Afghan intelligence officers seized two trucks transporting hundreds of kilogrammes of bomb-making materials in a province near the capital, NATO said on Tuesday. The discovery comes after Kabul saw a surge in suicide and other bomb attacks last month, with officials saying bomb-making cells were operating around the city.
The materials were discovered at the weekend in a large jingle truck, the colourfully decorated cargo vehicles that are a common sight on Afghanistans road, and a smaller truck, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said in a statement. They were transporting more than 150 34-kilogramme bags of ammonium nitrate and over 159 cans of suspected magnesium paste, both important elements in the making of explosives, it said. The material was found in the province of Laghman on the border of Kabul province.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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It was fertilizer for the poppy fields and the boss is going to be really mad.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says that his country is "technically" at war with Somalia's Islamic courts. "The jihadist elements within the Islamic Court movement are spoiling for a fight," he told Reuters news agency. He said they were trying to avoid a "shooting war" but that if Ethiopia was forced to fight it would. He said the few hundred armed Ethiopian military trainers in Somalia were there to support the beleaguered interim government based in Baidoa.
Somalia has been in the grip of warlords and militias for years and has not had a functioning national government since 1991. The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has consolidated its control over much of southern Somalia after seizing the capital, Mogadishu, in June. The UIC was set up by businessmen who wanted to impose law and order, and their gunmen have become Somalia's strongest fighting force.
The Islamists accuse Ethiopia of having troops inside the country as a fighting force backing the weak transitional government. This is strongly denied by Addis Ababa, which says that the Islamists have soldiers within 15km of their common border.
"They've been declaring jihad against Ethiopia almost every other week. Technically we are at war," Mr Meles said. "We believe they've been preparing terrorist outrages. They're very close to our border. The indications are not that encouraging. But we've been patient so far and we'll continue to be patient," he said. "We are trying to avoid a shooting war to the maximum extent possible and therefore, as it were, we are looking the other way," the prime minister continued. "They will have to force us to fight. That can come when and if they physically attack us."
Waiting for the right provocation so he can lower the boom on them.
The BBC's Amber Henshaw in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, says the situation is increasingly tense, with reports of weapons supplies being flown into Somalia on a regular basis. Eritrea, which is deeply hostile to Ethiopia, is also alleged to have sent troops to Somalia to reinforce the UIC. Observers fear that Somalia could become engulfed in a wider war for control of the Horn of Africa.
Posted by: Steve ||
10/25/2006 09:36 ||
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Ethiopia, as a predominantly Christian/Jewish nation, is a critical allie in the region. Unfortunately, the government is a corrupt basket case. We need to move them forward, arm them, train them, build their infrastructure, etc. That really is somewhere we should be doing nation building, at least on a small scale. Then their soldiers can go into Somalia and give it the ass-kicking it so richly deserves.
Sudan's government is arming rebels in Chad, the government has alleged amid reports that rebels are moving towards the Chadian capital, N'Djamena. Chad's foreign minister said the proof was the firing of a missile at a French reconnaissance plane in the east.
The rebels began their offensive in the east at the weekend but are now said to be near the central town of Mongo. A BBC correspondent in N'Djamena says tanks are stationed in key areas, such as outside the presidential palace. Troops have been recalled to base despite the Muslim holiday of Eid - the biggest festival of the year in Chad.
The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in Chad says the outskirts of the capital are said to have been heavily fortified with government troops, but she says reports of the rebels' location are changing almost hour by hour. "These rebels entered Chad from Sudan and they could only have procured this type of military equipment within the sight of and with the knowledge of the Sudanese authorities. Sudan cannot deny it," Chadian Foreign Minister Ahmar Allami told AFP news agency. Khartoum denies backing the rebels, and in turn accuses Chad of backing rebels in the war-torn Darfur region.
Eastern Chad has a similar ethnic make-up to Darfur, where Arab militias are accused of carrying out a genocide against black Africans. On Monday night, the rebels claimed to have seized the town of Am Timan, some 600km from N'Djamena but they are now reported to be just five hours' drive from the capital. The government has denied that Am Timan had fallen and urged the capital's residents to stay calm. "The government appeals to the population to remain calm and to go normally about one's business," said spokesman Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor.
On Sunday, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) rebel seized the small town of Gos Beida. Our correspondent says there has also been fierce fighting in the border town of Ade.
Our reporter says the role of the French army here will also be key to how the struggle for power plays out. Back in April, when rebels managed to reach the heart of the capital in a four-day advance before being overpowered, the French received widespread criticism from Chadians for the way they staunchly supported President Idriss Deby. The French army has also admitted that two days ago one of their surveillance planes narrowly avoided being shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by rebels. While the French do still openly support the Chadian government, there are some questions over exactly how far they will go to prop up President Deby's regime - and how much they are willing to risk, our reporter says.
Posted by: Steve ||
10/25/2006 09:30 ||
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Ever get the impression that there is a global insurgency afoot and everyone sleeps
Posted by: Captain America ||
10/25/2006 16:49 Comments ||
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This crap between Sudan and Chad has been going on for 30 years : only the outside players change. Khaddafi one year, the French the next, the US on both sides at different points, the Soviets and then the Russians, the Chinese, the Arabs, etc. The problem with the two countries is the problem of almost all of post-colonial Africa : the boundaries of the countries do NOT reflect the facts on the ground regarding the various indigeneous populations, and so you have running sores border wars between the concerned countries.
KISMAYO, Somalia Somalia's Islamic radicals claimed Tuesday they had captured an Ethiopian officer after heavy fighting against pro-government militia in which 43 were killed.
The wounded soldier was seized after 26 hours of fighting between Islamic fighters and militia loyal to Somalia's defense minister, said Islamic movement spokesman Sheik Shukri Abraham.
Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment.
Ethiopia and Somalia's governments had initially denied the presence of Ethiopian troops in the country, but Ethiopia's prime minister recently acknowledged he had sent troops. He said there were only a few military trainers.
Tensions between Ethiopia, which backs Somalia's weak government, and the Islamic radical group that controls much of southern Somalia have been mounting in recent months.
So far they have avoided any direct clashes, though the rhetoric on both sides has been fiery, raising fears of a conflict that could engulf the entire Horn of Africa region.
The fighting between the rival militias, which broke out late Sunday and ended late Monday, occurred in the Islamic base of Bu'aale, 100 miles south of the government base of Baidoa and where Ethiopian trainers are believed to be based.
The town briefly fell to forces loyal to Defense Minister Col. Barre "Hirale" Aden Shire during the fighting, but was recaptured by Islamic militia, Abraham told journalists.
He said 43 pro-government fighters were killed while three Islamic militia also died.
"We have defeated the militia after 26 hours fighting," he said. The Islamic forces also captured six pickup trucks mounted with machine guns and known locally as "technicals." As seen in Mad Max 2; as it turns out, somalia is not really primitive, it's just post-apocalyptical.
"We have captured an Ethiopian officer and he is now being held under guard in one of our compounds," he said at press conference in the southern strategic seaport of Kismayo. The Ethiopian soldier will be shown to the media in the coming days, Abraham added.
Officials for Shire were not immediately available for comment.
Somali government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, say about 6,000 Ethiopian troops are in the country or encamped on the 990 miles border.
The issue is sensitive because Ethiopia and Somalia are traditional rivals. Ethiopia, with almost half of its 77 million population Muslim, fears fundamentalism in its neighbor.
Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, when warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on one another, throwing the country into anarchy.
President Abdullahi Yusuf's government was formed in 2004 with U.N. help in hopes of restoring order after years of bloodshed.
(SomaliNet) Number-two leader of the Islamic Courts Mr. Hassan Turki announced his organizations immediate intention to chase President Abdulahi Yusuf and his powerless government out of Baydhabo in the coming days. In a telephone interview with Horn Afrik radio in Mogadishu, he said the southern part of the country is in our hands and we are going to Burao (in Somaliland) and Galkaio (in Puntland).
"We're going to Buro, then on to Galkaio, Djibouti, Addas Ababa, Paris, the White House, Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"
Mr. Turki said we dont recognize the United Nations as it has become an American interest group.
Mr. Turki who is now in a small town near Kenyan border said we dont recognize the United Nations as it has become American interest group. When asked if the Islamic Courts are worrying about possible external intervention such as African Union troops, he replied with We have enough power to defeat anyone.
Sheik Turki also talked about his view on the US and accused America of labeling Muslim people as terrorists. He was equally critical on the United Nations whose agencies he said are corrupt and lie about Somali refugees in Kenya. "They repatriate Somali refugees back to Somalia and return them back into Kenya only to open new accounts and misuse more money by claiming more influx of refugees. United Nations is a corrupt organization." He said. .
In a confident tone, Mr. Turki promised to bring all Somalia under his organizations rule and declared war on self declared Somaliland and semi-autonomous Puntland.
One turban to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them.
The Islamic Courts seem to be unstoppable and the neighboring countries are unease about Somalias current situation. Ethiopia and Eritrea are both accused of meddling with Somalia civil war although no concrete prove has been presented on the Eritrean side. Somaliland and Puntland administrations have ample time to prepare themselves for possible showdown with the Islamists as tehir hands are now full with the federal government and other foes in the south. Both Sheik Hassan Turki and his boss, Sheik Aweys are on international terrorist list by the US State Department.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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The Islamists have had a good run, since all they have been dealing with is the rump state of Somalia's forces and some warlords. Now, however, they are talking about attacking both Puntland and Somaliland together, which will result in their destruction. While neither of the two breakaway states are major military powers, they both enjoy Ethiopian support, training, and equipment deliveries. Some of that equipment is rumoured to be complete rehabilitated ex-Soviet hardware like BMPs and T-55s; also, Ethiopia is said to be funnelling in all sorts of spare parts for the surviving old equipment left from the Barre era. One advantage for the Somalilanders and Puntlanders is that they have a large number of ex-pats in the West, who are funnelling funds through Ethiopian banks to the two respective states' armed forces.
#2
Mr. Turki who is now in a small town near Kenyan border said we dont recognize the United Nations as it has become American interest group.
...Man, they ARE crazy.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
10/25/2006 9:13 Comments ||
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Lol, Steve. Two small inlines and I'm having a coffee alert. Quality over quantity, lol.
(SomaliNet) Somalia government troops that are at the frontline with its rival of Islamists around Baidoa city southwest of Somalia are reported on Tuesday to have been put on high alert for possible confrontation with Islamist fighters. Sources from Baidoa city, the seat of transitional federal government indicate that army commanders were ordered to be attentive and prepare their troops for engaging war with Islamic militants.
