According to a report in the Virginian Pilot, the Middle East Media Research Institute, which monitors Islamist Web sites, has noted recent posts discussing attacks on U.S. warships. Executive Director Steven Stalinsky says "recent posts are more significant because they come in response to an official communique from al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the terror group linked to the attempted bombing of a commercial American jetliner on Christmas. It urged followers to kill "Crusaders" on land, in the air and at sea."
The report indicates that a December 30, 2009 posting on the forum Al-Falluja directed readers to gather intelligence on U.S. Navy targets, including: vessel's name, mission, current location, number of U.S. troops on board, . . . "their family situation, and where their family members (wife and children) live;" weapons carried, and vessel destination. The report indicates that website message "filled 50 pages and include postings with pictures of U.S. warships."
SOURCE: Wiltrout, K. (2010, Jan 8). Islamist web sites discuss attacks on U.S. warships. PilotOnline.com. http://hamptonroads.com/2010/01/trend-surfaces-islamist-web-sites-soliciting-info-ships (Accessed January 17, 2010).
About Me
- Dr. Kenneth Christopher, D.P,A.
- Kansas City, MO, United States
- Author of the book, Port Security Management (2009, CRC Press), which reflects the altered landscape of the post-9/11 era, providing real-world guidelines for port security management, planning, and implementation processes. Assistant Professor and Chair of Criminal Justice at Park University in Parkville, MO. and Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Contact Information: Park University, 8700 NW River Park Drive, Parkville, MO, 64152. www.park.edu/cj
