US Intel: No threat tied to bin Laden anniversary
WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S.
counterterrorism officials see no specific threat tied to next week's
one-year anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden. But they're
concerned about violence from al-Qaida's affiliate in Yemen because of
increased intelligence chatter in the past six months, The Associated
Press has learned.
The Yemen group, known as
al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, has been a persistent
concern since 2009, when one of its adherents nearly brought down a
jetliner over Detroit on Christmas. In the past six months,
counterterrorism officials have seen what they consider an increase in
intelligence about potential threats from the group, according to an
intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss
sensitive information.
Officials are worried that
the terror group “intends to advance plots along multiple fronts,
including renewed efforts to target Western aviation,” according to a
joint intelligence bulletin circulated Wednesday from U.S. Northern
Command, the FBI and Homeland Security Department. The Associated Press
obtained a copy of the bulletin.
The terror group has twice
tried to attack U.S.-bound flights and is considered the most active
al-Qaida affiliate, recruiting Westerners.
Other al-Qaida affiliates,
including the group al-Shabab in Somalia, have pledged to avenge bin
Laden's death. But intelligence officials have not seen signs of current
plots against the U.S. Still, officials urged law enforcement to be on
the watch.
“We remain concerned that
terrorists not yet identified by the intelligence community and law
enforcement could seek to advance or execute attacks with little or no
warning on or about the anniversary of bin Laden's death,” the
intelligence bulletin said.
Bin Laden was killed last
year in a May 2 raid by the U.S. military. The terror leader was living
in a compound in one of Pakistan's suburbs, having evaded capture for
nearly 10 years.
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2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
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