Hi there, !
Today Mon 03/23/2009 Sun 03/22/2009 Sat 03/21/2009 Fri 03/20/2009 Thu 03/19/2009 Wed 03/18/2009 Tue 03/17/2009 Archives
Rantburg
531689 articles and 1855967 comments are archived on Rantburg.

Today: 77 articles and 319 comments as of 11:29.
Post a news link    Post your own article   
Area: WoT Background    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Jihad Unspun Proprietress Held for Ransom by Taliban
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 1: WoT Operations
6 00:00 JosephMendiola [] 
12 00:00 phil_b [] 
12 00:00 Pappy [] 
5 00:00 ed [] 
1 00:00 crosspatch [] 
8 00:00 Matt [1] 
9 00:00 Redneck Jim [1] 
1 00:00 Ebbang Uluque6305 [] 
0 [] 
0 [] 
0 [] 
1 00:00 Chuck Simmins [] 
1 00:00 JosephMendiola [] 
0 [] 
0 [] 
6 00:00 JosephMendiola [] 
0 [] 
4 00:00 Jiggs Jimble1579 [] 
Page 2: WoT Background
6 00:00 JosephMendiola [1]
4 00:00 Ebbang Uluque6305 []
5 00:00 Old Patriot []
4 00:00 tu3031 []
1 00:00 JosephMendiola []
6 00:00 Elmearong Big Foot1846 []
3 00:00 Frank G []
0 []
0 []
1 00:00 JosephMendiola []
1 00:00 Old Patriot []
0 []
0 []
2 00:00 M. Murcek []
4 00:00 Galactic Coordinator Omavising9607 [1]
7 00:00 trailing wife [1]
15 00:00 Pappy []
0 []
Page 3: Non-WoT
0 []
1 00:00 Besoeker []
1 00:00 tu3031 []
3 00:00 49 Pan []
2 00:00 DMFD []
8 00:00 Snolurt Grundy2675 []
5 00:00 Barbara Skolaut []
4 00:00 M. Murcek []
9 00:00 Old Patriot []
1 00:00 M. Murcek []
4 00:00 Pappy []
7 00:00 Alaska Paul []
22 00:00 Barbara Skolaut [1]
0 []
1 00:00 Icerigger []
0 []
4 00:00 Alaska Paul []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
0 []
8 00:00 DarthVader []
3 00:00 Alaska Paul []
Page 4: Opinion
1 00:00 JosephMendiola [1]
1 00:00 phil_b []
2 00:00 Frank G []
0 []
1 00:00 newc []
21 00:00 ex-lib []
1 00:00 g(r)omgoru []
8 00:00 Thealing Borgia122 []
2 00:00 Old Patriot []
Page 6: Politix
3 00:00 Frank G []
1 00:00 Lftbhndagn []
2 00:00 Besoeker []
16 00:00 Barbara Skolaut []
4 00:00 Barbara Skolaut []
12 00:00 Thusotle Jones1775 []
8 00:00 Richard of Oregon []
8 00:00 Hyper []
Good morning
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Happy Birthday:

Ned Buntline - died 1886 (64) "Dime Novels - Buntline Special" (Now - Stamford, New York)

Edgar Buchanan - died 1979 (76) "Uncle Joe, 'who is moving kinda slow'" (Now)

Ozzie Nelson - died 1975 (69) "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet " (Now)

Vera Lynn - 92 " The White Cliffs of Dover " (Now)

Hal Linden - 78 "Barney Miller" (Now)

Jerry Reed - died 2008 (71) "Smokey and the Bandit" (Now)

Spike Lee - 52 "Do the Right Thing" (Now)

Holly Hunter - 51 "The Piano with Harvey Keitel " (Now)

Kathy Ireland - 46 "Actress - Swimsuit Model" (Now)

This Day in History:
1815 - After escaping from Elba, Napoleon enters Paris with a regular army of 140,000 and a volunteer force of around 200,000, beginning his "Hundred Days" rule.
1916 - Albert Einstein publishes his general theory of relativity.
1922 - The USS Langley is commissioned as the first United States Navy aircraft carrier.
1942 - General Douglas MacArthur, makes his famous speech: "I came out of Bataan and I shall return".
1952 - The United States Senate ratifies a peace treaty with Japan.
1969 - John Lennon and Yoko ono were married.
2000 - Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, a former Black Panther once known as H. Rap Brown, is captured after murdering Georgia sheriff's deputy
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 03/20/2009 0:23 Comments || Top||


