Terror threat to 'crowded areas' (Nationwide Warning in UK)

UK Times ^ | Dec. 11, 2005 | David Leppard

[FairOpinion]

SCOTLAND YARD has issued a nationwide alert that Islamist terrorist cells may be plotting a Christmas bombing campaign. The warning was distributed to police chiefs nine days ago by the Yard’s anti-terrorist branch. It follows a series of operations by police and MI5 aimed at disrupting possible attacks by terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda.

The latest warning was sent to the chief constables of the 51 forces in Britain on December 2. It said there was evidence to suggest that Islamist terrorists were planning to carry out bomb attacks against “crowded areas” such as shopping centres, football grounds and train stations.

Senior officers say the alert is not routine and are to increase patrols and searches of potential suspects.

Whitehall officials say Britain remains on the second highest state of alert, Severe (specific). It was raised from the third highest state, Severe (general) to the highest, Critical, on July 7, the day of the London suicide bombings.

It was due to have been lowered on July 21, but the four failed attacks of that day delayed the decision. It was reduced to Severe (specific) in mid-August. Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan police commissioner, revealed two weeks ago that since then police had foiled two further attacks on Britain. Senior police officers have briefed the cabinet that the threat remained high.

Blair said police are preparing for attacks in the next few months. “The sky is dark,” he said. “Intelligence exists to suggest that other groups will attempt to attack Britain in the coming months.”

Terrorists linked to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, head of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, are feared to have established a network in Britain. Some are involved in recruiting young Muslim men to travel to Iraq to fight the coalition. Others are believed to be planning suicide attacks in Britain itself.

Patrick Mercer, the Tory homeland security spokesman, said he was concerned about further attacks against the underground system: “The government needs to explain what further efforts it plans to make the tube safer.”

[FairOpinion]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that AQ is planning attacks both in Europe and US for Christmas...

[Cold Heart]

BTTT

[LibWhacker]

Golly, I hope the perps leave some DNA evidence so we'll know who to issue warrants for.

[sageb1]

"I wouldn't be surprised to learn that AQ is planning attacks both in Europe and US for Christmas..."

Nor would I. They will attack wherever they can, whenever they can. Watch for more individual suicide bombers here in the near future. The Muslim PR (progandize and convert) campaign is being carried out very effectively in the U.S.

[sageb1]

progandize=propagandize (sorry for the misspelling)

[section9]

It would be a coup beyond measure for Zarqawi to be able to strike here. That is why I have a great fear that he will hit New York or D.C. over the holidays. The London thing could be a huge misdirection play. I just have this hunch.

We have been beating AQI over the head since MATADOR began back in May. Zarqawi's Iraqi organization has become a shell of its former self. The only way for him to recover from the criticism leveled against him by his colleagues within the AQ heirarchy is to stage spectacular car bomb attacks here. This would wipe away the clumsiness of the wedding attack in Amman and would burnish his credentials among the young jihadi as the worthy successor to bin Laden.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[sageb1]

Maybe Christians could take a cue from the Muslims who profess to be "protecting churches" at Christmas. We could "protect a few mosques," if you get my drift.

[Capriole]

Damned savages (and I do mean that they are damned).

[FairOpinion]

" We could "protect a few mosques," if you get my drift."

===

Not a bad idea!

And yes, I "get your drift". ;)

[onyx]

You're right.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

"The sky is dark..."

[Nick Danger]

The turtle walks at dawn.

I repeat: The turtle walks at dawn.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Hey, I didn't write it, although I may at some future date. A good line is always worth swiping.

From the article --

~~Blair said police are preparing for attacks in the next few months. "The sky is dark," he said. "Intelligence exists to suggest that other groups will attempt to attack Britain in the coming months."~~

[LonePalm]

Blesse mon coeur avec une langueur monotone.

Je répète:

Blesse mon coeur avec une langueur monotone.

(Not to mention the fact that Jack has a long moustache).

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[Gritty]

It's interesting how the Muslims have no problemo with attacking the Infidels during Christmas.

But, if we even think of attacking any of the Muslim swine during Ramadan, they (and our own PC Muslim lovers) freak out with outrage!