Threat Matrix: June 2007

http://news.google.com/news?um=1&tab=wn&hl=en&q=North%20Korea

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http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/07/asia/AS-GEN-NKorea-Missiles.php

“Defense Ministry: NKorea fires short-range missiles off coast”

The Associated Press
Published: June 7, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “SEOUL, South Korea: North Korea launched short-range missiles Thursday off its western coast, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said, but it was still unclear how many rockets been fired.”

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846296/posts

(LEAD) N. Korea may have fired missiles: S. Korean intelligence official(1 or 2 in W. Coast)
Yonhap News ^ | 06/07/07

Posted on 06/07/2007 3:44:05 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster

(LEAD) N. Korea may have fired missiles: S. Korean intelligence official

SEOUL, June 7 (Yonhap) — North Korea may have fired one or two short-range missiles Thursday into the waters off its west coast, a South Korean intelligence official said.

“We are confirming intelligence that North Korea fired short-range missiles into the West Sea,” the official said, on condition of anonymity. “The number of missiles fired today is estimated at one or two.” The launch was largely seen as a test-fire, but it’s not immediately known what type of a missile the North fired from where or at what time.

The test came about two weeks after North Korea fired a short-range guided missile into the East Sea, apparently as part of its military exercises. Some analysts and media said that the missile test may have been a response to South Korea’s launch of its first Aegis-equipped destroyer.

Along with its nuclear weapons program, North Korea’s missile program has posed a constant threat to security in the region. In July last year, the North tested multiple missiles, including a long-range rocket believed to be able to reach as far as the U.S. West Coast, triggering a chorus of international condemnation.

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/1808.htm

“Deputy Secretary-General of Hizbullah Sheik Naim Qassem: America Is the Great Satan”
(June 6, 2007)

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Video here:

http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1474

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846297/posts

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http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1180960626166&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Jun. 6, 2007 20:50 | Updated Jun. 7, 2007 2:15
“’Syria, Iran, Hizbullah planning war’”
By JPOST.COM STAFF AND HERB KEINON

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Syria, Iran and Hizbullah are preparing for the possibility of a war with Israel on the Syrian front, Channel Two reported on Wednesday night.

Reportedly, Damascus has set August as the month for final war preparations.

The report followed an earlier security cabinet meeting devoted almost exclusively to Syria, during which Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel is working through various diplomatic channels to assure Damascus that Jerusalem wants peace and is not interested in a war.

His comments come amid a flurry of reports about a Syrian military buildup and concern in the defense establishment that if various Syrian overtures were not well received in Israel, the Syrians might initiate military action to try and retain the Golan, or a piece of it.”

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

Printer friendly version Email
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Thu Jun 07 2007 04:01:57 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

April 10, 2007

This Public Announcement updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated October 11, 2006 and expires on October 9, 2007.

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.

Ongoing events in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East have resulted in demonstrations and associated violence in several countries. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning.

In August 2006, British authorities arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. The September 2006 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Syria and the March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan illustrate the continuing desire of extremists to strike American targets.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. The bomb attacks targeting buses carrying foreign workers in March 2007 and December 2006 in Algeria, a series of bombings in Thailand in May and September 2006 that targeted commercial and tourist destinations in the far south, and the bombings in the the Egyptian resort town of Dahab in April 2006 all illustrate how terrorists exploit vulnerabilities associated with soft targets. Additional examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays. Financial or economic targets of value may also be considered as possible venues; the vehicle-based suicide attack on an oil facility near Mukalla and Marib in Yemen in September 2006 and the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late February 2006 are such examples.

In the wake of the August 2006 plot against aircraft in London, numerous terrorist attacks on trains in India in 2006, the July 2005 London Underground bombings, and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid, Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems. In addition, extremists may also select aviation and maritime services as possible targets.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov .

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov . In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

READY.GOV
http://www.ready.gov

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

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

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

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846304/posts

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6729583.stm

Last Updated: Thursday, 7 June 2007, 09:22 GMT 10:22 UK

“Italy police hold 10 ‘Islamists’”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Italian police have arrested at least 10 suspected Islamist militants who are believed to be linked to the bombings that rocked Algiers in April.
The suspects, held in Milan, allegedly provided logistical and financial support for the militants in Algeria.

Two blasts killed at least 30 people and injured 160 in Algiers.

A group called the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat said it carried out the attacks. It later changed its name to al-Qaeda in the Maghreb.

Police said the suspects were also believed to be linked to Islamist activities in Tunisia in January.

