Afghanistan's insurgent Taliban movement said Wednesday it was not responsible for the kidnapping two days ago of an Indian and Nepalese national, as police continued to search for the men. Police had suggested Tuesday that the militant group may have been involved in the abduction of the two men in the western province of Herat late Monday. But Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi said his organisation was not involved. "We cannot take responsibility for the kidnapping of the two foreigners," he told AFP. "We have asked all our allies but they reject this."
Security officials said the Afghan driver of the two men had said they were abducted by armed militants while travelling to the remote Adraskan district, which borders Iran. The driver, who is being questioned, said he had been freed but the other men were taken off, the officials said. Police had gone to the district to search for the missing men, said the police spokesman for western Afghanistan, Abdul Rauf Ahmadi. The Indian man, said to be providing logistics for Afghan security forces, had worked in Afghanistan for five years, an Afghan government official said.
This article starring:
Abdul Rauf Ahmadi
YUSUF AHMEDI
Taliban
Posted by: Fred ||
04/25/2008 00:00 ||
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Pirates holding hostages on a Spanish trawler off the coast of Somalia are sailing deeper into the Indian Ocean after local residents threatened them, local witnesses said Thursday. The pirates took supplies from the port town of Haradere and sailed off headed for the deep ocean about 100 miles from the coastal area of Gaan, said an elder who asked not to be named. "Maybe they got rumors that Islamic fighters in the region were preparing to attack," the elder added.
Or maybe they thought the French were coming ...
"We did not see the boat when we went for fishing today, I think they (pirates) moved to another place after getting threats from locals," Abduqadir Ahmed, a local fisherman, told AFP by phone from Haradere. He added that the pirates took supplies -- food and medecine -- on Wednesday night, an indication that they were planning to move.
The 76-metre-long (250-foot-long) Playa de Bakio with its crew of 13 Spaniards and 13 Africans was seized while fishing for tuna in the waters off Somalia on Sunday by pirates armed with grenade launchers.
The pirates are believed to be seeking a ransom although the Spanish government said Wednesday they had not yet made any formal demands for the release of the crew. Spain's ambassador to Kenya, Nicolas Martin Cinto, first held talks over the hijacking with Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein on Wednesday in the Somali capital Mogadishu.
A Spanish frigate, the Mendez Nunez, is heading in the Indian Ocean towards the area where the trawler was hijacked, the government statement said. Spain's defence ministry has also dispatched a reconnaissance plane from Madrid to Djibouti, which neighbours Somalia.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/25/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
....Amazing how quickly a good object lesson makes its point.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
04/25/2008 11:42 Comments ||
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#2
Y'all miss the point, they sailed after townspeople objected to their "Taking" supplies, (Doesn't say paid for them, probably not.)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
04/25/2008 14:11 Comments ||
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#3
Keelhaul the pirates on a supercarrier. That will get the point across. An object lesson. Just don't foul the screws.
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Chefornak, AK ||
04/25/2008 21:39 Comments ||
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Five men suspected in the United Kingdom of “facilitating terrorism” won a High Court battle on Thursday against the freezing of their assets.
The decision comes as a blow to the government’s security laws and the United Nations’ sanctions system. The five suspects had challenged the financial sanctions imposed on them under two laws enacted by the UK government as “orders in council” to implement United Nations’ accords, a form of legislation that does not need parliament’s approval.
High Court judge Andrew Collins said the first order relied on suspicion - as opposed to proof - and the second gave people no chance to challenge a UN sanctions listing because they were not told what they were alleged to have done wrong. “I take the view that both the ... orders as they stand are not lawful,” he said. Under the UN resolutions, member states must freeze the assets of hundreds of people suspected by the UN to be al Qaeda and Taliban associates. But Thursday’s judgment challenged the manner in which Britain had implemented the measures. The government said it was disappointed and would appeal; pending which the would remain frozen.
Dilemma: When government lawyer Jonathan Crow said enforcing the orders could violate the UK’s duty under the UN Charter, the judge replied: “The government has only got itself to blame for that.”
The ruling comes as Prime Minister Gordon Brown who was forced to concede on Wednesday over the taxation of low-income earners.
He also faces a potential parliamentary revolt over plans to increase from 28 to 42 days the period for which arrested terrorist suspects can be held in custody before police either have to charge or release them.
