attacks have involved the use of vehicle-borne explosives or suicide bombers carrying explosives in backpacks, terrorists may use other forms of attack in the future. Terrorists may target individual American citizen residents, visitors, students, or tourists, and tactics could include but are not limited to kidnapping, shooting, or poisoning.

The Department of State urges Americans in Indonesia to avoid crowds, maintain a low profile, and be vigilant about security at all times. Americans are advised to monitor local news broadcasts, vary their routes and times in carrying out daily activities, and consider the level of preventive security when visiting public places in Indonesia. Americans who choose to vacation in Indonesia despite the security risks are advised to consider the level of preventive security when choosing hotels, restaurants, beaches, entertainment venues, and recreation sites.

In addition to the October 1, 2005, bombings in Bali, several other serious terrorist incidents occurred in Indonesia in recent years. A terrorist bombing outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on September 9, 2004, killed eleven and injured more than 180 people. An August 2003 terrorist bombing at a major international hotel in Jakarta killed 12 persons and injured scores, including several American citizens. A terrorist attack in Bali in October 2002 killed 202 people, including seven Americans. Suicide bombers wearing explosives in vests or backpacks carried out the October 1, 2005, bombings in Bali. Prior terrorist attacks involved the use of vehicle-borne explosives.

The U.S. Mission in Indonesia restricts U.S. government employees' travel to certain areas of the country and, at times, denies them permission to travel to specific locations. As of early 2007, employee travel to the provinces of Aceh, Papua, Central and South Sulawesi, and Maluku requires the concurrence of the Embassy’s Regional Security Officer. Americans seeking the latest travel restriction information may contact a consular office. The U.S. Mission can occasionally suspend service to the public, or close, because of security concerns; in these situations, it will continue to provide emergency services to American citizens.

Americans who choose to travel to Indonesia despite this Travel Warning should obtain up-to-date health information before departing the United States. The websites of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/travel and the World Health Organization at http://www.who.int have current information on outbreaks of contagious and tropical diseases. Americans considering travel to Indonesia should read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Avian Influenza dated July 2006, and should consult with their personal physicians concerning avian flu.

Americans living and traveling in Indonesia are urged to register and update their contact information with U.S. Embassy Jakarta, U.S. Consulate General Surabaya, or the U.S. Consular Agent in Bali. Registration facilitates the U.S. Mission's contact with Americans in emergency situations and may be done on line and in advance of travel. Information on registering can be found at the Department of State’s Consular Affairs website: https://travelregistration.state.gov. Registration information and recent warden messages are also available on the U.S. Embassy Jakarta website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov.

Americans can obtain information on travel and security in Indonesia from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States; or 1-202-501-4444 from outside the United States and Canada. Americans also can call the Embassy in Jakarta at (62)(21) 3435-9000, the Consulate General in Surabaya at (62)(31) 295-6400, and the Consular Agent in Bali at (62)(361) 233-605. American citizens should read the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Indonesia, the latest Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and Fact Sheet on Avian Influenza, all available at http://travel.state.gov.

Adding on to post no. 579

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1761584/posts?page=579#579

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Note: The following post is quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1765784/posts

Sunni-Shiite clashes in Detroit alarm community
the manila times ^ | 1/11/07 | na

Posted on 01/11/2007 3:38:24 AM PST by Flavius

CHICAGO: The vandalization of two Shiite mosques and five Shiite-owned businesses in Detroit, Michigan, has raised the specter of sectarian clashes in the United States.

While police have not yet determined who threw rocks and bricks through the windows of the mosques and businesses, many in the community believe it was an attack by Sunnis, said Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The vandalism came a week after the execution in Iraq of Saddam Hussein. Many Sunnis were offended by the way in which local Shiites celebrated his death, Walid said.

The owner of one of the restaurants targeted received a threatening phone call Saturday from a man speaking in Arabic and English who noted that he was a Shiite and said, “You’re going to get yours . . . what goes around comes around,” Walid said.

The windows were smashed sometime that night.

