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New Al Qaeda Message Expected As Terror Anxieties Already High in Europe

December 18, 2006 11:53 AM

Uk_police_061110_nr_1 With European law enforcement officials warning of an imminent holiday terror attack, Web sites associated with al Qaeda announced today that the group's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, is about to issue a new statement entitled "the truths about the clash between Islam and atheism."

According to the Associated Press, John Reid, Britain's top law enforcement official, said Sunday that it was "highly likely" that terrorists would attempt to mount an attack over the holiday period, when the number of travelers swells. He gave no other details.

The head of Britain's domestic spy agency MI5, Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, has said her agents are tracking almost 30 terrorist plots involving 1,600 suspects, and that at least five major terror plots had been thwarted since the July 2005 transit bomb attacks in London.

Zawahiri's statement is being advertised by al Sahab, the production wing for al Qaeda.  Typically, the statements are released a few days after being advertised by al Sahab, which would put this message out right before the Christmas holiday weekend begins.

Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.

Al  Zawahiri's last 11 statements were video releases. The last we heard from al Zawahiri was about two months ago at the end of September. In that statement, Zawahiri pontificated about the new Pope and the crisis in Darfur.

December 18, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (84)

User Comments

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Dear Mr. Ross,

It is time that you began to do your job, along with all news media. Where are the "investigative reporters" who are looking into Islamism in America? Since NPR ditched Emerson it seems everyone is asleep. Will it take a nuclear bomb in New York to wake you up. If that happens don't blame the FBI and the CIA. Blame ABC news and all the other news agencies for not doing their jobs. How can a secular society arise when one religion is above reproach? How about some interviews with some atheist Muslims? IBn Warraq in Paris for example? Or are you so scared that you have decided appeasement is the only pathway. If that is the case, welcome to Auschwitz!

Dave Cashin

Posted by: David Cashin | Dec 18, 2006 2:43:32 PM

Well, at least we know where teh attack WON'T be--Iraq! Cause, um, we're over there so it won't happen here, or something. Wait, how does it go, we're fighting them here so that when we're over there it won't happen here? Something like that? Or, like, if we go over there then they can't come here because they'll attack us there?

Posted by: Dave J. | Dec 18, 2006 6:50:23 PM


Cashin - what is an atheist muslim? Do you mean an atheist arab or a muslim that has denounced his/her faith? I believe the latter is a capital offense under sharia law.

Posted by: rick | Dec 18, 2006 7:04:15 PM

Why is it that someone somehow obtains these messages, that are then released to a media outlet, but no one can seem to locate these idiots?? And why does the media even give space to these cowards who are holed up in a cave somewhere telling all the other Islamic extremists that they are doing the right thing in blowing themselves up? Why don't they just go ahead and lead by example and blow their own self up?? Because they don't believe their own lie, maybe??

Posted by: Ricky | Dec 18, 2006 7:21:15 PM

Dear Dave J.,
If you read the article more clearly, which I suggest you do, you will find that it is in reference to imminent attacks in EUROPE, not the U.S.

Posted by: Jim M. | Dec 18, 2006 7:21:22 PM

If a nuke goes off in New York or anywhere in the USA or our allies. It will be the last thing that the muslim world would have done. Prepare to kiss all your [you know whats] good-bye. Good riddance.

Posted by: Rolco Lefranc | Dec 18, 2006 7:25:08 PM

Hmmm. Dave J.'s confusion proves David C.
right. This way to the cattle cars, J.

Posted by: Hendrick S. | Dec 18, 2006 7:26:56 PM

Hey Dave J...
Since you are a bit slow on the uptake, let me explain it to you again...We are fighting the wackos (radical jihadists) in Iraq, so we won't have to fight them here in the U.S. That's no so hard for a smart guy like you to understand, is it?? So far, the plan is working. I'm curious to hear your alternative. I'm all ears...

Posted by: Vince C. | Dec 18, 2006 7:32:04 PM

Well cripes...pick up them 1600 suspects and ask 'em a few questions...don't charge and try them...UK terrorist cases also seem to fall through...lack of evidence ya know....just more booga booga from MI5.

Posted by: Tom | Dec 18, 2006 7:39:20 PM

Mr. Cashin: Doing nothing accomplishes nothing. Doing nothing is the liberal socialist
favorite rant. Is that YOU?

Posted by: alan robionson | Dec 18, 2006 7:48:22 PM

If the news media wouldn't show his tapes and messages he would have a hard time communicating with his followers and wouldn't be easily able to cause terror out of fear. As usual the media will do anything to be first with the news.

Posted by: jack | Dec 18, 2006 7:57:34 PM

To Dave J... one question only: HAS there been an attack here since we started fighting them there...and since we started monitoring their phone calls?

Posted by: Joe | Dec 18, 2006 7:59:01 PM

Am I wrong, Did not P.M Blair say that the word terrorism should not be used in the furure?

Posted by: tom Atkins | Dec 18, 2006 8:01:39 PM

This latest piece of news shows that the problem is not about "impoverished" people with gripes and grievances.

What Americans, British and Europeans have to learn is that radical ISLAM is a political ideology that seeks to replace religions AND secular governments.

Zawahiri hates non-believers. He doesn't care about Iraq or Israel, those are just excuses.

Posted by: XYZ | Dec 18, 2006 8:03:25 PM

hey Dave great post man....you really impressed everyone with you thorough knowledge of the subject.

Posted by: young non partisan | Dec 18, 2006 8:10:21 PM

You won't find any atheist Muslims. Nor will you find former Muslims who are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, or Hindu. The reason is Islam has been commanded to kill anyone who tries to or advocates defection from its grasp. What other religion commands its followers to kill those who might turn away? None...

Posted by: John | Dec 18, 2006 8:21:00 PM

With the continued hunger for "news", terrorism has a willing and accomplished ally in the news media. Instead of intoxicating the world with the fearful prospects of a particular attack, start persuading the world to send the terrorists and all of their supporters to the hell they belong in. Stop the condemnation of those atempting to quell this insidious growth of perpetual violence and have the guts to condemn Islam, yes Islam, for allowing this horrible cancer to grow and spread within itself. You give them a power they could not have on their own!

Posted by: Stephen Ahrold | Dec 18, 2006 8:23:46 PM

The epicenter of world's terrorism is the lawless bordering region between Afghanistan and Pakistan. World must act and they must act right now to get world's military on the grounds in that region and eliminate each and every individual supporting radical and extremist Islam. It's time for Christians, Jews and Hindus to come together to eliminate radical and extremist Islam from this world.

Posted by: Raju Vallamulai | Dec 18, 2006 8:24:15 PM

"In that statement, Zawahiri pontificated about the new Pope and the crisis in Darfur."

Now that's punny!

Posted by: Joel | Dec 18, 2006 8:33:55 PM

Oooh, I'm scared. Ayman al-Zawahiri is about to make a statement. Of course it will be done from the coward's safe haven, where ever that may be.

Posted by: Awkins | Dec 18, 2006 8:35:24 PM

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