This article starring:
government lawyer Jonathan Crow
judge Andrew Collins
Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Posted by: Fred ||
04/25/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
I find this article strangely unsatisfying
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/25/2008 9:55 Comments ||
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#2
I'll fix the bug...
Posted by: Fred ||
04/25/2008 10:14 Comments ||
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#3
;-)
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/25/2008 10:56 Comments ||
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Local militants on Thursday asked the NWFP government to announce an amnesty for militants in the Malakand Agency. Muslim Khan, a purported spokesman for local militants, told Daily Times over phone from an undisclosed location that the provincial government should implement Shariah law in the area to ensure lasting peace. He asked the government to withdraw all cases filed against militants in the agency and declare a general amnesty. Khan welcomed the release of Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad. He said militant commander Baitullah Mehsud was their ‘ameer’ and that they followed his directives. Malakand Range Police Deputy Inspector General Tanvirul Haq Sipra said they would involve people from all walks of life to bring durable peace to Swat, adding that police would soon arrest the assassins of Advocate Muhammad Hussain, who was killed some days ago.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/25/2008 00:00 ||
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Militants shot dead a man near Miranshah for “spying for the United States”, an official said on Thursday.
Locals found the bullet-riddled body of Birmal village resident Gul Zali Khan along with a note that read, “This man has met his fate because he was spying for the American and Afghan forces and giving them help”. The victim, who was in his 20s, was picked up at a bus stop last week just outside Miranshah, residents said, adding that he ran a grocery store in his native town.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/25/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
Wonder if they realize they got the wrong guy. we do have a spy in there (several actually), but it wasn't Gul Zali Khan... i don't want to give away too much, but our guys carry a Koran and have been on the inside of the taliban movement for years gaining their trust.
Posted by: Abu do you love ||
04/25/2008 11:23 Comments ||
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#2
Abu, you're right, he wasn't a US spy. US spies wear green turbans if they're working for the CIA, brown turbans if they're working with the US military, and black turbans if they're working for Homeland Security. Oh, and the guys wearing gray turbans work for Britain's MI-5. Some of the guys wearing white turbans work for the French, while others work for Russia's FSB. Anybody caught wearing a baseball cap is working for George Soros.
I hope that clears things up for the talibunnies. I really hate it when they do something stupid.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
04/25/2008 12:47 Comments ||
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#3
Sounds like somebody in Brimal wanted a grocery store to run. And paperwork is soooooooooo time consuming...
Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for an end to Iraqi bloodshed on Friday and said his threat of an "open war" applies only to U.S.-led foreign troops — stepping back from a full-blown confrontation with the government over a crackdown against his followers.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, meanwhile, took a hard line against al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia and other illegally armed groups, setting conditions for stopping military operations against them that included surrendering weapons.
Al-Sadr's new message, which was read during prayers and posted on his Web site, eased fears that the anti-U.S. cleric was planning to lift a nearly 8-month-old cease-fire, a move that would jeopardize recent security gains. "If we have threatened an open war until liberation, we meant a war against the occupier," the cleric said in the statement. Al-Sadr is believed to be in Iran.
Mahdi Army fighters have clashed daily with U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces since al-Maliki launched a crackdown against militias on March 25. Last week, al-Sadr issued what he called a "final warning" to the Shiite-led government to halt its offensive or face an "open war until liberation."
But Friday's sermon appeared to be an attempt to ease the showdown. Al-Sadr called on his followers to adhere to the cease-fire order and urged an end to the recent battles, which have left dozens of civilians dead or injured. "I call upon my brothers in the police, army and Mahdi Army to stop the bloodshed," al-Sadr said in the statement. "We should be one hand in achieving justice, security and in supporting the resistance in all of its forms."
He also appealed to Iraqi troops not to fight alongside the Americans, but did not directly call on his fighters to attack the Americans. "This is an open war between us and the occupier, so do not interfere in favor of the occupier," he added. Rest at link
Posted by: ed ||
04/25/2008 19:19 ||
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#1
2008 - 2012/13 >Iff Dubya = USA won't attack and invade IRAN as per OBL's APOCALYPTIC BELIEFS, IMO Osama + Radical Islam will use the time to empower BOTH A NUCLEAR IRAN + NUCLEAR ISLAMISM-TERROR via the procurement of Nuke-WMD Techs + Delivery Systems ASAP AMAP by any means necessary, presuming of course they don't have any already [e.g. SUITCASE NUKES? BIO? CHEM?]as per various NET-MSM sources [Russ, Euros, Israel].
