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That is, football jihad, for those of you in the rest of the world. It seems that those ten suspected Islamic terrorists who were just arrested in Britain had more in mind than blowing up a shopping center. They may have been planning to blow themselves up at the Manchester United-Liverpool match last weekend. From The Sun:
A SUICIDE bomb plot to kill thousands of soccer fans at Saturday’s Manchester United-Liverpool match was dramatically foiled yesterday.Armed cops seized ten terror suspects in dawn raids.
Intelligence chiefs believe al-Qaeda fanatics planned to blow themselves up amid 67,000 unsuspecting supporters. A source said: “The target was Old Trafford.”
The Islamic fanatics planned to sit all around the ground to cause maximum carnage.
They had already bought the tickets for various positions in the stadium, cops revealed last night.
But armed cops foiled the horrific plot - which could have killed thousands watching Manchester United’s home game against Liverpool on Saturday - in a series of dawn raids yesterday.
Ten people were arrested after a massive surveillance operation involving British anti-terror units and American authorities.
A police source said: “The plot involved several individual bombers in separate parts of the stadium.
“If successful, any such attack would have caused absolute carnage. Thousands of people could have been killed.”
The planned attack would have had an instant global impact as the game is being televised worldwide.
More than 400 police swooped yesterday after a “major terrorist figure” under surveillance moved to Manchester. Police and intelligence organisations believe he came to direct the massacre, which would have been the first al-Qaeda-style outrage in Britain.
Nine men and one woman were arrested — all Iraqi Kurds or from North Africa.
Special Branch and the security services had been monitoring their movements and eavesdropping on mobile phone calls for months.
The operation also involved the US National Security Agency and GCHQ, the Government’s intelligence listening post.
Seven of the suspects were held in Manchester and one each in South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands.
It is believed all have links to extremist Islamic organisations. They were being quizzed at separate police stations around North West England last night.
But it was unclear whether any explosives or weapons had been recovered.
Bombers planning the Old Trafford massacre would have run the risk of being searched going into the ground before the 3pm kick-off.
Manchester United said away fans and those sitting in the higher tiers were frisked.
The identities and details of the suspects remained top secret last night — even to many of those involved in the operation.
One of the raids was at a flat above Dolphins takeaway in Upper Brook Street, near Manchester University. The area has a large ethnic community with many properties converted into bedsits.
Irfaan Arif, who lives in a nearby flat, said: “I was woken at 4am, looked out of the window and saw a lot of armed police. There was loads of banging and shouting.”
The three-storey Dolphins building was cordoned off along with next-door properties housing AK Computers and Funky Fones.
Forensic experts in protective clothing moved in after the initial search teams.
A police spokesman confirmed: “A number of search warrants were executed under the Terrorism Act 2000. Ten people have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism.
“We appreciate the public interest in this but are unable to provide more specific details at this stage.”
Greater Manchester’s Assistant Chief Constable Dave Whatton said: “It was an anti-terrorism operation that has been going on for some time and it will continue in the future.
“This is the first action that the public have become aware of as it is overt. It is set against the background of an increased threat level across the country.
“The addresses raided will continue to be searched for some time. It is a complex inquiry.”
And he appealed: “Because of the national heightened threat levels we would still ask people to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.”
Sheikh Mohammed bal Qadri, deputy director of a mosque in Upper Brook Street, said he did not believe any of his members were among those being held.
He added: “Since September 11 we have been very vigilant, as mosques should be.
“If I see a person who is new, I ask him why he is here and what he is doing and ask these kind of questions.
“We are against these evil acts. In the religion of Islam we have tolerance.” The raids follow revelations last week that police in Manchester had raised their terror alert level.
More than 50 officers were moved from regular duties to work on a task force committed to combating terrorism.
Police have also conducted detailed surveys of land around Manchester Airport to identify sites which could be used to launch missiles attacks on aircraft.
Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd said yesterday: “Clearly this is one of the most difficult levels of policing. But when police get the information to act successfully the whole of the British public will applaud their actions.”
Posted by Robert at April 20, 2004 12:06 AM
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cool sounds like the mosques are being watched maybe thats why they arent deporting captain hook and other jihadis its easier to watch the ones you know now they should announce at random that various jihadis ratted each other out let em fight amongst themselves
Posted by: jimmytheclaw at April 20, 2004 1:13 AMBritain should start immediate deportation actions and it should also close down the mosques that the would-be terrorist bombers attended.
Also,on the O`Reilly factor tonight i saw our terrorist friend Bazian Hatem.
As i predicted,he basically said he used the term intifada in a metaphoric way and he denied any instigation to violence in the US.
Not only a lier and a coward,but a dangerous snake that should be deported no later than today.
Good job done by the british police in Manchaster,keep it up boys!
Betch the U.S. media doesn't report this at any credible level.
Posted by: Here Piggy at April 20, 2004 2:26 AMadela..
