Letter Claims That al-Qaida Bombed Madrid and That America's Next

NewsMax/PRN Newswire ^ | 3/11/04

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

The Arabic newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi said Thursday it had received a claim of blame for the Madrid train bombings issued in the name of al-Qaida. The five-page e-mail claim, signed by the shadowy Brigade of Abu Hafs al-Masri, was received at the paper's London offices. It said the brigade's "death squad" had penetrated "one of the pillars of the crusade alliance, Spain," and carried out what it called Operation Death Trains.

"This is part of settling old accounts with Spain, the crusader, and America's ally in its war against Islam," the claim said.

Referring to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, the statement asked: "Aznar, where is America? Who will protect you, Britain, Japan, Italy and others from us?"

The newspaper faxed the claim to The Associated Press's office in Cairo.

Warning to America: You're Next

The statement warned the United States that a major strike was approaching.

"We announce the good news for the Muslims in the world that the strike of the black wind of death, the expected strike against America, is now at its final stage, 90 percent ready, and it is coming soon, by God's will," the claim said.

Asked about the claim of blame, White House spokesman Sean McCormack said "we've seen the news reports, and we're going to determine what the facts are."

The message also referred to last year's attack on Italian paramilitary police serving in the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

"When we attacked the Italian troops in Nasiriyah and sent you and America's agents an ultimatum to withdraw from the anti-Islam alliance, you did not understand the the message. Now we have made it clear and hope that this time you will understand," the statement said.

"We, at the Abu Hafs brigades, have not felt sad for the so-called civilians," the statement in an apparent reference to the hundreds of casualties in Thursday's attacks in Madrid.

"Is it OK for you to kill our children, women, old people and youth in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Kashmir? And is it forbidden to us to kill yours?" the claim asked.

The statement said another al-Qaida squad, Jund al-Quds or Soldiers of Jerusalem, had carried out Tuesday night's attack on a Masonic lodge in Istanbul, Turkey.

"All the Masons would have been killed but there was a technical fault. So because God wished it, only three were killed," the statement said.

In the attack, two bombers opened fire in the lodge's dining hall, killing a waiter and wounding five other people. The attackers then detonated rudimentary explosives. One assailant died in the blast while the other was severely wounded.

[DallasMike]

I thought that America didn't have any allies in the War Against Terrorism. Didn't we just "go it alone" like the Democrats have been saying?

[saquin]

I'm not very afraid of their threat to the U.S. They've been predicting imminent attacks for over 2 years now.

But I am not looking forward to this summer's Olympics in Greece. On top of the vehement anti-Americanism I expect to be present at the Games, I also have a very bad feeling there will be a major terrorist attack, or at least an attempt. I usually look forward to the Olympics, but not this year.

[HitmanLV]

Warning to America: You're Next

Actually, we were first, Brainiacs.

Well, actually actually, we weren't first, but its a decent comeback!

[cripplecreek]

A liberals response from a local group.

"It doesn't feel right. in a strategic sense. The Spanish population was near unanimous in opposing the invasion of Iraq."

Clearly this fool feels (falsehoods aside) that anyone opposing the war on terror is a friend and those who support the war on terror is an enemy.

[sheik yerbouty]

In the words of Kurtz "Exterminate the brutes!" The world will be a better place for it.

[joesnuffy]

Hopefull the al-Qaeda we repatriated from Gitmo...were micro chipped...

[Professional Engineer]

ping

[joesnuffy]

and it is coming soon, by God's will," the claim said.

Yes let it come or blow up in your faces...by God's Will....that is THE GOD..of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and God's only begotten Son The Lord Jesus Christ..... Let us see what the real God has in mind...for al Qaeda vs America...His Will be done....

[Shermy]

A liberals response from a local group.

Why don't you ask them what they think the "old accounts" are?

[swarthyguy]

Shows the naive mindset.

As if jihadis care.

