United States/Terrorism:  Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb less a threat to Europe

Daniel Benjamin, the coordinator for counter-terrorism at the US State Department announced on Tuesday that  Al-Qaeda's North African wing is less likely now to carry out attacks in Europe, mainly because of pressure on the group from Algerian security forces. "But the militants have stepped up operations in the vast African region known as the Sahel, on the southern edge and directly south of the Sahara desert," Benjamin said.

He said some of Washington's closest counter-terrorism partners in Europe have worried that terrorists operating under the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) banner could establish themselves in Europe and carry out attacks there. "We currently view the near-term possibility of such an expansion of operations as less likely than it was just a few years ago," Benjamin told a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee."This, in large measure, is because of the pressure on the group in Algeria." The coordinator for counter-terrorism expressed that security forces in Algeria, an oil and gas producer, have been relatively successful in containing and marginalizing AQIM in the northeastern part of the country by breaking up extremist cells and disrupting operations. "Farther south, in areas of Mauritania, Mali and Niger, the Islamist militant group has increased attacks in recent years, including against Westerners," Benjamin told senators.

Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson told the senators the United States should keep playing a supportive rather than a leading role in counterterrorism in the region. "We should not seek to take this issue over. It is not ours and doing so might have negative consequences for US interests in the long term," Carson said.

United States/Europe/Terrorism: Al-Qaeda urges its members to use home-made bomb against the West

Abu Basir Nasser al-Wahayshi, the Al-Qaeda leader in the in the Arabian Peninsula, has urged on Sunday the terrorists to use home-made bomb to attack airports and trains in the West. Wahayshi released his statement in the group's Internet magazine Sada al-Malahem. "You do not need to exert great effort or spend a lot of money to make 10 grams of explosives, more or less. Do not spend a long time searching for materials as they already exist in your mother's kitchen," he wrote in the article. "Make them (bombs) in the shape of a bomb you hurl, or detonate through a timer or a remote detonater or a martyrdom-seeker belt or any electrical appliance."

He further called to attack secular media and government figures, security bodies in the Middle East and columnists who promote the policies of rulers in the world's top oil exporting region. He also said bombers should attack those nation taking part in wars in Muslim countries.

Somalia/European Union/Piracy: the EU Navfor arrested 7 pirates off Somalia

The EU Navfor, the European counter-piracy force in the Indian Ocean has announced this Wednesday it had arrested 7 suspected pirates after they opened fire on Tuesday on a French fishing boat. According to a statement published by the counter-piracy force, “pirates in two skiffs opened fire on the French vessel on Tuesday, 350 nautical miles (650 km) east of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu”. The pirates stopped their attack after soldiers aboard the fishing vessel fired warning shots.

The FGS Karlsruhe, a German warship was despatched to the scene, while a helicopter from Spanish naval vessel located the two skiffs trying to flee the area. "The helicopter fired warning shots to stop both skiffs, after which the pirates stopped and were seen throwing items, presumably pirate paraphernalia, overboard," the statement said.

The incident came on the same day that Somali pirates announced they had hijacked a small sailing yacht with two British foreigners on board, 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of Hobyo, in central Somalia. A pirate called Hassan said the two captives were healthy and a ransom demands would follow.

Iran/Defence: West condemns Tehran's missile tests

The United Kingdom, France and the European Union have condemned the recent series of missile tests led by Tehran on Monday, calling them a "provocative" act. "We call on Iran to choose the path of co-operation rather than confrontation, by immediately ceasing these deeply destabilising activities," said a statement from the French foreign ministry. Iran's Revolutionary Guards test-fired the Shahab 3 and Sejil missiles as part of a military exercise dubbed "Great Prophet 4", hours after they had tested the Shahab 1 and Shahab 2.

Earlier yesterday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to provide inspectors "unfettered access" to its nuclear facilities. Concern also came from Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "Of course it is worrisome when missile launches happen against the backdrop of an unresolved situation concerning Iran's nuclear programme," said Lavrov. He also added he was "convinced that restraint is needed", hinting to the Western powers – who are looking forward to impose new sanctions on Tehran. London also stated the test should not spoil the upcoming international dialogue with Iran regarding its nuclear programme.

