Report: Al Qaeda Targeting Oceanliners

FoxNews ^ | Dec. 28, 2003 | FoxNews

[FairOpinion]

Al Qaeda (search) has turned its terror sights to the sea, targeting luxury cruise liners in a major expansion of its "jihad (search)" against Western interests.

And top of the terrornetwork's list of ocean-bound targets is the new $1.3 billion British ship Queen Mary 2 (search).

[FairOpinion]

Actually I am surprised they haven't been targeting oceanliner before -- they look like pretty soft targets.

This article has more detail, but there was an earlier article mentioning this possibility and some others:

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Al-qaeda blueprint exposed

From the other article ( link above):

"US intelligence officials also found evidence Al-Qaeda was planning to attack the British aircraft carrier Ark Royal as it passed through the Gibraltar Straits en route to the Gulf War earlier this year.

Plans for the attack emerged after a US spy plane discovered scores of acoustic sea-mines had disappeared from a naval base in North Korea.

US intelligence services believe the mines could be aboard 28 "terror ships" Osama bin Laden has assembled in the past year. The capture of Al-Qaeda's chief of naval operations, Ahmad Belai al-Neshari, has helped to reveal the extent of the organisation's maritime ambitions.

Al-Neshari was found carrying a 180-page dossier that listed "targets of opportunity". These included large cruise liners sailing from Western ports. "

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And yet another piece of info, not worth posting by itself, but fits in here, the time frame: Jan- Feb 2004.

Al Qaeda may strike in Jan/Feb 2004: Report

[FairOpinion]

Update and more detail on the article you posted earlier, re AQ attack on QE2.

[FairOpinion]

PING

[CindyDawg]

Well they better not mess with the freeper cruise:')

[the invisib1e hand]

Actually I am surprised they haven't been targeting oceanliner before -- they look like pretty soft targets.

I recall that, after 9/11, that monstrous floating condo sort of disappeared; recently I was surprised to find it back in biz.

The cost of military escorts and/or on board anti-aircraft fire ought to push the fares up a bit.

[Bon mots]

I suggested this was what the Al-Qaida navy was for long ago, and got flamed like crazy. That convinced me that there must have been some validity to my worry.

[CindyDawg]

Same here. When we found out that they were practicing on bringing women and children to the top of a "hotel" I was concerned about cruises esp family oriented ones.

[FairOpinion]

"I suggested this was what the Al-Qaida navy was for long ago, and got flamed like crazy. "

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Can't imagine, why you got flamed -- I guess some people prefer to live in denial.

BTW, if you aren't aware, there is an ongoing thread of terror info/analysis/speculation that was started a couple of months ago and is continuing. You may want to check it out and even contribute. We tend to be months and weeks ahead of what the main media finally picks up. And it's a thread where you wouldn't get flamed for exploring possibilities.

Al Qaeda again threatens New York, Washington and Los Angeles -- NOVEMBER 3, 2003

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1013726/posts

[ex-snook]

Assuming they have any strategy at all, I doubt ships. The 9/11 attack was against symbolic targets e.g. WTC, Pentagon. If they are still on the symbolic America tack, maybe Wall Street, Banks or the Service Academies, so these should be watched.

Another tack could be attacks on our economy e.g. Shopping Malls, communications, or energy, these are pretty vulnerable.

More remote, I would put people attacks, either against population centers or political assassinations.

In short, unless we can end the breeding of terrorists we need people capable of target triage analysis, big time.

[Prodigal Son]

Bump

[FairOpinion]

I think taking out the QE2 could be considered a symbolic hit, and it would put a serious dent in the cruise ship industry.

Also, considering that AQ likes multiple attacks, an attack on a cruise ship wouldn't exclude other attacks on other targets.

Political asssassination attempts are alrady occurring: Musharraf.

[ex-snook]

"Political asssassination attempts are already occurring: Musharraf. "

You are right there. But I am thinking of defending America. The rest of the world has to watch out for themselves. If AQ makes us defend the world, then that would be an attack on our economy that would parallel how Reagan ruined Russia.

[international american]

Gonna be a long war....these freaks will find a way until we exterminate most of em.

[Leonine]

Good point: The QE2 and Queen Mary 2 in a simultaneous attack--throw in the Grand Princess as well. Yikes!

[Viking2002]

One of the primary concerns I've had since 9/11 was Al Queda hitting an ocean liner. There would be no qiucker way to produce several thousand deaths quicly than to break the back of a cruise ship in deep, open water. As far as I know, they're completely defenseless.

[Heff]

Gonna be a long war...

Agreed. Its time to get nasty. I think these SOB's need to hear and see once again, that we will use EVERY available weapon to kick their a$$es!

[liberallyconservative]

It may be simplistic, but I have a suspicion they've already explored the vulnerabilty of cruise ships. I've always felt there was more to the stories of the unexplained illnesses that have plagued large numbers of passengers in the last several years. Was there ever a plausible explanation given?

[international american]

Let us hope we have the testicular fortitude to do what needs to be done. I think we do!
Best, IA

[FairOpinion]

"I've always felt there was more to the stories of the unexplained illnesses that have plagued large numbers of passengers in the last several years."

==

I have the same suspicion. No, there never was a good explanation given. A cruise ship is a closed system, so if a disease strikes, there is no place to go.

I've also read some pretty good logic and evidence that the West Nile Virus may also have been a bioterror weapon.

[Capt. Tom]

One of the primary concerns I've had since 9/11 was Al Queda hitting an ocean liner.

Might be harder to do today, than in 1985. But the cruise ships today have hundreds in the crew from all part of the world.

Four heavily armed Palestinian terrorists in October hijack the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro, carrying more than 400 passengers and crew, off Egypt. The hijackers demand that Israel free 50 Palestinian prisoners. The terrorists kill a disabled American tourist, 69-year-old Leon Klinghoffer, and throw his body overboard with his wheelchair. After a two-day drama, the hijackers surrender in exchange for a pledge of safe passage.