Shi'ite Iraqi Terrorist Group Issues Video of Kidnapped U.S. Officer, Claims to Be Holding Another American Hostage

The liberal website Elaph reports that the Shi'ite Iraqi terrorist organization Asaib Ahl Al-Haqq has released a two-minute video confirming its claim that it has kidnapped a high-ranking U.S. officer. The group recently threatened to resume its armed operations unless its commanders and fighters incarcerated in American and Iraqi prisons are released.

According to Elaph, the Americans have neither confirmed nor denied the kidnapping of the officer.

Media and authorities: To request a copy of the video, send an email with "Kidnapped U.S. Officer" in the subject line to media@memri.org

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Prior To Revolution Day, Iran Presents New Military Developments

On the eve of Revolution Day, February 11, Iran presented a domestically made experimental stealth aircraft and inaugurated production lines for Raad drones for attack missions and Nazir drones for intelligence missions, as well as a production line for the Toufan-5 armor-penetrating missile and the Qaem laser-guided anti-helicopter missile.

An Iranian Air Force official reported on the development of antiaircraft missiles that are superior to the Russian S-300, which will be operational soon.

A senior official in the land branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Nasser Arab-Beigi, said that Iran has a variety of missiles that will surprise the U.S. and that will give a crushing response to its tanks if it attacks Iran.

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that Iran sees its defense abilities as belonging to the Islamic ummah.

Source: Dolat.ir, Mehr, Iran, February 8, 2010; ILNA, Iran, February 7, 2010; Fars, Iran, February 2 and 6, 2010

Cartoon In Saudi Paper: The Nuclear Evil Spreads Across Middle East

Cartoonist: Fahed Al-Khamaisi

Source: Al-Iqtadisiyya, Saudi Arabia, February 8, 2010

Cartoon In Saudi Daily: Obama's Thrown From Afghan Bull

Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Chief: We'll Begin Enriching Uranium To 20%

Iranian Atomic Energy Organization head Ali Akbar Salehi has said that Iran can enrich uranium to any level it wants; from tomorrow, February 9, it will begin enrichment to 20% at its Natanz facility, and within a year will erect 10 more uranium enrichment centers.

Salehi expressed amazement at the IAEA"s refusal of Iran's request to carry out the uranium exchange deal on its soil, even though countries such as Brazil and Turkey had supported this, and stressed that new sanctions would not impact Iran's nuclear progress.

He warned against an Israeli attack on Iran, saying that it would set the whole region afire.

(See also Ahmadinejad: I Have Ordered to Start Enriching Uranium to 20%)

Source: Al-'Aalam, ISNA, Iran, February 8, 2010

Khamenei To Palestinian Islamic Jihad Leader: Israel Is Sinking Rapidly

At a Tehran meeting with Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ramadan Abdallah Shelah and other officials from the organization, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that Israel is in a rapid decline, and expressed hope for its final elimination.

He praised the Palestinian resistance, which he promised to support, and said that Israel's failure to take over Gaza despite its military advantage was a miracle.

Egypt Fights Smuggling Via Maritime Border With Gaza

Eyewitnesses in Rafah in Egypt report that Egypt has begun building facilities on the Mediterranean along the Gaza border.

A security source said that these facilities are connected to anchorages for security forces boats in the region, and that they are aimed at preventing Palestinian smuggling via the maritime border.

Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, February 8, 2010

ElBaradei Accepts Honorary Membership In Egyptian Opposition Party

Former International Atomic Energy Agency director Mohamed ElBaradei has agreed to accept an honorary membership in the Egyptian opposition party "Free Constitution," in recognition of his contribution to the homeland.

Party leader Mamdouh Qinawi clarified that if ElBaradei were to run for president in Egypt, it would be as an independent, and not from any party.

Source: Al-Masri Al-Yawm, Egypt; Al-Jarida, Kuwait, February 7, 2010

Sheikh Al-Qaradhawi: I Want To Die As A Martyr Defending Palestine

In his Friday February 5 sermon, Sheikh Yousef Al-Qaradhawi, head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, condemned the Palestinian Authority's use of pictures documenting his meeting with Neturei Karta members for propaganda against him, and stated that there was nothing to prevent him meeting with anti-Zionist rabbis, but that he rejected any meeting or discussion with Zionist rabbis.