Heavily armed Islamic forces were confirmed to make base in Bur-hakaba town hours after government troops withdrew from there. The Islamists who are have been conducting greater military movements around Bur-hakaba showed their readiness for major battle with government troops allegedly with Ethiopian forces that dug in near Baidoa city. Bur-hakaba, a small town 60km to Baidoa city in southwest of Somalia lies on a key road which links Mogadishu capital to Baidoa city.
Ethiopian government had earlier vowed that they will defend Baidoa city, the base of interim government against any attack from Islamists. Addis Ababa government said it is time to protect the shaky government from the Islamists hardliners who are now advancing towards Baidoa city 240km southwest of Somalia.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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The son of mad mullah Omar Bakri was yesterday caught leaving Britain with £13,500 for his dad. Abdul Rahman Fostok was found with a cash-stuffed brown envelope marked Daddy as he prepared to board a plane to Beirut, where Bakri fled to from London. Special Branch cops held the money with powers from the 2000 Anti-Terrorism Act before letting Fostok, 23, fly from Heathrow. Officers believe the sum was meant for Bakri, 47, who quit Britain last year after The Sun campaigned to have him expelled.
Cops can take cash if they suspect it will be used in terror-related activity. The Home Office will tomorrow ask for a formal High Court seizure order. A police source said: Were sure this money was intended for Bakri. We will now be looking at where it came from. ...
Dad-of-six Bakri, who praised the 9/11 murderers, lived off taxpayers for more than 20 years. Despite living in exile, the cleric has a luxury flat and sources close to him claim he is STILL scrounging off the state. One pal said: He doesnt work. It has been obvious he has been using his family to help fund his lavish lifestyle. ....
Bakris wife Hanan would not reveal any names of their family members .... Bakri, 46, sponged £300,000 during 20 years on benefits in Britain. He lost £42.30 a week in disability benefit, £20 in income support and £100 housing allowance when he left the UK. But Hanan is thought to have applied for benefits for herself and three of her younger children.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
10/25/2006 02:21 ||
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frickin parasites - boot em all off the dole and outta the country
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/25/2006 7:54 Comments ||
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'Daddy' - awwwww, how sweet. Prolly the Dole Family's Eid gift to 'Daddy'.
Definitely time for the traveling music to kick in.
#3
No, no. You have him all wrong. He was going to use it to take care of the poor, displaced Lebaneses children. You Rantburgers are very cynical, and unfair.
No, we've just seen so much of this BS that we automatically recognize it for what it is, and speak plainly about how we feel about such shenanigans. Let him eat beans and cheap bread.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
10/25/2006 12:53 Comments ||
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OP - Blue on Blue, bro. I'm thinking anymouse needed /sarc tags, cuz I know he didn't mean it the way you took it, lol.
#6
Lotsa cash but no bomb belt. Perish the thought that these hell spawn might actually emulate daddy's instructions to all the cannon fodder underlings. It's more stale pita and weak tea for you Omar.
Bakri, 46, sponged £300,000 during 20 years on benefits in Britain.
Fucking parasite. When will the West learn not to feed these verminous ingrates?
Firebrand radical cleric Omar Bakri today vowed to get back the £13,500 seized from his son at Heathrow Airport.
Abdul Rahman Fostok, 23, was found with a brown envelope containing the cash and marked "Daddy" as he prepared to board a plane to Beirut where Bakri fled to from London.
Speaking from his luxury flat in the Lebanon, Bakri said he had no problem with the Special Branch cops who were "only doing their job" and that he expects to receive the money in the next 48 hours.
He said: "I am not expecting any problem with the money but if I do not get it there will be trouble. I will take action because it is my property.
"God says you must do all in your power to get something back if it is taken from you - even if it costs you your life. They will be playing with fire."
Bakri, 47, who quit Britain last year, claimed the large sum was collected by his friends and relatives in London to mark the end of a Muslim celebration.
He said: "It is normal to give people money on these occasions. It was collected by many people and once the police have checked it out I am sure I will get it.
"The British authorities know I am not involved in any sort of terrorism. My son was surprised because he is not interested in any political activity or organisation.
"He has never been involved in any of my work. He was just coming out to see me because we have been apart since last year.
"He arrived yesterday evening and it will be very nice for us to spend some time together during the next ten days.
He is not upset although he feels he was picked on because he is Omar Bakri's son.
"But I believe they have the right to stop and search anybody if they wish. They were only doing their job."
Father-of-six Bakri, lived off British taxpayers for more than 20 years, said he was very happy in the Lebanon - and even claimed to have a job. He said: "I am the manager of a company selling toys and office equipment. I do not especially need the gift although I will probably use it to buy a car and some furniture."
Special Branch cops held the money with powers from the 2000 Anti-Terrorism Act before letting Fostok, 23, fly from Heathrow.
Police can take cash if they suspect it will be used in terror-related activity
Nice scam, Omay. Not even there and still sucking in the rubes...
#8
So, everything's hunky-dory, except wait, what's this?
"I am not expecting any problem with the money but if I do not get it there will be trouble. I will take action because it is my property.
"God says you must do all in your power to get something back if it is taken from you - even if it costs you your life. They will be playing with fire."
Shuckey darn, the usual veiled threats from some punked out Islamic asshole who has no compunctions about sucking at the infidel's public tit only to immediately turn around and nip at the same teat.
The Brits should know well enough that allowing this cash to reach its final destination will ensure the deaths of more innocent people. That ₤13,500 equals some $25,369.21. That's quite a tidy sum for Omar's Eid soiree. There should be plenty left over to kill a few Jews, eh Bakri?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Georgian leaders of seeking to resolve their country's territorial disputes by force. Mr Putin told Russian TV viewers that in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region "people are very concerned about the militarisation of Georgia". Russia was also "alarmed by the current leadership's policy of resolving these problems by force", he said.
The pro-Russian separatist authorities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia want independence from Georgia, but Tbilisi has vowed to reimpose its rule in the rebel regions. Mr Putin warned that it would be a big mistake for Georgia to resort to force. "We cannot allow bloodshed in this region," he said.
"Unless we're the ones doing it."
He insisted that Russia did not have territorial ambitions in the Caucasus.
"We're not trying to increase our territory. We have enough territory," he said. He stressed the need for peaceful compromise, saying "we respect the Georgian people... Georgians made a huge contribution to Russian statehood".
Mostly at the expence of Georgia
He said Russia would be closely watching developments in Kosovo, the mainly ethnic Albanian province which broke away from Serbia.
Posted by: Steve ||
10/25/2006 09:43 ||
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Interesting that Georgia has made no comment to Russia about "interference in our internal affairs".
I suppose that phrase became revolting to them after being so over used by the communists to excuse their brutalities.
COUNTER-terrorism police are on the hunt for 400kg of the same type of explosive material used to kill 92 Australians in the two Bali bombings.
The explosive grade ammonium nitrate was stolen from a freight train as it stopped to let another train pass at Glendale, near Newcastle in NSW.
The Daily Telegraph has learned NSW counter-terrorism police suspect a highly organised group used a crow bar to break specialist stainless steel seals on the carriage.
The granular substance it looks like grey gravel was en-route to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, where it was to be used by miners to blow through rock.
Ammonium nitrate was the main ingredient used by the Bali bombers in both the 2002 and 2005 attacks, which left 225 people dead, including 92 Australians.
NSW counter-terrorism police yesterday confirmed they were investigating the October 6 theft but declined to elaborate.
After leaving a holding yard in East Mayfield, the train stopped at 6.25am (AEST) to let another freight train past.
At sometime between 6.25am and 6.50am the ammonium nitrate was stolen from the 22-tonne carriage.
A specialist stainless steel security seal had been forced open at one end of the carriage.
The train driver said he did not see anything unusual while the train was stopped.
"It was broken into while stationary at a rail siding at Sulphide Junction," Detective Senior-Sergeant George Radmore said yesterday.
"We believe a quantity was stolen from the container. It had been broken into and a quantity was spilling out on to the track.
"It was an explosive grade of the substance which is used in mining."
Sen-Sgt Radmore said the gang may have used a ute or a van to take away the ammonium nitrate.
"It appears they brought their own containers to transport the substance," he said.
"It could have been transported in a van or ute. I wouldn't think you could get it into a normal car."
The ammonium nitrate was owned by mining company Orica, which yesterday confirmed it were co-operating with NSW counter-terrorism police.
"Pacific National had custody of the container at the time," corporate affairs manager John Fetter said.
"We are certainly not happy about losing it and we are co-operating with police.
"It is subject to very strict regulations by all the State Government legislation and is a very security sensitive material given its nature. We are very supportive of those regulations."
Rail carrier Pacific National refused to comment on the theft.
Ammonium nitrate is a form of fertiliser that becomes a powerful explosive when mixed with common fuel oil.
It is a favourite tool of terrorists and was used in the US in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1996 and the World Trade Centre bombing in 1993.
The explosion comes from a sudden release of gas. It doesn't have to involve a spark or flame.
#1
nice - that's 880 lbs (for us gringos...). Sounds like a well-planned op. Somebody knew what they were doing/looking for, and where it was...start talking to Leb RR workers?
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/25/2006 17:44 Comments ||
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Port Authority, Bills of Lading, Computer hacks - shipper/buyer information, etc.
#4
It's incredibly easy to get large quantities of ammonium nitrate in the US. However, the FBI agents who deliver it invariably screw up and deliver ammonium sulfate instead.
#5
"It was broken into while stationary at a rail siding at Sulphide Junction," Detective Senior-Sergeant George Radmore said yesterday.
Ammonium nitrate stolen at Sulphide Junction. Reduction of suspect list points towards members of corrosive religion who accelerated from the crime scene.
Not a new incident, but publicly acknowledged by Czech authorities in a new report.
Czech security police (BIS) have reported an attempt to storm the cockpit of a flight from Oslo to Prague.
The BIS annual report for 2005, released on Tuesday, mentions flight OK 447 in September 2005, where three Egyptian citizens tried to gain access to the pilots.
According to BIS spokesman Jan Subrt, police terrorism experts believe that the three Egyptians were not trying to hijack the plan but rather testing the security measures on board the plan, which was owned by Czech Airlines (CSA).
