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
STILL...if it HAD been left up...you know...to play with...THAT couldve been fun too...
I think I should go to bed. G'night.
***ISLAM-ONLINE.net - News: "...TALIBAN REGROUPS" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "In a related development, Afghan government took steps Friday to tackle a reported regrouping of Taliban and al-Qaeda factions in the south of the country. Around 5,000 police have been sent to the southern town of Spin Boldak, near the border with Pakistan. Sources have told the BBC news online that some former Taliban activists are trying to re-group in the region. On Thursday, January 16, a humanitarian official said Taliban fighters are returning from Pakistan and regrouping around Spin Boldak. A growing number of Taliban fighters or former Taliban are gathering in the small frontier city, 600 kilometers southwest of the capital Kabul in the province of Kandahar, said the source, requesting anonymity. They were taking advantage of the porous border there.") (January 17, 2003)
***BBC NEWS: "NEW IRAQ DOCUMENT FIND ALARMS UN" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The head of the United Nations atomic agency has voiced concern about documents apparently relating to nuclear technology which were found in an Iraqi scientist's home. The documents, numbering 3,000 pages, appear to focus on laser enrichment - a way to modify uranium for use in nuclear weapons - and were taken from the home of physicist Faleh Hassan on Thursday.") (011803)
***AFTENPOSTEN.no: "USA WANTS NORWAY TO WATCH KREKAR" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Mullah Krekar has been, and likely remains, the leader of Ansar al-Islam, a fringe Islamic group in Iranian Kurdistan accused of having connections to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network. The New York Times reported the connection last week after interviews with Ansa al-Islam members, and after finding documents in Afghanistan mentioning direct links to al-Qaeda.") (January 17, 2003)
***ALBAWABA.com: "HAMAS GETS RPG LAUNCHERS, DEVELOPS ADVANCED VERSION OF QASSAM ROCKETS" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The Palestinian resistance group Hamas said Tuesday it has received a large number of rocket-propelled grenade launchers and has produced a new batch of an advanced version of its Qassam rockets.") (January 14, 2003)
stepping back in time...FOX NEWS.com (AP): "ISLAMIC CHARITY HEAD CHARGED WITH FUNNELING FUNDS TO BIN LADEN" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "CHICAGO - The leader of a Chicago-area Islamic charity was indicted Wednesday on charges of funneling donations to Usama bin Laden's terrorist network, with Attorney General John Ashcroft vowing, "We will find the sources of terrorist blood money." Enaam M. Arnaout, 40, head of the Benevolence International Foundation, has been in federal custody since April.") (100902)
***BUSH COUNTRY.org - Opinion Corner by Jeremy Reynalds: "TERRORIST GROUP'S TV STATION APPEALS FOR FUNDS FOR 'OPPRESSED PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.'" (COMMENTARY SNIPPET: "The radical terrorist group Hizballah, on the U.S. State Department's list of terrorist organizations, is raising funds for its activities on an associated web site apparently hosted by an American internet service provider. The web site is www.manartv.com, a Lebanese television station broadcasting by satellite, that is commonly considered to be a propaganda arm of the Hizballah.") (January 14, 2003)
***FBI.gov: MOST WANTED - TERRORISTS: "ALI ATWA aliases: Ammar Mansour Bouslim, Hassan Rostom Salim" (WANTED POSTER SNIPPETS: "CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT AIRCRAFT PIRACY, TO COMMIT HOSTAGE TAKING, TO COMMIT AIR PIRACY RESULTING IN MURDER, TO INTERFERE WITH A FLIGHT CREW, TO PLACE A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE ABOARD AN AIRCRAFT, TO HAVE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ABOUT THE PERSON ON AN AIRCRAFT, AND TO ASSAULT PASSENGERS AND CREW; AIR PIRACY RESULTING IN MURDER; IR PIRACY; HOSTAGE TAKING; INTERFERENCE WITH FLIGHT CREW; AND PLACING EXPLOSIVES ABOARD AIRCRAFT; PLACING DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES ABOARD AIRCRAFT; ASSAULT ABOARD AIRCRAFT WITH INTENT TO HIJACK WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON AND RESULTING IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY; AIDING AND ABETTING"..."CAUTION Ali Atwa was indicted for his role and participation in the June 14, 1985, hijacking of a commercial airliner which resulted in the assault on various passengers and crew members, and the murder of one U.S. citizen. REWARD The Rewards For Justice Program, United States Department of State, is offering a reward of up to $25 million for information leading directly to the apprehension and/or conviction of Ali Atwa. SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS")
***FBI.gov: MOST WANTED: TERRORISTS: "HASSAM IZZ AL-DIN aliases Ahmed Garbaya, Samir Salwwan, Sa-id" (MOST WANTED POSTER SNIPPETS: "Remarks: Izz-Al-Din is an alleged member of the terrorist organization, Lebanese Hizballah. He is thought to be in Lebanon. CAUTION Hasan Izz-Al-Din was indicted for his role in planning and participation in the June 14, 1985, hijacking of a commercial airliner which resulted in the assault on various passengers and crew members, and the murder of one U.S. citizen. REWARD The Rewards For Justice Program, United States Department of State, is offering a reward of up to $25 million for information leading directly to the apprehension and/or conviction of Hasan Izz-Al-Din. SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS")
CANADA.com - THE OTTAWA CITIZEN (THE MONTREAL GAZETTE): "CANADIAN ACTIVIST WON'T LEAVE WEST BANK" (ARTICLE NOTE: The "Canadian activist" is Jaggi Singh, age 29.) (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Mr. Singh said he also intends to visit the Jenin refugee camp or other areas of "Palestinian resistance."") (122702)