#3  More treasures from our Birthday Girl, Vera Lynn

When I Grow too Old to Dream



We'll Meet Again



There'll always be an England & Anthem

Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 03/20/2009 2:36 Comments || Top||

#4  Hat tip Devil Dog!
Posted by: Besoeker || 03/20/2009 7:57 Comments || Top||

#5  I would like to thank Fres and the other Bloggers for this site.
I am currently working in Colombia S.A. .This site helps a lot on keeping up with things going on.
Posted by: azdriller || 03/20/2009 22:17 Comments || Top||

#6  Sorry Fred Hit the wrong Key
Posted by: azdriller || 03/20/2009 22:18 Comments || Top||

#7  Test to determine why my comment is not posting.
Posted by: ed || 03/20/2009 22:22 Comments || Top||

#8  Welcome, azdriller. Chime in and join in the fray. ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 03/20/2009 22:35 Comments || Top||

#9  Yup welcome, you'll find our facts are constantly checked by the "People who were there" and 99.99% correct.

(Whatever sneaks through is usually beaten to death as soon as discussion finds it wrong)
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 03/20/2009 22:40 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
34 Gremlins Eat Dust in Two Days of Afghanistan Clashes
Afghan and international forces killed 34 militants terrorists in two days of clashes in Afghanistan, U.S. forces said Friday.

Thirty of the deaths occurred during a firefight that broke out Thursday when Afghan army and U.S.-coalition troops came under attack in southern Helmand province, the U.S. said in a statement.
Gremlins picked the wrong fight in that bar, no virgins for you!
The troops were patrolling in a militant-heavy area of Greshk district when they were attacked by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades, and returned fire, the U.S. said. The troops confirmed there were no civilians in the area before counter-attacking and calling in air support, the statement said.
MSM, "no civilians killed? Not a story".
The operation also destroyed a cache of bomb equipment, the U.S. said.

One Afghan soldier was injured during the operation, the statement said.

On Friday, Afghan and coalition forces killed three militants and captured one in eastern Logar province when fighting broke out during a raid targeting a bomb-making cell, a separate U.S. statement said.

Meanwhile, one militant was killed in a raid to disrupt a bomb-making network in the eastern border province of Kunar, the U.S. said.

The fighting follows the death Thursday of an Australian service member in southern Oruzgan province, NATO forces said. The bomb disposal expert died while trying to defuse a makeshift device. It was Australia's second death in the Central Asian country in a week.
Posted by: Icerigger || 03/20/2009 09:52 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  That virgin on the right is lagging behind the others. What self respecting jihadi is gonna want her?
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 03/20/2009 11:35 Comments || Top||

#2  Can the Taliban afford to lose another brigade sized element this summer the way they did two summers ago?

Yes they can!
Posted by: badanov || 03/20/2009 12:12 Comments || Top||

#3  The four finalists of the "Ton-a-month" club are cruel and unusual punishment, Fred. I may be a bit overweight, but that crowd makes me look like a beanpole.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 03/20/2009 12:51 Comments || Top||

#4  "Can the Taliban afford to lose another brigade sized element this summer the way they did two summers ago?"

There was an article a couple of days ago, saying that the truce surrender of the Paks to the Taliban would free up several thousand Pakibans to join the Afghan festivities.
Posted by: mercutio || 03/20/2009 13:58 Comments || Top||

#5  The difference from fighting Pakistan is that in Afghanistan the Taliban will see no victories and most will die there.
Posted by: ed || 03/20/2009 14:03 Comments || Top||


The Battle in the Cornfield
It is one of hundreds of small battles and skirmishes that American troops have fought and won during the War on Terror. Few receive any publicity. The heroes of these battles often receive little recognition. What they did is no less important though it is buried in the shadows of history and not ablaze in its spotlight.

Four American soldiers, in the span of six hours, were put to the test, of their training, their abilities and their courage. They met these challenges and overcame them. This, then, is the story of the Battle in the Cornfield.
Posted by: Chuck Simmins || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  For this particular Kiowa Warrior team it was 6 hours of flight time. During the battle CW3 Cotriss and CW2 Hodge engaged with 900 rounds of .50 cal machine gun ammo and approximately 20-30 rockets. CW2 Priester and CW2 Peterson engaged with more than 55 rockets. Probably 90% of the ordinance expended was with in danger close of local nationals or friendly soldiers. CW3 Cotriss CASEVAC 2 wounded and CW2 Priester CASEVAC 3 wounded soldiers.