"The crew on board discovered the three Egyptians trying to open the door into the cockpit. When the stewards intervened they immediately gave up their attempts and gave the excuse that they were looking for a staff member because they wanted to buy chewing gum," Subrt said.
BIS managed to identify the trio but could not demonstrate any links to Islamist terrorist organizations. The three were apprehended upon landing and Czech security police escorted them to Egypt after questioning.
Subrt said that their suspicions were based on more than that the incident just "concerned three Arabs" but would not divulge details that led BIS to believe that there was a terrorism link to the event.
This is the second time in recent weeks that Norway is linked to terrorism in the Czech Republic.
This is the second time in recent weeks that Norway is linked to terrorism in the Czech Republic. In the end of September Czech authorities significantly increased security measures around Prague's Jewish memorials after receiving a tip from Norway, a few days after Norway's Police Security Service (PST) revealed alleged terrorist plans against the US and Israeli embassies in Oslo.
Jo Kobro, information chief at Oslo's Gardermoen International Airport (OSL), said that they had not been informed about the incident. The PST would not comment on the matter.
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/25/2006 17:32 Comments ||
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Sweden and Norway have never had large native populations. The fact that they have let so many terrorists (uhh, Muzzies) into their countries is actually very dangerous. Just read that Sweden has been allowing another 100,000 Iraq's in. This actually puts these two into a situation, based on population proportionality, nearly as bad as the French.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two weeks before U.S. midterm elections, American officials unveiled a timeline Tuesday for Iraq's Shiite-led government to take specific steps to calm the world's most dangerous capital and said more U.S. troops might be needed to quell the bloodshed.
U.S. officials previously said they were satisfied with troop levels and had expected to make significant reductions by year's end. But a surge in sectarian killings, which welled up this past summer, forced them to reconsider.
At a rare joint news conference with the American ambassador, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, said additional U.S. troops could come from inside or outside Iraq to "improve basic services for the population of Baghdad."
"Now, do we need more troops to do that? Maybe. And, as I've said all along, if we do, I will ask for the troops I need, both coalition and Iraqis," Casey said. There are currently 144,000 U.S. forces in Iraq.
The military has expressed disappointment over its two-month drive to cleanse the capital of Sunni insurgents and Shiite militia fighters and death squads. But the Americans also say that for the situation to improve, the Iraqi government must make political concessions to minority Sunnis.
The timeline grew out of recent Washington meetings at which the Bush administration sought to reshape its Iraq policy amid mounting U.S. deaths and declining domestic support for the 44-month-old war. The plan was made public a day after White House press secretary Tony Snow said the U.S. was adjusting its Iraq strategy but would not issue any ultimatums.
U.S. officials revealed neither specific incentives for the Iraqis to implement the plan nor penalties for their failure to do so. U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said Iraqi leaders had agreed to the timeline, benchmarks heavily laden with enticements to Sunni insurgents.
The lack of any real political consensus even among Shiites, however, has made it extremely difficult for Iraqi leaders to keep deadlines; for example, they missed targeted dates on naming a government and in moving forward on constitutional amendments. Moreover, Tuesday's declarations lacked specifics on how to accomplish the goals.
At the news conference with Casey, Khalilzad said the timeline would require Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government to set dates by the end of the year for completing six key tasks.
Five of the markers are clearly designed to mollify Sunni Arabs, the Muslim sect that makes up the bulk of the insurgency and is responsible for most American deaths in Iraq.
The plan seeks deadlines for passing a law that would guarantee the sharing of Iraq's oil wealth, amending the constitution, turning an anti-Baathist organization into a reconciliation body, disbanding Shiite militias and setting a date for provincial elections all key issues for Sunnis.
The de-Baathification Commission was established after the toppling of Saddam Hussein to ensure that members of the dictator's political organization did not hold government positions.
The sixth measure called for "increasing the credibility and capability of Iraqi forces."
Casey said Iraqi forces would be "completely capable" of controlling the country within the next 1 1/2 years.
"We are about 75 percent of the way through a three-step process in building those (Iraqi) forces," the general said. "It is going to take another 12 to 18 months or so until I believe the Iraqi security forces are completely capable of taking over responsibility for their own security. That's still coupled with some level of support from us."
Casey's estimate of when the Iraqi army will be ready was noteworthy because it has not changed even as the security situation in the country has deteriorated. Iraqis are now being killed at a pace of more than 40 each day in sectarian fighting and revenge killing. How does that compare to the 655,000 'estimated' killed?
Complicating the matter has been the recent outbreak of sustained Shiite-on-Shiite violence in the once relatively calm south of the country.
To curb the spreading and increasingly brutal killings, Khalilzad said the United States was "inducing Iraqi political and religious leaders who can control or influence armed groups in Baghdad to agree to stop sectarian violence," an apparent reference to recent secret talks the United States has conducted with Sunni insurgents.
Al-Maliki has repeatedly said he would rein in Shiite militias but so far has taken little public action beyond a decision to move aside two police commando leaders. He issued a statement on Monday saying the military had been ordered to take action against any illegal armed group, but the declaration, like the timeline introduced on Tuesday, lacked detail. A Democratic Plan™?
His national security adviser, Mouwafak al-Rubaie, sought to add weight to the prime minister's directive in an interview with CNN. He was, however, equally fuzzy about what action would be taken.
"The Iraqi security forces are going to take on anyone who challenges" them," al-Rubaie said.
Khalilzad said he had assurances from al-Maliki that radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr would disband his Mahdi Army. But al-Sadr draws much of his power from his control over the heavily armed fighters. And al-Maliki draws much of his support from al-Sadr.
For that reason, disbanding the feared militia group appears to be a promise that is unlikely to be kept in the near term. Such a move would leave the other main Shiite militia, the Badr Brigade of the Supreme Council for the Revolution in Iraq, or SCIRI, in a dominant position.
Al-Sadr and SCIRI leader Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim maintain a sharp rivalry for power over Iraq's Shiite majority. Logic dictates that both militias be disbanded simultaneously, which appears highly unlikely.
While Shiite militias and death squad violence represent a major security problem, curbing them would still leave the other half of the equation unsolved the continued vibrancy of the Sunni insurgency that has been attacking Americans with a vengeance since summer 2003.
The timeline appeared, therefore, largely directed at luring the Sunni establishment away from violence and into the political process.
Posted by: Bobby ||
10/25/2006 06:15 ||
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#1
A number of people I've spoken with recently have mentioned that their relatives in the Armed Forces have been notified to prepare to go to Iraq or elsewhere around year-end. I've no idea if this is a normal rotation of forces thingy or (hopefully) if something interesting is in the wind.
#3
Whoops! My apologies! Not that the people I talk to face to face are important enough in the military to tell me anything important, but you're right.
#4
There has been a lot of Reg.USA chatter on internet about needing more boots on the ground and a clean-house of existing ISF and starting over. I just can't see any of our pols (including W) upping the ante by more than a few thousand. The chatter I see is talking about 2-3 hundred-thousand more!! In other words, clean house, take over national security and start retraining now. But not before the elections. I say leave it for Hillary to clean up.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
10/25/2006 14:21 Comments ||
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#5
The only chance to take larger amounts of troops in was initially. That's gone now. American public won't go for it. The military can't do it without a draft. And everyone's afraid to mention that word. Increases, in a big way, aren't going to happen. For those of you not around then, you are reliving the atmosphere (in a very mild form) in early spring 1968.
#8
We can double the size of the military, WITHOUT a draft! Was anyone posting about needing a draft alive during the 1980s and early 1990s? We had TWICE as many troops then as now, without a draft. The biggest impediment to increasing the number of troops is the amount of money Congress would have to pony up for personnel pay and benefits - like $100 Billion. That is money that does not get spent on Demo feel-good social engineering or pork barrel. And there is no reason to raise taxes either, plenty of pork in the present budget to cut - like the flipping federal agency for TEA QUALITY.
KHYBER AGENCY: As many as 14 people were killed while a number
A clash erupted between the rival Ansar group and Lashkar-e-Islam in the Khyber agency over the provincial government's announcement regarding the sighting of the Shawal moon.
of people were injured in an armed clash between two rival groups on the eve of Eid in the Khyber Agency. According to Radio Tehran, a clash erupted between the rival Ansar group and Lashkar-e-Islam in the Khyber agency over the provincial government's announcement regarding the sighting of the Shawal moon. Fourteen people are reported dead while a number of others were injured in the clash. Both groups used modern weapons in fighting. Pir Saifullah led the Lashkar-e-Islam group while Mufti Munir Shakir led the Ansar group.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
a clash erupted between the rival Ansar group and Lashkar-e-Islam in the Khyber agency over the provincial government's announcement regarding the sighting of the Shawal moon
Feckin' hicks, begorrah.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
10/25/2006 3:29 Comments ||
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#2
Heh, Howard. This caught my eye, too - boggle: 14 dead over moon sighting.
#5
"I see the moon!"
"I don't see any moon."
{Pointing}"It's right there."
"No, it isn't."
"YES IT IS."
"Infidel!"
"Apostate!"
"I curse your mustache!"
"I curse the camel you came in on!"
BLAM BLAM
...rosebud...
JDAMS? Metal Storm? Smart Munitions? Shutter Guns?
"a clash erupted between the rival Ansar group and Lashkar-e-Islam in the Khyber agency over the provincial government's announcement regarding the sighting of the Pagan God HUBAL Shawal moon."
I bin meaning to ask for a while. Is there a reason you call them "Moonbats"?
The son of a retired Pakistani brigadier is among three Al Qaeda-linked terrorists arrested for masterminding attempted rocket attacks near the presidents house and parliament, police said on Tuesday. The suspects were seized on Monday, based on information provided by eight alleged militants detained earlier this month after the three foiled attacks, Islamabads Inspector General (IG) of Police Iftikhar Ahmed Chaudhry said.
"They are educated. One of them is son of a retired army brigadier, one of them is an engineer who was technically aware of making circuits. They are hardcore terrorists.
They are educated. One of them is son of a retired army brigadier, one of them is an engineer who was technically aware of making circuits, Chaudhry told AFP. They are hardcore terrorists.
Police said they picked up the men - named only as Ali Ahmed, Muneer and Khalil - in the industrial sector of the capital Islamabad when officers intercepted a car. They were still being interrogated. The trio were the driving force behind the plot and the eight others arrested previously were only facilitators, Senior Superintendent of Police Sikandar Hayat said. This is the core group. We can call them masterminds, he said.
