Concern Grows Over Threatened Terror Attack on Germany

Concern over a possible al Qaeda terror attack in Germany is being fueled by buzz on a number of Jihadi web forums. Last week MEMRI reported that a message released on the Al-Falluja jihadist forum warned of an al Qaeda terror attack against Germany, to be carried out on an apparently ‘random’ Sunday during the month of October. Heading into another weekend, the increased chatter is obviously making many a bit nervous.

From CBS News

Jihadi Web forums have been abuzz with anticipation over the likelihood of an al Qaeda attack against Germany, with jihadi supporters speculating eagerly over potential targets, dates, timings, and even casualty numbers.

A blogger going by the name “Yaman Mokhaddab” posted what he claimed was “Western intelligence” giving 13 hints about the upcoming attacks, warning that they would be much worse than 9/11.

On the popular al-Fallojah forums, “Mohami al-Dawla” speculated Thursday about how many would be killed and the economic damage that would be inflicted. He speculated confidently that we are likely to witness the first WMD attack in the history of modern Jihad.

via Source.

LAX Flight Aborts Takeoff Due To Suspicious Behavior

UPDATE: The FBI has determined that a passenger removed from the United Airlines flight this morning posed no “identifiable threat” to the plane or its passengers and officials do not expect to file criminal charges.

This may not be as serious as first thought. An NBC news report includes a conversation with one of the passengers aboard the plane.

“The gentleman said he had to go to the bathroom and that he couldn’t wait,” a passenger said. “The pilot said somebody is ill. We were just about to take off.”

Passenger Charlie Rosene was seated two rows behind a passenger that was removed from the plane.

“I was sitting in Row 25, the first guy who was taken off was in Row 23,” said Rosene at about 11:30 a.m. “It was 30 seconds before takeoff, and he jumped out of his seat and said, ‘I need to go to the bathroom. I need to go to the bathroom.’ The flight attendant called that out and saw that as a red flag. He said, ‘I’m going.’”

Rosene said the passenger was in the restroom for about 30 seconds. He said the man returned to his seat.

Source

Waiting for additional details.

From The LA Times

The Los Angeles Times is reporting a plane was stopped from taking off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and two men on board were taken into custody, according to the LAPD.

According to the report, LAPD Lt. John Romero said the men, who appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent, were acting suspiciously.

A law enforcement source said at least one of the men ran into a restroom on the plane and appeared to hide while the New York-bound jet was taxiing on the runway, according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing.

The flight crew confronted the two men and made the decision to stop the plane before it took off, the source said. The men were taken into custody by heavily armed law enforcement officials.

The plane has been taken to a remote area of the airport to be searched by a bomb squad, sources said.

Source

Passengers report that United Flight 22 was about to take off when a man in row 23 leapt up, stating he needed to go to the bathroom. Passenger Charlie Rosene says the man ran to the bathroom despite a flight attendant’s orders to sit down. The pilot returned the plane to the gate where the man and his companion were taken off the flight for questioning, and the plane was searched.

Source

United Airlines Flight 22 was bound for Cairo with a scheduled stop at JFK International Airport in New York.

Germany Raises Terror Alert Level In Response To Threat

The German government raised its terrorism alert level after al Qaeda posted a video on the Internet threatening attacks in Germany if this month’s elections do not come out the way the terrorist organization wants.

“The federal elections offer a special [opportunity] for propaganda and operative activity by terror groups,” the Interior Ministry said on Friday. “A new video posted on September 18 by al Qaeda underlines this. The security services have therefore increased the threat level, which leads to increased security measures especially at airports and railway stations.”

[...]

In his nearly 26-minute video statement, a man identified as Bekay Harrach, using the pseudonym Abu Talha and speaking in German, says that, if the September 27 elections vote into power parties that do not pledge to pull German troops from Afghanistan, there will be a “rude awakening.”

