Category Archives: Possible terror attack

More Jihadis in Florida

1 DecpmTue, 04 Dec 2012 18:32:58 -06002012-12-04T18:32:58-06:0006 2009 – 18:32

We are a little late in commenting on this story, but it is significant enough to warrant even a belated post.

Two Pakistani brothers were arrested in Florida on Friday on terrorism and material support of terrorism charges. The Feds went out of their way to point out that these two Pakis were NOT arrested as a result of a sting operation. This is probably because armchair intelligence agents in the hard Leftist, Islamist and libertarian communities are fond of calling every arrest of a potential Jihadi in a sting operation “entrapment,” even though just about every case has resulted in a conviction and no one has successfully defended themselves in such a case by claiming entrapment.

Still, the fact that this was not a sting operation does hold some significance because it indicates that these two (Raees Alam Qazi, 20 and Sheheryar Alam Qazi, 30) had some sort of plot going on and it was discovered by law enforcement and/or intelligence officials after it was conceived, i.e. it was not dreamt up by a FBI agent.

There are no details as to what the plot involved as of yet, but federal prosecutors say the men, both U.S. citizens, provided money, housing, communications equipment and transportation as part of a conspiracy and that the brothers’ goal was “to use a weapon of mass destruction (explosives) against persons and property within the United States”.

We don’t like the use of the term “weapon of mass destruction” here. The US criminal justice system bastardized the term several years ago and it causes a great deal of confusion. A “weapon of mass destruction” should not refer to conventional explosives, but only to chemical, biological or radiological weapons. Nevertheless, the term “weapon of mass destruction” is commonplace in cases that involve items as lowly as a single hand grenade.

Note also another sore spot in this case: “If convicted, each could face a potential sentence of 15 years in prison on the charge of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.”

Fifteen years for someone who is providing support to an organization like Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, the Taliban, HAMAS, Lashkar e Taiba, etc. is ridiculously light. Such sentences should be lengthened substantially. A Jihadi who takes part in this activity and spends 15 years or less in prison is not likely to be rehabilitated in the process. In fact, there is ample evidence to indicate that prisons are fertile recruiting grounds for Jihad. When one considers that the man in charge of the Muslim chaplains for the federal prison system is now in federal prison himself for financing Al Qaeda (Abdurahman Alamoudi), it should give us little comfort that a committed Jihadi will spend 15 years in federal prison. We should have no expectation that these types of people will be peaceful and tolerant when they are released.

Fortunately, in this case, the conspiracy to blow someone or something up carries a life sentence, which is much more appropriate…

The fact that these two Jihadis were arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the same place where some of the 9/11 hijackers spent time, is probably just a coincidence. Nevertheless, Florida can only be described as a hotbed of Jihadi activity in the US given the numerous cases that have surfaced there over the past decade or so.

Perhaps most important is the fact that the FBI is not releasing any details about this case because the investigation is ongoing. This suggests that other plotters could still be at large here in the US or abroad. It could even be that these two were but two players in a much larger plot. We just don’t know, but this requires careful watching.

http://m.yahoo.com/w/legobpengine/news/two-pakistan-born-brothers-arrested-florida-terrorism-charges-231038713.html?orig_host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=US&.lang=en-US

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By terrortrends | Also posted in 5th Column, Homegrown Jihad, Homeland Security, Jihad, Pakistan, terrorism funding | Comments (1)

Al Qaeda and forest fires

1 JunpmFri, 29 Jun 2012 20:03:33 -06002012-06-29T20:03:33-06:0008 2009 – 20:03

While there is no evidence that the fire currently raging in Colorado was an act of terrorism, or even man-made at all, it is certainly worth reviewing and mentioning that Al Qaeda has repeatedly discussed such action in its literature. Moreover, in Israel, Jihadists have in fact used forest fires as terrorist weapons.

Recently, Al Qaeda’s online magazine, “Inspire,” instructed Al Qaeda followers to set forest fires in the US:

An unclassified report by the Department of Homeland Security indicates Al Qaeda has issued instructions in its terror magazine “Inspire” on how to set wildfires in the United States.

It suggests that using wildfires as a tactic because of its potential for casualties, economic damage, and wide media coverage; and the accompanying psychological effects of fear and terror.

In addition recent posts to English-language violent Islamic extremist Web forums have also encouraged individuals in the United States to start wildfires and given specific instructions on how to do so.

According to the DHS the equipment and materials needed to use fire as a weapon are “common and easily obtainable, making preoperational activities difficult to detect.”

Montana and California are specifically mentioned as ideal targets for wildfires.

