Large Weapons Cache Found In Dallas Apartment

"...tenant travels to the Middle East frequently" 

Federal sources tell CBS 11 News that law enforcement officers have confiscated a large cache of weapons found in an apartment near the federal building in downtown Dallas. Sources say a maintenance man entered the apartment in the 300 block of North Akard to work on some plumbing. Once inside, authorities say, the man found the weapons. He took pictures of them with his cell phone and showed them to police. Police are still taking inventory of all the weapons seized. Among those discovered were two AK-47 rifles, an Uzi 9 millimeter submachine gun, a TEC-9 submachine gun, a 40 millimeter ordnance launcher, a handheld ordnance launcher, and about 500 rounds of ammunition. The tenet left during the police search and hasn't been seen since. Police seized the weapons even though they say they may have been obtained legally. Suspected child pornography was also found in the apartment, which could lead to criminal charges. As of 7 p.m., authorities had not yet arrested anyone, but were searching for the tenant of the apartment. Authorities tell us the tenant travels to the Middle East frequently and just returned from there this morning. That information and the amount of weapons found lead to the involvement of the North Texas Terrorism Task Force. However, authorities say there is no reason to suspect terrorism as a motive.

A "presumed" Middle-Eastern male, travels to the Middle East frequently and just returned this morning, yet there is no reason to suspect terrorism. WOW!

I should note that the kiddie porn wasn't as shocking once I finished reading the article. After all, their prophet Mohammed (Piss Be Upon Him), was a child molester.

Finally, why would the police let him leave during the search?

 

Technorati tags: Weapons Cache, Dallas, Texas, Terrorism, Middle East

New York Steam Pipe Blast

It looks like a volcano eruption.

An underground steam pipe explosion tore through a Manhattan street near Grand Central Terminal on Wednesday, swallowing a tow truck and killing one person as hundreds of others ran for cover amid a towering geyser of steam and flying rubble. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the explosion was not terrorism, though the blast caused a brief panic about a possible attack. "There is no reason to believe whatsoever that this is anything other than a failure of our infrastructure," he said of the 24-inch steam pipe installed in 1924. One person was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital from an apparent heart attack, Bloomberg said. About 30 people were injured, at least four seriously. Authorities could not immediately account for how the most seriously wounded victims were injured. The explosion caused widespread chaos as residents and commuters heard a huge blast — and feared for the worst. Thousands of commuters evacuated the train terminal, some at a run, after workers yelled for people to get out of the building. A geyser of steam and mud shot from the center of the blast, generating a tremendous roar. The initial burst of steam rose higher than the nearby 77-story Chrysler Building, one of Manhattan's tallest buildings.

More pics:

 

       

Technorati tags: New York, NY, Steam Pipe, Explosion

Dems Wake Up Alone After Senate All-Nighter

The defense bill was introduced 2 weeks ago and no one would debate it. All of a sudden, the Democrats, not happy with their 14% approval rating, aim for single digits. They insist on round-the-clock debate. They even brought in little cots just in case some of our Senators needed to rest. Those cots weren't needed because the senators went home.

A weary and sharply divided U.S. Senate on Wednesday blocked a Democratic effort that would have brought all American combat troops out of Iraq by the end of April 2008. Capping an around-the-clock debate, a majority of senators voted in support of the legislation that would have begun the troop withdrawals within 120 days, but fell short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a procedural hurdle and move forward. The vote was 52-47. The U.S. House of Representatives already has passed similar Iraq war troop withdrawal legislation, which President George W. Bush has threatened to veto. The White House, backed by most Republicans in Congress, has demanded that any change in Iraq war policy be put off at least until mid-September, when the Pentagon is supposed to assess the effectiveness of Bush's troop surge aimed at securing Baghdad more than four years after the U.S.-led invasion.

Even after Petraeus gives his report in September, it isn't likely the Dems will change their mind. They already said they won't believe him if he says the surge is working.

 

 

Technorati tags: Senate, Democrats, Liberals, Political Theater, War on Terror, Iraq, Troop Withdrawal, Military

Another Top al-Qaeda In Iraq Leader Captured

It must be tough these days being al-Qaeda.

