Al-Qaeda Planning US 'Death Blow'

Oct. 31, 2003

OSAMA bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network is planning a "death blow" against Americans during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, a Saudi magazine reports in its issue due out today.

"Al-Qaeda is going to carry out a death blow against Americans during the month of Ramadan," Al-Majallah said, quoting an e-mail sent by Abu Mohammed al-Ablaj, identified as a senior member of al-Qaeda.

Ablaj, who regularly communicates with the London-based weekly via e-mail, did not specify if the threatened strike will be carried out in the United States or against American interests abroad.

"Muslims have the right to draw the blood of Americans, civilian or military, everywhere in the world," Ablaj said.

He did not dismiss the possibility of a "painful" strike in Iraq, which is currently under a US-led occupation following the overthrow of dictator Saddam Hussein.

"Bin Laden has ordered his supporters to carry out a guerrilla war against Arab and Muslim countries where there is an American military and commercial presence," Ablaj said.

"The guerrilla war decided by bin Laden and his assistants won't be limited to martyr (suicide) operations mentioned in his last two messages. This (war) will be carried out by other means and (using) different types of weapons," he added.

In a message purported to be from bin Laden and aired on October 18 by Qatar's Al-Jazeera television station, the terror chief threatened to send suicide bombers to the United States and attack any forces joining the US-led coalition in Iraq.

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