November 10, 2009

Cairo Egypt -- The Egyptian military is in the streets of almost every major city in the country following a series of deadly terrorist attacks, including one against Cairo's central police station that left nearly a dozen police officers dead.

The station suffered severe damage following what appears to be a suicide car bombing outside the building that killed the driver along with the police officers.

Simultaneously, another group of terrorists seized a hotel frequented by tourists and have begun a standoff, stating they will begin killing tourists and then dump their bodies onto the streets below as long as the Imam - a holy man being held by authorities for pedophilia related crimes -  remains in his cell.  However, there has been no confirmation of civilian or tourist casualties to date.  The army has surrounded the hotel and have shut down all traffic near it, while keeping the media at arm's length 'for the safety of all concerned'.  The nationalities of the tourists being held is unknown, although government officials are working around the clock to identify them and to negotiate their release.

Egyptian media released unedited footage showing one riot that escalated out of control

The population of Cairo is also turning against the authorities. Several demonstrations have turned into full scale rioting with many arrested and many more injured as riot police have met the protestors head-on.  

The people are claiming that the Government's accusation that the priest was a pedophile was merely a trumped-up charge to keep him in custody while they tried to find other incriminating evidence against him.  The priest, who is much loved among the more religious sector, has not been heard from in several weeks.  Some people are openly calling Mubarek's government a "fascist regime that has no respect for the more pious believers of Islam."  Government spokespeople, meanwhile, claim that much of the unrest is believed to be backed by the religious extremist group, the Al Jihad, and is not truly a reflection of the people's beliefs.  The Al Jihad has denied any connection to the rioting.

The Egyptian government has refused to cave into the demands of the terrorists or to the local population, stating that their case against the Imam demanded action and they would see it through to the end.  "Justice must be served."  one source inside the Ministry of Justice was quoted as saying.

Persian Gulf --  A Liberian oil tanker was attacked in the Gulf by several unknown boats.  The tanker's Captain identified the vessels as being 'speed boat' types mounting heavy machine guns and firing rocket-propelled grenades.  There was extensive damage caused to the tanker, currently being towed to a Saudi Arabian port, but it does not appear to be in danger of sinking.

The ABC terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the attack and says that it will continue to conduct attacks until its demands are met.  The ABC has in the past threatened to attack any nation who helps prop up the "Zionist regime" in Israel.

This is the second attack claimed by the ABC, the first saw another oil tanker slightly damaged and limp into a nearby Iranian port for repairs.  Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and several other Gulf countries have condemned the attacks saying that these strikes cause economic harm to their homelands and to the whole of the people of the Persian Gulf.

Kelly Crawford (ENN)