RIRA Targeting Barclay's Banks in UK

A masked member of the Real IRA at a Republican Easter commemoration ceremony at Creggan cemetery in Londonderry. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

The Northern Irish militant group Real I.R.A., an offshoot of the Irish Republican Army, blames banks in the UK for the current financial crisis and is threatening to target bankers. They are specifically targeting Barclays' Banks in the UK. 

As I stated in my 23 Feb blog, the IRA threat is at its highest level now since 1998. When a  250 pound bomb exploded in front of a court house in Newry, Northern Ireland in February, it was reminiscent of a period known as "The Troubles" when IRA bombings were a regular occurrence in the UK. Police received a message from the bombers and were able to clear the area just minutes before the device went off.

Takeaways from the February bombing:

- Officials in Ireland knew that due to the sophistication of the bomb and other data not released to the public that the CIRA and RIRA are now sharing tactics and have "crossfertilized".

- Police were told the bomb was set to go off in 30 minutes, the actual explosion was 17 minutes after the call. Whether this was an attempt to also target first responders is unknown, but worthy of noting.

- This is the first large car bomb attack since the deadly Omagh attack in 1998 and the bombing of a police station in 2000.

- Other smaller attacks are taking place across Northern Ireland, including a live mortar left outside of a police station, and a car bomb that killed a police officer. The attacks are widespread and persistent.

Why should we care about the increased terrorist activity in Ireland?

- It is a major thoroughfare for aircraft and cargo headed in and out of Afghanistan and Iraq

- It is a major tourist area for American citizens and a stopover for U.S. cruise lines

- The IRA and FARC have a relationship that dates back to the late 1990s when they shared bomb building techniques. The relationship was brokered by Spain's ethno-separatist group, ETA. 3 IRA members were arrest in Colombia, traveling on falsified passports and with traces of explosives on their clothing.

- The IRA has also been linked to HAMAS and Hezbollah


- Al Qaeda is active in England, the groups are operating in the same "space"

Unfortunately, with countries hyperfocusing on al Qaeda, some terrorist groups like the I.R.A. have regrouped, recruited and grown in strength. Interestingly, I had more than 50 hits on my February blog from IRA sympathizers and those looking for information on how to join the group.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2010/sep/15/real-ira-threat-bankers

First U.S.-led Attack on Pirated Ship a Success

Somali Pirates

U.S. forces have been involved in hostilities against pirates in the Gulf before. Last year, Navy SEAL snipers killed pirates trying to escape in a small craft and rescued their hostage, a U.S. citizen and the captain of the hijacked ship. Today signaled a new chapter in this fight - U.S. Marines boarded  a German ship in the Gulf of Aden and quickly seized control from Somali pirates. Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit apparently met little resistance and no shots were fired as the pirates surrendered. The ship was located 85 miles southeast of Yemen and was filled with chains. It's important to note that the cargo of a targeted ship is no concern to pirates - this is a purely ransom raising operation, at least for now.

Although officials were quick to point out the boarding operation was not signaling a change in the U.S operations in the Gulf, hopefully it will serve as a deterrent for the Somali pirates. There are 5 separate pirating groups in the region with over 1,000 actors, primarily consisting of fisherman. As their fishing livelihood in the Gulf was affected by increased pollution from passing ships, fisherman started the pirate trade as way to lash out against foreign ships and to raise capital. They were soon joined by ex-militiamen who were previously employed by clan warlords. They recruited some technical specialists for communications and GPS support. Several countries have paid high ransom for the return of their ship, including Saudi Arabia which reportedly shelled out $20 million in March for the return of an oil tanker and crew.

The people of Somalia aren't necessarily against the pirating, as the money is an influx into their weak local economies. Business is booming - since January, pirates successfully boarded 33 ships with several events  terminated by the host country paying ransom, others in gun battles with U.S. and other warships in the region. Ship have been sunk, pirates killed, hostages rescued. It is an active, ongoing operation - and it is driving shipping costs up in the region and affecting charitable activities such as the U.N.'s World Food program - over 90% of their ships have to traverse the dangerous region and do so with heavy escort.

