EU Warns There Is A ‘Huge Risk’ Of Terrorist Attacks Before Christmas

 

Politico: EU warns of ‘huge risk’ of terrorist attacks before Christmas 

Ongoing Israel-Hamas war has knock-on effects for Europe, Ylva Johansson says. 

There is a “huge risk” of terror attacks in the EU ahead of Christmas, European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson warned on Tuesday, linking the threat to the ongoing war in the Middle East. 

“With the war between Israel and Hamas, and the polarization it causes in our society, with the upcoming holiday season, there is a huge risk of terrorist attacks in the European Union,” she told reporters before the start of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. 

Johansson’s comments follow an attack near the Eiffel Tower in Paris last weekend during which a German man was killed, and others injured, by a man who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, according to a French prosecutor. “We saw it recently in Paris, unfortunately we have seen it earlier as well,” Johansson said.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The Canadian government does not appear to be worried .... U.K. says terror attack ‘very likely’ to strike Canada as Ottawa labels threat ‘medium’ (National Post). 

EU Warns There Is A ‘Huge Risk’ Of Terrorist Attacks Before Christmas 

 Senior EU official warns of huge security risk in Europe over Christmas as Israel-Hamas war rages -- AP

'Huge risk' of Christmas attacks, warns EU -- BBC 

"Huge risk" of terror attacks in EU over holiday season -- CNN 

Europe faces a 'huge risk of terrorist attacks' over Christmas, EU official warns amid growing tensions over -- Daily Mail

FBI Director Wray Says Threat Of Attacks By Hamas On American Soil Has Risen "To A Whole Other Level"

 

FOX News: FBI Director Wray warns terror threat to Americans at 'whole other level' amid Hamas-Israel conflict  

He says Hamas or other terror groups could exploit conflict to carry out attacks.

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday warned that the threat of a terror attack against Americans has been raised to a "whole other level" due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 

"The reality is that the terrorism threat has been elevated throughout 2023, but the ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the United States to a whole other level," Wray told lawmakers on the Senate Homeland Security Committee.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The FBI Director is also warning that antisemitism is on the rise .... FBI director warns of ‘historic’ antisemitism levels (The Hill). 

FBI Director Wray Says Threat Of Attacks By Hamas On American Soil Has Risen "To A Whole Other Level"  

Hamas attack will inspire greatest US terror threat since ISIS, FBI director says -- Reuters  

FBI says Hamas attack will inspire most ‘significant’ terror threat to US since Islamic State -- The Guardian  

Hamas greatest terror threat to the West since Islamic State, warns FBI director -- The Telegraph 

FBI Director Christopher Wray warns Congress of terror threats inspired by Hamas' attack on Israel -- CBS  

FBI Director Warns Threat Of Attacks By Hamas On American Soil Raised "To A Whole Other Level" -- Zero Hedge

Pentagon Says Al Qaeda And Islamic State In Afghanistan May Be Able to Attack The U.S. In Six Months

 

Daily Mail: Pentagon official warns that Islamic State in Afghanistan has the 'intent' to attack the U.S. and could have the capability to strike America in as little as six months from now 

* Pentagon figure says ISIS-K could have capability to attack US in 6 months 

* Under Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl gave his warning to senators on Tuesday 

* It came during a hearing on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan 

* Kahl also said Al Qaeda could have have the capability after a year 

* And he said both groups had the 'intent' to conduct operations against the US 

U.S. intelligence agencies believe the Islamic State in Afghanistan could develop the capability to attack the United States in as little as six months, a senior Pentagon official told senators on Tuesday. 

The stark warning is the latest reminder of the danger that remains after U.S. troops left the country at the end of August and the Taliban retook control. 

Under Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl said the U.S. had to remain vigilant against the threat from Al Qaeda and from the Islamic State's Afghanistan offshoot known as ISIS-K.  

Read more .... 

More News On The Pentagon Saying Al Qaeda And Islamic State In Afghanistan May Be Able to Attack The U.S. In Six Months 

 Islamic State in Afghanistan may be able to attack US in six months -- Reuters  

Terrorist groups in Afghanistan could launch international strikes within six months, officials warn -- Military Times

Islamic State in Afghanistan could have capacity to strike US next year -- The Guardian  

ISIS in Afghanistan Could Attack U.S. Within 6 Months: U.S. Intelligence -- US News and World Report  

Senior Pentagon official says ISIS-K could be capable of attacking US next year -- CNN  

Top Pentagon official confirms ISIS-K could have capability to attack US in '6 to 12 months' -- FOX News  

Terror Groups in Afghanistan Could Attack US Next Year, Pentagon Policy Chief Says -- Defense One

Japan Issues Terror Attack Warning For Southeast Asia

 

Bangkok Post: Japan issues regional terror threat alert 

The Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Royal Thai Police have played down a terrorism threat alert issued by Japan for its nationals living in Southeast Asia, saying there were no indications of any attack being planned specific to Thailand. 

