Green Energy
Authorities Worry About Christmas Attack For 'Psychological Impact'
Federal law enforcement terror bulletins have become as much a part of the holiday season in the past decade as egg nog and department store Santas.
But this year, which ends amid a heightened concern over terror, is a little different. A Department of Homeland Security bulletin sent to law enforcement nationwide Thursday says that federal authorities worry terrorists will try to rattle Americans by attacking during the holidays, and lists concerns including car bombs, trucks ramming crowds and a Mumbai-style small arms attack.
"We are concerned these terrorists may seek to exploit the likely significant psychological impact of an attack targeting mass gatherings in large metropolitan areas during the 2010 holiday season, which has symbolic importance to many in the United States," The "Security Awareness for the Holiday Season" bulletin states.
The bulletin cites no specific threats for Christmas and New Year's, but makes clear that this year's enhanced concern is based on a persistent, evolving threat. The past 12 months brought multiple attempted attacks on U.S. targets, including the attempted Christmas Day underwear bombing of Northwest 253, Faisal Shahzad's failed Times Square car bomb, the "printer bomb" cargo plane plot and a number of alleged would-be bombers caught in stings in Oregon and elsewhere.
"During the last year," said the bulletin, "al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have attempted to carry out attacks in the United States, thereby raising their international profile. We cannot discount the possibility that other al-Qa'ida-linked groups, such as al-Qa'ida in Iraq, al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, Lashkar-e Tayyiba, or al-Shabaab, will attempt to target the Homeland during the holiday season."
The document suggests that terrorists may consider public gatherings like "sporting events, parades, religious and cultural activities" to be attractive targets. "Attacks against these targets could maximize the psychological impact on the American public given the symbolic importance of the holiday season to many in the United States," says the bulletin. "Attacks against air cargo during this busy season are also a concern."
Read the rest here.
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Green Energy
Holiday Terror Warning Cites Car Bombs and Small Arms Attack
Authorities Worry About Christmas Attack For 'Psychological Impact'
Federal law enforcement terror bulletins have become as much a part of the holiday season in the past decade as egg nog and department store Santas.
But this year, which ends amid a heightened concern over terror, is a little different. A Department of Homeland Security bulletin sent to law enforcement nationwide Thursday says that federal authorities worry terrorists will try to rattle Americans by attacking during the holidays, and lists concerns including car bombs, trucks ramming crowds and a Mumbai-style small arms attack.
"We are concerned these terrorists may seek to exploit the likely significant psychological impact of an attack targeting mass gatherings in large metropolitan areas during the 2010 holiday season, which has symbolic importance to many in the United States," The "Security Awareness for the Holiday Season" bulletin states.
The bulletin cites no specific threats for Christmas and New Year's, but makes clear that this year's enhanced concern is based on a persistent, evolving threat. The past 12 months brought multiple attempted attacks on U.S. targets, including the attempted Christmas Day underwear bombing of Northwest 253, Faisal Shahzad's failed Times Square car bomb, the "printer bomb" cargo plane plot and a number of alleged would-be bombers caught in stings in Oregon and elsewhere.
"During the last year," said the bulletin, "al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have attempted to carry out attacks in the United States, thereby raising their international profile. We cannot discount the possibility that other al-Qa'ida-linked groups, such as al-Qa'ida in Iraq, al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, Lashkar-e Tayyiba, or al-Shabaab, will attempt to target the Homeland during the holiday season."
The document suggests that terrorists may consider public gatherings like "sporting events, parades, religious and cultural activities" to be attractive targets. "Attacks against these targets could maximize the psychological impact on the American public given the symbolic importance of the holiday season to many in the United States," says the bulletin. "Attacks against air cargo during this busy season are also a concern."
Read the rest here.
- Breaking: Fbi Thwarted Plots To Kill Americans In July 4th Isis-connected Plots, 10 Arrested
WASHINGTON, July 9 (Reuters) – U.S. authorities thwarted plots to kill people in the United States around the July 4 holiday, FBI Director James Comey said on Thursday. Comey told reporters more than 10 people inspired by the Islamic State’s...
- Fbi Setting Up Command Centers Around U.s. In Case Of 4th Of July Isis Terror Attacks?
From Fox: “FBI tells Fox News it is building command centers around US to monitor terror threats over July 4 holiday” Fox affiliate WTTG-TV in Washington reported federal agencies have sent out warnings to police departments around the country: “The...
-
Fox: Bulletin warns US analysts overwhelmed by pro-ISIS social media, military posts threatened U.S. investigators are becoming overwhelmed trying to keep up with the social media barrage by U.S.-based supporters of the Islamic State -- with the latest...
- Fbi And Dhs Warn Violent Muslim Riots Could Spread To U.s; Joint Bulletin Puts First Responders On Alert
"Middle East Protests: Violence Could Spread To U.S; FBI, Homeland Security Joint Bulletin Puts First Responders On Alert"Huffington PostNow, a U.S. intelligence bulletin, issued by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, warns that such extremist...
- Warm And Fuzzy Christmas Security Feeling
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who briefs the Presidenton security issues, was unaware of the London arrests. So I wonder if anyone has told Uncle Barry yet? ABC: Counterterror Officials: Terror Chatter on the Rise During Holiday Travel...