Turkey detains 10 over suspected Al-Qaeda plot on Israeli

[Clearday-TRForce]

Turkish police have detained 10 people suspected of links to the Al-Qaeda extremist network and of plotting attacks on Israeli cruise ships in southern Turkey, security sources said.

The suspects, one of them a Syrian, were detained several days ago in the Mediterranean province of Antalya, home to some of Turkey's most popular resorts, which attract millions of foreign tourists each year, said the sources, who requested anonymity.

They were believed to be planning to attack Israeli cruise ships on behalf of Al-Qaeda, they said.

Israel's counter-terrorism unit Monday warned Israeli holidaymakers to avoid a strip of Turkey's Mediterranean coast between the resorts of Alanya and Kemer, in Antalya province, citing credible intelligence of a potential attack.

On Friday, Israeli authorities ordered four Israeli cruise ships scheduled to dock in Alanya to change course to Cyprus for fear of a possible attack.

The sources said the Syrian suspect, identified only by his initials, N.S., has been taken to to Istanbul and for questioning by anti-terror police in connection with suicide bombings that killed 63 and wounded hundreds others in Istanbul on November 15 and 20, 2003, and blamed on a local Al-Qaeda cell.

The NTV news channel reported that the police had detained at least 10 people linked to Al-Qaeda, among them the Syrian who was allegedly collecting information on Israeli ships travelling to Turkey and on synagogues in the country.

The Syrian, who was carrying forged identity documents, was planning an attack on Israeli ships, the channel said





regards

[Midav]

Good that they were able to find these guys before they could do any harm!

[usa320]

pwned.


woot

[Clearday-TRForce]

Turkey arrests Syrian who was plotting attacks on Israeli ships

ISTANBUL - A Turkish court ordered the arrest Thursday of a suspected Syrian militant from the Al-Qaeda extremist network who said he had been plotting to attack Israeli cruise ships off Turkey's Mediterranean coast.

"I wanted to attack Israeli ships without harming Turkish civilians," Louai Sakra, 32, shouted to reporters in Turkish as he was being escorted to court by anti-terror police.

"I had prepared a tonne of explosives and I have no regrets. I was to carry out the attack last Friday.

"Allahu Akbar (God is great)," he shouted.

Four Israeli ships carrying 3,500 holidaymakers were scheduled to dock in the Mediterranean resort of Alanya last Friday, but were rerouted to Cyprus by the Israeli authorities for fear of a terrorist attack.

On Monday, Israel's counter-terrorism services warned Israelis to avoid a strip of Turkey's Mediterranean coast between Alanya and Kemer, in Antalya province, due to "credible intelligence" of a potential attack.

The court ordered Sakra arrested on charges of membership in an illegal organization, but his lawyer said he denied being a member of Al-Qaeda and argued that he was acting on his own.

"He said he was angry over the US occupation of Iraq and the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem," defense attorney Osman Karahan said.

The hearing was held under media blackout. It was not immediately known when Sakra's trial would start.

Another member of Sakra's defense team, who requested anonymity, told AFP that his client was hailing from an influential Syrian family and had come to Turkey as a student.

Media reports said police suspect that the Syrian planned to use an inflatable boat packed with explosives to attack Israeli cruise ships in Antalya, home to some of Turkey's most popular resorts which attract millions of foreign tourists each year.

Sakra was detained Saturday in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir in possession of false Turkish identity papers.

He is also suspected of involvement in deadly suicide attacks in Istanbul in 2003.

Another Syrian man, also suspected of belonging to Al-Qaeda and identified as Hamed Obysi, was detained at the weekend and formally placed under arrest on Wednesday.

He was reportedly a go-between for Osama bin Laden's network and its militants in Turkey.

Suicide bombers detonated explosive-laden trucks outside two synagogues in Istanbul on November 15, 2003, and the British consulate and the British-based HSBC bank five days later, killing a total of 63 people and wounding hundreds of others.

The Turkish authorities are yet to make an official statement on the capture of the two Syrians.

The security department denied Wednesday that police had detained up to 10 people with alleged links to Al-Qaeda on suspicion that they were plotting attacks against Israeli cruise ships along the Mediterranean coast.

Media reports described Sakra as a senior Al-Qaeda member, responsible for a region covering also Turkey. He has undergone plastic surgery to his face to disguise his identity, the NTV news channel said.

Sakra and Obysi were detained as a result of an operation launched last week after a fire that broke out in a flat in Antalya city, rented by Middle Eastern tourists, reports said.