Osama Bin Laden issues a new message

Osama Bin Laden has issued this Friday a new audio message in which he sends a message to the European.

Europe/Terrorism: Osama Bin Laden released audio message addressed to Europeans

Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden has issued on Friday a new audio message subtiteled in English and German. In his message, he urges the European to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan. "We are not demanding anything unjust. It is just for you to end injustice and withdraw your soldiers from (Afghanistan)," he said in the tape. “Your governments and armies kill Muslims without any right… They kill children, women and old men,” he also added. He also underlined that the Madrid and London terrorist attacks are a legitimate answer to the murder of thousands of Taleban in northern Afghanistan, alluding to the fact that the presence of European troops in the country could prompt further retaliatory attacks by Al-Qaeda.

Last week, Bin Laden also released a 12-minute message addressed to the Americans, a few days after the eighth anniversary of 9/11. It has been reported that the tape was produced by the As-Sahab propaganda arm of the terror group and posted on various Jihadists forums.

European Union/Security: EU says to discuss US role in Georgia monitoring mission

An EU official said on Thursday that EU ministers will agree next week to extend a ceasefire monitoring mission in Georgia for a further year and are likely to discuss the possibility of US personnel joining it. "There is an agreement on the prolongation" of the E.U. Georgia Monitoring Mission for one year from mid-September”, the official said on condition of anonymity.

According to a draft statement due to be approved by European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday said the 27 EU states had agreed to extend the mission's mandate until Dec. 14, 2010. The EU's mission will be the only one monitoring the ceasefire between Georgia and the Russian-backed separatists, after Russia vetoed the extension of separate missions by the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

“The prolongation of the mission is a very important signal both of continued commitment to the stability and to the implementation of the [peace] agreement of last year," Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt , whose country holds the E.U. presidency, said Tuesday. "If there should be any changes, they could well be contemplated. I'm not against it, but I think that's a later issue. I know the discussion is ongoing but there is nothing on the table," he said.

European Union/Honduras/Diplomacy: EU countries to remove envoys from Tegucigalpa

Spanish Minister of Foreign affairs Miguel Angel Moratinos announced a unified decision by the European Union to remove envoys from their respective embassies in Honduras. "I have just spoken to my European colleagues and I can tell you that at this moment, all the European embassies in Tegucigalpa have decided to withdraw their ambassadors," said Moratinos. Last week's coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya is the reason behind the decision. "Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the European Commission, so all the European representation in Tegucigalpa will be at a lower level, with charges d'affaires but not ambassadors,” he added. From Brussels, EU Commission spokeswoman Christiane Hohmann confirmed that the decision.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Spain and France had announced their decision to withdraw their ambassadors to Honduras for consultations on the coup. The 27 nations have also decided to avoid all contacts with the post-coup leaders in Tegucigalpa.

Europe/Piracy: EU extends anti-piracy operation for one year

The European Union announced on Monday that it will continue its anti-piracy navy operation off the coast of Somalia for at least one year. The announcement comes after a meeting by EU ministers in Luxembourg where they approved the extension without discussion."Piracy off the coast of Somalia was likely to remain a serious threat," the EU said in a statement.

The EU launched its mission "Operation Atalanta" in December and was originally planned to last for 12 months. However, it will now run until December 2010. The mission has involved more than a dozen vessels and several maritime patrol aircraft. “The extension was made now because "early agreement on extending the operation would facilitate the necessary force generation,” it stated.

The joint EU naval operation involves naval vessels from Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.

European Union/Piracy: EU consider expanding anti-piracy drive

Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacon announced on Monday that the European Union is planning to increase its airforce and naval troops off the coast of Somalia and expand its anti-piracy mission upto the Seychelles. "There is unanimity on the new needs; to extend the coverage up to the Seychelles, to reinforce the capacity of the air and naval patrols, which have already had good results," said Chacon. She has also declared that it is looking forward to extend the official duration of the mission, which will be ending in December this year.

She further emphasize on expanding the mission as "the undergoing activities in the north have had the effect of pushing the pirates to the south and the Seychelles." Bloc officials have also stressed on the need to refine coordination with NATO and other third countries to better the results of the mission. However, Czech officials confirmed that no particular decision has been reached till now.

