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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Jumblat Slams Nasallah's 'War against Takfiris'

2013-06-04

[An Nahar] Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Wally Jumblat ... Druze politician, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, who's been on every side in Leb at least four times. He'll sell you his friends for a dollar, but family comes higher because of shipping and handling... slammed on Monday Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah's description of Syria's war as a "fight against Takfiris," ...an adherent of takfir wal hijra, an offshoot of Salafism that regards everybody who doesn't agree with them as apostates who most be killed... accusing the Syrian regime of hiding behind the Islamist jihadist al-Nusra Front to conduct attacks in Iraq and Leb. "Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Terror of Aleppo ... 's regime executed terrorist attacks in many locations, in Iraq for example, by claiming it was fighting occupation and it also released many al-Nusra members from jails upon the eruption of the Syrian revolution," Jumblat stated in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website. "This reminds us of what happened with Shaker al-Absi and Fatah al Islam." Jumblat said that as a result of the "desperation created because of the international community's passiveness towards the crisis in Syria, many rebels might have joined the Front." "To a part of the revolutionaries, the Front has become the main resistance against the regime," he pointed out. "There is no doubt that the confusion created by suggesting it is either the regime or al-Nusra Front delays the consolidation between the opposition's groups and prolongs the regime's reign." Jumblat also criticized Nasrallah's description of the war on Syria as a "fight against Takfiris." "We ask God to forgive those that said it is a war against Takfiris knowing that he (Nasrallah) is aware of the Syrian people's righteous demands," he said. Jumblat continued: "The international community is to blame for the current situation in Syria as it failed to have a unified view on the conflict and on how to deal with it." During a speech he gave in May at a ceremony marking the 13th anniversary of Israel's military withdrawal from Leb, Nasrallah said the Takfiris are the "most prevailing group in the Syrian opposition," warning against a defeat against them in the ongoing war in Syria. He said: "If Syria falls in the hands of the Takfiris and the United States, the resistance will become under a siege and Israel will enter Leb. If Syria falls, the Paleostinian cause will be lost." The Druze leader reiterated his support to the "Syrian people's revolution against injustice, dictatorship and oppression," but stressed his rejection to all calls that refuse to recognize other religious sects. "(Influential Musselmen holy man Yusuf) Qaradawi's call to expiate Allawites is completely unacceptable and contradicts with Islamic Sharia," Jumblat declared. "Such fatwas (Islamic edicts) generate hatred and establish long-term sectarian conflicts."

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Europe

French arrest man suspected of financing al-Qaeda

2012-07-04

[Dawn] French authorities have locked away Book 'im, Mahmoud! the administrator of an turban French website who is suspected of playing a key role in financing and recruiting for al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups from Pakistain to Spain, the Gay Paree prosecutor's office said Tuesday. The man, whom prosecutors call an "operational vector and formidable financier of the bloodiest terrorist groups'', is being questioned Tuesday. He faces preliminary charges of planning terrorist acts and financing a terrorist enterprise, the prosecutor's office said in a statement. The man, a Tunisian born in 1977 based in the southern French city of Toulon, was locked away Book 'im, Mahmoud! Friday after a yearlong investigation, the prosecutor's statement said. It did not give the man's name. The prosecutor cited "serious and concordant evidence" that the suspect sent material from his computer to terrorist groups. It says he played a "centralizing role" in collecting funds for terrorist groups to buy weapons, but did not elaborate on how much money was involved. Prosecutors say he is suspected of acting as a financier and recruiter for groups including al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (North Africa), Fatah al Islam, and the Islamic State of Iraq. Investigators studied thousands of email messages and analyzed a "considerable mass" of data, prosecutors said. They called it an exceptionally advanced example of "the use of the Internet for terrorist ends in the domain of radical Islam." The arrest comes three months after a gunman who police said claimed allegiance to al-Qaeda killed Jewish schoolchildren and paratroopers in a rampage in southern La Belle France, in La Belle France's worst terrorist attacks since the 1990s. Also earlier this year, a French court sentenced an Algerian-born nuclear physicist to five years in prison for his role in plotting terrorism with al-Qaeda's north African wing via online contacts. Adlene Hicheur, a former researcher at Switzerland's ...home of the Helvetians, famous for cheese, watches, yodeling, and William Tell... CERN laboratory, was convicted of "criminal association with a view to plotting terrorist attacks." His defenders say he was a victim of allegedly overzealous French anti-terrorism laws and that he explored ideas on jihadist websites but never took any concrete step toward terrorism.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Work Accident in Syria

