Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Arafat’s New Terror Weapon: Exploding Toy Planes
DEBKAfiles ^ | January 14, 2003, 4:33 PM (GMT+02:00) | DEBKA files staff

Posted on 01/15/2003 3:54:32 AM PST by Cvengr

Tuesday, January 14, the Palestinian Authority’s Al Ayyam daily published a message, approved by Yasser Arafat in the name of all the Palestinian groups, calling off attacks on Israeli citizens. This message, formulated by the Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, also endorses the continuing Palestinian struggle for a state whose capital is Jerusalem.

Gen. Suleiman was to submit this text to the London Middle East conference opened by British foreign secretary Jack Straw Tuesday night, January 14, in the presence of representatives from the Middle East Quartet, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The Palestinians are there via a videolink after Israeli banned Palestinian travel in the wake of the massacre by Palestinian terrorists on January 5 of 23 people in Tel Aviv.

Israel was not invited by British PM Tony Blair.

The formal theme of the conference is Palestinian reforms. Since they are a dead letter, the Suleiman presentation turned up in time to give the forum some substance, although the Palestinian Authority daily Al Ayyam describes it as only conveying the sense of the agreed document – not its full content. After approving the Egyptian document, the delegates can go home satisfied that Yasser Arafat was persuaded to declare a ceasefire.

The Egyptians will also feel good, because they had a text to put before an international forum after shepherding Fatah, Hamas and Jihad Islami leaders through months of sporadic palaver in Cairo towards acceptance of a ceasefire. It does not matter that two participants in the Cairo dialogue are listed by the US government as dangerous terrorists: Abul Abbas, Head of the Arab Liberation Front, which together with the Fatah’s al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades wing, is preparing mega-terror attacks in Israel and the Middle East, and Khaled Mashal, who rules the Hamas from its Damascus headquarters and works closely with al Qaeda operatives in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Abbas, safely returned to Baghdad, admitted Monday, January 13, that he had been in Cairo. He made himself scarce when he heard of a US approach to Egypt that could lead to his extradition for murdering an American citizen, Leon Klinghoffer, while hijacking the Achille Lauro on behalf of Fatah 17 years ago.

The Palestinian paper admits that the full text of the Suleiman document is being kept dark for fear it will break up the inter-Palestinian dialogue. Arafat is said to have approved, but not adopted it. None of the groups are even mentioned. Arafat’s ceasefire is therefore admittedly a smoke and mirrors exercise. All the groups - and Arafat in person - are described by DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources as being fully absorbed in pressing business of a completely different nature. The Palestinian leader’s daily routine, as revealed by our intelligence data, is particularly revealing.

He is fully occupied in arranging the funding and deployment of new weapons, tricks, ruses and devices for the coming cycle of terrorist operations, that bank heavily on the effectiveness of… a toy: Model planes packed with explosives and operated by remote control .

Last month, Palestinian toy importers in Jerusalem and Ramallah were told to order hundreds of these toys for distribution to Palestinian children in hospitals. Subsidies from European Union member-governments could legitimately be allocated to this humanitarian purpose.

The model airplanes were purchased in Europe and shipped quite openly to the Palestinian shopkeepers.

According to our sources, not a single toy reached an injured Palestinian child. The model planes were sent to Palestinian workshops for conversion into miniature air bombers with explosive payloads. Tanzim militiamen from Arafat’s Fatah, sent out to open areas near Jericho to test the new weapons, discovered they could fly to a distance of 1 kilometer and an altitude of 300 meters. The only problem was how to guide the plane to target inside an Israeli built-up area when it was no longer visible to the remote control holder. A small adjustment was made in the engine enabling him to cut it out from a distance, so that it dropped to the ground and blew up.

Contrary to reports that Arafat has withdrawn from the day-to-day management of Palestinian terrorist operations, DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources emphasize that the results of the model plane conversion tests were brought before him. Delighted with its performance, he ordered the new weapon to be used in the coming days in Jerusalem.