The ministry had already checked with the Japanese embassy in Thailand and found that the alert was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan via e-mails and intended for Japanese nationals currently living in Thailand and other countries in the region, said Tanee Sangrat, spokesman for the ministry.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: From CNA ....  

.... There has been confusion and criticism over Japan's warning of a possible terror attack in the region. Japan had issued a security advisory to its citizens in Southeast Asia, asking those in the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to stay away from places of worship and crowded spaces. It cited intelligence that there could be possible attacks on such places, where large groups gather. Many of the countries mentioned in the security advisory said there are no indications of any imminent threat. 

More News On Japan Issuing A Terror Attack Warning For Southeast Asia  

Japan warns citizens of possible attack in Southeast Asia -- AP  

No specific terrorist threat to Singapore despite Japanese advisory: ISD -- Starits Times  

No 'credible intelligence' of imminent terrorist threat to Singapore, says ISD after Japanese foreign ministry warning -- CNA  

No monitored terror threat in PH, officials say after Japan’s warning -- CNN Philippines  

Thailand, Malaysia See No Imminent Threat Despite Japan’s Terror Warning -- Benar News

Switzerland Warns Of Potential Terror Attacks On Covid-19 Vaccination Centres, Transport And Manufacturing Facilities

Healthcare workers at a vaccination centre in Lausanne. Switzerland's vaccine deliveries are conducted by the Swiss army.PHOTO: AFP

Straits Times/Bloomberg: Switzerland warns of terror attacks on Covid-19 vaccine sites 

ZURICH (BLOOMBERG) - Switzerland's Federal Intelligence Service is warning of potential terrorist attacks on coronavirus vaccine infrastructure including vaccination centres, transport and manufacturing facilities, newspaper NZZ am Sonntag reported on Sunday (Aug 29). 

"Attacks on such targets would both hit large crowds and generate intensive media coverage," the agency's spokesman Isabelle Graber said in a written response to questions from NZZ. 

The agency is concerned about attacks from militant groups, the newspaper reported. 

So far, there are no tangible indications of planned attacks, according to the agency. 

Switzerland's vaccine deliveries are coordinated and conducted by the Swiss army. Doses are stored in secret locations.  

Read more ....  

Update: Switzerland Warns Of Terror Attacks At Public Vaccination Centers (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: This blog speculated last year that I hope these sites are protected from terror attacks. Not surprising. The Swiss are on top of the situation.

DHS Says US Is At Highest Risk Of A Terror Attack Since 9/11

 

Daily Mail: US is at highest risk of a terror attack since 9/11 because Biden's chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal will allow al-Qaeda to regroup, security experts claim 

* Tom Copeland, research director at the conservative think tank Centennial Institute, said the withdrawal of troops could lead to another attack on U.S. soil 

* Copeland claimed that an attack could come 'within the next four to five years' after Al Qaeda takes a couple of years to reconstitute itself

* The concerns come as the United States is set to complete its full withdrawal of troops by the end of the month 

* Former President Donald Trump signed a peace agreement with the Taliban last year promising that U.S. soldiers would leave by May 

*President Joe Biden has pressed that the United States will continue withdrawing troops, after Trump began the initial drawdown 

* Al Qaeda is expected to fully resume its operations in Afghanistan now that the Taliban has taken control of the country, Copeland said 

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has raised the global threat of terror to its highest point since 9/11 - and an Al Qaeda atrocity could hit US shores soon. 

Tom Copeland, director of research at the conservative think tank Centennial Institute, told Fox News that the withdrawal of U.S. troops could lead to another attack on American soil. 

'Having an entire country as a safe haven, will give [Al Qaeda] more physical space and more breathing space to reconstitute and go back to planning major events, so I think the U.S. withdrawal itself is a large part of that threat,' Copeland said.  

Read more .... 