The men appear to be Al Qaeda-linked militants, Hayat added, echoing earlier comments by President Gen Pervez Musharraf saying that the plot had links to fugitive Osama Bin Ladens terror network. They were inspired by Al Qaeda. They had Al Qaeda literature in their car, Hayat said without elaborating. He did not specify which was the brigadiers son but said Ali likely had a masters degree in engineering.
One rocket exploded late on October 4 in the Ayub public park in Rawalpindi, a garrison city adjoining Islamabad, near military ruler Musharrafs army residence. Another three were found nearby. Two more rockets were found close to the official presidency building and parliament in Islamabad on October 5, followed by another two near the Inter Services Intelligence headquarters in the capital two days later. Militants had planned to launch all of them simultaneously but only the one in Rawalpindi worked, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao has said. Security forces traced the suspects by decoding mobile phones attached to shells. Police seized more of the Russian-made rockets plus grenades, explosives and hundreds of sniper rifle rounds at the same time as they detained the initial eight suspects.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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#5
one of them is an engineer who was technically aware of making circuits.
Well golly! I, too, am technically aware of making circuits -- in a fit of ambition I even took Physics 113 (for science majors!) at university -- but we really, really don't want me actually attaching a power source to any of my concoctions. Given the level of science instruction in Pakistan (the effects of djinni on electrical current being one of the textbook chapters, I understand), I may have a better grasp of the situation than the young gentleman now lodged in the police guesthouse.
#6
the effects of djinni on electrical current being one of the textbook chapters
After 30 years of communications/electronics maintenance, trust me. There are djinni, or as we call them in the west, gremlins.
Posted by: Steve ||
10/25/2006 8:26 Comments ||
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#7
Steve, there is a dark secret known to those of us who use, design, and test military electronics. We keep the gremlins for the home folks and put djinns in the export models. As they say, that's not a bug, it's a feature.
#8
RMV: After having to implement the software on some of the hardware systems we get, I can attest that our domestic equipment has gremlins, djinn, bugs, and many others.
#9
here is a hint I learned the hard way after trying to complete Mrs' RET's request for more circuits: they (the circuits)no longer work after you let the magic smoke out of the wires.
Suspected tribal rebels blew up a key pipeline in Balochistan on Tuesday, leaving tens of thousands of people without gas, officials said. The pre-dawn blast suspended natural gas supplies to provincial capital Quetta, as well as to the Kalat, Mastung, Ziarat and Pishin districts, a gas company official said on condition of anonymity. Repair work has begun on the ruptured section of the pipeline at Dasht, near Quetta, and supplies will hopefully be restored later Tuesday, the official added.
The attack was the third of its kind since Monday when two other pipelines were blown up elsewhere in Balochistan. Rebels also attacked a passenger train with rockets on Thursday but caused no casualties.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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#2
It seems like the favorite tactic of the so-called 'insurgents' the world around is to destroy the infrastructure that serves the general population in order to convince the people that the sitting government should not be supported (since it cannot protect the infrastructure.)
What happens if they win? They've established precedent; can they protect the infrastructure any better from the next 'insurgency'? How many cycles of this will it take until the people catch on and choose a side?
#3
How many cycles of this will it take until the people catch on and choose a side?
What it takes is for enough of the "people" to start;
1:) Dying 2:) Starving 3:) Freezing 4:) Insert significant other form of misery >here<
Witness the decades of self-imposed suffering that the Palestinians have gone through without any abatement in their stupidity. Now that they've elected Hamas and Sudden Donor Fatigue has set in, the whingeing has ratcheted up like never before. Famine overcomes stupidity, sooner or later.
(KUNA) -- A top commander of the Hizbul Mujahedeen group was among the three others killed in an encounter with security forces in the Doda district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday. When a team comprising Indian armymen and police personnel cordoned off Keen Dhar area of Doda district, an encounter started between them and the armed group Tuesday, news agency Indo-Asian News Service reported. The gunfight continued for over four hours, the news agency added. All the three killed gunmen belong to Hizbul Mujahedeen group while one of them was Mushtaq Ahmad, a divisional commander, according to the news agency.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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There's been a lot of discussion back home about the course of the war, the righteousness of our involvement, the clarity of our execution, and what to do about the predicament in which we currently find ourselves. I just wanted to send you my firsthand account of what's happening here.
First, a little bit about me: I'm stationed slightly northwest of Baghdad in a mixed Sunni/Shia area. I'm a sergeant in the U.S. Army on a human intelligence collection team. I interact with Iraqis on a daily basis and I help put together the intel picture for our area of operations. I have contacts with friends, who are also in my job, in every are of operations in the Fourth Infantry Division footprint, and through our crosstalk I'd say I have a pretty damn good idea of what's going on in and around Baghdad on a micro and intermediary level.
I wrote heavily in favor of this war before I enlisted myself, and I still maintain that going into Iraq was not only the necessary thing to do, but the right thing to do as well.
There have been distinct failures of policy in Iraq. The vast majority of them fall under the category "failure to adapt." Basically U.S. policies have been several steps behind the changing conditions ever since we came into the country. I believe this is (in part) due to our plainly obvious desire to extricate ourselves from Iraq. I know President Bush is preaching "stay the course," but we came over here with a goal of handing over our battlespace to the Iraqis by the end of our tour here.
This breakneck pace with which we're trying to push the responsibility for governing and securing Iraq is irresponsible and suicidal. It's like throwing a brick on a house of cards and hoping it holds up. The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF)--a joint term referring to Iraqi army and Iraqi police--are so rife with corruption, insurgent sympathies and Shia militia members that they have zero effectiveness. Two Iraqi police brigades in Baghdad have been disbanded recently, and the general sentiment in our field is "Why stop there?" I can't tell you how many roadside bombs have been detonated against American forces within sight of ISF checkpoints. Faith in the Iraqi army is only slightly more justified than faith in the police--but even there, the problems of tribal loyalties, desertion, insufficient training, low morale and a failure to properly indoctrinate their soldiers results in a substandard, ineffective military. A lot of the problems are directly related to Arab culture, which traditionally doesn't see nepotism and graft as serious sins. Changing that is going to require a lot more than "benchmarks."
In Shia areas, the militias hold the real control of the city. They have infiltrated, co-opted or intimidated into submission the local police. They are expanding their territories, restricting freedom of movement for Sunnis, forcing mass migrations, spiking ethnic tensions, not to mention the murderous checkpoints, all while U.S. forces do . . . nothing.
For the first six months I was in country, sectarian violence was classified as an "Iraqi on Iraqi" crime. Division didn't want to hear about it. And, in a sense I can understand why. Because division realized that which the Iraqi people have come to realize: The American forces cannot protect them. We are too few in number and our mission is "stability and support." The problem is that there's nothing to give stability and support to. We hollowed out the Baathist regime, and we hastily set up this provisional government, thrusting political responsibility on a host of unknowns, each with his own political agenda, most funded by Iran, and we're seeing the results.
In Germany after World War II, we controlled our sector with approximately 500,000 troops, directly administering the area for 10 years while we rebuilt the country and rebuilt the social and political infrastructure needed to run it. In Iraq, we've got one-third that number of troops dealing with three times the population on a much faster timetable, and we're attempting to unify three distinct ethnic groups with no national interest and at least three outside influences (Saudi Arabian Wahhabists, Iranian mullahs and Syrian Baathists) each eagerly funding various groups in an attempt to see us fail. And we are.
If we continue on as is in Iraq, we will leave here (sooner or later) with a fractured state, a Rwanda-waiting-to-happen. "Stay the course" and refusing to admit that we're screwing things up is already killing a lot of people needlessly. Following through with such inane nonstrategy is going to be the death knell for hundreds of thousands of Sunnis.
We need to backtrack. We need to publicly admit we're backtracking. This is the opening battle of the ideological struggle of the 21st century. We cannot afford to lose it because of political inconveniences. Reassert direct administration, put 400,000 to 500,000 American troops on the ground, disband most of the current Iraqi police and retrain and reindoctrinate the Iraqi army until it becomes a military that's fighting for a nation, not simply some sect or faction. Reassure the Iraqi people that we're going to provide them security and then follow through. Disarm the nation: Sunnis, Shias, militia groups, everyone. Issue national ID cards to everyone and control the movement of the population.
If these three things are done, you can actually start the Iraqi economy again. Once people have a sense of security, they'll be able to leave their houses to go to work. Tell your American commanders that it's OK to pass up bad news--because part of the problem is that these issues are not reaching above the battalion or brigade level due to the can-do, make-it-happen culture indoctrinated into our U.S. officers. While the attitude is admirable, it also creates barriers to recognizing and dealing with on-the-ground realities.
James, there's a lot more to this than I've written here. The short of it is, the situation is salvageable, but not with "stay the course" and certainly not with cut and run. However, the commitment required to save it is something I doubt the American public is willing to swallow. I just don't see the current administration with the political capital remaining in order to properly motivate and convince the American public (or the West in general) of the necessity of these actions.
At the same time, failure in Iraq would be worse than a dozen Somalias, and would render us as impotent and emasculated as we were in the days after Vietnam. There is a global cultural-ideological struggle being waged, and abdication from Iraq is tantamount to concession.
Posted by: Captain America ||
10/25/2006 16:35 ||
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#1
Sorry, today's Best of the Web contains the letter from the Intelligence sergeant.
linky
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110009148
Posted by: Captain America ||
10/25/2006 16:46 Comments ||
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#2
-I think he makes some good points I can attest to: I still maintain that going into Iraq was not only the necessary thing to do, but the right thing to do as well.
-I agree, absolutely necessary based on 17 UN ceasefire violations over a 12 year period. Said Ceasefire agreement written in the blood of 300 Americans in 1991. "A lot of the problems are directly related to Arab culture, which traditionally doesn't see nepotism and graft as serious sins."-I've beat this dead horse. Arab tribal bedouin culture needs to be eradicated - that's the hardest part of the whole thing. Their reasoning is so a skew to the western mind it is almost surreal.
-A lot of people may disagree w/the more troops on the ground theory but I think he makes a good argument for it. During the war we had a the right troop strength imho. It's the occupation afterward that's the bitch.
#3
He's probably exactly right about what's needed, and about the consequences. But until someone figures out where the half million troops are going to come from, he might as well add a pony to the list.
Posted by: just sayin ||
10/25/2006 17:13 Comments ||
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#4
This is one guys opinion. It may be informed, but its still just an opinion.
