Officials Say Evidence Not Yet Found of al-Qaida 9/11 Anniversary Strike
- Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:32pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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(The Blaze/AP) U.S. intelligence agencies have found no evidence that al-Qaida has sneaked any terrorists into the country for a strike coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, senior officials said Saturday.
But authorities kept a high alert as investigators looked for proof of a plot possibly timed to disrupt events planned Sunday in Washington or New York.
Since late Wednesday, counterterrorism officials have chased a tip that al-Qaida may have sent three men to the U.S. on a mission to detonate a car bomb in either city. At least two of those men could be U.S. citizens, according to the tip.
No intelligence supported that tip as of Saturday, and officials continued to question the validity of the initial information.
While such tips are common among intelligence agencies, this one received more attention, and government officials chose to speak publicly about it, because of the connection to the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
Al-Qaida long has hoped to strike again on the anniversary.
At the FBI field office in Washington, assistant director James McJunkin described the tip and the response as routine. The U.S. already had bolstered security nationwide before the upcoming anniversary and anticipated an increase in tips.
“We expect we’re going to get an increase in threats and investigative activity around high-profile dates and events,” he said. “This is a routine response for us. It‘s routine because it’s muscle memory.”
Intelligence analysts have looked at travel patterns and behaviors of people who recently entered the country. While they have singled out a few people for additional scrutiny, none has shown any involvement in a plot, according to the senior U.S. officials, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the investigation.
President Barack Obama met with his national security team Saturday, but the White House released no new information about possible threats. A statement said that counterterrorism efforts were working well and would not ease in the weeks and months ahead.
The tip that touched off the most recent investigation came from a CIA informant who has proved reliable in the past, according to U.S. officials. They said the informant approached intelligence officials overseas to say that the men were ordered by new al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 by doing harm on U.S. soil.
He took over as the group’s leader after the U.S. killed Osama bin Laden during a raid in May at his compound in Pakistan.
The informant said the would-be attackers were of Arab descent and might speak Arabic as well as English. Counterterrorism officials were looking for certain names associated with the threat, but it was unclear whether the names were real or fake.
Some intelligence officials have raised doubts about the threat, given the short turnaround time. Someone who recently arrived in the United States would have just days to plan and obtain materials for a car bomb attack, a difficult feat even with a long lead time.
But they did not dismiss the threat. Extra security was put in place to protect the people in the two cities that took the brunt of the jetliner attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Both cities were clearly on edge. Police in New York were investigating two vans stolen from a World Trade Center site contractor and another from a New Jersey storage facility. Their counterparts in Washington were on the lookout for a pair of U-Haul vans reported missing from nearby Prince George’s County, Maryland, though U-Haul said one was later found. The company had no details
Police connected none of the threats to a terror plot, but said they were taking extra precautions because of the recent threat.
Law enforcement agencies around the country had increased security at airports, nuclear plants, train stations and elsewhere in the weeks leading to Sept. 11. The latest threat made those measures more urgent.
U.S. embassies and consulates also stepped up safeguards in preparation for the anniversary.
While authorities urged people to keep a watchful eye for suspicious activity as usual, they said there was no reason the latest tip should change anyone’s weekend.
“Whatever you have plans for, it’s a beautiful day. It’s going to be a beautiful weekend,” McJunkin said. “It’s college football Saturday. Tomorrow is the start of the NFL season. So we expect the public is going to be out enjoying what it means to be an American.”
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MUDFLAPS
Posted on September 13, 2011 at 12:26amnever was any.
Report Post »califpatriot
Posted on September 12, 2011 at 7:49pmLet’s see now……..Jobs plan speech that fell on deaf ears; Bloomberg invites no clergy, nor law enforcement, or firefighters. We can’t have people talking about those news items, so let’s insert a “credible but not confirmed terror threat. Yeah right.
Report Post »BobEd
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 11:05amNothing is politics happens by accident. What could be better for the America hating, Muslim loving Obama regime than for them to uncover a terrorist plot by non-muslims on the 10th anniversary of 911?
Of course it could have “just happened” but it reeks of political planning from a putative president and his regime who are rightfully in deep doo-doo.
Report Post »johnannegalt
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 12:01pm“After 9/11, we should have known that the war we faced was greater and wider than one group of thugs sheltering in a desert wasteland half a world away. Our leaders should have told us, and they should have prepared us for all the ugly truths about the nature of the war against us, and the philosophical base from which it was being waged. We should have learned it ourselves and demanded a thorough war, but now we arrive on the eve of that event’s tenth anniversary, and still we cower and huddle in fear at the credible threats looming over us. Our founders, and all the men from their time until the end of WWII must be turning restlessly in their graves at the spectacle of our defeat by such an enemy. ”
http://markamerica.com/2011/09/10/american-leadership-surrenders-how-we-lost-the-war/
Report Post »redbone007
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 8:08amThe people was asking the WH to backup it claim so they have to walk it back on the 9/11 attack.
