NY Times Gives MoveOn.org Bargain Price For Petraeus Ad

It's sickening, yet it doesn't surprise me that the NY Times would drastically cut their ad price for MoveOn.org. I'm beginning to think that whole fairness doctrine thing would be a good idea. The democrats would lose most of their favorable media coverage.

The New York Times dramatically slashed its normal rates for a full-page advertisement for MoveOn.org's ad questioning the integrity of Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq. Headlined "Cooking the Books for the White House," the ad which ran in Monday's Times says Petraeus is "a military man constantly at war with the facts" and concluded - even before he testified before Congress - that "General Petraeus is likely to become General Betray Us." According to Abbe Serphos, director of public relations for the Times, "the open rate for an ad of that size and type is $181,692." A spokesman for MoveOn.org confirmed to The Post that the liberal activist group had paid only $65,000 for the ad - a reduction of more than $116,000 from the stated rate.

 

Technorati tags: NY Times, Democrats, MoveOn.org, Petraeus, Liberal, Nutroots

Good News From The War On Terror 9/12

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain 21 terrorists

BAGHDAD – Members of 9th Iraqi Army Division detained sixteen suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists in two separate intelligence-driven raids Sept. 10 and Sept. 11 near Taji. The targeted individuals are suspected of participating in improvised explosive device attacks against civilians, and Iraqi and Coalition Forces.  One suspected terrorist is a known facilitator and manufacturer of vehicle-borne IEDs, while another extremist allegedly supplies weapons to an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell in Taji. Nine AK-47 rifles with eleven loaded magazines, one anti-aircraft machine gun with a belt of ammunition, and one hand-held machine gun were seized during the raids. In a separate operation Sept. 11, Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained a Shi’a extremist, who is suspected of using his position in the Ministry of Interior to kidnap and murder Sunni citizens in the Jihad area of Baghdad. Additionally, the suspected terrorist cell he operates is allegedly responsible for IED and mortar attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in addition to innocent citizens who stand against the group’s criminal activities.  Four AK-47 rifles, one Uzi sub-machine gun, two pistols, one machine gun, and computer equipment were seized while four other individuals, suspected of being linked to his cell, were detained.

 

East Baghdad raid nets 16 suspected insurgents

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division captured 16 suspected insurgents during a raid Sept. 10 in the Rusafa District of eastern Baghdad.   The raid, carried out by Soldiers of Company D, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, was part of the continuous effort to sweep out insurgent strongholds in the area.

 

Coalition Forces nab three suspected militants

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – An air assault mission south of Baghdad Sept. 10 yielded three suspected militants who were detained after they were discovered with explosives. The mission, dubbed Operation Falcon Fury, was led by 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade’s attack and assault elements and supported on the ground by Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to Task Force Marne.

 

One terrorist killed, 13 suspects detained as Coalition targets al-Qaeda in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 13 suspected terrorists during raids Wednesday to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq’s ability to operate in central Iraq. Coalition forces raided several buildings southeast of Baqubah during an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader in the area. When one man refused to follow the interpreter’s instructions and moved to retrieve a weapon, Coalition forces engaged the man in self-defense, killing him. The ground forces detained two suspected terrorists during the raid and found weapons and military-style assault vests on scene. Coalition forces conducted two operations to disrupt car-bombing networks in the Tigris River Valley. In Tikrit, the ground forces captured an individual believed to operate a car-bombing cell and allegedly associated with Haytham Sabah al-Badri, the mastermind behind the Samarra Golden Mosque bombing, who was killed in a Coalition operation Aug. 2. North of Taji, Coalition forces captured a suspected car-bombing operative from the Baghdad network. Four additional suspected terrorists were detained in the two operations. Coalition forces further disrupted the Baghdad terrorist network when they detained five suspected terrorists during an operation targeting foreign terrorist facilitators on the south side of the city.

 

15 suspects detained in operations targeting al-Qaeda in northern Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists during operations Wednesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and their networks in the northern part of the country. Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals in Mosul believed to be finalizing plans for an attack on the Mosul airfield during Ramadan. The two are also suspected of conducting attacks against Coalition forces and planning the attack on the Mosul airfield during Ramadan in 2006. Near the Syrian border, Coalition forces captured a mortar expert wanted for his suspected involvement in August attacks on Kurdish government buildings in Sinjar.  The ground forces detained six additional suspected terrorists during the raid and discovered a cache of weapons, including machine guns and vehicle mounts.  After clearing civilians from the area, Coalition forces called in an air strike to destroy the cache. Iraqi and Coalition forces in Kirkuk captured a suspected terrorist wanted for his ties to senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. The ground forces detained five additional suspects during the raid.

