Threat Matrix: July 2008

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[nwctwx]

Al-Qaeda Draws New Recruits Via Internet

Al-Qaeda is using the Internet to recruit vulnerable young people to its terrorist network, according to a programme aired on Saudi Arabian TV late on Tuesday.

Umm Osama, the founder of al-Qaeda's first women-only website, al-Khansa, joined several others on the programme to discuss how they renounced jihadist ideology.

Among those who sought a response to this question was an imam from the Medina mosque, Saleh Ibn Awad al-Mudamsi, and the father of a young al-Qaeda suspect held in an Iraqi prison. Read More

	Qaeda Targets U.S. Oil Interests in North Africa
	U.S. to Send More Troops to Afghanistan
	'Osama on Deathbed'

Threat Matrix:
July 2008

June 2008

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[Velveeta]

Another trick to the golytely is using a straw to sip the goop. Sip with the straw as far back in your throat as you can, to bypass the taste receptors.

Thoughts and prayers will be with you.

[Myrddin]

My condolences on the chemical cocktail. My first CT scan was preceded by drinking several large cups of orange flavored barium "mud". The tech then injected 120 cc of "contrast media" as fast as possible. That tossed my stomach. The tech handed me another be cup of "mud" to top it up. Yuck. The new CT scanners are much faster. The 1985 vintage required holding your breath for a minute at a time between a table movement for the next "slice". It took almost 2 hours. The last time the same procedure was under 10 minutes.

I hope it goes well for you.

[Cindy]

I’m so sorry ExSoldier.
I will pray for you.

I read about the gag reflex online, so about 4 days before I went in; I just quit eating and stayed on a liquid diet. Good thing I did, I only made it halfway through that garbage “drink” before barfing.

Anyway, I was definitely “all cleaned out.”

[Cindy]

You’re welcome Velveeta.

I’ll watch for updates.

[Cindy]

Hmmm....well, if you’re a jihadi lurker; this news is for you.

http://osint.internet-haganah.com/archives/001408.html

July 28, 2008
“IN FLAGRANTE DELICTO?”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/gwot
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/chemist/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/almasri
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/abukhabab

#

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052753/posts

Al Qaeda chemist likely target of U.S. missile strike
ReutersUK ^ | Mon Jul 28, 2008
Posted on July 28, 2008 3:02:47 PM PDT by Joiseydude

WANA, Pakistan (Reuters) - A suspected U.S. missile strike on a Pakistani madrasa near the Afghan border killed six people on Monday, possibly including an al Qaeda chemical and biological weapons expert, Pakistani security officials said.

A senior Pakistani security official said Abu Khabab al-Masri, an Egyptian chemist regarded as one of al Qaeda’s top bomb makers, could have been the target.

Monday’s pre-dawn attack blitzed a house close to a madrasa used by militants near Azam Warsak village, about 20 km (12 miles) west of Wana, the main town of the South Waziristan tribal region, a known hotbed of Taliban and al Qaeda support.

(Excerpt) Read more at uk.reuters.com ...

[Cindy]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/07/20080728-1.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/07/20080728-5.html

#

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50616

“Bush, Pakistani Prime Minister Hold White House Talks”
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2008

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50618

Coalition Troops in Iraq Capture 30 Suspected al-Qaida Terrorists

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2008 – Coalition forces today captured two wanted men and detained 28 additional suspected terrorists while targeting al-Qaida operations in central and northern Iraq, military officials said.

Coalition forces detained two wanted men and five additional suspects during an operation in Abu Ghraib, about 25 kilometers west of Baghdad. One of the men reportedly is an al-Qaida in Iraq leader who oversees attacks. The other wanted man allegedly makes and emplaces roadside bombs.

Using information obtained from a June 24 operation, coalition forces in Mosul targeted a man believed to oversee al-Qaida financial operations in Ninevah province. They detained one suspect, and seven additional suspects were detained in another operation targeting an al-Qaida in Iraq senior leader.