Read more at the Examiner…

http://www.examiner.com/article/al-qaeda-inspires-terrorists-on-how-to-set-wildfire-u-s

By terrortrends | Also posted in Al Qaeda, Forest fires | Comments (1)

Contingencies for possible Hezbollah attacks inside the U.S.

1 MarpmSat, 31 Mar 2012 20:36:51 -06002012-03-31T20:36:51-06:0008 2009 – 20:36

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Matthew Levitt recently testified before Congress about possible Hezbollah terrorist attacks inside the US. A link to a summary of his testimony is provided below.

Here are a few particularly salient points from Levitt’s remarks:

• “FBI investigations to date continue to indicate that many Hizballah subjects based in the United States have the capability to attempt terrorist attacks here” should they so desire.

• there is reason for concern that Hizballah could decide to carry out attacks on U.S. soil…

• In light of Hizballah’s perception that the United States is actively targeting it and its allies, Washington should consider how the group might pursue an attack in the homeland. There are four main ways in which Hizballah could use passive sympathizers and/or active networks to support such an operation:

1. Use operatives already in the United States.

2. Import professional operatives.

3. Leverage criminal ties.

4. Homegrown violent extremism.

Read the details at the link:

http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=3464

By terrortrends | Also posted in 5th Column, drug cartels, Hezbollah, Homegrown Jihad, Iran, Jihad, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Terror Alert issued for 9/11 anniversary

1 SepamFri, 09 Sep 2011 11:37:08 -06002011-09-09T11:37:08-06:0011 2009 – 11:37

We don’t have the color-coded alert system any more, but that hasn’t stopped the Department of Homeland Security from issuing vague alerts about the possibility of terrorist attacks.

Astonishingly enough, the alert this weekend, the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, has nothing to do with the Iraq war veterans and angry white men that Janet Napolitano’s Department of Homeland Security have been insisting are the major terrorist threat to America. The alert is about Jihadists targeting New York City and Washington, D.C.

Who would have thunk it!? Jihadists targeting New York and Washington! How novel!

Pardon us for this bit of sarcasm, but we are more than a little disgusted by Ms. Napolitano’s incompetence and political correctness. In fact, Napolitano was apparently caught flatfooted yet again by this latest threat. Just days ago she publicly proclaimed that there were no threats associated with the anniversary of 9/11 and it took reporters asking her at a news conference if that was still true for the truth to slip out. True to form, Napolitano gave a halting, cryptic reply. Later that night (Thursday), the Feds issued an advisory.

Unconfirmed reports are that the advisory came from a tip from an intelligence asset in the tribal areas of northwest Pakistan.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/08/authorities-find-possible-credible-threat-to-us-homeland-around-11-anniversary/

The NYPD, which is more respected in law enforcement circles than the federal Department of Homeland Security, issued its own advisory, which was much clearer than Napolitano’s utterance. Jim Kouri over at the Law Enforcement Examiner has an article on that…

http://www.examiner.com/law-enforcement-in-national/breaking-nypd-terror-alert-claims-threat-is-credible-and-specific

Speaking of New York, here is an interesting article on the extensive measures that the Big Apple has taken to safeguard its people and vital infrastructure. An attack on New York is an attack on the entire USA and there is no target more important, both in the minds of the Jihadists and from America’s perspective.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/09/08/exclusive-elaborate-new-york-city-post-911-security/

Finally, here is an article from the New York Daily News with further unconfirmed details about the threat. The main worry, according to this report anyway, seems to be 3 Al Qaeda terrorists who were dispatched by Ayman al-Zawahiri to set off car bombs near transit points on Sunday, September 11th…Frankly, this seems odd to us because, even with the commemoration on Sunday, the transit assets would still be much more crowded on a normal business day…

Zawahiri

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/09/08/2011-09-08_911_anniversary_terror_plot_federal_officials_receive_credible_threat_aimed_at_n.html

LATE ADDITION: A new report just came out from The Daily with additional details on the threat. According to this report, Zawahiri planned the alleged 9/11 anniversary operation himself. Two of the three terrorists are said to be U.S. citizens. They are said to have traveled to Pakistan through Iran. (It is worth remembering that several of the 9/11 hijackers also transited through Iran, which will often not stamp passports, thus concealing the travel of terrorists.) The Daily article is not entirely clear, but the terrorists are then said to have traveled back to the USA through Saudi Arabia or Dubai.

http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/09/09/090911-news-zawahiri-intraday/

Let’s all hope and pray that this is nothing but chatter and no incident occurs…

By terrortrends | Also posted in Al Qaeda, Bomb threat, Homeland Security, Islamic Jihad, Jihad, Napolitano, New York, NYPD, Pakistan, Zawahiri | Comments (0)

Moroccan Al Qaeda Jihadis Arrested in Germany

1 ApramSat, 30 Apr 2011 11:12:52 -06002011-04-30T11:12:52-06:0011 2009 – 11:12

German security authorities have arrested 3 Al Qaeda Jihadists of Moroccan origin who they say were planning to conduct terrorist attacks in Germany.