The highest-ranking Iraqi leader of al-Qaida in Iraq has been arrested and told interrogators that Osama bin Laden's inner circle wields considerable influence over the Iraqi group, the U.S. command said Wednesday. Khaled Abdul-Fattah Dawoud Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who was captured in Mosul on July 4, carried messages from bin Laden, and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri, to the Egyptian-born head of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Ayub al-Masri, said Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a military spokesman. "Communication between the senior al-Qaida leadership and al-Masri frequently went through al-Mashhadani," Bergner said. "There is a clear connection between al-Qaida in Iraq and al-Qaida senior leadership outside Iraq." The relationship between the two groups has been the subject of debate, with some private analysts believing the foreign-based leadership plays a minor role in day-to-day operations. Some have suggested that linking al-Qaida in Iraq to bin Laden is simply an attempt to justify the Iraq war as an extension of the global conflict that began with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. But the U.S. military has insisted that there are links between the local al-Qaida group and the bin Laden clique and has released captured letters from time to time, suggesting the foreign-based leaders provide at least broad direction. Bergner said al-Mashhadani had told interrogators that al-Qaida leaders outside the country "continue to provide directions, they continue to provide a focus for operations, they continue to flow foreign fighters into Iraq." Pointing to the foreign influence in al-Qaida undermines support for the organization among nationalistically minded Iraqis, including some in insurgent groups that have broken with al-Qaida.

 

Oh, and the supposed leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi...totally fictional. He was created to give the impression that an Iraqi was leading AQI, not a foreigner.

 

 

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

Shooting Investigation Leads To Possible Terror Plot

More Muslim males between the ages of 18-30 involved in possible terror plot.

A search warrant filed in Hennepin County connects a shooting investigation to a possible terror plot. According to court documents, four Somali teenage males were riding in a cab on June 24 the same night a man was shot in the chest around 9:00 p.m. Video surveillance at the Glendale Housing Projects captured the cab fleeing near the scene of the shooting. Police were able to identify the taxicab and located the vehicle at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport four days later. Inside the cab, police found a handwritten note describing acts of terrorism and bombings. Police questioned an 18-year-old relative of the cab owner who confessed to being the driver of cab on June 24. Minneapolis Police turned the terrorism note over to federal authorities and said they will "Further aid in their investigation of possible acts of terrorism against Unites States."

 

Technorati tags: Muslim, Terrorism, Terrorists, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, Somali, Islam

Good News From The War On Terror 7/17

Attack weapons team engages IED triggerman

TIKRIT, Iraq – Attack helicopters from the 1st Squadron 82nd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade engaged and killed two insurgents and wounded another three in two engagements July 13, near Samarra, Iraq. The first attack weapons team observed a fuel tanker burning after being struck by an IED on a local main supply route.  The team identified and engaged the emplacers, killing one and wounding the other two. Coalition ground forces from D/2-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment moved in and recovered small arms and ammunition and a video camera with tape containing video of mortar, IED and SVBIED attacks. A second engagement took place when attack helicopters observed two insurgents digging and placing an IED next to a road near a village in Tikrit, Iraq. Coalition Force helicopters engaged the emplacers, killing one insurgent and wounding the other.

 

Homemade explosives uncovered

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, working together with Iraqi Army troops, discovered two caches totaling approximately 700 lbs. of homemade explosives in the early morning hours of July 15. The 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment made the cache finds during Operation Purple Haze, part of an ongoing effort to establish security in the western Baghdad Jamiya’a neighborhood. The homemade explosives, 14 50-lb. bags, were found in an abandoned house along with ball bearings and detonation cord.  An explosive ordnance disposal unit conducted a controlled detonation of the one bag of homemade explosives at the site of the discovery.  The bag was torn and the explosives were leaking, making the bag unsafe for transportation.  All other items in the cache were removed from the house prior to demolition. In a separate raid during the same operation, a smaller cache of munitions and weapons was discovered.  Two machine guns, one AK-47 assault rifle and a variety of knives, grenades and other small explosives were uncovered in a second abandoned home in the neighborhood.

 

One call, 30 residents prevent car bombing in Adhamiyah

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — A phone call to the Adhamiyah Joint Security Station and residents of the eastern Baghdad district helped foil an attempted car bombing July 16. The Adhamiyah JSS received the call, providing the location of a possible vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in the area.  Elements of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division and 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment investigated the area. When the troops arrived at the scene, approximately 30 residents identified a parked vehicle as a possible car bomb.  The explosives were removed from the vehicle and safely detonated without injury or damage to the community.

