In other news not being featured by national networks, according to Newsmax, Reuters, and other smaller outlets (many of which are based in Israel) on Friday, 19 Sep 25, the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) issued a memo warning of renewed threats from al-Qaeda.
The memo is warning U.S. agencies about terrorist group al-Qaida and its Yemen-based affiliate, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, who remain intent on striking America.
Not surprising content for those who watch AQ, but it is surprising the National Counterterrorism Center decided to put out the memo this week-in the intelligence world you never want to be the last person holding dangerous intel in case it blossoms.
The AQ major league and farm teams have long wanted to bring attacks to the U.S. especially in simultaneous attacks in several cities similar to the Mumbai, India Attacks back in 2008.
Also not surprising, you can’t find the memo via the NCTC.gov website. The press, Gov and law enforcement have it- but the public doesn’t. Neither does CBS, NBC, ABC or Fox.
According to Newsmax and others, the memo was directed to U.S. officials and law enforcement agencies, urging heightened caution and enhanced security measures. It highlighted al-Qaeda and its affiliate in Yemen (AQAP) are actively leveraging media publications and global conflicts—especially those involving U.S. support or military presence—to inspire attacks.
Specific guidance included: Avoiding public disclosure of travel plans, schedules, and locations. Removing badges and identification outside of work, increasing law enforcement presence at large soft targets including sports and music events and LE should use visible deterrents and conduct pre-event security briefings.
Following the Biden administration’s open door to illegal immigrants by the millions, the idea hostile actors slipped into the U.S. should come as no surprise.
This warning information by the Counter Terrorism Center falls directly in line with a warning by the acting director of the FBI back in October of 2003. Acting FBI Director Christopher Wray (James Comey’s handpicked replacement) warned Congress about a resurgence in terrorist threats, particularly from al-Qaeda, amid rising global tensions following the Israel-Hamas war. Coming from the acting head of the FBI, his comments were pretty alarming, and he said the U.S. was entering a “dangerous period” and the terrorism threat had been elevated throughout 2023, but the Middle East conflict had intensified it dramatically. He also said “Al-Qaeda has issued its most specific call for violence against the U.S. in years.”
Wray said the bureau was on alert following ISIS and Hezbollah threats against Americans. The FBI was particularly concerned about (a) Homegrown violent extremists inspired by foreign groups (b) Domestic extremists targeting Jewish and Muslim Communities and (c) Coordinated attacks similar to the ISIS-K assault on a Russian concert hall in March of 2024 where 149 people were killed and 600 injured at a rock band venue. Only 4 trained gunmen with AK-47’s, pistols, knives and petrol bombs did all of that damage in 20 minutes and the resulting fire lasted 10 hours.
Anyone interested in looking at some terrorism “what-ifs” for America, should research the 2008 Mumbai terror events which tied up the entire country. 10 Pakistani terrorists from the Lashkar-e-Tabia organization killed 175 people including 6 Americans and injured 300 more over three days: they took hostages in two large hotels and a Jewish center. They also bombed a train station and attacked a hospital and a cinema in coordinated attacks. Just ten trained assets on the ground did all of this.
The outcome was not as big as the nearly 3,000 killed in the 9/11 attack in the U.S., but these Paki Terrs held up the entire country of India for four days and made the government look powerless to resist. With a bit of planning, weapons and communications, a small number of attackers had an enormous political impact. AQ would love to recreate a scenario like this in the U.S.
On the upside, it is difficult for foreign terrorists to carry out attacks inside the U.S. and away from their command structure. Believe it or not, the FBI, Homeland Security and local law enforcement does a good job of finding plots like this, sharing information and blocking such plans following 9/11. But al-Qaeda continues to plot and plan with the long view.
Keep yer powder dry and magazines loaded.