More News On Department of Homeland Security Saying The US Is At Its Highest Risk Of A Terror Attack Since 9/11  

DHS warns "heightened risk" of violence ahead of 9/11 anniversary in new terrorism bulletin -- CBS  

US issues new terrorism threat warning ahead of 9/11 anniversary -- AFP  

DHS issues fresh threat warning as 9/11 anniversary approaches, pandemic grievances simmer -- US Today  

Department of Homeland Security warns of heightened threats ahead of 9/11 anniversary -- Axios 

U.S. Homeland Security warns fresh COVID-19 restrictions could spark violent attacks -- Reuters  

Experts warn of al Qaeda attacks on US soil as global terror threat reaches 20-year high -- FOX News

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley Tells Senators That The US Homeland Is Now At Greater Risk From Terror Groups In Afghanistan

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley told senators on Sunday that they would update an assessment on the timeline of a terrorist group reemergence in Afghanistan from a 'medium threat' in two years time due to the recent events  

Daily Mail: Terror threat is RAISED: Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley tells senators that the US homeland is now at greater risk from terror groups in Afghanistan in major blow to American efforts after 20 years of fighting in the country 

* Mark Milley told senators he will update an assessment on the timeline of a terrorist group reemergence in Afghanistan up from a two-year 'medium threat' 

* The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin briefed a bipartisan group of senators on Sunday 

* They said President Biden and top military officials underestimated how quickly the Taliban would retake Afghanistan after the troop withdrawal 

* 'Two takeaways for me – We're gonna leave tens of thousands of people behind... and the timeline in terms of threats has accelerated,' a source on the call said 

Afghanistan fell to the Taliban much faster than President Joe Biden and his top military leaders predicted, a Sunday report from Axios reveals. 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley told a bipartisan group of senators during a Sunday call that a past assessment of how soon the terrorist groups will reemerge in Afghanistan will drastically speed up due to the events over the last week. 

On the call with Milley, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham asked if they will revise the assessment given to Congress in June that classified a 'medium' risk of terrorist group reconstituting within two years of withdrawal. 

'Yes,' Milley responded about changing the threat assessment report, according to Axios.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Concerns over US terror threats rising as Taliban hold grows (AP)  

Update #2: Top US general says terror groups could reconstitute in Afghanistan sooner than expected (CNN) 

Update #3: Scoop: Joint Chiefs chairman moves up terrorist threat in Afghanistan (Axios)  

WNU Editor: I saw a video today of thousands of Taliban and Al Qaeda prisoners being released from Afghan prisons. Axios has a good report here .... Thousands of prisoners freed by Taliban could pose threat to U.S. (Axios). 

Here is an easy prediction. 

The Taliban are already boasting in their forums on how they defeated the great US superpower, and I would not be surprised if in the coming months we will be seeing a massive influx of Jihadists from around the world to Afghanistan. 

What is even more troubling is that the Taliban now control a massive arsenal of American weapons that former Al Qaeda leader Bin Laden could only dream about. 

Will the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies be motivated to use these weapons against the U.S. and its allies? 

If history is any indication, the answer is yes.

FBI Investigating Broadcast On Aviation Frequency Threatening To Fly A Plane Into The Capital Building

 

Daily Mail: Chilling audio reveals threat to fly a plane into the Capitol building on the day Congress confirms Joe Biden’s win to 'avenge' the death of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani 

 * A chilling message was heard by multiple air traffic controllers in New York on Monday afternoon, according to reports 

 * It delivered a threat that suggested a plane would be flown into the U.S. Capitol Wednesday on the day that Congress confirms Joe Biden's win 

 * It was heard on the day after the one-year anniversary of the death of Qassem Soleimani and promised the Iranian general would be 'avenged' 

 * He was killed in a U.S. drone strike ordered by President Trump in January 2020 

 * On Tuesday, Iran issued a second warrant for Trump's arrest over the strike

 * The threat sent over air traffic controls on Monday is not thought to be credible although it is not yet clear who sent it 

 * The FBI and FAA is investigating as a breach of aviation frequencies is a crime 

A terrifying message threatening to fly a plane into the Capitol building to avenge the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was broadcast on air traffic control frequencies on Monday afternoon. 

The FBI and FAA are investigating the message that was heard by multiple air traffic controllers in New York, according to CBS. 

The threat, delivered via a digitized voice, said: 'We are flying into the Capitol Wednesday. Soleimani will be avenged.' 

Read more .... 

