We assess that al-Qa‘ida has likely maintained an interest since at least February 2010 in conducting large attacks in the Homeland timed to coincide with symbolic dates, to include the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We also remain concerned that the May 2011 death of Usama bin Ladin (UBL), coupled with the subsequent removal of several key al-Qa’ida figures, could further contribute to al-Qa’ida’s desire to stage an attack on a symbolic date—such as the 10-year anniversary of 9/11—as a way to avenge UBL’s death and reassert the group’s relevance, although operational readiness likely remains the primary driving factor behind the timing of al-Qa’ida attacks.
Tag Archive for Osama Bin Laden
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation
(U//FOUO) DHS-FBI Ten-Year Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks Warning
This Joint Intelligence Bulletin (JIB) highlights potential terrorist threats related to the 10-year anniversary of the 11 September 2001 (9/11) attacks. This JIB provides perspective on the threat to the Homeland and US interests overseas from al-Qa‘ida, al-Qa‘ida affiliates and allies, and al-Qa‘ida-inspired homegrown violent extremists (HVEs). FBI and DHS are providing this information to support their respective activities and to assist federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government counterterrorism and law enforcement officials, as well as first responders and private sector security officials, in effectively deterring, preventing, or disrupting terrorist attacks against the United States. Unless otherwise noted, this JIB uses the FBI’s definitions of terms, which may differ from the definitions used by DHS.
Intelligence Fusion Centers, Maryland
(U//FOUO) Maryland Fusion Center Implications of Death of Osama bin Laden
The Intelligence Community (IC) assesses the death of al-Qa’ida (AQ) leader Usama Bin Laden could result in retaliatory attacks in the Homeland and against U.S. and Western interests overseas. Attacks might originate with AQ Core elements in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan, with one of their affiliates overseas, and/or with individuals in the Homeland sympathetic to the cause but lacking a formal group association. We have no indications of advanced AQ Core plotting efforts in the Homeland, but the case of now-detained AQ operative Najibullah Zazi—who, along with two associates, planned to attack New York City subway in 2009 using homemade explosives— demonstrates that unidentified operatives could advance plotting in the Homeland.
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation
(U//FOUO) DHS-FBI Potential for Retaliatory Attacks Following the Death of Osama bin Laden
This Joint Intelligence Bulletin provides law enforcement and public and private sector officials with information for consideration in the wake of the death of Usama bin Ladin. This information is provided to support the activities of DHS and FBI and to help federal, state, and local government counterterrorism and law enforcement officials deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks directed against the United States.
News
Photo of Passport for Osama bin Laden’s Wife Appears to Be Fake
A photo of Osama bin Laden’s wife’s passport that was released by Pakistani Television channel GEO TV appears to be fake in numerous respects. The finger pointing up to supposedly hold open the passport is surrounded by a number of angular white areas indicating that is was poorly cropped and taken from another photograph. The tip of the finger concludes in a notable point because of this poor cropping. Also, the photo of the women that is supposed to be bin Laden’s wife is noticeably an overlay from a separate photograph as it falls outside the margins of the space where the passport photo should be and is surrounded by a white “halo” that is visible over the colored background of the passport.
Documents
Videos Reportedly Taken From the Raid on Osama bin Laden’s Compound
Several videos reportedly taken from the compound of Osama bin Laden as released by the Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency.