The security forces became suspicious by the sharp smell of chemicals which spread in the vicinity with the fire. Sakra was reportedly in the flat at the time.

NTV said the cell plotting the attacks on the Israeli ships had bought another flat in Antalya and that the police seized 875 kilograms (1,925 pounds) of plastic and chemical explosives in one of those apartments.
The operation was carried out in cooperation with Israeli and US intelligence services, the Sabah newspaper reported.






“People, weapons, means of transportation and communications equipment belonging to a cell linked to al-Qaeda were seized there. It intended to carry out an attack at sea, and apparently on land, in foreign tourist centers,” Danny Arditi, head of the Israeli government's counterterrorism headquarters, was quoted as saying Tuesday by *******.

However, the police denied the reports. “The news reports that al-Qaeda members have been caught with C-4 explosives as they prepared attacks on several foreign ships in the southern provinces are completely wrong and ill-intentioned,” police headquarters said in a statement.

Reports said the suspects were detained in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul and the Mediterranean tourism hub of Antalya. The Syrian national, identified as Luia Sakra by the Doğan News Agency, was captured in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir. The agency said Sakra, who had plastic surgery after the 2003 attacks, was carrying a false identity card and plans to attack Israeli ships




Key Al-Qaeda Man Arrested in Diyarbakir, Turkey


Turkish security have arrested Luia Sakra and Hamed Obysi, two Syrian nationals suspected of providing and fabricating the bombs used in the Istanbul attacks on 15-20 November 2003, which killed 62 people.

A ton of equipment to be used in bomb fabrication has been seized in the al-Qaeda cell-house in the Mediterranean coastal city Antalya. Sakra, under interrogation in Istanbul now, is reported to be the most senior al-Qaeda member ever captured.

He is reportedly a key name, thoroughly acquainted with al-Qaeda's organizational structure. The Al-Qaeda cell was preparing for an attack that would target Israeli cruse liners and cell members have reportedly long been in Antalya.

A blast occurred on the night of August 4 in a house in the Antalya Port neighborhood. The ensuing fire was put out by the firefighters. Police determined the house was used as an al-Qaeda cell and that the blast occurred during bomb fabrication.

The militants were preparing for an attack to target Israeli cruse liners and immediately fled after the blast. Security units all over Turkey have been alerted.

Sakra, who reportedly had links with Habip Aktas, mastermind of the Istanbul attacks, has been captured at Diyarbakir airport under the false identity Ekrem Ozer.

Sakra who was preparing attacks to target Israeli travel ships and synagogues is reported to have smuggled $120,000 for the purpose.

On the other side, Syrian national Obysi has been captured at Antakya. Both are brought to the Istanbul Anti-Terror Department Headquarters for interrogation.

Sakra and Obysi have reportedly been in Antalya for a long time to plot bomb attacks on behalf of al-Qaeda.

The terrorist organization's militants started to make bombs at a cell house in the Mediterranean city. Suspects left the city when an explosion occurred in the cell house at 03:00 a.m. on August 4.

Operations were stepped up when police found the action plans and materials used in bomb making. Arrests followed of Sakra, at Diyarbakir Airport, and Obysi as he attempted to cross to Syria.

Sakra financed bomb materials, trucks and rents for shops that bombs were made. Nearly $150,000 was spent on this.

The indictment of the al-Qaeda case at Istanbul Court also said a Syrian-origin man provided financial support and gave Adnan Ersoz, the accused, $50,000 of the money he brought from abroad.

Meanwhile, it was learned that Sakra did not want to make a deposition unless he saw Osman Karahan, attorney of suspects involved in Istanbul bombings. Obysi, the alleged courier of the terrorist organization, arrested at Istanbul Besiktas Court and sent to prison.

Istanbul police had earlier confirmed that an Israeli cruse liner expected to arrive at the Antalya Port was among the targets of "al-Qaeda's Turkey elements". The Israeli ship's arrival at the Antalya Port was expected on 6 October 2003, however, the liner could not dock due to bad weather.

Al-Qaeda militants, giving up this attack, turned their eyes to the British Consulate in Istanbul. The police reportedly had obtained information that this procrastinated attack was being rescheduled.

Israeli counter-terror unit head Danny Arditi announced that al-Qaeda militants were arrested in the south of Turkey.

Arditi said that suspects were captured with weapons and various equipments at a cell house linked with al-Qaeda.

