Please also post this on NoE Cindy, Kofi's son ties into the worse type of paying for terror, thanks!
It has been a slow Thankgiving holiday weekend terror-wise with no terrorist strike against the US. However we would be foolish to believe that the terrorists have given up. Let me know if you want on or off the Ping list.
11/28/04 Current National Homeland Defense threat level is YELLOW
1. Attack threat windows
11/28/04 Primary Window: October 29 - December 28, 2004. High concern over possible attack by al-Qaeda within 60 days of 29 Oct. OBL video. This is based upon an historical analysis of previous videos.
Another potential attack window is the Nov 24 - Jan 1 - Thanksgiving / Christmas Holiday season.
11/28/04 Secondary windows:
January 20, 2005 - Presidential inauguration
Feb. 6 Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.
2. Attack Indicators
11/28/04 There continue to be threats against the US and allies posted on various jihadist websites. However these threats still appear to be just that - threats - with no teeth to them. Calls for jihad and those willing to go to fight the infidel continue to go out, but most of these are unskilled and poorly equiped to launch terror attacks against the US and are mostly directed against US forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world.
11/23/04 This post is being maintained for a historical track - Godzilla
Threats of a nuclear attack continue to appear on some jihadi forums. I continue to monitor the ACSA "alert" regarding the prediction of a nuclear attack within the next 3 months. The credibility of this chatter and alerts is questionable, however, AQ has repeatedly stated it desires nuclear weapons, and there are concerns being raised again about nuclear material becoming available through either N. Korea, Iran or Pakistan.
3. Current Terrorist Operations
Al-Qa'ida
11/27/04 Al-Qaida chief calls Muslims to jihad, Sheikh Al-O'Taibi , identified as Abu Abd Al-Rahman Al-Aathry, the new chief of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, has published this statement calling Muslims to jihad. It is at the pro-jihad site Jihad Unspun. Note the copious references to the Qur'an and the actions of Muhammad. Note the heavy use of Sura 9, which Islamic tradition has regarded (with some dissenters) as the last sura revealed, and thus the Qur'an's last word on jihad.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/
Britain
11/25/04 A policeman told the Old Bailey today how he found instructions on how to make bombs when he called at the home of a suspected illegal immigrant. Pc Alan Garnham said: "Inside the shoebox, it was full of various documents and pictures. Pc Garnham said he asked Jacques Abi-Ayad: "Are these yours?" and he replied: "Yes they are mine".
Also in the box were press cuttings on terrorist groups al-Qaida and the GIA, as well as on September 11, said Mr Larkin. The Frenchman of Algerian descent told police he had planned to exact revenge on a man in France with a firebomb.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/14958170?source=PA
Iraq
11/24/04 An audiotape purportedly made by Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi lashed out Wednesday at Muslim scholars for not speaking out against U.S. actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying they have "let us down in the darkest circumstances."
This message is widely interpreted as a desperate call for help. al-Zaraqawi appears not to have had a fall back position nor expected the coalition forces to have so completely defeated his terrorists in Fallujah.
11/23/04 The U.S. military has captured what officials termed a senior Sunni commander in Iraq, near the Syrian border in the Anbar town of Haqlaniya. The Kurdish newspaper Al Taakhi quoted Iraqi police sources as saying that Al Zarqawi was believed to have been injured in the U.S.-led assault on Faluja. Al Zarqawi's leading aide, Omar Hadid, was also said to have been injured in the battle for Faluja. Officials believe he was still in or around Faluja and leading the Sunni insurgency against the U.S.-led coalition force.