2012-04-24

Lebanon's Most Wanted Sunni Terrorist Blows Himself Up When one of Lebanon's most wanted terrorists kills himself while planting a bomb it is cause for at least some sort of grim celebration. But when the chief bomb-maker of the country's most notorious terror group self detonates while helping rebels fight in Syria, it is cause for concern. Concern? No, pass the popcorn please. TIME has learned that Abdel Ghani Jawhar, one of the leaders of the Sunni fundamentalist terror group Fatah al-Islam, died in the Syrian city of Qsair on Friday night. The founding cleric of Fatah al Islam, Sheikh Osama al Shihabi, confirmed Jawhar's death to TIME with a quote from the Koran: This is not the first time that Jawhar is thought to have been killed; several previous death announcements have been retracted over the years. Is this guy a cat, with nine lives or something? News of his death has been relayed by multiple--and unrelated--sources in both Syria and Lebanon. According to a fellow fighter, who goes by the nom de guerre Abu Ali, Jawhar had been preparing an explosive device to be used against the Syrian army, which had been attempting to enter the rebel-dominated town not far from Homs. As Abu Ali narrated the tale over Skype, the sound of bombs and explosions could be heard in the background. Jawhar's bomb went off prematurely, says Abu Ali. "He was killed directly. We wanted to send his body back to Lebanon but we couldn't because it was torn into pieces." Instead Jawhar's fellow fighters were forced to bury what was left of him in a neighboring garden because it was impossible to reach the graveyard during heavy fighting. I just love a happy ending.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Middle East In Syria, Lebanon's Most Wanted Sunni Terrorist Blows Himself Up

2012-04-23

Lebanese terror leader Abdel Ghani Jawhar detonated himself accidentally in Syria, raising questions about the kind of company the rebels are keeping. And who's supplying the raw materials for the kabooms... When one of Lebanon's most wanted terrorists kills himself while planting a bomb it is cause for at least some sort of grim celebration. But when the chief bomb-maker of the country's most notorious terror group self detonates while helping rebels fight in Syria, it is cause for concern. Only if your name is Mahmoud and you supplied the detonator... TIME has learned that Abdel Ghani Jawhar, one of the leaders of the Sunni fundamentalist terror group Fatah al-Islam, died in the Syrian city of Qsair on Friday night. The founding cleric of Fatah al Islam, Sheikh Osama al Shihabi, confirmed Jawhar's death to TIME with a quote from the Koran: "'We are for God and to him we return.' We as Mujahideen are used to being killed and if God wants to give those killed dignity he gives them martyrdom. This is the path of righteousness."

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Europe

Greek police arrest Paleo-Leb terror suspect

2011-02-14

A Lebanese-Paleo identified in a press report as a member of the terrorist group Fatah al Islam was arrested in Athens on Sunday evening. According to the Greek police, Ghaleb Taleb and another man were arrested following lengthy surveillance. The arrest followed a report in Corriere della Sera, Greek authorities reportedly acting before the suspect could flee. Another man claimed by the newspaper as Taleb's predecessor, Mohammed Mousa, has also been arrested. Both men face deportation. The Italian newspaper charged that Taleb was in Greece to coordinate an attack in Greece or another European country.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Leb army busts 'terrorist network'