Damn! These boys are good.
Posted by: Mike || 03/20/2009 8:16 Comments || Top||

#2  CW2 Brian Peterson leaps from his aircraft into the midst of a battle and while under intense fire organizes the rescue of five allied troops and all he is awarded is an Army Commendation Medal with V for valor. In another unit, or another country, this would be deserving of a Bronze Star with V or Silver Star.
Posted by: Anon4021 || 03/20/2009 10:28 Comments || Top||

#3  Think of the logistics, tactics, training, technology, personal commitment, weapons development, command process, communication controls and all the other attributes of our warrior classes performance that had to be assembled and integrated just to fight off a bunch of stone-age creatures in a freaking corn-field in Afghanistan. And we are up in arms over AIG and the bailouts.
Posted by: Jack is Back! || 03/20/2009 10:55 Comments || Top||

#4  When I was approached with this story, I could not believe that there was no pre-existing coverage. It was a small fight in a big war, but clearly illustrates the capabilities of our warfighters.

FYI, the Kiowa is underpowered and it takes some work to keep it in the air at that altitude with a full load.
Posted by: Chuck Simmins || 03/20/2009 11:16 Comments || Top||

#5  When I was approached with this story

See, New York Times? This is what a real journalist does, even if his degrees are accounting and EMT. Rantburg's own Chuck Simmons is respected enough that those who do want him to tell their story to the world! Someone needs to tip off Instapundit, so at least half of America learns what our guys are doing over there.
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/20/2009 12:45 Comments || Top||

#6  The Kiowa was initially proposed as a surveillance and intelligence-gathering aircraft. In its original configuration, it didn't have armor or weapons - those were added later. It's working into a role as a primary warcraft. While the aircraft itself has been significantly upgraded to do its new mission, the engines are still under-rated. As far as I know, there's no program in the works to upgrade existing Kiowas, but there's a new model in the works that is significantly more capable of an interdiction role.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 03/20/2009 13:17 Comments || Top||

#7  The life extension program was recently funded and I believe its called life support 2022. The aiecraft as OP said was initially designed for surveillance and targeting. It had small air to air missile added for defence, but it did not work well. Rockets and a gun replaced the missiles. the aircraft is troubling to fly due to underpower issues.

ARH was supposed to replace this aircraft. The contract was awarded to Bell and late last year when the program breached the Nunn/McCurdy line for cost over runs it was reviewed and cancelled. The KW will now have to continue to support the fight into the the next five to seven years, at best.

Right now the Army is struggling with how best to proceed. The arguement is currently between a single engine aircraft or a twin engine bird. This is all focused on the OGE hover at 6,000 feet 95 degrees and two hours thirty minutes fuel requirement. Currently there is not a light aircraft out there that can meet this requirement.
Posted by: 49 Pan || 03/20/2009 13:54 Comments || Top||

#8  Chuck, this if first-rate. Thank you. I second tw's comment #5, except to argue that you and the *spit* NYT shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence.
Posted by: Matt || 03/20/2009 14:56 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Several militants killed in Russian North Caucasus operation
(RIA Novosti) - Police in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria have killed several militants hiding in the basement of a house, law enforcement agencies said Thursday. "At about 6:30 a.m. Moscow time [03:30 GMT] on Thursday, law enforcement officers in Baksan cordoned several members of illegal armed units in a private house and proposed they surrender, but they opened fire on the officers with automatic weapons," police said.

Police officers were forced to return fire. "During the shootout, the militants holed themselves up in the building's basement, and police used grenades," a police source said, adding that all the militants were dead. Investigators are working to verify how many militants were involved and establish their identities. "Bomb disposal experts are presently working at the scene to prevent any explosions, as there is information that the militants had explosive devices on them," the source said. An investigation is underway.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Chechen Republic of Ichkeria

#1  ION RUSS TOPIX > RUSSIA IS THE WORLD'S NUMBER ONE CONSUMER OF HEROIN [Afghan Heroin = 90% of all Russ addicts]. HEROIN TRADE, espec from AFGHANISTAN is now deemed a NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT to Russia.

ALso from TOPIX > FRANCE: NO MORE EASTWARD EXPANSION OF NATO [Ukraine, Georgia] WITHOUT RUSSIAN/MOSCOW'S APPROVAL; + TURKEY HAS THREE PROBLEMS - CYPRUS, KURDS, AND ARMENIA.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 03/20/2009 23:53 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
When Kasab saw the remains of other terrorists
Graphic photos at link
Over the weeks Maria interrogated Kasab many times. After the first few sessions Maria started speaking to Kasab in Punjabi. (Since Maria's forefathers were from Punjab, he speaks the language very well). One afternoon, about a month after the incident, Maria summoned Kasab in his office.

