Al-Qaeda In Iraq Leader Killed

Abu Usama al-Tunisi was killed in an airstrike Tuesday. Fox News was reporting today that the AQI leader wrote a S.O.S. letter shortly before the airstrike, which was recovered later on an AQ member fleeing the scene. That has to make you feel warm & fuzzy inside.

U.S.-led forces have killed one of the most important leaders of al-Qaida in Iraq, a Tunisian believed connected to the kidnapping and killings last summer of American soldiers, a top commander said Friday. Brig. Gen. Joseph Anderson said the death of the suspected terrorist in a U.S. airstrike Tuesday south of Baghdad, and recent similar operations against al-Qaida, have left the organization in Iraq fractured. "Abu Usama al-Tunisi was one of the most senior leaders ... the emir of foreign terrorists in Iraq and part of the inner leadership circle," Anderson said. Al-Tunisi was a leader in helping bring foreign terrorists into the country and his death "is a key loss" to al-Qaida leadership there, Anderson told a Pentagon news conference.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, AQI, al-Tunisi

Tom Cruise Building Bunker To Protect From Alien Attack

Apparently; a deposed intergalactic ruler named "Xenu" is planning an attack on Earth and Tom Cruise is building a $10,000,000 bunker to protect his family.

It's amazing that a person with a fascination for science fiction can turn it into a religion. Then again, Algore has done the same thing with "Global Warming".

Hollywood star Tom Cruise is planning to build a bunker at his Colorado home to protect his family in the event of an intergalactic alien attack, according to new reports. The Mission Impossible actor, who is a dedicated follower of Scientology, is reportedly fearful that deposed galactic ruler 'Xenu' is plotting an evil revenge attack on Earth. Bunker down: Tom Cruise, on set of his latest movie with wife Katie and daughter Suri, is reportedly fearful of an alien attack According to American magazine Star, a source said: "Tom is planning to build a US$10 million bunker under his Telluride estate." "It's a self-contained underground shelter with a high tech air purifying shelter." The facility is said to have enough room for ten people - including wife Katie Holmes, 17-month-old daughter Suri and his adopted children Isabella, 14, and Connor, 12.

 

Technorati tags: Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, Xenu, Aliens, Tom Cruise, Bunker, Science Fiction, Insanity

Good News From The War On Terror 9/25

Coalition Forces capture suspected Special Groups member

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured an Iraqi suspected of terrorist activity and detained six other criminals during operations early Tuesday in Baghdad. Intelligence indicated that this criminal was a Special Groups member who specialized in the movement of weapons throughout Iraq for the terrorist network. The man was reported to have ties to several Special Groups senior leaders, as well as contacts with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force members.     Sensitive intelligence information led Coalition forces to an area were they detained six other suspected terrorists. A vehicle that tested positive for explosive material was safely destroyed on site. “Special Groups members, working with support from Iran, are criminals who jeopardize the security and safety Iraqi citizens,” said Maj. Brad Leighton, a Multi-National Force – Iraq spokesman. “Their IEDs often kill civilians, their mortar rounds often hit residential areas, and they attack from residential areas, placing residents at risk when Iraqi and Coalition security forces defend themselves.”

 

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain 12 suspected insurgents during four separate raids