Tips from local residents helped coalition forces envelop a village southwest of Mosul that reportedly is a hideout for al-Qaida facilitators and smugglers coming in from Syria. Fifteen suspects were detained.

During yesterday’s operations:

— Coalition forces captured two suspected leaders of Iranian-backed “special groups” and another suspect during separate operations in Baghdad’s Rusafa district. Coalition forces first captured one suspected special groups leaders operating in the Sadr City area. He is linked to attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces, as well as to kidnappings and smuggling of weapons from Iran to Iraq. In a separate operation in the Rusafa district, coalition forces captured the leader of a Karkh-area special groups ring and another suspect. The detained leader is linked to the provision of weapons, money and logistical support to subordinates. He also is believed to have supplied fighters to support criminal operations.

— Fifty-eight suspected al-Qaida members were detained and four were killed during a coalition search operation in Ninewah province.

— U.S. soldiers detained a special groups operative and discovered a weapons cache in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. The detainee is linked to rocket and roadside-bomb attacks against coalition forces. Later, the soldiers discovered two nitrous oxide tanks, a fire extinguisher filled with homemade explosives, ammunition, two pressure plates used in roadside bombs and a smoke grenade in Baghdad’s Doura community. An explosives ordnance disposal team disposed of the explosive materials.

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces detained a suspected al-Qaida terrorist and discovered a weapons cache in separate operations in northern Iraq July 25.

The Muqdadiyah special weapons and tactics team detained a suspected al-Qaida member in Babylon, northeast of Baghdad, in an operation to disrupt terrorist activity in Muqdadiyah. The suspect allegedly is a facilitator for a cell involved in roadside-bomb emplacements, sectarian violence and weapons smuggling.

Also, Iraqi National Police operating northwest of Baghdad discovered a weapons cache consisting of about a metric ton of nitric acid, 150 pounds of explosive materials, mortar rounds, projectiles, tank rounds and rockets. An explosive ordnance disposal unit disposed of the cache.

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

[Cindy]

ADDING to post no. 966:

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/index.cfm?page=Midhat_Mursi

#

“...thought to be killed...”

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iZeuUhq2BG8kHdGutqrP0ujlye8A

BLOG:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/07/report_al_qaeda_wmd.php

“Report: Al Qaeda WMD expert Abu Khabab thought killed in South Waziristan strike”
By BILL ROGGIO
July 28, 2008 10:33 AM

#

BLOG:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/07/six_killed_in_strike.php

“Six killed in strike in South Waziristan”
By BILL ROGGIO
July 28, 2008 12:18 AM

###
###

Previously...

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/602zqghe.asp

“Al Qaeda’s Mad Scientist
The significance of Abu Khabab’s death.”
by Dan Darling
01/19/2006 1:15:00 AM

#

Previously...

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2005/09/abu_khabab_and_1.php

“Abu Khabab and Project al-Zabadi”
By DAN DARLINGSeptember 19, 2005 4:27 PM

[Unrepentant VN Vet]

bttt

[Cindy]

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

#

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

“Worldwide Caution”
July 16, 2008

#

http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/consular/ACSWARDENMESSAGES.html

#

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/021982.php

July 28, 2008
“Indonesia: Jihadists killed Christian teacher, had planned to kill American”

#

Previously...

http://jihadwatch.org/archives/021604.php

July 2, 2008
“Nine jihadists arrested, bomb cache seized in Indonesia”

[Cindy]

Thank you Unrepentant VN Vet.

[Cindy]

http://www.infolive.tv

#

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e001.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
July 27, 2008

“One month into the lull in the fighting: an interim report
(as at July 23)”

#

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ct_e003.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
July 23, 2008

“Jerusalem as a focus for terrorism: Another mass-casualty attack using a construction vehicle, part of a trend of increasing terrorist activity in Jerusalem.”

