Subscribe to our BlogActionable Intelligence Briefing - June 25 to July 2, 2007
This Intelligence report from the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response includes information from open and closed intelligence sources.
Not all information is able to be verified; however, the TAM-C is actively evaluating the reporting to establish its accuracy and to determine if it represents a possible link to terrorism.
Intelligence Agencies Skeptical Yet Cautious About "Taliban Graduation Video"
The video dated 09 JUN 2007, showed Taliban military commander Mansoor Dadullah introducing "suicide teams" that had been dispatched to different regions of the world. The countries mentioned specifically were the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Germany. Although the video was created solely for propaganda, its significance cannot be forsaken. (ABC News' blog, The Blotter has posted the full video.)
Taliban forces are unlikely to send bombers abroad -- they have plenty of (local) targets in their region. However, the use of repatriated suicide bombers is a threat. One cannot rule out attempts by Al-Qaeda forces in Pakistan (where the video was filmed) to use foreign experienced jihadi radicals, returning to their home countries, to carry out attacks or set up cells.
Germany Terror Threat Heightened
German security officials have increased their concern over potential terror attacks. Although the threat is thought to come from Pakistani Jihadis, little information is available. Pakistani authorities have arrested three foreign jihadis that were attempting to cross over into Iran. Two of the three held German passports and one was from Kyrgyzstan. They were carrying hi-tech satellite phones and were found in an area known for its openly radical and militant Islam.
It is possible that they were trying to get to Eastern Europe utilizing the easy EU travel regulations. Intelligence agencies are very interested in their actions and TAM-C analysts are keeping an eye on the situation awaiting new intel to come from their interrogations.
Spanish and French Intelligence Agencies Warn of Heightened Threat Level
The Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) (former North African based GSPC) has claimed to be planning a terrorist strike on official targets in Europe in order to "demonstrate their loyalty to Al Qaeda led by Osama Bin Laden". The Jihadi website mentioned that the choice on timing is influenced by a number of factors including French support for the campaign in Iraq and the Muslim headscarf ban.
The attack is though to be imminent but may be delayed because of logistical issues within France where the explosives to be used in the attacks are stored in the Pyrenees Mountains area on the border with Spain. The cities near the border in both countries (Barcelona, Marseilles) as well as other large cities could be the target for the planned attack.
Nuclear Material Discovered in Vehicle Attempting to Enter Georgia from Azerbaijan
Georgian Customs using a radiation meter found extremely high levels of Plutonium-Beryllium in a vehicle that was attempting to pass over from Azerbaijan. The officials decided to turn the car back because of storage and handling problems. It not known if Azeri officials were notified of the large amount of materials that can be used in the making of nuclear bombs
The fears that uncontrolled amounts of nuclear weapons-grade material are easily found in Former Soviet countries are becoming justified. A recent Georgian special services sting operation foiled an attempt by a Russian citizen to purchase weapons-grade uranium for $1m.
Al Qaeda in Egypt Calls for Attacks on Zionist and Western Targets
"Oh heroes, strike all the Zionist-Crusader targets in the land of Egypt without shedding blood of the Muslims."
The statement was posted on a Jihadi website used by Al Qaeda, by Mohammed Hakaima, former leader of Egypt's "Jamaah Islamiya".
India Al Qaeda Threat Growing
The Lashkar-a-Toiba terrorist group has threatened to attack Indian religious venues including the India Gate in Delhi, The Golden Temple in Amritsar, and the Vaishnodevi Shrine.
Al-Qaeda in India declared its jihad a few weeks ago and TAM-C analysts expect attacks on Indian targets by local and Jammu/Kashmir Islamic groups. Al Qaeda published its 12 year plan for India a few months ago and seems to be sticking to it. A convict in a Parliament Attack case has been sentenced to death before June 30. The letter that gave the threat mentioned that it demanded the release of the convict. TAM-C analysts expect one of the threats to be carried out before that date.
