Al Qaeda again threatens New York, Washington and Los Angeles - Daily Terror Threat

Debka ^ | 11-3-2003 | Staff

[tubavil]

Monday, November 3, 2003

A new message was posted in the last few hours by the Jeddah-based al-Qaeda-linked Al-Islah (Reform) society calling on Muslims to flee New York, Washington and Los Angeles in advance of major al Qaeda attacks in those cities. This is revealed by DEBKAfile.

The message accuses the United States of predetermining its end (doom) by its policies. ?The Jews rule the Pentagon by remote control and (are the cause) of Muslims being killed in every corner of the world. The United States should therefore expect more blows.?

The message is signed on behalf of the al Bayan (The Threat) movement by ?your warrior brother, Abul Hassan al Khadrami?.

Our Muslim expert identifies the name of the signatory as belonging to a Yemeni from Hadhrameuth, the Bin Ladens? place of origin where Osama enjoys substantial tribal support.

DEBKAfile?s counter-terror sources stress that warnings appearing on these forums are taken both very seriously and with caution by the intelligence services keeping track of the terrorist network?s electronic traffic.

Last November, Jeddah-based fundamentalist forums addressed a message to an Al Qaeda member, saying whoever understands ? understands; whoever knows, knows, but we are marching towards an operation that will take us to Paradise. Three days later, the Mombasa Paradise hotel was blown up killing 12 Kenyans and 3 Israelis and a failed shoulder-launched Strela anti-air missile missed an Israeli airliner at Mombasa airport.

Link to Thread 2

[LikeLight]

Homeland Security to Cops: Prepare for Qaida Car Bombs

Confidential memorandum advises taking high-threat measures for end of Ramadan


November 24, 2003
By Paul Sperry
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has advised federal agencies to initiate emergency counterterrorism measures to prevent possible al-Qaida car bombings planned during the last days of the Muslim holiday Ramadan, according to a confidential department memo obtained by WorldNetDaily.

Citing al-Qaida's "increasingly sophisticated" car-bombing tactics, it recommends security guards tow all vehicles parked illegally in and around government facilities, if their owners cannot be identified, and inspect the undercarriage and other areas of vehicles entering sensitive areas, among other high-threat protective measures.

Al-Qaida could also target "liquid natural gas, chemical or petrochemical sites near major population centers using multiple vehicle-born improvised explosive devices similar to those recently seen in the attacks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Istanbul, Turkey," warns the internal department advisory titled, "Continued al-Qaida Threats Abroad and in the Homeland."

Marked "For Official Use Only," the four-page memo was distributed Friday to federal departments and agencies, as well as state security managers and first responders.

"This advisory is intended to raise the security awareness of the recipients based on recent terrorist attacks overseas and information suggesting al-Qaida continues to plan attacks against U.S. targets," the memo says.

It notes there has been at least one major terrorist attack resulting in substantial casualties each week over the past several weeks, and that the attacks have coincided with Ramadan.

"These terrorist bombings, coupled with public proclamations regarding al-Qaida's intentions to target Western interests, heighten our concern that a threat against the U.S. homeland and U.S. interests abroad continues," the document states.

The Homeland Security memo warns that al-Qaida might launch attacks "near the end of Ramadan (Nov. 24-27)," which happens to coincide this year with the Thanksgiving holiday.

The government is closed on Thursday, Nov. 27, for Thanksgiving.

But millions of Americans will be traveling throughout the holiday week, and Homeland Security warns in its memo that "we cannot discount multiple attacks involving the use of general-aviation aircraft."

The department's current terror threat level stands at yellow, or elevated, indicating there is only a significant risk of terrorist attacks. Publicly, it has recommended Americans continue with plans for work or leisure.

Behind the scenes, however, it has directed federal and state law enforcement, as well as security personnel, to initiate protective measures under its highest threat level – red – a condition when there is an imminent risk of terrorist attacks.

For instance, "Measure R.2" of the department's internal Threat Level Red recommendations advises government agencies to, among other things: "Identify the owners of all vehicles already parked at state facilities. In those cases where the owner or presence of a vehicle cannot be explained (owner is not present and has no obvious agency affiliation), inspect the vehicle for dangerous items and take steps to remove the vehicle from the vicinity."

Homeland Security officials insist they have no specific threat. Indeed, the department memo states: "We have no tactical information identifying timing, targets, tactics or locations for these operations."

However, it goes on to say that "recent information" and attacks reflect "al-Qaida's desire to repeat a mass casualty attack and/or strike major political and symbolic and economic targets" in America.

The document expresses concern over al-Qaida's "increasingly refined capability and sophisticated tactic" in carrying out car-bomb attacks. Among examples, it cites the terror group's new "ramming tactic to gain access to the target" and the use of "innocuous-looking vehicles," such as "a food catering truck which was detonated by a suicide bomber as it rammed the British consulate."