AS LONG AS THE USA ONLY REMAINS "IN PLACE" IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, ETC, IMO THE ISLAMISTS WILL CONTENT THEMSELVES WID A DE FACTO NUCLEAR IRAN + NUCLEAR ISLAMISM-TERROR + NUCLEAR PAKI + NUCLEAR ISLAMIST-MUSLIM BLOC OF NATIONS, ETC. ESPEC VV CENTRAL ASIA WHERE IRAN IS ALREADY HEAVILY ENGAGING/COLLUDING IN VARI ECON PROJECTS WID RUSSIA-CHINA, INDIA, + OTHER MUSLIM NATIONS = FORMER SSRS.
IOW, for the time being, espec 2008-2010, OBL + Radical Islam broadly intend to use the US ME entrenchment agz itself, keeping the US-Allies preoccupied locally while TEMPORARILY redirecting their Jihad's strategic focii towards RUSS-CHIN + CENTRAL ASIA, aka "where the US-Allies/West is NOT". ONCE SUFFIC NUCLEARIZED = WMD-WEAPONIZED, THE JIHAD'S FOCII WILL TURN BACK AGAIN TOWARDS THE US-WEST.
NO US-IRAN WAR EVAAAR > Nuclearizing Iran has 2008-2012/13 to become a de facto ISLAMIST NUCLEAR WEAPONS STATE + TRANS-REGIONAL/LOCAL LEADER. SADR, etal. just has to keep/hold the US strategically "in place" + KEEP OUT OF IRAN + CENTRAL ASIA > US POLITICS + NON-US LOCAL-REGIONAL GEOPOLITICS WILL DO THE REST TO SAVE THE JIHAD.
After 2010-2012 > the US-ALLIES will have to deal wid the VERY REAL prospect of NUCLEAR-WMD TERROR, AS WELL AS COLD WAR-STYLE STRATEGIC NUCLEAR WARFARE VV ISLAMIST IRAN = BLOC OF NUC ISLAMIST STATES???
#2
SADR + RADICLA ISLAM > ITO, prob also believe that the USA and its VOLUNTEER ARMY, regardless of level of proficiencies, WILL NOT HAVE THE ASSETS OR NUMBERS TO CONVENTIONALLY PROTECT ISRAEL + ME MUSLIM ALLIES, AFRICAN ALLIES, EURO- andor ASIAN ALLIES from Islamist insurgencies.
*WOT > WAR FOR PRO-US versus ANTI-US OWG-NWO > the US won't be able to dominate said OWG-NWO wid RUSS-CHINA/SCO + ISLAMIST NUCLEAR CALIPHATE around, DITTO FOR RUSS-CHINA/SCO vv the USA-NATO/EU. THE JIHAD FAILS IFF RADICAL ISLAM FAILS TO PROVE ITS POTENCY VV OTHER MAJOR NON-MUSLIM WORLD POWERS.
Young women are daring to wear jeans, soldiers listen to pop music on their mobile phones and bands are performing at wedding parties again.
All across IraqÂ’s second city life is improving, a month after Iraqi troops began a surprise crackdown on the black-clad gangs who were allowed to flourish under the British military. The gunmenÂ’s reign had enforced a strict set of religious codes.
Yet after three years of being terrified of kidnap, rape and murder – a fate that befell scores of other women – Nadyia Ahmed, 22, is among those enjoying a sense of normality, happy for the first time to attend her science course at Basra University. “I now have the university life that I heard of at high school before the war and always dreamt about,” she told The Times. “It was a nightmare because of these militiamen. I only attended class three days a week but now I look forward to going every day.”
She also no longer has to wear a headscarf. Under the strict Islamic rules imposed by the militias, women had to cover their hair, could not wear jeans or bright clothes and were strictly forbidden from sitting next to male colleagues on pain of death. “All these men in black [who imposed the laws] just vanished from the university after this operation,” said Ms Ahmed. “Things have completely changed over the past week.”
In a sign of the good mood, celebratory gunfire erupted around Basra two nights ago and text messages were pinged from one mobile phone to another after an alleged senior militia leader was arrested.
