(u//fouo) sixth issue of aqap’s inspire magazine official use only unclassified//for official use...

(U) Warning: This joint FBI/DHS document is UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (U//FOUO). It is subject to release restrictions as detailed in the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 482) and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). It is to be controlled, stored, handled, transmitted, distributed, and disposed of in accordance with DHS and FBI policy for FOUO information and is not to be released to the public, media, or other personnel who do not have an authorized need-to-know without appropriate authorization. (U) Warning: This product may contain U.S. person information that has been deemed necessary for the intended recipient to understand, assess, or act on the information provided. U.S. person information is highlighted with the label USPER and should be protected in accordance with constitutional requirements and all federal and state privacy and civil liberties laws.

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY


(U//FOUO) Sixth Issue of AQAP’s Inspire Magazine 19 July 2011 (U) Scope (U//FOUO) This Joint Intelligence Bulletin is intended to provide perspective and understanding regarding the 18 July 2011 public posting of the sixth issue of al-Qa‘ida in the Arabian Peninsula’s (AQAP) Inspire magazine. It highlights select themes from the magazine and is not a comprehensive assessment of the publication’s content. This information is provided to support the activities of DHS and the FBI and to assist other federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities in identifying protective and support measures relating to existing or emerging threats to homeland security.

Form #d5bc31d6-0f22-49dd-9604-14053592dce7



of 5

(U//FOUO) AQAP Provides Detailed Explosives Recipe and Highlights Recent Deaths of Usama Bin Ladin and Several AQAP Members (U//FOUO) On 18 July 2011, AQAP released the sixth edition of its English-language magazine, Inspire, which provides detailed instructions for the production of the peroxide-based explosive acetone peroxide—better known as triacetone triperoxide (TATP)—but lacks explicit target suggestions.*,† AQAP memorializes the death of Usama bin Ladin, including an article by former Charlotte, North Carolina resident Samir KhanUSPER. The magazine also describes AQAP’s activities related to ongoing political unrest in Yemen, with a special tribute to the recent deaths of several AQAP members. Unlike all previous editions of Inspire, the magazine does not include any articles written by Anwar al-AulaqiUSPER; however, the magazine provides an advertisement—included in the previous edition—inviting readers to e-mail questions to be answered in an upcoming video interview with Aulaqi. (U//FOUO) Inspire Provides Explosives Recipe, Additional Training with the AK; Lacks Further Operational Guidance (U//FOUO) The sixth edition of Inspire provides a one page article encouraging individual violent acts; however, the magazine lacks specific operational guidance, such as target suggestions and operational security measures. Additionally, Inspire’s latest “Open Source Jihad” section—featuring a picture of the Sydney Opera House—provides readers with step-by-step instructions for producing the explosive TATP, which is highly volatile and dangerous to make and store.

— (U//FOUO) The “Open Source Jihad” instructions for making TATP include suggested locations for purchasing the ingredients, photographs illustrating each step of production, and safety precautions.

— (U//FOUO) In its third installment of “Training with the AK,” Inspire offers illustrations of

individual firing stances for use in assaults. (U//FOUO) AQAP Eulogizes Usama Bin Ladin and Other Violent Extremists (U//FOUO) In the Summer 2011 edition of Inspire, AQAP frames Usama bin Ladin’s death as the loss of a great leader, while also celebrating his martyrdom and asserting the death will have little impact on the survivability of al-Qa‘ida; Ayman al-Zawahiri’s selection as al-Qa‘ida’s new emir is highlighted in the editor’s note. The magazine features a picture of Usama bin

* (U//FOUO) For additional information, see RCR “(U//FOUO) Triacetone Triperoxide as a Possible Homemade Explosive,” 16 September 2009. † (U//FOUO) For additional information, see RCR “(U//FOUO) Indicators of Suspicious Acquisition of Beauty Supply Products,” 26 February 2010.

(U//FOUO) TATP an Explosive of Choice Among Violent Extremists

— (U//FOUO) In February 2010,

Najibullah ZaziUSPER pled guilty to purchasing materials necessary to produce TATP and constructing explosives for the detonator components of the bombs.

— (U//FOUO) In December 2001,

Richard Reid attempted to ignite a shoe bomb—which used PETN for the primary explosives and TATP for the detonator—while on a US airliner en route to the United States.

(U) Current Inspire magazine cover page.

Form #d5bc31d6-0f22-49dd-9604-14053592dce7



of 5

Ladin on the cover, a eulogy by al-Qa‘ida, and an article written by Samir Khan portraying Usama bin Ladin as a “martyr” and praising his impact on the “Islamic movement.” Khan is also the author of a eulogy for one of the six recently killed AQAP members highlighted in a special section of the magazine.

— (U//FOUO) Inspire includes a statement signed by al-Qa‘ida, which glorifies Usama bin Ladin’s death and congratulates him for achieving “martyrdom.” The statement further claims the death would not “kill off what Shaykh Usama lived for,” as “Shaykh Usama did not build this organization to die with his death.”

— (U//FOUO) In an article entitled “Sadness, Contentment & Aspiration,” Samir Khan

describes Usama bin Ladin as “one of the greatest Islamic revolutionaries” and states, “the martyrdom of Shaykh Usama is not going to go unanswered.”

