Terrorism threats materializing

The first is from World Net Daily (second-hand), the other from Debka,
two things to review.

Note that logistics or transport (transport being an earlier kind of
"communication" in the English language) would include airports and
seaports as targets.

...

[WND]

Homeland Security to cops: Prepare for Qaida car bombs

Confidential memorandum advises taking high-threat measures for end of
Ramadan

by Paul Sperry


The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has advised federal agencies
to initiate emergency counterterrorism measures to prevent possible
al-Qaida car bombings planned during the last days of the Muslim
holiday Ramadan, according to a confidential department memo obtained
by WorldNetDaily.

Citing al-Qaida's "increasingly sophisticated" car-bombing tactics, it
recommends security guards tow all vehicles parked illegally in and
around government facilities, if their owners cannot be identified,
and inspect the undercarriage and other areas of vehicles entering
sensitive areas, among other high-threat protective measures.

Al-Qaida could also target "liquid natural gas, chemical or
petrochemical sites near major population centers using multiple
vehicle-born improvised explosive devices similar to those recently
seen in the attacks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Istanbul, Turkey,"
warns the internal department advisory titled, "Continued al-Qaida
Threats Abroad and in the Homeland."

Marked "For Official Use Only," the five-page memo was distributed
Friday to federal departments and agencies, as well as state security
managers and first responders.

"This advisory is intended to raise the security awareness of the
recipients based on recent terrorist attacks overseas and information
suggesting al-Qaida continues to plan attacks against U.S. targets,"
the memo says.

It notes there has been at least one major terrorist attack resulting
in substantial casualties each week over the past several weeks, and
that the attacks have coincided with Ramadan.

"These terrorist bombings, coupled with public proclamations regarding
al-Qaida's intentions to target Western interests, heighten our
concern that a threat against the U.S. homeland and U.S. interests
abroad continues," the document states.

The Homeland Security memo warns that al-Qaida might launch attacks
"near the end of Ramadan (Nov. 24-27)," which happens to coincide this
year with the Thanksgiving holiday.

The government is closed on Thursday, Nov. 27, for Thanksgiving. 

But millions of Americans will be traveling throughout the holiday
week, and Homeland Security warns in its memo that "we cannot discount
multiple attacks involving the use of general-aviation aircraft."

The department's current terror threat level stands at yellow, or
elevated, indicating there is only a significant risk of terrorist
attacks. Publicly, it has recommended Americans continue with plans
for work or leisure.

Behind the scenes, however, it has directed federal and state law
enforcement, as well as security personnel, to initiate protective
measures under its highest threat level – red – a condition when there
is an imminent risk of terrorist attacks.

For instance, "Measure R.2" of the department's internal Threat Level
Red recommendations advises government agencies to, among other
things: "Identify the owners of all vehicles already parked at state
facilities. In those cases where the owner or presence of a vehicle
cannot be explained (owner is not present and has no obvious agency
affiliation), inspect the vehicle for dangerous items and take steps
to remove the vehicle from the vicinity."

Homeland Security officials insist they have no specific threat.
Indeed, the department memo states: "We have no tactical information
identifying timing, targets, tactics or locations for these
operations."

However, it goes on to say that "recent information" and attacks
reflect "al-Qaida's desire to repeat a mass casualty attack and/or
strike major political and symbolic and economic targets" in America.

The document expresses concern over al-Qaida's "increasingly refined
capability and sophisticated tactic" in carrying out car-bomb attacks.
Among examples, it cites the terror group's new "ramming tactic to
gain access to the target" and the use of "innocuous-looking
vehicles," such as "a food catering truck which was detonated by a
suicide bomber as it rammed the British consulate."

It recommends U.S. security personnel take additional protective
measures to thwart car-bomb attacks, including:


"Consider adjusting buffer zone further [sic] from target." 

"Increase the number of visible security personnel wherever possible."

"Rearrange exterior vehicle barriers, traffic cones and road blocks to
alter traffic patterns near facilities and monitored by alert security
forces."

"Institute/increase vehicle, foot and roving security patrols varying
in size, timing and routes."

"Limit the number of access points and strictly enforce access control
procedures."

"Deploy explosive-detection devices and explosive-detection canine
teams."

"Review surveillance tapes (if available) for indicators of suspicious
activity."
Previous stories: 

FBI catalog warns of hidden knives 

INS to vet Indonesia, Malaysia travelers 

Saudi Arabia 'shocked' to be added to watchlist 

U.S. gets tough with Paki, Saudi visitors



...


[DEBKA]

Al Qaeda: Countdown for "biggest operation yet inside America". 
 
 Monday, November 24, Al Qaeda marked Eid al Fitr, the festival
closing the Muslim festival of Ramadan, with a dramatic warning.
DEBKAfile's counter-terror sources reports that a message published
over al Qaeda's electronic channels and websites declared that the
countdown has begun for the biggest operation ever carried out in the
United States. "The big blow will fall very shortly. It will consist
of a series of surprise attacks that will cut America off from
communication with its armies in Muslim countries." The reference is
clearly to US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The largest number, around 115,000 soldiers, is present in Iraq. 

Muslims living in the United States are urged to "take advantage of
the short time left" to escape the country and harm's way.

Some of the messages say that a new Osama bin Laden videotape will
soon be out. It will also carry statements by al Qaeda members who
executed the last suicide attacks in Saudi Arabia and adherents who
died in clashes with Saudi security. They will be shown describing how
they were prepared for action. Bin Laden will intersperse these cuts
with comments explaining the selection of Saudi targets.

DEBKAfile's counter-terror sources report that some of the new
messages are signed by Abu Assam al Yamani, who also threatens to
murder Abdul Rahman Rashid, editor of the Saudi London-based paper
Sharq al Awsat. Al Yamani says the al Qaeda passed sentence of death
against the editor because he not only met President George W. Bush in
the British capital last week but interviewed him and appeared with
the president in a joint photo.