Chicago Institute Issues World-Wide Terrorism Advisory Following Attacks in England and Egypt
08.05.05
By Paul Anderson, ERRI/EmergencyNet News Global Watchdesk
CHICAGO, IL: The Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI) today announced a world-wide terrorist advisory. According to ERRI spokesman and senior analyst, Clark Staten, this advisory is based not only on a recent increase in the number of deadly terrorist events, but also on other threat indicators and warning that are currently being analyzed by ERRI counter-terrorism personnel.
As an example, U.S. authorities have previously warned that they have unconfirmed and non-specific intelligence that terrorists operating in the United States have shown an interest in passenger rail operations, as well as freight trains carrying hazardous materials. More alarming than this suppositions is the fact that the alleged al-Qa’ida cell responsible for the Madrid bombings (1) was later found to have detailed drawings and technical information relating to New York’s Grand Central Station. ERRI counter-terrorism analysts have issued several warnings about transit vulnerabilities since 1998. (2) (3) (4) It should also be noted that on 07 July 2005, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security raised the alert status to Code Orange for transit systems in the wake of the London bombings.
Also among the potential indicators for future attacks was the fact that the “Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades” recently released a communiqué remarking on the July 21st attacks in London. While the group does not explicitly take responsibility for the bombings, it does issue a warning that “Our strikes in the heart of the Infidel British capital are our last message to all European governments that we will not calm down and not be softened until all Infidel soldiers withdraw from the Land of Two Rivers...”
The group goes on to announce “coming strikes,” specifically naming “the capitals of the European nations, in Rome, in Amsterdam, as well as in that of Denmark.” In addition, the communiqué provides an exclusive message to Italian Prime Minster Silvio Berlusconi, proclaiming that “If the Italian troops will stay in Iraq, it will turn into their cemetery, dug by their own hands.” The statement closes by reiterating this point, adding “Let the ones who overthrew be overthrown.” (5)
To further reinforce all of these concerns, today (on 04 Aug 2005), a new videotape was issued via the Arabic-language TV station, Al Jazeera, from Ayman Zawahiri, reputed Al-Qaeda #2 man. In this tape, Zawahiri issued specific threats against The U.K., United States, and all of their allies engaged in the battle against terrorism in Afghanistan and particularly Iraq. Zawahiri’s threat against the United States and referring to the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, said: “Our message is clear -- what you saw in New York and Washington and what you are seeing in Afghanistan and Iraq, all these are nothing compared to what you will see next.”
Also included in these concerns are a recent advisory for U.S. citizens in Kuwait. The US embassy in Kuwait on Saturday (30 July 2005) warned its citizens, both military and civilian to be on guard for possible terror attacks. The warning comes in the wake of recent terrorist attacks and arrests in London, increased violence in Iraq, and an incident on the Kuwaiti-Iraqi border recently that prompted the emirate to tighten security there.
“Heightened security awareness should be exercised in all residential complexes, as terrorists have specifically targeted a variety of Western housing facilities in the past. Military members, as well as civilians and contractors related to military interests, are also possible targets,” said the embassy warning issued via an informal warden system."Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Terrorist actions may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings and assassinations,” the statement said.
Credible information has indicated terrorist groups seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. Terrorist actions may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings and assassinations. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and public areas where people congregate including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas.
Additionally, the Times of London reported on Sunday (31 July 2005) that a third Islamist terror cell is planning multiple suicide bomb attacks against Tube trains and other “soft” targets in central London.(6) Intelligence about a cell with access to explosives and plans to unleash a “third wave”
of attacks was the trigger for last Thursday’s unprecedented security exercise. The operation saw 6,000 police, many armed, patrolling across London. Senior police officers say that there was “specific” intelligence from several sources that an attack was planned for that day (28 july 2005).
Additional information about associated or other threats is being gathered as this report is written, as authorities in both London and Italy question suspects taken into custody in the past few days.
