Category Archives: France

Hostage Status Update from IntelCenter

1 MaramTue, 12 Mar 2013 05:47:08 -06002013-03-12T05:47:08-06:0005 2009 – 05:47

 

James Foley, held hostage in Syria since November 2012 by an as yet unknown gunmen who captured him near the Turkish border

James Foley, held hostage in Syria since November 2012 by as yet unknown gunmen who captured him near the Turkish border

IntelCenter is an invaluable resource for information and updates on Jihadist terrorism. We highly recommend their services:

http://www.intelcenter.com/

Their latest email bulletin included this update on hostages held by Jihadist terrorists around the globe, in places like Yemen, Somalia, the Philippines, Nigeria, Syria, Mali, Afghanistan, Niger, Iran and Iraq. The overwhelming majority of hostages are Western; 8 are Americans:

• French national Tanguy Moulin-Fournier held hostage in Cameroon/Nigeria for 20 days
• French national Albane Moulin-Fournier held hostage in Cameroon/Nigeria for 20 days
• French Moulin-Fournier family uncle held hostage in Cameroon/Nigeria for 20 days
• French Moulin-Fournier Child, age 5, held hostage in Cameroon/Nigeria for 20 days
• French Moulin-Fournier Child, age 8, held hostage in Cameroon/Nigeria for 20 days
• French Moulin-Fournier Child, age 10, held hostage in Cameroon/Nigeria for 20 days
• French Moulin-Fournier Child, age 12, held hostage in Cameroon/Nigeria for 20 days
• Canadian Jernoc Wobert held hostage by ELN in Colombia for 1 month, 21 days
• Austrian national held hostage in Yemen for 2 months, 18 days
• Finnish female national held hostage in Yemen for 2 months, 18 days
• Finnish male national held hostage in Yemen for 2 months, 18 days
• French national Francis Collomp held hostage by Ansaru in Nigeria for 2 months, 20 days
• American journalist James Foley held hostage in Syria for 3 months, 17 days
• French national Alberto Rodriguez Leal held hostage by MUJAO in Mali for 3 months, 19 days
• Ukrainian journalist Anhar Kochneva held hostage by Abu Husayn Squadron in Syria for 4 months, 27 days
• American journalist Austin Tice held hostage in Syria for 6 months, 26 days
• Canadian Astrid Shel held hostage in Somalia by al-Shabaab for 8 months, 11 days
• Canadian Korat Sadazi held hostage in Somalia by al-Shabaab for 8 months, 11 days
• Filipino Glenn Costes held hostage in Somalia by al-Shabaab for 8 months, 11 days
• Norwegian Stephen Denis held hostage in Somalia by al-Shabaab for 8 months, 11 days
• Saudi diplomat Abdullah Mohammed Khalifa al-Khalidi held hostage by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen for 11 months, 11 days
• German/American Michael Scott Moore held hostage in Somalia for 1 year, 1 month, 18 days
• Australian Warren Richard Rodwell held hostage by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Philippines for 1 year, 3 months, 6 days
• Swedish national held hostage in Mali 1 year, 3 months, 14 days
• Dutch national held hostage in Mali 1 year, 3 months, 14 days
• British national held hostage in Mali 1 year, 3 months, 14 days
• French national Serge Lazarevic held hostage by al-Qaeda Maghreb (AQLIM) in Mali for 1 year, 3 months, 15 days
• French national Philippe Verdon held hostage by al-Qaeda Maghreb (AQLIM) in Mali for 1 year, 3 months, 15 days
• Spaniard Blanca Thiebaut held hostage by al-Shabaab in Somalia for 1 year, 4 months, 26 days
• Spaniard Montserrat Serra held hostage by al-Shabaab in Somalia for 1 year, 4 months, 26 days
• American aid worker Warren Weinstein held hostage by al-Qaeda in Pakistan for 1 year, 6 months, 26 days
• Canadian tourist Colin Rutherford held hostage by Taliban in Afghanistan for 2 years, 4 months, 7 days
• French national Marc Feret held hostage by al-Qaeda Maghreb (AQLIM) in Niger for 2 years, 5 months, 23 days
• French national Thierry Dole held hostage by al-Qaeda Maghreb (AQLIM) in Niger for 2 years, 5 months, 23 days
• French national Daniel Larribe held hostage by al-Qaeda Maghreb (AQLIM) in Niger for 2 years, 5 months, 23 days
• French national Pierre Legrand held hostage by al-Qaeda Maghreb (AQLIM) in Niger for 2 years, 5 months, 23 days
• American soldier Bowe Bergdahl held hostage by Taliban in Afghanistan for 3 years, 8 months, 11 days
• Brit Murray Watson held hostage by al-Shabaab in Somalia for 4 years, 11 months, 10 days
• American Robert Levinson held hostage in Iran for 6 years, 2 days
• German Sinan Krause held hostage by Arrows of Righteous Brigade in Iraq for 6 Years, 1 month, 5 days
• South African Johann Enslin held hostage in Iraq for 6 years, 3 months, 1 days
• South African Hardus Greef held hostage in Iraq for 6 years, 3 months, 1 days
• South African Callie Scheepers held hostage in Iraq for 6 years, 3 months, 1 days
• South African Andre Durant held hostage in Iraq for 6 years, 3 months, 1 days
• American Jeffrey Ake held hostage in Iraq for 7 years, 11 months
• American Dean Sadek held hostage by 1920 Revolution Brigades in Iraq for 8 years, 4 months, 9 days
• American Aban Abdel Malek Mahmoud Elias held hostage in Iraq for 8 years, 10 months, 8 days
By terrortrends | Also posted in Abu Sayyaf, Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), al Shabaab, Al Shahab, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Boko Haram, Cameroon, Great Britain, Hostage taking, Iran, Iraq, Kidnapping & Hostage-taking, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Taliban | Comments (4)