The speaker calls on Muslims in Germany to stay away from public life during the first two weeks after the elections, implying that any attacks would take place then.

via Germany boosts terrorism alert level – CNN.com.

See Related Post – Germany – al Qaeda Releases New Video, Threatens ‘Bad Awakening’

Interpol Issues Global Alert For 13 Mumbai Terror Suspects

Interpol has issued a global alert for 13 suspects wanted by police in Pakistan in connection with the investigation into the Mumbai terrorist attacks in India.

The alert asks Interpol member countries to assist in locating the individuals and immediately notify their bureau in Islamabad, Pakistan and headquarters in Lyon, France with any investigative leads.

A statement by Interpol said: “If the fugitives are located, Pakistani authorities will then formally request provisional arrest with a view towards extradition, in accordance with any applicable extradition treaty.”

The request suggests a new level of co-operation on the investigation between the two long-running enemies, although India has asked for suspects to be extradited to stand trial there.

Pakistan has arrested five people suspected of involvement in the assault, including the alleged mastermind, Zaki ur-Rehman Lakhvi, and their trial is expected to begin in the next week.

In India, Ajmal Kasab, the only one of the terrorists to be captured alive, changed his plea to guilty last month, although his trial is continuing.

Read Full Article

Germany Openly Warns of Terror Threat

A recent routine police operation uncovered a possible terror suspect. The development illustrates just how tense the security situation is in Germany, with the government issuing the clearest warnings yet of a possible attack by Islamist terrorists. How much do the country’s security officials know?

The officers were exceedingly polite, waiting for Ali R. to complete his Friday prayers, pack his things and leave the mosque in the western German city of Essen. Only then did they approach the imam and ask him to come with them. They took him to the Büren Prison near the northwestern city of Paderborn, where detainees are held pending deportation. The action was taken in response to a request by the German foreigners registration authority, which had been seeking Ali R., a medical student, since March, because his German residence permit had expired. The officers were not particularly enthusiastic about their mission, which was just another routine police operation. As a result, their search of Ali R., 29, was perfunctory at best.

via The Great Fear: Germany Openly Warns of Terror Threat – SPIEGEL ONLINE – News – International.

Pakistan: Osama Bin Laden Isn’t Here

Osama bin Laden and the top Al Qaeda leadership are not in Pakistan, making U.S. missile attacks against them futile, according to the country’s interior minister.

“If Osama was in Pakistan we would know, with all the thousands of troops we have sent into the tribal areas in recent months,” Rehman Malik told The Sunday Times. “If he and all these four or five top people were in our area they would have been caught, the way we are searching.”

He added: “According to our information Osama is in Afghanistan, probably Kunar, as most of the activities against Pakistan are being directed from Kunar.”

Pakistani officials say the U.S. has carried out more than 40 attacks inside its borders in the past 10 months, killing hundreds of people.

via Pakistan: Usama Bin Laden Isn’t Here – International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News – FOXNews.com.

The Wanted – NBC News Sets Premiere for Anti-terror Series

NBC News has set an airdate this month for “The Wanted,” its hour-long docu-series that follows the hunt for international terrorists.

“The Wanted” will air at 10 p.m. on two consecutive Mondays, July 20 and July 27, with more episodes to potentially follow.

Show will center on an elite team with intelligence, unconventional warfare and investigative journalism backgrounds as they hunt suspects such as Mullah Krekar, the founder of terrorist organization Ansar Al Islam.

Krekar is the focus of the July 20 episode, while the team will track Mamoun Darkazanli — “Bin Laden’s financier” — in the July 27 seg.

The terrorist trackers include counter-terrorism expert Roger Carstens; former Navy Seal Scott Tyler; former U.S. intelligence official David Crane; and Emmy-winning journo Adam Ciralsky.

Ciralsky exec produces “The Wanted” with Charlie Ebersol.

