Current Trends in Terrorism

Inspire12th EditionSpring 2014

Two articles

"AQ Chef" on how to build car bombs [vehicular-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs)] using gas cylinders that are effective against large crowds of people as opposed to structures.

"Car Bombs Inside America".

"Inspire Magazine's goal is to empower Muslim youth.”

“In this section, we give you strength, power and intelligence. Believe me, using car bombs gives you all that”.

In Yemen, AQAP has significantly stepped up its use of VBIEDs in 2013 conducting eight attacks from Jan. 2013 to 17 Mar. 2014 with 75% of the attacks occurring in the past eight months.

A total of 138 people were killed and 203 injured in the attacks.

al-Qaeda Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Targeting Guidance for Mass Casualty

Cars Bombs in US, UK & France

On average the group killed 17 people per attack and injured 25. Seventy-five percent of the attacks also involved a coordinated attack by gunmen.

One attack involved two VBIEDs. The deadliest attack was the 5 Dec. 2013 attack on the Ministry of Defense HQ in Sanaa. A total of 52 people were killed and 167 injured.

The following bullet points capture AQAP's targeting

guidance for the use of VBIEDs designed to kill people as

opposed to targeting structures.

Primary Target for Car Bombs Using AQ Chef's Design:

Large crowds of people not shielded by a strong structure, emphasis on people crowded around entrances and exits or open-air events

General Target Classes:

Sports events Election events

FestivalsLarge gatherings

Timing for Attacks:

Weekends and peak periods for restaurants/bars• During presidential and congressional elections• During Christmas and New Year's Eve

Countries:

United StatesUnited Kingdom

France Other crusader countries

Specific Targets/Areas in the US:

Tennis stadiums, especially the US Open (high threat when people are leaving at the end)

Washington, DC

Restaurants/Bars on M St.White HouseHigh-profile government officialsGovernment facilitiesSymbolic targets

New York City

Financial targetsCommunication targetsSymbolic targetsCultural targetsTransportation targetsManufacturing targets

Northern Virginia

Pentagon & DoD FacilitiesCIA HeadquartersRestaurants/Bars in Alexandria & ArlingtonTourist sitesMilitary basesFederal government facilities

Virginia

Military facilities in Hampton Roads

Tourist sites

Chicago

Sears TowerChicago Board of Trade BuildingFinancial targetsTransportation targets

Los Angeles

Manufacturing targets Hollywood

Syrian Islamists Threaten Homeland

March 15, 2014

• During testimony this week before the Senate Armed Services Committee, two of the nation’s top Special Operations officials warned that the spillover effect from the growing number of radical Islamists in Syria would eventually threaten the American homeland.

RUSSIA

Crimera, now part of Russia

IS VLADIMIR PUTIN AND RUSSIA A "CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER" TO U.S. AND ISRAEL ?

• QUESTION: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “In light of Russia’s invasion of southern Ukraine, and Russia selling arms and nuclear technology to Iran, and Russia selling arms to the regime of Bashar Assad in Syria, I have come to believe that Vladimir Putin and the government of Russia pose a clear and present danger to the national security of the United States and our ally, Israel”?

Results

72 percent of Americans said they agreed with such a statement.

19 percent disagreed.

9 percent said they didn't know.

Local Terrorism

March 19, 2014 arrest of Raleigh-based individuals Avin Marsalis Brown and Akba Jihad Jordan by the FBI Raleigh-Durham Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Brown and Jordan were both arrested on charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism.

The criminal complaint alleges the following:

• On numerous occasions in early 2014, Brown and Jordan discussed fighting in overseas locations and the best routes of travel to those locations.

Throughout early 2014, Jordan emphasized the need to fight both overseas and in the United States, but was committed to fighting primarily overseas.

Throughout early 2014, Jordan emphasized the need to fight both overseas and in the United States, but was committed to fighting primarily overseas.

On 25 February 2014, Jordan said he told Brown that it is easier to get into Syria than Yemen and said that if Brown goes to Syria first, he could establish contacts there to get to Yemen.

Outlook

The alleged activities of Brown and Jordan highlight the continued interest of some US-based violent extremists in joining and supporting designated foreign terrorist organizations overseas.

QUESTIONS

Contact Kevin Wilson919-697-6461