Raids are continuing in a few remaining strongholds but the Iraqi commander in charge of the unprecedented operation is confident that his forces will soon achieve something that the British military could not – a city free from rogue gunmen.
British and US officials acknowledge tentatively that a turning point has been reached. Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the British Army, made an unannounced visit to Basra over the weekend.
Local people are daring to hope that the dark days of death squads and kidnap are over, displaying the sort of optimism that was last seen when British forces arrived in 2003 with the false promise of a better life free from Saddam Hussein.
Driving through Basra in a convoy with the Iraqi general leading the Charge of the Knights operation, The Times passed Iraqi security forces manning checkpoints and patrolling the roads. Not a hostile shot was fired as the convoy turned into what was until the weekend the most notorious neighbourhood in the city. Hayaniya, a teeming slum, was a bastion for al-Mahdi Army, the main militia.
For the first time in four years local residents have been emboldened to stand up to the militants and are turning in caches of weapons. Army checkpoints have been erected across Basra and traffic police are also out in force.
The security forces have also torn down many banners supporting al-Mahdi Army as well as portraits of its leader, Moqtada al-Sadr, though some still remain in militia strongholds.
The contrast could not be more stark with the last time The Times visited Basra in December, when intimidation was rife.
Many blame the British for allowing the militias to grow. “If they sent competent Iraqi troops to Basra in the early stages it would have limited the damage that happened in our city,” said Hameed Hashim, 39, who works for the South Oil Company.
Lieutenant-General Mohan al-Furaiji, Basra’s outgoing commander, said that his goal was “to turn Basra into a safe city without any armed groups” within two months. Local authorities would then have to improve the standard of living for the people of Basra, a city of 2.5 million, where raw sewage runs down the streets and the unemployment rate is as high as 80 per cent, despite countless projects funded by the British Government.
“The army has achieved security . . . but people can’t just live with peace. This is a miserable city by all measures,” said General Furaiji, speaking at the Basra Operations Centre on the bank of the Shatt al-Arab waterway. “We have given nothing to the people. Peace is vital but people can’t eat or drink peace,” he told The Times. Despite being an Iraqi-led operation, British and American soldiers are also embedded at the Shatt al-Arab Hotel, providing advice and expertise. Hundreds of British and American troops are on the ground alongside the Iraqis and coalition aircraft fly overhead.
Keen to demonstrate the new-found security, General Furaiji stopped his Humvee on the main street of largely boarded-up stores in Hayaniyah and ducked into a dilapidated coffee shop for a glass of Iraqi tea and a bread roll.
A cluster of young men ventured forward to speak to him, voicing concern about finding work rather than security fears. Ahmed Nassir Kassim, 23, said: “Before there were killings. Now it’s better. I would like the Government to look after the people and provide us with jobs.”
The neighbouring district of al-Qibla was similarly calm. Hussein Fadhil, a professional musician, runs a shop in the centre of the city that rents out musical instruments and has seven bands that he hires for weddings.
Musicians suffered greatly. Many were forced by the militia to abandon their trade or beaten up if they tried to perform. Weddings were affected, with couples being told not to play music. “Just two weeks ago if you passed a wedding party you would not be able to tell whether it was a wake or a wedding,” Mr Fadhil, 44, said. The tide has turned, however. Eleven band members who quit because of intimidation want their old jobs back and are receiving bookings for at least one party a day.
In a new sweep that began yesterday, seven Iraqi battalions entered a market area – one of three remaining militia bastions – where they found four large hauls of munitions. In the past month Iraqi troops have killed dozens of fighters, made 400 arrests and lost 12 soldiers. At the same time, it is thought that about 60 militia leaders have escaped across the border into Iran or are lying low outside Basra, working out their next move.
The British military expressed cautious optimism at the progress. Major Tom Holloway, a spokesman, said: “The Iraqi security forces have made a real difference; this is going to be a long operation by its nature. However, rule of law is returning to the streets.”
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC ||
04/25/2008 05:08 ||
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Which is why the good news is overwhelmed by the fact that all the bad news was all the Brisish Army's fault. ...optimism that was last seen when British forces arrived in 2003 with the false promise of a better life ...
Certainly couldn't be the fault of the hopeless locals, who are waiting for the Government to look after the people and provide us with jobs.