“We’ve never had anything like this before,” Walid said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

“Dearborn is one of the largest communities of Muslims in America and we don’t even have fistfights,” he said. “Our kids go to school together, they’re part of the same organizations.”

Sunni and Shiite leaders were planning to meet today to discuss the rising tensions in a community that had previously been free of sectarian violence.

“We need to control this at the early stages because it may get worse,” said Mouhib Ayas, president of the Sunni coalition Islamic Shura Council of Michigan.

“We need to reach out to the Shi’ah and tell them Muslim Sunnis do not approve, that we condone it and we’re going to take the message strongly to our community and are going to ask all the imams this Friday to condone it from the pulpit.” --AFP

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2654

Dozens Detained In Iraq; Many Weapons Caches Discovered

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2007 – In multiple operations since Jan. 6, coalition forces have detained more than 50 suspects, killed eight terrorists and discovered numerous weapons caches, military officials said.
Coalition forces conducted routine security operations in northern Iraq and took six individuals suspected of being closely tied to activities targeting Iraqi and coalition forces into custody today, officials said.

This operation was part of an ongoing effort by coalition forces targeting individuals involved in activities aimed at the killing of Iraqi citizens and coalition forces.

Separate operations yesterday netted 36 suspects and several weapons caches.

Acting on tips, U.S. soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, conducted two unrelated but simultaneous raids on homes in southwestern Baghdad.

In one raid, nine suspected insurgents were detained when sizable quantities of materials for making roadside bombs were found in the residence. All nine are being held for questioning, officials said.

In the second raid, soldiers surrounded and entered a home in southwestern Baghdad after receiving information about a possible insurgent cell operating out of the home. After entering the home they found pistols, AK-47 assault rifles, ammunition magazines, armored vests, $2000 in U.S. currency and $3000 in Iraqi dinar.

Following this raid, 12 more suspects were taken into custody.

Officials said the raids were carried out in an attempt to stem sectarian violence in Baghdad.

In a joint operation yesterday, Iraqi national policemen and coalition forces detained 10 men suspected of committing sectarian murders and placing road-side bombs in Baghdad’s Jaza'r neighborhood, officials said.

U.S. soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, together with members of 2nd Battalion, 6th Iraqi National Police Brigade, conducted a house-to-house search of the area after establishing a security perimeter. The operation resulted from local citizens’ tips about possible insurgents and weapons caches in the neighborhood.

The Iraqi national police seized three large weapons caches containing a rifle fitted with a silencer, a machine gun, a sniper rifle, and assorted small-arms ammunition and bomb-making materials.

The suspects are being held for further questioning.

In southern Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi policemen of 1st Brigade, 6th National Police Division, and U.S. soldiers of Company C, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, conducted a combined cordon-and-search mission successfully clearing 80 houses the Doura district.

The purpose of this mission, dubbed Operation “Spartan II,” was to clear the area of weapons caches and disrupt insurgent and militia activities to provide a secure environment for Iraqi citizens, officials said.

This section of the capital, as well as surrounding neighborhoods, has been subjected recently to an increase in sectarian violence including intimidation, murders and indirect fire.

As a result, six targeted individuals were captured and detained by the Iraqi national police force. All six suspects detained are being held for questioning.

Following the successful completion of the mission, a civil military operation was conducted in the area, and the combined force distributed about 25 kerosene heaters and 25 bottles of kerosene to area residents.

The same day, in the Baghdad’s southeastern Karb neighborhood, a patrol of U.S. soldiers assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment rendered medical assistance to a severely wounded Iraqi woman.

The woman was found with a gunshot wound to the neck during the afternoon patrol. The soldiers immediately rendered life-saving medical assistance and evacuated her to the nearest medical facility, officials said. The young woman, a neighborhood school teacher, was listed in stable condition.

Elsewhere in Iraq yesterday, insurgent forces launched two 60mm mortar rounds at a predominantly Sunni, all-girls high school in Mosul's Magrab neighborhood, officials of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division said.