NATIONAL POST.com - Series: "In Case of Emergency": "A NUCLEAR BOMB ENTERS THE PORT" by Richard Foot (ARTICLE SNPPET: "The threat of terrorist acts against North America has not diminished since it was made real on Sept. 11, 2001. U.S. authorities have warned al-Qaeda may be planning "spectacular attacks," and Osama bin Laden has threatened that Canada will pay for supporting the United States. How ready are we to respond to an act of terrorism on our soil? Today, in the conclusion of a series exploring the state of Canada's preparedness, the National Post examines the potential for mayhem should a nuclear bomb be smuggled into the Port of Halifax.") (010603)
***THE STAR.com - THE TORONTO STAR (CANADIAN PRESS): Ottawa. "CANADA ALLOWS IMPORT OF BOMB BOOK" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The federal government has approved the importation of a book that gives detailed instructions for making bombs and blowing up bridges, the Ottawa Citizen reported yesterday. Even the author of The Anarchist Cookbook has renounced it as "misguided and potentially dangerous." But the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency says there is nothing to prevent its sale in Canada because it violates neither the hate law nor obscenity law, the newspaper reported.") (121502)
***FBI.gov: SEEKING INFORMATION: "AMER EL-MAATI" akas "Amro Badr Eldin Abou El-Maati, Amro Badr Abouelmaati" (SEEKING INFORMATION POSTER SNIPPET: "Amer El-Maati is being sought in connection with possible terrorist threats in the United States."..."SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS")
***FBI.gov: MOST WANTED TERRORISTS: "IMAD FAYEZ MUGNIYAH" aka "Hajj" (WANTED POSTER SNIPPETS: "Mugniyah is the alleged head of the security apparatus for the terrorist organization, Lebanese Hizballah."..."The Rewards For Justice Program, United States Department of State, is offering a reward of up to $25 million for information leading directly to the apprehension and/or conviction of Imad Fayez Mugniyah."..."SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS")
PAK TODAY.com - PAKISTAN TODAY: "THE FRANCHISING OF HEZBOLLAH" by Avi Davis (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Western intelligence has now revealed a high level of cooperation between Bin Laden and Imad Muganiyeh, the Hezbullah terrorist who masterminded some of Hezbollah's most spectacular atrocities and kidnappings in Lebanon. Reports have Muganiyeh first meeting with Bin Laden as early as 1995 and those meetings have continued. More than this, since al-Qaida fled Afghanistan at the end of last year, the Sunday Telegraph reports, between 80 and 100 al- Qaida fighters were provided with false passports by Hezbollah before being relocated to southern Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The same report acknowledges that Hezbollah, working hand in hand with al-Qaida, has set up cells in the Far East - including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. It is well known that Hezbollah has operated in Gaza and the West Bank for years, but the recent revelation by the Shin Bet in Israel that al- Qaida has now also joined them there, is chilling evidence of a level of cooperation previously unsuspected. Such news comes as a dire warning to American, Israeli and Jewish communities throughout the world.") (122702)
ALBAWABA.com: "IS HIZBULLAH INVISIBLE LEADER INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES IN CANADA?" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "In the United States, authorities believe that perhaps one of the world's most wanted men is behind the Canadian organization, which has raised funds, falsified documents and purchased military equipment for Hizbullah. In Washington, officials currently suspect that the agents sent to Canada to gather support for the Hizbullah work for Mugniyah, a top-level Hizbullah leader and the suspected mastermind of numerous attacks worldwide.") (120102)