Maybe Steyn was right about God 'n' Guns, but those folks all had AK-47's, no? Or is that another Media Myth?
Posted by: Bobby ||
04/25/2008 6:17 Comments ||
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#2
“If they sent competent Iraqi troops to Basra in the early stages it would have limited the damage that happened in our city,” said Hameed Hashim
If frogs had wings, they'd be pigeons. There weren't any competent Iraqi troops in the early stages.
Posted by: Bobby ||
04/25/2008 6:20 Comments ||
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#3
“Before there were killings. Now it’s better. I would like the Government to look after the people and provide us with jobs.”
May not be many pigs in Iraq, but there are sure a lot of 'sheep'. My worry is that we are not any better off that, but haven't been tested.
#4
As Obama might say, the MSM has been in decline for years and thus has become bitter and as a result they cling to their religion of 'blame the West'.
#5
MS6713, under Saddam it was impossible to run your own business unless you had 'connections'.
Before we invaded in 2003, only 25% of Iraqis knew a time when Saddam was not in power.
So of COURSE these people want government help with jobs. But .... there's a pretty strong historical culture of entrepreneurism in that part of the world. I suspect that with a little time and some luck that will emerge in useful (as opposed to merely cynical) ways.
#8
"celebratory gunfire erupted around Basra two nights ago and text messages were pinged from one mobile phone to another after an alleged senior militia leader was arrested."
But I thought the militias were great patriotic heros who had fought "The Man" to a standstill. I'm so confused!
Could the people of Basra be sick of these thugs? Could the MSM be lying?
Al
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
04/25/2008 11:47 Comments ||
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#9
The Times of London, a Tory paper (murdoch owned, I think) which has generally suppported the Iraq war, NOT the New York Times.
Have you followed their Iraq coverage LH?
They have a two standard policy covering Iraq..
Their standard is usually critical as hell of the USA, its strategies and tactics and overall record in Iraq.
But in contrast the Times uses an uncritical standard for the Brits when examining the effects of the Brit's "Soft Policy" in Basra and Iraq in general.
#13
favoring Brits over Americans is not surprising in a Tory paper, and is really not relevant to this article which is about a success of the Iraqi Army, and the defeat of the Mahdi Army, not about Yanks vs Brits.
BASRA – As part of ongoing operations to secure the Hyyaniyah district in Basra, Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces searched the area of criminals and weapons caches April 19 and 20.
The ISF involved were Soldiers from 1st Division, 14th Division; the 26th Brigade attached to the 1st Division; a Battalion with the National Police from Baghdad; and elements from an Emergency Police Battalion.
“It went rather well considering the threat and many different organizations that were involved,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Robert Washington, military advisor for the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division. Additionally, the major said the Iraqi Army found a large weapons cache in a school during the search.
In the two days, they found substantial amounts of 60 mm mortars, 105 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, rocket-propelled grenade rounds, RPG tubes, artillery shells for use as improvised explosive devices, homemade grenades, heavy machine guns, various rockets, including a 220 mm rocket, large amounts of small-arms ammunition and various mortar tube sizes.
“We were told it was a stronghold,” Washington said. “Possible threats were IEDs, small-arms fire, snipers and a house-borne IED where they rig a house to blow up when searched,” he added.
“The Iraqi Army worked well. They met timelines and controlled their forces.
“They are continuing their efforts in humanitarian aid and intelligence gathering with the local populations,” Washington said.
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC ||
04/25/2008 04:33 ||
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#1
After the liberation of Iraq, the Bush government saw fit to conduct 2 major revisions of rules of engagement. Last month, Sen McCain told Letterman' viewers that he saw "mismanagement" in Iraq theater operations. I would forsee major changes, should the Senator be elected president. He deserves that opportunity.
You need to register with LiveLeak to see this. Cool vid of a few cool ex-SF contractors fending off a huge attack by Mahdi Army members (aka terrorists). One of the snipers refers to the action as a "turkey shoot". :-)
An attack by hundreds of Iraqi militia members on the U.S. governmentÂ’s headquarters in Najaf was repulsed not by the U.S. military, but by eight commandos from a private security firm, according to sources familiar with the incident.
Before U.S. reinforcements could arrive, the firm, Blackwater Security Consulting, sent in its own helicopters amid an intense firefight to resupply its commandos with ammunition and to ferry out a wounded Marine, the sources said.
