The U.S. Homeland Security Department yesterday warned that al-Qaeda has made the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction for future attacks a leading priority (see GSN, Sept. 2).

In an advisory issued yesterday, Homeland Security said that al-Qaeda has so far not conducted a successful attack using weapons of mass destruction.  The department warned, however, that obtaining and using such weapons remains “a top al-Qaeda objective.”

“We believe it [al-Qaeda] continues to research more advanced CBRN [chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear] operations, including production of pathogenic organisms and toxins, as well as, high impact dissemination methods such as contamination of water and food, and aerosolization of an agent in enclosed densely populated space,” the department said.

In its advisory, the department said it was “concerned” about al-Qaeda’s efforts to conduct attacks against the United States, based on a review of information leading up to the second anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.  The department added, however, that there was no specific information on possible attacks.

Homeland Security warned that recent attacks in Saudi Arabia and Iraq suggest that al-Qaeda is interested in conducting attacks against “soft” targets — those with minimal physical protection.  Some reports have mentioned plans involving apartment complexes, gas stations and restaurants, the department advisory says.  It also warns that al-Qaeda operatives may use “novel methods” to conduct suicide bombings, such as disguising male operatives as women to avoid scrutiny.

In addition, the department said al-Qaeda is interested in conducting attacks against U.S. infrastructure targets because “of their potentially significant economic and psychological impacts” (see GSN, Aug. 21).  Such targets include nuclear power plants, chemical facilities, water reservoirs and the U.S. food supply.

The Homeland Security advisory said there is no change anticipated to the U.S. terrorism threat level, which currently stands at yellow, indicating an “elevated” risk (U.S. Homeland Security Department release, Sept. 4).

Homeland Security chose not to raise the terrorism threat level to orange, indicating a “high” risk of attack, because “the intelligence information we have isn't specific enough to do that,” department spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

Instead, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge told governors and state security officials during a conference call that “they should review and maintain their security procedures,” Johndroe said (Mintz/Goo, Washington Post, Sept. 5).

Meanwhile, the FBI believes that there are a small number of al-Qaeda sympathizers within the United States providing financial and logistical support to the organization, and who could possibly be called upon to conduct attacks, the bureau’s counterterrorism chief, Larry Mefford, said yesterday.

Al-Qaeda’s base of support in the Untied States “is very small, but it certainly exists,” Mefford said.  “Someone could transform rapidly from providing logistical support to a terrorist organization to actually planning an attack, so it’s of great concern to us,” he said (Eric Lichtblau, New York Times, Sept. 5).

About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines

HOME  |  CONTACT US  |  GET INVOLVED  |  SITE MAP

Back to top