He stressed the arrested were plotting to target tourists both on land and at sea. Following this accusation, Turkey's Security General Directorate announced to national and international news organizations that news that al-Qaeda militants had been arrested with C-4 plastic explosives in Turkey's southeastern provinces was wrong.

The announcement indicated such news should not be credited, but said the security forces would continue to work hard to provide peace and security in Turkey.



http://cache.*****images.com/comp/53349319.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=7DD0A29ABCA673F50B2A54B589C1757BA9C30E9B9B114CE8

Istanbul, TURKEY: Turkish anti terror special branch policemen escort Syrian national Hamed Obysi (2nd R) coming out of Istanbul High court on duty at Besiktas in Istanbul 10 August 2005. Turkey's security department denied Today that police had detained a group suspected of having links to the Al-Qaeda extremist network and of plotting attacks against Israeli cruise ships in southern Turkey. Police sources said a Syrian national was detained on suspicion of involvement in a series of suicide bombings in Istanbul in November 2003, blamed on a local Al-Qaeda cell, and would appear before a tribunal later Wednesday. Security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, earlier said 10 people had been detained in the Mediterranean province of Antalya, which attracts millions of tourists each year, on suspicion of plotting attacks on behalf of Al-Qaeda against cruise ships popular with Israeli holidaymakers





regards

[turan8]

No....Turkey didn't capture anyone (wink, wink) :D

[seruriermarshal]

Thanks Turkey .

woot

[msnger]

good job turkey !!!! :hug:

anybody have that pic unwatermarked?

[SEAHAWK]

One of the terorists;
:bash:
http://www.hurriyetim.com.tr/displayimage/0,,208093,00.jpg

[duck]

Would the Turkish MP members have any thoughts on how much support Fundamentalist Islam has in your country? I believe that former fundamentalist politicians like Mr.Erdogan have changed a lot since having to take real responsibility of Turkish affairs.

[Clearday-TRForce]

Would the Turkish MP members have any thoughts on how much support Fundamentalist Islam has in your country? I believe that former fundamentalist politicians like Mr.Erdogan have changed a lot since having to take real responsibility of Turkish affairs.


As a Turkish citizen who live in Istanbul, can say (maybe), they are %3-5 in the Turkey.The secular,democratic system s well-working here.




regards
Clearday-TRForce

[Clearday-TRForce]

Mr.Erdogan have changed a lot

He s not fundematelist islamist, he s corservative (warm and rational), the look from there maybe s litthe different,but we also know who s he or not.

[turan8]

Actually Erdogan and Bush get along pretty good, they're both fairly conservative and have had many discussions on God and such. Erdogan isn't very Extremist, it's just that it seemed that way for a while because a couple newspaper editors didn't like him.

[Zarathustra]

One of the terorists;
:bash:
http://www.hurriyetim.com.tr/displayimage/0,,208093,00.jpg

He looks happy being arrested. :|

[NewsMan]

The ones you really have to watch in this country is the ultra-nationalists that are making progress. I lived in Istanbul as well... very nice progressive city, but like anywhere, they have extremists.

[Sayeret]

good mews

[Clearday-TRForce]

The ones you really have to watch in this country is the ultra-nationalists that are making progress. I lived in Istanbul as well... very nice progressive city, but like anywhere, they have extremists.


yeah but the more important thing is to consider numbers. Extremists in Turkey cannot exceed ur extremists number in USA. Maybe ur extremists are beyond us. :)

[theg]

really its nice to hear this news.

[NewsMan]

The ones you really have to watch in this country is the ultra-nationalists that are making progress. I lived in Istanbul as well... very nice progressive city, but like anywhere, they have extremists.


yeah but the more important thing is to consider numbers. Extremists in Turkey cannot exceed ur extremists number in USA. Maybe ur extremists are beyond us. :)

The difference is, my Turkish friend, is that your extreme naionalists can make a run at Turkey's top political party... here, the KKK is more of a freakshow. Salaam Alikeum.

[Clearday-TRForce]

The ones you really have to watch in this country is the ultra-nationalists that are making progress. I lived in Istanbul as well... very nice progressive city, but like anywhere, they have extremists.


yeah but the more important thing is to consider numbers. Extremists in Turkey cannot exceed ur extremists number in USA. Maybe ur extremists are beyond us. :)

The difference is, my Turkish friend, is that your extreme naionalists can make a run at Turkey's top political party... here, the KKK is more of a freakshow. Salaam Alikeum.