 

ANA, Coalition eliminate insurgents in Oruzgan battle

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, advised by Coalition forces, killed a large group of Taliban insurgents in a battle today in the Oruzgan Province. The engagement started when insurgents in Aduzay Village, Deh Rawood District attacked a combined ANA and Coalition patrol with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. The ANA-led force immediately returned fire and called for Coalition close air support after confirming the enemy was drawing large amounts of reinforcements from areas across the Helmand River. The ANA soldiers cleared extremist Taliban from multiple firing positions located within the village’s green zone.  Coalition aircraft destroyed the positively identified insurgent positions using precision guided munitions. More than 45 insurgents were killed in the engagement.  No ANA, Coalition or non-combatants were reported injured or killed.

 

Sept. 11 airpower summary: Airlifters resupply daily

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, Taliban, Middle East

Good News From The War On Terror 9/11

Coalition forces advance Baghdad security, six terrorists killed, five detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained five suspected terrorists during operations Tuesday to disrupt the al-Qaeda network and boost security in Baghdad. Coalition forces targeted the expected replacement for the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the southern belts around Baghdad, who was killed in a Coalition operation Sept. 5.  A group of armed men engaged Coalition forces with heavy small arms fire in Southern Baghdad. Coalition forces responded in self-defense, returned fire and called in close air support to engage the enemy force. Coalition forces ground and air fire killed six armed men in the engagement. Also in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq operative allegedly associated with senior terrorist leaders. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground forces detained four other suspected terrorists.

 

Eight terrorists killed, 15 suspects detained in northern Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Eight terrorists were killed and 15 suspected terrorists were detained during Coalition operations Tuesday targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in northern Iraq. Coalition forces conducted two operations targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network that conducts attacks and facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists in northwestern Iraq. Several armed men engaged Coalition forces during a raid in a desolate area six miles from the Syrian border. Coalition forces returned fire in self-defense, killing six armed men. Coalition forces also discovered two men hiding inside a tent, one of whom detonated a suicide vest he was wearing, killing only himself and the other terrorist. Coalition forces found several suicide vests, weapons, rockets, grenades and $18,000 in U.S. currency at the site. They also detained one individual. In the second operation, in the far western part of Ninewa province, Coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists. In Bayji, Coalition forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq leader believed to have taken over the sniper and assassination network in the area after Coalition forces captured his predecessor Aug. 4.  Also in the Tigris River Valley, ground forces detained one suspected terrorist near Balad for his alleged ties to a network known to attack Coalition forces. Iraqi and Coalition forces in Kirkuk targeted the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader of the city’s car-bombing network, who also facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists who conduct suicide attacks.  The ground forces detained seven suspected terrorists and found a cache of bomb-making materials, which they safely destroyed on site.

 

Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces detain two al Qaeda cell leaders, five insurgents

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Forces detained two suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leaders during an intelligence driven raid in support of Operation Phantom Strike Sept. 10 in the Sharqat village in northern Iraq. One of the targeted individuals is accused of the kidnapping and beheading of Iraqi Soldiers and emplacing improvised explosive devices targeting Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Iraqi Army and U.S. Special Forces also seized five AK-47 assault rifles, one shotgun, one 9mm pistol, five AK-47 bayonets, body armor and numerous al-Qaeda documents. The forces also detained three other suspected al-Qaeda terrorists during this operation. In a separate operation, Iraqi Army forces detained two Sunni extremists during a raid near Tikrit. The extremists are linked to a small arms and rocket propelled grenade attack on Coalition Forces August 28 that left one civilian critically wounded.

 

Suspected militants killed in Sangin district

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Several suspected militants were killed and eight were detained early today in an operation by Afghan and Coalition forces. The suspected militants were shot and killed after they threatened the force in the Sangin district, Helmand province.  A small cache consisting of grenades and several AK-47s was found and destroyed in a safe place. The detainees will be questioned as to their identities and involvement in militant activities.

 

Sept. 10 airpower summary: F-15s strike enemy

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Middle East

Israel Spots Nuclear Installations In Syria

It is now known that Israel's violation of Syrian airspace was to take out Iranian missile sites in Syria. Recent surveillance has indicated Syria now has a nuclear installation believed to be from North Korea.