Another route is to declare the experiment a partial failure and put a Kurdish dictator in charge to clean house and bash heads. There is a theory (backed by a lot of statistics) that shows that once a nations wealth per person hits a certain point democracy becomes if not inevitable at least a reasonable chance. Beneath that point its a longshot.
Tell the Kurdish dictator we'll be watching for abuse, we'll be expecting him to concentrate on getting the economy going, and we'll be in bases along the borders covering his flanks.
Either that or make scary noises about withdrawing so that the Iraqis step up to the plate. Which is the plan we've been following and judging by the Sunni tribal leaders siding with us it seems to be working.
#5
The "We will withdraw if you don't behave!" strategy is based on Sunni naked self-interest : they do NOT control the military, the police, or the militias. They do have some major control over a lot of the terrorist groups. All of which means that Sunnis die in large and impressive numbers, once the US is out of the way. Remember, the Kurds and Shias owe the Sunnis big time for Saddam's era and Al-Q terrorism; and right now, even with the US looking over their shoulders and busting up their death squads when we can, the Kurds and Shias are slaughtering the Sunnis. Imagine how bad it will become if we were to suddenly withdraw to the bases and leave all internal security work to the present Iraqi Army and Police. That is why the Sunnis are suddenly so cooperative : it keeps us in play, and tones down the revenge killings by the Kurds and Shias.
#6
I've been apprehensive about more troops in Iraq. The rationale being that more troops would, by presence alone, build a false dependency by Iraq's government thereby slowing their progress.
Given the poor performance by the police and by major Iraqi troop units, we are left with two choices: (1) abide by a timetable or a non-sense set of benchmarks, then leave due to non-performance, or (2) surge sufficient troops to tear down the rotting indignant security forces and start anew.
It's interesting that the sergeant pointed to post-war Germany and the long-term but successful US administration. For all the added complexity that Iraq poses, combined with an absolute requirement that we succeed, it's time to reshuffle the deck and deal the strong suit.
Posted by: Captain America ||
10/25/2006 18:45 Comments ||
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#7
The US military is not capable of putting 500,000 troops anywhere, and this guy knows it. So at some level this sergeant who does intelligence is not being very intelligent. He can wish all he wants but that is not going to make it happen. We would need to double the size of the military in order to do this effectively. Not going to happen until something major occurs stateside.
#8
I hate to keep kicking the horse when he's down, but I've seen this movie before. It was called "Vietnamization" then. It failed miserably. Once we pulled out, there was a lot of D&D. It's gonna happen again. It seems beyond comprehension that we could do virtually the same thing inside a 50 year window.
#9
Well if you look at the media and dem whining this is the exact same playbook as Vietnam. Internal opposition that actually wants us to fail. Thank the effective infiltration of the Soviet doctrine into our culture for this.
#10
I fully disagree with the sergeant, but I understand where his perspective comes from.
To explain: in a stratified organization like the military, where you are in the chain of command determines what you see. Bluntly speaking, this is why the movie "Patton" is very different in character from "Saving Private Ryan".
But even if you have the perspective from the smallest combat unit all the way up to the highest theater command, you still have the problem of only seeing things from the military point of view.
And while it's very important, it is not the only point of view.
For example, as much as you or I (and we do) criticize the State Department, there are an s-load of State employees all over Iraq, attending endless meetings, briefing and being briefed by Iraqis, wheeling and dealing with bureaucrats on a million and one deals. They know things they military has no clue about.
Yet another perspective is more like the militaries, but very different in character from the line units: the SOCOM and CIA perspectives. If you talk to them, you see the negative image of what happens during the day: Baghdad at night. Espionage, sabotage, intrigue, surveillance, assassination, treachery.
The smiling politician who the military and State believe is their great ally, is instead known as a corrupt traitor, working to undermine and destroy his nation. Just a different point of view, though. Eventually he will be killed in a "terrorist" bomb blast, along with his Iranian spy handler.
Then there is the point of view of private concerns, corporations and investors, all of whom have a vested interest in knowing what is going on. They too have their sources, and will pay top dollar for good information.
Finally, you have the points of view of the Iraqis themselves. They have few idealists, and if anything, they are pessimists and a little paranoid. But it is wise to listen to them, because a pessimist is never disappointed; and it's very hard to sneak up on a paranoid.
#11
Good points, A-Moose, but perspective cuts both ways. I suspect the sergeant knows a hellofalot more about what happening amongst the Iraqi populace and the Iraqi version of catch a thug/killer and release program gives everyone pause.
The PM is owned by Tater, etc., etc., what else is there to disagree with?
Posted by: Captain America ||
10/25/2006 20:42 Comments ||
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#12
He starts from the preimse that preventing the creation of ethnically and religously moreorless homogenous regions should be the objective or at least a non-negotiable condition.
Many would argue that the route to a stable Iraq requires ethnically/religously homogenous regions that can then take reposibility for their own internal security (ref the Kurds and in early centuries most of Europe) rather than focus on ethnic/religous conflicts, since there are not enough of the other ethnic group around to constitute a threat.
And note, those who do not wish to negotiate where the borders of these regions lie (read the Sunnis) will find others impose borders on them by force (read the Kurds), precisely becuase they already have internal security and stability.
#14
Well, we do still have 70,000 troops in Germany for no appreciable reason. And 39,000 in South Korea. So that cuts the deficit of troops to 291,000 - if we take the 400,000 as the floor number.
RAMADI, Iraq The Iraqi Army assumed responsibility of an area in northern Ramadi today. The 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade of the 7th Iraqi Army Division, commanded by Colonel Kareem, officially assumed battle space at 11 a.m. today at a ceremony on forward operating base Blue Diamond. We will serve with honor, Colonel Kareem reminded his Soldiers. We have been given the great responsibility of being in charge of this area.
Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment has been partnered with 3-1-7 IA for the past five months and has witnessed the units development. This is a big step, said Lt.Col. Daniel Walrath, Commander Task Force 1-6, [They] are increasing their battle space by three fold [and] will develop concepts and plans of operation for northern Ramadi.
Task Force 1-6 will continue to provide the Iraqi battalion support, but are confident about their progress. Colonel Kareem reinforced to the Iraqi Soldiers that they will continue to learn from their Coalition partners and make Ramadi a safer place.
The battalion recently proved their capabilities during a validation operation which resulted in the capture of four anti-Iraqi forces. The occasion marks the second battalion in two weeks Ramadi to assume battlespace and is an important step in the continuing development of the Iraqi Army and represents the future security of Iraq.
Posted by: Bobby ||
10/25/2006 06:45 ||
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CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq Residents of the Haditha Triad region, Iraq, held a demonstration today demanding the release of a local Mosque Imam who was detained by Iraqi soldiers yesterday in connection with insurgent activity.
Iraqi soldiers were on a security patrol yesterday when they were attacked with small-arms fire originating from a Mosque. In response to the attack, the Iraqi soldiers entered the mosque where they detained three suspects including the Mosques Imam.
A search of the mosque revealed an AK-47 assault rifle with ammunition in addition to improvised explosive device-making material. No one was killed or injured in the attack.
About 70 Haditha citizens made their way to the local Iraqi Army camp today where Iraqi Army personnel met with the crowds leader for discussions.
The crowd peacefully dispersed without incident.
Posted by: Bobby ||
10/25/2006 06:36 ||
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#1
"crowd peacefully dispersed without incident."
Now THAT warrants a 'surprise meter' reading.
I wonder what the IED-making material was - their definitions can be pretty loose, and can include normal household (mosquehold?) items. There's a big difference between 'one garage door opener' and 'ten heavy artillery shells.'
#3
perhaps it was explained: "I have more than enough weapons and ammunition to kill the prisoners then all 70 of youz idjits. Getyourassouttahere. Scat!"
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/25/2006 7:30 Comments ||
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#5
Haditha -- one of the Sunni Ba'athist strongholds.
Citizens gather, demonstrate, iraqi army listens, they disperse: standard Arab practices. A hundred years ago they would have approached the Sheikh.
The indirect negotiation and the total lack of assuming personal responsibility for events that characterizes Arab culture drives me and I would suspect most others at RB crazy. But I learned to recognize it when I did business there and it's as deep a cultural value as self-reliance is to us.
BAGHDAD, Iraq U.S. and Iraqi forces on Wednesday raided a stronghold of radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in search of a top militia leader accused of commanding sectarian death squads, the U.S. military said.
Iraqi army special forces, backed up by U.S. advisers, carried out a raid to capture a "top illegal armed group commander directing widespread death squad activity throughout eastern Baghdad," the military said in a statement.
Iraqi forces were fired upon and requested backup from U.S. aircraft, which used "precision gunfire only to eliminate the enemy threat," the statement said.
The statement didn't say whether the death squad leader was captured and made no mention of casualties. Other details were to follow, it said.
At least four people were killed and 18 injured in the pre-dawn fighting according to Col. Khazim Abbas, a local police commander, and Qassim al-Suwaidi, director of the area's Imam Ali Hospital.
Sadr continues his double game and U.S. and Iraq forces dance with Sadr in central and southern Iraq
U.S. forces continue to chip away at Muqtada al-Sadr's power base in Iraq. The Kuwaiti News Agency reports on two small raids against the offices of Sadr's Mahdi Army in the cities of Hillah and Diwaniyah. In Hillah, there was a gunfight between U.S. and Mahdi Army fighters. No injuries were reported and no arrests were made. In Diwaniyah, a joint U.S. and Iraqi force "broke into the house of Mahdi Army local leader in Diwaniya Province but failed to arrest him."
This is a continuation of the plan to erode Sadr's power base within the Mahdi Army, and force Sadr to openly denounce the Mahdi Army or confront the Iraqi government. As Sadr's most capable and dangerous lieutenants are killed or captured, his power and standing within the organization comes into question. Iraqi and Coalition operations against Sadr in in Diwaniyah is a microcosm of this plan. The real question is does the Maliki government have the will to folow through to completion.
Continued on Page 49
#2
IMO, he has to be taken out or the powder keg will always be there. Take him out by brute force, be willing to follow up with a few troublemakers, and the rest will seethe but step into line.
#3
Muqy: What did I do, Nouri? Was it the stale cannolis?
Maliki: I'm under a lot of pressure here. You look like a valve.
Muqy: But we're pals! I've thrown my support, my block, behind you!
Maliki: That's old news. What have you done for me lately?
Muqy: But you can't prefer those sleazy Badr Boys over me!