Horrible: The French Family Held Hostage By Boko Haram

1 FebpmMon, 25 Feb 2013 19:10:15 -06002013-02-25T19:10:15-06:0007 2009 – 19:10

boko_haram_logo

This story is absolutely heartbreaking.

A French family has been taken hostage by the Jihadist terrorist group Boko Haram.

Being held by Jihadists would be bad enough, but to see your own children held and no doubt terrified would be unbearable. This is yet another stark illustration that the Jihadist enemies we face are in fact subhuman. And they must be stopped. The world must be rid of this scourge, no matter how long it takes, or else there will never be even a glimmer of hope for peace.

Four children are among the family taken hostage in the African nation of Cameroon, but multiple news sources are speculating that the hostages have already been moved into Nigeria.

Some news reports claim that Al Qaeda is responsible and there is no doubt that there is some level of communication, if not outright cooperation, between Boko Haram and Al Qaeda, but they are two separate terrorist organizations.

The family were taken on Tuesday by gunmen on motorbikes. Following the abduction, the French government said it believes the couple, their children aged five, eight, 10 and 12, and an uncle were taken across the border into Nigeria.

The family lives in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde, where the father worked for the French gas group Suez. 

They had been returning from a visit to Waza National Park when they were kidnapped.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2284346/Video-kidnapped-French-family-Cameroon-appears-YouTube.html

Islamic jihad and dawah operations continue to spread throughout the African continent, which is clearly the central theater in the global Jihadist insurgency at this point. There are active operations across the dark continent.

Probably the bloodiest Jihadist organization in Africa is Boko Haram, who have made a practice of slaughtering Christian worshippers in Nigeria on Christian holy days, such as Christmas and Easter.

We can only pray for the poor family in the video below. Pray for their safe return to freedom and hope that justice will come down on their captors swiftly and decisively.

 

By terrortrends | Also posted in Africa, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Cameroon, Hostage taking, Islam, Jihad, Kidnapping & Hostage-taking, Mali, Nigeria | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

Al Qaeda warns of ‘shocking’ attack on USA

1 JanamThu, 31 Jan 2013 10:01:50 -06002013-01-31T10:01:50-06:0010 2009 – 10:01

Bill Gertz at the Washington Times is reporting on a very important story that the so-called mainstream media is predictably ignoring: a Jihadi web site has published an overt threat of new terrorist attacks against the US and the West:

A jihadist website posted a new threat by al Qaeda this week that promises to conduct “shocking” attacks on the United States and the West.