***BUSH COUNTRY.org - Opinion Corner by Jeremy Reynalds: "'HITLER SHOULD HAVE FINISHED THE JOB!'" (OPINION CORNER Snippets: "Shayhka Maulani Aeisha Muhammad is apparently an angry young lady who doesn't hesitate to make her opinions known. For example, A portion of one of her most recent "contributions" to an internet mailing list read, "Be assured that if the Zionist swine occupying Israel take the step to join the warmongering party they will be kissing themselves goodbye.""..."Muhammad wrote that if it comes to the point where America decides to attack Iraq purely to "satisfy (Bush's) imperial aims," then there will be both a quick and harsh response from Muslims. Muhammad failed to make it clear for whom if anyone other than herself she is speaking, but her diatribe was sufficiently volatile that I believe it bears investigation by law enforcement authorities. She continued to write that in the event of war, "The coffins of dead Americans will be loaded on planes for CNN and Fox News to televise. There will be NO place on this entire earth safe for Americans, Jews, British, Australian or anyone else who wages war on Muslims." According to Muhammad, an attack on Iraq would be the straw that broke the camel's back for the Arab world. "If Iraq is attacked it will be the deathbed of Israel, America, England and whoever else sides with them - period."") (010903):
***MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Dispatch Series No. 457: "HAMAS SPOKESMAN: IRAQ MUST ESTABLISH SUICIDE ARMY" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "An article titled "Iraq Will Triumph, by Allah's Will" by Hamas spokesman Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rantisi, was posted on the Hamas movement's website. (1) In the article, Al-Rantisi called on Iraq to establish a suicide army that would accept all Jihad warriors, so as to halt the impending attack on the country.") (010903)
***JOY JUNCTION.org -Opinion Commentary by Jeremy Reynalds: "MAKE YOUR OWN EXPLOSIVES; YAHOO HOSTED HANDBOOK PROVIDES STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS" (COMMENTARY SNIPPET: "Islamic hatred for those with different viewpoints other than their own never fails to amaze me. This time it's the "Mugahedeen Terrorist Handbook," by Mii Almarkaz Alisslami Alilami apparently of the Islamic Media Center and available on line at www.geocities.com/psgas.geo/palterror.htm. This handy guide covers everything for the aspiring terrorist ranging from buying explosives to procuring chemicals, techniques for picking locks, the use of explosives and special ammunition for projectile weapons. Here are some examples of materials contained in the book. In one section the author says the best place to steal chemicals is from a college lab. He points out that's because many state schools place all of their chemicals out on lab shelves and they have even more in their stockrooms. Alilami writes, "Evening is the best time to enter lab buildings, as there are the least number of people in the buildings, and most of the labs will still be unlocked. One simply takes a bookbag, wears a dress shirt and jeans, and tries to resemble a college freshman. If anyone asks what such a person is doing, the thief can simply say that he is looking for the polymer chemistry lab, or some other chemistry-related department other than the one they are in." However, if that doesn't work there are always other things you can do...") (January 9, 2003)
FBI.gov - Field News: "JTTF ARREST MAN WITH CONNECTIONS TO HAMAS" (FIELD NEWS SNIPPET: "Today Steven M. Biskupic, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, David B. Mitchell, Special Agent In Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Milwaukee Office, and Patrick Calhoun, Special Agent In Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Milwaukee Office, announced the arrest of Jamil Salem Sarsour, age 52, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sarsour was arrested at Newark International Airport in Newark, NJ, upon a federal criminal complaint issued in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The complaint alleges that Sarsour structured $25,000 in financial transactions on October 22, 1998, the day he departed for Israel, to avoid federal reporting requirements requiring that cash transactions in excess of $10,000 be reported. Sarsour was deported to the U.S. upon his recent release from prison in Israel where he had been in custody since his arrest when he arrived Tel Aviv from Milwaukee on October 23, 1998. Israeli court documents show that he was later charged with aiding HAMAS and later pled guilty to those charges. Deportation proceedings began when he completed his term of imprisonment. Sarsour has been under investigation by the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), located in Milwaukee Wisconsin.) (122702)
ISLAM-Online.net - ASK THE SCHOLAR: TOPIC: "MARTYR OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE PALESTINIANS" (NOTE: The Mufti for this question is Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi) (ARTICLE SNIPPET: ""So the Palestinians resort to martyr operations, in which the martyr blows himself/herself up, sacrificing his life for the sake of his country and inflicting serious but reciprocal harms on the enemy. In the light of the above-mentioned facts, I believe that those missions are a sacred duty carried out in form of self-defence and resisting aggression and injustice. So whoever is killed in such missions is a martyr, may Allah bless him with high esteem. I call on every Palestinian not to hesitate in carrying out such operations as long as they are the only way of making Jihad and are made with an intention of sacrificing one's life for the Sake of one's religion and nation. I wish that other scholars who hesitate concerning such a matter to reconsider their views according to what I have said and what other scholars have said. May Allah guide us all to what is right."") (010503)