Iran
11/24/04 Iran is playing a dangerous game knowing that this yo-yo method is an effective delay tactic for EU and UN negotators and enforcement. - Godzilla
Iran is seeking a last-minute exception to its commitment to stop all uranium enrichment activities by demanding the right to operate around two dozen centrifuges, diplomats said Wednesday.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NUCLEAR_AGENCY_IRAN?SITE=FLMYR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
N. Korea
11/28/04Intrigue continues to surround the events in this country. However, news sources have been very quiet regarding the interesting events that have recently transpired and whether or not Kim is still in power. - Godzilla
Israel
11/28/04 No significant activity. I suspect that most of the terrorist focus and attention is being given to the replacement of Arafat as leader of the PA and the associated power struggle - Godzilla
11/25/04 Gaza-born Canadian citizen pleaded guilty Wednesday to planning attacks on Israelis in North America and was sentenced by a military court to four years in prison, the Israeli army said. Jamal Akkal, 24, was arrested in Gaza on Nov. 1, 2003, and charged by the military with conspiracy to commit manslaughter. Prosecutors said Akkal planned to carry out attacks against Israeli officials travelling in the United States, as well as bombings against Jewish targets in North America.
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/041124/w1124112.html
India
11/23/04 The U.S. said terrorists may be planning attacks in the ``near future'' in the Indian cities of Mumbai and New Delhi and asked its citizens to increase security. Although not specific, the information suggests that an attack could be aimed at U.S. interests.''
11/23/04 An alert by US intelligence agencies today about the possible infiltration of an Al-Qaida militant in India forced the closure of the US consular section and the American Center in Mumbai. Officials in Indian intelligence agencies said that the US Homeland Security Department and the CIA have warned that a Saudi Arabian has sneaked into India. "The alert has warned that the Saudi Arabian is an Al-Qaida militant and could carry out attacks on US installations in Delhi and Mumbai," said an intelligence official. "It was a warning, which didn't give details about the possible hideouts or physical description of the suspected Al-Qaida militant."
England
11/24/04 AL-QAEDA terrorists had to abandon a plan to fly hijacked airliners into Canary Wharf, the London skyscraper, and Heathrow airport after being "rumbled" by British and European intelligence services.
To foil the terrorists, checks were carried out at airports and flying schools in Britain and also in countries in Central and Eastern Europe, from where it was believed that al-Qaeda members might set off. "They were rumbled," a source said. "We believe that al-Qaeda recognised that aviation security in the UK was too tight for a repeat of the September 11 attacks in this country and that it was too difficult to hijack an aircraft in our airspace.
Sweden
11/25/04 Another ‘tolerant’ european country faces culture shock from muslems who do not want to assimilate into Swedish culture. - Godzilla
Swedish authorities in the southern city of Malmo have been busy with a sudden influx of Muslim immigrants — 90 percent of whom are unemployed and many who are angry and taking it out on the country that took them in. Fear of violence has changed the way police, firemen and emergency workers do their jobs.
There are some neighborhoods Swedish ambulance drivers will not go to without a police escort. Angry crowds have threatened them, telling them which patient to take and which ones to leave behind.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139614,00.html
Yemen
11/25/04 Yemeni authorities have released 113 militants belonging to the Al Qaeda network — including at least five once accused of involvement in the deadly bombing of the USS Cole — after they recanted their extremist views, security officials said Thursday.
The militants once accused in the USS Cole bombing were later cleared. The 15 Yemeni militants convicted in August of involvement in the 2000 bombing, which killed 17 U.S. sailors, were not released.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139616,00.html
Pakistan
11/25/04 Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden can not be hiding in Pakistan's tribal lands on the Afghan border as Pakistani forces have combed the area and found no hint of him, a Pakistani army commander said on Thursday. Bin Laden and his bodyguards could not go undetected in the rugged tribal lands, although pockets of al Qaeda-backed fighters are battling Pakistani forces there, said Lieutenant-General Safdar Hussain.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=586&ncid=586&e=3&u=/nm/20041
Netherlands The flashpoint for Euro-Islamic tensions continues to be active - Godzilla
11/24/04 Abdul-Jabbar van de Ven, 25, has provoked a storm of protest by admitting on Dutch television he wants parliamentarian Geert Wilders to die. Wilders, an independent Conservative MP, plans to set up a party "to tackle Islamic extremism" in the Netherlands.
"I don't wish that on him with either my tongue or my pen. But I would not mourn [his death], just as the great majority of the Dutch public would not mourn if Osama bin Laden was found dead tomorrow."
