Al-Qaeda accepts responsibility, promises October surprise

Al-Qaeda has threatened British and Saudi embassies after claiming credit for the attack on the American embassy in Yemen.  The Islamic Jihad,  part of Al-Qaeda Organization in Yemen, called for the shutting the U.S. and British Embassies in Yemen, pledged to launch more attacks against foreign interests, foreigners, Yemeni high-ranking officials, demanded U.S. and British diplomats leave the country, AND that Al-Jihad followers incarcerated be released.  (Yemen Post)

In Pakistan, the Taliban leaders say they had nothing to do with the bombing of the Marriott Hotel and killed around 70(two Americans,  and injured 257.  However, evidence now leads to Al-Qaeda or an Al-Qaeda-linked group.  (video here)   In fact, Pakistani spies heard Al-Qaeda celebrating their success at the Marriott bombing.

 Bill Roggio of the Long War Journal reports that the complex attack is the latest in a series of al Qaeda attacks that have occurred in the Middle East and South Asia over the last five years.

The death toll is expected to rise as more people are believed to have been trapped in the hotel. Dozens of Westerners have been wounded in the attack, and there are unconfirmed reports one or more Westerners have been killed. The massive blast left a crater 25 foot deep by 20 feet wide. The blast detonated a natural gas line in the hotel, which then set several floors of the hotel ablaze.

Osama bin Laden has always wanted to have influence on American politics, and counterterrorism experts believe they have evidence of an October surprise from Al-Qaeda:

Call it Osama bin Laden’s “October surprise.” In late August, during the weekend between the Democratic and Republican conventions, America’s military and intelligence agencies intercepted a series of messages from Al Qaeda’s leadership to intermediate members of the organization asking local cells to be prepared for imminent instructions.

An official familiar with the new intelligence said the message was picked up in multiple settings, from couriers to encrypted electronic communications to other means. “These are generic orders,” the source said — a distinction from the more specific intelligence about the location, time, and method of an attack. “It was, ‘Be on notice. We may call upon you soon.’ It was sent out on many channels.”  (The New York Sun)

There are still reports that Pakistani troops and tribesmen opened fire on two United States helicopters that crossed from Afghanistan into a north-western tribal region.  Some U.S. and Pakistani representatives deny these reports, while others confirm them.

Al-Qaeda by any other name ...

There are many different militant groups operating in Pakistan.

All of them are anti-American, some more focused against India, while some are militant Sunni Muslim groups that are driven by hatred of Pakistan’s Shi’ite Muslim minority.

Some also run with the Taliban in Afghanistan, and some are Pashtun tribesmen in the Pakistani Taliban, who see their own country’s government as the enemy.

U.S. President George W. Bush and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari spoke today:

President Asif Ali Zardari and President George W Bush discussed strengthening bilateral relationship here Tuesday; with the U.S. President acknowledging Pakistan’s sovereignty and pledging continued support for the country in economic and security fields. Bush welcomed the newly elected Pakistani leader at Waldorf Asotria Hotel as they met on the sidelines of the 63rd UN General Assembly session.

Comments

[Faultline USA]

It looks to me like a new global offensive by Al-Qaeda. I wouldn’t be surprised at the October surprise.