Maliki: Don't knock sleaze. Besides, it's about power, now.
Muqy: But I'm wide open here - Sistani won't take my calls!
Maliki: Hey, dood, somebody's gotta go down - the illusion of governing.
Muqy: But didn't that wild weekend in Najaf mean anything to you?
Malika: Yeah, sure. You always did have the best dope and...
Muqy: I can get more! My IRGC controller has a sweet deal with Karzai...
Maliki: Nah. Hey, nothing personal, y'know. It's just business.
#4
Tater, and his army of retards and bandits, the Tater Tots, are the source of the massive violence in the Baghdad area.
They are Iranian tools and Malaki shields them. This appears to be changing, since US and Iraqi troops have had a couple of confrontations with the Tots recently.
Maybe Malaki has had the law laid down: Hang Saddam and fry the Tater and we might think about leaving. Not one day sooner.
#8
This is a continuation of the plan to erode Sadr's power base within the Mahdi Army, and force Sadr to openly denounce the Mahdi Army or confront the Iraqi government. As Sadr's most capable and dangerous lieutenants are killed or captured, his power and standing within the organization comes into question.
This is the best news since they cleaned out Fallujah. I've seen curbside three card Molly pro-&-shill teams that play a better double game than Muqtada Sadr. Let's hope that this time the story ends with a very much sadder Sadr (as in deader). Time to Muq out the stalls.
#9
The proper end to this is an anonymous 7.62mm third eye for Sadr. Normally, I would recommend a 12.7mm third eye, but plausible deniability is nice and 7.62 should suffice.
#11
Maybe, but that's a lot of bone to drill through
7.62 armor piercing should work just fine.
Maliki is under serious pressure from our side me thinks. Particularly with respect to the Iranian involvement (eg Sadr). The pressure is definitely increasing on Tater unt his tots.
I've always been kind of partial to 125mm smooth-bore, myself. Right between the eyes...
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
10/25/2006 13:33 Comments ||
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#13
I've always been kind of partial to 125mm smooth-bore, myself.
LOL! Looks like OP wins!
In the spirit of one-upsmanship, of course I immediately thought about using a MOAB. Which got me to thinking that perhaps if he were to have a funeral, it might be justifiable to drop one right in the middle of it . . . . Practically speaking, who would be able to justifiably complain?
#14
All funerals for terrorist leadership must be considered targets of opportunity. That Taleban clusterfuck in Afghanistan should be the last one we ever miss.
Two years after U.S. troops assaulted this mostly Sunni Muslim city of 300,000 in the heart of Iraq's violent Anbar province in a major offensive to retake it from insurgents, Iraqi units are responsible for patrolling two-thirds of Fallujah and often do it well, their U.S. advisers say. But the Americans - and the Iraqis themselves - are frustrated that the Iraqis still can't fight on their own. A recent press report claimed embezzlement in the Iraq forces reached up to $800 million. Probably an exaggeration, but supply concerns suggest real theft problem.
They don't have heavy weapons, such as tanks. They struggle to get supplies. Most importantly, there just aren't enough Iraqi troops to secure the city properly or, on some days, even to mount foot patrols. Daniel Pipes suggests rebasing US troops well outside of Iraq cities, and leaving all security - except air support - to the locals. That would leave warlords in control. Iraqization must follow total assaults against war lord strongpoints. Why? Because they are often loaded with Saudi or Iranian funds, with which they can lever local military compliance, with bribery. A gradualist approach cannot effectively counter the terror chiefs.
The Iraqi unit working in Fallujah, the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division, is 750 men short of its full strength of 2,450, and only two-thirds of those are available at any given time because of the army's generous leave policy. I would begin by directing investigative detentions of locals, for intelligence purpose. Interestingly, that type of temporary custody is allowed under US law. Iraqis would seize about 100 locals from each major sector of Fallujah, and interrogate each separately. Many will not speak out of fear; but a few will identify terror sources. It would be disastrous for terrorists to murder all potential informants, because there would be so many. Assessment as to accuracy, would be followed by air attacks with large bombs on targets. (Most collaterals would probably be ideologically close to the enemy). Seeing the warlords picked off would raise morale among Iraqi troops. Until order is established, I would set up Green Zone models where troops and families could live in security, out of bribery range.
Lt. Col. James Teeples, who oversees the teams of U.S. military trainers living and working with the Iraqi troops in Fallujah, said Iraqi soldiers faced a long list of problems that were sapping morale. They include corruption among senior leaders, an inefficient pay system that's left some unpaid for months and a Byzantine promotion system that leaves good leaders, such as the brigade's second in command, languishing in lower posts. Effective oversight would be required, in face of the high level of corruption.
Teeples said that one senior Iraqi officer had been stealing equipment such as air conditioners and reselling it, and collecting pay for soldiers who existed only on paper. Iraqi officers elsewhere have taken bribes from contractors who supply poor-quality items such as meat that's too old. In one case, beans came from the U.N.'s oil for food program, which ended in 2003. It is where military leaders are not subject to the rule of law, where these acts occur. Military-Justice authority must be an adjunct of supreme military command.
The Iraqi officer in charge of the battalion that includes Company 4 acknowledged that his troops are nowhere near being able to operate without the Americans. "We need their support, because right now the Iraq army isn't strong enough to take over," said Lt. Col. Tasen Jabar Abed, 40. Face it: jihadi-warlords can set up IEDs, RPG traps and sniper nests at will. Another couple of years of daily US troop losses, will cripple US will to fight. It is now or never. Any other ideas on what might work?
#1
Perhaps the best solution would be something along the lines of the Sepoy system. Get the logistics, finance, and leadership above the company level out of the hands of the Iraqis. Your good company commanders could be promoted to police battalion commanders in order to create an upwards mobility path.
#2
Heh, 11A5S. They're Arabs. Everything we do regards them is problematic, all successes will be partial, all failures deadly, all efforts swallowed up in the Black Hole of Araby. Lol.
#3
One of the key points is corruption / misappropriation of funds / embezzlement. Would like more details on "Sepoy" system, how did that prevent theft in office? How can rule of law be established in such a chaotic area?
Leaving air support to locals has a problem - without reliable local intelligence, how will the US know its air support isn't being used like a death squad?
#4
The time honored solution to corruption in the military is to start public executions of those caught with their hands in the till followed by a very short one time amnesty for those who come clean.
#5
Point well taken .com In India, the Brits divided the peoples into warlike and unwarlike races. I was going to suggest using the Kurds and Turkish peoples to police the Arabs, but was worried lest LH or someone else here accuse me of racism. But what the hell. There it is.
#6
11A5S - just post after 5:00 PM Eastern - lh apparently only posts from work, lol. :-)
If only there were more Kurds. LOTS more Kurds, more than there are Shia, specifically, then Iraq could go internal soon and make a go of it - and succeed. The age-old problem in the M.E. - too many fucking Arabs, lol.
#7
Daniel Pipes is smart, ME-culturally literate, but militarily you'd be better off (that's not saying much) taking advice from me on how to do the job. Instead: Listen to your troops/NCO's and people in theater. Sounds like that's what we're doing. Now, make it work
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/25/2006 18:46 Comments ||
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#8
Well there are a lot of Kurds, but many of them are in Turkey, Syria and Iran.
#10
The time honored solution to corruption in the military is to start public executions of those caught with their hands in the till followed by a very short one time amnesty for those who come clean.
This also creates paths for upward mobility while replacing soured administrators.
(KUNA) -- Locals at the town of Hedaitha in Western Iraq held a rally to protest the arrest of a mosque's Imam who was detained Monday by Iraqi forces under the suspicion of participating in a terrorist act, said a statement by the Multi-National Forces on Tuesday.
The MNF statement indicated that an Iraqi army unit was patrolling an area nearby a mosque in Hedaitha yesterday when it received gunfire from the direction of the mosque. This prompted the unit's soldiers to enter the mosque and arrest three suspects amongst them was the Imam, pointed out the statement as it noted that assault weapons and raw materials to manufacture explosives were confiscated during the arrest. About 70 townspeople gathered in front of an Iraqi military camp to protest the arrest.
Meanwhile, American troops said that they killed six insurgents and injured four others during operations in the Anbar province in western Iraq.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
"But he's so, uh, holy!"
"Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say."
"No, really - he's our only bombmaker electrician!"
"Good."
"But we protest!"
"And we understand. Line up - over by that wall."
(KUNA) -- Six gunmen were killed and four snipers were arrested in Al-Anbar province western Iraq, the US Army said on Tuesday. Army troops spotted ten hooded gunmen, brandishing machine guns and RPG's (Rocket-Propelled Grenades) before engaging them in a firefight, the army said in a statement. After the military operation ended, US troops seized arms and video cameras from the scene, the statement added.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Snipers and video cameras? Hmmm....
It's been a tough week for the insurgent snuff film business, in spite of recent media coverage in the target market. Beyond that, this is exactly the kind of small-scale success that happens every day in Iraq but which seems to fall below the radar horizon of the western media.
#2
Amen, AC. Sweet to take all of 'em down. Now if we don't officially turn the four (temporary) suvivors over to the Iraqis, they will stay out of the game.
#6
How can they be snipers with machine guns and RPGs ?
Is 'free lance shooter' an alternate definition for sniper ?
Whatever, they should not see the light of day again.
#7
I don't believe in coincidences. CNN plays video and a few days later we capture a bunch of snipers? And they had a video camera? Almost as if we have CNN watched as they made the deal in the first place and followed the delivery boy back to the store.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
10/25/2006 14:33 Comments ||
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#8
Ah, now that's an interesting catch, Jack... Hmmmm.
(KUNA) -- Multi-National forces have detained a chief of Al-Qaeda organization in the northern city of Mosul, the forces said in a statement released on Tuesday. The statement described the detained terrorist as dangerous and said he was nabbed in a search operation in the city, adding that he was responsible for bringing in terrorists secretly.
Another statement confirmed that the allied troops handed over security mission in the town of Talaafar west of Mosul to the government Iraqi forces, last week. The city had witnessed a spate of terrorist attacks.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
What does it take to be a Qaeda chief?
A flip of a coin?
What is the ratio of chief to peons?
Why doesn't Qaeda honor the English language law of "u" following Q?
Were they trying to pervert the rules of Scrabble?
#1
the threatened large-scale attacks, which they claimed may be imminent, are meant to provoke an Israeli military response in Gaza that would unite the Palestinians ..