[Cindy]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=0c5_1216726697

“UAV Predator Takes Out Insurgent With A Hellfire Missile In Iraq”
(Added July 22, 2008)

#

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f47_1216983940

“Double 2000 Pound Bombs JDAM Dropped On Taliban Fighters In Afghanistan”
(Added July 25, 2008)

#

More Videos Here:

http://www.liveleak.com/user/IRAQI_TRANSLATOR_USMC

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ms13

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/July/08-crm-664.html

Three MS-13 Leaders Plead Guilty to Involvement in a Racketeering Conspiracy

WASHINGTON – Three leaders of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, pleaded guilty to participation in a racketeering enterprise, Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Edward M. Yarbrough for the Middle District of Tennessee announced today.

At the plea hearing on July 28, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn., before Chief U.S. District Judge Todd J. Campbell of the Middle District of Tennessee, Oscar Serrano, a/k/a “Diablin,” Escolastico Serrano, a/k/a “Chito,” and Ronald Fuentes, a/k/a “Spia,” admitted that as leaders of the MS-13 gang, they conspired with others to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity in the Nashville metropolitan area, that included murder, attempted murder and witness tampering. In addition to personally committing various acts of violence, the three defendants admitted they exercised leadership by enforcing the rules of MS-13 and inciting other members to attack and kill rival gang members.

The three leaders were scheduled to go to trial on the RICO indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Jan. 10, 2007. Four other defendants were previously sentenced to lengthy prison terms after pleading guilty to the RICO conspiracy. Walter Hernandez was sentenced on March 31, 2008, to 324 months in prison. On Dec. 3 and Dec. 7, 2007, respectively, Henry Garballo-Vasquez and Jose Alfaro were sentenced to 240 months in prison. On Nov. 20, 2007, Geovanni Pena received a sentence of 235 months in prison. As part of his guilty plea, Escolastico Serrano has agreed to be sentenced to 45 years in prison. At sentencing scheduled for Sept. 26, 2008, Oscar Serrano and Ronald Fuentes both face sentences ranging from 30 years in prison to life in prison.

The MS-13 street gang is a violent international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador. As alleged in the indictment, the purpose of the racketeering enterprise was to preserve and protect the power, territory and profits of the MS-13 enterprise through violent assaults, murder, threats of violence and intimidation.

“Today’s plea details the murder, intimidation and violence caused by criminal gangs such as MS-13 and underscores our commitment to bring such offenders to justice,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich. “By combining the resources and expertise of local, state and federal law enforcement, we can and we will disrupt and dismantle violent criminal enterprises like MS-13.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jimmie Lynn Ramsaur of the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney John Han of the Criminal Division’s Gang Squad.

U.S. Attorney Yarbrough praised the efforts of prosecutors Ramsaur and Han saying, “These convictions of dangerous gang-related criminals come after many months of hard work by law enforcement officers from local and federal agencies. Ramsaur and Han, along with the entire team that put this case together, deserve the gratitude and respect of all Middle Tennesseans. Our office will continue to place strong emphasis on prosecution of gang members and individuals who pose a threat of violence in our community.”

The case was investigated by the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department’s Gang Suppression Unit; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security; the Davidson County District Attorney General’s Office; the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Tennessee; and the Criminal Division’s Gang Squad.

###

08-664

[Oorang]

Well, that’s interesting. Thanks for the ping Cindy.

[Oorang]

U.S. Headed for 'Heightened Alert' Stage
July 28, 2008

Government officials have been quietly stepping up counterterror efforts out of a growing concern that al Qaeda or similar organizations might try to capitalize on the spate of extremely high-profile events in the coming months, sources tell ABC News.

Experts point to next month's Olympics as evidence that high-profile events attract threats of terrorism, like the one issued this past weekend by a Chinese Muslim minority group that warned of its intent to attack the Games. Anti-terror officials in the U.S. cite this summer and fall's lineup of two major political parties' conventions, November's general election and months of transition into a new presidential administration as cause for heightened awareness and action.

This is what the Department of Homeland Security is quietly declaring a Period of Heightened Alert, or POHA, a time frame when terrorists may have more incentive to attack. According to drafts of government memos described to ABC News, the period would run roughly from this August through July 2009.