Russia/Defence: NATO expelled two Russian diplomats

A NATO diplomat has announced on Thursday that two Russian diplomats had been expelled in retaliation for an espionage scandal in which an Estonian suspected for passing sensitive information to Moscow was sent to prison. Speaking on condition of anonymity he said, “two Russian diplomats have been told they are not welcome here,” adding that they were expelled over the case of Herman Simm, an Estonian jailed for more than 12 years in February for passing more than 2,000 secret documents to Russia's SVR Foreign Intelligence Service.

Meanwhile, Russian foreign ministry confirmed that NATO has expelled two of its diplomats from Brussels and termed it as a "gross provocation" based on an "absolutely invented pretext". "A gross provocation has been carried out against two employees of Russia's permanent office at NATO, whom the alliance's security functionaries want to expel from Brussels on an absolutely invented pretext and without any distinct explanation,"  the ministry said in a statement. "This disgraceful action fundamentally contradicts statements by NATO's leadership on its readiness to normalise relations with Russia," it said. "For us it is clear that behind this provocation stand forces which are not interested in giving a stable character to the noted trend towards normalisation."

Russia/Defence: Moscow says no military talks if NATO stages Georgia exercise

The Interfax news agency reported on Monday that Russia's envoy to NATO on Monday threatened to call off a meeting of senior military commanders next month if the alliance went ahead with planned exercises in ex-Soviet Georgia. "If we see no reaction to Russia's protests about the exercises...the Russia-NATO meeting of the chiefs of the staff planned for May 7 will not take place," Interfax quoted Dmitry Rogozin as saying.

NATO spokesman James Appathurai said there were no plans to cancel the exercise. "As far as NATO is concerned, nothing has changed," he said. The meeting of chiefs of defence will take place and Russia is invited, and preparations for the exercise continue. "Russia has been fully informed as a NATO partner of the preparations for this exercise for a year and should recognise that it poses no threat to the stability in the region."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday warned NATO that the exercises could hamper alliance's relations with Moscow. "I think this is the wrong decision, a dangerous decision. Such decisions are disappointing and do not facilitate the resumption of full-scale contacts between the Russian Federation and NATO."

Nine Muslim scholars and clerics residing in Europe and linked to Muslim Brotherhood call to Jihad; no European reaction

A week ago, we underlined in our op-ed on “the British Malady” (See:  “Choudary, Ghannouchi, Wilders and the British Malady” on the opinion page) that the Tunisian islamist Rachid Gannouchi (photo) had signed a call for the creation of a new Jihadist Front, linked to the situation in Gaza.

Actually this statement – resulting of an international conference in Turkey – was adopted by 90 “religious Scholars” and “proselytes”. Most of them are linked to the Muslim Brothers, if not regular members of this organisation. The conference was organized by the Muslim Brothers who were eager to demonstrate their solidarity with Hamas which is nothing more than the local Palestinian branch of the Brotherhood. Most of the clerics signing the statement were from Yemen, Saudi Arabia and others Gulf countries. But nine of them are living and working in Europe, six of them in Great Britain – Rachid Ghannouchi, Daud Abdullah, Shah Jahan Abdul Qayum, Latif al-Sa’idi, Muhammad al-Ani and Muhamad Sawalha – and three in Denmark, Khalil Asi, Faris Muhammad and Muhaamd al-Khalid.

Apparently, their position didn’t create a lot of troubles for the British and the Danish authorities. Yet, the text they undersigned is a strong and brutal support for Hamas – a terrorist organization banned in Europe – and its tactics of targeting civilians in brutal terrorist actions, including suicide-bombings. It is also a call for Jihad against “Israel allies” (that’s include all the European countries) and against the countries participating in the interdiction of arms smuggling into Gaza: Islamic Nation, the clerics wrote, must regard “the sending of foreign warship into Muslim waters, claiming to control the borders and prevent the smuggling of arms to Gaza as a declaration of war, a new occupation, sinful aggression and a clear violation of the sovereignty of the Nation. This must be rejected and fought by all means and ways.”

It stands also very strongly against all peace initiatives in the region (“the so-called Arab peace initiative is a proven betrayal of the Islamic Nation and the Palestinian cause”).

