Purported Al-Qaeda Letter Says Attack on US 90% Ready

[southerngale]

Fox News Alert a few minutes ago and that's all I know.

[Colin]

We'll see...they can *think* they are 90% ready...until they actually TRY it. Bwahahahaha.

[therock1811]

This from FOXNews.com:

CAIRO, Egypt — The Arabic newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi (search) said Thursday it had received a claim of responsibility for the Madrid train bombings issued in the name of Al Qaeda (search).

The five-page e-mail claim, signed by the shadowy Brigade of Abu Hafs al-Masri (search), was received at the paper's London offices. It said the brigade's "death squad" had penetrated "one of the pillars of the crusade alliance, Spain," and carried out what it called Operation Death Trains.

"This is part of settling old accounts with Spain, the crusader, and America's ally in its war against Islam," the claim said.

Referring to Spain's Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar (search), the statement asked: "Aznar, where is America? Who will protect you, Britain, Japan, Italy and others from us?"

The newspaper faxed the claim to The Associated Press office in Cairo.

The statement warned the United States that a major strike is approaching.

"We announce the good news for the Muslims in the world that the strike of the black wind of death, the expected strike against America, is now at its final stage — 90 percent ready — and it is coming soon, by God's will," the claim said.

Asked about the claim of responsibility, White House spokesman Sean McCormack said "we've seen the news reports and we're going to determine what the facts are."

The message also referred to last year's attack on Italian paramilitary police serving in the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

"When we attacked the Italian troops in Nasiriyah and sent you and America's agents an ultimatum to withdraw from the anti-Islam alliance, you did not understand the the message. Now we have made it clear and hope that this time you will understand," the statement said.

"We, at the Abu Hafs brigades, have not felt sad for the so-called civilians," the statement in an apparent reference to the hundreds of casualties in Thursday's attacks in Madrid.

"Is it OK for you to kill our children, women, old people and youth in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Kashmir? And is it forbidden to us to kill yours?" the claim asked.

The statement said another Al Qaeda squad, Jund al-Quds (search) or Soldiers of Jerusalem, had carried out Tuesday night's attack on a Masonic lodge in Istanbul, Turkey.

"All the Masons would have been killed but there was a technical fault. So because God wished it, only three were killed," the statement said.

In the attack, two suicide bombers opened fire in the lodge's dining hall, killing a waiter and wounding five other people. The attackers then detonated rudimentary explosives. One assailant died in the blast while the other was severely wounded.

Well, we shall see!

[janswizard]

We'll see...they can *think* they are 90% ready...until they actually TRY it. Bwahahahaha.

I don't think I would laugh that claim off. Even the stock market reacted when that statement was issued. It could happen. The United States has done little to nothing to protect our subway systems, trains, trucking industries and waterways.

[cycloneye]

Beer980 what is your take on all of this?Do you think that Al-Qaeda is ready to make a big attack inside the US?

[Josephine96]

I of course am not Beer 980 lol.. But my take on this is this..

We are incredibly vulnerable. There are multiple sites where we can be attacked whether it be by plane trane or suicide bomber. I'll wait for Beer's "expert analysis" lol.. But I really think Al Qaeda is eventually going to attack again.

We are a different country than we were in 2001. We just have to wait and see what transpires IMHO..

[JCT777]

This definitely has me concerned. Hopefully, nothing terrible happens.

[cycloneye]

I mentioned Beer980 to have his take on this because he has sources that he knows about terrorists groups and he has posted here some of that but I am very concerned that something may happen just before the general election.In Spain this sunday elections will be held but I am not saying that it may happen days before the elections in the US but anything is possible and they may wait for the elections to be days away to attack but I hope that homeland security is watching what is going on and prevent any attack.

[janswizard]

From Northeast Intelligence (who's only right part of the time)

11 March 2004-- Northeast Intelligence Network analysts have found operational references to all rail and subway traffic in the UK and the US in conjunction with general threats to targets in Washington, DC and New York. Further specific references were found against the United Nations in New York City, which is consistent with the text of bin Laden's recently released speech. References to the use of chemical weapons (not biological or nuclear) are prevalent.