The posting appeared on the Ansar al Mujahidin network Sunday and carried the headline, “Map of al Qaedaand its future strikes.”

The message, in Arabic, asks: “Where will the next strike by al Qaeda be?” A translation was obtained by Inside the Ring.

“The answer for it, in short: The coming strikes by al Qaeda, with God’s Might, will be in the heart of the land of nonbelief, America, and in France, Denmark, other countries in Europe, in the countries that helped and are helpingFrance, and in other places that shall be named by al Qaeda at other times,” the threat states.

The attacks will be “strong, serious, alarming, earth-shattering, shocking and terrifying.”

Under a section of the post on the method of the attacks, the unidentified writer said the strikes would be “group and lone-wolf operations, in addition to the use of booby-trapped vehicles.”

“All operations will be recorded and published in due time,” the message said. “Let Francebe prepared, and let the helpers of France be prepared, for it is going to be a long war of attrition.”

The reference to France appears linked to the group’s plans for retaliation against the French-led military strikes in northern Maliin operations to oust al Qaeda terrorists from the North African country.

The Ansar al-Mujahidin network is a well-known jihadist forum that in the past has published reliably accurate propaganda messages from al Qaeda and its affiliates.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/30/inside-the-ring-new-al-qaeda-threat/

President Obama has stated on no fewer than 32 occasions that Al Qaeda has been defeated or is “on the run.” These public statements, meant for domestic political consumption, amount to waving a red flag in front of a bull.

Since then, Al Qaeda has killed Americans and other Westerners in Benghazi and Algeria and French troops are locked in combat with Al Qaeda forces in Mali.

Now, Al Qaeda has issued an overt threat to conduct new attacks inside America.

Several years ago, President Bush appeared on an aircraft carrier under a banner which said “Mission Accomplished,” and got criticized for it.

If these new Al Qaeda threats become reality, will President Obama be held to account for his public claim that Al Qaeda has been defeated, the way that President Bush was criticized for his “Mission Accomplished” appearance?

 

 

By terrortrends | Also posted in Al Qaeda, Denmark, Europe, Jihad, Obama, Possible terror attack, terrorist plot | Comments (0)

Osama Bin Laden moved around a lot while on the run

1 MaramSat, 31 Mar 2012 09:33:36 -06002012-03-31T09:33:36-06:0009 2009 – 09:33

We have always been skeptical that Osama Bin Laden maintained operational control over much of Al Qaeda while he was on the run, dodging US forces.

When US Special Operations forces caught up with Bin Laden and killed him in a compound in Pakistan, it was initially assumed, or at least reported, that he had been laid up there for almost the entire time he was on the run.

It was also widely reported that because Bin Laden was in a secure location for so long, he likely maintained operational control over Al Qaeda globally. That simply did not ring true to us then and it doesn’t now that it has been revealed that Bin Laden in fact lived a vagabond life, moving to five safe houses in widely separated parts of Afghanistan and then Pakistan.

The meme that Bin Laden maintained operational control over Al Qaeda while he was evading US forces was touted to essentially turn the killing of the terrorist leader into an “end-game” event in the so-called “war on terror.”

The Left in particular has promoted that narrative, but some neo-isolationists on the right have subscribed to it as well.

We buy into that rubbish at our peril. Assuming that the Jihadists will end their war against the West in general, and the US in particular, because the SEALs killed Bin Laden is irresponsible.

It defies belief that Bin Laden could possibly have maintained operational control over Al Qaeda given the conditions which he was forced to endure post 9/11.

Al Qaeda has become decentralized and its followers and admirers around the world, such as Mohammed Merah in France, will continue to act with brutal violence. Meanwhile, Al Qaeda “affiliates” continue to be active in Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Libya, Mali and Niger to name a few.