Furthermore, an attack on the United States can not be ruled out at this time. A specific, but highly speculative and unconfirmed, threat has been received about the possible use of a nuclear/radiological weapon of mass destruction on the August 6 anniversary date of the WWII attack on Hiroshima, Japan. The hypothesis comes from Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin and WorldNetDaily.com. Farah claims that Osama bin Laden is planning what he calls an “American Hiroshima,” the ultimate terrorist attack on U.S. cities, using nuclear weapons already smuggled into the country across the Mexican border. The cities chosen as optimal targets are New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston and Washington, D.C., Farah’s G2 Bulletin says.(7) The reports have not been confirmed by ERRI sources or methods, nor authenticated by U.S. military or intelligence agencies.
“At this time, we remain concerned that Al-Qaeda is in the midst of planning an attack so spectacular that it will surpass 9/11...we believe that they want to top themselves,” Staten added. “For example, had the ‘bad guys’ wanted to detonate a series of car/truck bombs in several U.S. cities...we believe that they could have done so at almost any time, but those tactics probably wouldn’t create the dramatic ‘tipping point’ that Bin Laden, Zawahiri, and Zarqawi so strongly desire,” the ERRI spokesman said. Our analysis suggests that the international Islamic terrorist movement (read:
Al-Qaeda and all ideologically associated organizations and individuals) wants a terrorist event in the United States so devastating that it will cause a major change in U.S. foreign policy involving the Mid-East in particular and the larger Ummah (the nation of the believers in Islam) in general,” Staten concluded.(8) “We can not preclude a possibility that al-Qaeda attacks could possibly involve non-conventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents as well as conventional weapons of terror, to include explosive devices,” the veteran analyst added.
“We know of no specific threat or target involving the United States or her allies at this time, but believe that we are entering a period when greater caution, preparedness, and awareness is warranted,” Staten said. “Given the current tactical circumstances in the Mid-East and Europe and the ever escalating rhetoric by various militant organizations and individuals, we feel that we must urge additional caution and awareness for Americans everywhere at this time,” Staten said in a statement this morning.
This advisory is intended to dissuade complacency and to urge additional awareness, preparedness, precaution, and planning at this time. Staten concluded by saying that ERRI analysts are monitoring world-wide events on a 24-hour-aday/7-days-a-week and that additional ERRI updates, advisories, and alerts will be issued as circumstances warrant.
Cited References:
(1) “Series of ‘Real-Time’ Reports Concerning Multiple Train Bombings,”
Madrid, Spain, 11 March 2004, which can be found at:
http://www.emergency.com/2004/Madrid_bmb031104.htm
(2) February 28, 1998, Vol. 4 - 059, “DOT REPORT SAYS U.S. TRANSIT SYSTEMS VULNERABLE TO TERRORIST THREAT,” which can be found at:
http://www.emergency.com/transt98.htm
(3) 12:30CDT/13:30EDT - 24 May 2002, “Warning Of Possible Terror Attack On Rail And Transit,” which can be found at:
http://www.emergency.com/2001/ter-advsry-sum.htm
(4) ibid; October 24, 2002, FBI National Press Office, “Threat Advisory - Transportation Systems,” can be found at:
http://www.emergency.com/2001/ter-advsry-sum.htm
(5) Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades Issues a Statement Regarding Latest London Bombings and Threatens Future European Attacks, By SITE Institute, which can be found at:
http://www.siteinstitute.org/bin/articles.cgi?ID=publications71905&Category=
publications&Subcategory=0
(6) “Third Terror Cell on Loose; Intelligence Warns of New Wave Against Soft Targets,” by Times of London, can be found at:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1715223,00.html
(7) Al-Qaida’s U.S. Nuclear targets; Captured documents, terrorists reveal bin Laden’s preferred dates, places for ‘American Hiroshima’, Posted: July 18, 2005, WorldNetDaily.com, which can be found at:
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45313
(8) “Terrorist Threats on U.S. at Lowest Level Since 9/11?,” May 01, 2005, which can be found at:
http://www.emergency.com/2005/ter-threat-low_may05.htm