 

Insurgents killed during Rusafa District firefight

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops killed approximately 12 insurgents during a firefight in eastern Baghdad after coming under attack by insurgents with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades July 16. Insurgents attacked paratroopers from the 1st “Red Devil” Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, in the Fadhl neighborhood of the Rusafa District. The firefight began as Soldiers received fire from the Islamic Bank Building, with insurgents attacking the troops with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades at approximately 2 p.m. Coalition Forces returned fire and called for attack aviation support in a three-hour engagement.  The insurgents were heard using the public address system of a local mosque in an appeal for more of their forces to engage Coalition Forces.

 

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces capture Al Qaeda Emir in Qayyarah

BAGHDAD – Elements of the Iraqi Army Second Division, with Coalition Forces as advisors, captured the alleged emir of Qayyarah for Al Qaeda during an intelligence driven operation July 15 in Qayyarah. During the operation, Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces also detained three other individuals at the residence and recovered terrorist propaganda, passports and Korean currency. The capture of this individual will disrupt terrorist networks operating in eastern Ninewa Province. The individual has high level contacts in the Al Qaeda network, cells for foreign fighters and improvised explosive devices.

 

Coalition Forces detain suspected al-Qaeda senior leader in Mosul

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists during operations in Mosul targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders Tuesday. Coalition Forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in Mosul who is believed to have been promoted within the organization after recent Coalition operations created numerous vacancies in the terrorist leadership structure.  Intelligence reports also indicate the individual is responsible for mortar and sniper attacks against Iraqi forces and a December attack against Coalition Forces.  Two other suspected terrorists were also detained during the Tuesday operation.

 

Precision-guided munitions kills top al Qaeda leader

BAGHDAD — The top target for al Qaeda in Iraq south of Baghdad was killed July 14 in Arab Jabour by precision-guided munitions, the Excalibur. Shortly after 12 p.m., 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, received a call that Abu Jurah and 14 anti-Iraqi forces were meeting at a house in Arab Jabour. Abu Jurah was an AQI cell leader and was responsible for improvised explosive devices, vehicle-borne IED and indirect fire attacks on Coalition Forces in Arab Jabour. At approximately 1:12 p.m., the house was positively identified allowing 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment to fire two Excalibur rounds destroying the meeting house. An unmanned aerial vehicle observed persons leaving the house, loading injured individuals into a sedan and fleeing the scene. An AH-64 Apache helicopter engaged the sedan destroying it. Three people were observed running from the meeting house to a nearby house. A U.S. Air Force F16 Fighting Falcon dropped two 500-pound GPS-guided bombs on the second house.

 

 

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

Dow Hits 14,000; AP Downplays The News

I've heard the media is biased. This is a great example of how the media can take good news and try to smother it with bad news. They are in full freak-out mode now because it's becoming harder to silence news about economic growth. Bush's economic plan is working.

NEW YORK - The Dow Jones industrial average swept past 14,000 for the first time Tuesday after a relatively tame inflation report gave investors reason to extend an extraordinary — but questionable — Wall Street rally. The stock market's best-known indicator crossed 14,000 in the first half-hour of trading and rose as high as 14,011.79, having taken just 57 trading days to make the trip from 13,000. Stocks have risen fairly steadily since the spring amid a continuum of buyout news and evidence that despite higher fuel prices and the ongoing problems in the housing market and mortgage lending industry, consumers are spending and companies remain optimistic about the future. With the Federal Reserve ever vigilant about inflation, any news that prices are rising at a moderate pace has added to the market's momentum, as it did Tuesday. The release of moderately upbeat earnings reports helped reassure a market that had worried that a slowing economy and rising energy prices would slash into corporate profits. But the Dow's latest accomplishment does raise questions about whether investors are buying more on speculation than fundamentals. A week ago, the average tumbled nearly 150 points after disappointing forecasts from Home Depot Inc., Sears Holdings Corp. and homebuilder D.R. Horton Inc., but only two days later, the Dow barreled 283 points higher as investors chose to put a positive spin on a generally lackluster series of retail sales reports.

In late 2002, the effects of the terrorist attacks and the dot com bubble-burst hit Wall Street. On September 24th, the Dow lost 27% of it's value from Jan 1, 2001. On that day it closed at 7286.27. Fast forward five years later, it has almost doubled. Add that to the near historic low unemployment rate around 4.4%, and it makes one wonder how people can continue to believe the economy is so bad.

