Al-Qaeda Threatens Western and Jewish Civilian Targets In New Video, “A Real Threat”

Al-Qaeda Threatens Western and Jewish Civilian Targets In New Video, “A Real Threat”

Karen Faulkner

US security officials have taken seriously a new video issued by the al-Qaeda Islamic terror organization in which the faction calls on Islamists to build homemade bombs and attack Western and Jewish civilian targets, especially airlines, Newsmax reports.

Nearly one hour long and posted from the Arabian Peninsula, the video was issued during the recent Christmas/New Year season.

Highlighting airlines as potential targets, the video gives instructions on building bombs, and on how to get past airport security to carry out attacks on planes.

US security experts told Newsmax the video shows al-Qaeda “remains a real threat” more than 23 after carrying out the Sept. 11,2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The video “swiftly attracted the attention of the Transportation Security Administration and other federal law enforcement agencies who were already preparing for a record-setting rush of travelers,” Newsmax said in its report.

In a statement to Newsmax, Kyle Shideler, a senior analyst of Homeland Security and Counterterrorism at the Center for Security Policy, said the al-Qaeda video should not be dismissed. “It is never a good idea to underestimate al-Qaida, and such threats must always be taken seriously,” Shideler said.

Shideler added that al-Qaeda has remained “relatively untouched in multiple locations around the globe, especially in Afghanistan and in West Africa.” In particular, Shideler said, the video “certainly intended to help them garner attention at a time when other jihadist groups, most especially Hamas, but also Islamic State, are getting the lion’s share of the press.”