The death of Bin Laden at the hands of US Navy SEALs was a great thing. But to assign “victory” to that single act would in fact be to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2122752/Osama-living-version-Kardashians-Abbottabad-Bin-Laden-fathered-FOUR-children-lived-houses-years-run-Pakistan-9-11.html

By terrortrends | Also posted in Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), al Shabaab, Al Shahab, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Libya, Mali, Mohammed Merah, Nigeria, Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan, Syria, terrorist group listings, Uncategorized, Yemen | Comments (0)

Complete Wrap up of Toulouse Jihadi Saga

1 MaramSat, 24 Mar 2012 00:10:19 -06002012-03-24T00:10:19-06:0012 2009 – 00:10

Jihad has returned to France. 

In the past 10 days a Muslim gunman killed and wounded French soldiers, schoolchildren and other innocent civilians in cowardly attacks. The terrorist, Mohammed Merah, was killed in excellent work by France’s GIGN-RAID personnel. It is worth mentioning that the media bent over backwards to avoid labeling these attacks Jihadist terrorism. In the early days of this episode, the media, notably CNN, actually labeled the shooter a “serial killer.” A serial killer that targets soldiers and Jewish children??? Who do the media think they’re fooling?

Below is a brief review of the events as reported in international media.

Al-Qaeda inspired gunman in Toulouse siege is dead

Short video here. Note one inaccuracy in report that states that the terrorist was found dead and it was not determined whether he killed himself or was shot. Other footage reveals definitively that he was shot while trying to leap from the balcony of his apartment…

Mohamed Merah – Man of the West

An EXCELLENT column on Mohammed Merah from Caroline Glick of the Center for Security Policy and The Jerusalem Post…

http://www.carolineglick.com/e/2012/03/mohamed-merah—man-of-the-wes.php

The New Nazis

Another very well done column on the Merah attacks by Daniel Greenfield…

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.11655/pub_detail.asp

French gunman had no Al Qaeda connection, says official

The media’s profound confusion continues. Somehow they think we can all find comfort if a Jihadist terrorist is found to not be a card-carrying member of Al Qaeda. The opposite may be true. It may be MORE dangerous to have Jihadi individuals and cells operating in the West who have merely been “inspired” by Al Qaeda. Still, in this case, it appears from reports elsewhere that Merah was a known Jihadi who did indeed spend time in Afghanistan and Pakistan as recently as 2010…

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0323/French-gunman-had-no-Al-Qaeda-connection-says-official

French intelligence under fire over al Qaeda shooter

Just as with the 9/11 attacks in America, today in France many are questioning how French intelligence allowed a known Jihadi to roam free in their country…

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/23/us-france-shooting-guns-idUSBRE82M0YW20120323

French gunman: I was planning more attacks, with outside funds

It is a good thing that the French GIGN caught up with Merah when they did. He claimed to have plans for more attacks and also indicated that he had funding sources…

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2012/0321/French-gunman-I-was-planning-more-attacks-with-outside-funds?cmpid=ema:nws:Daily%20Custom%202%20(03212012)&cmpid=ema:nws:NzQ4MDUwNDg4MgS2

The last 13 seconds of Mohammed Merah’s life:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iOt-pdBKINQ

Here is a story of how French authorities caught up with Merah. It is unfortunate that they have revealed these details as the Jihadis will learn from this and will be unlikely to repeat such mistakes…

“Calculating” French “gunman” trapped by email, bike

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/24/us-france-shootings-investigation-idUSBRE82N03W20120324

French authorities were alerted that threats on French soil were possible against French soldiers

http://www.liberezvous.org/viveDieu/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F113-the-topic-of-hicham-forsane-alizza-threatens-french-soldiers%2F

In fact, here is a short video detailing the warnings issued about threats to French soldiers in France…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSk8ZCEX308&feature=youtu.be