(U) Indicators and Potential Response (U//FOUO) Since AQAP includes specific instructions on producing TATP and a list of US commercial stores—including Home DepotUSPER, SearsUSPER, and Wal-MartUSPER—where individuals can purchase chemicals necessary to produce TATP, below we provide the following indicators and potential responses to assist law enforcement personnel with mitigating this potential threat. The following activities alone may not be indicators of terrorist or criminal activity and should be evaluated in the context of the situation. (U//FOUO) Potential indicators and suspicious activities related to the purchase of peroxide-based explosives:

— (U//FOUO) Individual seeking to purchase the precursor chemicals for TATP—including hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, acetone, and hydrochloric acid—in combination or in large quantities;

— (U//FOUO) Customer purchasing the precursor chemicals has little or no working knowledge of the chemical being purchased;

— (U//FOUO) Individual requesting or purchasing information or books about using peroxide to make explosives;

— (U//FOUO) Individual requesting to purchase hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of 30 percent or more.

(U//FOUO) Reponses and mitigating steps for businesses related to the purchase of peroxide-based explosives:

— (U//FOUO) Know what chemicals your business distributes and what quantities are usual for purchases;

— (U//FOUO) Require valid ID from all customers and ask about intended use of the chemical and observe responses;

— (U//FOUO) Make note of suspicious statements or behavior and report relevant information to local authorities;

— (U//FOUO) Keep records of purchases and promptly report any missing or stolen precursor chemicals.

Form #d5bc31d6-0f22-49dd-9604-14053592dce7



of 5

(U//FOUO) Potential indicators and suspicious activities related to wholesale distributors for beauty supply and drug stores:

— (U//FOUO) Customer has burn marks on hands, arms, or face; — (U//FOUO) Customer is missing fingers, has bright colored stains on clothing, or is

emitting a strange odor; — (U//FOUO) Customer only purchases chemicals and no other beauty supplies; — (U//FOUO) Customer does not work at or own a salon; — (U//FOUO) Customer is preoccupied with the concentration levels of hydrogen peroxide

or acetone or asks about boiling or making liquid more concentrated; — (U//FOUO) Quantity of supplies purchased is inconsistent with stated purpose of

customer, or customer has illogical explanation for supplies; — (U//FOUO) Customer purchases storage containers, mixing utensils, and/or rubber

gloves, in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide/acetone. (U//FOUO) Reponses and mitigating steps related to wholesale distributors for beauty supply and drug stores:

— (U//FOUO) Require valid ID from all customers; — (U//FOUO) Keep records of purchases; — (U//FOUO) Talk to customers, ask questions, and listen to and observe their responses; — (U//FOUO) Make note of suspicious statements or behavior and report relevant

information to local authorities. (U//FOUO) Potential indicators and suspicious activities related to purchases of firearms, TATP, and other explosives components from home improvement and retail stores:

— (U//FOUO) Customer shoplifts or purchases large quantity of ammunition or model aircraft fuel, without a practical explanation;

— (U//FOUO) Customer shoplifts or purchases firearms or ammunition out of season, without a practical explanation;

— (U//FOUO) Customer shoplifts or purchases large quantity of watches, electronic timers, or kitchen timers without a practical explanation;

— (U//FOUO) Customer shoplifts or purchases unusual quantity of compressed fuel, such as propane, without a practical explanation;

— (U//FOUO) Customer shoplifts or purchases unusually large quantity of fertilizer type 34-0-0 or 32-0-0 without a practical explanation;

— (U//FOUO) Customer shoplifts or purchases pipe, end caps, and pipe nipples in the same transaction, particularly when vague about their use;

— (U//FOUO) Customer uses a rental vehicle or vehicle with an out-of-state or temporary license plate to transport combustible chemicals, fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate, or other materials without a practical explanation;

— (U//FOUO) Customer uses cash for large transactions, without a practical explanation. (U//FOUO) Reponses and mitigating steps related to home improvement and large retail stores:

— (U//FOUO) Talk to customers, ask questions, and listen to and observe their responses; — (U//FOUO) Make note of suspicious statements or behavior and report relevant

information to local authorities.

Form #d5bc31d6-0f22-49dd-9604-14053592dce7



of 5

(U) Outlook (U//FOUO) We have no indications that the timing of the release of this publication or any tactics described are related to specific, ongoing plotting against the Homeland. However, we remain concerned some content may be used by individuals or groups interested in conducting attacks in the United States and the West. (U//FOUO) We encourage reporting of any and all suspicious activity to appropriate authorities and encourage our homeland security, military, and law enforcement partners to remain vigilant. (U) Reporting Notice (U) FBI and DHS encourage recipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to the local FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the State and Major Urban Area Fusion Center. The FBI’s 24/7 Strategic Information and Operations Center can be reached by telephone number 202-323-3300 or by email at [email protected]. The DHS National Operations Center (NOC) can be reached by telephone at (202) 282-9685 or by email at [email protected]. FBI regional phone numbers can be found online at http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm and Fusion Center information may be obtained at http://www.dhs.gov/contact-fusion-centers. For information affecting the private sector and critical infrastructure, contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element of the NOC. The NICC can be reached by telephone at (202) 282-9201 or by email at [email protected]. When available, each report submitted should include the date, time, location, type of activity, number of people and type of equipment used for the activity, the name of the submitting company or organization, and a designated point of contact. (U) Administrative Note: Law Enforcement Response (U//FOUO) Information contained in this intelligence bulletin is for official use only. No portion of this bulletin should be released to the media, the general public, or over nonsecure Internet servers. Release of this material could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities. (U) For comments or questions related to the content or dissemination of this document, please contact the FBI Counterterrorism Analysis Section at (202) 324-3000 or [email protected], or DHS/I&A Production Branch staff at [email protected]. (U) Tracked by: HSEC-8.1, HSEC-8.2, HSEC-8.5, HSEC-8.8.3

Form #d5bc31d6-0f22-49dd-9604-14053592dce7

(u//fouo) sixth issue of aqap’s inspire magazine official use only unclassified//for official use...

Documents