Israel believes that North Korea has been supplying Syria and Iran with nuclear materials, a Washington defense official told the New York Times. “The Israelis think North Korea is selling to Iran and Syria what little they have left,” he said. The official added that recent Israeli reconnaissance flights over Syria revealed possible nuclear installations that Israeli officials estimate might have been supplied with material from North Korea. Meanwhile on Wednesday the Nazareth-based Israeli Arab newspaper The Assennara cited anonymous Israeli sources as saying that Israeli jets "bombed a Syrian-Iranian missile base in northern Syria that was financed by Iran... It appears that the base was completely destroyed."

It becomes more apparent that North Korea is involved because they sure got worked up over Israel bombing the missile site.

North Korea commented on the incident Tuesday, calling it a "dangerous provocation", Chinese News Agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday. "This is a very dangerous provocation little short of wantonly violating the sovereignty of Syria and seriously harassing the regional peace and security," a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said. "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea strongly denounces the above-said intrusion and extends full support and solidarity to the Syrian people in their just cause to defend the national security and the regional peace."

 I have no doubt Israel with deal with this swiftly.

 

Technorati tags: Israel, Syria, Nuclear Materials, North Korea, Middle East

Showdown With Iran

The past few days in the Middle East has been increasingly volatile. Today, Germany has decided to halt sanctions against Iran, concerned that continuing Iranian sanction would be damaging to the German economy. This is a ridiculous cop-out. The United States has had sanction against Iran for nearly 30 years and our economy has managed nicely.

Diplomacy has failed. The U.N. sanctions cannot go any further because of Russia and China shielding Iran, and Germany refusing to continue self imposed sanctions. An Iranian blockade had been considered, but the burden would be placed more on the citizens of Iran, rather than the regime. What else can be done to halt the Iranian threat? Looks like "Shock & Awe" is in the works.

The Germans voiced concern about the damaging effects any further sanctions on Iran would have on the German economy — and also, according to diplomats from other countries, gave the distinct impression that they would privately welcome, while publicly protesting, an American bombing campaign against Iran's nuclear facilities.

The blockade of oil and gas would likely be followed by severe bombings. If Iranian jets can't get off the ground, they can't challenge ours.

Now that there is heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, British troops have begun massing along the Iraq/Iran border to prevent Iran from escalating the proxy war.

The deployment came within a week of British forces leaving Basra Palace, their last remaining base inside Basra city, and withdrawing to the airport for a widely expected final departure from Iraq. Brigadier James Bashall, commander of 1 Mechanised Brigade, based at Basra said: "We have been asked to help at the Iranian border to stop the flow of weapons and I am willing to do so. We know the points of entry and I am sure we can do what needs to be done. The US forces are, as we know, engaged in the 'surge' and the border is of particular concern to them."

Gen. Petraeus feels that the situation with Iran can longer be dealt with inside Iraq and cannot be tolerated.

In an interview after his appearance before a congressional panel on Monday, General Petraeus strongly implied that it would soon be necessary to obtain authorization to take action against Iran within its own borders, rather than just inside Iraq. "There is a pretty hard look ongoing at that particular situation" he said.

I'm sure this situation will continue to evolve during the day.

h/t: HotAir

Technorati tags: U.S. United States, Iran, Germany, Britain, U.K., U.N. Sanctions, War on Terror

One Of The Stupidest Things I've Seen

First of all, is the person is this video male or female? Second, what kind of messed up person would get so worked up about someone they have never/will never meet? She probably cut her thighs in angst.

 

 

 