BAGHDAD – In four separate early-morning raids Sept. 24, Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained twelve suspected insurgents.  During one operation, Iraqi Security Forces conducted a security raid that resulted in the capture of an al-Qaeda in Iraq key leader and four suspected operatives near Tal ‘Afar.  While clearing a row of homes in the village of Shaykh Ibrahim, the assault force received small-arms fire from one of the insurgents.  The team responded with well-aimed suppressive fire and detained the armed terrorists.  The targeted individual is believed to be an international financier with connections to several high-level al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. In a separate operation, Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained a suspected extremist cell leader and four cell members in Baghdad.  The cell is responsible for improvised explosive device and mortar attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in the Baghdad area. The detained extremist cell leader in Al Baya’a and has allegedly participated in multiple IED attacks resulting in several U.S. Army tactical vehicles destroyed.  The group is further linked to more than 10 Katyusha rocket attacks against the International Zone area of Baghdad July 13, 14 and 19.  In addition, the group is known for conducting extra judicial killings of Sunni citizens, installing illegal checkpoints and murdering five Sunnis in August.  During the operation, the assault force received small-arms fire.  The forces responded with well-aimed and proportional fire and continued on the mission.  There were no casualties resulting from this exchange of fire.  In a later raid, members of the 6th Iraqi Army Scouts detained a suspected extremist special group commander in Baghdad who is thought to be responsible for conducting explosively formed penetrator, mortar and IED attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in Kamaliya and Sadr City. The group he leads is suspected of conducting extra judicial killings of Sunni citizens, to include a March 22 IED attack and a Dec. 4, 2006 mortar attack against a Coalition installation in Baladiyat. Another suspected extremist special group cell leader, suspected of establishing an assassination cell and killing an Iraqi Army officer, was detained in Ad Diwaniyah by members of the 8th Iraqi Army Scouts.  He is additionally suspected of distributing large weapons caches of EFPs and IEDs to other insurgent cells within Ad Diwaniyah.

 

Five terrorists killed, 22 suspects detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained 22 suspected terrorists Tuesday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq in central and northern parts of the country. South of Musayyib, Coalition forces targeted and captured the alleged associate of a senior leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq’s car-bombing network in Baghdad. The suspect is also believed to facilitate the movement of al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders throughout the region. When Coalition forces moved toward the target buildings, they received small arms fire from an armed man. Responding in self-defense, ground forces engaged and wounded him. The injured man was transported to a military medical facility for treatment. As Coalition forces continued operations, a group of individuals who emerged from the original target building maneuvered toward them. Ground forces called in close air support to engage the hostile threat. The ground forces assessed that four terrorists were killed in the engagement. Moving to another target area, Coalition forces called for a building’s occupants to come out, but they refused to comply. One individual maneuvered toward the ground force and, responding in self-defense, they engaged and killed the terrorist. Seven additional suspected terrorists were detained during the operation. In an operation in southern Baghdad, Coalition forces captured four suspected terrorists, one is believed to be a close associate to the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of South Karkh. Intelligence reports indicate the emir is a senior car-bombing facilitator in Baghdad who provides money, vehicles and weapons to numerous car-bombing cells in the southern belt of the city. In the central part of the country, Coalition forces conducted three operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq key operatives and captured five suspected terrorists.  Two of the suspects are believed to be involved in attacks against Coalition forces. Farther north in Bayji, Coalition forces captured three suspected terrorists during operations targeting an associate to al-Qaeda in Iraq responsible for coordinating terrorists meetings in the Tigris River Valley. During the operation, a woman and a child were injured, treated on site and then transported to a military medical facility for further treatment. In Mosul, Coalition forces conducted a precision operation targeting an associate of the emir of al-Qaeda in northwestern Iraq and captured two suspected terrorists. One of the individuals is believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq attack cell leader and is suspected of being responsible for transporting al-Qaeda senior leaders in and out of Iraq.

 

Three terrorists killed, 2 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained two other suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders in Musayyib Tuesday. Recent intelligence revealed the location of a known al-Qaeda meeting place. Reporting indicated that several suspected al-Qaeda terrorists with ties to senior leadership were present and supporting aircraft struck the building. Following the strike, ground forces found weapons, including one suicide vest and safely destroyed them on site.  Iraqi and Coalition security forces have successfully captured or killed several senior and mid-level al-Qaeda operatives in recent weeks including Rafid Latif Jasim Muhammed Sabah, also known as Abu Taghrid or Abu Azar, who was killed in an operation Sept 21.  Taghrid was a key leader in the organization of al-Qaeda in Iraq’s Baghdad military and car-bombing operations.