I saw that O'Reilly segment too. My favorite was when he used the tell-tale tactic of refusing to condemn terrorist groups by name in favor of condemning "all attacks on civilians". Ahh.. shades of Ashwari, Erakat, and Rahman.
The whole thing is like a three year old making a promise while holding his fingers crossed behind his back - "get it, I don't think Israelis are civilians - they will eventually be conscripted into the army so they're not civilians!"
Do they not realize how transparent they are?
Posted by: SecHumanist at April 20, 2004 2:34 AMGlory glory Man Utd.
Personally I think Highbury is a ground that should be more watched over. It's located in London and the 'retards' [Let's refer to the so-called infidels as 'retards' from now on]
will surely wish to strike deep within there.
moreoever, with Blair a staunch ally of America, it's no wonder they want to do a big one on Britain.
Posted by: Antijihad at April 20, 2004 3:16 AMI saw the O'Reilly interview. Why does the American press seem like it was born yesterday. You put some American politican in front of them and they will tear him apart. But give them someone who is sworn to the physical destruction of this country of this country and everything it stands for, and the press looks for any excuse to take them at their word. Like a drunk in a stupor, O'Reilly accepted Hatem's ridiculous assertion that his call for intefadah is just a call to "shake things up". The national disease is not obesity, it is denial.
Posted by: Luigi at April 20, 2004 6:15 AMAdela: Britain should start immediate deportation actions and it should also close down the mosques that the would-be terrorist bombers attended.
The police *did* actually shut down the mosque that Abu Hamza's gang were using, which is why he currently has to lead his group's prayers in the street outside. There was a group of trustees which were opposed to him and his policies. Most British mosques are run by an elected body of trustees, and some have constitutions restricting membership to a specific section of the community which would keep out extremists like Abu Hamza.
Posted by: Yusuf Smith at April 20, 2004 7:05 AMEvery educated Englishman knows that the sun news paper is for the gutter scum football hooligans and ueducated ignorant yobbo's this is just a lie from a lieing news paper that wants yobbo's to go Muslim bashing regardless of there belief for example were I live in the U.K an 80 year old muslim was beaten to death by two young bastards I mean we all know that most of the western children are bastards start with yourselfs and look around, the sad thing was he was my friend and was on his way back home after having a good night out in the local pub
Posted by: Binyamin Winer at April 20, 2004 7:36 AMI agree with the above gentleman inoccent until proven guilty dear chap
Posted by: peter ezra at April 20, 2004 7:37 AMJihad and soccer. Blowing yourself up at the match. If this weren't so serious, one could make a "football hooligan joke." However, its too serious for frivolity of any kind.
Jihadists will take every opportunity to cow, subdue, and humiliate. The American "sport experience" has been radically changed by terrorist threat. No longer are raucous fans allowed to bring in the paraphanalia to make their experience more enjoyable. Modification of this behavior was on my to do list, but the fan base and stadium owners should have made and enforced better rules without fear of explosion!
No one needs to be reminded of the possibilities for carnage among the Olympic athletes this summer. Of course, the jihadists won't give them a "sporting chance."
As for O'Reilly. I was disappointed. O'Reilly's biting tongue did not do the job last night. He gave the man a pass. His last comment, "You are a stand up guy," because Bazian appeared before the American public on his show, left me with the impression that he believes the man is innocent sedition and shows how unschooled he is about Islam. Someone close to him needs to chat up this icon of the Fox Network and give this boy some smarts!
Posted by: epg at April 20, 2004 7:41 AMCould all of you that saw the segment on O'Reilly PLEASE e-mail the show and express your disappointment and set him straight? Please? D.C., Mike H, even if you didn't see it (I didn't either) you should still write, as well as all of the other articulate writers that I've admired on this site. This guy is going to hoodwink America unless we stop him. O'Reilly's research staff must have experienced a massive collective brain fart.
Maybe Hannity can do better, if he ever grabs ahold of this ...
Posted by: CGW at April 20, 2004 8:11 AMThank heavens the UK police appear to be cracking down on islamoterrorism.
epg is on to a critical failure in the Western media's commentary on Islam. While we don't get Fox up here legally in Canada, that network's coverage of jihad is likely no worse than any of the other mainstream media- liberal-biased, culturally-relative and, ultimately, utterly lacking in a substantive knowledge of Islam.
It should be the policy of the newspapers' style guides and the TV networks' news departments, that any reportage be underpinned by that reporter's solid understanding of Islam. At a minimum, ownership and reference to: a copy of Pickthall's Qur'an, ready access to the ahadith, and a copy of the Umdat al-Salik. Also, mandatory reading of the "canon"- Warraq, Spencer, Lewis, Pryce-Jones, Gold, Ledeen, etc.
My experience has been that it is all-to-often the telegenic, dimmer students from the PolSci departments that go in for TV journalism, while a slightly higher calibre of mind writes for the print media. That said, it's generally an exercise in comparing mediocrities. The public in the West deserves and requires a considerably higher level of analysis and commentary from the Fifth Estate in order to become aware of, and understand, the existential threat posed by islamic fascism.