Al-Qaradhawi stressed that all his life he had supported the Palestinians, and that he sought to die as a martyr for Allah while defending Palestine.

He added that every Muslim was obligated to liberate Palestine and to resist global Zionism and those who support it.

Source: Al-Arab, Al-Raya, Qatar, February 6, 2010

Qatari Cleric: No Celebrating Valentine's Day

In his Friday February 5 sermon, Qatari Sheikh Muhammad ibn Hasan Al-Muraikhi stated that Muslims must not celebrate Valentine's Day (February 14), which he called holiday rooted in forbidden meeting between men and women and one that encourages lust among young people.

Al-Muraikhi called on Muslims to adhere to the Muslim holidays and to refrain from marking infidel holidays.

Source: Al-Sharq, Qatar, February 6, 2010

Saudi Prince: Shaking Israeli Deputy FM's Hand Does Not Indicate Change In Saudi Policy

Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal, director of the King Faisal Center for Islamic studies, has released an announcement stating that his handshake with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Dani Ayalon came while Ayalon was apologizing for his treatment of the Turkish Ambassador to Israel and for his statement that Saudi Arabia was not sufficiently helping the Palestinian Authority.

The prince said that the Israelis must not expect Saudi recognition of their country, and that his position towards Israel remains as it was.

Source: Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 8, 2010

Sen. Kerry Introduces New Yemen Bill

Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has introduced a draft bill demanding the implementation of a comprehensive strategy for Yemen.

The bill proposes that Saudi Arabia in particular as well as other Gulf states should play a major role alongside the U.S. in supporting Yemen's government in the face of threats from the Houthi rebels, the separatist factions, and Al-Qaeda.

Source: Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia, February 8, 2010

Syria Faces Drought Challenge; Sufferers Await Heaven's Mercy

The current rainy season has rekindled Syrian hopes, after four consecutive years of drought, particularly in the eastern region, the producer of the Syrian food basket comprising 57% of wheat, 69% of cotton, and 33% of sugar beet, and breeding 37% of sheep herds. It is also the source of 58% of Syrian water resources, in addition to its being the principal producer of oil and gas.

According to Syrian agronomical expert Dr. Riyadh Al-Shayib, "It not possible to discuss sustainable food security outside the eastern region or [without including] its role in the country's gross domestic product."

Preparatory Meeting in Iran to Discuss Border Issues with Iraq

Iraqi Border Guard on Iranian border

An Iraqi delegation chaired by Arshad Tawfiq, director of the legal department in the Iraqi foreign ministry, has arrived in Tehran on Friday for a two-day preparatory meeting of the joint technical commission that would review issues related to the borders between the two countries.

The meetings of the technical commission are scheduled to be held in Iranian cities.

Source: www.darabeen.com, February 6, 2010

Iraqi VP Al-Hashemi Threatened with De-Ba'thification

While in Washington last week at the invitation of the U.S. government, Iraqi Vice President Tareq Al-Hashemi attributed to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki the responsibility for the decision taken by the Justice and Accountability Commission to bar 511 candidates from running in the elections because of their alleged affiliation with the banned Ba'th Party.

Shortly thereafter, the chairman of the judiciary committee of the Iraqi parliament, Baha Al-'Araji, asked the Commission for Justice and Accountability to include Al-Hashemi among those barred from participating in the election because of Al-Hashemi's statements in Washington that could be considered as promoting the outlawed Ba'th party.

Iraq Mufti Denounces Religious Parties

In an interview with the Lebanese daily al-Nahar, Iraq Mufti Sheikh Rafi' Taha al-Rifa'i characterized the situation in Iraq as "very critical; it would not please a friend."

He said that the religious parties in Iraq, in all their forms, "have proven their failure in Iraq because they could not for once disassociate themselves from loathsome sectarianism" which has ushered in to Iraq nothing but blood and destruction.

These parties are supported and controlled by foreign forces which advance their own agenda in Iraq, he said.