 

ANSF, Coalition inflict heavy insurgent losses in Helmand province

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Members of the 205th Afghan National Army Corps, advised by Coalition forces, killed more than 60 insurgents during combat operations near the Musa Qalah Wadi in Helmand Province today. The combined force was conducting a combat patrol in the vicinity of Regay Village in an effort to clear the area of extremist Taliban.  Several dozen insurgents attacked the convoy from an extensive trench system and several compounds with small-arms, machine gun, mortars and RPG fire.  Taliban fighters reinforced their fighting positions from the village of Musa Qalah throughout the day-long battle.  The ANSF-led force repelled the initial attack with accurate small-arms and crew-served weapons fire.  As the enemy force continued to reinforce their positions with additional fighters and attack the Afghan National Security Forces  and Coalition forces from the buildings with machine gun fire, the ground force commander requested Coalition artillery and close air support.  Coalition aircraft and artillery effectively engaged the positively identified Taliban positions.  The initial estimate by the ground force commander assessed that more than 61 insurgents were killed in the engagement.

 

Sept. 24 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

 

 

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

Suspicious Device Found On Plane To Denver

More specifically, a device resembling a pipe-bomb.

A SkyWest flight from Eugene, Ore. to Denver International Airport was searched by federal authorities Thursday morning after landing, authorities said. There was a report of a suspicious device being carried by one passenger. The plane landed and was held away from the concourses. Passengers were taken off the plane as it was searched. They were then allowed back on board and the plane was going to taxi to a gate. The FBI was questioning two people on the flight, a spokesperson for DIA said. He added there was no threat to the rest of the airport. There were reports that one passenger on the flight from Oregon had a pipe like device with wires and electronic equipment.

There was also a second report of a suspicious device at an airport.

At the same time, authorities were searching part of the airport in Eugene and had evacuated part of the terminal. Planes were being allowed to land, but no flights were taking off. Police in Eugene told reporters in Oregon that they responded to a call at 6:21 a.m. PDT of a suspicious device found during routine screening of baggage. The Explosives Disposal Unit was investigating. DIA officials believed the two incidents were connected.

 

Technorati tags: Airport, Aircraft, Plane, pipe Bomb, Oregon, Denver, Suspicious Device

Good News From The War On Terror 9/24

Three terrorists killed, 21 suspects detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 21 suspected terrorists Monday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and its foreign terrorist network in central and northern parts of the country. Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership and foreign terrorist facilitators in operations east of Tikrit. When Coalition forces arrived at the target area, they discovered three armed terrorists in a courtyard. The ground forces called for the individuals to put down their weapons, but they did not comply and one armed man drew his weapon. Responding in self-defense, the ground forces engaged the terrorists, killing three. The terrorists and suspects are believed to be tied the car-bombing network in Baghdad and foreign terrorists facilitators in the Tigris River Valley. During this operation Coalition forces discovered several caches of weapons, ammunition and military style uniforms in the target area. The weapons were safely destroyed by an expert explosives team on site. Northeast of Mosul, Coalition forces conducted a precision operation targeting associates of the emir of al-Qaeda in northwestern Iraq and captured five suspected terrorists. One of the suspects is allegedly responsible for arranging vehicles, distributing wages and supplying false documentation for al-Qaeda in Iraq members.  He and one other suspect are believed to be brothers of the emir.  Two Coalition forces operations in Baghdad and the northern belt targeted key operatives of al-Qaeda in Iraq.  One suspected terrorist was detained in Baghdad and another west of Tarmiyah.

 