'Do you want to meet your other colleagues now?' he asked.

'Yes I would like to see them,' Kasab replied.

Maria called a crime branch officer inside his office and told him, 'Please take him to the place where his others friends have been kept. After their meeting bring him back to my office.'

Kasab was driven in a police vehicle to JJ Hospital. As Kasab entered the building he realised it was a hospital. 'Are they all badly injured?' he asked an accompanying police officer. The officer looked at him and said, 'You can see for yourself.'
The faces of the terrorists were twisted, teeth jutting out, and the skin of the face was deathly pale or scalded and burnt.
Kasab was taken to the mortuary and the bodies of all the nine terrorists were slid out. Bodies of Javed and Shoaib were half charred. Nazeer's body was like a frozen mound of charcoal. Ismail's head had been severely damaged due to his bullet injury. Hafiz Arshad's face was almost completely burnt. Fahadullah had been shot through his eye. Nasir and Babar Imran's bodies were riddled with bullets. The faces of the terrorists were twisted, teeth jutting out, and the skin of the face was deathly pale or scalded and burnt. There was a sickening smell in the room. Kasab could not stay there for long. He told the officers he wanted to leave. He was driven back to Maria's office.

As Kasab entered the room Maria asked him, 'So, did you see the glow on their faces and smell the fragrance of roses emanating from their bodies as Hafiz Sayeed had told you?'

As Kasab entered the room Maria asked him, 'So, did you see the glow on their faces and smell the fragrance of roses emanating from their bodies as Hafiz Sayeed had told you?'
Kasab kept staring at the floor. Tears rolled down his face. Maria told a few constables to escort Kasab back into the crime branch lock-up.
Posted by: john frum || 03/20/2009 16:05 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Lashkar e-Taiba

#1  Perhaps a useful approach to use on violent criminals in general.
Posted by: Glenmore || 03/20/2009 16:39 Comments || Top||

#2  "they're your fellow Jihadis! Give 'em a hug!"
Posted by: Frank G || 03/20/2009 19:48 Comments || Top||

#3  All right then... three or four attempts at posting entire thing. Maybe just the link. My thoughts, from 2005 on this very subject.
Posted by: Sgt. Mom || 03/20/2009 21:20 Comments || Top||

#4  Pretty much how drivers' ed films of the 50's and 60's worked...
Posted by: M. Murcek || 03/20/2009 22:59 Comments || Top||

#5  ION FREEREPUBLIC > seems a YOUNG VLADIMIR PUTIN may had shook hands wid POTUS REAGAN.

D *** NG IT, SSSSSSHHHHHHH THATS NOT GUAM - W**T**F**H RESEARCHED THIS ARTICLE???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 03/20/2009 23:57 Comments || Top||

#6  [Shaking BETEL NUT/PUGUA..PUGUA Fist angrily].
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 03/20/2009 23:58 Comments || Top||


Jihad Unspun Islamist Blogress Held for Ransom by Taliban
A Canadian held hostage after she travelled to the lawless tribal belt of northern Pakistan says the Taliban will behead her by the end of the month if a ransom isn't paid.

In a new video provided to The Globe and Mail, Beverly Giesbrecht
Ms. Giesbrecht is also known as Khadija Abdul Qahar. She took this name shortly after Sept. 11, 2001 when she converted to Islam and began posting anti American, anti semitic and Islamist messages on Jihad Unspun
expresses fear for her life if her captors aren't paid.

"I have been advised and asked to make this video. We have very short time now and I am going to be killed, as you can see," she says, gesturing at the dagger on the wall behind her, pointed at her head.
Posted by: mhw || 03/20/2009 14:23 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Do they take Razbukniks?
Posted by: Anonymoose || 03/20/2009 14:41 Comments || Top||

#2  Good luck sellin' that, hon.
Posted by: mojo || 03/20/2009 14:54 Comments || Top||

#3  You've been with your Islamic brothers since November, hon. Not enjoying their hospitality?
Magic Eight Ball sez: Nobody cares...
Posted by: tu3031 || 03/20/2009 15:06 Comments || Top||

#4  some possibility she's just doing some fundraising for her homies.
Posted by: Unaling Sproing4197 || 03/20/2009 15:31 Comments || Top||

#5  some possibility she's just doing some fundraising for her homies.

