Posted on 08/09/2006 10:17:04 PM PDT by gary_b_UK
A major terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight has been disrupted by police, Scotland Yard says.
It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on board aircraft in hand luggage.
During the night, police arrested a number of people in London after a counter-terrorist operation they said had lasted several months.
Police believe the attacks would have been particularly targeted at flights from the UK to the US.
The Department for Transport said security at all UK airports has been increased.
Passengers on all flights will not be allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK.
Only the barest essentials - including passports and wallets - will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.
Hold on a sec. I live in Massachusetts! Please don't leave me here with them, it's bad enough as it is. ;)
I am planning on moving to Georgia once my youngest graduates high school though. Between the taxes, liberals and cold weather, I have had enough of the North East.
But I'll survive with a pancake touch up!!
sw
Sadly I agree with you.Too many in the US just don't get it yet, they need to be hammered over the head before they wake up.
we have some mighty fine high schools down here....they still teach American History, too!
You forgot the sarcasm tag.
I don't post often on here, but read every day.
I just turned on the news - I'm confused. Doesn't code red for flights from England mean an attack is imminent? So, why are all the headlines stating the plot has been foiled? Are we expecting an attack today???? I'm so upset!
STRATFOR Red Alert: The Plot to Attack British Airliners
Scotland Yard successfully penetrated the plotters of a mass terrorist attack against airliners bound from the United Kingdom to the United States on Aug. 10 British time, resulting in the capture of nine people who planned to use liquid explosives contained in carry-on luggage to down the planes. Current reports indicate at least 21 people have been arrested in total, and perhaps the cell contains as many as 50 people.
There are four takeaway lessons from this incident:
First, while there obviously remains a threat from those not only sympathetic to al Qaeda, but actually participating in planning with those in the al Qaeda apex leadership, their ability to launch successful attacks outside of the Middle East is severely degraded.
Second, if the cell truly does have 50 people and 21 have already been detained, then al Qaeda might have lost its ability to operate below the radar of Western -- or at least U.K. -- intelligence agencies. Al Qaeda's defining characteristic has always been its ability to maintain operational security. If that has been compromised, then al Qaeda's importance as a force has diminished greatly.
Third, though further attacks could occur, it appears al Qaeda has lost the ability to alter the political decision-making of its targets. The Sept. 11 attack changed the world. The Madrid train attacks changed a government. This failed airliner attack only succeeded in closing an airport temporarily.
Fourth, the vanguard of militant Islam appears to have passed from Sunni/Wahhabi al Qaeda to Shiite Iran and Hezbollah. It is Iran that is shaping Western policies on the Middle East, and Hezbollah who is directly engaged with Israel. Al Qaeda, in contrast, appears unable to do significantly more than issue snazzy videos.
This shift will obviously refocus Western -- and particularly U.S. -- foreign policy from the old threat to the new threat.
Oh absolutely Maringa. I went to a counter protest with the Protest Warriors near Bard College right before the Falluja offensive. The Bard students (mostly young white men and women)wore checkered kaffiyehs and were calling the terrorists "freedom fighters". But it was kind of funny, we caught quite a few of them checking themselves out in the car windows periodically to see how chic they looked in their radical headgear. It just isn't real to them; it never will be even if they are killed or injured themselves in a terror attack.
I hear "Country Music" is part of the 4th grade curriculum.
The remainder of these 50 are still out there...I wonder if the plan is still in motion?....if not why all the terror alerts!
Months if not years of hearing how they were good boys but misguided.
sw
It looks like they expect some more plots. From Boston.com:
"NEWS UPDATES: Gov. Romney is placing the National Guard on active state duty. The State Police at Logan Airport are carrying automatic weapons and are conducting random searches of autos and luggage. The governor also has instituted a second level of screening at the airport to conduct passenger checks at each gate. He said 6 flights coming from the UK have been canceled. Passengers can leave the US with a carry-on bag, but they cannot carry on anything when boarding flights in London. Passengers boarding at Logan cannot bring any liquids, including coffee, water, or even shampoo in a carry-on bag. Romney said the State Police also are observing passengers for unusual behavior. He said he did not know how long the heightened state of alert will last. --Developing
Don't be silly. Here in Nashville, Country Music aptitude is a requirement for kindergarten, and one needs to now how to play a guitar to start middle school!
:)
Am currently in London, scheduled to fly out tomorrow to the US. It sounds so far that there will be NO books allowed in the cabins at all, which will be a real hardship for a transatlantic flight. Given the incredible state of Heathrow earlier today, I guess I'll be grateful just to get on the plane and make it safely home. Internet conections have been iffy, so I'd better sign off soon.
I agree with you 100%.
But that is not quite the same as banning all Moslems
the policy advocated by Jonathan
to whom I was replying
and whom you seemed to support.
I've started using mineral makeup and it lasted for two days on the trip over here (am hoping to fly from home from London tomorrow); I was totally amazed.
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