2010 transatlantic aircraft bomb plot

Failed terror attack April 2022 Cargo planes bomb plot United States of America (target); East Midlands Airport and Dubai International Airport (discovered) 2 planes October 29, 2010 (discovered) Bombing (failed) 0 0 Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Two packages, each containing a printer cartridge packed with a bomb made from the plastic explosive PETN On October 29, 2010, two packages, each containing a bomb consisting of 300 to(-) 400 g oz of plastic explosives and a detonating mechanism, were found on separate cargo planes. The bombs were discovered as a result of intelligence received from Saudi Arabia's security chief. They were in transport from Yemen to the United States and were discovered at stopover locations: one at East Midlands Airport in the UK and one in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. One week later, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed responsibility for the bombing plot, and for the September 3 crash of UPS Airlines Flight 6.http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/05/yemen.security.concern/?hpt=T2 Yemen-based al Qaeda group claims responsibility for parcel bomb plot CNN November 5, 2010 November 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101113054043/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/05/yemen.security.concern/?hpt=T2 November 13, 2010 live mdy-all While the crash of UPS Airlines Flight 6 was later confirmed as a technical issue unrelated to the bombing plot, American and British authorities believed that Anwar al-Awlaki of AQAP was behind the October bombing attempts and that the bombs were most likely constructed by AQAP's main explosives expert, Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri. The bombs were probably designed to detonate in flight, with the intention of destroying both planes over Chicago or another American city.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11671377 Parcel bomb plotters 'used dry run', say US officials BBC News November 2, 2010 November 12, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101111070713/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11671377 November 11, 2010 live mdy-all Gardner Frank https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11661496 Dubai bomb was flown on passenger planes BBC News October 31, 2010 October 31, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101101051240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11661496 November 1, 2010 live mdy-all Each bomb had already been transported on passenger and cargo planes at the time of discovery. Locating the bombs thumb|150px|Prince Muhammad bin Nayef (photo) warned the U.S. deputy national security adviser of the bomb plot On October 28, Saudi Arabia's deputy interior minister of counterterrorism, Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, called John Brennan, the U.S. deputy national security advisor for homeland security and counterterrorism and former Central Intelligence Agency station chief in Riyadh, to warn him of the plot.https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/world/31terror.html U.S. Sees Complexity of Bombs as Link to Al Qaeda Mazzetti Mark Worth Robert F. October 30, 2010 The New York Times February 24, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170522111515/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/world/31terror.html May 22, 2017 live mdy-all The Saudis provided the U.S. and Germany with the tracking numbers and destinations of the packages and informed them to look for toner cartridges.https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130935022 NPR staff Story Of The US-Bound Explosives Emerges NPR October 30, 2010 November 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101103222059/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130935022 November 3, 2010 live mdy-all http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,726746,00.html Gebauer Matthias Foiled Parcel Plot: World Scrambles to Tighten Air Cargo Security Der Spiegel November 2, 2010 November 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101104041548/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,726746,00.html November 4, 2010 live mdy-all The packages had been deposited by a woman at FedEx and UPS offices in Sana'a, Yemen on October 27, and were scheduled to arrive in Chicago on November 1. Saudi Arabia had reportedly learned of the plot through Jabir Jubran Al Fayfi, a former Guantánamo Bay detention camp inmate who had been remanded to Saudi Arabia for rehabilitation in 2006. Al-Faifi had escaped in 2008 and rejoined AQAP, but surrendered to Saudi authorities on October 16, 2010, and provided them with information about the plot.Crumley Bruce http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2028701,00.html Focus on al-Qaeda Mastermind Allegedly Behind Parcel Bombs TIME November 1, 2010 November 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101103224101/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2028701,00.html November 3, 2010 dead mdy-all Soltis Andy http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bomb_tip_from_qaeda_traitor_snShNcaCfy8WcHVaA2LytM Bomb parcel tip-off came from al Qaeda turncoat The New York Post November 2, 2010 November 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20121021061744/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bomb_tip_from_qaeda_traitor_snShNcaCfy8WcHVaA2LytM October 21, 2012 live mdy-all Yemeni officials suspected that al-Faifi had not actually rejoined al-Qaeda but had become a double agent. They said that his tip appeared to be based on more recent information than al-Faifi could access, and that the information must have come from a Saudi double agent in AQAP. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/01/cargo-plane-plot-saudi-agent-gave-alert Cargo plane bomb plot: Saudi double agent 'gave crucial alert' Borger Julian McGreal Chris Finn Tom The Guardian November 1, 2010 November 2, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20130917221008/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/01/cargo-plane-plot-saudi-agent-gave-alert September 17, 2013 live mdy-all England thumb|East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire The first package left Sana'a, Yemen, on a passenger plane, flying to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8100602/Parcel-bomb-plot-aimed-at-passenger-jets.html Rayner Gordon Gardham Duncan Parcel bomb plot 'aimed at passenger jets' Telegraph November 3, 2010 November 4, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20101105014758/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8100602/Parcel-bomb-plot-aimed-at-passenger-jets.html November 5, 2010 live mdy-all It then was next placed on a UPS cargo plane to Cologne/Bonn Airport in Germany, where UPS Airlines has a hub.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11658452 Q&A: Air freight bomb plot BBC News November 2, 2010 November 3, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101102190429/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11658452 November 2, 2010 live mdy-all There, it was placed on UPS Flight 232, a Boeing 767 cargo plane bound for East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire.http://gulfnews.com/news/world/usa/parcels-sent-by-terrorists-in-trial-run-seized-in-september-1.705728 O'Reilly Mick Parcels sent by terrorists in trial run seized in September Gulf News November 3, 2010 November 3, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101104232115/http://gulfnews.com/news/world/usa/parcels-sent-by-terrorists-in-trial-run-seized-in-september-1.705728 November 4, 2010 live mdy-all Keteyian Armen https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cargo-bombs-timeline-what-could-have-happened/ Cargo Bombs Timeline: What Could Have Happened CBS News November 4, 2010 November 5, 2010 From there, it was to fly to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago via Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8102883/Al-Qaeda-plot-flight-ban-on-freight-from-Somalia.html Al-Qaeda plot: flight ban on freight from Somalia Telegraph November 1, 2010 November 1, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20101102131742/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8102883/Al-Qaeda-plot-flight-ban-on-freight-from-Somalia.html November 2, 2010 live mdy-all Goldman Adam http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/01/1802883/2-passenger-planes-carried-explosives.html 2 passenger planes carried explosives Charlotte Observer November 1, 2010 November 1, 2010 20 April 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210420112000/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/01/1802883/2-passenger-planes-carried-explosives.html dead The UPS plane landed at East Midlands Airport at 2:13 a.m. local time on October 29.https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/world/europe/11parcel.html The New York Times John F. Burns Yemen Bomb Could Have Exploded Over U.S. East Coast November 10, 2010 February 24, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170917171842/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/world/europe/11parcel.html September 17, 2017 live mdy-all British military and police explosives experts had been alerted to the existence of the bomb, and conducted an initial search of the plane's cargo in the airport's UPS parcels distribution depot.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/10/cargo-plane-bomb-us-alqaida Cargo plane bomb found in Britain was primed to blow up over US The Guardian November 10, 2010 November 11, 2010 London Vikram Dodd Richard Norton-Taylor Paul Harris https://web.archive.org/web/20130911022634/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/10/cargo-plane-bomb-us-alqaida September 11, 2013 live mdy-all Officers from Scotland Yard Counter Terrorism Command joined them.Gardham Duncan https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8124582/Parcel-bomb-set-to-go-off-over-the-US-police-say.html Parcel bomb set to go off over the US, police say Telegraph September 22, 2001 November 11, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20101113022146/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8124582/Parcel-bomb-set-to-go-off-over-the-US-police-say.html November 13, 2010 live mdy-all U.S. authorities provided the tracking number of the package, and the computer printer inside was scanned with explosives detection equipment, x-rayed, subjected to chemical swabs, and sniffed by sniffer dogs. No explosives were detected.https://www.foxnews.com/us/terrorist-bombers-may-have-targeted-aircraft/ Terrorist Bombers May Have Targeted Aircraft Fox News April 7, 2010 November 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101104062802/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/01/terrorist-bombers-targeted-aircraft/ November 4, 2010 live mdy-all https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/31/AR2010103100537_2.html?hpid=topnews Goldman Adam Schreck Adam Bomb plot just narrowly averted, officials say The Washington Post October 29, 2010 November 2, 2010 June 2021 medicmedic Removing the suspect package for further examination, the authorities allowed the UPS plane to proceed to Philadelphia at 4:20a.m. local time.Leppard David https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/inquirer/terrorists-package-a-new-punch/news-story/e8f31ae3a613c201f9f5670b6d6d356b Terrorists package a new punch The Australian November 8, 2010 November 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101109122920/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/terrorists-package-a-new-punch/story-e6frg6z6-1225949103453 November 9, 2010 subscription live mdy-all At 10:00 a.m. the British gave the all-clear, and removed safety cordons from the airport.Rising David http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40041908 Around the world, a race against time bombs in air MSNBC November 7, 2010August 2024 medicmedicMacDonald Alistair https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704506404575592642541178562 David Crawford U.K.'s Response to Package Bomb Is Criticized The Wall Street Journal November 3, 2010 November 4, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201022359/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704506404575592642541178562 February 1, 2016 live mdy-all Gardham Duncan https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8110255/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot.html Cargo plane bomb plot Telegraph November 4, 2010 November 4, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20101106032252/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8110255/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot.html November 6, 2010 live mdy-all Later forensic examination indicated that the bomb was inadvertently disarmed by Scotland Yard explosive officers, who took the printer cartridge out of the printer during their examination that morning, around three hours before the bomb was due to explode at 10:30a.m. (5:30a.m. Eastern time).https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8124226/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot-ink-cartridge-bomb-timed-to-blow-up-over-US.html Cargo plane bomb plot: ink cartridge bomb 'timed to blow up over US' Telegraph November 10, 2010 November 11, 2010 London Gordon Rayner Duncan Gardham https://web.archive.org/web/20101113022054/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8124226/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot-ink-cartridge-bomb-timed-to-blow-up-over-US.html November 13, 2010 live mdy-all The officers were unaware when they took the device apart that it was a bomb. British officials continued to believe that there were no explosives in the package, but U.S. authorities insisted that the package be inspected again. British authorities then consulted with officials in Dubai, who had discovered a similar bomb in a printer cartridge, and MI6 spoke with the Saudi tipster. Scotland Yard explosives officers flew the printer and the cartridge in a police helicopter to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Fort Halstead near London, and discovered the bomb at around 2:00 p.m. Dubai Qatar Airways said that the package with the second bomb had been carried on two of its commercial passenger jets. The first was a 144-seat Airbus A320 that flew from Sana'a, Yemen, to Doha International Airport in Doha, Qatar, on October 28. The second passenger plane was an Airbus A321 or Boeing 777 flying from Doha to Dubai. The seating capacity of the second plane was anywhere from 144 to 335, depending on which aircraft was used.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/10/20101031144429122829.html Passenger jets carried Dubai bomb Al Jazeera October 31, 2010 November 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101101203811/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/10/20101031144429122829.html November 1, 2010 live mdy-all The second package was discovered on a FedEx Express plane at the FedEx depot at the Dubai airport at around 9:00 a.m. GMT on October 29.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Interpol-issues-alert-over-Yemen-parcel-bombs/articleshow/6881625.cms Interpol issues alert over Yemen parcel bombs The Times of India November 7, 2010 November 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201022358/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Interpol-issues-alert-over-Yemen-parcel-bombs/articleshow/6881625.cms February 1, 2016 live mdy-all The plane was scheduled to fly to Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, and then on to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. Bomb was designed to explode on cargo plane October 30, 2010 BBC World News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11657486 April 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20101101062028/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11657486 November 1, 2010 live mdy-all http://www.avionews.com/index.php?corpo=see_news_home.php&news_id=1122422&pagina_chiamante=index.php Agenzia stampa del settore aeronautico, elicotteristico, aerospaziale e della difesa Avionews December 25, 2009 November 3, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110707202254/http://www.avionews.com/index.php?corpo=see_news_home.php&news_id=1122422&pagina_chiamante=index.php July 7, 2011 live mdy-all Bombs Addresses The packages were addressed to former locations of two synagogues in Chicago. Investigators believe the terrorists used outdated information that they found online. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-package-bombs-20101104,0,4870380.story Bomb plot becomes historic jigsaw puzzle Chicago Tribune Grossman Ron Parsons Christi November 4, 2010 November 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101110032824/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-package-bombs-20101104,0,4870380.story November 10, 2010 dead mdy-all One package was addressed to a church in Lakeview that had once been the meeting place of Congregation Or Chadash, and the other had been sent to a closed synagogue in East Rogers Park.http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/40684/we-were-prepared-say-targeted-chicago-shuls Paul Berger We were prepared, say targeted Chicago shuls The Jewish Chronicle November 4, 2010 November 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101115054148/http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/40684/we-were-prepared-say-targeted-chicago-shuls November 15, 2010 dead mdy-all Simon Calder observed in The Independent: Yemen is not a natural provider of office supplies to organisations such as synagogues in the Chicago area. Therefore, you might fondly imagine that the staff in the parcels offices in the capital, Sana'a, might have checked the despatches more closely before allowing them anywhere near an aircraft, cargo or passengers. But they didn't.https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/simon-calder-avoid-the-airport-experience-with-a-nofly-cruise-2126316.html Calder Simon Simon Calder Avoid the airport experience with a 'no-fly' cruise The Independent November 6, 2010 November 6, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20101107032409/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/simon-calder-avoid-the-airport-experience-with-a-nofly-cruise-2126316.html November 7, 2010 live mdy-all The packages were addressed to specific people at the addresses—the names used were those of historical figures from the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades. Etter Lauren Chicago Synagogue Cites Web Visits From Egypt October 31, 2010 The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703414504575584681982002308 April 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201022400/http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703414504575584681982002308 February 1, 2016 live mdy-all https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/world/03terror.html In Parcel Bomb Plot, 2 Dark Inside Jokes Mazzetti Mark Mark Mazzetti Shane Scott Scott Shane November 2, 2010 The New York Times February 24, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20161230005310/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/world/03terror.html December 30, 2016 live mdy-all One package was addressed to Diego Deza, a Grand Inquisitor during the Spanish Inquisition. The other was addressed to Reynald Krak (Raynald of Châtillon), a French crusader who was beheaded in 1187 by Sultan Saladin of the 12th-century Muslim Ayyubid dynasty. Brian Fishman of the New America Foundation said the choice of names was an inside joke. "The jihadis ... narrative is that non-Muslims are always on the attack, always trying to take Muslim lands. The jihadis like the narrative, because it justifies violence, since they claim that they’re only defending Islam," he said. He felt the destination of Chicago may have had meaning as well, as the latest edition of Inspire (AQAP's online magazine) may have had a photo of Chicago on its cover.http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Why-Is-Chicago-an-Al-Qaeda-Target-106982858.html Is Chicago an Al Qaeda Target? 9 November 2010 January 12, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407072834/http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Why-Is-Chicago-an-Al-Qaeda-Target-106982858.html April 7, 2014 live mdy-all Fishman points out that this parallels Osama bin Laden posing in front of a map of East Africa shortly before the 1998 United States embassy bombings. U.S. and UK officials believed the planes, and not the addresses on the ground, were the targets. Dozier Kimberly Kimberly Dozier Goldman Adam https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/01/AR2010110100298.html?hpid=topnews Mail bombs 4 times larger than Christmas plot The Washington Post November 1, 2010 November 1, 2010June 2021 medicmedic Contents thumb|A toner cartridge from one of the recovered bombs showing white powder and wiring Each package contained an HP LaserJet P2055 desktop laser printer. Inside each printer's toner cartridge was a sophisticated bomb. The cartridges were filled with pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN).https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/world/02terror.html Earlier Flight May Have Been Dry Run for Plotters The New York Times Shane Schott Worth Robert F. November 1, 2010 January 30, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140413134623/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/world/02terror.html April 13, 2014 live mdy-all Greenemeier Larry http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=aircraft-cargo-bomb-security Exposing the Weakest Link: As Airline Passenger Security Tightens, Bombers Target Cargo Holds Scientific American November 2, 2010 November 3, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101104052749/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=aircraft-cargo-bomb-security November 4, 2010 live mdy-all The bomb found in the UK contained 400 g of PETN, five times the amount needed to destroy a house. The one found in Dubai contained 300 g of PETN. Hans Michels, professor of safety engineering at University College London, said that just 6 grams (0.2 oz) of PETN—around 2% of what was used—would be enough to blow a hole in a metal plate twice the thickness of an aircraft's skin.https://www.indiatoday.in/world/europe/story/parcel-bombs-could-rip-50-planes-in-half-85002-2010-11-02 Parcel bombs could rip 50 planes in half India Today November 3, 2010 April 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407104922/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/parcel-bombs-could-rip-50-planes-in-half/1/118746.html April 7, 2014 live mdy-all The PETN was of "an extremely high concentration", according to British criminal investigators. German investigators felt the device's construction would require "logistics that only state facilities should have access to". Diehl Jörg Gebauer Matthias German Security Lapse: Communications Error Enabled Explosive Package To Go Unchecked November 11, 2010 Der Spiegel http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-security-lapse-communications-error-enabled-explosive-package-to-go-unchecked-a-728565-2.html April 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407084010/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-security-lapse-communications-error-enabled-explosive-package-to-go-unchecked-a-728565-2.html April 7, 2014 live mdy-all The package intercepted in Dubai was shipped in a cardboard box that also contained souvenirs, clothes, compact discs, and several books written in English.https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/06/world/middleeast/06terror.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all The New York Times Eric Schmitt Scott Shane Saudis Warned U.S. of Attack Before Parcel Bomb Plot November 5, 2010 February 24, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20180924221036/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/06/world/middleeast/06terror.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all September 24, 2018 live mdy-all The bomb found in the UK was sent to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Fort Halstead in Kent, and American technicians in the United Arab Emirates examined the other bomb.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/airmail-bomb-was-just-minutes-from-exploding-2125674.html Sengupta Kim Airmail bomb was 'just minutes from exploding' The Independent November 5, 2010 November 5, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20101106022826/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/airmail-bomb-was-just-minutes-from-exploding-2125674.html November 6, 2010 live mdy-all Detonation Detonators Each bomb was triggered by a cell phone alarm, which activated a phone battery to send power through a thin wire filament inside a syringe containing 5 g of lead azide, a powerful chemical initiator.https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/world/01terror.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 Bomb Plot Shows Key Role Played by Intelligence Mazzetti Mark Worth Robert F Lipton Eric October 31, 2010 The New York Times February 24, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170917172053/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/world/01terror.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 September 17, 2017 live mdy-all Once hot, the lead azide would ignite, detonating the PETN.Bennett Brian https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-yemen-bombs-20101105,0,4678446.story Terrorism, Yemen, package bombs: Yemen mail bombs set to be detonated by cellphone alarms, U.S. officials say Los Angeles Times November 4, 2010 November 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101204083529/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-yemen-bombs-20101105,0,4678446.story December 4, 2010 live mdy-all Entous Adam Perez Evan Coker Margaret https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704462704575589802860920626 Bomb Makers Plotted Blasts Over U.S., Officials Say; Circuitry of Intercepted Devices Points To Effort to Time Explosions on Planes The Wall Street Journal November 3, 2010 April 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201022359/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704462704575589802860920626 February 1, 2016 live mdy-all http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/04/yemen.bomb.attempt/?hpt=T2 Source: Syringes surface in Yemen terror inquiry CNN November 4, 2010 November 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101111081239/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/04/yemen.bomb.attempt/?hpt=T2 November 11, 2010 live mdy-all The device's wiring was set up so that all the printer components would appear to be correct if the device was x-rayed. Features not relevant to the alarm timer function, such as the display, had been removed to extend the battery life. The device was reported to carry markings resembling a Bird D736 cell phone.https://www.foxnews.com/world/mail-bomb-defused-17-minutes-before-set-to-explode-french-official-says/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150924180628/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/11/04/mail-bomb-detonated-minutes-set-explode-french-official-says/?test=latestnews%3Ftest%3Dlatestnews live 2015-09-24 Mail Bomb Defused 17 Minutes Before Set to Explode, French Official Says November 4, 2010 November 4, 2010 Fox Broadcasting Company http://articles.cnn.com/2010-10-29/us/security.concern.device_1_cell-phone-baseband-processor-circuit-board?_s=PM:US Intercepted device likely a cell phone, photo analysis shows Griffiths Richard T. CNN October 29, 2010 November 4, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101104120014/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-10-29/us/security.concern.device_1_cell-phone-baseband-processor-circuit-board?_s=PM:US November 4, 2010 dead mdy-all }. There had initially been speculation that the bombs might be detonated by receipt of a telephone call or text message, but the SIM cards necessary to receive calls had been removed, rendering the phones unable to receive any communication, but increasing battery life.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110200276.html Apuzzo Matt Matt Apuzzo Sullivan Eileen Eileen Sullivan Officials suspect Sept. dry run for bomb plot The Washington Post November 3, 2010 November 2, 2010 Associated Press https://web.archive.org/web/20101126073906/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110200276.html November 26, 2010 live mdy-all U.S. officials said that the bombs were set to go off shortly before the planes landed. Mid-air capability British Prime Minister David Cameron and officials in the U.S. believe that the bombs were designed to detonate as the planes were in flight, destroying the planes in mid-air. Britain's Home Secretary, Theresa May, said British investigators concluded the UK device was a functional bomb powerful enough to bring down the aircraft, causing a "supersonic blast". Brennan agreed with this assessment. Cargo vs. passenger planes Brennan said it was not clear whether those attempting the bombing knew whether the packages would be carried on cargo or passenger planes. Since Yemen does not have any regularly scheduled cargo flights, the perpetrators likely knew the bombs would end up on passenger planes. Most of the air freight arriving in the U.S. is on passenger flights.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8100970/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot-al-Qaeda-terrorists-threatened-another-Lockerbie.html Rayner Gordon Gardham Duncan Cargo plane bomb plot: al-Qaeda terrorists 'threatened another Lockerbie' Telegraph October 31, 2010 November 1, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20101102223811/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8100970/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot-al-Qaeda-terrorists-threatened-another-Lockerbie.html November 2, 2010 live mdy-all Detection Like many explosives, PETN has a low vapor pressure. This makes it difficult to detect, because the chemical releases little vapor into the surrounding air. Frank Cilluffo, the director of the Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University, said: "It is evident that had we not had the intelligence, our security countermeasures would not have identified these improvised explosive devices."https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-1103-yemen-bombs-20101102,0,6222299.story Bennett Brian TSA to overhaul screening methods after bomb attack Los Angeles Times November 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101106102443/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-1103-yemen-bombs-20101102%2C0%2C6222299.story November 6, 2010 April 6, 2014 dead Qatar Airways said that "the explosives discovered were of a sophisticated nature whereby they could not be detected by x-ray screening or trained sniffer dogs", and were only discovered after intelligence services received a tip. Both packages were x-rayed in Sana'a, and the one in Dubai was x-rayed there, without the bombs being spotted. A spokesman for the German Federal Criminal Police Office, where the Dubai x-rays were reviewed, stated they would not have detected the bomb. When X-rayed, PETN would resemble the cartridge's powdered ink, and the timers resembled the normal printer cartridge electronics. Preparation Previously, in mid-September 2010, U.S. intelligence intercepted three packages linked to AQAP that had been shipped from Yemen to Chicago.http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/110310_Plotters_didnt_know_where_mail_bombs_would_go_off.html Plotters didn't know where mail bombs would go off Sullivan Eileen Eileen Sullivan Apuzzo Matt Matt Apuzzo November 3, 2010 The Record https://web.archive.org/web/20140203180540/http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/110310_Plotters_didnt_know_where_mail_bombs_would_go_off.html February 3, 2014 April 5, 2014 Associated Press They searched the packages, but did not find any explosives. One of the packages included the 1860 novel The Mill on the Floss, by English novelist George Eliot, a woman who wrote under an assumed identity. The packages, addressed to "random addresses" in Chicago, were not confiscated. Authorities surmised, after the October incident, that the September parcels may have been a test run. Responsibility Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula On November 5, 2010, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) took responsibility for the plot, posting on a number of radical Islamist websites monitored by the SITE Intelligence Group and the NEFA Foundation. "We will continue to strike blows against American interests and the interest of America's allies," said the perpetrators. "Since both operations were successful, we intend to spread the idea to our mujahedeen brothers in the world and enlarge the circle of its application to include civilian aircraft in the West as well as cargo aircraft."https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40031838 Al-Qaida claims responsibility for cargo bombs NBC News November 5, 2010 November 5, 2010 mdy-all Entous Adam https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704353504575596831033307148?mod=googlenews_wsj Yemeni al Qaeda Claims Package Bomb Attempts The Wall Street Journal November 5, 2010 November 5, 2010Associated Press https://www.foxnews.com/world/yemeni-al-qaeda-group-claims-responsibility-for-failed-mail-bomb-plot-on-u-s-cargo-planes Yemeni Al Qaeda Group Claims Responsibility for Failed Mail Bomb Plot on US Cargo Planes Fox News November 5, 2010 November 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101108131854/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/05/yemeni-al-qaeda-group-claims-responsibility-failed-mail-bomb-plot-cargo-planes/ November 8, 2010 live mdy-all U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, British Home Secretary Theresa May, and Dubai police had noted that these types of explosives are "hallmarks" of AQAP, and had suspected they were behind the attack. AQAP also claimed responsibility for the crash of UPS Airlines Flight 6, a Boeing 747-400 cargo plane that crashed in Dubai on September 3. U.S. and United Arab Emirates investigators had said they had not found any evidence of an explosion or terrorist involvement in that incident, and were skeptical about the claim. They suggested it was probably an attempt by AQAP to bolster its image.http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/11/06/125115.html UAE to review bomb blast claim in UPS jet crash Al Arabiya November 6, 2010 November 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101109020736/http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/11/06/125115.html November 9, 2010 dead mdy-all On September 10, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the AQAP was not involved in the September 3 crash.http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/10/britain.cargo.explosives/ Scotland Yard: Cartridge bomb might have exploded over Eastern U.S. CNN November 10, 2010 November 11, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101111081234/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/10/britain.cargo.explosives/ November 11, 2010 live mdy-all On November 21, AQAP provided a detailed account of the plot, including photos of the printer bombs, in its English-language magazine Inspire. The article said that the mission was a success, because it caused a huge amount of disruption to the world's air traffic and security systems at the very low cost of $4,200.All Things Considered https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131520780 Al-Qaida Magazine Details Parcel Bomb Attempt NPR November 22, 2010 November 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101127114300/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131520780 November 27, 2010 live mdy-all https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/world/middleeast/21parcel.html?partner=rss&emc=rss The New York Times Scott Shane Qaeda Branch Aimed for Broad Damage at Low Cost November 20, 2010 February 24, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20140410185149/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/world/middleeast/21parcel.html?partner=rss&emc=rss April 10, 2014 live mdy-all Anwar al-Awlaki Anwar al-Awlaki thumb |Anwar al-Awlaki, primary suspect of US and UK officials|200x200px The Guardian reported that unnamed U.S. counter-terrorism officials suspected that Anwar al-Awlaki of AQAP was behind the plot. "Anybody associated with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is a subject of concern," Brennan said. The New York Times reported that "some analysts believe the [attempted Chicago bombing] may also be linked to Mr. Awlaki".https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/world/middleeast/30yemen.html Yemen Emerges as Base for Qaeda Attacks on U.S. The New York Times Robert Worth October 29, 2010 October 31, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110927043530/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/world/middleeast/30yemen.html September 27, 2011 live mdy-all The Daily Telegraph reported that "U.S. and British security officials believe" al-Awlaki was behind the attack. Al-Awlaki had also been linked to the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, the failed 2009 Christmas Day bombing, the failed 2010 Times Square car bombing attempt, and other terrorist incidents,https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/29/yemen-bomb-scare-mastermind-london Yemen bomb scare 'mastermind' lived in London The Guardian Vikram Dodd October 29, 2010 October 31, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20130917130205/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/29/yemen-bomb-scare-mastermind-london September 17, 2013 live mdy-all and had been placed by U.S. President Barack Obama on a targeted killing list.http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/10/31/2010-10-31_thats_more_like_it_barack_handling_this_crisis_better_may_help_him_on_tuesday.html President Obama's handling of Yemen bomb package scare may help him on Election Day Greenman Joshua October 31, 2010 New York Daily News October 31, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101101203813/http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/10/31/2010-10-31_thats_more_like_it_barack_handling_this_crisis_better_may_help_him_on_tuesday.html November 1, 2010 live mdy-all The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights sued in an attempt to prevent his death.Perez Evan https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704865104575588241944839422 Package Bombs Help US Defense in Cleric Case The Wall Street Journal November 1, 2010 November 6, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201022359/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704865104575588241944839422 February 1, 2016 live mdy-all Al-Awlaki was killed in a targeted killing in September 2011. Zenko Micah Micah Zenko Targeted Killings: The Death of Anwar al-Awlaki September 30, 2011 Politics, Power, and Preventive Action Council on Foreign Relations http://blogs.cfr.org/zenko/2011/09/30/targeted-killings-the-death-of-anwar-al-awlaki/ April 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407013416/http://blogs.cfr.org/zenko/2011/09/30/targeted-killings-the-death-of-anwar-al-awlaki/ April 7, 2014 dead mdy-all Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri US officials suggested that Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri, the main explosives expert for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, likely built the bombs. He has a history of creating explosive devices using PETN. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8099345/Yemen-cargo-bomb-plot-may-have-been-targeted-at-Britain.html Rayment Sean Hennessy Patrick Barrett David Yemen cargo bomb plot may have been targeted at Britain Telegraph October 30, 2010 October 31, 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20101104014436/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8099345/Yemen-cargo-bomb-plot-may-have-been-targeted-at-Britain.html November 4, 2010 live mdy-all Brennan said that the evidence pointed to the bombs having been built by the same person who made the device worn by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who attempted to detonate a bomb on a plane on Christmas Day 2009. One of the detonators was almost identical to the one used in that attack. Gardner Frank https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11663381 Saudi man 'key suspect' in jet bomb plot, says US BBC News November 1, 2010 November 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101101061047/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11663381 November 1, 2010 live mdy-all Al-Asiri had previously recruited his younger brother Abdullah as a suicide bomber, hiding a PETN bomb in his rectum in an attempt on the life of security chief Mohammed bin Nayef. Abdullah died in the attempt, but Nayef survived with minor injuries. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saudi-bombmaker-key-suspect-in-yemen-plot/ Saudi Bombmaker Key Suspect in Yemen Plot Associated Press CBS News November 1, 2010 March 12, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20121102214722/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/01/world/main7010288.shtml November 2, 2012 live mdy-all Released suspect On October 30, 2010, a 22-year-old female Yemeni engineering student was arrested in Sana'a, Yemen, on suspicion of having shipped the packages. Her mother was also arrested. Both were released the following day when it was determined that the woman's identification had been stolen. Responses Political Obama and his administration reacted quickly to the incident, making public statements that it was a "credible threat". A New York Times opinion piece suggested that the quick response would be well received politically for the 2010 U.S. elections. Security Security alerts were triggered in the U.S., the UK, and the Middle East. An Emirates flight containing a package in transit from Yemen to the U.S. was intercepted by Canadian CF-18 and U.S. F-15 fighter jets and escorted to New York as a precaution.http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/10/29/US-Canadian-fighters-escort-cargo-plane/UPI-89161288394549/ U.S., Canadian fighters escort cargo plane UPI October 29, 2010 November 3, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101102154238/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/10/29/US-Canadian-fighters-escort-cargo-plane/UPI-89161288394549 November 2, 2010 live mdy-all Two FedEx planes containing packages originating from Yemen were also searched. How it happened: Air cargo security alert October 29, 2010 BBC World News https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/9141037.stm April 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407102409/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/9141037.stm April 7, 2014 live mdy-all The UK, the U.S., Germany, France, and Belgium stopped accepting freight package cargo shipments from Yemen, and the Netherlands and Canada suspended all cargo flights from Yemen.http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6178554,00.html Zuvela Matt Authorities review airport security after failed bomb plot Deutsche Welle November 1, 2010 November 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101104211248/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6178554,00.html November 4, 2010 live mdy-all http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/11/201011241536827238.html US 'knew' of al-Qaeda parcel plot Al Jazeera November 2, 2010 November 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101102082308/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/11/201011241536827238.html November 2, 2010 live mdy-all Germany suspended passenger flights from Yemen until November 15.Lever Rob https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iKBf9VRXk-Zt4XhxNxtkbWVUWdgA?docId=CNG.ddf95513d7f93a11d7f4e20ef88663b1.751 Al-Qaeda in Yemen claims parcel bomb plot: SITE AFP September 11, 2001 November 5, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101123164121/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iKBf9VRXk-Zt4XhxNxtkbWVUWdgA?docId=CNG.ddf95513d7f93a11d7f4e20ef88663b1.751 November 23, 2010 http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1289845688.html Germany Lifts Yemen Passenger Flight Ban News.airwise.com November 15, 2010 November 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101119020150/http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1289845688.html November 19, 2010 live mdy-all Britain and the U.S. stopped accepting air cargo from Somalia, and prohibited passengers from carrying certain printer cartridges on flights. The Swedish government recommended that its citizens not travel to Yemen until further notice.Ganley Elaine http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9J9H01O0.htm French: 1 Yemen bomb 17 minutes from exploding Business Week November 4, 2010 November 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025144248/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9J9H01O0.htm October 25, 2012 dead mdy-all https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40072889 Williams Pete U.S. blocks air cargo from Somalia NBC News November 8, 2010 November 11, 2010 mdy-all FedEx, UPS, and Mideast-based shipper Aramex suspended their shipping operations in Yemen. The airlines Emirates and Air Arabia stopped carrying cargo from Yemen, and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways stopped carrying cargo from Yemen and Somalia.http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2010/11/07/uaes-emirates-etihad-airlines-halt-yemen-cargo/ UAE's Emirates, Etihad airlines halt Yemen cargo Egypt Daily News November 7, 2010 November 11, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407085612/http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2010/11/07/uaes-emirates-etihad-airlines-halt-yemen-cargo/ April 7, 2014 live mdy-all The U.S. increased air passenger screenings and initiated a more detailed passenger search procedure.Martin Hugo http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/11/new-thorough-pat-down-procedure-expands-nationwide.html January 12, 2013 Los Angeles Times Money & Company November 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20130707020958/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/11/new-thorough-pat-down-procedure-expands-nationwide.html July 7, 2013 live mdy-all American Civil Liberties Union counsel Chris Calabrese said that "Americans now must choose between a virtual strip search and a grope." The incident was one of the factors leading the European Commission to review the European Union's approach to customs risk management and supply chain security in 2012–13.European Commission, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee on Customs Risk Management and Security of the Supply Chain, COM(2012) 793 final, page 3, published 8 January 2013, accessed 27 December 2023 Al-Awlaki On November 2, four days after the bombs were discovered, al-Awlaki was charged in absentia in Sana'a with plotting to kill foreigners and being an al-Qaeda member in an unrelated matter.http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/yemen_charges_us_born_radical_cleric_eKVOsOnLRdfxHZVi6p4iJJ Apuzzo Matt Yemen charges US-born radical cleric al-Awlaki Associated Press November 2, 2010 November 3, 2010 New York Post https://web.archive.org/web/20101105035820/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/yemen_charges_us_born_radical_cleric_eKVOsOnLRdfxHZVi6p4iJJ November 5, 2010 live mdy-all On November 6, Yemeni Judge Mohsen Alwan ordered that al-Awlaki be caught dead or alive.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/11/201011613102535305.html Yemen orders arrest of al-Awlaki Al Jazeera November 6, 2010 November 11, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101108132254/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/11/201011613102535305.html November 8, 2010 live mdy-all See also List of accidents and incidents involving commercial aircraft List of terrorist incidents in 2010 References External links After Thwarted Bomb Plot, US Military Operations in Yemen Could Intensify – video report by Democracy Now! Aviation United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Category:Terrorist incidents in Asia in 2010 Category:2010 in Yemen Category:2010 in the United Arab Emirates Category:2010 in the United Kingdom Category:Al-Qaeda activities 2010 transatlantic aircraft bomb plot Category:Anwar al-Awlaki Category:Failed airliner bombings Category:2010 in England Category:Terrorist incidents in the United States in 2010 Category:East Midlands Airport Category:Terrorist incidents in the United Kingdom in 2010 Category:October 2010 Category:Airline occurrences Category:Failed terrorist attempts in the United Kingdom