In the wake of the attacks in France, Europol’s chief is warning of a new wave of Jihad in Europe. He correctly points out that “inspired Jihadis” or “Lone Wolves” acting independently of any centralized command authority after receiving training present a whole set of challenges of their own. For instance, it’s very difficult to infiltrate a movement made up of such people, much more difficult than running counterintelligence operations against a Baader-Meinhoff gang or Red Brigades, or even the Provo IRA, such as were prevalent in the terrorist era of the 1980s…

Europe faces new terrorism threat from extremists acting alone as in France’s attacks

http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_20244773/europe-faces-new-terrorism-threat-from-extremists-acting

Finally, here is a hard-hitting editorial that justifiably lambasts the media for its clear contortions to avoid admitting that the attacks in Toulouse were most likely the work of a Jihadi. The Western media speculated openly that the gunman must have been a Neo-Nazi or perhaps a “serial killer.” EVERYONE else in the world knew the truth. Only one class of barbarian targets soldiers and Jewish children…We wish we could say that we are hopeful that the media has learned a lesson from all this, but we know better…
Whitewashing Islamic Terror in Toulouse
By terrortrends | Also posted in Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, Homegrown Jihad, Islam, Jihad, Mohammed Merah, Pakistan, Terrorist attack, Toulouse | Comments (0)

TOP 10 JIHADI MOSQUES: Wikileaks Documents Reveal Main Mosques Used to Recruit, Train for Jihad According to Pentagon

1 AprpmMon, 25 Apr 2011 20:20:48 -06002011-04-25T20:20:48-06:0008 2009 – 20:20

Wikileaks has revealed a US report on Guantanamo terrorist prisoners called the “Matrix of Threat Indicators for Enemy Combatants.”

You will see this document written up in dozens of articles in the media and the blogosphere over the next few days.

We wanted to call attention to one list that has come out of that report: a list of foreign mosques and Islamic centers that are used to recruit and train Jihadis. Note that this list does not include mosques here in the US which, beyond a shadow of a doubt, are also centers for Jihad recruitment. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but it does purport to be the largest centers of Jihadi activity.

This should serve as a stark warning for those among us who still insist that Jihadist organizations like Al Qaeda and their followers are not embedded in religion…

• Al Sunnah Al Nabawiah Mosque Montreal, Canada

• Abu Bakr Islamic University Karachi, Pakistan

• Makki Mosque Karachi, Pakistan

• Al Khair Mosque Sanaa, Yemen

• Dimaj Institute in Sadah, Yemen

• Finsbury Park Mosque Great Britain

• Four Feathers Youth Club Great Britain

• Laennec Mosque Lyon, France

• Islamic Cultural Institute  Milan, Italy

• Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque Kabul, Afghanistan

Mosques in places like Pakistan and Yemen certainly come as no surprise. The ones in Great Britain, France, Italy and Canada are much more worrisome for those of us who live in the West. It might also be noted that no Saudi mosques or Islamic centers are mentioned, no doubt due to a lack of intelligence. There is certainly no shortage of Saudi Jihadis in the world and they had to be recruited somewhere…

By terrortrends | Also posted in Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, Canada, Great Britain, Guantanomo, Homegrown Jihad, Islam, Italy, Jihad, Pakistan, United Kingdom | Comments (1)

France in contact with AQIM hostage-takers

1 NovamWed, 17 Nov 2010 10:23:12 -06002010-11-17T10:23:12-06:0010 2009 – 10:23

France said for the first time Wednesday that it was in touch with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb kidnappers holding French hostages in Mali.

Seven hostages — five French nationals, a Togolese and a Madagascan — were seized in a Niger uranium-mining town overnight on September 15-16.

Intelligence agents in the countries concerned believe they are being held in an area of the Sahara desert in neighbouring Mali.

Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has told France to treat the kidnapping as a warning and that a ban on the wearing of the Islamic veil in public places in France justified violence against its citizens.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h382yx3am-roHcFhi5xb30f1H0vg?docId=CNG.fdbb7c4f77a7e27e62fcb703b7e9f08a.111

 

By terrortrends | Also posted in Al Qaeda, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Hostage taking, Mali, Osama Bin Laden | Comments (0)