High-level al Qaeda in Iraq Terrorist Detained Near Taji on Sept. 16 Identified

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A senior al Qaeda in Iraq member of the Abu Ghazwan network, who was detained by Iraqi Army Scouts during a series of helicopter assault raids near Taji, Sept. 16, has been identified as Salim Ismail al Hayali, also known as Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr is suspected of conducting attacks that target local citizens in the Tarmiyah area who join the Iraqi Police or Iraqi Army forces. His cell has attacked the Tarmiyah Regiment of the 9th Iraqi Army division, the 9th Oil Protection Division, guards at the Al Karkh water treatment plant and Coalition Forces in the Taji area. Abu Bakr’s cell is also suspected of distributing propaganda and installing illegal check points. Abu Bakr is additionally suspected of being the second in command to Abu Ghazwan’s network and the gatekeeper for access to Abu Ghazwan himself. This criminal network is known to commit robberies, kidnappings, murder, and is responsible for the Sept. 6, 2006 attack against a British Contractor convoy near Tarmiyah. This terrorist network is believed to be linked to the kidnappings of employees from the Nasr Industrial Plant and is known to stage attacks from a local mosque. The cell provides salaries and materials for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices to be used in the Baghdad area. The cell is further suspected of storing and supplying weapons such as surface-to-air missiles, mortar rounds, mortar launchers, and heavy machine guns to be used in future terrorist attacks.

 

Iraqi Army Soldiers discover large weapons cache in western Nineveh

AL NUR, Iraq – Iraq Army soldiers discovered a large cache of weapons and military equipment in the village of Al Nur, located northwest of Tal’Afar, in western Nineveh province, Sept. 21. Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division discovered the large cache using information from four enemy fighters who were captured the previous night by Coalition Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment. “This discovery by the IA is a direct result of good tactical questioning of enemy fighters and good exploitation of the intelligence they received from them,” said Maj. Mufu Taiwo, executive officer of the 1-9 Cavalry.  “They found out where the weapons were stored and moved in to confiscate them, denying their use by enemy fighters.” Upon entering the village, the cache was discovered split into three parts. Approximately 40 assorted mortar rounds were found buried in a deep freeze freezer, while a mortar tube, six rocket-propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, one PKC machine gun, four AK-47 assault rifles and almost 40 magazines of ammunition were located in two large barrels, all of which were buried in the ground. Additionally, the IA soldiers found military tactical vests and a fully-automatic M-16A1 rifle. All of the weapons and munitions were removed from the site and consolidated by the 3rd IA Division soldiers who discovered them.

 

Afghan, Coalition forces detain suspected militants in Gelan District

BAGRAM AIRFIED, Afghanistan – Eleven suspected militants were detained by Afghan and Coalition forces today in Gelan District, Ghazni Province, further disrupting militant activities in the area. Acting on credible intelligence sources, the combined force made their way to compounds in Gelan District, where militants were indicated to be residing.  Conducting a search of the compounds, the combined force found and subsequently detained the suspected militants. Upon a more extensive search of the immediate area, the combined force found small arms, ammunition vests and a machine gun.  The detained militants will be questioned as to their involvement in extremist activities.

 

Sept. 23 airpower summary: B-1Bs bring on the firepower

 

 

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 Iraq

SSGT. DRAGONSLAYER of the United States Marine Corps completed his 2nd deployment in Iraq and is now home, safe and sound.

Here is the welcome home sign I made for him.

Good News From The War On Terror 9/23

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain four suspected criminals, one alleged al Qaeda in Iraq cell leader

BAGHDAD –  Iraqi Security Forces detained a suspected criminal weapons smuggler during an intelligence driven operation Sept. 21 in Al Kut. Intelligence indicates the criminal is a former Badrah Iraqi Police officer who now directs the smuggling of rockets from Badrah to Al Kut. He also directs rocket attacks from the Al-Shuhada neighborhood into surrounding Iraqi and Coalition facilities. Intelligence shows he transported rockets used in an Oct. 10, 2006 attack on Coalition Forces. In addition to financing extremist militant efforts, the cell member is also involved in improvised explosive device attacks. Specifically he is linked to an April 28 IED attack that killed one Iraqi Policeman and wounded two.  Three other suspicious individuals were detained for furthering questioning. In a separate operation targeting al Qaeda in Iraq criminals, Iraqi Army Forces detained a suspected al Qaeda cell leader specializing in improvised explosive devices during a raid Sept. 21 in Baghdad. The Sunni extremist leader and his cell builder emplace and detonate vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in the Mansour area of Baghdad to attack Iraqi Army and Police as well as innocent local residents. On Aug. 24, the cell detonated an IED and killed three Iraqi Police and injured three others.  On July 26, the group used a suicide vehicle borne IED to kill and injure Iraqis celebrating the Iraqi national soccer team’s Asian Championship.  On June 30, the group emplaced two IEDs in front of a house and used the deadly devices to target an Iraqi Army convoy.