2008-10-13

Lebanese authorities on Sunday arrested a "terrorist network" behind deadly bomb attacks in the northern city of Tripoli, the army said. "Several members of a terrorist cell involved in the recent explosions in Tripoli have been arrested," the army said in a statement carried by the official news agency NNA. The army said an explosives belt for use in another attack was found during the arrest operation carried out by a joint unit of soldiers and internal security forces. A search is underway for a leading member of the cell, named as Abdul Ghani Ali Jawhar, the statement said, adding that those arrested are being questioned, without saying how many are being held. Tripoli has also since May been rocked by deadly sectarian violence between Sunni Muslim supporters of the government and their Damascus-backed rivals from the Alawite community. Four soldiers and three civilians were killed as an explosion ripped through a military bus in the port city on September 29. A similar attack in mid-August killed 14 people, including nine soldiers and a child. Last year, the army fought a 15-week battle with the al-Qaeda inspired Fatah al-Islam militia in a Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli that killed 400 people, including 168 soldiers. More detail, from Ya Libnan... The Lebanese army says troops have arrested members of a terrorist group allegedly involved in recent bombings in northern Lebanon. "Several members of a terrorist cell involved in the recent explosions in Tripoli have been arrested," the army said in a statement carried by the official news agency NNA. The statement referred to Aug. 13 and Sept. 29 bombings in Tripoli. The bombings killed a total of 25 people, most of them Lebanese soldiers. The statement did not give further details. But a security official speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press said three Palestinians were among those arrested. The statement says an explosives belt in their possession was confiscated. It says troops were still pursuing Abdel-Ghani Jawhar, a leading member of the cell. The person who had the explosives belt is Alaa Mehrez, also known as Attiya. He was detained along with a woman in Bab el-Tebbaneh, Tripoli Sources said Mehrez was a brother-in-law of the main suspect on the run (Abdel-Ghani Jawhar). The arrests were carried out near Baddawi, another Palestinian camp in north Lebanon. Security sources said six people were arrested , including four men from the same family: Mahmud Azzam, 80, and his three sons. The father and two of his sons were released after questioning. A fourth brother, Jihad, had been killed in last year's fighting with the army at the Nahr el Bared camp According to Almustaqbal TV the terrorist cell belongs to Fatah al Islam.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Ceasefire ends shootout in Ein el-Hellhole

2008-03-23

Palestinian leaders intervened last night and ended the clash between the mainstream Fatah organization and Jund al-Sham Islamic militants. One was killed and four were wounded in the bloody clashes. All the reported victims belonged to Fatah according to security sources. Jund al-Sham did not report its casualties. Fighting initially erupted Thursday when the mainstream Fatah organization arrested Hussam Maarouf, a member of Jund al-Sham, and handed him over to the Lebanese army on charges that he tried to kill Fatah officials at the camp , Palestinian officials at Ein el-Helweh have reported. Maarouf was also wanted by the Lebanese army on other crimes. Jund al-Sham gunmen attacked Fatah offices in the camp with machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades, in response to the arrest of their comrade, security officials said. Fatah fighters hit back with their own volleys of RPGs and machine-gun fire. The echo of gunfire was heard as far as Sidon. Many Palestinian families fled to safer areas in nearby Sidon as the fighting escalated . Jund al-Sham is an extremist Islamic militant group which is connected to Al Qaida . It has in the past clashed with the Lebanese army and other Palestinian groups including the mainstream Fatah organization. The group was blamed for several bombings in both Lebanon and Syria Jund el Sham is a splinter of Usbat el Ansar , another extremist Palestinian Islamic militant group. Its name ( soldiers of al Sham ) is derived from the Syrian term of Bilad el Sham , which includes Jordan , Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine ( present day Israel) and Syria. It has Palestinian and Lebanese fighters . Several fighters of Fatah al Islam ( not related to mainstream Fatah organization) came from Jund al-Sham. Last year Fatah al Islam fought the Lebanese army for 106 days in the Nahr el bared Palestinian refugee camp. At the end of the battle the Lebanese army declared victory . Fatah al Islam was disbanded and its leader had reportedly fled to Syria where he came from . With a population of 70,000 , Ein el-Hilweh, , is the largest of Lebanon's 12 Palestinian refugee camps. A number of fugitives live in the camp, which is under Palestinian jurisdiction . Under an agreement called Cairo accord the refugee camps are off limits to the Lebanese authorities. This camp has seen a lot of fighting and is considered the most dangerous in Lebanon.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Lebanon indicts 56 Islamists accusing them of terrorism

2008-02-19

The first military examining magistrate Rashid Mezher issued indictments against 56 individuals belonging to Fatah al-Islam , Al Qaeda and Usbat al-Ansar, a Salafist jihadist organization. They were accused of forming terrorist gangs for the purpose of committing crimes against people and undermining the authority of the Lebanese state. They were accused of forming terrorist gangs for the purpose of committing crimes against people and undermining the authority of the Lebanese state and for possessing illegal arms and explosive and carrying out terrorist acts and incitements to killing . The nationalities of the accused include Lebanese, Syrians, Palestinians , Jordanians and Saudi Arabians . 9 were sentenced in absentia , 18 were detained by the authorities and the rest are of unknown identity. At least 446 people, including 168 soldiers and 226 Fatah al Islam militants, had been killed in the fighting between the army and the Islamist militants during the 105-day siege of the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp. Between 400 and 500 soldiers had been wounded and more than 215 militants had been captured.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