During this time, homeland security analysts will be asked to redouble efforts to study terrorism leads. And a number of agencies will be asked to review emergency response plans to a variety of attacks, from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to biological weapons. Officials also are being asked to make sure they are prepared for all contingencies during the transition from the Bush administration to that of the next president.

Excerpted

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=5420514&page=1

[Oorang]

Grenade found in car crossing bridge from Canada
Sunday, July 27, 2008

U.S. Customs officials discovered a grenade in an SUV crossing from Canada into the United States over the Ambassador Bridge late Sunday night. The Detroit Police bomb squad was called in to examine the grenade, which officials hadn't yet determined was live or a souvenir, according to one fire official.

Three Canadians and three Americans were in the SUV, the fire official said. Homeland Security officials also were on hand, as was the Detroit Fire Department. Homeland Security was notified because a potentially explosive device was found.

"A bomb squad will be looking at it to determine if it needs to be handled," said another fire officials, Detroit Fire Department Battalion Chief James McBroom, near the scene. Traffic over the bridge was not halted and there appeared to be no slowdowns. The SUV was seen cordoned off at 21st Street near the Ambassador Bridge, where Customs officials and fire crews awaited the arrival of the police bomb squad.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/METRO01/807270330/1410/METRO01

[Cindy]

“Government officials have been quietly stepping up counterterror efforts...”

Good — very good.

[Oorang]

Yes, good.

_____________________________________

Terror email traced to US citizen’s flat (India)
July 28, 2008

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has traced the terror email sent to media houses, minutes before the blasts in Ahmedabad, to a residential flat in the Sanpada area in Navi Mumbai.

The 15th-floor flat is occupied by an American family that has rented it for over six months. The ATS team, led by Hemant Karkare, reached Gunani Cooperative Housing society in the posh Sector 16 area of Palm Beach road early Sunday. The squad reportedly found a personal computer and seized the hard disk. The family has reportedly claimed that the email was not sent from there and that the id has been hacked into. The mail may have been sent from a mobile phone, they say.

The ATS has sealed the flat and barred the media from entering the premises. The gates of the housing society gates remained shut to outsiders throughout Sunday. The anti-terror squad’s investigations continued well into Sunday night. But they refused to comment on the issue. Though residents of the building refused to speak, local residents said the flat was occupied by Kenneth Heywood who stayed with his wife and two daughters. Kenneth is reportedly employed with an IT firm. Locals say they have seen him on morning walks.

Dhiren Prabhakar Singh, who runs a photo studio in the area, said: “Almost a month ago, the American aged around 35, came to my studio a couple of times with two girls. He got some pictures published. Since I did not understand his English, I didn’t speak to him much. He paid promptly.” DCP Shinde said: “The flat seems to be owned by a relative of the Navi Mumbai-based builder of the society.”

http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=31f215b2-1d17-434d-b66a-776887e76373&ParentID=e5d5fc1c-b6b9-49d0-8d25-4cf46c4fbb36&&Headline=Terror+email+traced+to+US+citizen%e2%80%99s+flat

Rebels could win Pakistan's nuke haven
July 26, 2008

A crisis meeting of Pakistan's new coalition Government has been warned that it could lose control of the North West Frontier Province, which is believed to hold most of its nuclear arsenal. The warning came yesterday from the coalition leader, who, although he is part of the new Government, is regarded as having the closest links to al-Qa'ida and Taliban militants sweeping through the region.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman bluntly told his colleagues: "The North West Frontier province is breaking away from Pakistan. That is what is happening. That is the reality." This came just days before new Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's scheduled meeting with US President George W. Bush to discuss al-Qa'ida and Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan.

Reports last night said Maulana Fazlur Rehman, regarded as having unparalleled insight into the mood of the three million tribesmen in the NWFP, and leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, was backed in his assessment by members of the coalition Government from the Awami National Party, which rules in the province's capital, Peshawar.

Excerpted

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24078316-2703,00.html