Source: Al-Nahar, Lebanon, February 7, 2010

Iraqi PM To U.S. Ambassador: Stop Meddling in Iraqi Internal Affairs

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has declared that his government rejects the intervention of U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill in Iraq's election affairs (the ambassador earlier criticized the decision to bar 511 candidates and called for an open and transparent election). Al-Maliki asserted: "We will not allow Hill to exceed his authority as ambassador of the United States to Iraq."

Al-Maliki added that he will not be silent about the crimes committed by the Ba'thists (during the Saddam regime) in executions, destruction and physical and psychological torture of Iraqis. Al-Maliki also accused the Ba'th party and Al-Qaeda of being jointly responsible for the recent bombing in Baghdad which destroyed key ministries and caused the death of hundreds of people.

Sources: Al-Mada, Iraq, February 6; alfayhaa.tv, February 7, 2010; Al-Zaman, Iraq, February 8, 2010

Iraqi Action on Ba'thist Candidates Suspended For 5 Days

In a meeting of what is called in Iraq the "four presidencies" – namely, the president of the republic, the prime minister, the speaker of the house, and the president of the high judiciary council, it was decided that the judicial panel of seven judges be given another five days, through February 12, to sort out the appeals of the more than 500 candidates who were barred from running for elections by the Justice and Accountability Commission (formerly, the de-Ba'thification Commission.)

The Commission has instructed the Election Commission to bar these candidates on the grounds that they were tainted with Ba'thist affiliation or sympathy. The election campaign has been rescheduled for February 12.

Ahmadinejad: I Have Ordered to Start Enriching Uranium to 20%

At a conference on Iran's achievements in laser technology, President Ahmadinejad announced that he had instructed the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, to begin enriching uranium to 20%. He added that Iran had attained laser technology that enabled it to enrich uranium to any level, but that at present there was no intention to use this technology. About the uranium exchange deal with the West, he said that this option was still on the table, as long as the deal involved no preconditions.

For previous Iranian statements regarding achievements in the field of laser enrichment, see MEMRI Blog report, March 3, 2007.

Source: Fars, ILNA (Iran), February 7, 2010

'Okaz: Hizbullah on High Alert

The Saudi daily 'Okaz reports, citing knowledgeable sources, that Hizbullah's operatives throughout Lebanon are on high alert, and that the organization's leaders have been instructed to step up precautions against Israeli aggression. The sources stressed that Hizbullah was preparing for all military possibilities.

Source: 'Okaz (Saudi Arabia), February 6, 2010

Iranian Daily: The U.S., Iraqi Ba'th Party behind Iraq Bombings

The Iranian daily Jomhouri-ye Eslami stated that the U.S. and the Sunni Ba'th Party in Iraq perpetrated the recent bombings in this country, in order to demonstrate the impotence of the Shi'ite Iraqi government and the necessity of bringing the Ba'th back to power. The daily added that in Iraq, as in Afghanistan, the Americans negotiate with terrorist groups in order to further their aims.

Source: Jomhouri-ye Eslami (Iran), February 7, 2010

'Abbas: I Will Support Armed Struggle Only If Arabs Choose This Option

PA President Mahmoud 'Abbas said in a meeting with Egyptian newspaper editors that he believed in negotiations as a means of achieving peace, and that the use of arms in the Al-Aqsa Intifada had brought utter ruin upon the Palestinians. He expressed his support for popular struggle, adding that he would support armed resistance only if the Arabs endorsed this option and chose war.

About the inter-Palestinian reconciliation, he said that Syria is not opposing it, but Iran is.

Source: Al-Quds (Jerusalem), February 7, 2010

'Abbas: Sha'th's Meeting with Haniya Was Unauthorized; Sha'th: Hamas-Damascus Does Not Want Reconciliation

PA President Mahmoud 'Abbas said that the visit of Fatah Central Committee member Nabil Sha'th to Gaza, on February 3-5, 2010, had not been a personal initiative but was in accordance with a decision of the Fatah institutions. This decision states that Gazan members of the PA institutions currently residing in the West Bank must return to Gaza and live there, just as Hamas members live in the West Bank. 'Abbas added, however, that Sha'th's visit with Haniya had been unauthorized.