He did admit however that he felt "some joy" on hearing of the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh on 2 November. Van Gogh was apparently killed because he made a short film featuring semi-naked women talking about domestic violence in Islamic society.
+
Colombia
11/25/04 The largest guerrilla group in Colombia ordered an assassination attempt on US President George W Bush during a recent visit there, a senior official says. Colombian Defence Minister Jorge Alberto Uribe said Mr Bush was targeted in the city of Cartagena last Monday. Informers and other intelligence sources revealed the attempt, he said. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have long accused the US of meddling in the country's 40-year civil war.
United States
11/24/04 As part of the effort to keep America secure from future acts of violence, the U.S. is looking at monitoring Internet chat rooms to identify potential terrorists. According to CNET News.com, the CIA is quietly funding research into surveillance of online discussion halls. In April 2003, the intelligence agency reportedly agreed to finance a series of research projects that newly disclosed government documents indicate were intended to create "new capabilities to combat terrorism through advanced technology."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41644
4. Attack method.
11/23/04 No real change in the preferred method of choice of AQ which are bombs - the bigger the better. With the exception of 9/11, car/truck bombs have been widely used. There are special concerns regarding the use by terrorists of the following types of vehicles:
1. Uhaul type cargo trucks.
2. Gasoline / Propane supply / tanker trucks.
3. Emergency vehicles (ambulances, police cars, fire trucks)
Current alerts out for two stolen fuel/tanker trucks, a stolen crop duster and about a hundred propane tanks. It is uncertain if the thefts are linked to terrorism at this time, however they could be adapted for use in a terrorist attack.
11/24/04 The following report is rather dated (2003) but confirms the desire of AQ to acquire WMD. On the good side it is apparent that they still haven’t got nukes, although chemical and biological weapons are within their capabilities and only need to hone the method of delivery. - Godzilla
The threat of terrorists using chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials remained high. Many of the 33 designated foreign terrorist organizations and other nonstate actors worldwide have expressed interest in using CBRN; however, most attacks probably will be small-scale, incorporating improvised delivery means and easily produced or obtained chemicals, toxins, or radiological substances. Although terrorist groups probably will continue to favor long-proven conventional tactics, such as bombings and shootings, the arrest of ricin plotters in London in January 2003 indicated that international mujahidin terrorists were actively plotting to conduct chemical and biological attacks. ...snip...
Usama Bin Ladin and other al-Qa'ida leaders have stated that al-Qa'ida has a religious duty to acquire nuclear weapons. Documents recovered in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom show that al-Qa'ida was engaged in rudimentary nuclear research, although the extent of its indigenous program is unclear. Outside experts, such as Pakistani nuclear engineer Bashir al-Din Mahmood may have provided some assistance to al-Qa'ida's program. Bashir, who reportedly met with Bin Ladin, discussed information concerning nuclear weapons. Al-Qa'ida has been seeking nuclear material since the early 1990s, according to the testimony of a government witness-Jamal Ahmad Fadl-during the 2001 trail on the al-Qa'ida bombings of the American Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. Fadl claimed that al-Qa'ida pursued the sale of what they believed was enriched uranium in Sudan in the early 1990s. This effort may have been a "scam" operation, and there is no credible evidence al-Qa'ida actually acquired the uranium. Al-Qa'ida has been the victim of other nuclear "scams" in the past, but it probably has become sensitized to such operations in recent years, in part due to media coverage of nuclear smuggling and scam operations.
In addition, we are alert to the very real possibility that al-Qa'ida or other terrorist groups might also try to launch conventional attacks against the chemical or nuclear industrial infrastructure of the United States to cause panic and economic disruption. In a video aired by Al-Jazirah in September 2002, senior al-Qa'ida members said they had contemplated striking nuclear power plants early in their decision making on targets but dropped the idea for fear it would "get out of control."
5. Personnel
11/28/04 Nothing new to report.
6. Significant meetings canceled:
11/28/04 No new cancellations.
7. Security has been heightened in specific cities
11/28/04 NYC is at a locally declared ORANGE where it had been since. 9/11/01.
GENERAL: Ongoing work to upgrade security at sea ports and airports.