Technorati tags: Britney Spears, Video, Mtv Awards

Good News From The War On Terror 9/10

In 24-hr battle, Hawr Rajab turns on al-Qaeda

HAWR RAJAB, Iraq – Over the course of 24-hours across September 6-7, a decisive battle reshaped the security outlook for Hawr Rajab, when more than 80 concerned local citizens swept through the streets looking to drive al-Qaeda elements out of the city. The concerned local citizens coordinated with the imam of a local mosque to broadcast the message to al-Qaeda, “Move to the mosque and they will be given amnesty, and there will be peace in Hawr Rajab.” Initial fighting kicked off as U.S. Soldiers were preparing to depart. The Soldiers, of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to the 2nd BCT, 3rd Infantry Division, adjusted their plans after the first shots were fired, moving into an overwatch position. As the day progressed, al Qaeda fighters engaged the CLCs with small-arms fire and mortar rounds. More than 45 mortar rounds were fired into the city during fighting that lasted nearly 24-hours. The battle finally ended in the early morning hours of Sept. 7 with the CLCs in control of strong points in Hawr Rajab. This turning point for concerned local citizen involvement with the area’s security came just five weeks after the soldiers of the 2nd BCT, 3ID began working with the residents of Hawr Rajab. While U.S. troops do not fight side-by-side with the concerned citizens, Coalition Forces assist thru over watch and air support if they request help. The citizens are providing security in an area that does not have Iraqi Security Forces.  After confirming the location of al-Qaeda forces, Troop A Soldiers called in an AH-64 Apache helicopter in the midst of the battle. The helicopter was engaged by al Qaeda with a .23 millimeter anti-aircraft gun. The Apache responded with a Hellfire missile, killing two al-Qaeda members and destroying the weapon. U.S. Air Force F-16 jets were also called in to destroy a bridge that was being used by al-Qaeda as a crossing point into city. Over the course of the day, four enemy fighters were killed, with an additional 30 suspected al-Qaeda detained. Two of the detainees confessed to belonging to local al Qaeda cells, while two were included in reports of terrorist activity in the area. All four were taken into custody by U.S. forces for questioning. The concerned local citizens emerged with only one individual killed in action, and four wounded. U.S. troops suffered no casualties.

 

Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces detain extremist Islamic Army cell leader, 9 insurgents

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Scouts detained a high-level insurgent working for both the Islamic Army and al-Qaeda in Iraq during a raid Sept. 9 in the Yarmouk area, near Baghdad. The suspect is accused of ordering the assassination of a security guard for a local school and the attempted murder of an Iraqi policeman. In addition, he allegedly orders his cell members to attack citizens who oppose his terrorist criminal activities and those who support efforts to provide security and stability in the region. Reports say his terrorist cell is responsible for numerous kidnappings, murders, extra-judicial killings and improvised explosive device and indirect fire attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Forces  detained seven other individuals believed to be linked to this terrorist cell while seizing four AK-47 assault rifles, one 9mm pistol and a shotgun. In a separate operation, members of an Iraqi Army Reconnaissance unit detained a suspected terrorist Sept. 9 in Taji during an air assault operation. The cell member acquires fuel and materials to prepare vehicle borne improvised explosive devices for use against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Forces detained one other suspicious individual during the raid and seized two weapons. U.S. Special Forces were advisers during both operations and no Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured.

 

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Operations Forces detain 18 insurgents near Karmah, Kirkuk

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Special Operations Forces detained 16 individuals suspected of supporting al Qaeda in Iraq activities Sept. 8 near Karmah. Iraqi Forces coordinated a series of raids northeast of Fallujah, detaining thirteen individuals at the targeted locations. Three other individuals were pursued and taken into custody after fleeing from the assault force. The detained individuals are suspected of supporting an al Qaeda sniper cell allegedly responsible for a series of attacks against Coalition and Iraqi Forces in and around the Karmah area. Six AK-47 assault rifles, multiple identification cards, passports and terrorist propaganda were seized during the raid. In an earlier operation, 4th Iraqi Army Division soldiers, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two suspected al Qaeda in Iraq assassins during an early morning raid Sept. 8 in Za’ab Village near Kirkuk. The two extremists are suspected of shooting and killing General Jaber, former Iraqi Army officer, in the Kirkuk area Sept. 7 as he was driving home after a meeting with a group opposed to the al Qaeda in Iraq insurgency.

 

ANP detain insurgent commander in Ghazni

BAGRAM AIFIELD, Afghanistan- Afghan National Police, advised by Coalition forces, detained the Taliban district commander of Andar, Ghazni and four others in an operation designed to disrupt insurgent activities in Ghazni Province early this morning. Maulawi Ahmad Jan is known to be extensively involved in the coordination of insurgent activities in Ghazni Province. He has directed IED and ambush attacks against ANSF and Coalition forces throughout the region. During the search of Ahmad Jan’s compound, ANP discovered a weapons and ammunition cache.

 

Sept. 9 airpower summary: A-10s provide top cover

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Military, Coalition, Insurgents, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Middle East

Duncan Hunter On O'Reilly Factor

Duncan Hunter discusses illegal immigration and the border fence (and lack thereof). They also discuss the Moveon.org hack job against General Petraeus.