After his Gaza visit, Nabil Sha'th said that Hamas-Gaza wanted reconciliation, but the movement's leaders in Damascus did not. In response, Hamas Legislative Council member Yahya Moussa said that Hamas was one unified movement with one leadership, and that Sh'ath's statement had undermined all the achievements of his visit.

Sources: Al-Quds (Jerusalem), February 7, 2010; Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), www.palestine-info.info, February 6, 2010

The Iraqi Elections

Cartoonist: 'Alaa Al-Laqta

Source: Al-Madina (Saudi Arabia), February 6, 2010

Egyptian Daily: U.S. Military Committing War Crimes in Afghanistan

In an editorial, the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram attacked the U.S.'s current policy in Afghanistan, and called to prosecute the U.S. forces for committing war climes in this country.

Source: Al-Ahram (Egypt), February 7, 2010.

Obama Deflating

Cartoonist: Fahed Al-Khamaesy

Source: Al-Iqtisadiyya (Saudi Arabia), February 5, 2010

Islamic Scholars Convene in Qatar to Discuss Production of Film about Prophet Muhammad

The Qatari company Al-Nour, which plans to produce a 200 million dollar film in English about the life of the Prophet Muhammad, held a conference on February 2-3, attended by prominent religious scholars, including International Muslim Scholars Union head Sheikh Yousef Al-Qaradhawi.

The participants discussed the film's message, its compatibility with the Islamic shari'a, and the portrayal of the Prophet's companions. It was reported that, due to disagreements among the conferees, futher consultations will be held.

Source: www.alarabiya.net, February 6, 2010

Black Box of Ethiopian Airliner Transported to Paris in Al-Hariri's Private Jet

One of the black boxes of the Ethiopian airliner that crashed off the Lebanese coast on January 25 was retrieved today. Associates of Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'd Al-Hariri report that the box has been sent to Paris for analysis in Al-Hariri's private jet.

Source: www.almustaqbal.org, February 7, 2010

Libya Attempting To Reconcile Egypt With Syria, Qatar

Libyan Ambassador to Cairo Ali Mahmoud Maria has said that Libya is making efforts to reconcile Egypt with Syria and Qatar, prior to the opening of the Arab summit in Libya next month.

He said that Libyan Leader Mu'ammar Al-Qaddafi was conducting intensive contacts with the Arab heads of state in order to prepare the ground for a successful summit.

Source: Al-Masri Al-Yawm, Egypt, February 5, 2010

Red Cross Convoy In Gaza Attacked

The Palestinian Authority daily Al-Ayyam reports that a bomb was detonated by remote control next to a Red Cross convoy in Gaza.

The bombing took place on the road to the Erez crossing.

Sources in Gaza said that the police had arrested two suspects who apparently belong to the Jaljalat salafi group.

Source: Al-Ayyam, Palestinian Authority, February 5, 2010

Former Arafat Advisor Calls For Third Intifada

Bassam Abu Sharif, formerly advisor to Yasser Arafat, has called for a third popular intifada that will not be limited to the 1967 territories, but will include all Arab resistance members, so as to expel the occupation and establish a Palestinian state.

Source: Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Palestinian Authority, February 5, 2010

Al-Azhar: We Haven't Banned Facebook; It Can Be Used To Defend Islam

Al-Azhar's fatwa committee has denied issuing a fatwa banning the use of Facebook.

Former council head Sheikh Abd Al-Hamid Al-Atrash, to whom the fatwa was attributed, clarified that it was permitted to surf the Web if there was a purpose in doing so, but not for such corruption as prohibited relations or viewing licentious websites.

Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Academy expressed a similar stance, saying that Muslims are permitted to use Facebook for useful purposes such as defending Islam and Islam's image.

(See Al-Azhar Fatwa Bans Facebook)

Source: Islamonline.net, February 5, 2010

Saudi FM: Conditions Not Ripe For Assad-Mubarak Summit

In his first mention of Saudi attempts at mediation between Syria and Egypt, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal said that conditions are not ripe for a Saudi-Syrian-Egyptian summit, and that his country would continue its mediation efforts.

Syria-Egypt relations have been rocky since the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri.