 

In two separate operations, Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain eight suspected criminals

BAGHDAD – In two early morning raids, Iraqi Security Forces detained eight suspected criminals Sept. 22 in Diyala and Tikrit.  In the Diyala Province, Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained four suspected terrorists linked to a criminal financier and weapons trafficker.  Intelligence reports that the regional financier facilitates weapons purchases with Iran in order to conduct trafficking operations that import improvised explosive devices, explosively formed penetrators and rocket-propelled grenades.  In addition, he is alleged to have carried out extra-judicial killings of Sunnis in the Diyala area. The assault force seized a weapons cache that yielded a sub-machine gun with an ammunition drum, a G3 assault rifle with two magazines, three sets of body armor, various documents and computer accessories. In a separate raid in Tikrit, Soldiers from the 4th Iraqi Army Division detained four alleged criminals.  Two of the detainees are believed to be responsible for numerous attacks against Coalition Forces including an Aug. 28 rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire attack on a compound in Tikrit. The raid is also believed to have disrupted a possible forgery operation where food credits from the social welfare system were being criminally filtered to insurgents.  The forgery operation provides terrorist operatives with paperwork that gives them “displaced persons status,” allowing terrorists to transit the region, receive support from social welfare systems and obtain legal access to setting up residences in new areas.    While searching the objective, the scouts confiscated five weapons with ammunition and magazines, as well as sniper ammunition and forgery documentation.

 

10 terrorists killed, 22 suspects detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 10 terrorists and detained 22 suspected terrorists Sunday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq in the central part of the country. Southwest of Kirkuk, Coalition forces targeted an alleged emir of foreign terrorists for the Kirkuk province. As the ground forces secured the area, several armed individuals engaged Coalition forces. Responding in self-defense, the ground forces engaged the men and called in close air support, killing eight terrorists, some of whom were wearing military style assault vests. Inside one of the buildings at the target area, Coalition forces found a cache of weapons and military style assault vests that were safely destroyed by an expert explosives team. Iraqis on the scene said that six of the terrorists killed were foreign. In another operation Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader for foreign terrorist facilitation and involvement in a kidnapping network northeast of Samarra. When the ground forces approached the target building, they received small-arms fire. Coalition forces called for the occupants to come out of the target building and continued to be engaged. Responding in self-defense, ground forces engaged the terrorists, killing two. Additionally, two suspected terrorists were detained during the operation. West of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces targeted associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq military emir of the northern belts around Baghdad. The ground forces detained seven suspected terrorists during the operations. One individual is believed to be associated with an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader responsible for weapons supply in the northern belt of Baghdad. During the operation, Coalition forces discovered military style assault vests, weapons and ammunition, and destroyed them on site. Coalition forces conducted three operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders near Tikirt. Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists, including a suspected terrorist believed to be involved in the car-bombing network and in numerous attacks against Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces.  Further south, Coalition forces targeted another al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader involved in the car-bombing network in Baghdad. Five suspected terrorists were detained.

 

ISF thwart mass kidnapping in Nineveh province

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces prevented an attempted hijacking by terrorists who targeted two buses filled with passengers in Nineveh province Sept. 22. After receiving initial reports, Mosul Iraqi police informed 2nd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division of the attempted hijacking and a company of Soldiers immediately responded and engaged the terrorists, killing one and injuring another. The remaining individuals fled while IA recovered the buses without injuring any of the passengers. The two buses were enroute to Syria from Kirkuk. The passengers and buses were taken to a nearby combat outpost.