Until now, the pirate attacks are centered around ransom. However, some reports have the terrorist group al Shabaab (a al Qaeda affiliate) exacting profits from this activity. If countries pay ransom to the pirates, they should know that a portion of the money could very well be going towards the funding of al Qaeda attacks against the United States. Al Shabaab has already tried to strike in our borders and is actively recruiting Americans through the use of You Tube and Facebook

These hijackings could move to a deadlier realm. A large ship, at full speed, could do an incredible amount of damage to important ports in the region. The jury is out as to whether an oil tanker, rigged with explosives, would explode if used as a incendiary device in a port, but perhaps it is possible. As always, we can't just focus on how the bad guys are operating today - we need to think asymmetrically and get on the offensive in order to prevent future, perhaps catastrophic attacks.

"My Trip to al Qaeda" Provides Insight on Group, Radicalization Process

Last evening, HBO aired a fascinating documentary entitled "My Trip to al Qaeda" with Lawrence Wright, author of  The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11  Mr. Wright had access to many sources in and around the group, interviewing over 600 people who helped him understand the roots of radicalization and why al Qaeda materialized and took hold.

The Looming Tower is a MUST READ -- written extraordinarily well, informative and interesting, I couldn't put it down.  Mr. Wright received the Pulitzer Prize for the book, a testament to his writing prowess and astute coverage of the subject matter.

Here is a link to the HBO program info:
HBO Documentary

I heard an interview with Mr. Wright yesterday on National Public Radio's Fresh Air program - here is the link to the story and audio:
NPR Program

This is a fascinating look inside al Qaeda and provides great insight into the mind of the Jihadist.

State Department Designates Pakistani Taliban

Baitullah Mehsud, leader of the Pakistani Taliban (left) and Dr. Hammam Khalid al-Balawi, suicide bomber who attacked CIA camp in Khost, right.

The State Department has officially classified Tehreek-e-Taliban – better known as the Pakistani Taliban or TTP – as a foreign terrorist organization. The new designation will enable the State and Justice departments to freeze the group’s financial holdings, criminalizes funding or supporting the group, and bars any known members from entering the U.S.  This brings the number of designated terrorist groups to 47.

TTP was behind the failed Times Square Bombing, and according to Dan Benjamin, CT guru at State, the TTP and Al Qaeda have a symbiotic relationship. "TTP draws ideological guidance from Al Qaeda while Al Qaeda relies on the TTP for safe haven in the Pashtun areas along the Afghan-Pakistani border.
"This mutual cooperation gives TTP access to both Al Qaeda's global terrorist network and the operational experience of its members. Given the proximity of the two groups and the nature of their relationship, TTP is a force multiplier for Al Qaeda."

Please see my previous blog about the designation process and how this opens the door for further engagement.   May 4th Blog - Designating the Taliban

TTP leader  Baitullah Mehsud was thought killed in a drone attack back in January, but he resurfaced in May. There is a $5M reward for information leading to his capture through the State Dept's rewards for Justice program.

Mehsud was connected to suicide bomber al-Balawi who killed CIA agents and security personnel in Khost, Afghanistan, last December.  Here is a YouTube video of the two men, with the al-Balawi speaking in English about how he left his family to kill Americans in the forthcoming attack.  Video of Mehsud and al-Balawi
As al-Balawi talks about the U.S. government offering him money to spy against the Taliban, this video reminds us of the multiple intelligence failures that led to the unfortunate event in Khost. It is stunning these men were together multiple times prior to the bombing and  made/distributed this video with neither U.S. or Jordanian intelligence aware.

The designation of the Pakistani Taliban is a step in the right direction, as the group is clearly a threat not only to coalition forces in the Middle East, but has proven the reach and desire to strike us here at home.