INSIGHT On The News online: "FRANCE UNCOVERS AL-QAEDA BOMBERS" by Kenneth R. Timmerman (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "...When they picked up Marwan Ben-Ahmed, 29, French-Algerian dual national, he had collected all the ingredients for a large bomb and was planning to strike during the Christmas holidays, possibly against the U.S. or Russian embassies in Paris. In his apartment, police found packages of iron perchlorate and other chemicals which, when mixed together, can make a powerful explosive. They also seized two empty propane canisters, $5,000 in cash, fake passports and a computer with coded instructions. During a second search two days later, they found timers and detonators hidden in a washing machine. Police also arrested Ben-Ahmed's wife and two accomplices, identified as Mohamed Merbah and Ahmed Belhoud. But it was the discovery of a military-issue nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) protection suit and bottles of toxic chemicals that most alarmed investigators, leading to speculation that Ben-Ahmed and his network were planning a chemical attack or had gained access to nuclear waste and were hoping to make a "dirty bomb"...") (January 8, 2003)
FOX NEWS.com (AP): "SACRE COEUR BASILICA IN PARIS EVACUATED AFTER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE FOUND" (011403)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS ANALYSIS TODAY: "RED TERROR EMPIRE IN SOUTH AMERICA?" by Toby Westerman (011003)
An Informative Discussion on FREEREPUBLIC.com regarding this article on www.MilitaresDemocraticos.com by Johan Freitas, in Caracas, with Luis Garcia, in Miami: "9-11: CHAVEZ FINANCED AL QAEDA, DETAILS OF $1M DONATION EMERGE" (123102)
An Informative Discussion on FREEREPUBLIC.com regarding a REUTERS article" "YEMENI AL QAEDA SUSPECT SAYS LURED TO GO TO GERMANY" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Sheikh Mohammed Ali Hassan al-Mouyad, held along with an aide in Germany on a U.S. request last week, said he had been led to believe the U.S. Muslim man wanted to meet him to make a contribution, the September 26 weekly said. The cleric told Yemen's ambassador at a German detention center he had been told "he should travel to the United States or Germany to get the donation directly from the American." Sheikh Mohammed said he had met the American, identified only as Saeed, and received a check for a Muslim charity before being arrested, the weekly said. A Frankfurt court this week ordered the cleric and his aide, Mohammed Moshen Yahya Zayed, to be detained in custody pending a U.S. extradition request.") (011603)
An Informative Discussion on FREEREPUBLIC.com regarding an AP article via YAHOO! News: "GERMANY IMPOSES BAN ON ISLAMIC GROUP" (ARTICLE NOTE: The group is identified as Hizb ut-Tahrir.) (011503)
I said Baghdad. I have never postulated the nuking of Mecca. The Arab leaders are now urging Saddam to step down and avoid war. You seem to have forgotten that during Gulf War Number 1, most of the arabic nations were against Iraq and were fightin with us to liberate Arab Kuwait. Saddam not only fired biological and chemical WMD at our troops, but also the troops of all the Arabic nations fighting with us. Baghdad should of been nuked when Saddam used chemical and biologcials. If he was, 9/11 may not have happened, and the anthrax attacks may not have happened. Israel would be safer today because the surrounding Arabic countries would know that Israel had the green light to nuke any potential invader. Just look at the mess the US and Israel is in now. The wrong fork in the road was taken. You will realize this if our troops are forced to take Saddam out via a ground invasion. He will use Chemical and Biological weapons on them. Not only that, but he has been apparently working hard at acquiring nukes. He should be dead right now. Thats what taking the right fork in the road would have given us.
For the U.S. to use such weaponry would require an enormous death and destruction here first.
The actual history of the US says your wrong. We suffered no such enormous death and destruction on our home soil before we nuked two cities in Japan. They were nuked because we were up against a fanactical enemy that was willing to commit suicide to kill us. In the end, we decided to not give them the chance.
We have a political party that actually wants to obstruct the effort to wage a successful war against the terrorists so that their party power will not be sucked away!
Americans dont want to be killed or attacked by terrorists. The Democrats are self destructing. Let them do it.
THAT is the greatest danger at this stage in our war on terrorism worldwide.
Terrorism is as old as warfare. While us compassionate conservatives have control of the military, we need to make the world as safe as possible. Because, at some point in the future, we will not have control of the military. Such is life in the democracy we all love.
How does launching nukes counter economic assault?
Heres is a guess. Maximum bang for the buck. ?
The realities are starting to sink in.
If they get nukes, we wont have the time to wait for wisdom to soak through the towels wrapped around their heads.
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