TERRORIST THREAT
U.S. TO REVIEW SECURITY PROCEDURES AFTER DETROIT AIRLINE INCIDENT
Voice of America News reports: “The Obama administration is reviewing U.S. terror monitoring procedures after a Nigerian man attempted to blow up an airliner as it approached the city of Detroit. Administration officials say the suspect’s name had been entered into a U.S. security database, but had not been added to a no-fly list.
In the wake the foiled terror plot, President Obama has requested two reviews of U.S. security procedures. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs spoke on ABC’s This Week program. First, on our watch-listing procedures: did the [U.S.] government do everything it could have with the information it had, understanding that these procedures are several years old? Did we do what we need to with that information? Second, obviously we have to review our detection capabilities. The president has asked the Department of Homeland Security to answer the very real question about how somebody with something as dangerous as PETN [plastic explosive] could have gotten onto a plane in Amsterdam, he said.
U.S. authorities have charged the suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, with transporting and attempting to detonate explosives aboard an airliner . The suspect flew from Amsterdam to the United States, and is believed to have hidden plastic explosives inside his clothing…” (Jeremiah 6:25 – “…the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.” So when the enemy rears his ugly ungodly head, rest on Gods promises as found in Philippians 4:6, 7 – “Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”)
ATTEMPTED TERRORIST ATTACK ON AIRLINER SPARKS NEW CONCERNS ABOUT AL-QAIDA
Voice of America News reports: “The White House is calling a small explosion aboard an international flight bound for the U.S. city of Detroit an attempted act of terrorism. Counterintelligence officials say a Nigerian engineering student tried to blow the plane up shortly before it landed. Senior U.S. lawmakers are now expressing concerns about possible links between the attack and the al-Qaida terrorist network.
Passengers on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit say just as the plane was getting ready to land there was a loud pop, and then panic.
We heard a loud pop and a bit of smoke and then some flames, and then yelling and screaming, said one passenger.
The lady shouted ‘what are you doing, what are you doing?’ said another. And then we looked back. There were some fumes and some flames.…
Officials have identified the suspect as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab – a 23-year-old from Nigeria – whose name appears on a U.S. intelligence watch list.
They say Mutallab suffered severe burns when he tried to use a liquid to ignite powder strapped to his legs and blow up the aircraft.
New York Congressman Peter King, the ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, was briefed by intelligence officials shortly after the plane landed. Well, some definite facts. One is that he has al-Qaida connections. Secondly, that it was a fairly sophisticated device.
Mutallab, an engineering student who studied in Britain, told investigators he was acting on instructions from al-Qaida and got the explosive materials in Yemen. Those claims have yet to be confirmed. But Congressman King says there is plenty of reason to worry.
How he was able to get on in Nigeria, what happened in Amsterdam, which is a visa waiver country, how he was able to get through and make it this far with the devices he had, these are all issues that have to be resolved.
U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered security measures to be stepped up at all U.S. airports. And security officials are encouraging passengers to be observant and report any suspicious activity…” (What should be done with these murderous thugs? Exodus 21:12: “He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death” and Leviticus 24:17 – “…he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death“. This covers the next three reports as well.)
INVESTIGATORS: NORTHWEST BOMB PLOT PLANNED BY AL QAEDA IN YEMEN
ABC News reports: “The plot to blow up an American passenger jet over Detroit was organized and launched by al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen who apparently sewed bomb materials into the suspect’s underwear before sending him on his mission, federal authorities tell ABC News.
Investigators say the suspect had more than 80 grams of PETN, a compound related to nitro-glycerin used by the military. The so-called shoe bomber, Richard Reid, had only about 50 grams kin his failed attempt in 2001 to blow up a U.S.-bound jet. Yesterday’s bomb failed because the detonator may have been too small or was not in proper contact with the explosive material, investigators told ABC News.
Investigators say the suspect, Abdul Farouk Umar Abdulmutallab, a 23-year old Nigerian student whose birthday was last Tuesday, has provided detailed information about his recruitment and training for what was supposed to be a Christmas Day suicide attack.
According to the authorities, Abdulmutallab says he made contact via the internet with a radical imam in Yemen who then connected him with al-Qaeda leaders in a village north of the country’s capital, Sanaa.
Authorities say they do not yet know if the imam was the same one who was in contact with Maj. Nidal Hasan prior to his alleged attack on soldiers at Fort Hood. American-born Anwar Awlaki has lived in Yemen since 2002 and is considered a major recruiter for al-Qaeda by U.S. authorities. He survived a U.S.-backed air strike earlier…
The suspect in the Northwest Airlines attack told FBI agents he lived with the al-Qaeda leader in Yemen for about a month and was not allowed to leave as he was trained in what to do and how to do it, authorities said.
At some point, according to the account, Abdulmutallab said he was joined by a Saudi citizen whom he described as an al-Qaeda bomb maker…” (Matthew 24:37 and Genesis 6:11 is being fulfilled in our day and its only beginning. How should genuine Christians respond? – “…when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass… then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” – Luke 21:9, 27.)