 More News On The FBI Investigating A Broadcast On An Aviation Frequency Threatening To Fly A Plane Into The Capital Building 

Chilling threat sent to air traffic controllers vowing revenge for killing of Iranian general is under investigation -- CBS 

FBI investigating threat broadcast on aviation frequency; sources say it doesn't appear credible -- CNN National Security Officials briefed on threat to fly plane into US Capitol to avenge death of Iranian general -- FOX News 

Authorities investigating after threat to attack Capitol: report -- The Hill 

Exclusive: 9/11-Style Threat to Attack DC Broadcast During U.S. Flight Ahead of Trump Rally -- Newsweek 

FBI investigating threat to fly planes in the US Capitol, CBS News reports -- Business Insider

Conflicting Intel Reports That U.S. Troops In Germany Are Facing An Imminent Terror Attack

Described as 'third party information' the U.S.'s 66th Military Intelligence Brigade said they were told soldiers located at either Tower Barracks in Grafenwohr or Tower Barracks, Dulmen, pictured, could be the target

Newsweek: Exclusive: Intel Report Warns US Troops in Germany Face 'Possible Imminent' Threat of Attack

The United States has received intelligence regarding a potentially imminent attack being planned against its military personnel stationed in Germany, according to an official memo seen by Newsweek.

The U.S.'s 66th Military Intelligence Brigade received what was described as "third party information stating there was an [sic] possible imminent attack against U.S. Soldiers located at either Tower Barracks in Grafenwohr or Tower Barracks, Dulmen, exact location, date and time unknown." Newsweek reviewed the information marked unclassified from a senior U.S. intelligence official.

(Newsweek sought guidance from former Pentagon officials in order to ensure this reporting would not put any U.S. personnel at risk.)

Read more ....

WNU editor: The Pentagon is saying that there is no "imminent threat" to US troops in Germany .... Intelligence services say there is 'no imminent threat' to US troops stationed at two bases in Germany after tip involving 'Jordanian extremist' (Daily Mail).

FBI Investigating 5,000 Terrorism Cases Across The World. 1,000 In The U.S.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, testifies before a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing on "Threats to the Homeland" at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, U.S., October 10, 2018. REUTERS/Alex Wroblewski

ABC News: FBI director says bureau is investigating 5,000 terrorism cases across the world

In a startling disclosure, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday that agents are conducting thousands of terror investigations around the world.

"Right now, as I sit here, we're currently investigating about 5,000 terrorism cases across America and around the world and about a thousand of those cases are homegrown violent extremists and they are in all 50 states," Wray said in his prepared testimony.

He said the threat of a large scale, big city attack still exists from groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS but homegrown violence is as prevalent as ever.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is a huge increase from what he said earlier this year .... There Are More Than 3,000 Open Terrorism Investigations (NBC).

More News On FBI Director Christopher Wray's Remarks That The FBI Is Investigating 5,000 Terrorism Cases Across The World

Christopher Wray: FBI investigating 5,000 terrorism cases worldwide -- Washington Examiner
FBI Looking Into Thousands of Terror Investigations Worldwide, Warns 'Threat Escalating' in US -- CBN
Director Wray: FBI Investigating 5,000 Terror Cases Worldwide, Including 1,000 in U.S. -- Breitbart

FBI Director Wray: The Threat Of Drone Terror Attacks Are Escalating

Bloomberg: FBI Warns That Terrorists With Drones Pose ‘Escalating Threat’ in U.S.

Civilian drones pose a “steadily escalating threat,” as the devices are likely to be used by terrorists, criminal groups or drug cartels to carry out attacks in the U.S., FBI Director Christopher Wray told a Senate committee.

“Terrorist groups could easily export their battlefield experiences to use weaponized” drones, Wray said in written testimony for a hearing Wednesday of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Wray’s comments, his most forceful to date on the threat from drones, come as U.S. law enforcement and homeland security agencies have just obtained legal authority to monitor drone communications and to disable them in extreme cases as a result of such concerns. The anti-drone measures were contained in a bill setting aviation policy that President Donald Trump signed on Friday.

Read more ....