Report Post »Mopar 1969
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 7:41amToday I will be safe from the cave people I have the kenyan in office to protect me.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 6:02amBackup and think…..Timing is everything
Report Post »(1) obama needed something to get the talking heads NOT to discuss his ‘jobs speech’ ..so this was announced 1 hr before the speech
(2) Get the focus off the REAL memorial for 9/11 and don’t insult the muslims
(3) Homeland Security is afraid that their budget might get cut….so we need an ‘event’ even if it is only a ‘news event’ .
This administration will always create a crisis to help them when needed.
paulusmaximus
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 8:51amYes always watch the other hand
Report Post »arfarb55
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 8:52amYep. Diversion is one of obama’s ways to detract attention from his miserable failures. Every time he makes a major blunder he sends joe biden out to say something really STUPID, to divert attention away from himself. Why else would the dem. party have chosen him for VP? OMG=obama must go.
Report Post »EP46 you hit a homer here! The pending 9-11 attack is probably just another another diversion.
COME AND TAKE IT 2121
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 11:04amEP46
Report Post »Absolutely correct.
bioengineer
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 8:26pmEndless opportunity and not one attack in the last 10 years. Over 500,000 have died in traffic accidents though. But by golly, they’re constantly trying to kill us, so you better be afraid! Now bend over so I can make sure you aren’t trying to sneak a paperclip on the plane.
Annual Automotive R&D Expenditures: ~$100 million
Annual Homeland Security Budget: $60 BILLION
Annual DOD Budget: $900 BILLION
There are 193 member states that are recognized by the United Nations. Our DOD budget is larger than the GDP for 177 of them. Our Homeland Security budget is larger than the GDP for 127 of them.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 12:02am2 words…Federal funding. Gotta keep \the population in fear so they can get their Obamabucks…Its absolute Bullcrap!
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 11:24pmIt could be a CYA situation or the Barackracy created some drama for distraction. Either way, I hope nothing happens to any of us. However, out with Obama 2012. He just sucks and I am disgusted with his socialist crap.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 10:43pmThe evidence is in the White House
Report Post »EP46
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 6:53am“no evidence’? But…but .. they have already announced that they may be U.S. Citizens ???
Report Post »Laureen1
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 8:55am“No evidence, except they‘re sure they’re Americans”. Same way they report on terrorist attacks 2 minutes after they happen “No evidence that it is terror related”. Always protecting the *******.
Report Post »Laureen1
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 8:58amSeriously Blaze, I can’t use the word M*U*Z*Z*I*E*S but you’ll print that Hoffa calls me an SOB spelled out?
Report Post »Ohello
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 10:40pmThese muslims are just the nicest, trustworthy folk, great neighbors, everyone should know you can count on them to be kind and helpful and supportive of freedom, and individual rights. All muslims love the constitution. I don’t see why America has a problem just because a few of them they were just trying to exercise their freedom of religion on 9/11. This is America after all we have freedom of religion here, and besides our president says were a muslim nation, and our Media tells us we are not a Christian nation.
Report Post »pschlentz
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 1:26amI trust them all, the Liberal Media said we‘re racist if we don’t
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 10:22pmYou don’t need a perceived threat or be a rocket scientist (goes to common sense) to know that when 9/11 comes each year, the possibility of a repeat performance by religion of peace is higher than any other time, except for maybe inagurations.
I am hoping they don‘t get a chance to try or I hope more they don’t exist. In either case, if nothing happens that is great.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:57pmThis is clearly a case of “better safe than sorry”. I think it’s more an abundance of caution rather than “the boy who cried wolf” (though the media has done its best to scare the bejesus out of the timid).
But if we’re looking for conspiracy theories & high pay-off targets I’m still going w/:
There is no more visible & symbolic a target in the US likely to cause Wall-Street & other markets to tank than hitting the nationally/internationally televised game Sunday night (NYJ v/s Dallas) just hours before the world markets open …
Report Post »CriticXtreme
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:53pmHaving “no evidence” got us the event called 9-11. America was warned of a possible strike from a guy in the FBI in Arizona. No took action because there was “no evidence”. Now this could be the politicians being paranoid and suffering from PTSD (like we all are suffering from) because of 9-11. At this point, I believe those with American citizenships are the terrorist and any mentally challenged person and/or group of person may strike. So don’t sleep because these folks will definitely bring nightmares to reality.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:35pmFrom the article: “U.S. intelligence agencies have found no evidence that al-Qaida has sneaked any terrorists into the country for a strike …”
1. Nidal Malik Hasan
2. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab
3. Richard Colvin Reid
4. Adam Yahiye Gadahn (born Adam Pearlman)
5. Michael Finton
6. Sharif Mobley
7. Aafia Siddiqui
8. Bryant Neal Vinas
9. Najibullah Zazi
10. Naser Jason Abdo
11. Hasan Karim Akbar (born Mark Fidel Kools)
Nope, no evidence to see here – everything is under control – go back to sleep.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on September 11, 2011 at 6:05am“no evidence that al-Qaida has sneaked any terrorists ”
They don’t SNEAK…they cross the border, they enter at our ports…..while 60,000 union workers pat down granny at the airport. Perhaps they drive across the border in a large black bus.