It seems u have minimal information on Turkey. Our extreme nationalists in last selections had taken %6 of total votes. So how can you say that they can run? do you find it sense? I think "NO".




regards

[NewsMan]

MHP (National Action Party) : ultra-nationalist party (also known as the Grey Wolves, from the name of it's youth movement) founded in 1969 by the late Alparslan Türkes. Structured as a typically para-military organization, MHP was largely responsible for the escalation of violence in the late seventies. MHP was dissolved after the 1980 coup while Türkes and others were convicted in the early 80’s for the murder of several public figures. In 1995, Türkes is allowed to reconstitute MHP and take part in the elections which earned the party 8.5% of the vote. Türkes’ funeral in april 1997 drew 300.000 people including politicians of all parties. Türkes has been succeeded by Dr. Devlet Bahceli, in spite of the opposition inside the party of Tugrul Türkes, son of the party's founder. MHP became the second Turkish political party after the April 1999 general elections and got 129 seats in the Assembly. It's new leader Bahçeli is drawing a different profile than earlier leaders and bringing a new line for their politics different from their past. During the last elections in 2002, they got only 8.34% of the votes and couldn't go to the parliament.

[Clearday-TRForce]

how can you say that they can run? do you find it sense? I think "NO".


does it mean that you know but dont take a right decision for them to run a government in next selections?

mate, please write a note "in the next elections Tayyip Erdogan (conservative leader of Turkey) will again win due to his successful in politics,economy and social management.

Turkey (PPP GDP,has grown over %30) in four years with The President Erdogan period.So wait for other 5 years period with Erdogan to the 2011. ;) ultrablabla people can only be a small part of Turkey,wolfs,bears,eagles...or somethings...the more important thing for Turkish citizen is to select rational people who use brain in full of capacity gaining advantage from the world welfare. We dont need extremists,we need rationalists. ;)

[Kontra1]

MHP (National Action Party) : ultra-nationalist party (also known as the Grey Wolves, from the name of it's youth movement) founded in 1969 by the late Alparslan Türkes. Structured as a typically para-military organization, MHP was largely responsible for the escalation of violence in the late seventies. MHP was dissolved after the 1980 coup while Türkes and others were convicted in the early 80’s for the murder of several public figures.

Haha...Is this what they teach you in your schools?? Well...as long as you're fed with info like this,you'll be making wrong assumptions and decisions regarding the region.

In 1980's military coup,ALL political parties was outlawed and their leaders was jailed...not only Alparslan Türkes. ;)


In 1995, Türkes is allowed to reconstitute MHP and take part in the elections which earned the party 8.5% of the vote. Türkes’ funeral in april 1997 drew 300.000 people including politicians of all parties. Türkes has been succeeded by Dr. Devlet Bahceli, in spite of the opposition inside the party of Tugrul Türkes, son of the party's founder. MHP became the second Turkish political party after the April 1999 general elections and got 129 seats in the Assembly. It's new leader Bahçeli is drawing a different profile than earlier leaders and bringing a new line for their politics different from their past.


During the last elections in 2002, they got only 8.34% of the votes and couldn't go to the parliament.

Today, they're in the same line of the neocons who are in charge of your country's governing....

Our's didn't even get enough votes to get into parliament ;)

Hopefully with the next(early elections) this will change. :D

Kontra1

[Kontra1]

The difference is, my Turkish friend, is that your extreme naionalists can make a run at Turkey's top political party... here, the KKK is more of a freakshow. Salaam Alikeum.

Today they might give the impression of being "just" a freak show, but in your recennt past,they've carried out some important missions on the behalf of the past U.S governments.

I'm sure they're still willing to do it again if they were asked. ;)


Kontra1

[NewsMan]

No, actually they teach us nothing about Turkey in school. What I posted was somthing I found online writen by a Turk from Istanbul.

[Kontra1]

Actually Erdogan and Bush get along pretty good, they're both fairly conservative and have had many discussions on God and such. Erdogan isn't very Extremist, it's just that it seemed that way for a while because a couple newspaper editors didn't like him.

Sorry...but I can't agree with you and CD on how you guys present him.

There is a large amount of people in Turkey that doesn't approve his policies(even from the a large ammount that voted for him) of sacrifiying vital Turkish national interests in the name of EU membership...and his attempts of watering down the Turkish const.that keeps religious fundementalism under strict control.

Kontra1