MSA Security Blog

Overview

As MSA Intel reported last night, authorities have thwarted a plot to detonate a bomb aboard US-bound aircraft around the May 1st, one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death.  The latest plot stems from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), al Qaeda's most active operational arm.  As the group behind the 2009 Christmas Day Bomb Plot and the 2010 Cargo Bomb Plot, AQAP has shown its ability to adapt to Western security inspection methods.  The device built for the thwarted plot is described as an upgrade to the underwear bomb which failed to detonate in December 2009.  The latest version of the device would likely have passed through airport metal detection according to officials, as it purposely contained no metal.  Authorities are still trying to prove whether the bomb would have been detected by airport body scanners.  Additionally, there is no further information on the operational details of the plot such as the intended date and target of the attack. 

Overview

On Thursday, the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point (CTC) released 17 declassified letters acquired during last year’s raid on Osama bin Laden’s home in Abbottabad, Pakistan.  These letters date from September 2006 to April 2011. They are authored by several al Qaeda leaders, including bin Laden, Atiyya Abd al-Rahman, Abu Yahya al-Libi and American Adam Gadahn, as well as other affiliated individuals.  Although in some cases it remains undetermined as to whether or not these letters reached their intended destinations, they provide insight into the infrastructure and intentions of al Qaeda.  The major themes addressed in these documents include suggested operational strategies, the need for al Qaeda to remain acutely focused on targeting the United States, the importance of tribal relations amongst various countries, and analysis of western media outlets which could deliver al Qaeda’s message without bias.

Overview

On May 2^nd, the eighth and ninth editions of the infamous English-language magazine Inspire, published by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), emerged on jihadist forums.  The fate of the magazine was unknown following the deaths of Anwar al-Awlaki and Inspire’s editor Samir Khan in September of 2011.  While the 8^th version appears to have been written prior to their deaths, the publication of the 9^th edition signifies AQAP’s ability to produce the motivational and tactical guide for their English-speaking, Western audience in their absence.  The following highlights the MSA Intel Team’s initial review and key points.

Adis Medunjanin, 27- year-old Bosnian-born U.S citizen, was found guilty on Tuesday of plotting to bomb the New York City subway system three years ago.  He now faces a sentence of life in prison.  Two former schoolmates of Medunjanin, Zarein Ahmedzay and chief plotter Najibullah Zazi, pleaded guilty two years ago and testified as prosecution witnesses at Medunjanin’s trial.  They testified to having travelled to South Wazirstan, Pakistan with Medunjanin in 2008 where they were trained by members of al Qaeda and were encouraged to plan suicide-bombing missions upon their return home.

Overview

Yesterday, reports emerged that German investigators discovered several al Qaeda plots after decrypting hardware found in possession of a suspected terrorist arrested last year in Berlin.  A 22-year-old named Masqood Lodin was interrogated in May 2011 by authorities in Berlin who found a digital storage device and memory cards hidden in his underpants.  According to authorities, the documents seized reveal “an extraordinarily detailed insight into the inner workers of al Qaeda.”  The intelligence includes information regarding previously uncovered plots, new details about known terror plots and how al Qaeda is dealing with drone strikes and increased intelligence operations.  The following outlines the latest intelligence:

Overview

Since last week’s brief (No. 15 of 2012) on the potential bin Laden death anniversary threat, additional threat information has emerged.  Although there continues to be no credible information about an impending attack, American officials are warning that al Qaeda may seek to use “body bombs” to conduct retaliatory attacks against the U.S. for the killing of bin Laden one year ago today.  There is concern over targeting of U.S.-bound aircraft.  Security at airports within the U.S., Europe and the Middle East has been stepped up as a result, with a focus on U.S. carriers.  Additionally, federal air marshal teams have been sent overseas to provide security on flights headed to the U.S.

Overview

In October 2011, MSA’s Intelligence team reported on the possible death of Ibrahim al-Asiri, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s (AQAP) lead bomb-maker.  He allegedly died in the same drone strike that killed the key face and operational force of AQAP, Anwar al-Awlaki, and editor of the group’s propaganda magazine Inspire, Samir Khan.  News reporting in the past several days indicates a change in al-Asiri’s status.  It is now believed that he went underground and into hiding following Awlaki’s death in 2011.  There is speculation that he is continuing to build bombs.

General Strike Overview

Overview

Police in London are currently reporting they have arrested a man who had entered into a business about noon time in London, with gas canisters on his person, taking four hostages and threatening to blow them up. This incident is being labeled as a hostage situation and not a terrorist incident. The business is described as a company which trains and hires heavy goods vehicle (HGV) truck drivers and is identified by the name ‘Advantage’. The business is located in the Shropshire House at 179 Tottenham Court, which is in central London and described as one of the busiest roads in the capital. This incident has restricted movement of students from the nearby University of London, shoppers, workers and potential attendees of the British Museum, as the Police had cordoned off the area and ordered the evacuation of neighboring establishments.     

There is an ongoing workplace violence situation in a central London office building at Tottenham Court Road.  At 12:00 PM local time, a man identified as 50-year-old Michael Green entered the office of an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) firm with gas cannisters strapped to his body, threatening to blow himself up.  Early reports suggest he had taken four hostages, though this information is unconfirmed at this point. The latest reports say he is on the fifth floor of an office building, throwing office equipment out of a window.  In response to the threat, police evacuated an estimated 1,000 workers from the building.  A 300-meter cordon has been put in place and explosives experts and a hostage negotiator are currently on the scene.