Well, it's either that, or comedy that writes itself!
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 03/20/2009 15:42 Comments || Top||

#6  Philosopher and sociologist Theodor Adorno defined schadenfreude as “largely unanticipated delight in the suffering of another which is cognized as trivial and/or appropriate.
Posted by: Parabellum || 03/20/2009 15:44 Comments || Top||

#7  you can forget the "freunde" part there, Para
Posted by: Chuckles Flaing7952 || 03/20/2009 18:33 Comments || Top||

#8  Ummmm, Chuckles? It's schadenfreude, not freunde.

As in "pity/joy" instead of "pity/friend."

:-D

Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 03/20/2009 19:04 Comments || Top||

#9  I feel sorry for her if she's really alone and scared for her life. But that's tempered by who she is and what she's done.

Reality is a drag, isn't it Khadija ?
Posted by: Pappy || 03/20/2009 19:04 Comments || Top||

#10  Karma can be a Bitch. It's 7:30 EDT, do youo know where your Karma is?
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 03/20/2009 19:28 Comments || Top||

#11  I'll believe them when they show me her severed head. Then we'll talk ransom
Posted by: Frank G || 03/20/2009 19:50 Comments || Top||

#12  I'm reminded of a phony Gaza kidnap/ransom from a couple of years back.

My advice to Khadija is insist on a 50-50 split.
Posted by: phil_b || 03/20/2009 20:49 Comments || Top||


15 killed as army camp attacked in Landikotal
The security forces in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber Agency on Thursday clashed with the Taliban after they attacked an army camp using short-range missiles and mortars.

Fifteen people were reportedly killed in the missile attack.

The assailants targeted the military facility near the Landikotal bazaar from their hideouts in the mountains. One of the rockets missed the target and hit a warehouse close to the bazaar, killing 15 men.

The men used to work at the warehouse and had also been using it as a makeshift residence.

Daily Times learnt that six bodies had been recovered so far from the rubble, while authorities did not have the necessary equipment to retrieve the rest from the debris. Following the attack, the security forces retaliated hitting the attackers' positions in the nearby mountains.

A source said a madrassa adjacent to the army camp was also hit in the missile attack.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: TTP

#1  Fifteen civilian casualties caused by the Taliban? Where's the outrage?
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 03/20/2009 11:51 Comments || Top||


Terrorism bid foiled in Khyber
Bajaur Levies foiled a terrorism bid in Nazkai area of Salarzai tehsil of Khyber Agency and defused a remote-controlled bomb and several mortar shells on Thursday. Sources said the Taliban had planted explosives in Nazkai area near a road.Meanwhile, the Mamoond tribe handed over seven people wanted for allegedly cooperating with the Taliban to the political authorities in a jirga in the agency headquarters, Khar. The jirga demanded the government open roads and restore electricity to the area. Assistant Political Agent Muhammad Jamil told reporters that so far 40 wanted men had been handed over to the political authorities, adding that the political administration had also released 70 persons arrested during an operation.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: TTP


Security forces arrest 14 Taliban in Swat
Security forces arrested 14 Taliban at the Gammon checkpost in Khawazakhela tehsil of Swat district on Thursday, official sources told Daily Times. Armed Taliban came out on the roads in Alam Gunj and Dakorak areas to protest the arrest. However, the sources said the security forces released the Taliban soon after the arrest. Meanwhile, a moavin (assistant) qazi of Khawazakhela announced that the bazaars would remain closed during prayer timings and warned drug paddlers to stop their business or face punishment according to sharia. Separately, unidentified men abducted four people from Manglor area of Mingora city.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: TTP


Five alleged terrorists arrested in Lahore
The Lahore police on Thursday arrested five suspected terrorists from Shamnagar Chauburji area and seized a large quantity of weapons and explosives from their possession.

According to sources, the suspects were held from Shamnagar Chauburji area on the tip-off of Afghan nationals two days ago. Three suspects were identified as Qari Gul, Khasta Gul and Mehr Dad while identities of two others were yet to be known.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: TTP


Five aides of Baitullah Mehsud arrested in Lahore
Intelligence agencies on Thursday arrested five aides of Baitullah Mehsud and seized detonators and explosive material from their possession. Sources in the agencies said the suspects were identified as Sasta Gul, Sher Ali Gul and Mahar Zad Gul Khan while the other two could not be identified. They said they had been arrested from Sham Nagar in the Lytton Road police precincts. Sources said information gleaned from two other terrorists led to their arrest. The suspects were shifted to an unknown place for further investigation. During the preliminary interrogation, the men confessed to their links with Baitullah Mehsud and conducting terrorist activities in the country, sources said. However, the city police deny any such arrests.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Pakistan


Interpol seeks Pak help to arrest 84 Saudi 'terrorists'
Interpol has issued red arrest warrants of 84 Saudi nationals and sought Pakistan's co-operation in their arrest, a private TV channel reported on Thursday.