 

 

 

 

Technorati tags: Duncan Hunter, Bill Oreilly, Oreilly factor, Fox News, Illegal Immigration, Border Fence, Presidential Candidate, Republican, Conservative

Israeli Excursion Into Syrian Airspace To Take Out Iranian Weapons

A few days ago there were reports that Israeli jets violated Syrian airspace. What was not reported was why. Apparently some Iranian weapons found their way to the Syria/Israel border. Imagine that. So Israel once again took the needed steps to protect herself from attack.

CNN news network reported Tuesday that the incident in which Israeli planes reportedly invaded Syrian airspace was actually an attack on Iranian weapons transferred to Syria. According to the report, the incident involved an aerial operation that also included ground forces that were meant to mark targets or inspect the damage caused by the attack. It was also reported that the operation left "a great hole in the ground" in the Syrian desert. The report was based mainly on sources in the American government and CNN said that Israel was satisfied with the operation's results. The report said Israel apparently targeted a type of weapon transferred through Syria to Hizbullah from Iran.

 

Technorati tags: Iran, Syria, Israel, Hezbollah, Iranian Weapons

"Shock And Awe" On Iran? Sweet!

So, some British security analysts came up with this report titled, "“Considering a war with Iran: A discussion paper on WMD in the Middle East”. The basics of this report isn't anything we didn't know already. It's evident that we cannot sustain another full scale invasion. Any action against Iran would have to be quick and decisive. If it isn't, we got problems.

An 80-page study written by two British security analysts and released on August 28 makes a chilling estimation of the overwhelming force that the US would use in the event of any attack on Iran. “The US has made military preparations to destroy Iran’s WMD, nuclear energy, regime, armed forces, state apparatus and economic infrastructure within days, if not hours, of President George W. Bush giving the order,” the paper declared. The authors, Dr Dan Plesch and Martin Butcher, concluded on the basis of publicly available sources that “US bombers and long range missiles are ready today to destroy 10,000 targets within Iran in a few hours. US ground, air and marine forces already in the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan can devastate Iranian forces, the regime and the state at short notice.”

The author of the article (not the report), doesn't seem to think highly of our United States of America. He almost criticizes the report authors for not saying this would be a war for oil.

Plesch and Butcher made no attempt to analyse the underlying economic and strategic reasons for a US attack on Iran or to consider in detail the potential for it triggering a broader war. Their study in no way challenged the escalating US propaganda campaign concerning Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons programs. The real motivation for a reckless, new US war on Iran lies in the Bush administration’s attempts to establish unfettered American dominance in the resource-rich regions of the Middle East and Central Asia. Any outcome that allows America’s European and Asian rivals to strengthen their influence in these key regions is simply intolerable to the US ruling elite.

[emphasis mine]

 

Technorati tags: United States, U.S. America, Iran, War on Terror, Shock and Awe

Should Large Scale 9/11 Observances Be Scaled Back?

That was a poll question on CNN.com. I voted NO, if you vote, I hope you vote the same way.

The current results:

Now, you have nearly 3000 people that died on 9/11. Each family could have their own service, but it just makes sense to have an organized observance. The victims died a horrific death and the families should be able to mourn any way they wish. The media are the ones broadcasting it to the world. If it wasn't for them, most people wouldn't know there was an observance being held.

I can only think of two reasons right now why someone would want to scale back the observances.

1. None of their family died on 9/11, therefore couldn't care less about them.

2. They are liberals and feel these observances help Republicans who are tough on national security.

Either one is selfish. The only people that should be polled are the families of victims. Everyone else doesn't matter.

 

Technorati tags: September 11, 9/11, observances, memorial, Victims

9/11: 6 Year Remembrance

Today was the first time I actually looked at a 9/11 victims list. When you hear the total number of victims, it's shocking, but when you actually see it name by name, I can't even describe it.

September11Victims.com has every known victim from the World Trade Centers, Pentagon, and each aircraft (including emergency responders). Nearly every victim has a bio that can be accessed by clicking the name.

 

All you troofers who haven't been rightfully executed, go here and educate yourself.