 

Militants detained by Afghan, Coalition forces

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Nine militants were detained by Afghan and Coalition forces in Andar District of Ghanzi Province, early this morning during a mission to disrupt militant extremist activity in the area. Credible intelligence sources led the combined force to compounds in Andar District, which were suspected of housing the militants with ties to terrorist activities.  “Our multinational partnership is making significant strides in disrupting violent extremist influence in the region,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesman. “Afghan and Coalition forces continue to strike major blows against terrorist networks so ordinary citizens may one day live in peace.” The detained militants will be questioned as to their involvement in extremist activities.

 

Sept. 22 airpower summary: Loadmasters supply forces

 

 

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

Columbia U President Embarrasses The Iranian Madman

I'm actually quite shocked he didn't pander to the little monkey. Columbia University president Jim Bollinger asked some tough questions and the little monkey never supplied answers.

But before he even spoke, the Iranian leader, whose appearance had sparked outrage notably among US politicians and the Jewish community, sat through 10 minutes of broadsides from university president Lee Bollinger. "Mr President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator," Bollinger told Ahmadinejad, accusing him of brutal crackdowns on the country's academics and homosexuals. "Why are you so afraid of Iranian citizens expressing their opinions for change?" he asked, challenging the leader of the Islamic republic to explain his comments downplaying the Holocaust. "Frankly, in all candor Mr President, I doubt you will have the intellectual courage to answer these questions," he added. "When you come to a place like this, this makes you quite simply ridiculous. You are either brazenly provocative or astonishingly uneducated," he said. When he did get to his feet, wearing a white open-necked shirt and gray suit, Ahmadinejad accused Bollinger of a "wave of insults and allegations" while largely avoiding any direct answers to any of Bollinger's challenges.

 

Technorati tags: Columbia, University, Iran, Ahmadinejad, Terrorist

State, City Officials To Withhold Funds For Columbia U Over Speech

It appears there is an overwhelming number of stupid people attending that university, it shouldn't be difficult to swindle more money out of them. We are currently engaged in a War on Terror, Ahmadinejad is a terrorist, Columbia University knew exactly what they were doing when they invited and allowed this speech to go forward.

Those idiots over there are blabbering about it being free speech. What happened to "free speech" when the Minutemen were at Columbia U giving a speech? The students began acting like filthy little primates and stormed the stage with gay-love posters or whatever and threatened Jim Gilchrist who was speaking.

I guess it only matters if you agree with them.

As the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, prepares to address Columbia University today amid a storm of student protest, state and city lawmakers say they are considering withholding public funds from the school to protest its decision to invite the leader to campus. In an interview with The New York Sun, the speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver, said lawmakers, outraged over Columbia's insistence on allowing the Iranian president to speak at its World Leaders Forum, would consider reducing capital aid and other financial assistance to the school. Lawmakers warned about other consequences for Columbia and its president, Lee Bollinger, who has resisted campus and public pressure to cancel Mr. Ahmadinejad's appearance today, arguing that Columbia's commitment to scholarship requires the school to directly confront offensive ideas. "There are issues that Columbia may have before us that obviously this cavalier attitude would be something that people would recall," Mr. Silver said. "Obviously, there's some degree of capital support that has been provided to Columbia in the past. These are things people might take a different view of … knowing that this is that kind of an institution." Mr. Silver faulted Columbia for "attempting to legitimize this individual," saying, "We have an obligation because of the U.N. to allow him to come to this country. It doesn't mean we have to make him welcome. We don't have to give him a forum."

 