"Violence will unite us." After all, it worked so well for Lebanon.
#2
Hopefully D-9s will be part of the assault force. Israel should retake all of Gaza and then cordon it off and go through it house by house arresting anyone suspicious, killing anyone resisting arrest, and confiscating every weapon it finds. The D-9s should bulldoze any house with weapons caches or tunnels. When the area is sterilized, then withdraw, wall it up, and forget it.
#4
Israel should make political divisions in Gaza and the West Bank. When the Pals act like animals one of the divisions close to the border is occupied, cleaned out, and future determined later. In most cases handed back quickly.
This would have the benefit of pushing Pal militancy away from the borders.
Either that or conquer the West Bank, call it Judea, and set up a second Jewish state. Hopefully once-removing Israel from whatever has to be done to civilize the Pals.
#5
Again, I say that any Israeli effort in Gaza that does not take away some land from the Paleos is futile.
Unless the Israelis begin to systematically change the status quo, it will not change. What they have done so far has been worthless.
For a small incident, 100 acres. For a major one, 1000 acres. Always adjacent to the Israeli wall, and with a new section of wall extended around it. Everything within that land shall be plowed flat, and officially it will be Israeli Army Training Area. No trespassing by anyone.
If it is privately held, then the Israeli government has the option to pay the owner fair market value for it.
But under NO circumstances will it ever be return to Paleo ownership.
Only in this way will the situation ever be resolved. Will there someday be an end to the violence. Because either the Paleos quit violence, or they eventually will have to leave entirely. Their choice.
#6
Israel should simply come into Gaza with enough force to evict every single person. Send them to Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, or Lebanon with the rest of their Arab brothers. Take complete control of Gaza, and annex it as part of Israel (which it should be anyway). Tell Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, et. al., that the next time Israel is attacked, Mecca and the capitals of the attacking states disappear. Rinse and repeat with the West Bank. Build up a military that can easily defeat at least six of its muzzie neighbors simultaneously. Then carry through when the muzzies decide that Israel isn't serious, and attack anyway.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
10/25/2006 13:44 Comments ||
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Palestinian gunmen kidnapped a photographer working for the Associated Press news agency in Gaza on Tuesday, keeping him captive more than 12 hours before pressure from Palestinian officials secured his release. Spaniard Emilio Morenatti, 37, was grabbed by four gunmen as he headed out of his apartment to an AP car on Tuesday morning. He was put in another vehicle and driven away, the AP said. Nobody claimed responsibility for the abduction.
Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said "the identity of the kidnappers is known and they will be prosecuted...
Morenatti's release came after the kidnapping was denounced by the Hamas-led government and President Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the rival Fatah movement. "The Associated Press is relieved that Emilio has been released, apparently unharmed. The security of our journalists is always our top concern," Tom Curley, president and CEO of The Associated Press, said in a statement. "We appreciate the assistance offered by so many people in obtaining his release, especially the Palestinian Authority and the office of the foreign minister of Spain."
Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said he had contacted Abbas and other Palestinian officials over the kidnapping. Senior security officials brought Morenatti to Abbas's office in Gaza after his release, witnesses said. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said "the identity of the kidnappers is known and they will be prosecuted", according to an official in Haniyeh's office. Haniyeh thanked his interior minister and security service for their efforts.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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A second Kassam rocket landed in an open field in the western Negev Tuesday night, shortly after a Kassam landed near the Sderot Industrial Zone. In both incidents no one was wounded and there was no damage to property. Meanwhile, the IDF destroyed a rocket launcher on the outskirts of Beit Hanun.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/25/2006 00:00 ||
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The IDF in September arrested Khaled Amsah, 43, the Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades operative who was responsible for the 2004 attack on an Erez crossing checkpoint, it was revealed on Tuesday. The army reported that Amsah, arrested in the northern Gaza village of Beit Hanun, had also admitted during his interrogation that he'd planned to send his son to perpetrate a suicide bombing, and that he was involved in firing Kassam rockets at Israel. The attack on the outpost left four IDF reservists dead and four wounded.
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Peretz vehemently denied reports that the IAF had shot on a German naval vessel off the Lebanese coast.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz spoke to his German counterpart Franz Josef Jung on Wednesday evening and vehemently denied reports that the IAF had shot on a German naval vessel off the Lebanese coast.
The IDF Spokesperson's Office released a statement stating unequivocally that "contrary to reports, the IDF did not fire at a German warship."
"The defense minister clarified to his German counterpart that Israel did not fire any shots on German planes or ships," said a Defense Ministry statement. "The defense minister said that Israel had no intention whatsoever to carry out attacks against German forces," continued the statement, adding that Peretz had stressed to Jung the need to "increase cooperation both directly and in the framework of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force."
Earlier, the German Defense Ministry reported that it was investigating an incident in which two IAF fighter jets allegedly fired shots and dropped flares near a German warship patrolling the Lebanese coast.
A ministry spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Wednesday that the planes - two F-16s - fired two shots and released the flares, which can be used as a defense measure against heat-seeking missiles.
It's not just the French who can take on the Israelis -- we're important targets too!!
The spokesman did not identify the vessel. A German naval task force led by the frigate Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is off the coast of Lebanon seeking to prevent weapons smuggling as part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force set up to secure a UN-brokered cease-fire that ended 34 days of fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hizbullah guerrillas in southern Lebanon on August 14.
In the interest of keeping the discussion of this in one place as the news emerges, I'm adding anonymous5089's article here as well and linking to it. Original Debka article listed below with link.
Israeli jets fire over German navy ship off Lebanon
BERLIN, Oct 25 (Rooters) - Two Israeli warplanes have fired over a German naval vessel patrolling off the Lebanese coast, the Defence Ministry in Berlin said on Wednesday. The daily Der Tagesspiegel quoted a German junior defence minister as telling a parliamentary committee that two Israeli F-16 fighters had flown low over the ship, firing twice.
The jets also activated infra-red countermeasures to ward off any rocket attack, the paper quoted him as saying, in an advance release from Thursday's edition.
The minister did not say when the incident happened or what had caused it.
"I can confirm that there was an incident," a ministry spokesman said on Wednesday. He declined to give further details as an investigation was under way.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said she was checking the report.
Germany assumed command of a United Nations naval force off Lebanon 10 days ago, and has sent eight ships and 1,000 service personnel to join the international peace operation in the region.
The naval force is charged with preventing weapons smuggling and helping maintain a ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese Islamic militant group Hezbollah
DEBKA report:
German defense ministry reports two Israeli F-16 warplanes flew low over a German navy vessel off Lebanon and fired two shots.
The defense ministry in Berlin offered no further details on the incident or when it happened. The German daily Der Tagesspiegel earlier Wednesday, Oct. 25, quoted a junior defense minister as making this report to a parliamentary committee. The Israeli jets also released infra-red countermeasures to ward off any rocket attack, the paper quoted him as saying. The minister did not say when the incident happened or what had caused it, the paper said.
The IDF spokesperson said the incident is being investigated. Germany assumed command of a United Nations naval force off the coast of Lebanon 10 days ago and has sent a force of eight ships and 1,000 service personnel to join the international peace operation in the region.
#3
Anyone want to bet that the German air defense radar was locked on the IAF F-16s before the fly-over? Not sure how you "fire two shots" from an F-16. If you are carrying a gun pod, the system isn't set up to fire single shots. You don't waste missiles that cost $100K+ as warning shots. My guess is that the "shots" that were fired were the twin sonic booms as the F-16s made a supersonic flyby.
#5
...You can't fire just two rounds from the M61 cannon on an F-16 - you get a whole lot more than that. What I'm worried about here is another USS Liberty...
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
10/25/2006 13:49 Comments ||
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#8
On a more interesting note, the Israeli military will have to make a contingency assumption that this fleet of ships could turn hostile, say if Israel launched an attack against Syria or Iran. Or even into Lebanon, again.
In such a circumstance, these ships would severely menace Israel proper, unless much of the fleet was destroyed or chased away.
So how would Israel take out such a fleet, short of using nukes?
#11
So how would Israel take out such a fleet, short of using nukes?
European ships?
Quite easily, I'd guess. We're not talking first-line militaries with funds for training and ammunition. Oh, sure, they have long military traditions, but their hearts aren't in it anymore.
Granted, their Muslim and tranzi masters would love to get some Jew-killin' on, but the odds that they'd be able to stop the Israelis from sinking them? Slim to none.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
10/25/2006 14:28 Comments ||
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#12
Could be a wake up call to the Krauts reminding them of their promised duty to prevent muzzie weapon smuggling opertions pursuant to their UN mandate.
Could be an IAF military hat tip to the Krauts thanking them for they're historical part in helping to establish the State of Israel some 60 years ago.
Could be a light hearted post-Ramadan Israeli inside joke to the Krauts, as in: Okay Germany, you wanna f**k with us NOW?
Could be an Al-Reuters bald face pro-muzzie, anti-Israeli lie.
Could be all or any combination of the above.
If the reports are true I just smile.
Posted by: Mark Z ||
10/25/2006 14:37 Comments ||
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#13
Could they have dropped a couple flares after the Germans lit them up with a targeting radar?
Actually, Jonathan may be closest to the mark. In preparation for any anticipated UNFIL festivities, the Israelis may have done a close overflight that purposefully forced the German boats to light up their sensor suites so that they could be profiled for later jamming.
#16
I am guessing the Germans lit up the F-16s and the pilots just wanted to demonstrate to the Germans how easily they could be sent to the bottom of the Med.
#18
So the UN has Israel surrounded? Just who are they there to defend??? Jew hating Muslims surrounding them by land and Germans, there to provide peace, to the sea. Historically speaking they are not surrounded by friends. If I was Israeli I would be establishing dominance there as well. I think they are just letting the Germans know who not to mess with.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
10/25/2006 16:25 Comments ||
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#20
Put a few hundred rounds into the bridge of one of them then call for a UN investigation into the "root causes" of the violence. And blame the dead Germans for illegally occupying historic Israeli waters.
And torch the entire French flotilla at the same time. Just don't bother talking about it or responding to any questions. "Eh? The French had ships?"
Posted by: Laurence of the Rats ||
10/25/2006 17:06 Comments ||
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#21
"Das boot" all over again...All these different nationalities in and around Lebanon an accident waiting to happen.....
#24
In preparation for any anticipated UNFIL festivities, the Israelis may have done a close overflight that purposefully forced the German boats to light up their sensor suites so that they could be profiled for later jamming.