 

 

Technorati tags: Sept. 11, September 11, 9/11, Victims, Terrorism, Remembrance

Good News From The War On Terror 9/9

Six terrorists killed during raids in Tarmiyah

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 21 suspects Saturday and Sunday during operations in the Tarmiyah area and Tigris River Valley to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq’s senior leadership. Several synchronized raids in Tarmiyah targeted the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the northern belt around Baghdad, including its leaders.  The network is responsible for car bombings, kidnappings, publishing extremist propaganda and operating an illegal court system in the area. As Coalition forces cleared a building, three men inside reached for weapons in the room.  Responding to defend against the threat, Coalition forces engaged the three armed men, killing them. A related assault force entered a target building and encountered an armed man who attempted to draw his weapon.  Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged the armed man, killing him. In another coordinated raid, one female refused to comply with the interpreter’s instructions.  After the ground forces made several attempts to get the woman to comply, she lunged to reach behind some furniture.  Coalition forces, perceiving a hostile threat to the force, engaged the woman, killing her. Coalition forces securing a target building nearby found an armed man hiding in a closet.  When he was discovered, the armed man fired on the assault force, which returned fire in self-defense and killed the terrorist. On the scene, the ground forces found a cache of weapons, including 25 mortar rounds, 30 high-explosive rounds, 5,000 anti-aircraft rounds and other ammunition.  They also discovered four improvised explosive devices planted in the immediate area.  A Coalition forces explosives team safely destroyed the IEDs, weapons and ammunition.  Nearby, the ground forces discovered a cache of extremist propaganda and media production materials. Over the two-day operation, Coalition forces destroyed seven buildings believed to be used for terrorist activities.  The ground forces thoroughly cleared and secured each building prior to any detonation to ensure no civilians were inside.  One building was destroyed by an air strike, while the other six were destroyed with ground munitions.  Coalition forces detained 17 suspected terrorists during the operations in Tarmiyah. Coalition forces extended their operations to the north while targeting advisers of al-Qaeda in Iraq’s senior leaders who had fled to an area south of Mosul.  The ground forces detained two suspected terrorists during the operation there. Coalition forces in Mosul captured a suspected member of the Kirkuk car-bombing network during a raid.  In another raid east of Balad, Coalition forces used information from an operation Aug. 8 to target an al-Qaeda in Iraq operative who facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists.  The ground forces detained one suspected terrorist.

 

Coalition forces kill terrorist responsible for Ninawa bombings

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition forces positively identified a terrorist killed in an operation Sept. 3 southwest of Mosul as one of the terrorists responsible for the August bombings in Ninawa Province resulting in over 700 casualties. Abu Muhammad al-Afri, also known as Abu Jasim, Arkan Hassan Ali, Nuraddin, Hajar and Abu Ahmad al-Afri, was the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of Sinjar and was one of the terrorists responsible for ordering the Aug. 14 truck bombings, which primarily targeted the Yazidi population. al-Afri was killed during a kinetic strike in a very remote area 70 miles southwest of Mosul.  A fixed-wing aircraft conducted the strike, killing al-Afri and his driver.  Close associates and detainees confirmed that al-Afri was killed during the strike. When Coalition forces arrived to assess the site of the kinetic strike, they found two armed men attempting to sanitize the scene.  The ground forces also found several files, a machine gun, military-style assault vests and bomb-making materials.  Coalition forces detained both men.

 

Forces find significant weapons cache

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Early Sept. 8 in Helmand province, Afghan and Coalition forces found large weapons caches in three buildings and smaller caches in other buildings. The caches included rockets, anti-tank rockets, and an improvised explosive device, all of which were destroyed by a Coalition airstrike. During the course of operations, the combined force also returned small arms fire and employed precision munitions on locations where suspected militants were hiding. Forces estimate more than 30 suspected militants were killed in the engagement. The combined force suspected the compounds, located in the Garmser district, were providing sanctuary to anti-Coalition militants. Precision munitions were employed to destroy the buildings, which had fortified fighting positions and interlocking tunnels.

 

Sept. 8 airpower summary: C-130s deliver cargo, warfighters

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, Taliban, Middle East

Another "New" Bin Laden Tape To Be Released

Too much attention was given to the last video/audio. Presidential candidates had to weigh in and news channels spent hours covering it. If everyone would've left it at being the fake it is, they probably wouldn't be in a rush to put out another one. This is supposed to be a "last will and testament" of one of the 9/11 hijackers. I wonder if it will be a hack job like the last one.