[Lindaloo]

I highly doubt those cowards are going to tell us in an email they are going to attack us. IMO, they will just do it.

[Stormsfury]

I highly doubt those cowards are going to tell us in an email they are going to attack us. IMO, they will just do it.

I definitely have to agree here ... I don't remember any warnings when the planes flew into the World Trade Centers back on 9/11. The first plane hitting the first tower left us in shock and wondering what happened, the second one flying into the second tower was the only way we knew that it was a calculated attack on us ...

[GalvestonDuck]

They're like an annoying little mosquito, buzzing around, threatening to land and bite, but not quite yet...and I just wanna squish her before she bites.

[Aslkahuna]

than just mosquitoes. Their goal is the utmost destruction of Western Civilization and a return to the 8th Century in terms of social structure. They have the determination and patience and thanks to our abysmal Border security are rapidly developing the means to do it as well. Some Food for thought and something you will NEVER see in the media nor hear discussed bu any of the two Parties. Based upon the estimate that only 20% of them are caught, approximately 2 million illegals enter the US through AZ alone. The Border Patrol estimates that 7% or 140,000 are criminals entering to either escape arrest in their home countries or to commit criminal or terrorist acts in the US. Since over half the illegals entering Arizona do so here in Cochise County, we have a really serious problem here. Among recent captures of illegals here, we found one of Mexico's most wanted and two who were deported for life from the US after serving prison time in the US for sexual assault and Murder 2 plus we have seen shootouts along the Border at least one of which involved members of the Mexican Military firing at US Agents on our side of the Border. The latest incident has involved three smugglers who badly beat up a Woman trying to enter the US and kidnapped her young daughter. A massive search is underway here for the little girl right now. This is why Bush is in trouble down here-his plan of amnesty offers no concrete proposal for securing our borders after it's implemented and basically the residents of Cochise County are tired of that BS and are increasingly agitating for a strong intimidating Military presence along the Border.

Steve

[nystate]

Well, I was planning on taking the train to NYC next month, but after this, I think it would be safer to fly!! There is NO real security at our rail stations and on our trains...that needs to change.

[GalvestonDuck]

They Are More than just mosquitoes.

I know. That's why I used "like." 'Twas a simile.

And it is annoying.

[Rainband]

Whatever happens.. happens. I have faith in God and thats enough for me. I think this may be just an attempt to try and cripple our economy..once again. They pulled off an attack abroad and that is a fact but our security obviously is better. We haven't been attacked since 911. The attack in spain gives a Fear reference so to speak and now people may stop using the subways and trains. Maybe the reason 911 happened is because they sucker punched us. Now we are wide awake and ready. Just some food for thought.

[BEER980]

cycloneye asked if I thought Al-Qaeda is ready to make a big attack inside the US. I would say they are past ready and are planing the next round or the next one after that. There has been warning of other attacks in the works. One was Spain and NY/DC was mentioned again a few days ago. The chatter is going up again as I heard. I have been preoccupied with other predictions the past few days so I haven't been as alert to terror. I am on the fence right now about an attack here right before the election. I think Al Qaeda would rather Kerry get elected and an attack could strengthen Bush. On the other hand a very large or multiple attacks could work in Kerrys favor. Sooner or later one will get through.

[Rainband]

cycloneye asked if I thought Al-Qaeda is ready to make a big attack inside the US. I would say they are past ready and are planing the next round or the next one after that. There has been warning of other attacks in the works. One was Spain and NY/DC was mentioned again a few days ago. The chatter is going up again as I heard. I have been preoccupied with other predictions the past few days so I haven't been as alert to terror. I am on the fence right now about an attack here right before the election. I think Al Qaeda would rather Kerry get elected and an attack could strengthen Bush. On the other hand a very large or multiple attacks could work in Kerrys favor. Sooner or later one will get through.

I disagree. I think since 911 attacks are harder to pull off. Like I said we were sucker punched. Now we are watching. Attacks abroad are the likely threat at this point. IMHO

[JQ Public]

I'm sure the administration has everything under control...

[Aslkahuna]

that Al Cruda or some other terrorist group (foreign or domestic) can't slamdance us with another 9-11 level attack any time they chose is living in Cloud Cuckoo Land.

Steve