Iraqi police and security officials said one round impacted the school and the second round exploded on the street outside the school.

Nine Iraqi civilians were injured, including four high school girls, two women and three children. All of the wounded were taken to Al Jamouri Hospital, however the extent of their injuries remains unknown, according to the police.

Iraqi police are currently investigating the attack and urge vigilance as “anti-Iraqi forces continue to attack civilian targets in an effort to fuel sectarian tensions and provoke reprisal attacks.”

While on patrol Jan. 9, 1st Cavalry Division troops discovered seven weapons caches and bomb-making materials near the village of Arab Salman Salman, officials said.

Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, uncovered the caches, which included rocket-propelled grenade rounds and launchers; assault rifles with rounds of ammunition; 57mm rockets; plastic explosives; 120 mm artillery shells; 137 mm missiles; explosives; and other bomb-making materials.

An investigation is currently underway to find those responsible for stashing the weapons.

In a Jan. 8 air assault operation in Yusufiyah, Iraqi army and coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists near Ahmed Suhel Village, approximately three miles northwest of the city, officials said.

Iraqi soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. soldiers of Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, conducted the operation to deny sanctuary to the enemy within the area.

The multi-company air assault resulted in the capture of six alleged terrorists, two individuals wanted by coalition forces, two individuals wanted by the Iraqi army and two individuals who had bomb-making materials in their possession.

All of the captured suspects have been linked to bomb and mortar attacks against civilians, Iraqi security forces and coalition troops in the area. They’re all being held for questioning, officials said.

In a series of raids to capture al Qaeda leaders in the Tarmiyah area that began Jan. 6 and ended Jan. 8, coalition forces killed eight terrorists and detained seven suspected terrorists, officials said.

During the second day of the raids, coalition forces began taking enemy fire as terrorists attempted to remove weapons and explosives from a weapons cache on an island in the Tigris River. Coalition Forces engaged them, killing four.

That evening, more armed terrorists attempted to gain access to the weapons cache and began firing at a coalition forces security detail. Coalition forces returned fire and killed an additional four terrorists.

Six weapons caches, some hidden in underground bunkers, consisted of AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, rocket-propelled grenades, 82mm mortar systems, sniper rifles, armor piercing rounds, 80mm rocket launchers, bomb-making materials and an assortment of mortar grenade fuses.

Officials said coalition forces destroyed the caches on site to prevent further use by terrorists.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2658

Continuing Operations In Turki Village Net Huge Weapons Caches

Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2007 – After seven days of combined operations south of Balad Ruz, Iraq, soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, in partnership with Iraqi army troops, continue to discover large weapons caches and destroy anti-Iraqi forces throughout the Turki Village area.

“Our forces have been able to adapt to all situations, and have shown their ability to conduct intelligence-driven operations in different environments, terrain and conditions,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of the brigade combat team and the senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province.

Having cleared more than 200 kilometers of terrain, the 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army, with support from the combat team, has unearthed about 20 caches, killed more than 85 terrorists and detained 25 suspected insurgents.

“These weapons and harmful supplies are used by terrorists against local tribes, families, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces throughout Diyala and Baghdad,” Sutherland said.

In fighting yesterday, coalition forces and Iraqi army soldiers engaged eight small insurgent elements with small-arms fire, mortars, artillery, Bradley fighting vehicles and close-air support. More than two dozen insurgents were killed as a result.

“As a result of the significant amount of force brought by the (Iraqi army) and (coalition forces) into the area, and the ability to dominate the terrain, local civilians are providing information,” said Maj. Roy H. Adams III, brigade plans officer.

The operation, which began Jan. 4 with a combined air and ground assault, continues to target insurgents believed to have tortured and executed more than 40 members of rival area tribes in November.

“We have linked this particular group of terrorists to multiple acts of violence throughout Diyala in the areas of Baqubah, Khalis, Muqdadiyah and Balad Ruz,” Sutherland said.