More News On FBI Director Wray's Testimony That The Threat Of Drone Terror Attacks Are Escalating

FBI chief says threats from drones to U.S. 'steadily escalating' -- Reuters
Drones may be terrorists' next tool of choice, as FBI's Wray warns of 'escalating threat' -- FOX News
FBI Warns Drones ‘Will Be Used’ by ISIS, MS-13 to Attack U.S. -- Newsweek
Terrorists likely to attack U.S. with drones, says FBI director -- NBC

New Security Measures Being Installed Around The Eiffel Tower

VIDEO: Paris unveils thick bulletproof glass walls and metal fences around the Eiffel Tower, designed to protect France's most famous monument from terrorist attacks pic.twitter.com/5LrJaRDegq

— AFP news agency (@AFP) June 16, 2018

BBC: Eiffel Tower perimeter fence built to stop terrorism

Paris is to unveil its newly built perimeter defences around the Eiffel Tower to protect against terror threats.

Temporary barriers were placed around the tower in June 2016, and are now being replaced with more permanent measures.

Set to be completed in mid-July, the fences cost nearly €35 million ($40.1m; £30.1m).

More than 240 people have died in terror attacks in France since 2015.

Bernard Gaudillère, president of the Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) which runs the iconic monument, said the new walls were "rock-solid for absolute security".

Read more ....

WNU Editor: These security measures will not prevent this .... Report: Terrorists targeted Eiffel Tower, Louvre (USA Today).

More News On New Security Measures Being Installed Around The Eiffel Tower

Authorities build permanent security belt around the Eiffel Tower -- CBS/AP
Paris erects Eiffel Tower anti-terror walls -- Euronews/Reuters
Eiffel Tower installing bulletproof glass walls to protect monument from terror attacks -- ABC
Eiffel Tower Now Has Bulletproof Glass Walls To Protect Against Terror Attacks -- NPR
Eiffel Tower installs bulletproof glass walls to protect against terrorist attacks -- The Hill

More Islamic State Terror Threats

Further threats: ISIS fanatics have also urged jihadists to attack Rome in an online poster showing a wolf overlooking St Peter's Square

Daily Mail: ISIS claims it has hacked the US Army and State Department and is sending assassins to employees' homes in gruesome new propaganda video which declares: 'Muslims will return to being masters of the world'

* ISIS claims it has hacked US Army and State Department in propaganda video
* Terror group claims in the video it is sending assassins to employees’ homes
* Footage was released by ISIS hacking group Islamic Ghosts of the Caliphate
* Shows series of American websites with data it claims to have hacked from them

ISIS has claimed it has hacked the US Army and State Department and is sending assassins to employees’ homes in a gruesome new propaganda video.

The video released by ISIS hacking group Islamic Ghosts of the Caliphate also declares: ‘Muslims will return to being masters of the world and kings of the earth.’

It starts with disturbing images of maimed or killed Syrian and Iraqi children while a voice says in Arabic: ‘The Islamic State did not start the war against you and you will pay a great price as your sons will return to you as amputees or in coffins.

Read more ....

Update: ISIS supporters threaten New Year's Eve attack with posters warning: 'Wait for us on your parties' (Daily Mail)

WNU Editor: Threats from ISIS/Al Qaeda/etc. have always increased around Christmas and New Years .... and we are witnessing it again this year.

U.S. Military On How Alert Throughout The Middle East Over President Trump's Plan To Move The U.S. Embassy To Jerusalem

DoD

The Drive: US Military Goes on Alert Ahead of Trump's Plan to Move US Embassy into Jerusalem

The first wave of American reaction forces are reportedly already on the ground and more are waiting in the wings.

The U.S. military has reportedly deployed additional troops throughout the Middle East ahead of President Donald Trump announcing that the United States has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s official capital or that he is otherwise ordering the U.S. Embassy to relocate there from Tel Aviv. World leaders, experts, and observers all warn that the decision could fundamentally undermine the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and trigger widespread political unrest throughout majority Muslim countries.

On Dec. 5, 2017, U.S. Central Command, which has responsibility for American military activities throughout the Middle East and Central Asia – with the exception of Israel, which is the responsibility of U.S. European Command – told Foreign Policy’s Paul McLeary that it had “contingency plans in place.” The U.S. Marine Corps had dispatched elements of its Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams, or FAST Companies, to provide additional security at American embassies across the Middle East, according to Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin. Trump is expected to officially detail the new policy on Dec. 6, 2017.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: With this expected announcement that the U.S. will be moving its embassy to Jerusalem, I suspect that the terror alert status for the U.S. in the Middle East must be sky-high right now.

Is There A Terrorist Threat For September 11, 2017?

Heavy: Is There an ISIS Terrorist Attack Threat for September 11, 2017?