Quoting its sources, the channel said the Saudis were wanted on charges of involvement in terrorist activities.

In response to Interpol's request, Pakistan's Interior Ministry has issued a circular directing the provincial police chiefs to help arrest the wanted Saudis, it said.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda

#1  I'm sure they will be loads of help
Posted by: rabid whitetail || 03/20/2009 10:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Paging Inspector Clueseau?
Posted by: Jack is Back! || 03/20/2009 10:56 Comments || Top||

#3  The Saudi/Pakistan connection strikes again!!!

Should we go after the funder or the training ground????
Posted by: Paul2 || 03/20/2009 11:41 Comments || Top||

#4  Soddys just wanna bring 'em back before they hurt by one of them hellfire thingys
Posted by: Jiggs Jimble1579 || 03/20/2009 14:08 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Palestinians: IAF missile kills two Gaza militants
An Israel Air Force strike killed two Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, a militant group said. The two militants were from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an offshoot of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.
And now they're dead al-Aqsa Martyrs...
An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was checking the report although she was not aware of any military activity in the area of the central Gaza Strip, close to the border fence with Israel.
"Ummm... I don't think it was us. Have you checked with the Guatamalans? I think they had some flights earlier today..."
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Aqsa Martyrs


Southeast Asia
Troops killed in Thai south
SUSPECTED separatist militants killed four soldiers in an ambush in troubled southern Thailand on Thursday, while a female Muslim rights activist has been shot dead, police said. The rangers were on patrol in a pick-up truck in Pattani province when insurgents triggered a roadside bomb by mobile phone and then opened fire on the vehicle, said police.

Separately police announced the death one week ago of activist Laila Paa Daoh Itae, 45 - the fourth member of the same family killed in the Muslim-majority region in the past five years.

Laila was ambushed by suspected militants while riding a motorcycle home in restive Yala province last Thursday. She was rushed to hospital but died during the following night.

More than 3,600 people have been killed during five years of violence in predominantly Buddhist Thailand's southernmost provinces near the Malaysian border.

The rebels regularly target anyone suspected of collaborating with Thai authorities including security forces as well as civilian workers, such as teachers and government officials.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva last week approved the deployment of an extra 4,000 soldiers in the deep south, saying they would help improve relations with the local population.

Tensions have simmered in the region since Thailand annexed the mainly Malay sultanate in 1902.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Thai Insurgency


Philippine commies murder chickens
COMMUNIST insurgents in the southern Philippines attacked a congressman's poultry farm, setting it on fire and killing 8,000 chickens, a local official said on Thursday.
"A particularly heroic act, Comrades!"
Why you lousy chicken killin commie BASTIDS!!
Guerrillas of the communist New People's Army (NPA) raided the poultry farm of Congressman Florencio Garay in Tagbina town in Mindanao late on Tuesday, said provincial administrator Johnny Pimentel.
"Kill the chickens of the running dog lackey!"
It was the second time NPA guerrillas have attacked and burned a business establishment in the southern Philippines in less than a week.
What'd they hit last week? A beauty shop?
On Monday, some 50 heavily-armed NPA fighters set fire to equipment at a construction company in Hinatuan town, according to the military and police.
"Destroy the heavy equipment of the builders of imperialist roads! Strike a telling blow for the march of the masses toward socialism!"
The motive for the attacks is not yet clear but in the past, communist rebels have attacked rural businesses for refusing to pay extortion demands.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  ION PHILIPPINES, WORLD MIL FORUM [GOOGLE Chinglish translation] > IIUC IFF THE PHILIPPINES INFURIATE THE CHINESE PEOPLE OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ISLANDS [Nanshas/Spratleys], THE CHINESE ARMED FORCES IS READY TO HIT BACK HARD; + BEIJING EXPECTS MORE TOUGH CHINA SEA CONFRONTATIONS TO CONTINUE WITH THE USA; + PHILIPPINES AND JAPAN [etc] WERE SURPRISED/ SHOCKED BY CHINA'S HARD LINE IN DISPUTED CHINA SEA ISLANDS [Nanshas, Daoyus], + CHINA IS UNAFRAID TO USE INDIRECT THIRD-COUNTRY/PARTY POLITICS TO REGAIN LOST GROUND IN CHINA SEAS.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 03/20/2009 2:13 Comments || Top||

#2  I think it could be better called "Great Victories of the Heroic Pulletarian Revolution"
Posted by: BrerRabbit || 03/20/2009 12:43 Comments || Top||

#3  Owww, BrerRabbit.That smarts.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 03/20/2009 12:47 Comments || Top||

#4  The motive for the attacks is not yet clear but in the past, communist rebels have attacked rural businesses for refusing to pay extortion demands.