Since discovering more than 1,150 57mm rockets Jan. 6, the soldiers have uncovered several more caches containing bomb-making material, more than 1,000 rocket-propelled grenades, 13 anti-tank mines, more than 1,000 small-arms munitions, 1,050 heavy machine gun rounds, dozens of anti-tank missiles and other terrorist planning documents.

“The (Iraqi army) is very proactive in working with the government of Diyala to reduce access to weapons that are used against their people for fear and intimidation,” Adams said.

“By reducing their resources and bringing the terrorists to justice, the (Iraqi army) is making Diyala an area where families can participate in a free and democratic Iraq, while participating in the political process, as opposed to the terrorist process,” Sutherland added.

(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)

http://internet-haganah.org/hmedia/26sep06-salafy_forums.html

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.internet-haganah.com/harchives/005853.html

11 January 2007
Looking for the al-Medad forum? I have a wee bit of bad news :-)
Webmaster Arrested Site Shut Down by "Western Country"
Jihadist Websites -- OSC Report
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 T15:08:23Z
Journal Code: 9241 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: OSC Report
Word Count: 304

Terrorism: Jihadist Website Announces Capture of Webmaster On 8 January, a jihadist website posted a statement announcing the arrest of Abu-al-Harith al-Mihdar and the shutting down of a website of which he was webmaster.
The statement announced the arrest of Al-Mihdar by "a Western country on suspicion of having ties to terrorist groups." The statement defied what it called the "policies of detention and killing by the forces of evil" and promised to continue "with even more determination." The statement asked members of jihadist forums to pray for the release of Al-Mihdar and for his health. Al-Mihdar had previously pointed to his bad health as a reason for not joining Mujahidin on the battlefield. Moderators ended the statement by pledging to reopen the website.

Al-Mihdar, or Walid Abd-al-Hamid al-Sharqawi al-Mihdar al-Idrisi al-Alawi, as he once introduced himself at the opening of a debate with a representative of the Islamic Group in Egypt, was the webmaster of a website that featured publications by Al-Hakayimah and various other jihadist and militant figures. Al-Mihdar announced the opening of the site only two days after Al-Hakayimah appeared on a video announcing his joining al-Qa'ida. The same video featured Al-Zawahiri praising the Egyptian member of the Islamic Group, Al-Jama'ah al-Islamiyyah, and his decision to join al-Qa'ida. Al-Mihdar, like Al-Hakayimah, identified himself with the old Islamic Group in Egypt and rejected the group's new change in doctrine namely its renunciation of violence. Al-Mihdar gained more recognition among the readers of jihadist forums after his debate with the Egyptian Islamic Group last August in which he defended al-Qa'ida and its use of violence and challenged the changes in the new Egyptian Islamic Group's methodology and doctrine.

NOTE: This update describes the suspect. Fyi.

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.internet-haganah.com/harchives/005851.html

11 January 2007
REPORT: MOROCCAN POLICE ARREST MAN FOR ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TEACHER IN FRANCE
The Associated Press - Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - PARIS:

Moroccan police have arrested a man suspected of sending death threats to a French philosophy teacher who has been in hiding since September after airing his thoughts about Islam in a newspaper, the daily Le Parisien reported Tuesday.

The paper, citing sources close to the investigation, said the suspect, a Moroccan in his 20s, was arrested Dec. 19 in his home country after returning from a trip to Libya. He was trying to go to Iraq, Le Parisien said.

It was not immediately possible to verify the newspaper's report.

Robert Redeker, a high-school teacher in suburban Toulouse, southwest France, has been in hiding since shortly after he wrote an opinion piece criticizing Islam that was published in September in the daily Le Figaro.
The article drew death threats on an Internet site considered close to al-Qaida and also menacing e-mails, some containing photos of Redeker, a map of his home and his telephone numbers.

Le Parisien said the suspect went by the pseudonym Omar al-Battar, and quoted the police sources as saying he had been located through his e-mail address.

The arrest was the result of international cooperation, the paper quoted an investigator as saying. The paper did not name its sources.

Posted on 11 January 2007 @ 07:52

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