With Daud Abdullah and Mohammed Sawalha, Rachid Ghannouchi is – by far – the most prominent European cleric to sign this appeal. Two months later, it seems that he is still very welcome in the UK (were he is a political refugee). But what if, tomorrow, Mujahidin attack a British ship and explain they acted under the “obligation” signed by Ghannouchi and the others?

European Union/Terrorism: deputy director of Europol says terrorist threat still high

Mariano Simancas, deputy director of Europol said on Thursday that "the threat to EU member states of Islamist as well as ethno-nationalist and separatist terrorism remains high." He also added that "law enforcement agencies must stay alert in order to prevent and to keep trying to dismantle terrorist groups and structures." The official made that declaration by saying that 515 terror attacks or planned attacks were organised within the European Union in 2008. Out of those 515, 97% occurred in Spain or in France. Greece is also confronted to a terrorist threat by the increasing risk which is caused by the Epanastatikos Agonas or the Revolutionary Struggle, he said.

Despite the nationalism and the separatism threat in the EU, Simancas also pointed the Islamic threat as a major concern, adding that terror cells remains active within the Union. Nevertheless, only one Islamist attack has been registered in the EU for the beginning of 2008, when a bomb exploded to early in a restaurant in London, killing only the terrorists. He also said that many attacks were thwarted when authorities have arrested terrorists mainly in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain. "Most are men organised in small autonomous, independent cells that can move easily, which is very worrying," he said. "We're talking about home-made terrorism." "Only seven European countries notified that they were targeted in 2008 [by Islamist groups], but we're all feeling the threat," he added.

United States/Terrorism: Washington proposes EU with new anti-terrorism plans

According to EU officials on Tuesday, the United States have proposed the European Union leaders to establish a common approach against terrorism and dismiss their difference regarding the Iraq war and the Guantanamo prison. It has been reported that the proposal was a broad idea in the early stages. It came as Washington and Brussels discussed inmates’ transfer from Guantanamo Bay to Europe.

European Justice and Security Commissioner Jacques Barrot had meetings with US Attorney General Eric Holder, who is supervising the transfer process. "We would accept to receive any detainees only if it was absolutely clear that the errors of the past were not repeated," said Barrot. Barrot and Czech Interior Minister Ivan Langer, also confirmed the discussion of the joint venture against terrorism during their meeting. "It is a proposal ... to write together a memorandum of understanding enunciating the principles that should inspire our common fight against terrorism," said Barrot.

Opération « Plomb durci » à Gaza : analyse et perspectives 

Par Emmanuel Dubois, chercheur associé à l’ESISC 

(Idf/Polaris/Photo News)

Le début de cette année 2009 a été marqué par une nouvelle secousse tellurique aux relents de soufre dans ce Moyen-Orient dont la violence n’en finit pas d’ébranler notre imaginaire, bercé par l’idéal post-historique de paix perpétuelle. Les spasmes de l’histoire décidément mouvementée de cette région traversent ainsi le temps, imprégnant sa terre de sa lourde empreinte, comme si elle était trop lourde à porter pour ses habitants. Ainsi, pendant près de trois semaines, Israël et le Hamas se sont opposés dans la bande de Gaza, envahissant le champ de bataille médiatique avec ses accusations désormais rituelles de crimes de guerre et son défilé de circonstance d’experts en tout genre. Même le Vieux Continent n’y a pas échappé, enflammé pendant plusieurs semaines par des manifestations parfois violentes, témoin de la fièvre qui l’a malmené, tandis que les combats faisaient rage à l’autre bout de la Méditerranée… Lire la suite

United Kingdom/Defence: London proposes standing NATO force for Europe

In a move to defend mainland Europe, Britain will propose creating a NATO rapid deployment force, officials said. A spokeswoman to British Defence Secretary John Hutton said the Defence Secretary will propose the 3,000-strong force on Thursday at a meeting of fellow NATO ministers in the Polish city of Krakow. Hutton told Thursday's edition of the Financial Times that the force would reassure NATO's East European members, in particular the Baltic states, which were alarmed by Russia's incursion into Georgia last year.