“We hope this program sheds light on an overlooked story,” said NBC News exec producer David Corvo. “It is surprising how many people with serious accusations against them are living openly and avoiding any sort of judicial process.”

Crane said he hoped the series would “start a national conversation” about war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and international terrorism, as well as “the indifference and political cynicism that hampers international criminal law.”

Source

Taliban Use Stolen U.S. Gear Against U.S.

Some Taliban fighters have been able to ward off attacks by U.S. aircraft by wearing special infrared patches on their shirts that signal that they are friends rather than foes.

The patches, which can also help suicide bombers get close to U.S. targets, are supposed to be the property of the U.S. government alone, but can be easily purchased over the Internet for about $10 each. Also available online: night-vision goggles and military-grade communications systems like the ones used by the terrorists who attacked the Indian city of Mumbai last year.

While stealing uniforms is as old as warfare itself, the Internet has made purchases of military equipment much easier and increased the risk to U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some of the patches have been stolen during raids on U.S. resupply convoys in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But they can also be purchased in the United States and sent overseas with little detection.

In a recent investigation, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) bought patches using fake names and a front company with only a valid credit card. The patches reveal an American flag when looked at with an infrared light and were designed to avoid friendly fire during nighttime battles.

Jonathan Meyer, assistant director of forensic audits and special investigations for the GAO, told The Washington Times, “Based on our conversations with the Department of Defense, terrorists have used U.S. uniforms and the infrared patches to get close to U.S. and allied forces on the battlefield and at bases. This is more of a potential suicide-bomber risk.”

Source

Terror Threat At Indias 3Cs Mall Worries Officials

There is an unusual calm, amid hectic police activity, in the Lajpat Nagar market these days. The popular 3Cs Mall and the entire area around it has been turned into a fortress after the Delhi Police received specific security inputs that the building would be blown up in the next 15 days.

According to sources in the Southeast district police, they got inputs from intelligence agencies about a possible threat to the mall a few days ago. After the message was forwarded to the local police, they cordoned off the entire market.

Intelligence agencies reportedly told the police that the Army had recovered a sketch of the mall from a few terrorists arrested by it recently and that their interrogation revealed a threat to the mall.

The police sources said the present security arrangements were under the direct supervision of an assistant commissioner of police. A senior officer is present at the site round the clock.

via Terror threat: 3Cs Mall sealed.

Pakistan PM Under Terror Threat in 3 Cities

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is under a serious threat, intelligence agencies have claimed in a letter addressed to concerned quarters of the government, including the Ministry of Interior, sources told The News.

The PM could be targeted in Islamabad, Lahore or Multan, the sources, quoting the letter, added. Tribal area based terrorists are planning to target Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani through a combination of explosion and a suicide attack, or gorilla attack similar to the Sri Lankan cricket team and the Manawan police training centre, the report said. Three teams of terrorists are reported to be working simultaneously at Islamabad, Lahore and Multan.

Meanwhile, to counter serious threats to Islamabad, the federal government has called troops of the Northern Area Scouts (a paramilitary force under the Army command) to aid the civil administration in protecting important personalities and sensitive installations of the capital city, Interior Ministry sources told The News.

The ministry has asked concerned authorities to arrange the required force of the Northern Area Scouts (NAS) to counter threats from extremists. At least, 20 companies of the NAS are required to tackle any possible untoward situation, the sources said. The NAS would be deployed at sensitive installations and included in the motorcade of important personalities.

SSP (Security Division) Zubair Hashmi, when contacted, confirmed the report. A proposal to summon the NAS has been sent to the concerned authorities. Meanwhile, the capital city police are hunting for an explosive laden ambulance and a car bearing a Press Plate on the information of an intelligence agency, sources said. However, it could be a mock exercise, they added.

Source

Saudi Arabia – Cameras To Monitor Internet Cafe Users

The Saudi authorities have ordered all Internet cafes the country to install hidden cameras to monitor Internet users and catch those who access Al-Qaeda linked jihadist sites, according to the interior ministry.