This report comes at the same time that Al Qaeda has renewed attacks in Morocco with a bomb attack at a cafe which killed 16 people.

Germany has thwarted Jihadist terrorist plots several times in the past few years, including a plot to bomb trains and train stations which came very close to fruition. German authorities have also closed mosques which have been tied to Jihad and Jihad recruitment.

In this latest incident, three men were arrested in the cities of Dusseldorf and Bochum, after having been under surveillance since November. According to German police, the 3 terrorists were planning attacks involving explosives. Though it is not known if Dusseldorf was the target, the city is scheduled to host a large music festival on May 14th.

No doubt, more details will become available when these men appear in court in the days and weeks to come.

By terrortrends | Also posted in Al Qaeda, Europe, Failed terrorist attack, Germany, Jihad, Morocco | Comments (0)

Lebanese News Website: Hezbollah intends to attack Western targets

1 AprpmWed, 13 Apr 2011 18:15:23 -06002011-04-13T18:15:23-06:0006 2009 – 18:15
According to the Lebanese news website, the Beirut Observer, the Jihadist terrorist organization Hezbollah is planning to attack Western targets. The site based  its report on information obtained by a “Western intelligence agency” that intercepted message traffic to that effect.

The Observer reported that unnamed Western intelligence officials think that Hezbollah plans to attack Western targets, based  on unusual movement of suspected Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guards operatives.

The article claimed that the goal of the attack would be to distract global public opinion from indictments expected to be handed down by a special UN tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Rafik Hariri

It has been widely speculated that the UN tribunal will accuse Hezbollah members of involvement in the huge bomb attack on Hariri’s motorcade.

According to the Israeli news site Haaretz, earlier this week Israel’s counter terrorism bureau issued a warning that terrorists intended to carry out attacks against Israelis and Jewish targets abroad, specifying India, Thailand, Greece and Turkey as areas where an attack could take place. It is not known if the Israeli bulletin is related to the report on Hezbollah from the Beirut Observer.

Al Qaeda is known to be active in Turkey, where anti-Israeli sentiment has been on the rise for some time as Islamists expand and consolidate their political power. In addition to Hezbollah, Al Qaeda or other Turkish Jihadist groups could be motivated to attack Israeli or Jewish targets in Turkey.

Of course, India has been inflicted with a virtual menagerie of Jihadist terrorist groups, both domestic and from neighboring Pakistan. Lashkar-e-Taiba pulled off the spectacular Mumbai attacks targeting Jewish targets, but it is far from the only group operating in India, any of which could be prompted to attack Israeli or Jewish targets in India, either of their own volition or in the service of allied organizations.

Thailand has been wracked by a Jihadist insurgency for years in its southern regions. The Thai Jihadists are somewhat of an enigma and their ties to other Jihadist groups are unclear, but Thailand is an enormously popular tourist destination for Israeli and European tourists.

There is known to be Al Qaeda activity in Greece and Al Qaeda operatives have been apprehended there.

What all this adds up to is we could be talking about one threat or two distinct threats, one reported by the Beirut Observer from Hezbollah and another from Israeli authorities from unnamed terrorists in the four nations mentioned.

The possibility of Hezbollah launching attacks against the West in either Europe or the US has long been a deep concern for national security and counterterrorism practitioners. Hezbollah has been in existence for a decade longer than Al Qaeda and has been amply funded and equipped by Iran. Hezbollah is a much larger organization than Al Qaeda and is known to have cells, operatives and sympathizers spread throughout the world, including Asia, Europe and North and South America. Hezbollah has been referred to as the “A” team of Jihadist terrorism and Al Qaeda the “B” team. In fact Hezbollah trained Al Qaeda terrorists in Sudan during the 1990s.

Hezbollah is uniquely qualified to carry out terrorist attacks in the West. Such an attack would certainly not be unprecedented.

Hezbollah is believed to have carried out two bomb attacks in Argentina against the Israeli embassy in 1992 and at a Jewish Community Center in 1994. More than 120 innocent civilians were killed in those attacks. The attacks are also believed to have been carried out with Iranian support.

This makes sense since Hezbollah receives funding, arms and training from Iran, especially through Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

An example of suspicious Iranian activity in support of possible terrorist strikes occurred in New York back from 2002 to 2006 when members of the Iranian UN mission were repeatedly caught by the NYPD for conducting obvious reconnaissance of New York landmarks and subways.