 

Technorati tags: Dow, Economy, Stock Market, Bush, Media Bias, AP, Unemployment

Good News From The War On Terror 7/16

Coalition Forces kill 2 terrorist, detain 25 suspects, discover media cell

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained 25 suspected terrorists during operations around Iraq Monday targeting al-Qaeda media and bombing operations. A senior member of an al-Qaeda in Iraq media cell gave himself up to Coalition Forces during a raid in Mosul.  In addition to his surrender, the al-Qaeda in Iraq media cell member led Coalition Forces to the media cell headquarters, where they discovered various jihadist propaganda and media materials.  Three additional suspected terrorists were detained with the cell leader. In Baghdad, Coalition Forces conducted a raid targeting a key liaison between al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cells in the city.  When the ground forces began clearing the building, one man ran toward the perimeter security element.  Coalition Forces, reacting to the perceived hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him.  Ground forces detained two suspected terrorists during the operation. A raid southwest of the capital city targeted close associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.  When Coalition Forces began securing the building, one man fled the scene, and began digging in the yard.  Coalition Forces pursued the man, who attempted to evade the ground forces.  When the ground forces caught up with the man, he attempted to assault an element of the force, and Coalition Forces, reacting in self-defense, engaged the man, killing him.  Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists during the raid. In Ramadi, Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists during a precision raid.  One is an alleged associate of a terrorist who facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists into Iraq for suicide operations. Two coordinated raids in Baghdad targeted members of the Baghdad bombing network.  Coalition Forces detained five suspected terrorists linked to an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader overseeing the bombing network, and two more suspected terrorists with ties to an al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons facilitator. Coalition Forces detained eight suspected terrorists north of Taji during a raid targeting a direct associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders known for using IEDs.

 

Ambush disrupted; two extremists killed

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces killed two and injured two rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi terrorists conducting an ambush on Iraqi and Coalition Forces operating in Al Kut July 14. From an over-watch position, Iraqi and Coalition Forces observed several terrorists emplace a command-detonated improvised explosive device near the planned ambush site. Minutes later, another terrorist shot a rocket-propelled grenade at an Iraqi Security checkpoint to drive security forces toward the ambush site.  The operative, who fired the RPG, then used a woman and child as a shield to escape into a nearby house. Several other rogue JAM operatives then drove down the road and emplaced another device on the opposite side of the checkpoint. The device was believed to have contained an explosively formed penetrator, more commonly called EFP. Iraqi and Coalition Forces killed two terrorists, injured two others and destroyed both IEDs in the process. The ambush was successfully circumvented with no death or injury to the teams.

 

MND-C begins new offensive operations

BAGHDAD — Task Force Marne began an offensive today in southern Baghdad to drive out extremists. Marne Avalanche is an offensive operation aimed at stopping southern Baghdad from being used as a safe haven and preventing the movement of weapons, munitions and insurgents into Baghdad. The operation’s intent is to improve security conditions in southern Baghdad and reduce the influence of insurgents in the area. Marne Avalanche will build on the successes of Task Force Marne’s offensive operation, Marne Torch, which began June 1 and is ongoing. To date, Operation Marne Torch resulted in 1,152 structures cleared, 83 insurgents killed, 278 insurgents detained, 51 caches found, 51 boats destroyed and 872 citizens entered in a biometric identification system.

 

Car-bomb factory discovered, destroyed in Qanat Banat Al Hasan

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device factory was discovered and destroyed by Coalition Forces in a rural area west of Saab al bor, Iraq July 14. While conducting a reconnaissance mission in the Qanat Banat Al Hasan area, west of Saab al bor, troopers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment discovered a large car bomb factory containing 2,000 lbs. of ammonium nitrate, 1,000 lbs. of nitric acid, 10 large shape charges and two trucks already rigged for detonation. After cordoning off the area, the Soldiers destroyed the factory using artillery fire. There were no injuries in the destruction of the site.  An investigation has been launched to determine who was using the facility.