The Milan suspects are reported to be Tunisians.”

placemark

Haven’t popped in for while, always lurking.

For those of you in the Midwest, particularly Northern Illinois, Eastern Iowa, Eastern Minnesota and all of Wisconsin, keep a radio nearby and watch the sky. MAJOR severe weather outbreak is in the forecast for this area this afternoon into tonight. One of the worst severe weather setups I have seen this year. Wind damage in particular is likely with these storms. Tornadoes possible as well.

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

Hi Right Handed Writer and thanks for the info.

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016796.php

June 7, 2007

Second Afghan female journalist shot dead this week

The most recent victim also ran a girls’ school and a radio station that, at least at one point, played music. Clearly, this was unbearable for the jihadists. “Second Afghan female journalist shot dead,” from Deutsche Presse-Agentur:

KABUL - Gunmen shot dead an outspoken female journalist in northern Afghanistan, five days after another female reporter was killed in a similar incident, officials said on Wednesday.

Zakia Zaki, headmistress of a girls school in Parwan province and owner of a private radio station called Radio Sulh (Radio Peace), was fatally shot by three unknown gunmen who broke into her house on Tuesday night, Parwan provincial governor Abdul Jabar Takwa told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
‘A group of three unknown armed men entered her house in Jabalsaraj city and shot her seven times in her back, head, chest and feet,’ Takwa said, adding the gunmen escaped from the area before a police unit arrived at the scene.

Takwa said that an investigation was ongoing to find the culprits.
Rahimullah Samander, head of Afghanistan’s Independent Journalist Association, said that Zaki had reported to their association that she was threatened by local commanders to shut down the radio station or face the consequences.

In 2005 she told DPA that she had received several threats from local religious warlords in the area for airing songs that they deemed un-Islamic.
Her death came five days after two gunmen entered the house in Kabul of Shakiba Sanga Omaaj, another female newscaster and reporter for a private TV channel, Shamshad, and shot her dead.

Police said that Omaaj’s family stated that she had received several threats by unknown people through letters, thrown at their home, warning her to stop working for the Channel.

Alishah Paktiawal, head of the police investigation section of Kabul city, said that the police arrested a man who was suspected by her family to be behind her murder.

Posted by Marisol at June 7, 2007 7:27 AM

Note: Video included.

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=25789_Video-_Raid_on_the_Reactor&only

Thursday, June 07, 2007
“Video: Raid on the Reactor”

SNIPPET: “This is the 26th anniversary of the Israel Air Force’s stunning attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak. The Military Channel’s “Raid on the Reactor” is an excellent documentary on this historic air strike, featuring interviews with the IAF pilots who flew the mission.”

UPDATE...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846660/posts

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6729941.stm

Last Updated: Thursday, 7 June 2007, 09:57 GMT 10:57 UK

“Man arrested over terror offences”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A man wanted in Italy for alleged terrorist offences has been arrested in north London, Scotland Yard has said.

Habib Ignaoua, 46, was arrested in a raid on his home in Finsbury Park in a joint operation between UK police and Italian authorities.
The police warrant alleges he organised volunteers to attend terror training camps in Afghanistan and issued them with false documents.

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Previously...

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

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

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846304/posts

~

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6729583.stm

Last Updated: Thursday, 7 June 2007, 09:22 GMT 10:22 UK

“Italy police hold 10 ‘Islamists’”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Italian police have arrested at least 10 suspected Islamist militants who are believed to be linked to the bombings that rocked Algiers in April.
The suspects, held in Milan, allegedly provided logistical and financial support for the militants in Algeria.

Two blasts killed at least 30 people and injured 160 in Algiers.

A group called the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat said it carried out the attacks. It later changed its name to al-Qaeda in the Maghreb.

Police said the suspects were also believed to be linked to Islamist activities in Tunisia in January.

The Milan suspects are reported to be Tunisians.”

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46334

Afghan, U.S. Troops Kill al Qaeda Agent, Net 3 Insurgents

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2007 – Afghan and U.S. forces killed a suspected al Qaeda agent and captured three other suspected insurgents during separate actions in Afghanistan’s Zabul and Nangarhar provinces today, military officials said.

The suspected al Qaeda operative had fired on Afghan and U.S. troops as they approached a reputed militant safe house located in the Khogyani district of Nangarhar province. The house was allegedly used by al Qaeda to funnel weapons and explosives for terrorist operations. Coalition forces returned fire, killing the militant.

A search of the house yielded numerous weapons, including timers and grenades used to make improvised explosive devices. No coalition casualties were incurred during the operation.