Posted by: Earl at April 20, 2004 8:16 AMIraqi Kurds? Excuse me? I thought we were Freeing them from Saddam's pogrom against them.
Posted by: Gary at April 20, 2004 8:54 AMO'Reilly did this to the terrorist in Florida, he had him on several times, let him talk, made him comfortable, then BAM! The guy ended up being arrested. O'Reilly isn't thru with this guy yet.
Posted by: DCWatson at April 20, 2004 10:44 AMi like your theory, d.c. your in charge of this one -- o'reilly was your lead. btw, c.g.w., i emailed o'reilly last night and told him bazian spun him.
Posted by: ted at April 20, 2004 12:10 PMHas any one seen corroboration of this story in any other source?
Posted by: Ron Fox at April 20, 2004 12:29 PMYusuf. First of all I commend you for coming on here and unlike almost every other mohommadan, not posting anonymously. You've even been good enough to give a link to your own blog.
I for one would welcome you posting on as many of these topics as possible. I am far more interested in what a mohommadan who does not hide behind anonynimity has to say about these stories than trolls like joseph. So please, stick around and take part.
peter..
regarding your comment to Yousuf
read a little of his blog..
"Reaction to Rantisi murder
Israel's assassination yesterday of yet another Hamas leader was shocking, but it should not surprise anyone that Israel, especially under the leadership of Ariel Sharon, would do such a thing. I haven't bothered to look on LGF to check if they are crowing about the murder; the BBC, however, has opened up one of its "Have Your Say" pages and the predictable reactions from diaspora Jews are there for all to see. I shan't bother posting them here, as you can read them on the BBC's website. But it is interesting how diaspora Jews praise their country's war criminal leader for fighting terrorism, by shooting at people from helicopters, while ignoring the terrorism committed by their nation's founders like Begin, Shamir and Rabin."
Yousuf finds it shocking Israel killed a terrorist leader.
whats the big deal.....critical thinking is anathema to islam
just read more of Yusuf's 'thoughts'
feh
I would agree with Peter Winer if I saw any evidence of so called moderate Muslims decrying the actions of terrorists. However, there is nary a whisper.
When you ask them if they denounce Osama bin Ladin for 9/11? They say that Islam is against terrorism which means that the Israelis did it so they are against it or they are against terrorism against true Muslims but not kufrs.
The moderate Muslims have the most to lose in future situations. Should the terrorist succeed, God forbid, in a major terrorist act in the US or Britain, most Muslims are going to be dead meat buried in pig parts.
They should be falling over themselves to distance themselves from the terrorists. I don't see any evidence of this. Yusuf's blog just reinforces my point.
Posted by: Facts Of Life at April 20, 2004 5:34 PM"Facts of Life": "I would agree with Peter Winer if I saw any evidence of so called moderate Muslims decrying the actions of terrorists. However, there is nary a whisper."
Then what do you call the announcement from the Muslim Council of Britain which received so much publicity a few weeks ago? Muslims have *always* condemned terrorist attacks in western countries. What many support is armed resistance to Israel and to other occupations of Muslim countries. The situations are totally different.
"When you ask them if they denounce Osama bin Ladin for 9/11? They say that Islam is against terrorism which means that the Israelis did it so they are against it or they are against terrorism against true Muslims but not kufrs."
Most people don't believe the official story about who was behind 9/11. I don't either, and I don't and didn't support it. Only a few extremists actually applauded it from any moral point of view.
"The moderate Muslims have the most to lose in future situations. Should the terrorist succeed, God forbid, in a major terrorist act in the US or Britain, most Muslims are going to be dead meat buried in pig parts."
You guys have a major fetish about pigskin don't you? Brits like their bacon too much to let it go to waste in desecrating Muslims' graves. Muslims have always distanced themselves from people planning terrorist acts in the UK and elsewhere in the west. I don't fear an organised massacre of Muslims; what is likely is a mob response in some places, or perhaps a paramilitary (terrorist) response against the Muslim community, or increased internment or expulsion of citizens of Pakistani or Arab origin. Those scenarios are possible. I don't think we will see a Holocaust in the current political situation.
"They should be falling over themselves to distance themselves from the terrorists. I don't see any evidence of this. Yusuf's blog just reinforces my point."
My blog only communicates what a lot of Muslims feel about the situation in Palestine. The Jews apparently have a right to their army and their state, which they acquired through terrorism. They are currently supported for a variety of reasons - racism/colonialism (the original Zionists were Europeans), Jewish lobbying, Christian Zionism and the control of large sections of the press by Jews and Christian Zionists. Supporting armed resistance by Palestinians is not the same as supporting terrorism here - for that matter, I have never heard of Muslims being involved in the various incidents of sabotage at military bases in the UK or of American corporate interests like GM maize crops.
Posted by: Yusuf Smith at April 21, 2004 6:50 AM

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