Internet cafes will also be required to identify all their customers.

People who do not have a licence will be forbidden to access the Internet via satellite connections.

Minors under 18 years of old will not be allowed to use Internet cafes, which will be required to close at midnight.

Saudi government concerns over extremism in the conservative kingdom deepened after Al-Qaeda-linked militants launched a campaign to destabilise the kingdom in May 2003, targeting government buildings, energy installations and foreign residential compounds in suicide bomb attacks.

Since then, hundreds of suspected Al-Qaeda militants have been arrested and are due to be tried on terrorism charges.

As recently as last Tuesday, security forces arrested 11 Al-Qaeda suspects who were allegedly planning to carry out terrorist attacks inside the Saudi Arabia and kidnap security officers and other “useful” individuals, the interior ministry said.

Source

Drug Cartels New Weapons Pushes Mexico Towards Edge

It was a brazen assault, not just because it targeted the city’s police station, but for the choice of weapon: grenades.

The Feb. 21 attack on police headquarters in coastal Zihuatanejo, which injured four people, fit a disturbing trend of Mexico’s drug wars. Traffickers have escalated their arms race, acquiring military-grade weapons, including hand grenades, grenade launchers, armor-piercing munitions and antitank rockets with firepower far beyond the assault rifles and pistols that have dominated their arsenals.

Most of these weapons are being smuggled from Central American countries or by sea, eluding U.S. and Mexican monitors who are focused on the smuggling of semiauto- matic and conventional weapons purchased from dealers in the U.S. border states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The proliferation of heavier armaments points to a menacing new stage in the Mexican government’s 2-year-old war against drug organizations, which are evolving into a more militarized force prepared to take on Mexican army troops, deployed by the thousands, as well as to attack each other.

These groups appear to be taking advantage of a robust global black market and porous borders, especially between Mexico and Guatemala. Some of the weapons are left over from the wars that the United States helped fight in Central America, U.S. officials said.

“There is an arms race between the cartels,” said Alberto Islas, a security consultant who advises the Mexican government.

“One group gets rocket-propelled grenades, the other has to have them.”

Source

Homeland Security Plans For Violence On US Border

Tighter gun control and stronger law enforcement in Southwestern states were recommended Thursday by lawmakers concerned about drug violence in Mexico possibly spilling across the border.

The escalating violence — which has killed thousands, mostly south of the border — has been blamed on Mexican drug cartels which one Homeland Security official described as the biggest organized crime threat facing the United States.

Roger Rufe, Homeland Security’s head of operations, outlined the agency’s plans for protecting the border, a response that includes — as a last resort — deploying military personnel and equipment to the region if other agencies are overwhelmed.

Echoing comments a day earlier from President Barack Obama, Rufe said there currently was no need to militarize the Southwestern border with Mexico, despite violence that threatens to migrate into the United States.

“We would take all resources short of DoD (Defense Department) and National Guard troops before we reach that tipping point,” Rufe told lawmakers on a House homeland security subcommittee. “We very much do not want to militarize our border.”

Rufe did not specify what circumstances would trigger a call for troops.

Source  – Full Article

General: Drug Cartels Are Linked To Terrorism

The head of the U.S. National Guard Bureau,  Gen. Craig McKinley said the link between terrorism and drug cartels along the United States’ border with Mexico is increasingly clear.

He went on to say the National Guard will be critical in helping protect the United States in the event of a terrorist attack and the growing threat of violent drug cartels operating along the Southwestern border with Mexico.

McKinley said the drug cartels in Latin America are clearly connected to organized criminal groups who support and funnel money to terrorist organizations.

“The Southwest border is one of the most critical areas in the nation right now,” McKinley said.

“The nature of the drug cartels along the Southwest border is becoming increasingly menacing, and the linkages between drug cartels through organized crime back to terrorist organizations cannot be disputed.”

via Source.

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