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Terror Networks |
MEMRI president’s take on al-Qaeda internet screeds |
2003-12-30 |
I. Operation Cave of Darkness In late December 2003, a Web site called Global Islamic Media posted a communiqué warning of an imminent large-scale attack in the U.S. called Operation Cave of Darkness. An examination of the text of the posting reveals that: The communiqué makes several demands, suggesting that meeting these demands will eliminate the threat of attack. Such bargaining is unknown in the Al-Qa’ida modus operandi, and has never appeared in any bin Laden speech to date.Based on all the above, this communiqué should not be regarded as a valid threat made by elements genuinely affiliated with Al-Qa’ida and Osama bin Laden. II. Countdown to an Imminent Attack Following the many reports in the American media about Operation Cave of Darkness, Islamist forums began posting follow-up reports. One of the more prominent of these was the countdown to an upcoming attack titled "End U.S." which appeared on the Islamist www.khayma.com. It read as follows: "In the name of Allah, the all-merciful and compassionate, [this is] the countdown for the biggest event, the defeat and collapse of America, the Hubal of this generation. According to the predictions [on the Web site] Al-Sayf Al-’Aasim, 36 days, 13 hours, and 23 seconds at most remain [as of time of publication] until the prediction is fulfilled. God willing, the collapse of America is nigh."Members of Islamist forums such as Al-Qal’a determined that this countdown referred to Operation Cave of Darkness. An examination of the text of this posting reveals that: The warning is based on the Al-Sayf Al-’Aasim Web site, which features a Nostradamus-style compilation of prophesies and futuristic predictions. Recently, this site was hacked and replaced by a pornography site.Based on the above, this threat is not credible. III. Threats of Attacks in an Ongoing Battle In late December, another type of threat appeared, on the Global Islamic Media site. It is authored by Abu Abd Al-Rahman Al-Turkemani (most likely an alias). This posting is aimed at reinforcing the morale of Islamist activists in their ongoing struggle. Al-Turkemani threatens attacks – but unlike the other threats, he sets no target date, explaining that perhaps the attacks will take a long time to prepare, and perhaps they will not take the form of military clashes. The following are the main elements of this posting, which was titled "The Final Blows in the Decisive Battles Are At Hand:" "The final blows in the crucial battles are at hand. We are now living in crucial days and we are seeing how the government of the idol of this age [i.e. the U.S.] is filled with fear and dread, dreaming of obtaining security and calm, and spending a billion dollars every week in order to protect itself from the imminent unknown danger coming from the direction [of the enemy] that they claimed to have completely destroyed years agoâ€ÅAn examination of this posting reveals that: Unlike the other postings, it uses the style commonly used by known Al-Qa’ida supporters.Based on all the above, the credibility of this posting is much greater than that of the others. |
Posted by:Dan Darling |
#3 Hahaha....."Cave of Darkness"....an appropriate description for bin Laden's likely current residence. |
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-12-30 10:36:40 AM |
#2 blah blah blah......STFU and do it already - if you can. That would give the U.S. an excuse to bomb the bejaisus out of your sh*tty little mud huts. |
Posted by: JerseyMike 2003-12-30 9:42:41 AM |
#1 A video clip depicting America’s end that accompanies the posting is comprised of segments of Hollywood disaster films, particularly one about a meteor striking the Earth. PLAN 19 TO OUT OF SPAIN? |
Posted by: Shipman 2003-12-30 8:51:54 AM |