MIDDLE EAST
Iran – A public prosecutor was killed in the restive south-eastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan on the 6 Nov 13. The attack was thought to have been carried out by the terrorist group “The Sunni Jaish Al Adl” the group also claimed responsibility for an attack last month that killed 14 border guards. Iran retaliated by hanging eight Sunni insurgents along with eight drug traffickers. Jaish-ul Adl, the rebel group formed last year and whose name means Army of Justice in Arabic, but little is known about the group. The newly formed terrorist group claimed the attack on the border guards was in retaliation for the alleged Iranian massacre in Syria and the cruel treatment of Sunni’s in Iran. The group had also issued a statement vowing to take revenge on those that the Iranian government had hanged. With the Iranian involvement in Syria the new group obviously feels that it is affiliated to the Sunni Muslims that are fighting there. Failing that, the rebel groups fighting in Syria may be instigating a terrorist campaign in Iran in order to keep its military in country and therefore not able to deploy more to assist the Assad government.
Iraq – Violence so far this year has left more than 5,500 people dead, the country's worst bloodshed since 2008, when it was emerging from a sectarian war in which tens of thousands were killed. Although nothing much can be said regarding the amount of Iraqis killed it will not be long if the current trend continues that the terrorists will have killed more of their own people than they claim that the coalition forces had allegedly killed. Those responsible for the propaganda that the terrorist dish out will have hard job explaining that, or will they?
Iraq will hold elections on the 30 Apr 14 to elect Council of Representatives. No doubt the build up and on the Election Day will see days of violent terrorism in order to disrupt the election process. However, in the past the country has been placed on ‘lock-down’ during the election period with little traffic moving and many checkpoints being put in place so as to reduce the amount of vehicle bombs exploding during the process.
Iraq/Kurdistan – With the Kurds in the north of Iraq securing their borders with Syria after fighting terrorist groups in the area, the country which has had some stability in Iraq may find itself targeted by al-Qaeda elements. Targets in the stable cities of Suleimaniyah and Erbil may find themselves the centre of attention.
Lebanon – With the problems associated with the continuing war in Syria, Lebanon is experiencing a wave of kidnappings of wealthy people in the country. The rise is as much as seven fold due to a lack of security and the security forces unable to protect its citizens. The kidnappings are put down to gangs who once made their money in smuggling fuel and contraband through the Syrian-Lebanon border. Since the border is more tightly controlled due to the war in Syria these smugglers have found it difficult to operate and have turned to hostage taking. Officials in Lebanon fear that this could escalate and be used for political purposes. The Lebanese security analyst Nizar Abdul-Qudar has stated, “The reason why there are so many kidnappings is because the state is failing. State security is unable and cannot work.” If the war in Syria continues this form of exploitation and finance will no doubt find its way into small terrorist organisations that require funding. This money will then allow them to purchase weapons and explosives and Lebanon could find its way back similar to the brutal civil war it has so long ago put behind it.
Syria/Turkey – KGS Nightwatch reported on the 5 Nov 13. Turkish authorities have seized a large quantity of chemicals from a convoy trying to illegally enter Turkey from Syria, which "could be transformed into weapons", the army said Sunday. The convoy of three vehicles refused to stop as it attempted to illegally cross the border on Saturday near the Turkish town of Reyhanli, the army said in a statement. Reyhanli is a border town across from northwestern Syria near the Mediterranean coast. Comment: Turkish authorities did not disclose the owners of the chemicals or of the convoy. The significance of the incident is that it shows that groups other than the Syrian government are trading in dangerous chemicals for other than industrial uses. Comment Ends. 361 Comment – Although the statement does not say who was arrested it is clear that some of the chemicals that have been used by Syrian government forces have made their way in to terrorist hands. This is not the first time that it is believed chemicals due to be made in to weapons have been found outside the country. In the 361 Terrorist and Security report for the Middle East dated 15 Jun 13 it was reported that a chemical weapons factory was uncovered in Iraq with plans to export those chemical weapons to Europe, and the USA.