 

Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces detain insurgent leader and two accessories

BAGHDAD – Members of the Iraqi Army, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained three suspected insurgents linked to a rogue group of the Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) militia, during a series of operations July 15 in north Baghdad. One team received small arms fire but safely detained the primary and secondary suspects at the location without injury. The third suspect was detained at a separate target location. The primary suspect is believed to be a rogue JAM battalion commander and is suspected of organizing kidnappings and leading death squad killings of Sunni Muslim Iraqi citizens. Intelligence suggests he has been involved in more than half of the detonated improvised explosive devices in two of the northern districts of Baghdad. The second suspect is an alleged rogue JAM cell commander in northern Baghdad under the primary suspect’s control.  The second suspect’s cell is accused of conducting death squad killings of Iraqi civilians and using IED attacks against Coalition Forces. The third suspect has also been implicated in death squad killings of Iraqi civilians as well as operations using IEDs under the leadership of the primary suspect. A fourth additional suspect who was present during the operations was also detained.

 

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces detain insurgent linked to Iranian IEDs

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi Army platoon with Coalition Forces as advisers detained a key suspected insurgent during an early morning raid, July 15 in Najaf. Iraqi Soldiers detained their primary suspect without incident, while two other suspicious individuals present during the raid were also detained. The primary suspect is believed to facilitate Iranian support for the rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia, a well-known insurgent group in Iraq.  He allegedly provides rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi with improvised explosive devices and Iranian-made explosively-formed projectiles which have been used to attack Coalition Forces.  Additionally, he is suspected of assisting rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi with cross-border training of their insurgent members and providing rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi with financial support, weapons, and equipment.  The primary suspect is accused of exploiting charity organizations for insurgent recruiting purposes.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Task Force Marne, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, Iran, IED's

Israel To Release 250 Terrorists

They must think there isn't enough people that want to kill them.

Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners later this week — nearly all of them from the Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a spokesman for the Israeli prime minister said Monday. The prisoner release, intended to bolster Abbas in his struggle against the Islamic militant Hamas, will take place on Friday, said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman. He said 85 percent of the prisoners would come from Abbas' Fatah faction, with the remainder coming from smaller Palestinian parties. None will come from Hamas, he said. The spokesman, Jacob Galanti, made the announcement after a two-hour meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders at Olmert's official residence in Jerusalem. He said the prisoners have been involved in violence against Israel, but none "has blood on their hands," an Israeli reference to direct involvement in deadly attacks. He said the release would take place at spots throughout the West Bank and the names of the prisoners would be published on Tuesday.

...and now for the real laugher:

The prisoners will have to sign a document renouncing violence or face the possibility of even tougher sentences in the future, Galanti added.

Having terrorists renounce violence is like having a liberal renounce government handouts. They just can't do it, it's their identity. 

Good News From The War On Terror 7/15

Setback for al-Qaida operatives in Diyala

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces, using tips from local citizens, targeted al-Qaida operatives outside Diyala’s provincial capital July 11, in a continued effort to deny any safe-haven to the terrorist group. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, and 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted Operation Ithaca, targeting al-Qaida operatives near the villages of Haimer, Abu Nasim, and Jamil, Iraq, resulting in 29 al-Qaida gunmen killed, 23 detained, eight hostages released, two weapons caches discovered and a safe house destroyed. 25th Combat Aviation Brigade helicopters kicked off the operation early Thursday morning with Soldiers from Company B, 5-73 Cav. conducting an air assault into the objective areas. Throughout the operation, Soldiers identified numerous gunmen moving along the palm groves and water canals attempting to escape.   An al-Qaida safe house was also identified with gunmen moving in and out of the building.  25th CAB attack helicopters engaged and killed the gunmen fleeing the area along canals and palm groves, and helped destroy the safe house with Hellfire missiles. The caches consisted of small-arms munitions, mortars, improvised explosive device making material and other enemy propaganda. While patrolling the Abu Tauma village, eight hostages, who previously suffered severe beatings and lashings, were freed and transferred to a Coalition medical facility for treatment.