Possible. But the frequencies and signatures are available within NATO. It's be easier and less trouble to simply 'obtain' them, if they haven't been obtained already.
I am guessing the Germans lit up the F-16s and the pilots just wanted to demonstrate to the Germans how easily they could be sent to the bottom of the Med.
Could go either way, CS. If I were the TAO and the F-16s did what they did, I'd light them up as well. Weapons tight, but I'd light them up.
I'd charge the Kreigsmarine for the training.
I highly doubt the Kriegsmarine sat around drinking coffee before they deployed.
Anti-ship missle: Excocet/Harpoon, or similar.
Blub, blub, blub.
Obviously your knowledge of naval warfare is right up there with your knowledge of foreign affairs.
#25
Obviously your knowledge of naval warfare is right up there with your knowledge of foreign affairs.
Your point would be? I spent quite a few years in the Navy at the sharp end of the spear. I'm not sure just what anti-ship ordinance the Israelis have, but whatever it is, against the thin skinned vessels the Germans have deployed in the region I am sure it's enough. And "Blub, blub, blub" is the sound those vessels would make as they headed for the deep.
#26
But the frequencies and signatures are available within NATO.
Last I checked, Israel isn't a member of NATO. One quick overflight gave them lots of useful realtime information needed to program source guided missiles. In addition, they sent a loud and clear message to the UNFIL wonks.
Wittingly or not, Germany providing the least sort of fig leaf protective cover for genocidal Hezbollah isn't just ironic, it's disgusting.
Lots of people have been in the Navy 'at the point'. Getting up at 0430 to serve breakfast is tough. And you're looking at death in the face should you run out of Snickers in your store.
But did you ever work with the Kriegsmarine? Ever hear of the RAM system? Ever went through drills and memorised procedures? Ever had to be the guy making the call when an unidentified aircraft or ship was CBDR?
The Israelis have never faced a modern Western combat-ship. The Liberty doesn't count. Obviously the Germans are doing something right, since Israel got its subs from them.
My point is, you don't have a fucking clue what you're talking about. Just like the rest of your posts.
#28
Lots of people have been in the Navy 'at the point'. Getting up at 0430 to serve breakfast is tough. And you're looking at death in the face should you run out of Snickers in your store.
Never worked in the mess hall! Left the Navy after 10 as an AOC. That
would be Aviation Ordinanceman CPO. I've handled everything in the inventory, including nukes, at the squadron level and in the weapons locker.
Messmen do not get up at 04:30 to serve breakfast, the overnight crew is already up after having served midrats (midnight rations). Pogue bait never appealed to me. I knew several folks in the service that adopted the moniker "Pappy" they were without exception opinionated dipshits, legends in their own lunch time. No reason to think you're any different.
But did you ever work with the Kriegsmarine? Ever hear of the RAM system? Ever went through drills and memorised procedures? Ever had to be the guy making the call when an unidentified aircraft or ship was CBDR?
Nope, nope, nope and nope! Doesn't matter either. If the Israelis decide that the ships need sinking, they'll be sunk. I never said they wouldn't take any losses.
The Israelis have never faced a modern Western combat-ship. The Liberty doesn't count. Obviously the Germans are doing something right, since Israel got its subs from them.
No doubt, the Germans are fine engineers, and they probably make good Submarines based on what I have read and heard from people that know. But the Germans haven't faced a modern Air Force armed with modern anti-ship missles either.
My point is, you don't have a fucking clue what you're talking about. Just like the rest of your posts.
You're a sanctimonious ass that seems to enjoys the smell of his own exhaust. Keep sniffing it pogue-boy.
#29
Nobeards, in case you didn't know, RAM is the antimissile system the USN developed when it was discovered that Phalanx couldn't stop the latest generation of let's-pretend-they're-not-soviet-anymore anti-ship missiles. It was codeveloped with the German Navy.
If German defenses against such are no good... it kinda implies that US defenses are no good either.
DISGRACED Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan smuggled several nuclear centrifuges to Dubai that may have been transferred to Iran, a Pakistani military official has admitted.
Khan smuggled several nuclear (P2) centrifuges to Dubai that may have been transferred to Iran. Some were also sent to North Korea
The P2 nuclear centrifuges were also sent to North Korea, said the official, who did not want to be identified.
Reports in Pakistan yesterday quoted the official, who was speaking in Washington, as saying: "If you ask for an educated and intelligent guess, I would say, yes, they might have been sent to Iran too, but we have no evidence to prove it."
Pakistani newspapers said the briefing was intended to reassure the world that Islamabad was not officially involved in the proliferation of nuclear technology and that the network operated by Dr Khan had been destroyed.
Islamabad is highly sensitive about charges of official complicity in proliferation and involvement in the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran.
International inspectors have found evidence of Pakistani centrifuges at Iranian nuclear sites
International inspectors have found evidence of Pakistani centrifuges at Iranian nuclear sites, although Tehran denies receiving them. The military official is reported to have said that in 1995, long after Pakistan stopped using the old P1 machines, Dr Khan ordered 200 centrifuges "out of Kahuta (the Khan laboratories at Islamabad) to Dubai". They were then sent to Iran.
Asked if he knew how many P2s were smuggled out, the official said: "Three or four P2s were sent to Dubai."
He said Pakistan had no objection to subjecting Dr Khan to a polygraph test to determine if he was telling the truth to interrogators, but claimed the US had refused to supply Islamabad with a polygraph. He said the Pakistani Government could never allow a foreign agency to interrogate Dr Khan, because he was still seen as a national hero.
There's not a single Pakistani who does not consider Khan a national hero
"There's not a single Pakistani who does not consider him a national hero," he was quoted as saying. "It will be a highly controversial move (if he is interrogated) and the political repercussions will be huge."
The official said Dr Khan was recovering from surgery for prostate cancer, but was fit enough to be interrogated.
(CNN) -- An al Qaeda operative wanted in connection with the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings was killed in April in Pakistan, American officials have confirmed. Pakistani officials had said that Muhsin Musa Matwalli Atwah was killed in North Waziristan during an airstrike by Pakistani forces near the border with Afghanistan. DNA testing confirmed the Pakistani government's claim, U.S. officials said, and Atwah's name was removed from the FBI's list of Most Wanted Terrorists.
Atwah, 42, was born in Egypt. He was indicted in connection with al Qaeda's suicide bombings of U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The attacks killed 224 people, including 12 Americans. There was a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Atwah, who also went by the alias Abdel Rahman al-Muhajer, had been a member of al Qaeda since at least 1990 and provided explosives training in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sudan, according to his indictment. The indictment also charged that Atwah had been part of an al Qaeda cell operating in Somalia in the early 1990s that provided training to Somali tribesmen who attacked U.S. forces in that country.
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
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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.
Afghan intelligence officers seized two trucks transporting hundreds of kilogrammes of bomb-making materials in a province near the capital, NATO said on Tuesday. The discovery comes after Kabul saw a surge in suicide and other bomb attacks last month, with officials saying bomb-making cells were operating around the city.
(SomaliNet) Number-two leader of the Islamic Courts Mr. Hassan Turki announced his organizations immediate intention to chase President Abdulahi Yusuf and his powerless government out of Baydhabo in the coming days. In a telephone interview with Horn Afrik radio in Mogadishu, he said the southern part of the country is in our hands and we are going to Burao (in Somaliland) and Galkaio (in Puntland). 
(SomaliNet) Somalia government troops that are at the frontline with its rival of Islamists around Baidoa city southwest of Somalia are reported on Tuesday to have been put on high alert for possible confrontation with Islamist fighters. Sources from Baidoa city, the seat of transitional federal government indicate that army commanders were ordered to be attentive and prepare their troops for engaging war with Islamic militants. 
The son of mad mullah Omar Bakri was yesterday caught leaving Britain with £13,500 for his dad. Abdul Rahman Fostok was found with a cash-stuffed brown envelope marked Daddy as he prepared to board a plane to Beirut, where Bakri fled to from London. Special Branch cops held the money with powers from the 2000 Anti-Terrorism Act before letting Fostok, 23, fly from Heathrow. Officers believe the sum was meant for Bakri, 47, who quit Britain last year after The Sun campaigned to have him expelled.
KHYBER AGENCY: As many as 14 people were killed while a number 
The son of a retired Pakistani brigadier is among three Al Qaeda-linked terrorists arrested for masterminding attempted rocket attacks near the presidents house and parliament, police said on Tuesday. The suspects were seized on Monday, based on information provided by eight alleged militants detained earlier this month after the three foiled attacks, Islamabads Inspector General (IG) of Police Iftikhar Ahmed Chaudhry said. 
Suspected tribal rebels blew up a key pipeline in Balochistan on Tuesday, leaving tens of thousands of people without gas, officials said. The pre-dawn blast suspended natural gas supplies to provincial capital Quetta, as well as to the Kalat, Mastung, Ziarat and Pishin districts, a gas company official said on condition of anonymity. Repair work has begun on the ruptured section of the pipeline at Dasht, near Quetta, and supplies will hopefully be restored later Tuesday, the official added.
(KUNA) -- A top commander of the Hizbul Mujahedeen group was among the three others killed in an encounter with security forces in the Doda district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday. When a team comprising Indian armymen and police personnel cordoned off Keen Dhar area of Doda district, an encounter started between them and the armed group Tuesday, news agency Indo-Asian News Service reported. The gunfight continued for over four hours, the news agency added. All the three killed gunmen belong to Hizbul Mujahedeen group while one of them was Mushtaq Ahmad, a divisional commander, according to the news agency.
BAGHDAD, Iraq U.S. and Iraqi forces on Wednesday raided a stronghold of radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in search of a top militia leader accused of commanding sectarian death squads, the U.S. military said.
U.S. forces continue to chip away at Muqtada al-Sadr's power base in Iraq. The Kuwaiti News Agency reports on 
The IDF in September arrested Khaled Amsah, 43, the Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades operative who was responsible for the 2004 attack on an Erez crossing checkpoint, it was revealed on Tuesday. The army reported that Amsah, arrested in the northern Gaza village of Beit Hanun, had also admitted during his interrogation that he'd planned to send his son to perpetrate a suicide bombing, and that he was involved in firing Kassam rockets at Israel. The attack on the outpost left four IDF reservists dead and four wounded.
(CNN) -- An al Qaeda operative wanted in connection with the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings was killed in April in Pakistan, American officials have confirmed. Pakistani officials had said that 