"I hope it might make it easier for NATO to do more in Afghanistan, certain in the knowledge that there is a dedicated homeland security force that will have no other call on its priorities (other) than European homeland security," Hutton was quoted as telling the paper. "Hopefully, that will make it easier for other member states to do more in Afghanistan." Hutton's spokeswoman said the proposed Allied Solidarity Force would consist of 1,500 troops ready for deployment and 1,500 in training. "It goes back to the basics of what NATO is about. It's as much to have a military capability as to have as strong demonstrable political will and political alliance," she said.

Europe/Terrorism: Muslim youth in Europe to radicalize for Jihad

The Israeli military operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip and the pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the European Union (EU) have radicalized the Muslim youth in Europe, studies ordered by the European Commission have found. Nevertheless, from both, the European Commission and the Council of ministers, the official comments are more cautious. “I doubt but I want to know. I think in any case the Arab press has played a role that we must consider,” says a senior official of the board. In the United Kingdom, Germany and France the Islamist threat is still “serious.” Recent arrests in Belgium have also established direct links with Pakistani channels, confirming the attraction of young people living in Europe for the jihad. According to the services of the coordinator of the anti-terrorist policy of the Union, “the strategy launched in 2005 to prevent the recruitment and radicalization, must be maintained and deepened.”

Several studies conducted by the Commission have focused on points where the Islamic radicalisation takes place. According to the expert of the King's College London, prisons, schools and the Internet became the place of the “virtual recruitment.” They proposed to develop arguments to contain the radicalisation and that Europol monitors radical websites. The studies also highlight a sharp drop in the average age of recruits for the jihad. Hence it argues that actions in schools are needed, including using the notions of identity, citizenship and multiculturalism. It is need to promote “a culture of mass European Islam to young people of immigrant origin,” one of the studies said.

Germany/Terrorism: Berlin worried about the islamist Threat.

According to the government, the new videotaped message posted by the Islamic Jihad Union, an Al-Qaeda affiliated group, underlines the islamist threat against Germany and the German troops abroad. Stefan Paris, the German Interior minister said in a statement that this new message confirms intelligence analysis that says Germany have to face "a threat of a new dimension".

In the beginning of January, Al Hafidh abou Talha, another Al-Qaeda  member had threatened in another videotaped message he will conduct a terrorist attack in Germany. The message was in German but subtiteled in arabic. “I’ve been willing to to blow myself up since 1993 and I have chosen Germany to do it in 4 or 7 years. I will take the time necessary, as it is a secondary element for me” said  Al Hafidh abou Talha. “Our strike force is the involvement of Al Qaeda in the arms race. The difference between your atomic bomb and our one is simply a matter of language. Our Atombombe is an autobomb (car bomb)” he added, warning that “every Muslim can become an atomic bomb”.

Both the two messages published this month do not use arabic as the common langage to threat Germany. It also urged Berlin to end its military operations linked to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. This tape is also the latest video released that threatened for retaliation for Israel military operation Cast Lead in the Gaza strip. Actually, Islamist places  Germany, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United Statesas equal as Israel, bringing out their hatred for Western.

Europe/Iran/Terrorism: the People's Mujahedeen of Iran no longer listed as a terrorist organisation

European Foreign ministers have decided on Monday to remove the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (PMOI) from its terrorist organisation list. Nevertheless, France said last week she will appeal the decision of the European Court of First Instance that ruled on December 4 to nullify the decision consisting in freezing the funds of the PMOI and to take it off from the terrorist organisation list. According to some European official, the decision “does not mean the court does not think the PMOI is a terrorist group”. It is likely an issue about “procedural reasons”, he insisted. Paris has been investigating since 2001 about the organisation bringing 17 persons in indictment, including Maryam Radjavi, the president of the National Council of the Iranian Resistance (NCIR) based in Paris. The French justice is suspecting the organisation has not stopped its terrorist activities.  The links between Teheran and Brussels could also become more strained because of the removal; diplomacy being already tense because of the nuclear issue.

On Sunday, hundreds of protesters demonstrated in front of the French embassy in Teheran to protest against that decision. During the meeting, protesters chanted “Death to Sarkozy” and “Shame on Europe, abandon the monafeghines”, a term use to designate the PMOI that means hypocritical. The PMOI was founded in 1965. Basically the leftist organisation was opposed to the Shah but after the revolution of 1979, they were opposed to the Islamic regime of the Ayatollah. Teheran accused them of having betrayed Iran while they supported the former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war.