That is exactly the motive, this is standard operating procedure for them....
Posted by: 49 Pan || 03/20/2009 13:57 Comments || Top||

#5  Yup, the "protection" business is where they make their money these days. Mind you, they have competition in that business.
Posted by: Goober Phinegum8506 || 03/20/2009 17:07 Comments || Top||

#6  KIMMIE hates CHICKEN PIZZA???

Gut Nuthin.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 03/20/2009 18:38 Comments || Top||


Sri Lanka
Major civilian exodus: Colombo
The Sri Lankan government on Thursday claimed that till date, 45,519 civilians had crossed into government-controlled areas from the LTTE-held territory.

The figures made public by the government suggest the exodus of civilians from the shrinking Tiger territory has considerably picked up in the last few days.

As per the military, the area under the LTTE control has shrunk to 28 sq. km. Over a month ago, the government had estimated there were over 70,000 civilians stranded in the Tiger-held territory. The number of civilians still caught up in the war, as per government assessment, is around 50,000.

Minister of Mass Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the government had repeatedly asked the LTTE hierarchy to lay down arms and surrender; but to no avail.

He said the military had instructions not to fire at the designated "safe zone" irrespective of the circumstances. The military and the LTTE had been accusing each other of firing at the "safe zones".

Protection
Separately, the military said at least 31 Tiger cadre were killed and as many injured as troops ran into LTTE resistance positions located north-east of Puthukkudiyirippu. It said 384 civilians had sought protection with troops in Puthukkudiyirippu. "The civilians included 105 men, 124 women, 75 boys and 80 girls who had undergone unprecedented hardships with LTTE.

These civilians have revealed the continuation of forcible child recruitment by the LTTE for battle purposes and brutal killings of individuals and families who defy their orders. Anyone who attempts to flee from the LTTE control will be brutally tortured and exhibited," it said.
Posted by: Fred || 03/20/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I'm beginning to suspect that the Sri Lankan Army's reporting of their successes is just a bit overblown. 28 sq km is a parcel 5 km by 5 km, or just about 9 sq miles. 50,000 people in 9 square miles? [cough BS!]
Posted by: Chuck Simmins || 03/20/2009 0:22 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
US Navy: 2 vessels collide in Strait of Hormuz
MANAMA, Bahrain -- Two U.S. Navy vessels -- a submarine and an amphibious ship -- collided during the early morning hours Friday in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the Arabian peninsula, the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet reported.

The military said in a statement that the incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. local time on Friday (5 p.m. EDT, Thursday), when the USS Hartford, a submarine, and the USS New Orleans, an amphibious ship, collided. According to the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet, 15 sailors aboard the Hartford were slightly injured but able to return to duty. No injuries were reported aboard the New Orleans.

Both ships were heading to port when the incident occurred in the narrow strait, said Lt. Nate Christensen. He said the incident occurred at night, and the submarine was submerged at the time, but said he could give no further details as the incident is still under investigation. Both vessels are now heading to port for repairs and evaluation, but Christensen said that following standard security procedures he could not say where the vessels were heading.

The New Orleans suffered a ruptured fuel tank, resulting in an oil spill of approximately 25,000 gallons (95,000 liters) of diesel fuel. There was no damage the nuclear reactor powering the Hartford, Christensen said. Both ships are currently operating under their own power.

The Navy said both ships were on regularly scheduled deployments to the region and conducting security operations. The Hartford is based in Groton, Conn. and the New Orleans is based in San Diego, Calif., the Navy said.
Posted by: tu3031 || 03/20/2009 10:46 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/mluphoup/turkey_farm.jpg

Adventures in turkey farming.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 03/20/2009 11:15 Comments || Top||

#2  Oil prices rise after news of Hormuz collision
AP article
Posted by: Anon4021 || 03/20/2009 11:28 Comments || Top||

#3  Oil prices rise after news of Hormuz collision
AP article
Posted by: Anon4021 || 03/20/2009 11:28 Comments || Top||

#4  Should be some openings soon for Navy promotions. You spend your whole life getting a ship command, then just mess up one time and run into another ship (or run into anything, for that matter) and the whole career is shot.
Posted by: Glenmore || 03/20/2009 12:42 Comments || Top||

#5  mess up one time and ... the whole career is shot.