The role of BlackwaterÂ’s commandos in the fighting in Najaf illuminates the gray zone between their formal role as bodyguards and the realities of operating in an active war zone. Thousands of armed private security contractors are operating in Iraq in a wide variety of missions and exchanging fire with Iraqis every day, according to informal after-action reports from several companies.
In that fighting, Shiite militia forces barraged the Blackwater commandos, four MPs and a Marine gunner with rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 fire for hours before U.S. Special Forces troops arrived. A sniper on a nearby roof apparently wounded three men. U.S. troops faced heavy fighting in several Iraqi cities that day.
The Blackwater commandos, most of whom are former Special Forces troops, are on contract to provide security for the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Najaf.
With their ammunition nearly gone, a wounded and badly bleeding Marine on the rooftop, and no reinforcement by the U.S. military in the immediate offing, the company sent in helicopters to drop ammunition and pick up the Marine.
Posted by: gorb ||
04/25/2008 02:47 ||
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#1
Now you see why Liberals (and various sects of Islamofascists) think Blackwater is 'evil.'
#2
Old news. Before the Pro-active rules came in 2006, the enemy could form in large groups. Not so much anymore. Except where Iraqi government troops cease combat.
Two Israeli security guards deployed at the Nitzanei Shalom industrial park at Nitzanei Oz located between Tulkarm and Netanya were murdered in a terror shooting at the site. A Palestinian gunman stood at the gate and fired at the two guards before fleeing The two were identified as Shimon Mizrahi, 53, of Bat Hefer and Eli Wasserman, 51, of Alfei Menashe.
Brigadier-General Noam Tibon, commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, who arrived at the site told reporters that "between 6 am and 7 am, Palestinian laborers entered the industrial zone and that the three security guards deployed at the site should have been guarding them. The terrorist opened fire from a gate hitting the guards before fleeing he said Tivon said the terrorist did not enter the industrial zone. An initial military investigation revealed that one of the dead guards forgot his weapon in the car and was standing at the terminal unarmed, while a third guard fled the area upon hearing the gunshots. The al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad's military wing, claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile security forces rounded up a number of Palestinians for questioning.
The industrial park is located on the seam line border between the West Bank and Israel, and is one of a number of complexes designed to promote trade between Israel and the Palestinians and boost the Palestinian economy. The industrial park was built in 1995 and provides jobs for many West Bank Palestinians.
#1
Stampede to take credit. Gotta impress the chicks for the weekend...
Bethlehem - Tulkarem – Ma'an report - Five Palestinian resistance factions have claimed responsibility for shooting dead two Israeli security guards in the Tulkarem industrial zone on Friday. Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades say they carried out the attack in co-ordination with the relatively unknown Al-Awda wa Nidal Brigades and the Ahrar Al-Muthalith Brigades, who are based inside Israel.
A spokesperson telephoned Ma'an and said that three of their members targeted Israeli the security guards, using only one gun. They then escaped. "The operation was two weeks in the planning and so the brigades rejected the ceasefire talks with Israel by Hamas and other factions," the spokesperson said.
The military wing of Islamic Jihad, the Al-Quds brigades and the Al-Qassam Brigades the military wing of Hamas, also claimed responsibility for the operation in Tulkarem.
They sent a joint statement to Ma'an giving details of the operation - "At 5.15 am at dawn on Friday one of the resistance fighters was able to reach get into the location disguised as a woman.
They like dressing up like women. Makes them feel...pretty.
He went from near Tulkarem to the region of Nitzanei Shalom, which is the industrial zone located between the territory of Tulkarem and the lands of 1948. He then changed into a worker's uniform and went to the area at 7.17 am at the same time as Palestinian workers enter the factories. The Palestinian youth that shot the guards was slightly injured but managed to escape safely."
He shoot himself in the foot?
The two Israeli guards were shot dead in the Nitzanei Shalom industrial zone near the West Bank city of Tulkarem on Friday morning. According to an Israeli army radio report, the Palestinian killed the guards and escaped. Ambulances and large numbers of Israeli troops then rushed to the scene.
The victims were named as 53-year-old Shimon Mizrahi, from Beit Hefer, and 50-year-old Eli Wasserman, from Alfei Menashe.