Technorati tags: Columbia, University, Ahmadinejad, Iran, Terrorist

Good News From The War On Terror 9/21-22

One terrorist killed, eight suspected terrorists detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained eight suspected terrorists during several operations Friday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders in the central part of the country. Coalition forces captured a suspected leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq in the Arab Jabour area during operations in Baghdad. The individual is believed to build bombs for the Baghdad car-bombing network and has oversight of their past and future attacks. This individual is also believed to facilitate the movement and training of foreign terrorists in the region. During the course of operations, an armed terrorist maneuvered toward security elements. Using appropriate self-defense measures, Coalition forces killed the armed terrorist. Coalition forces also received small arms and machine gun fire from an enemy element that had moved into the target area. Coalition forces called in close air support and returned fire in self-defense. Because of the security situation on the objective, ground forces were not able to determine if any enemy were killed or wounded by the aircraft fire. In addition to the targeted individual, ground forces detained three suspected terrorists on the scene. Also in the capital city, Coalition forces conducted a precision operation and captured one suspected terrorist tied to a senior leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq in the southern belt around Baghdad. Northeast of Ramadi, Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist believed to facilitate weapons logistics for al-Qaeda in Iraq and terrorists in other countries. Coalition forces also detained two suspected terrorists in operations southeast of Balad.

 

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain six terrorists in Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained four militant extremists and two al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists during two operations Sept. 20 in the Baghdad area. During one of the operations, Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained an alleged militant extremist commander and three suspected insurgents in the Aamel area of Baghdad. The alleged militant extremist company commander operates out of Hay Al-Amil and is suspected of directing other extremists to conduct kidnappings, executions and mortar attacks against innocent Sunni civilians. One other high-level extremist and two suspected insurgents were detained during the operation. Four AK-47 assault rifles, three magazines, one computer, four cell phones and one video camera were seized. In a separate operation targeting al Qaeda in Iraq criminals, Soldiers from the 6th Iraqi Army Division detained two Sunni extremists during an early-morning operation in Arab Jabour. One of the detainees is suspected of commanding a cell that conducts extra judicial killings and specializes in attacks using improvised explosive devices in the Jabour area.

 

Paratroopers detain 14 suspects

HAWR RAJAB, Iraq — Paratroopers detained 14 suspected insurgents Sept. 20, several of whom were identified as members of kidnapping and improvised explosive device cells. Paratroopers of 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, also destroyed four vehicles suspected of being used by a kidnapping cell. Of the 14 detainees, eight were identified by concerned citizens as members of an IED cell, two as IED emplacers, and one as a known insurgent. The operation also yielded a cache of 200 feet of command wire, one AK-47 assault rifle, a full magazine, and four empty magazines. The mission was part of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division’s Marne Torch II, an operation designed to reduce insurgent activity south of Baghdad and stem the flow of explosives, weapons, and insurgents into Baghdad.

 

Marne Torch II continues to bring in AQI members

HAWR RAJAB, Iraq — Paratroopers conducting Operation Bethel detained insurgent suspects and destroyed weapons caches Sept. 19. The Paratroopers of Company B, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, detained seven suspects, two of whom were connected to the production of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. The Hawr Rajab operation also yielded a homemade explosives cache. While searching a building, Paratroopers discovered several hundred 20-kilogram bags of detergent that an explosive ordnance disposal team assessed as key ingredients in the creation of homemade explosives. An AH-64 Apache helicopter destroyed the building with a Hellfire missile. A second air weapons team destroyed a suspected VBIED factory that was discovered by another group of Paratroopers in the area. While conducting a patrol on the ground, the Paratroopers found a car missing its battery and one wheel. A military working dog reacted to the trunk, which was not opened for fear of booby traps. An air strike was called in to safely dispatch the vehicle and the building in which the car was parked. Two Apaches from 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, destroyed the vehicle and building with two Hellfire missiles. The attack helicopters destroyed four other vehicles at the site with their 30mm cannons. Soldiers at the scene counted seven secondary explosions at the site, which indicates explosives were hidden in the vehicles and building. Operation Bethel also yielded several munitions, weapons and other items used in terrorist acts. Capt. Donald Braman, commander, Troop B, 1-40th Cav. Regt., said the operation will have a significant impact on al-Qaeda command and control. The detainment of the two members involved in VBIED production will also reduce al-Qaeda's ability to conduct offensive operations in Hawr. Operation Bethel is part of 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.’s Operation Marne Torch II, designed to reduce insurgent activity south of Baghdad and stem the flow of explosives, weapons and insurgents into Baghdad.