Too bad that doesn't apply to politicians, too...
Posted by: M. Murcek || 03/20/2009 14:03 Comments || Top||

#6  OK USN R'burgers - who hit whom here. The article says the sub was submerged, and both were heading to port (Bahrain? - inbound through the straits?) so where was the FUBAR?
Posted by: Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division || 03/20/2009 15:38 Comments || Top||

#7  Too bad that doesn't apply to politicians, too...

No kidding. They usually get re-elected and promoted.
Posted by: DarthVader || 03/20/2009 16:20 Comments || Top||

#8  Considering that the amphib shouldn't have been able to spot the submarine, I'm thinking blame is going to land right on the sub commander for this. The amphib's captain will prolly still lose his command, but the majority of blame is going to be on the sub commander.
Posted by: Silentbrick || 03/20/2009 18:32 Comments || Top||

#9  I'll remind y'all that Submarines work very hard at NOT being detected, I'd chalk this one as a major success. (Sorta)
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 03/20/2009 18:42 Comments || Top||

#10  so where was the FUBAR?

I'd sumrise the sub was using the 'gator as a shadow to mask its signature. Sounds like a matter of either getting too close or a mis-communication before/during maneuvering.
Posted by: Pappy || 03/20/2009 19:09 Comments || Top||

#11  Drat Pappy - sounds likely, which would put the sub at fault for the assured clear distance rule, yes?. Also, given the fuel spill - would the tank be somewhere aft on the New Orleans?
Posted by: Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division || 03/20/2009 20:22 Comments || Top||

#12  No, I don't think it'd be that. Subs have used the shadowing tactic before, using merchants.

The question is whether or not it was a coordinated action that went awry, or that the 'gator was unaware.
Posted by: Pappy || 03/20/2009 22:18 Comments || Top||


Terror Networks
New Method For Detecting Explosives
Their technology, which is currently being developed into prototype devices for field testing, is described in the latest issue of the journal Review of Scientific Instruments, which is published by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).

"Certain classes of explosives have unique thermal characteristics that help to identify explosive vapors in presence of other vapors," says Thomas Thundat, a researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee who conducted the research with his colleagues at ORNL and the Technical University of Denmark.

In their paper, the scientists show that their technology is capable of trace detection of explosives. They also show that it is capable of distinguishing between explosive and non-explosive chemicals and of differentiating between individual explosives, such as TNT, PETN, and RDX.
Posted by: 3dc || 03/20/2009 08:24 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Wow, you mean airport screening that won't alarm on the diaper bag anymore? Awesome!
Posted by: crosspatch || 03/20/2009 18:48 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
54[untagged]
5TTP
4Govt of Pakistan
1al-Qaeda in Pakistan
1Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
1Govt of Iran
1Govt of Sudan
1Govt of Syria
1Hamas
1Iraqi Baath Party
1Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh
1Lashkar e-Taiba
1Mahdi Army
1Palestinian Authority
1Thai Insurgency
1al-Qaeda
1al-Aqsa Martyrs

Bookmark
E-Mail Me

The Classics
The O Club
Rantburg Store
The Bloids
The Never-ending Story
Thugburg
Gulf War I
The Way We Were
Bio

Merry-Go-Blog











On Sale now!


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.
Click here for more information

Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Fri 2009-03-20
  Jihad Unspun Proprietress Held for Ransom by Taliban
Thu 2009-03-19
  Canadian-Lebanese in court over Paris bombing
Wed 2009-03-18
  Islamic courts go to work in Swat
Tue 2009-03-17
  Death toll at 11 in Pindi kaboom
Mon 2009-03-16
  Zardari caves: Judges restored
Sun 2009-03-15
  Nawaz arrested!
Sat 2009-03-14
  Sudan: Kidnappers demand Bashir arrest warrant be dropped
Fri 2009-03-13
  Pakistain: Political leaders in hiding as hundreds arrested
Thu 2009-03-12
  Taliban Hideout dronezapped
Wed 2009-03-11
  Boomer near Sri Lanka mosque kills 15
Tue 2009-03-10
  33 dead as Iraq tribal leaders attacked
Mon 2009-03-09
  Iraq suicide bomber kills 30, wounds 57
Sun 2009-03-08
  Palestinian PM submits resignation making way for unity govt
Sat 2009-03-07
  US taps Delhi on Lanka foray: Marines to evacuate civilians
Fri 2009-03-06
  Marwan to be 'freed' as part of Shalit deal

Better than the average link...



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.
44.220.43.170
Help keep the Burg running! Paypal:
WoT Background (18)    Non-WoT (24)    Opinion (9)    (0)    Politix (8)