‘HUNDREDS OF AL-QAEDA MILITANTS PLANNING ATTACKS FROM YEMEN’
The Times Online reports: “Hundreds of al-Qaeda militants are planning terror attacks from Yemen, the countrys Foreign Minister said.
Abu Bakr al-Qirbi appealed for more help from the international community to help to train and equip counter-terrorist forces.
His plea came after an al-Qaeda group based in Yemen claimed responsibility for the failed Christmas Day airliner bomb plot.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, alleged to be behind the attempt to blow up an American-bound aircraft, spent time in Yemen with al-Qaeda and was in the country only days before the failed attack.
Dr al-Qirbi said: Of course there are a number of al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen and some of their leaders. We realize this danger.
They may actually plan attacks like the one we have just had in Detroit. There are maybe hundreds of them – 200, 300.
Dr al-Qirbi said it was the responsibility of countries with strong intelligence capabilities to warn states such as Yemen about the movements of terror suspects.
The United States, Britain and the European Union could do a lot to improve Yemens response to militants on its own soil, he added.
We have to work in a very joint fashion in partnership to combat terrorism, he said. If we do, the problem will be brought under control.
There is support, but I must say it is inadequate. We need more training, we have to expand our counter-terrorism units and provide them with equipment and transportation like helicopters.
Mr. Abdulmutallab is said to have told US agents that there were more people just like him ready to carry out attacks.
An al-Qaeda group based in Yemen claimed responsibility for the failed attempt to bring down Northwest Airlines Flight 253 over Detroit as US President Barack Obama pledged to hunt down the plotters…” (Intelligence sources warn that 300 militants have been trained to blow up planes and kill thousands of innocent victims.)
OBAMA LINKS CHRISTMAS DAY TERRORIST ATTEMPT TO AL-QAIDA
Voice of America News reports: “U.S. President Barack Obama, for the first time, has publicly connected the suspect who tried to blow up a U.S.-bound passenger plane on Christmas Day, December 25, to al-Qaida.
In his weekly radio and Internet address released on the White House Web site, Mr. Obama said it appeared a Yemeni affiliate of al-Qaida trained the suspect, equipped him with … explosives, and directed him to attack the plane headed for America.
Mr. Obama said the group had attacked American targets before, including killing an American at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen in 2008. He said the U.S. government is strengthening its partnership with Yemen to strike al-Qaida terrorists.
The president, who has been criticized by opposition Republicans for not taking strong enough action against militants and terrorists, defended his administration’s efforts to end the war in Iraq and increase troop levels in Afghanistan. He said those actions are part of his strategy to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaida and its extremist allies.
Mr. Obama said he has received preliminary results of reviews he ordered into air travel screening procedures and a terrorist watch list system, and expected final results in the coming days.
The president said he is working to ensure branches of security forces coordinate and are held accountable after the latest terrorist attempt…” (These ungodly murderers would kill thousands of good people in the name of their god. If the plans had succeeded, 270 would have died on the day our wonderful Saviours entrance into the world was remembered.)
REPORTS: TALIBAN SUICIDE BOMBING HIT CIA NERVE CENTER
Voice of America News reports: “U.S. media are reporting that the U.S. base targeted in a suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan was responsible for gathering intelligence along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
News outlets quote former U.S. intelligence officials, who did not want to be identified, as saying the base in Khost province, called Forward Operating Base Chapman, was also overseeing efforts to kill top militant leaders, often with the use of drones.
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency confirmed the suicide bombing killed seven of its employees and wounded six others, but the CIA provided no other details. The Tailban claimed responsibility for the attack.
U.S. intelligence officers say it appears that the suicide bomber, a man wearing an Afghan army uniform, was being courted as an informant, and may not have been searched…” (What a shame that suicide bombers are rewarded with 32 virgins for all eternity as Islam teaches. Our God says in Romans 13:14 – “…put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” also Ephesians 4:19, 20 – “Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ“)
EXPERTS CONCERNED U.S. HOMEGROWN TERRORISM ON THE RISE
Voice of America News reports: “The recent arrest of five American men in Pakistan on suspicion of trying to join militant Islamist groups has triggered concern in Washington about whether the United States has become complacent about homegrown terrorism. The five from Virginia were arrested in Pakistan allegedly for attempting to engage in Jihad against the U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Two alleged members of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, David Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana are being tried in Chicago on charges of links to last year’s terror attacks in Mumbai, India.
Najibullah Zazi was just a friendly hotdog stand vendor to those who knew him, not as it is alleged, an al-Qaida operative conspiring to set off bombs around New York.
Not many people knew Major Nidal Hasan, the U.S. Army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 and wounding more than 40 in a shooting rampage at a military base in Texas. The U.S. Congress is concerned.
The threat is real, and we are still at risk in this nation. Case after case demonstrates this fact, said Representative Brian McCaul of Texas.
Macall is a ranking Republican member of a House committee that held a hearing on homegrown terror.
The committee heard testimony about how to deal with homegrown terrorists while still protecting freedom of speech…” (II Timothy 3:1, 3, 4 – “This know also, that in the last days perilous [dangerous] times shall come. For men will be fierce, despisers of those that are good, and Traitors.)