Israeli sources added police believe the attacker had managed to get into the heavily guarded industrial zone to carry out the shooting as the guards were shot at close range.
Ma'an's correspondent said the Israeli army is carried out a large-scale military operation in the west of the city, near the area where the two Israelis were shot dead. Troops conducted house to house searches and installed military checkpoints in the streets.
Palestinian rocket fire struck Israel Friday, heavily damaging the Ashkelon cemetery, local Israeli officials said. Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad's military wing, claimed responsibility for the rocket attack and for a shooting in an industrial zone in the Sharon region in which two Israeli guards were killed.
Four rockets were fired at Ashkelon, one striking the city's southern cemetery, damaging dozens of graves. The barrage came before employees reported to work, Ynetnews said.
There ain't nobody easier to kill than dead people...
Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzri called on the Israeli government to resign over the attack. "While the prime minister and the ministers are celebrating, vacationing and having fun, the south's residents are worried," he told Ynetnews, "and some of them even entered the bomb shelters this morning."
#5
Errant rocket, fired on the move no doubt, to avoid a Hellfire strike! Could have just as easily found an innocent snow cone stand! This is not good...for it means that Hamas are indiscriminately firing to hit anything in a predesignated circle; a psych ops maneuver.
#6
There ain't nobody easier to kill than dead people...
However, in Illville, the land of B.O. and Hill, the dead are temporarily resurrected every election just so they can vote Dem! It's a miracle, I tell ya!
Six persons were gunned down in an armed assault in Pattani on Thursday, while two soldiers were wounded in a separate bombing attack in Narathiwat.
At least four assailants opened fire on a pick-up truck carrying six construction workers to a school worksite in Pattani's Yarang district. The driver and five workers were killed while one worker was hospitalised with serious wounds. Yesterday's post had five killed rather than six.
In Narathiwat, a dummy bomb was discovered on a railway track in Cho Ai Rong district. When eight soldiers were inspecting the suspicious material on the rails, another hidden bomb was activated by a mobile phone. Two soldiers were wounded and rushed to hospital.
Just breaking
A vessel contracted by the Navy in the Persian Gulf fired warning shots Thursday on two Iranian fast boats, FOX News has learned.
The Westward Venture, a ship contracted by the Navy to carry military cargo to Kuwait, fired upon the boats Thursday after attempts to get Iranian boats' attention failed.
The ship was about 50 miles off the coast of Iran when the fast boats approached. A Navy security team, armed with M16 rifles and .50-caliber machine guns, was onboard at the time the warning shots were fired. The Westward Venture blew its whistle and fired flares before using the machine guns to fire the warning shots.
Posted by: Sherry ||
04/25/2008 10:41 ||
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#1
....Which only means $3.75 a gallon by Monday.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
04/25/2008 11:33 Comments ||
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#2
Need to have SEALs on overwatch. Just make the little f**kers disappear without a trace - and without a video of it.
#6
A Navy security team, armed with M16 rifles and .50-caliber machine guns, was onboard at the time the warning shots were fired. The Westward Venture blew its whistle and fired flares before using the machine guns to fire the warning shots.
OK USN vets - should they have something that can reach out and touch a little farther away? Shouldn't we be a little more stand-offish in our choice of repellants? Perhaps not over the horizon, but at least wire or laser guided?
#8
Harcourt...I can tell you for sure there are USCG cutters, DDG's, and SSNs in the general vicinity. In addition, there is a CSG in the Gulf with CAP. The MSC ships are not operating independently.
I believe we are trying to be very careful in not responding in kind to provocation. We do not want an escalation on their terms. If we escalate it will be on our terms.
#11
Well all of this seems like it's a replay of history...
Remember the "Gulf of Tonkin Incident"...
Don't get me wrong... I'm not suggesting that they don't deserve it... or that there is anything we can do to avoid a confrontation... just saying that the last couple of months have reminded me of the build up before the Gulf of Tonkin incident that started Vietnam.
We have aggresive behaviors... and at any moment it wouldn't suprise me to see news that some little speedy boat takes a shot at one of our ships... and maybe that is where the similarities end... guess I have just been reading too much history lately...
#12
The media and left would just love another "Gulf of Tonkin Incident". It'll help them prepare for any future actions in Iran as 'another Vietnam'....