 

Coalition Forces detain 13 suspected al-Qaeda operatives

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 13 suspected terrorists during operations around Iraq Saturday and Sunday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and suppliers. Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid Saturday near Samarra and captured an alleged foreign terrorist facilitator and logistician suspected of supplying al-Qaeda cells with operatives and suicide bombers.  After Coalition Forces cornered the targeted individual and two of his associates, the three men fled into a nearby house.  Coalition Forces yelled for the house’s occupants to come out, and several women and children exited the building.  The ground forces moved the civilians away from danger and entered the house, where they detained the three suspected terrorists. Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists during a Sunday morning operation southwest of Baghdad.  One of the men has alleged close ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the Southern Belts, and is believed to be involved in kidnappings, attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces, and attacks against civilians. Coalition Forces captured two targeted individuals southwest of Baghdad Sunday.  The men, who are brothers, are suspected of involvement with a weapons dealer and foreign terrorist facilitator who supplies al-Qaeda in Iraq with weapons and operatives. North of Baghdad, Coalition Forces targeted a suspected terrorist involved in planning chlorine vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks.  The ground forces detained six individuals on the scene for their alleged connections to the bomber.

 

Operation Eagle Ares brings 46 into custody

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers nabbed 46 men suspected of involvement with al Qaeda affiliated terror networks July 12 under the cover of darkness, east of Lutifiyah, Iraq. Troops of the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., air assaulted in the area, and then began searching reeds along canals for weapons caches. The combined air assault detained 29 men on the Iraqi army’s list of persons of interest, and 14 others who were identified by sources as terrorists. Three other men detained were taken for questioning on suspicion of terrorist activity. The detainees were taken to FOB Mahmudiyah for questioning.

 

 

Technorati tags: Baqouba, Baghdad, FOB Mahmudiya, Eagle Ares, Iraq, War on Terror, Military, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Coalition, Terrorists, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Middle East

New Robot Hunter-Killer Planes Put Into Service

I hope these are ultimately destined for Iran.

The airplane is the size of a jet fighter, powered by a turboprop engine, able to fly at 300 mph and reach 50,000 feet. It's outfitted with infrared, laser and radar targeting, and with a ton and a half of guided bombs and missiles. The Reaper is loaded, but there's no one on board. Its pilot, as it bombs targets in Iraq, will sit at a video console 7,000 miles away in Nevada. The arrival of these outsized U.S. "hunter-killer" drones, in aviation history's first robot attack squadron, will be a watershed moment even in an Iraq that has seen too many innovative ways to hunt and kill.

The MQ-9 Reaper, when compared with the 1995-vintage Predator, represents a major evolution of the unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV. At five tons gross weight, the Reaper is four times heavier than the Predator. Its size — 36 feet long, with a 66-foot wingspan — is comparable to the profile of the Air Force's workhorse A-10 attack plane. It can fly twice as fast and twice as high as the Predator. Most significantly, it carries many more weapons. While the Predator is armed with two Hellfire missiles, the Reaper can carry 14 of the air-to-ground weapons — or four Hellfires and two 500-pound bombs.

 

 

Technorati tags: Reaper, Air Force, Military, UAV

U.S. To Bomb Iran?

Here's to wishful thinking.

The White House claims that Iran, whose influence in the Middle East has increased significantly over the last six years, is intent on building a nuclear weapon and is arming insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. The vice-president, Dick Cheney, has long favoured upping the threat of military action against Iran. He is being resisted by the secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, and the defence secretary, Robert Gates. Last year Mr Bush came down in favour of Ms Rice, who along with Britain, France and Germany has been putting a diplomatic squeeze on Iran. But at a meeting of the White House, Pentagon and state department last month, Mr Cheney expressed frustration at the lack of progress and Mr Bush sided with him. "The balance has tilted. There is cause for concern," the source said this week. Nick Burns, the undersecretary of state responsible for Iran and a career diplomat who is one of the main advocates of negotiation, told the meeting it was likely that diplomatic manoeuvring would still be continuing in January 2009. That assessment went down badly with Mr Cheney and Mr Bush. "Cheney has limited capital left, but if he wanted to use all his capital on this one issue, he could still have an impact," said Patrick Cronin, the director of studies at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The Washington source said Mr Bush and Mr Cheney did not trust any potential successors in the White House, Republican or Democratic, to deal with Iran decisively. They are also reluctant for Israel to carry out any strikes because the US would get the blame in the region anyway.