16 years after 9/11 was carried out by al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, the United States and the world is now at war with the Islamic State. Is there a credible terrorist threat for the 16th anniversary of September 11?

No specifics of a threat have been given like previous years, particularly by the Islamic State. But CNN reports, “US military bases and facility throughout the world are also on high alert with the upcoming anniversary of the September 11 attacks.”

Last year, the White House’s top counterterrorism official, Counterterrorism Center chief Nick Rasmussen, said that the “terrorist threat facing the U.S. and its European allies is ‘bigger, wider and deeper’ than at any point since the Sept. 11 attacks 15 years ago,” according to the Washington Times.

In 2015, Twitter accounts affiliated with the Islamic State threatened a September 11 hacking attack against the United States. No cyber attacks were reported.

But without a doubt, ISIS and other terrorist organizations like it are planning to capitalize on American fears of a repeated attack on September 11.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: There is always a terror threat. On a side note .... its hard to believe (for me) that it has been 16 years since 9/11. Where did all the time go?

Turkey Arrests An ISIS Supporter Who Was Plotting To Crash A US Plane By Flying A Drone Into It

Nice shot of the improvised release mechanism ISIL is using to drop grenades from commercial off the shelf UAVs https://t.co/Lj8Ltx0arQ pic.twitter.com/KCuzhUbndb

— Alex Mello (@AlexMello02) January 11, 2017

The SUN: Russian ‘ISIS fanatic’ who ‘plotted to crash a US plane by flying a DRONE into it’ is arrested in Turkey

A SUSPECTED ISIS jihadi has been arrested in Turkey after allegedly plotting to down a US jet using a drone, police said today.

Turkish cops swooped to detain the Russian national who they say was planning the terror attack against US forces operating out of the Incirlik air base, which is used by Nato forces.

The US Air Force has used the base as a staging post for the air campaign against ISIS in Syria and Iraq since 2015.

Officers reportedly moved to arrest Renad Bakiev when surveillance showed him to be scouting the area ahead of his planned attack.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I can see the day when we will be reading a story where a terrorist jury-rigged a drone with a small explosive device .... and he flies it into the engine of a passenger jet. It is only a question of time.

Why Everyone Who Flies In An Airplane Should Be Concerned About Laptop Bombs

Bloomberg: Race to Prevent Airline Terror Turns to Laptops, Thin Bombs

* U.S considering expanding electronics ban to European airports
* New intelligence has concerned Homeland Security officials

The never-ending race to stay ahead of the terrorists and their obsession with aviation has turned to laptops and other electronic devices.

First it was shoes, after a failed attempt to blow up a jetliner in 2001 with explosives-laden black hightops. Then liquids were banned in 2006 following the discovery of a U.K.-based plot. The nearly successful detonation of a bomb hidden in a passenger’s underwear in 2009 prompted body scanners and aggressive patdowns.

Now, airlines and travelers are girding for one of the most disruptive new security restrictions since Sept. 11, 2001, as the U.S. appears close to expanding a ban on laptops and other large electronics from cabins on flights leaving Europe for America.

Read more ....

Update: ISIS Laptop Bomb Threat: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know (Heavy)

WNU Editor: The above post from Heavy is a must read. But many in the main stream media believe banning lap tops will make no sense .... Why extending laptop ban makes no sense (CNN).

Update #2: It is believed that last years bomb explosion on a Somali flight came from a lap-top bomb .... Officials: Laptop bomb likely caused Somali plane explosion (CNN Video).

New Terror Threats And Intelligence The Reason For New Electronic Ban On Flights From Certain Airlines

Daily Mail: Laptop ban on flights 'is based on intelligence about an ISIS plot to target the West gathered during the raid on Yemen which killed Navy SEAL'

* The intelligence centered around al-Qaeda's 'successful development' of compact battery bombs that fit inside laptops or other devices, sources claimed
* Bombs would reportedly be manually triggered which explains cabin luggage ban
* The US and the UK have instituted similar bans on large electronics in carry-on bags for direct flights from certain Middle East and North African nations
* The US ban applies to 10 airports in Morocco, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates
* Britain's restrictions apply to flights originating from the countries of Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia
* Electronics cellphone sized and small will still be permitted in passenger cabins
* Restrictions come a year after the bombing of Daallo Flight 159, in which a bomber used an explosive hidden inside a laptop

The ban of carry-on electronics on flights was prompted by intelligence gathered about an ISIS plot to target the West, it has been reported.

The threat was judged by the US to be 'substantiated' and 'credible'.