#13
#1, Yup Mike Fox Business News is already reporting: SAN FRANCISCO -- Crude-oil futures jumped more than $3 in mid-morning trading Friday after news reports that U.S. military force fired at an Iranian boat.
#14
Being a civilian ship under navy contract and the fact that it is a RO/RO, there wouldn't be a lot of amament; but the small arms contignet is not untypical. a little bit of preemptive boarder repellent, you might say. and this figures into the typical mussie mo: pick on small weak unarmed children rather than the big dog. then run away.
too bad the warning shots weren't below the waterline.
#18
Non-Military can shoot at Iranians? Where can I get a contract to sign? I will borrow my brothers Louisiana Shrimp boat. Anyone know how to drive a shrimp boat?
#19
One old Reagan-Bush1 era suggestion was to install USN equivalents of TOW or HELLFIRE for ship-based Point Defense, the thinking being iff USN Sailors and Marines can operate and fire STINGER, etc. AAM/ADS missles from aboard naval decks, by definition they can also operate = fire heavier "light" guided missle-rocket systems. SAVE THE SHIP'S HEAVIER WEAPONS SYS + AMMO FOR HEAVIER LR TARGETS.
#20
18 and 19 are kinda along the lines I'm thinking of in my request above. If they're w/in rifle range they're too close - but seagoing respect gives them a mile or two of clearance.
Still - 50 miles offshore is hardly infringing on persian littoral rights, so maybe shrimp boat pilot training is an up and coming field.
#21
OK USN vets - should they have something that can reach out and touch a little farther away? Shouldn't we be a little more stand-offish in our choice of repellants? Perhaps not over the horizon, but at least wire or laser guided?
Anything heavier than what the detachments have currently is going to require more permanent modifications to the ship they're riding. This will open up a gray area in maritime law.
Not saying it won't happen. It may be necessary in the future. But it will create all kinds of complications that presently aren't desired.
#27
Thanks Spook - just didn't now how far, but considering the ski boats which seem to make up the persian navy the stopping power should be sufficient.
#6
Like wxjames, I also think the photo pose could be on a ship or pier near a dock. The girls look like a production or chorus group, out on a 'break', with their 'numbers' perhaps indicating their ranks or lineup positions. In any event, number '32' (1st left) would suggest that 22 of her group are either just out of pan range or had their shot taken separately! Most are wearing ballerina shoes, with a few, provocative high heel boots for the time, No. '10' (2nd left) is even bra less. Number '32' perplexed me with 'boxer boots' however! I have no idea what the 'black bird' or blue bird' wraps signify; but the picture seems to date back into the 1920's, unless of course the production is from a later era about the 'Roaring 20's'! One picture is worth a thousand words...they were right!
#7
Like wxjames, I also think the photo pose could be on a ship or pier near a dock. The girls look like a production or chorus group, out on a 'break', with their 'numbers' perhaps indicating their ranks or lineup positions. In any event, number '32' (1st left) would suggest that 22 of her group are either just out of pan range or had their shot taken separately! Most are wearing ballerina shoes, with a few, provocative high heel boots for the time, No. '10' (2nd left) is even bra less. Number '32' perplexed me with 'boxer boots' however! I have no idea what the 'black bird' or blue bird' wraps signify; but the picture seems to date back into the 1920's, unless of course the production is from a later era about the 'Roaring 20's'! One picture is worth a thousand words...they were right!
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/25/2008 17:46 Comments ||
Top||
#12
The caption, which was on the first piece of the picture posted, said: "Jewel Pathe's bathing beauty pirates capture Vitagraph ships for 'Captain Blood,' Balboa Beach, California, June 15th, 1924"
It was an inter-studio publicity stunt.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/25/2008 20:35 Comments ||
Top||
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Afghanistan's insurgent Taliban movement said Wednesday it was not responsible for the kidnapping two days ago of an Indian and Nepalese national, as police continued to search for the men. Police had suggested Tuesday that the militant group may have been involved in the abduction of the two men in the western province of Herat late Monday. But Taliban spokesman 
Young women are daring to wear jeans, soldiers listen to pop music on their mobile phones and bands are performing at wedding parties again. 
BASRA – As part of ongoing operations to secure the Hyyaniyah district in Basra, Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces searched the area of criminals and weapons caches April 19 and 20.