The detained threesome will be questioned about their identities and involvement in terrorist activities, officials said.

The other Afghanistan operation targeted a reputed safe house in the Shajoy district of Zabul province and resulted in the detention of three suspected Taliban members, officials said. The house was reportedly used to facilitate the movement of foreign fighters into Afghanistan, officials said.

Various weapons were seized during the operation and destroyed. The detainees will undergo questioning about their alleged activities. No shots were fired, and no one was injured during the operation.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46339

Iraq Raids Net 32 Terrorists; Baghdad Bombs Hurt 4 Iraqis

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2007 – Coalition forces today captured 32 suspected terrorists during a series of raids that targeted al Qaeda operations in Baghdad and western Iraq, officials said.

Coalition forces in central Iraq today detained 16 suspected terrorists during operations that targeted al Qaeda in Iraq leaders.

— In three coordinated raids southeast of Fallujah, coalition forces detained 11 suspected terrorists with al Qaeda ties. Officials believed two of them are responsible for recruiting and facilitating terrorist cells in the area.

— Coalition forces also captured a suspected al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist leader during a raid on two buildings in Hit. The individual allegedly replaced another senior leader who’d recently fled the area. Coalition forces detained three more suspected terrorists at the scene for their connection to al Qaeda senior leadership.

— In continuing operations to disrupt the car-bomb network, coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist in Baghdad.

“Our methodical, sustained operations are making it more difficult for al Qaeda to operate, and we’ll continue to apply pressure to eliminate their attacks against Iraqis and those who are working to secure the country’s future,” said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

Also today in Iraq, coalition forces detained another 16 suspected terrorists during morning raids in Baghdad’s Sadr City neighborhood. The detainees captured in Sadr City are suspected members of a clandestine terrorist cell known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.

Four of the detainees tested positive for contact with explosives. Coalition officials cite intelligence reports indicating that one of the detainees is a key terrorist leader with ties to Iranian intelligence. This detainee is believed to be responsible for attacks on Iraqi civilians and Iraqi and coalition forces in Baghdad, officials said.

“We will seek out and find terrorists where they hide,” Garver said. “Removing the networks that bring in explosively formed penetrators is a top priority to protect the Iraqi people and the security forces that serve them.”

In operations yesterday, coalition forces operating in Baghdad killed two terrorists and detained 10 other people in raids targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq car-bomb network.

The two men who were killed ran into a building and attempted to retrieve weapons visible inside. Coalition forces fired at the two men, killing them. Another suspected terrorist was detained on the scene, and three vehicles used to transport weapons and personnel for the terror cell were destroyed.

In five other raids conducted in Baghdad yesterday, coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists associated with the car-bomb network and destroyed two vehicles used to transport weapons and personnel for the cell. A related raid south of Tarmiyah netted three suspects tied to the terrorist group.

“Targeting the al Qaeda in Iraq (car-bomb) network is a top priority for coalition forces,” Garver said. “We continue to work to reduce and eventually eliminate the ability of terrorists to attack innocent Iraqis.”

Meanwhile, Iraqi soldiers accompanied by coalition advisors seized four suspected al Qaeda operatives yesterday during raids on several residences in Saqlimiyah, officials said. No coalition or Iraqi troops were hurt in the operation.

Iraqi special operations troops detained four suspected assassins believed to be coordinating and conducting killings in the Baghdad area during a June 5 operation in Baghdad. While detaining the individuals, the Iraqi troops came under enemy fire. The Iraqi forces returned fire, and the engagement ended. No Iraqi or coalition forces, who’d served as advisors, were injured during the operation.

(Information compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

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

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846669/posts

Iranian Student Leader at Top Tehran Univ. Arrested
AKNDKI ^ | 6/6/07 | AKNDKI

Posted on 06/07/2007 3:48:19 PM PDT by freedom44

Tehran, 7 June (AKI) - Abbas Hakimzadeh, the leader of the Islamic association of students at Tehran’s top Amir Kabir university, was arrested Thursday while he was leaving home to attend class. He is one of the organisers of a major public protest last December against president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and is a key leader of the pro-democracy movement of university students which has promoted protests in campuses nationwide against a government crackdown on civil livberties.

Last December, dozens of protesters burned pictures of Ahmadinejad crying ‘dictator go away’, ‘death to dictatorship’ and threw firecrackers when Ahmadinejad was visiting Amir Kabir. The rally forced him to interrupt several times a speech he was giving and leave before scheduled.

The students’ complaints largely mirrored public frustrations over the president’s crackdown on civil liberties, his economic policies and a Holocaust denial conference his government had organised early December.