The US and UK announced restrictions on large electronics in carry-on baggage for direct flights from certain Middle Eastern and North African nations on Tuesday.

The move is allegedly based on the suspicion that Islamic State are working on ways to smuggle explosives on to planes by hiding them in electronics.

Crucial information was apparently gathered during a raid against Al Qaeda in Yemen in January that killed Navy SEAL 'Ryan' Owens.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I would not be surprised if in the coming months this ban becomes universal.

More News On The Electronic Ban On Flights From Certain Airlines

What Sparked the 'Laptop Ban' -- US News and World Report
Flight ban on laptops 'sparked by IS threat' -- BBC
Reports: IS Threat Led to US Laptop Ban -- VOA
Official: al-Qaeda Intel Led to Flight Laptop Ban -- Newser
Here's Why the US Is Banning Larger Electronics on Some Overseas Flights -- TIME
UK laptop ban comes into effect by Saturday, government confirms -- The Independent
BA and Easyjet laptop ban 'in force by Saturday' -- BBC
'Pointless' laptop ban to start by Saturday: Chaos for passengers as insurers warn gadgets in the hold are NOT covered and experts say bombers will just reroute their journeys -- Daily Mail
Laptop ban hits Gulf airlines in battle for business travelers -- Reuters
The Laptop Ban and What It Means for Air Travel: QuickTake Q&A -- Bloomberg
Islamist terrorists are increasingly sophisticated, so the laptop ban is inevitable -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph

‘Ghost Ships’ That Switch-Off Their GPS Tracking Are Raising European Terror Fears

Sierra Leone-flagged Ezadeen vessel, carrying hundreds of migrants, is towed by the Icelandic Coast Guard vessel Tyr in rough seas in the Mediterranean sea off Italy's south coast in this handout provided by the Icelandic Coast Guard January 2, 2015. REUTERS/Icelandic Coast Guard/ Handout

The Australian/The Times: ‘Ghost ships’ spark European terror fears

Hundreds of ships are sailing into European waters after suspicious manoeuvres near terrorist hot spots, prompting fears that they are smuggling people and weapons with impunity.

An investigation by The Times has uncovered how cargo ships and other large vessels routinely switch off GPS tracking so that they can disappear, falsify their identification or veer off their usual course.

Figures compiled by Windward, a maritime data and analytics company, revealed that in January and February 40 ships entered Europe from Libya, close to where Islamic State is operating, after “going dark” by ceasing transmission of their location. Twenty vessels travelled through Syrian or Lebanese waters and made dubious stops for up to six hours before reaching the Continent. This amounts to hundreds of ships a year if the data is extrapolated.

Read more ....

Update: 'Ghost ships' en route to UK raise terror fears by 'going dark' (IBTimes)

WNU Editor: If you are shutting down your GPS tracker .... especially near terrorist hot spots .... you are either avoiding people who are there that may be a threat to you .... or you avoiding European authorities because you do not want them to know that you were in such a zone. Either way .... these fears are justified.

Weaponized Drones Are The New Terrorism Threat Fears

U.S. Special Operations Forces members inspect a drone used by Islamic State militants to drop explosives on Iraqi forces, in Mosul, Iraq, Jan. 25, 2017. (Muhammad Hamed/Reuters)

Washington Post: Use of ‘weaponized’ drones by ISIS spurs terrorism fears

Late last month, a pair of Islamic State fighters in desert camouflage climbed to the top of a river bluff in northern Iraq to demonstrate an important new weapon: a small drone, about six feet wide with swept wings and a small bomb tucked in its fuselage.

The two men launched the slender machine and took videos from a second, smaller drone that shadowed its movements. The aircraft glided over the besieged city of Mosul, swooped close to an Iraqi army outpost and dropped its bomb, scattering Iraqi troops with a small blast that left one figure sprawled on the ground, apparently dead or wounded.

The incident was among dozens in recent weeks in a rapidly accelerating campaign of armed drone strikes by the Islamic State in northern Iraq. The terrorist group last month formally announced the establishment of a new “Unmanned Aircraft of the Mujahideen” unit, a fleet of modified drones equipped with bombs, and claimed that its drones had killed or wounded 39 Iraqi soldiers in a single week.

Read more ....

Previous Post: The Next Phase Of Terrorism Will Involve Drones (February 12, 2017)

WNU editor: These fears are justified. It is only a question of time before such a weapon is used at a public event in the West.