[Defiant]

This is how pathetic the Arabs are: Spain by itself could conquer the entirety of the Arab world, from Morocco to Iraq. Civilization has taken from the Europeans the desire to conquer, but if the Arabs keep it up, the Europeans might remember how to do it.

[ValenB4]

All this sudden piling on of ETA seems too convenient. I've read that ETA's largest action was in 1987 that killed 21 people. Furthermore, Sunday's election in Spain is favored to be won by Aznar's protege, who favors further devolution. Why would the Basques want to bring the wrath of the world on themselves like this? It's makes no sense. Especially when the Basques, independent or not, are still Spaniards and will always have to live among them and their fellow Europeans.

On the other hand, big attacks like this are characteristic of Al Qaeda. Spain has troops in Iraq. I opposed the war in Iraq because I believe it does nothing to solve the intractable inherent problems of Islam. Western politicians are going to have to face some unpleasant and politically incorrect realities regarding Islam, namely that it breeds hatred and unrelenting violence. And that if things don't improve withing Islam, it has to go. This mad religion is going to bring about the ruination of the world.

[sushiman]

"..... Let us see what the real God has in mind...for al Qaeda vs America...His Will be done...."

Sooner or later God is going to thrown in the towel with regards to US . Maybe he already has .

[Urbane_Guerilla]

This mad religion is going to bring about the ruination of the world.

There has been mention of nuking Mecca and Medina if we get another massive attack. That would be emotionally satisfying, but would it have a deterrent effect? And is there any realistic chance that we would do so, even with Bush, who understands we are at war.

But I keep thinking what our response would be to a massive attack, and I cannot come up with a likely target which also makes strategic sense.

[fightin kentuckian]

Before I say anything that may get me banned I'll keep and open mind and ask you to please expalin exactly what you meant by that statement and where you stand on the war against terrorism.

[mass55th]

They may be saying the U.S. is next as a diversionary techinique, and instead, plan to attack one of the other countries with us in Iraq.

[AfghanIraqVeteran]

This is typical. It is the textbook execution of terrorism. You get a hit in and play on the fears of people by telling them they are next. They have been telling us we are next for years now. I believe they are becoming frustrated at the fact they cannot get to us, so they attack our smaller, weaker friends. It is amazing that after 911, there has been no attack on our soil or foreign interests. We did the right thing by reacting. What they really need is a person like Kerry to become president. Then they can proceed to hit our embassies, barracks, ships, etc. without consequence.
I would not, however, become complacent simply because it has been two years since their last attack. Remember it took them almost a decade to destroy the world trade center. These thugs are very patient and very intelligent. They hit at your weakest and most vulnerable areas, yet only areas that will cause the most damage.
The only way to prevent further attacks is to be alert to your surroundings. Don't listen to this bullcrap that Washington is telling us. Profile. Use that dirty word as an action verb, not a noun. The fact is we were attacked by Islamic Terrorists. It wasn't a bunch of Baptist Preachers that hijacked those planes. I wasn't Catholic Priests. Why, oh why is it when we think of terrorists our mind instantly forms a mental image: a Muslim of Middle Eastern Descent? I wonder! I'm not promoting going out on a witch hunt and harassing, or abusing Muslims. Simply know your surroundings. Be aware of their activities. Trust your instincts.
I pray we can leave Iraq as soon as possible and destroy whoever is next on our list of enemies...

[Independent520]

but..but, but kerry said the terrorist threat is exagerated

[AfghanIraqVeteran]

I would agree with sushiman on this. So did many preachers and pastors directly after the attacks. Unfortunately they did not have the backbone to stand on their statements.
The fact is, God may have withdrawn His hand of protection from a nation that once claimed to be His. We have turned into a modern day Sodom and Gemmorah, or even on a lesser scale another Ninevah. This country needs to remember what Gods reaction was to these places. How many times did God remove His protection from Israel? HIS OWN PEOPLE!!! And we as Americans have the audacity; the pride to think that God would not do the same to us? Are we any better than His chosen people?