Al-Qaida said Monday that it will release a new video of Osama bin Laden presenting the last testament of one of the Sept. 11 suicide hijackers, marking the sixth anniversary of the attacks. The announcement from the terror group's media arm came only days after bin Laden appeared in his first video in three years, giving an address to the American people, lecturing them to abandon capitalism and democracy and convert to Islam. The announcement came in a banner advertisement posted on an Islamic militant Web site where al-Qaida often releases messages and was signed by al-Sahab, the media arm of bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network. "Coming soon, God willing, the testament of the attacks on New York and Washington, Abu Musab Waleed al-Shehri, presented by Sheik Osama bin Laden, God preserve him," the banner read. It showed an image of bin Laden wearing the same black beard and clothes as in the most recent video. Al-Qaida has marked past anniversaries of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks by putting out videos of the last will and testaments of some of the hijackers, usually accompanied by comments by top leaders and documentary-style footage. Last year, for example, al-Sahab released a 55-minute video with the last testimonies of hijackers Wail al-Shehri and Hamza al-Ghamdi. The video included old but previously unreleased footage showing bin Laden strolling through an Afghan training camp where the attacks were apparently planned and chatting with top al-Qaida lieutenants. The tape was accompanied by another with an address by bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri.

 

***UPDATE***

Looks like I was right about the "new" video. It's a still image with complete voice-over.

The video, 47 minutes 16 seconds in length, features an introduction by Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden is shown in a still image, dressed as he was in last week's tape and apparently in the same location. An audio tape plays in the background. The still image is superimposed on news video footage of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

 I hope to be able to find a video tomorrow.

 

Technorati tags: Bin Laden, Video, Terrorist, Islam, Muslim

Good News From The War On Terror 9/8

Hunter UAV kills two enemy fighters during historic flight

TIKRIT, Iraq – A Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle engaged and killed two suspected improvised explosive device emplacers overwatching a major thoroughfare for Coalition Forces during a historic flight near Qayyarah, Iraq, in Nineveh province Sept. 1. A scout weapons team from 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, observed the two unknown enemy fighters in a tactical overwatch near the roadside. The SWT requested support from the Hunter UAV. The pilots guided the Hunter operator to the scene where it set up for a strike mission and dropped its precision munition, killing both unknown enemies and marking a first in Army Aviation history.

 

Five suspects detained during operations against al-Qaeda

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists during operations Saturday targeting al-Qaeda leadership and bombing networks in northern Iraq. Coalition forces conducted two separate raids in Kirkuk targeting the head of the car-bombing network in the city and a key communications link within the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.  The ground forces detained three suspected terrorists in the operations. In Mosul, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists while targeting close associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

 

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain three extremists in night raids

BALAD, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces detained an al Qaeda in Iraq extremist during an intelligence-driven raid on Sept. 6 in the Al Anbar province near Al Qaim. The detained suspect is responsible for facilitating re-supply of insurgents operating in the southern Rutbah deserts just south of Al Qaim. His facilitation network assists other militants in the area in obtaining weapons, water and food. In a separate operation, Iraqi Security Forces detained a key leader and a supporter of the Islamic Army in Iraq criminal network during an early morning raid Sept. 7 in Saiwaia near Samarra. The suspected leader is directly related to kidnappings and murders of Samarra citizens. The two detained were caught trying to flee the assaulting force which also resulted in two seized AK-47 assault rifles and numerous Islamic Army Court documents.

 

Two suspected militants detained in Ghazni operation

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan and Coalition forces detained two suspected militants during an operation in Andar district of Ghazni province. Credible intelligence led the forces to the compounds, which were suspected of housing violent extremists. The detainees will be questioned as to their involvement in extremist activities.

 

Sept. 7 airpower summary: Predator is the eye in the sky

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, Taliban, Middle East

Went Squirrel Hunting Today

All you PETA freaks rest easy. I didn't see a single squirrel. It's was a bad day from beginning to end. I had assumed the rain would stay south of us. It didn't. No sooner did I park my truck and get the gear ready, a thunderstorm popped up. So I waited to see if it would slow down. It didn't. So we went to a restaurant and had some dinner before going back out. The rain did stop for a period of time. The area we were hunting was recently flooded out, thus still had standing water, thus had thousands of mutant mosquitos. These mosquitos were not ordinary. When they bit, it felt like a needle. It wasn't a minor inconvenience, they hurt. Combine that with the now very humid air and it felt like we were in the Amazon rainforest.

Maybe next week. Those tree-rats can't evade me forever.