They also protested against the president’s campaign to purge the universities of all aspects of the reform movement of his predecessor, Mohammad Khatami.

It was the first time since his landslide victory in June 2005 that Ahmadinejad had been challenged in public.

In the past few weeks, students in Tehran, Lorestan, Babol near the Caspian sea, and Shiraz in the west, have been staging protests against new government measures imposing the strict new Islamic dress codes and opening hours on campus as well as restrictions on political activity.

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

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846674/posts

Security Forces Kill Student in Venezuela, Eyewitnesses Report
Epoch Times ^ | Epoch Times Staff Jun 01, 2007 | By Stephen Gregory

Posted on 06/07/2007 3:55:37 PM PDT by mgist

Students seek to bypass government media blackout

Venezuelan police, in riot gear, prepare to face a crowd of college students calling for media freedom in Venezuela.

At approximately 3:20 p.m. this afternoon in Caracas security forces murdered a Venezuelan student who was taking part in the ongoing peaceful protests against Hugo Chavez’s regime, eyewitnesses said.

The student who was killed was named Andreina Gomez Guevara. She was 24 years old and attended UCAB, the Catholic University of Venezuela.

Students inside Venezuela are using the Internet to try to get out news about this murder and these demonstrations to the outside world. They complain that media inside Venezuela has either been silenced or intimidated, preventing a true picture of events there from being reported, and they appeal for help.

Venezuelan Students Spreading News of Killing via Internet Malury de Morales is a Venezuelan living in Florida who has been following these events closely through a constant stream of e-mails and instant messages coming from students in Caracas.

According to a student who e-mailed Ms. Morales and who claims to have been an eyewitness to this afternoon’s murder, the security officers who killed Ms. Guevara went out of their way to do so. Her source says that Ms. Guevara was peacefully protesting, but the police broke ranks in order to go get her and shoot her on the street.

The government of Chavez has issued a statement claiming that the student was killed while engaged in violent protest. Chavez has also broadcast statements that he will “defend Venezuela against violent people.”

College students march to support democracy and media freedom in Venezuela. Venezuela College Students Demonstrate Peacefully According to e-mails Ms. Morales has received, the students’ protests have involved such slogans as, “We want freedom of speech. We don’t want a Communist regime. We don’t want violence.” All the protests are said by the students to have been peaceful.

Pictures e-mailed out of Venezuela by the students show masses of young people peacefully marching the streets of Caracas.

Prior to today’s killing, the students have reported violence being used to try to intimidate them.

“This is a call for aid: Do not be deceived by a tyrant who promotes the destruction and the death of his people.” —An e-mail from a Venezuelan student One e-mail reports over 120 minors having been returned to their homes by police after having been beaten.

Chavez Stops Venezuelan Media, Takes Aim at College Media outside of Venezuela have reported that the student protests, which are now in their fifth day, having begun on May 27, were sparked by the closing of the most popular TV station in Venezuela, RCTV.

Venezuelan students kneel down to block a police vehicle dispersing the crowd with a water cannon.But the students’ opposition to the Chavez regime had another important trigger. On May 24, Chavez had announced he would end the autonomy of the Central University of Caracas.

This university has existed since the beginning of Venezuela and is highly respected. The students of Venezuela are said by Ms. Morales’ e-mail correspondents to have viewed the threat to Central University as symbolic of a general attack on Venezuelans’ freedom.

One e-mail concludes with these words: “This is a call for aid, a S. O. S. to all the planet: Do not be deceived by a tyrant, by someone who is unhinged and who promotes the destruction and the death of his people.”

With the close of RCTV, the only media outlet said to be still willing to report honestly on events in Venezuela is the very weak T.V. station Globovision. Recently members of the Chavez-dominated national assembly threatened to close it.

The students’ e-mails also report that Chavez has now threatened to shut down the Internet.

Stepping back in time...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/1846675/posts

“The FReeper Foxhole Revisits the USS SAMUEL CHASE at Omaha Beach”(6/6/1944) - June 7th, 2007
Exerpted from The U. S. Coast Guard at Normandy ^ | Scott T. Price

Posted on 06/07/2007 3:58:40 PM PDT by snippy_about_it

http://www2.canoe.com/infos/societe/archives/2007/06/20070606-084000.html

“Il aurait tué son frère parce qu’il était «un croyant de Satan»”

David Santerre
Le Journal de Montréal

06/06/2007 08h40

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016801.php

June 7, 2007

“Montreal man killed by his brother for being a bad Muslim”