He chose Jerusalem, calculating that it would be some time before Israeli security and intelligence authorities caught on to and learned how to intercept the new mini-weapon whizzing around the city before it blew up. The deadly toy is easily launched from Arab Jerusalem. Its flying time is estimated at no more than 2-3 minutes.

The Palestinian terror master sought new devices because of the difficulties hampering the penetration of Israeli cities by his operatives in view of stepped up Israeli security, travel restrictions and Israeli intelligence agents planted in their ranks. Suicide bombers are deterred to a certain extent by the knowledge that their family homes will be demolished.

In addition to the mini-bombers, the Palestinians are trying out a whole arsenal of devices. They range from home-made rockets with a range of 15-20km and multiple rocket launchers - to exploding cigarettes and the kidnapping of former senior military officers, who as civilians are not guarded, in order to ransom Palestinian captives. Palestinian gunners will be trained to fire heavy machine guns from moving vehicles against low-flying airplanes or helicopters coming in to land.

All these projects have met with Arafat’s approval. They were authorized separately from the mega-terror campaign promised by the Lebanese Hizballah and al Qaeda.

The hidden agenda of the Palestinian groups reported at the London conference to have accepted a ceasefire is briefly outlined hereunder by DEBKAfile’s sources:

Fatah is divided into three camps:

1. The leader, Arafat , wants his campaign of violence to continue apace on both sides of the Green Line with the help of financial contributions from Iraq and Iran. As controller of revenues, Arafat calls the shots for all parts of his organization, including its suicide wing, the al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.

2. West Bank Fatah under Hussein al Sheikh would like to halt terrorist attacks inside Israel, confining them to civilian and military targets on the West Bank.

3. The al Aqsa Brigades ,commanded by Tawfiq Tirawi, is pressing for strikes to continue at full blast against Israelis everywhere, as well as Palestinian all-out support for Iraq against US attack.

Hamas similarly opposes any restrictions on the terror campaign against Israelis.

Jihad Islami, Popular Front, Arab Liberation Front, Front of Arab Struggle are all gearing up for a mega-terror attack against Israel.

These are the organizations that will receive pats on the back from the participants at the London “peace” conference.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: modelairplane; terrorism; toy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last
DIY Network ratings seem to have increased recently.
1 posted on 01/15/2003 3:54:32 AM PST by Cvengr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
Somebody's been playing too many video games...

There's a mission in Vice City where you set bombs with toy helicopters; there's one in GTA III where you blow up cars with toy cars.

2 posted on 01/15/2003 3:57:36 AM PST by mhking
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Howlin; Ed_NYC; MonroeDNA; widgysoft; Springman; Timesink; AntiGuv; dubyaismypresident; Grani; ...
"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

3 posted on 01/15/2003 3:58:01 AM PST by mhking
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mhking
Buy stock in shotgun manufacturers.
4 posted on 01/15/2003 4:01:09 AM PST by Cvengr (John 3:17...doesn't begin with 'except')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
I was thinking the same thing.

Sounds like duck hunting.

5 posted on 01/15/2003 4:19:26 AM PST by Freebird Forever (Abraham should've kept his hands off that slave girl, Hagar.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Freebird Forever
Maybe time to take up skeet shooting.
6 posted on 01/15/2003 4:23:18 AM PST by Cvengr (John 3:17...doesn't begin with 'except')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
This is a good article and it's not new. Last year I posted a link to FARC, I believe it was, that was planning to do the same thing.
7 posted on 01/15/2003 4:27:04 AM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
You have got to be kidding.
I kept looking to see if this was from the Onion.
These planes have too small a payload to carry any useful explosives.
It takes a fair amount of skill/practice to fly them accurately. And they are definitely only good for close line of sight.
8 posted on 01/15/2003 4:34:21 AM PST by sd-joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mhking
This could be used to spread bio-agents,too,if they have them.

This is not a good thing.