Report Post »randy
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:28pmEveryone remember that goof ball Biden predicting Obama would be tested while in office.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 10:21pmSadly for you, I do remember that. And here it is, ““Mark my words,” the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. “It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We’re about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don’t remember anything else I said. Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.”
“I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate,” Biden said to Emerald City supporters, mentioning the Middle East and Russia as possibilities. “And he’s gonna need help. And the kind of help he’s gonna need is, he’s gonna need you – not financially to help him – we’re gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it’s not gonna be apparent initially, it’s not gonna be apparent that we’re right.”
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:27pmOur government is nothing but a bunch of criminal liars! They (both parties) lie about terrorism, the wars, the budget, etc, etc. All we have heard this weekend is there is a real threat of terrorism. RUN,,,HIDE… Watch your Neighbor! They throw out the threat of dirty bombs, American citizen terrorists, blowing up bridges and now they can not verify anything. I do not believe one damn thing that is uttered from their criminal mouths. It is a very sad and frightening day when a society of people can no longer trust their elected representatives. Our lack of attention over the years as to what our government is up to has created an absolute evil monster. Our government is no longer working for the people, it is working against the people. Our founding fathers warned us and we did not listen.
Did the news report the other day that the criminals in DC raised the debt ceiling another $500B? Of course they didn’t. The great debt deal that the Republicans agreed to gave the Democrats the ability to block any disapproval or resolution to stop the increase. Great job…. almost a trillion dollars has been added to our debt in less than 2 months.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/09/08/senate-approves-500-billion-increase-in-borrowing-authority/?mod=google_news_blog
Thank goodness there are alternative media sources because we get nothing from the MSM. All we hear are lies, lies and more lies from this administration and the news media that take what they spit out as t
Report Post »randy
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:25pmI’m sorry, but I’m not buying any of this!
Report Post »I believe Obama is saying his muslim prayers for another 9-11
conservative_teacher
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:31pmYou should be sorry, moron. I loath Barack Obama and his ideology, but to suggest he wants to have terrorists attack our country and kill Americans is ridiculous. Get a grip on reality you freak.
Report Post »randy
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:41pmFu ….. Ct
Report Post »randy
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:42pmOf course not, he only wants Trumpka and union members to take out Americans,
Report Post »You moron
conservative_teacher
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:57pmBetter no evidence followed by no attack than obscure evidence after an attack.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:54pmWell said … too bad others don’t see the clarity of this …
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:54pmWell said … too bad others don’t see the clarity of this …
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:55pmNever let a fabricated “crisis” go to waste.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:55pmthey know that terrorists have entered through the southern border
Report Post »chips1
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:08pmThey outlawed waterboarding, so you’ll never get the information out of Obama.
Report Post »mule creek ridge
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:54pmNo advantage to anything on close to the same date.
Report Post »If there is a strike it will be in a lull.
Much more potent that way.
Restored One
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:42pmI think that this is a total set up. We already knew from the stuff in Osamas belongings that there was a plan. They, both the terrorists and our govt want us to be “scared”. I think that this is another over blown media trap. WATCH THE OTHER HAND.
Report Post »US_SOLDIER
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:48pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Northwoods. Trust the government, theyre here to protect you!
Report Post »Stuck_in_CA
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:14pm@US_SOLDIER Good post. I’m afraid this is a possibility also. BO‘s approval rating would ’necessarily skyrocket.’
Report Post »US_SOLDIER
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 10:11pmThanks stuck, I hear the media/govt drumbeat louder than on any other anniversary. I really do feel something is going to happen this time around and I seriously doubt it will be lil brown men in caves thousands of miles away. One needs to merely watch snipets of articles and put them together in a bigger picture and you will see a trend developing. Heres some for example: The ever growing police state:
Report Post »-http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/09/08/exclusive-elaborate-new-york-city-post-911-security/
-http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/terrahawk-showcases-its-mobile-surveillance-vehicle
-http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=202853
-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/24/border-drones-homeland-se_n_623713.html
What you werent told:
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O35_Ai6EsMU&feature=player_embedded
-http://www.zerohedge.com/news/wikileaks-discloses-reasons-behind-chinas-shadow-gold-buying-spree
We truly are witnessing history in the making my fellow americans. We are witnessing the collapsing of an empire. This is just a fraction of the corruption they are unleashing on us to keep there empire together. But the world is on fire and theyre losing control. Sadly we were asleep when it was being emplaced under our feet, their demise is all their fault. They pushed too fast and woke us all up so now they are trying desperately, with false “recovery” stories and such to get us to go back to sleep. But there is too much happening now for them to return to their evil ways :
13th Imam
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:37pmIncredible, unconfirmed, no evidence, Barry had a feeling, Holder had a hunch, Nappy’s ears were buzzing.
Report Post »This is a crew of jokers
US_SOLDIER
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:46pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Northwoods. Trust your government people, theyre here to protect you! I foresee a false flage event building, but Im just crazy and our government would never do that to the American people :\
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