Thursday, January 14, 2010

Officials: 'Credible Intelligence' on Terror Attack Planning Against U.S. - UPDATE: Threat extends beyond Aviation!

Fox News reports:
"Credible intelligence has emerged that Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is plotting another attack against the United States and U.S. interests abroad, a senior U.S. counterterrorism official confirmed to Fox News on Thursday.

"The intelligence is described as not specific about time, place or method of attack, but is being taken seriously, according to this official..."
From CNN - Jan. 13:
The United States is closely monitoring a "credible threat" from al Qaeda in Yemen against the U.S. homeland, two senior officials told CNN...

[According to one source], the information has to do with aviation and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The level of concern is "measurable" this source said, adding "There is more prickling of the neck hair."

The U.S. has some information about time frame, this source continued, saying, "It is more definitive than it usually is."...

This source pointed out that aviation security is rigid already and that no additional protective measures have been taken. But, the source says, "there is a lot of stuff going on in the next day or two" relating to analysis.
Additional information in the video below:



UPDATE: From CNN:
Information gained since the attempted airplane bombing on Christmas Day has U.S. officials concerned that al Qaeda in Yemen has "trained and equipped ... viable operatives" to strike U.S. targets -- including targets unrelated to aviation, a reliable source familiar with the investigation told CNN Thursday.

"I have not seen people this ramped up on the terror front like this for probably two years," the source said. "The palpable level of angst is incredible."...

The source added that officials don't know where the operatives are but believe that there are "a lot" of them. This source said investigators have at least seven names. A second source said officials have identified at least some of the operatives but would not give numbers...

The concern extends beyond aviation, and AbdulMutallab has told investigators the other operatives were trained to attack more than planes... All of the "normal vectors" are on the table -- trains, etc. -- but the belief is they would like to attack planes just to prove that they can...

A source without access to intelligence said aviation security was "ramping up pretty hard. We don't do that for just anything." He said efforts were being made to put air marshals on all inbound flights.

Separately, a U.S. counterterrorism official told CNN that "the concerns have intensified since 12/25. There is every reason to believe AQAP is planning attacks against the U.S. There are people willing to assist them."...

The report about "viable operatives" came a day after two senior officials told CNN that the United States was monitoring a "credible threat" from al Qaeda in Yemen against the U.S. homeland...
Other News: The march toward Socialism continues: Obama administration considers mandating retirees to convert their 401(k) savings and IRA's into long-term treasury bonds

One news outlet aptly noted that the reason Obama is considering the aforementined mandate is due to the enormous government debt that he has racked up. Plain and simple: He needs the money!

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