8. Military operations.
11/23/04 Carrier Battle Groups
Deployed
CV-67 Kennedy 25 Jul 2004 - Persian Gulf
CVN-75 Truman 18 Nov 2004 - Persian Gulf
CVN-72 Lincoln 10 Nov 2004 - Pacific Ocean
Surge Ready
CVN-70 Vinson 02 Oct 2004 - Completes COMPTUEX
CVN-73 Washington Surge carrier until ~Dec04
Basic Training
CVN-68 Nimitz 29 Oct 2004 - Pacific Ocean
CVN-69 Eisenhower 16 Nov 2004 - Completed Crew Certification Phase II
11/23/04 F-117s are still reported to be deployed in S. Korea.
9. Dept of Homeland Scty. / State Department
11/26/04 Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Fri Nov 26 2004 15:25:38 GMT-0800.
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza
November 26, 2004
This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on threats to American citizens and interests in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Terrorist attacks have occurred in Israel and in areas frequented by Israeli tourists across the Israeli border with Egypt, and there are ongoing concerns regarding locations associated with American interests in Israel. Revised prohibitions regarding the use of public transportation within Israel by American government employees have also been issued. In addition, instability related to the death of Yasser Arafat and upcoming Palestinian Authority elections remains a possibility. This replaces the Travel Warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza issued August 3, 2004.
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to depart Gaza immediately and to defer travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza due to current safety and security concerns. ....snip.....
http://travel.state.gov/travel/israel_warning.html
11/24/04 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Wed Nov 24 2004 23:36:40 GMT-0800.
UZBEKISTAN
November 24, 2004
This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the potential for civil unrest and disturbances, with resultant traffic disruptions in Ukraine, following Ukraine’s November 21, 2004, disputed presidential elections. This Public Announcement expires on December 7, 2004.
The American Embassy in Kiev has urged American citizens resident in Ukraine to remain alert to the possibility of election-related rallies, demonstrations, and disturbances following Ukraine's presidential election held Sunday, November 21, 2004. The election results are in dispute and a large number of police forces have assembled around the rallies in Kiev. Expectations of counterdemonstrations make the potential for disorder even greater.
American citizens resident in Ukraine have therefore been urged to avoid areas affected by demonstrations and political rallies and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. Citizens have also been urged to assess the impact of these demonstrations might have on personal traffic and transportation needs. There are reports that certain inter-city travel in Ukraine is now restricted, and that buses and trains to Kiev have been canceled. Tickets are not being sold for certain scheduled departures. The Department reminds American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Given the fluidity of the situation in Ukraine at this time, and the difficulties reported with inter-city travel, the Department urges American citizens both within Ukraine and without to defer all discretionary travel plans, particularly to and within Kiev. The U.S. Embassy in Kiev will continue to monitor developments and will, as appropriate, provide for the resident American citizen community in Ukraine periodic updates on the situation on its website. ...snip.....
http://travel.state.gov/travel/uzbekistan_announce.html
10. Suspicious Domestic Incidents Not Currently Linked to Specific Terrorism Attempts
11/28/04 LEOs are still looking for stole tankers, propane tanks and a crop duster that could potentially be used for terrorist attacks - Godzilla
11/24/04 Police evacuated the area around a Duncanville service station Tuesday afternoon after a bag containing what appeared to be explosive devices was found in the parking lot. Authorities responded just after 4 p.m. to an Exxon station at the intersection of Highway 67 and Danieldale Road after receiving a call about the suspicious item. The Dallas Police bomb squad, FBI and ATF officials were also called to the scene. Initial reports indicated that the bag appeared to contain several grenades, and possibly a launching apparatus for an anti-tank weapon.
www.wfaa.com
11/24/04 Utica Power Authority has had an explosion of vandalism along its water delivery system. UPA General Manager Vern Pyle told agency directors last night that a post was blown up right where a ditch on the agency's system and its three-quarter flume join, splintering the post and blowing concrete, embankment rock and wood fragments about 20 feet. And vandals have targeted parts of the system twice since then, he said.
http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=15828
OK JP.