Source: Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, February 4, 2010

Cartoon In UAE Daily: Iraq, Palestine Explode – 'Arab Stance' Absent

Cartoonist: Hamid Najib

Source: Al-Ittihad, UAE, February 3, 2010

Palestinian Sources: Hamas To Sign Palestinian Reconciliation Document Soon

Palestinian sources have told the London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that it is almost certain that Hamas will sign the Egyptian Palestinian reconciliation document in the coming days, after Arab and Palestinian elements drew up a draft acceptable to all sides.

The Palestinian Authority daily Al-Ayyam reported that Hamas had shown flexibility vis-à-vis the conditions set for its signing of the document, and had asked political figures to make the changes in the document's preamble that will express Hamas's remarks during the implementation of the agreement.

Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London; Al-Ayyam, Palestinian Authority, February 4, 2010

Lebanese Daily: Syria Will Respond If Israel Attacks Hizbullah

An article in the Lebanese daily Al-Safir, which is close to Syria, stated that the Syrian army is today on military alert, making it possible for Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Mu'alem to threaten Israel with war. It added that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has reinforced the army with missiles and land capabilities.

The paper said that Syria would also become involved in a war in the event that Israel attacked Hizbullah, not it directly – but that Syria and Hizbullah do not expect such a war any time soon.

Ibrahim Al-Amin, chairman of the board of directors of the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, which is close to Syria, said that Al-Mu'alem's threat to Israel was not a response to statements by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, but that it expressed the assessment that Israel wants to attack Syria for its support of the resistance and that it was a message that any such attack would spark conflict that would go beyond its local dimensions.

The Saudi daily Al-Watan stated that the Arabs are realizing that concessions to Israel have been disappointing, and that they must examine whether they have made a mistake by abandoning the option of the rifle.

Sources: Al-Akhbar, Al-Safir, Lebanon, February 5, 2010; Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia, February 4, 2010

Afghan Taliban Threaten To Execute Captured U.S. Soldier If U.S. Does Not Free Convicted Pakistani Scientist

The Afghan Taliban have demanded the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist convicted by a Manhattan court of trying to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and have threatened to execute an American soldier they are currently holding in Afghanistan, according to a Pakistani daily.

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Details on Death of Internet Jihadist "Salil Al-Suyouf" in Waziristan

A post on a jihadist forum gave additional details on the "martyrdom" of an Internet jihadist known as Salil Al-Suyouf (i.e. "the clank of the swords"), who was announced killed three days previously on the Al-Falluja forum.

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More on the Shabab-Ras Kamboni Unity Statement

The Somali Al-Qaeda-allied Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen Movement has released an official communiqué on its unity agreement with the Ras Kamboni Brigades, a faction that up to now had formed part of Hizbul Islam.

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Article In IRGC Weekly: Taliban Returning To Power – A Danger To Iraq

An article in Sobh-e Sadeq, the weekly of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), stated that under the new policy in Afghanistan, the U.S. and Britain are acting to restore the Taliban to power in the country, and that the path to doing so was paved at the January 28 conference in London on Afghanistan.

The article adds that this move harms Iran's security, and that Iran will not remain indifferent.

Source: Sobh-e Sadeq, Iran, February 1, 2010

Al-Jazeera, Hamas TV Interview Former British MP George Galloway; Viva Palestina's 'Lifeline 3' Convoy Meets with Hamas Rep and Rally Calling for Jihad – As U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee Chairman Calls For Investigating Viva Palestina's Finances, Special Dispatch Series - No. 2720 - December29, 2009

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Releases Statement on Jihadist Website Claiming Responsibility for Attempted Christmas Day Terrorist Attack, Special Dispatch Series- No. 2717 - December 28, 2009

From the JTTM Archives: Commander of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Wrote in October about Attacking U.S. Planes Special Dispatch Series - No. 2716 -  December 28, 2009

In Attempts to Break its Isolation, Iran Makes Creative Overtures Towards Egypt, U.S., Inquiry & Analysis Series - No. 574 - December 28, 2009

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud 'Abbas: No To Violence, Terrorism, Gunfire, or Military Intifada, Special Dispatch Series - No. 2714- December 24, 2009

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