Weekly Terrorism Spotlight

Volume 1, Issue 26 (September 30)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Orders for Terrorist Attack on Internet Forum Cause Alarm

A posting in a radical Islamic Internet forum containing orders for a terrorist attack is causing concern among some intelligence analysts, the Northeast Intelligence Network is reporting. The post was published on August 2 and indicates that an attack may occur on or around October 7.

“The single posting, which is presently being scrutinized by intelligence officials, appears to provide detailed instructions for Muslims living within the United States, giving them specific actions to take before, during and after an upcoming attack in the U.S.,” the group’s site said. They also said the author of the post appears to be viewed as credible among the readers of the Internet forum.

The post, which was titled “Commandments [Directives] Before the Strike,” points out New York City and Washington D.C. as targets affected by the upcoming attack and gives different orders to six groups of Muslims. Members of terrorist sleeper cells, for example, are told to make contact with Islamic scholars and leaders who can put them in touch with cells that are already active and Muslim families are told to move their children to places of safety on October 7. Terrorists are also instructed to attack important shipping routes in places like Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Somalia, Yemen and Algeria.

The Northeast Intelligence Network previously warned on September 17 that radical Islamic activity on the Internet indicated a terrorist attack may be forthcoming, citing postings that said terrorist operatives had been sent to the U.S. and Europe. The postings also said to expect “good news.” The group also warned that other indications, including the shutting down of some forums, caused them to issue the warning.

This comes as the counter-terrorism community is warning that Al-Qaeda may try to influence the U.S. presidential elections by launching an attack, which would probably be overseas, according to The New York Sun. Al-Qaeda has a history of timing its attacks and threats around elections.

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