We can be sure that, when and if Hezbollah or Iran decide to strike in the West, the targets were already selected and prepped by operatives in place long before the attack occurs.
By terrortrends | Also posted in Al Qaeda, Greece, Hezbollah, Homeland Security, India, Iran, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Israel, Jihad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lebanon, Mumbai attack, New York, NYPD, Pakistan, South America, Terrorist attack, Thailand, Turkey, United Nations | Comments (0)

Terrorism Threat Forces Closure of Reichstag in Berlin

1 NovpmMon, 22 Nov 2010 15:22:14 -06002010-11-22T15:22:14-06:0003 2009 – 15:22

The UK Telegraph reports that the famous Berlin Reichstag has been closed to visitors as a result of the terror threat that has been reported on extensively over the past week or so. Reports have generally indicated that one of the potential scenarios that German authorities are prepping for is a Mumbai-style attack.

Numerous holy warriors raised in Germany have been filtering back into the country in recent months following spells in training camps in Pakistan.

Spiegel reported that the informant who triggered the Berlin scare repeatedly telephoned police from a foreign location in recent days, asking the authorities to help him return to his family in Germany.

He said the terrorist cell consisted of six people, of whom two had arrived in Berlin weeks ago. Four other militants – including a German, a Turk and a northern African – were still waiting to travel to Germany.

The attacks were seemingly planned for February or March 2011, and modelled on the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai, in which 175 people died when Islamist militants attacked a series of high- profile hotels, a train station and Jewish centre. Now it appears they have been brought forward.

The FBI in America alerted German recently that a Shi’ite Indian group called Saif (Sword), had aligned itself with Al Quaeda and two of their men were due to travel from the United Arab Emirates to Germany in coming days.

Note in the report linked the apparent collaboration between Al Qaeda and a previously unknown Shiite Jihadist group from India…

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1331973/Germany-closes-Berlins-Reichstag-visitors-terror-fears-mount.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

German Police Outside the Berlin Reichstag This Week

 

By terrortrends | Also posted in Al Qaeda, Europe, Germany, Homegrown Jihad, India, Islam, Jihad, Mumbai attack, Pakistan, Saif, Terrorist attack | Comments (0)

Possible Bomb Intercepted on German Airliner in Namibia

1 NovamThu, 18 Nov 2010 08:19:43 -06002010-11-18T08:19:43-06:0008 2009 – 08:19

Germany has been the subject of multiple warnings and alerts involving Jihad in recent days and weeks. Today we are greeted with the news that a German airliner had a bomb on board in the southwest African nation of Namibia. Al Qaeda’s reach is long and the West continues to benefit from good fortune as these bombs continue to be found before they detonate.

Police have found a suspected bomb in a package bound for Germany at an airport in Namibia.

The Air Berlin flight carrying over 300 passengers and crew from the Namibian capital Windhoek to Munich, Germany was delayed after police found the “unlabeled” parcel.

According to Germany’s Federal Criminal Police, a scan of the parcel showed batteries attached by wires to a fuse and a clock.

German security officials are assessing whether the device was “a fake bomb” or could have actually detonated. If it turns out that this was a dummy device, it could very well have been a dry run…

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40250388/ns/world_news-africa/

By terrortrends | Also posted in airliner bombing, Al Qaeda, Bomb threat, Failed terrorist attack, Germany, Namibia | Comments (1)

Japanese tanker damaged in Strait of Hormuz

1 JulpmWed, 28 Jul 2010 17:38:59 -06002010-07-28T17:38:59-06:0005 2009 – 17:38

The Japanese oil tanker M Star was damaged in an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz today. It is unclear what the cause of the explosion was.

A crewman reported seeing a flash on the horizon just prior to the explosion, suggesting an attack, however, Omani authorities are saying there is no evidence of an attack, blaming an “earthquake” for the explosion.

We’ve heard a lot of bullcrap in our time, but this “earthquake” causing an explosion on a supertanker theory might be the most absurd thing we’ve ever heard.

Fortunately, there were no casualties and no oil leaked into the Persian Gulf.

A terrorist attack on an oil tanker in the region is certainly not unprecedented. In October 2002, Al Qaeda carried out a seaborne Islamikaze attack on the French tanker Limburg, killing one of its crew and punching a hole in its hull.

French tanker Limburg burns after October 2002 terrorist attack

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100728/wl_nm/us_japan_explosion_1

By terrortrends | Also posted in Al Qaeda, Iran, Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Terrorist attack | Comments (0)