Magazine says Qaeda vows "back-breaking" strike

Reuters ^ | 12/26/03

[kattracks]

DUBAI (Reuters) - A London-based Arab magazine said on Friday that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has vowed to launch a "back-breaking attack" on the United States by February, confirming an earlier message by the militant network. The weekly al-Majalla said it received an e-mail from Abu Mohammed al-Ablaj, a little known al Qaeda member, saying bin Laden would release a video tape in which he affirms his group's determination to fight the United States.

"A messenger of bin Laden informed him (Ablaj) that the al Qaeda leader will appear on a televised tape after the execution of an operation which bin Laden described as back-breaking and which would change the order of things," al-Majalla said in a report in its latest edition, a copy of which was sent to Reuters.

"They (Americans) should prepare...their coffins, hospitals and graves. The coming days will be full of surprises and great events which will make them a historic example," the magazine quoted Ablaj as saying.

The report came after U.S. officials ordered their color-coded alert system raised to orange, the second highest level, citing possible year-end attacks.

Air France canceled Christmas flights to Los Angeles on Wednesday after U.S. officials relayed information that extremist groups were planning "near-term simultaneous attacks that would rival September 11."

Al Qaeda is believed responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. cities.

In the e-mail, which could not be immediately authenticated, Ablaj echoed his previous statement carried by al-Majalla in November saying the attack would take place before a Muslim feast which is celebrated on the last days of January or the first days of February.

The e-mail did not say what type of weapons would be used in the attack which Ablaj hinted would involve a series of strikes on the United States and other countries, the magazine reported.

[goldstategop]

'Nother 9-11? Let 'em bring it on!

[bucephalus]

"Al Qaeda is believed responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. cities."

Got to love Reuters.

[Catspaw]

It sounds like Zawahiri is upping his bellicose level now that we've captured Saddam.

[eclectic]

The islamofascists need to understand the meaning of "back-breaking"

[prisoner6]

OBL: I got 5 million Kon Tiki Condos!

Mullah Omar: I got 6 million Kon Tiki Condos!

OBL: Me...I got TEN MILLION KON TIKI CONDOS!

ZAWAHIRI: I got 5 ladies in my lving room!
5 Ladies in my living room!
5 LADIES IN MY LIVING ROOM!

Arabs are known for bragging and trying to top one another...

Yawn.

prisoner6

[alloysteel]

Al-Qaeda is under a little pressure now. Behind already in the first quarter, they have to throw in their reserves, and try to overcome the lead that the US has built up in this game.

But their bench is rather shallow, and made the more so by the recent elimination of one of their staunch team players, who was not merely sidelined, but expelled from the game. And the fan base does not seem to be as motivated, either.

More and more, al-Qaeda is playing defense, and the team that settles into a purely defensive posture is marked for eventual failure. Sure, they may pull off a few impressive, even brilliant, plays, but they have largely lost the initiative. They have made the mistake of making too big a strike early in the game, and essentially they have wasted that volley only to rally the US into a state of readiness they were not prepared to counter.

[Savage Beast]

"They (Americans) should prepare...their coffins, hospitals and graves."

The words of the worshippers of Satan! Make no mistake; these devil-worshippers know exactly who the "god" is that they are serving.

[marvlus]

It appears that the phrase that Islamists live by is "Words speak louder than actions".

[lavrenti]

This is beginning to read like the joke about the bear and the near-sighted hunter. I have no illusions they can do something evil and stupid however the response would be such they wouldn't have a clue as to how to survive.

[The Toad]

"Back-breaking"? LOL. These 3rd-worlders and their "religion of peace" are way over their heads.

[Samurai_Jack]

I noted last night that there is a Cresent Moon/Evening Star celestial combination in the western sky around six pm. This symbol seems to keep coming up as symbols important in the islamic faith. The 'islam.about.com' says, "The crescent moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam."

Is there a connection between this celestial representation and the timing of the increased threat matrix?

Pakistan

[Savage Beast]

The leaders of al-Qaida have intelligent if evil minds. Fortunately for the world--and no accident, considering God's love of His world--they are no match for President Bush--or for America. God will destroy these evil creeps just as He has destroyed their countless loathsome predecessors throughout history and pre-history.

[COBOL2Java]

I saw that too. That was the planet Venus, if I interpret my Old Farmer's Almanac correctly.

[sneakers]

That same combination was in the sky immediately around the date of 9/11/2001. I remember standing on the porch early the next morning (sometime after midnight) of the day after and making a note of it. It gave me the chills.

[wayoverontheright]

More and more, al-Qaeda is playing defense, and the team that settles into a purely defensive posture is marked for eventual failure. Sure, they may pull off a few impressive, even brilliant, plays, but they have largely lost the initiative.

I am SO in agreement.

This is beginning to look to me like a whole lot of bluster, as they must know these warnings are making their "strike" a lot more difficult, if not less likely. If they are unable to pull off anything, it's time to conclude they either lack the ability or the will, possibly both, as consequences have begun to exceed any possible gains.

If they're smart, and I'm not willing to concede that yet, they will not stick their hand back in this particular hornet's nest.

[COBOL2Java]

A London-based Arab magazine said on Friday that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has vowed to launch a "back-breaking attack" on the United States by February...

Oh, it's February now? I guess in February there will be another announcement of an all out "back-and-all-bone-breaking attack" in April...

[Rummyfan]

I believe that is Venus isn't it? Very bright in the Western sky last night along witht he crescent liver of the moon. As for relation to the threat matrix who knows?

[wayoverontheright]

It appears that the phrase that Islamists live by is "Words speak louder than actions".

Yes. It's beginning to look a lot like Monty Python's Black Knight scene to me.

Anybody else find it strange that they would consider The Paris to LA flight? By that I mean, when do they take the plane over? If they do so early in the flight they will have to communicate with several towers, thereby exposing themselves to being shot down, if they wait until they're over their supposed target (Las Vegas), then there won't be enough fuel to do much damage. In my opinion the only chance they have would be flights out of Dulles or Reagan, the target being something in DC, where they risk an immediate passenger riot.

This all smacks of diversion to me.

[jstolzen]

OK, guys..I'm with most of you thinking that AQ is playing the classic Sun Tsu strategy of "when weak, appear strong"..BUT..

I am really beginning to think that they must REALLY have something up their sleeves. Suitcase nukes. Major bio attack. SOMETHING.

While some of this sounds like chest pounding, the recent actions by the Bush Admin (eg: "continuity of government" exercises conducted this past Tues, per CNN) are starting to really make me think there is something big going on here. Of course, if nothing happens by Feb 1, I am going to write these guys off once and for all as a bunch of loudmouthed whacko crackpots.

What's the consensus? Do you guys think we're just hearing chest thumping, or is something "big" really in the works? I fear it is the latter.

Stay safe, everyone!