A Conference Call Involving 20 Al Qaeda Leaders Is What Sparked This Week's Terror Alerts

This image taken from a video released Jan. 23, 2009, by al-Malahim Media Foundation, the media arm of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, shows, at left, the group's slain deputy leader Saeed al-Shihri and its leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi. CBS

Al Qaeda Conference Call Intercepted by U.S. Officials Sparked Alerts -- Daily Beast

It wasn’t just any terrorist message that triggered U.S. terror alerts and embassy closures—but a conference call of more than 20 far-flung al Qaeda operatives, Eli Lake and Josh Rogin report.

The crucial intercept that prompted the U.S. government to close embassies in 22 countries was a conference call between al Qaeda’s senior leaders and representatives of several of the group’s affiliates throughout the region.

The intercept provided the U.S. intelligence community with a rare glimpse into how al Qaeda’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, manages a global organization that includes affiliates in Africa, the Middle East, and southwest and southeast Asia.

Several news outlets reported Monday on an intercepted communication last week between Zawahiri and Nasser al-Wuhayshi, the leader of al Qaeda’s affiliate based in Yemen. But The Daily Beast has learned that the discussion between the two al Qaeda leaders happened in a conference call that included the leaders or representatives of the top leadership of al Qaeda and its affiliates calling in from different locations, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence. All told, said one U.S. intelligence official, more than 20 al Qaeda operatives were on the call.

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My Comment: A conference call with 20 operatives ?!?!?!