 

Eight terrorists killed, 25 suspected terrorists detained in Coalition raids

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed eight terrorists and detained 25 suspected terrorists Friday and Saturday during operations in the Tigris River Valley to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq’s senior leadership. During operations in Musayyib Saturday, Coalition forces captured a suspected associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the southern belt around Baghdad. The targeted individual is believed to be responsible for movement of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and have extensive knowledge of their locations. On the scene, ground forces killed seven terrorists and found weapons and military-style assault vests. In addition to the targeted individual, Coalition ground forces also detained 11 suspected terrorists during the raid. In a coordinated raid North of Tikrit Saturday, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual who is believed to be responsible for ordering, financing and carrying out attacks east of Balad for al-Qaeda in Iraq. Intelligence reports indicate that the suspected terrorist is a known associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in the Balad region and throughout the Tigris River Valley. Coalition forces also detained six suspected terrorists during the raid. Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces conducted a precision operation and captured a suspected terrorist believed to be a senior member within the al-Qaeda in Iraq media network. The suspect was attempting to revive the network after previous Coalition operations disrupted al-Qaeda in Iraq’s media capabilities during raids on their media cells July 4 and Aug. 22. In addition to the targeted individual, Coalition forces detained four other suspected terrorists also believed to be involved in the al-Qaeda in Iraq media network. In operations in the capital city Friday, Coalition forces conducted a raid targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders associated with the car-bombing network in Baghdad. Ground forces killed a terrorist that was one of the targeted individuals and detained one suspected terrorist during the raid.

 

Suspected militants killed in Garmser district

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Approximately 40 anti-coalition militants were killed early this morning in the Garmsir district of the Helmand province during an operation to deter hostile activities in the area.  A combined Afghan and Coalition team made their way to the Garmsir district where credible intelligence indicated violent extremist forces may be hiding. During the course of operations the combined force employed precision munitions killing a large number of combatants. A search of the area revealed multiple weapons caches – consisting of more than 20 rocket propelled grenades, significant amounts of ammunition, and landmines.  One building containing munitions was suspected of being an improvised holding cell.  In order to destroy the caches and prevent their future use, both the buildings and caches were destroyed using munitions and timed charges.

 

Sept. 20 airpower summary: C-130s sustain airlift operations

 

Sept. 21 airpower summary: F-16s fill multiple combat roles

 

 

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

Iranian Madman Arrives In N.Y.

So, he's here. He should be arrested and tried as an enemy combatant. His government is responsible for the death of American troops and they are a state sponsor of terror. While it will be nothing more than a symbolic victory, since the Ayatollah's really control the country, it would be "feel good".

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in New York to protests Sunday and said in a television interview that Iran was neither building a nuclear bomb nor headed to war with the United States. The president's motorcade pulled up to the midtown hotel where he will be staying while he appears at a series of events including the U.N. General Assembly and a forum at Columbia University, where about 40 elected officials and civic leaders decried his visit. Ahmadinejad's public-relations push appears aimed at presenting his views directly to a U.S. audience amid rising strains and talk of war between the two nations. Tensions are high between Washington and Tehran over U.S. accusations that Iran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, as well as helping Shiite militias in Iraq that target U.S. troops — claims Iran denies. "Well, you have to appreciate we don't need a nuclear bomb. We don't need that. What need do we have for a bomb?" Ahmadinejad said in the "60 Minutes" interview taped in Iran on Thursday. "In political relations right now, the nuclear bomb is of no use. If it was useful it would have prevented the downfall of the Soviet Union." He also said that: "It's wrong to think that Iran and the U.S. are walking toward war. Who says so? Why should we go to war? There is no war in the offing." Before leaving Iran, Ahmadinejad said the American people have been denied "correct information," and his visit will give them a chance to hear a different voice, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Someone should tell the little monkey that we have free press here, not state controlled, his propaganda will do nothing more than make liberals hearts flutter.

Technorati tags: Iran, United States, Ahmadinejad, Terrorism, Nuclear Weapons, United Nations, U.N.