It recommends U.S. security personnel take additional protective measures to thwart car-bomb attacks, including:

* "Consider adjusting buffer zone further [sic] from target."
* "Increase the number of visible security personnel wherever possible."
* "Rearrange exterior vehicle barriers, traffic cones and road blocks to alter traffic patterns near facilities and monitored by alert security forces."
* "Institute/increase vehicle, foot and roving security patrols varying in size, timing and routes."
* "Limit the number of access points and strictly enforce access control procedures."
* "Deploy explosive-detection devices and explosive-detection canine teams."
* "Review surveillance tapes (if available) for indicators of suspicious activity."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35801

[Poohbah]

Is this the same Paul Sperry who explained how the War on Terror was really all about Bush's oil cronies in a book from WND Press?

[LikeLight]

Especially take note of the following snippet from the above article . . . I haven't seen this anywhere else yet:

"Behind the scenes, however, it has directed federal and state law enforcement, as well as security personnel, to initiate protective measures under its highest threat level – red – a condition when there is an imminent risk of terrorist attacks."

[LikeLight]

Don't know who Sperry is. I am just posting what I found. You all can dissect it and the author.

[cajungirl]

Oh Lord! Scary memo. I am trembling as I type.

[oceanview]

no evidence of a "red alert" here in NY at all, at least on the roads/bridges I travel on.

[steve86]

And he was mocking some person who was using traceroute in an amateurish capacity and interpreting the output incorrectly.

[LayoutGuru2]

I sent a message to Jeremy Reynalds on Friday night to let him know that the old group was gone. He already has an article up today discussing the new group.

Radical Muslim Claiming al Qaida Affiliation Back On Line

If Jeremy is still onto these Jihadists (wanna-be or otherwise) I am sure the Feds are also.

[txhurl]

Power, yes, I think they know the weaknesses now.

I wanted to mention something. I've noticed - today especially, in a Middle East food store - but certainly in convenient stores, that many muslim-types have replaced their personnel with Mexicans. With one or so Arab left.

[txhurl]

Do all cars have to clear the street for the Macy's day parade?

[Calpernia]

No reason given. I've spoken with some of the moms. No one knows why. The kids were told it was a Treat for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

If my tin foil is right, this may be why: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1028219/posts

Our school is one block over from the New Brunswick Commuter Train Station. Everytime a threat occured to NY or transportation, our school went into lock down.

I honestly can't think of another reason. I'm sure I will fined out. I would say coincidence; but when does a school close like that? Even last year when the school closed due to too many kids being home with the flue, a letter came home with the kids. This time, it was announced in school to the students and confirmed by the mom phone call chain with no explaination.

[Calpernia]

Sabertooth, do you remember the freeper that did a tracert on Daleel? You had that linked to your ping list for a bit.

Matter of fact Bones, it should be on this thread. You have to wade back up through the posts though.

[oceanview]

yes, and then some. they will tow cars if needed, then they will block access to the route from the side streets with garbage trucks.

[oceanview]

he could be behind a dozen proxies.

[Sabertooth]

Sabertooth, do you remember the freeper that did a tracert on Daleel? You had that linked to your ping list for a bit.

m1-lightning posted some info here.

[Poohbah]

he could be behind a dozen proxies

And he could be using a proxy that gives false reads on a tracert. In one of the more amusing penetration testing exercises I supervised, the Red Team boss used a server designed to give ICMP information that looked like it was coming from whitehouse.gov. I gave that guy a raise (c8

[Calpernia]

I have no idea if that freeper traced the hops or not.

[FairOpinion]

I was about to dismiss Daleel, but I just saw the Debka article:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1027937/posts

"Monday, November 24, Al Qaeda marked Eid al Fitr, the festival closing the Muslim festival of Ramadan, with a dramatic warning. DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources reports that a message published over al Qaeda’s electronic channels and websites declared that the countdown has begun for the biggest operation ever carried out in the United States. “The big blow will fall very shortly. It will consist of a series of surprise attacks that will cut America off from communication with its armies in Muslim countries.”

DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources report that some of the new messages are signed by Abu Assam al Yamani, who also threatens to murder Abdul Rahman Rashid, editor of the Saudi London-based paper Sharq al Awsat. Al Yamani says the al Qaeda passed sentence of death against the editor because he not only met President George W. Bush in the British capital last week but interviewed him and appeared with the president in a joint photo. "

[m1-lightning]

Did their school cancel for Wednesday?

My college class were scheduled off for Wednesday for thanksgiving so it's probably no big deal.

[FairOpinion]

"where are the Muslims supposed to go? Just hop on the next plane to Paris or wherever? "

===

Do you care, just as long as they don't come back. :)