Iran – A public prosecutor was killed in the restive south-eastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan on the 6 Nov 13. The attack was thought to have been carried out by the terrorist group “The Sunni Jaish Al Adl” the group also claimed responsibility for an attack last month that killed 14 border guards. Iran retaliated by hanging eight Sunni insurgents along with eight drug traffickers. Jaish-ul Adl, the rebel group formed last year and whose name means Army of Justice in Arabic, but little is known about the group. The newly formed terrorist group claimed the attack on the border guards was in retaliation for the alleged Iranian massacre in Syria and the cruel treatment of Sunni’s in Iran. The group had also issued a statement vowing to take revenge on those that the Iranian government had hanged. With the Iranian involvement in Syria the new group obviously feels that it is affiliated to the Sunni Muslims that are fighting there. Failing that, the rebel groups fighting in Syria may be instigating a terrorist campaign in Iran in order to keep its military in country and therefore not able to deploy more to assist the Assad government.
Iraq – Violence so far this year has left more than 5,500 people dead, the country's worst bloodshed since 2008, when it was emerging from a sectarian war in which tens of thousands were killed. Although nothing much can be said regarding the amount of Iraqis killed it will not be long if the current trend continues that the terrorists will have killed more of their own people than they claim that the coalition forces had allegedly killed. Those responsible for the propaganda that the terrorist dish out will have hard job explaining that, or will they?
Iraq will hold elections on the 30 Apr 14 to elect Council of Representatives. No doubt the build up and on the Election Day will see days of violent terrorism in order to disrupt the election process. However, in the past the country has been placed on ‘lock-down’ during the election period with little traffic moving and many checkpoints being put in place so as to reduce the amount of vehicle bombs exploding during the process.
Iraq/Kurdistan – With the Kurds in the north of Iraq securing their borders with Syria after fighting terrorist groups in the area, the country which has had some stability in Iraq may find itself targeted by al-Qaeda elements. Targets in the stable cities of Suleimaniyah and Erbil may find themselves the centre of attention.
Lebanon – With the problems associated with the continuing war in Syria, Lebanon is experiencing a wave of kidnappings of wealthy people in the country. The rise is as much as seven fold due to a lack of security and the security forces unable to protect its citizens. The kidnappings are put down to gangs who once made their money in smuggling fuel and contraband through the Syrian-Lebanon border. Since the border is more tightly controlled due to the war in Syria these smugglers have found it difficult to operate and have turned to hostage taking. Officials in Lebanon fear that this could escalate and be used for political purposes. The Lebanese security analyst Nizar Abdul-Qudar has stated, “The reason why there are so many kidnappings is because the state is failing. State security is unable and cannot work.” If the war in Syria continues this form of exploitation and finance will no doubt find its way into small terrorist organisations that require funding. This money will then allow them to purchase weapons and explosives and Lebanon could find its way back similar to the brutal civil war it has so long ago put behind it.
Syria/Turkey – KGS Nightwatch reported on the 5 Nov 13. Turkish authorities have seized a large quantity of chemicals from a convoy trying to illegally enter Turkey from Syria, which "could be transformed into weapons", the army said Sunday. The convoy of three vehicles refused to stop as it attempted to illegally cross the border on Saturday near the Turkish town of Reyhanli, the army said in a statement. Reyhanli is a border town across from northwestern Syria near the Mediterranean coast. Comment: Turkish authorities did not disclose the owners of the chemicals or of the convoy. The significance of the incident is that it shows that groups other than the Syrian government are trading in dangerous chemicals for other than industrial uses. Comment Ends. 361 Comment – Although the statement does not say who was arrested it is clear that some of the chemicals that have been used by Syrian government forces have made their way in to terrorist hands. This is not the first time that it is believed chemicals due to be made in to weapons have been found outside the country. In the 361 Terrorist and Security report for the Middle East dated 15 Jun 13 it was reported that a chemical weapons factory was uncovered in Iraq with plans to export those chemical weapons to Europe, and the USA.
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