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Posted on 01/17/2003 1:15:28 PM PST by Angelus Errare
Al Qaida Supporters Threaten Nuclear Attacks
Recently, the moderator of an Islamist Internet forum frequented by al-Qaida supporters wrote that Al-Qaida possesses, and will use, dirty bombs and "virus bombs" against the United States. The author, Abu Shihab al-Qandahari, is regarded by experts on the al-Qaida network as a figure of some importance, who appears to be fairly close to the organization's "official" propaganda apparatus.
For this reason, the threat is seen as being important, regardless of whether it can be regarded as a concrete threat; it is important in what it reveals about al-Qaida and its supporters, and how they see their war against the West. As ICT's Reuven Paz writes (see Commentary below): "even though this may be a false alarm, it would seem to reflect another stage in the escalation in the tone of al-Qa`idah propaganda, and as such, could raise the expectations of Islamists for a “mega operation” against the United States or Russia."
The First Islamist nuclear threat against the United States
Reuven Paz
Senior ICT Researcher
On December 26th 2002, the moderator of the radical Islamist Internet forum al-mojahedoon.net – Abu Shihab al-Qandahari – published a short article titled “The nuclear war is the solution for the destruction of the United States.” The forum is one of the main web sites of supporters of Qa`idat al-Jihad, and one of its most popular among radical Muslim youngsters. The author, nicknamed al-Qandahari, is a popular figure among the participants of the Islamist forums of al-Qa`idah supporters and one of the older ones there, and fought in Afghanistan. He appears to be of Yemeni origin, according to previous information he published in several of these forums. Naturally, the article gained lot of enthusiastic reactions in the forum from young sympathizers of al-Qa`idah.
The article could be viewed as a mere threat, which exploits numerous rumors from various sources. It may also be deliberate disinformation regarding al-Qa`idah’s possession of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. Or it could be propaganda aimed at encouraging Islamists. Yet, this is the first time that such a threat has been made publicly by supporters of al-Qa`idah, at least by a figure who is known as close to the al-Qa`idah propaganda apparatus.
The short article is interesting in several aspects. Al-Qandahari writes about the American and Russian use of “dirty” weapons in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Chechnya. Yet, he does not even mention at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This may lead to the conclusion that the use of “dirty” weapons by al-Qa`idah should be a retaliation only against countries that have already used it.
The article is short and the usual “philosophical” elements typical of the writings of Islamist scholars against the United States or the West are missing.
To sum up, even though this may be a false alarm, it would seem to reflect another stage in the escalation in the tone of al-Qa`idah propaganda, and as such, could raise the expectations of Islamists for a “mega operation” against the United States or Russia.
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Following is a translation of the article
The nuclear war is the solution for the destruction of the United States Yes, you did read the title correctly. It is the only way to kill the maximum number of Americans. This is the nuclear terror, which Americans have never feared. In the Second World War, the United States used this weapon twice in three days due to the successful Japanese attack in Pearl Harbor. These days the United States is using the most violent and modern weapons to bomb innocent civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, and totally support the Russian war against the Chechens. Not out of love of the Russians but out of hatred of the Muslims.
The United States attacked Iraq using weapons that contaminated the lands and water by radiation for thousands of years. Furthermore, it used Uranium bombs to create maximum damage to the lands and human beings, so it could leave Muhammad’s Peninsula after turning it into a forbidden area that no one would consider visiting. Yet, it seems that the beasts of the White House have forgotten one very important fact – and we are very proud to note it – Al-Qa`idah.
This is the organization that terrorized the core of the infidel West, and made from several youngsters, who own nothing but love for Allah and his messenger, a means to punish the sons of the bitches. Moreover, these youngsters demonstrated the finest example of leaving the materialist life. They could enjoy the good life, yet they ran away from it, wishing only what Allah could give them. They sold their souls to Allah, and he accepted them.
Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. If the Americans have bombs that no one else owns, Al-Qa`idah is stronger. It owns “dirty bombs” and “lethal viruses bombs”, which could cover the American cities with deadly diseases and turn this nation, which is “a professional in contempt for other nations,” into a crowd of contaminated and sick people. The coming days would prove that Qa`idat al-Jihad is capable with Allah’s help, of turning the United States into a lake of lethal radiation, that would seem as the last days of humanity. It would also prove that Al-Qa`idah is very popular all over the Islamic world.
Yes, the United States and its allies would be destroyed, as a result of the misuse of their power against the weak. Their end is closer now, by the arms of the uprising youngsters, who while riding their horses, never step down but victorious or martyrs. In both cases this is their victory.
Pray much for your victorious brothers and to Allah who is almighty.
This is an announcement to all people, to enlighten only the believers. As to the deviates we ask Allah either to direct them or hurry in gathering their souls. As to our enemy – Allah will help us to defeat them.
Allah is behind all intentions, and he is merciful.
Abu Shihab al-Qandahari
Of course, we are hoping that theirs is the latter form of 'victory'. I'm sure our military would just love to help them to that form of victory.
We'd continue with our invasion of Iraq but with one big change - no more coalitions or U.N. resolutions. No more asking permission. Any preceived enemy would be fair game. Get them, get them all, and damn the critics.
If they had one, they'd have already used it. They are scrambling to put together a 'dirty' bomb.
A dirty bomb is not a nuke.
I wouldn't be surprised if the name "Keyser Soze" has popped up more than once in these discussions.
A catastrophic attack against the U.S. allows us to take the gloves off. And, lest we forget, the destruction of the WTC was a catastrophic attack. We've had some public inklings of what Bush is authorizing, including indefinite detention without charge, "dirty" intelligence methods and assassination without trial. And that's just the public stuff! You can rest assured the top secret stuff is far more colorful and creative.
Al Qaeda may or may not understand just how nasty the U.S. can get when the chips are down. On the one hand, they seem to think we're the Devil incarnate, yet on the other hand they carry on like we're nothing more than a bunch of wimpy Caspar Milquetoasts who couldn't hurt a fly. This bizarre ambiguity on their part suggests they really don't know who they're fighting. And that obviously isn't going well for them.
So far, it doesn't look like we've adopted a policy of torturing the families of Al Qaeda members to death in retaliation for terrorist attacks or "disappearing" anyone who publicly or privately supports Al Qaeda, whether materially or merely in principle. But if AQ ups the ante by killing tens or hundreds of thousands more Americans, our bullets will get bigger, our aim looser and our trigger fingers twitchier.
Allah help them if that happens, because no one else in Heaven, Hell or on Earth will be able to.
As long as we leave that education in the government's palsied hands, it will only get worse.
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