Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claims responsibility for Flight 253 attack

Note the claim that this attack was in retaliation for recent strikes in Yemen.It seems much more likely that this was in the works for quite some time.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jihad Watch) - Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claims responsibility for Flight 253 attack Confirming what the evidence has indicated so far. Note the claim that this attack was in retaliation for recent strikes in Yemen.

It seems much more likely that this was in the works for quite some time, and the attack would have taken place on Christmas in any event. Jihadists will find any convenient grievance to claim as cause for "revenge," though claiming such a fast turnaround is also an attempt to amplify the appearance of the group's operational power. "Al Qaeda claims responsibility for failed terror attack," from CNN, December 28:

"Romulus, Michigan (CNN) -- Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the attempted Christmas Day terrorist attack on a plane about to land in the U.S., saying it was in retaliation for alleged U.S. strikes on Yemeni soil.

"A suspect, Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, is being held for allegedly trying to blow up the flight carrying 300 passengers.

"A preliminary FBI analysis found that the device AbdulMutallab allegedly carried aboard the flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Detroit, Michigan, contained the explosive pentaerythritol tetranitrate, known as PETN. The amount of explosive involved was sufficient to blow a hole in the side of the aircraft, a source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN Sunday.

"Authorities have focused their investigation on how AbdulMutallab, 23, allegedly smuggled the explosives aboard the flight and who might have helped him."

Backpedaling a bit:

"We're ascertaining why it was that he was not flagged in a more specific way when he purchased his ticket, given the information that we think was available, allegedly was available," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told CNN's "American Morning" Monday...

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Jihad Watch,a program of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, is dedicated to bringing public attention to the role that jihad theology and ideology plays in the modern world, and to correcting popular misconceptions about the role of jihad and religion in modern-day conflicts. ROBERT SPENCER is the director of Jihad Watch and the author of eight books on Islam and jihad. This article is used with permission.