9 posted on 01/15/2003 4:39:12 AM PST by Free Trapper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
Are these Pallies a bunch of inbred yokels or what?
10 posted on 01/15/2003 4:39:13 AM PST by dennisw (http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/weblog.php)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dennisw
Dennis, I agree with others that it's just too unworkable (not to mention ridiculous) for bombing purposes, although one could conceiveably deliver a little tiny payload of riacin. But if any Pallie were fool enough to try that, even the most dovish of Israelis would go bonkers. And it might even cause the Euros to blink. Nah, I just don't see this.
11 posted on 01/15/2003 4:53:09 AM PST by xJones
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
"Pakistan's ISI has directed the militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir to use explosive-laden "Toy Plane" to hit VIPs in the state and the national capital, official sources said here.

The sources said following some confessions by arrested militants and wireless intercepts about the use of "Toy Plane", intelligence agencies were making necessary reviews of securities provided to VIPs.

Taking a cue from the method adopted by militants during the September 11 attacks, the sources said Jaish-e-Mohammed, which has been carrying out a series of suicide attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, is reported to be planning such attacks on VIPs in the national capital.

The intelligence agencies have also flashed messages to various state capitals in order to gather more information on this novel modus-operandi besides passing on a word of caution.

"Toy Plane" is the new armoury which has the capacity of carrying 10-15 kgs of explosive material. The plane takes a trajectory path and can hit the target within a range of 300 metres and can be operated by a remote control."

Here's the rest of an article about alleged PAKISTANI terrorists planning to use toy planes with explosives:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/563378/posts
12 posted on 01/15/2003 5:05:27 AM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sd-joe
I agree completely, these are not predators. If you put a camera in one you can forget about any other payload. Without that you won't get close enough to any kind of target. The controlling radios make perfect targets, etc.

This has bad idea written all over it.

13 posted on 01/15/2003 5:13:51 AM PST by palmer (at least I think it's snow)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
plainly these planes should be regulated and permits issued for the working frequencies, flight plans ought to be filed and planes exceeding a certain size or weight (and of a sinister looking configuration) should be banned altogether - (sarcasm)
14 posted on 01/15/2003 5:23:03 AM PST by Revelation 911 (insert pithy DU style quote here)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xJones
How about a few grams of c-4 or semetex on board to explode on impact? It could scare Israelis even if hitting someone would be unlikely.

I see the Arab mind at work that loves stealth, intrigues, back stabbing and deception.

WAS MUHAMMAD A TERRORIST
... made since attaining reason was abandoning my religion, the religion of truth for
yours ... I assume they had seen how Muhammad had brutally treated other Jews ...
answering-islam.org.uk/Silas/kronemer.htm - 81k - Cached - Similar pages


15 posted on 01/15/2003 5:27:53 AM PST by dennisw (http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/weblog.php)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

Donate Here By Secure Server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794
or you can use
PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com

Become A Monthly Donor
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD
Thanks Registered

16 posted on 01/15/2003 5:31:01 AM PST by Mo1 (Join the DC Chapter at the Patriots Rally III on 1/18/03)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
Arafat might want to look into these exploding dairy cows

Secret project #7 codenamed "I cant beleive its not butter"

I am told that a high voltage battery pack shocks the cow in the udder, causing a effluvience of boiling hot "magma" to depart the "business end", obliterating everything within a 6 meter radius.


17 posted on 01/15/2003 5:38:02 AM PST by Revelation 911 (insert pithy DU style quote here)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
The people running Israel must be nicer guys than I am...
18 posted on 01/15/2003 5:43:20 AM PST by merak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cindy
re post No. 7:


NY POST.com: "IRAQ'S ROBO-THREAT" by Vincent Morris (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "WASHINGTON - Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is experimenting with unmanned aerial drones to attack the United States or its allies with deadly chemical or biological weapons, Secretary of State Colin Powell charged yesterday. Powell said Saddam "has been working hard" at using drones to drop deadly toxins on people from far off.") (090902)*NOTE: The url for this news article has expired.

ANANOVA.com: "COLUMBIAN ARMY SEIZES TOY AIRPLANE 'BOMBERS'" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Colombian troops have seized nine toy airplanes that rebels were planning to use to launch remote control attacks, the army says. The model airplanes were found during an early morning raid on two camps used by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.") (082702)

19 posted on 01/15/2003 5:46:11 AM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Comment #20 Removed by Moderator


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson