Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon: Al Qaeda resurgence
U.S. intelligence agencies recently uncovered new information indicating the al Qaeda terrorist group continues to plan for conducting terrorist attacks around the world.
Until recently al Qaeda has been overshadowed by its more violent offshoot, the Islamic State, in conducting and inspiring deadly terrorist strikes around the world. However, new intelligence obtained over the past several months revealed that al Qaeda had stepped up terror planning using the chaos of Syria as a new base of operations.
Al Qaeda operatives from the Persian Gulf States, Pakistan and elsewhere were detected in Syria. The al Qaeda terrorists are embedded with the Syrian terrorist group Al Nusrah Front but are operating independently.
“They’re using Syria as a safe haven and a place to conduct foreign operations,” said a military official familiar with intelligence reports.
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WNU Editor: The timing of these two major U.S. attacks against Al Qaeda .... one in Syria (January 19) and one in Yemen (January 29) suggests that there is some linkage. The Yemen attack also took out one of Al Qaeda's senior leaders, which probably explains why the rules of engagement on not launching an attack when children are present was suspended .... SEAL Team 6 likely killed Yemen’s top terror leader, UBL’s counterpart, Qassim al-Rimi (SOFREP). U.S. House Democrats want to be briefed on this raid .... House Dem wants briefing on Yemen raid (Politico) .... so expect more details to be released in the future.