 

 

Technorati tags: United States, Iran, War on Terror, Middle East

Iranian Rockets In Iraq Pointed At U.S. Base

They keep saying they're not supplying weapons. Yet we keep finding Iranian weapons in Iraq.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq — After several rockets hit FOB Hammer on July 11, the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team maneuvered to find the source of the attack. Early on July 12, the 3rd HBCT’s unmanned aerial vehicle located 46 rocket launchers in the northern section of Besmaya Range Complex aimed at FOB Hammer. Thirty-four of the launchers were armed with Iranian 107mm rockets. The Besmaya Range Complex is adjacent to the Coalition Force base. Soldiers of the 789th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, currently attached to the 3rd HBCT, immediately responded to the site. According to Capt. Justin Gerken, from Red Wing, Minn., commander of the 789th EOD team, 12 of the 46 rockets had already been used to attack FOB Hammer the day prior.  EOD Soldiers were able to determine that the rockets originated from Iran after analyzing the unexploded ordnance. The 789th EOD team was successful in neutralizing the remaining rockets.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iran, Iranian Weapons, Iraq, War on Terror, Iranian Rockets, U.S. Base, FOB Hammer, Terrorists, Military

Good News From The War On Terror 7/14

Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces kill insurgent cell commander in Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces killed a rogue Jaysh Al-Mahdi Special Group cell commander July 11 during an intelligence driven operation in eastern Baghdad. Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces entered the residence to detain Said Jaffer for questioning. When the insurgent commander brandished a pistol, the team verbally instructed him in Arabic to drop his weapon. However, Jaffer refused to comply and the team engaged the insurgent with well-aimed and proportional fire. The high-level rogue JAM leader has a history of terrorizing the New Baghdad area by extorting money, kidnapping and carrying out extra-judicial killings on innocent citizens, who resisted his criminal influence in their neighborhoods. As a commander of more than 120 fighters, his cell is responsible for engaging military and police forces with small arms fire and emplacing explosively formed projectiles along travel routes. The lethal roadside device has been the cause of many Iraqi and Coalition deaths. Intelligence shows a clear link to his group partnering with outside Persian extremists, whose goal is to destroy the legitimate government of Iraq and create instability in the region.

 

Air strike kills five insurgents; Raid nets four al-Qaeda insurgents

BAGHDAD – A Coalition Forces air strike killed five insurgents who were observed planting an improvised explosive device along a heavily traveled route in Diwaniyah, July 12. During routine aerial reconnaissance in the Diwaniyah area, Coalition Forces spotted the five individuals emplacing an IED on a route used regularly by Iraqi Security Forces as well as civilian drivers. With the area cleared of civilians, the Coalition Forces conducted the aerial strike with well aimed and proportional force, killing the targeted subjects. Iraqi Security Forces confirmed that the five insurgents died as a result of the blast. In a separate operation, Iraqi Security Forces conducted an early morning raid in Tal Afar detaining three al-Qaeda cell leaders, July 12. With Coalition Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Security Forces raided a residence in the Sh’War village of northwest Iraq and detained their primary suspects without incident. One other suspicious individual present during the raid was also detained. The primary targets of this operation are alleged to be responsible for establishing a safe haven for other al-Qaeda members in Tal Afar as well as conducting attacks against Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces and local Iraqi people.

 

Arrowhead Ripper update: Baqouba residents return to work

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Baqouba residents are returning to work and coalition and Iraqi ground forces continue to make significant seizures twenty-four days into Operation Arrowhead Ripper. More than 100 workers and 50 security guards returned to work July 11 at Diyala Electrical Industry because of increased security. DEI repairs and manufactures a wide variety of products essential for power distribution and is Baqouba’s largest company, capable of employing nearly 3,000 people. The company has already repaired a generator for the local government to install and use. The Iraqi army is providing combat power throughout Baqouba as Arrowhead Ripper continues. More than 700 soldiers, mostly from 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division are working alongside units from the 1-12th Combined Arms Battalion and 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. During the last 48 hours, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment seized a large weapons cache containing more than 20 60mm mortars, four rocket propelled grenades and launcher materials. The 1-12 CAB units have located and destroyed two al-Qaeda in Iraq field hospitals, a torture room, a headquarters facility, and multiple IED’s. Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, 60 al-Qaida operatives have been confirmed killed and 224 have been detained. Coalition and Iraqi forces have also eliminated 133 improvised explosive devices and destroyed 24 booby-trapped structures.

 

Six terrorists killed after endangering women and children, engaging Coalition Forces

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces called in an air strike against a group of armed terrorists during a raid in Diyala province Saturday, killing at least six of the armed men. Coalition Forces conducted an operation south of Baqubah targeting a weapons dealer linked to the foreign terrorist network in Samarra.  When they reached the target location, they called out to the occupants of the building and were immediately engaged with small arms fire that escalated to include heavy machine gun fire. During the engagement, armed terrorists gathered on the roof of one building and brought several women and children to their fighting positions as human shields.  Coalition Forces took extensive precautions to preserve the safety of the women and children.  When the terrorists finally released the civilians, Coalition Forces escorted them to a safe area away from the fighting. Ground forces continued to take heavy fire.  Reacting appropriately in self-defense against the enemy force, Coalition Forces called in close air support to eliminate the hostile threat.  The air strike is believed to have killed at least six armed men at the target location, but Coalition Forces continued to take enemy fire as they left the area.

 

Al-Qaeda cell leader, 17 suspected bombers captured

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 18 suspected terrorists during operations in central and northern Iraq Saturday targeting bombing networks and terrorist cell leaders. One suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader surrendered to Coalition Forces during a raid in Mosul.  The individual is the alleged security emir of Mosul, operating terrorist cells in the area and maintaining connections to other high-level al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. Coalition Forces captured a suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cell leader southeast of Baghdad.  During the raid, the ground forces also detained eight suspected terrorists tied to the bombing cell. During a raid southwest of the capital city, Coalition Forces captured an alleged IED operative and two individuals suspected of emplacing IEDs for him. A Coalition Forces raid northwest of Baghdad netted five suspected terrorists who are allegedly tied to a chlorine VBIED facilitator in Anbar province.

 

Paratroopers capture IED cell leader

KALSU, Iraq — The ring leader of a cell responsible for conducting improvised explosive device attacks on the people and security forces of North Babil was captured by paratroopers south of Mahmudiyah, July 11. The Paratroopers of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 509th Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted a raid named Operation Leyte Gulf and captured the cell leader and four of his lieutenants. “Capturing high value targets does a couple of things for us. It limits the threat to Coalition Forces,” said 2nd Lt. Jason Franklin, a native of Catoosa, Okla., and platoon leader with Company C. “It’s also a great morale booster for the guys. … We’re fighting a war where we fight a faceless enemy, so it’s good when you have a recognizable target and take him down.” The paratroopers also confiscated an AK47 automatic rifle with five magazines of ammunition, four hunting knives, and a set of binoculars.

 

Troops uncover cache, capture 13 suspects

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad uncovered a weapons cache and captured 13 suspected insurgents during raids in eastern Baghdad July 13. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, based out of Fort Riley, Kan., detained five suspects and recovered two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, three grenades and one improvised explosive device in an operation in the New Baghdad District of the Iraqi capital. In a separate raid, Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, a Fort Carson, Colo.-based unit detained eight suspected insurgents in the Zafarniya District. They also recovered circuit boards, wires, timers, soldering tools and nine million Iraqi dinar during the raid.

 

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, Middle East

'New' Old Bin Laden Video Released

It's a new tape with old footage. There's a reason Bin Laden hasn't been shown on video for the past year or so, it's because he's dead or severely disabled.

A new al-Qaida videotape posted Sunday on a militant Web site featured a short, undated clip of a weary-looking Osama bin Laden praising martyrdom. The bin Laden clip, which lasted less than a minute, was part of a 40-minute video featuring purported al-Qaida fighters in Afghanistan paying tribute to fellow militants who have been killed in the country. Bin Laden glorified those who die in the name of jihad, or holy war, saying even the Prophet Muhammad "had been wishing to be a martyr." "The happy (man) is the one that God has chosen him to be a martyr," added bin Laden, who was shown outdoors wearing army fatigues and looking tired. The authenticity of the video could not be verified, but it appeared on a Web site commonly used by Islamic militants and carried the logo of as-Sahab, al-Qaida's media production wing. It was not immediately clear when the video of bin Laden was filmed. Bin Laden was last heard from in a July 1, 2006 audio tape in which he voiced support for the new leader of al-Qaida in Iraq and warned nations not to send troops to fight a hardline Islamic regime that had recently seized power in Somalia. Sunday's video, dedicated to Muslims who have left their homes to fight jihad, included a series of animated scenes showing green fields overlaid with Arabic names written in gold, representing Arab fighters who had died in Afghanistan.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Terrorists, Bin Laden, Islam