U.N. to help Lebanon in probing Eid assassination

2008-02-03

The U.N. Security Council approved a request from the Lebanese government for help in investigating the assassination of security intelligence officer Maj. Wissam Eid. The pan-Arab Al Hayat newspaper said a letter from the Security Council president stressed the Council's determination to help to the Lebanese government find the truth. The UN investigation is already looking into 14 other apparently politically motivated attacks in Lebanon since the 2005 assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri. Al Hayat said the Council's approval came in response to a request by Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Saniora's government asking for "technical help" in the investigation into the murder of Eid and his bodyguard which were killed in a massive car bombing on Jan. 25. Lebanon’s "Al-Nahar" newspaper found out from very high-level security sources that Captain Wissam Eid paid a heavy price of his achievements. In addition to finding out that Fatah al Islam was behind the Ain Alaq twin bus crime he also discovered the link between Fatah al Islam terrorists and Syria’s top intelligence chief, Major General Assef Shawkat, Shawkat is the brother -in -law of Syrian president Bashar al Assad Eid also had a major role in the investigation of the murder of former Prime minister Rafik Hariri and has been involved to a great extent with the UN investigation team.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Eid discovered the link between Fatah al Islam & Syria

2008-01-27

Lebanon’s "Al-Nahar" newspaper found out from very high-level security sources that Captain Wissam Eid who was assassinated on Friday, paid a heavy price of his achievements. In addition to finding out that Fatah al Islam was behind the Ain Alaq twin bus crime he also discovered the link between Fatah al Islam terrorists and Syria’s top intelligence chief Major General Assef Shawkat, Shawkat is the brother -in -law of Syrian president Bashar al Assad Eid also had a major role in the investigation of the murder of former Prime minister Rafik Hariri and has been involved to a great extent with the UN investigation team. As the date of the establishment of International tribunal was getting closer , Eid’s role has become very critical . The International Tribunal is charged with trying the killers of Hariri and the related crimes Syria was accused of being behind the murder of Hariri and the related crimes . Syria ad its Lebanese allies has also been fighting against the creation of the International tribunal . Syria denied any wrongdoing .

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Fatah al-Islam sez they're infesting Ein el-Hellhole

2008-01-05

It seems that the Palestinian leadership did not learn any lessons from the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp . Is there any other explanation for the presence of Fatah al-Islam terrorists in Ein el-Hilweh camp? Ein el-Hilweh is the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon and is located near Sidon in the south. Fatah Al Islam has circulated a statement by fax to the local media agencies in which its group claimed responsibility for detonating explosive devices at dawn last Monday targeting "renegades and disbelievers inside Ein al-Hilweh camp." The statement was signed by "Media office of the Fatah al -Islam movement." The statement said: "Some thought that Fatah al-Islam has been wiped out , but those people will be disappointed when they find out that our flag is still hoisted and our swords are still pointing to the infidels , renegades and crusaders “. Today the body of Jund el-Sham leader Saleh Abdallah was found hanged in the produce market of Sidon . Neither Fatah al Islam nor any other organization have claimed responsibility for this hanging . Jund al-Sham is based in Syria and is another militant group that Syria funds and trains according to sources that are familiar with this group.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

French MP: Syria has 10 to 15 active terrorist cells in Lebanon

2008-01-03

Syria has 10 to 15 terrorists cells throughout Lebanon which are protected by and given logistical support by Syria’s allies Hezbollah and Amal according to French parliamentary sources. The cells according to the MP are similar to the thirty three member terrorist cell that was discovered recently in Lebanon and was charged by Lebanese military magistrate . All the members of this cell were part of the Syrian intelligence and were protected by Amal and Hezbollah . The French MP, who is a member of the national security and foreign relations committee of the parliament and who has access to sensitive intelligence reports said that the terrorist cells are similar to Fatah al Islam terrorist organization , that Syria tried but failed in marketing it as part the Al Qaeda network. The Lebanese army fought Fatah al Islam terrorist at the Nahr el Bared Palestinian refugee camp for 106 days last summer , the battle ended in the defeat and disbanding of the terrorist organization. Its leader Shaker al Absi escaped the battle and fled to Syria where he came from .

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