Documents
Al-Qaeda Statement on Death of Osama bin Laden
Al-Qaeda statement calls the day ” a historic day of the days of the great Islamic umma (nation) and in a noble stand of one of its great men and heroes across its blessed age and on the path taken by the will of all the mighty predecessors and those who will follow them, the Sheikh, the Mujahid & the Commander, the pious migrant fighter, Abu Abdullah Osama bin Muhammad bin Laden, may God have mercy on him was killed in a place where truth shines and where sincerity for good deeds and the call for truthfulness exist. Bin Laden was killed so he can follow the mighty caravan of the umma (the nation) with the great leaders, the loyal soldiers, and the honest knights who refused to abandon their faith for the mundane lives and to hand over the command to those who will be humiliate them and be humiliated and that’s why they confronted the weaponry with weaponry, force with force and accepted to challenge the arrogant masses that came out to fight with their killing machines, equipments, aircrafts and forces boastfully so they can be seen as men, and still this didn’t weaken their resolve and didn’t drain their strength, but instead he stood up for them face to face, a mighty mountain, a proud mountain and he was still in the midst of the battle that many got used to and his eyes were used to its sceneries but after that, he was yet to be excused and delivered his message and then he was shot bullets of betrayal and blasphemy delivering his soul to its maker while repeating: ‘Who sacrifice the blessed soul for his Lord to fight off the falsehood CANNOT ever be blamed’.”
Headline
Osama bin Laden Death Revelry Photos
thisisbossi – http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisbossi/ Kelly Gardiner – http://www.flickr.com/photos/ennuiislife/ theqspeaks – http://www.flickr.com/photos/theqspeaks/ Josh Pesavento – http://www.flickr.com/photos/pezz/ Ricky Justus – http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickyjustus/ Liz Elkind – http://www.flickr.com/photos/lemon5/ markn3tel – http://www.flickr.com/photos/n3tel/ This Secret Lullaby – http://www.flickr.com/photos/burn_down_love/
Department of Homeland Security
(U//FOUO) DHS Possible Implications of the Death of Osama bin Laden
The Intelligence Community (IC) assesses the death of al-Qa‘ida leader Usama Bin Ladin could result in retaliatory attacks in the Homeland and against US and Western interests overseas. Attacks might originate with al-Qa‘ida Core elements in the tribal areas of Pakistan, with one of their affiliates overseas, and/or with individuals in the homeland sympathetic to the cause but lacking a formal group association. We have no indications of advanced al-Qa‘ida Core plotting efforts in the Homeland, but the case of now-detained al-Qa‘ida operative Najibullah Zazi—who, along with two associates, planned to attack the New York City subway in 2009 using homemade explosives—demonstrates that unidentified operatives could advance plotting in the homeland.
Documents
Osama Bin Laden October 2010 “Pakistan Floods” Videos
Two videos released by As-Sahab in the beginning of October 2010 with an individual claiming to be Osama bin Laden discussing Pakistani aid relief and climate change.
U.S. Air Force
(U//FOUO) U.S. Air Force 21st Century Threat Guide
(U//FOUO) U.S. Air Force 21st Century Threat Guide, 2009.
Documents
Osama bin Laden September 7, 2007 Video with Transcript
Originally appeared in a banner ad on an Islamic militant website regularly used by Al-Qaeda on September 6, 2007. The ad carried a picture of Osama bin Laden and the logo of Al-Qaeda’s media production company As-Sahab. An accompanying translated message read “Soon, with the permission of God, a new visual tape, the Sheikh, the Lion, Osama bin Laden. May God protect him.”
Documents
Osama Bin Laden December 13, 2001 Video with Transcript
Purportedly discovered December 9, 2001 by U.S. military forces in Jalalabad. On December 13, 2001, the United States State Department released the video tape apparently showing Osama bin Laden speaking with Khaled al-Harbi and other associates, somewhere in Afghanistan, before the U.S. invasion had driven the Taliban regime from Kandahar. The State Department stated that the tape was captured by U.S. forces in Afghanistan during a raid on a house in Jalalabad. The tape was aired with an accompanying English translation.
Foreign Broadcast Information Service
Compilation of Usama Bin Ladin Statements 1994 – January 2004
Prominent Arab Mujahid [holy warrior] Usama Bin Ladin has said that he or his al-Qua’ida group has nothing to do with the 11 September suicidal attacks in Washington and New York. He said the US Government should find the attackers within the country. In an exclusive interview with daily “Ummat,” he said these attacks could be the act of those who are part of the American system and are rebelling against it and working for some other system.