Thought I'de share the following with all of you. Our company is kept apprised of information regarding supected terrorist strikes against US interests from several public and private organizations.
The following advisory has been provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to the Real Estate ISAC for distribution to the real estate sector. The final section of the advisory is the most relevant to real estate, as it discusses the implications of recent attacks against "soft targets" -- including hotels and housing compounds -- in the Middle East and Indonesia.
Maintaining Awareness Regarding Al-Qaeda's Potential Threats
to the Homeland
OVERVIEW
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been aggressively monitoring and assessing information with other Federal agencies on potential terrorist threats in the United States (US). Based on a recent interagency review of available information leading up to the September 11th anniversary, we remain concerned about Al-Qaeda's continued efforts to plan multiple attacks against the US and US interests overseas. However, at this time, we have no specific information on individual targets or dates for any attack.
Arrests over the past several months of key Al-Qaeda members around the world may have delayed or even disrupted some plans. We do know, however, that operatives still at large view attacks on US territory as a priority and that they continue to pursue a range of targets, tactics, and capabilities to accomplish this objective. Al-Qaeda's primary intent is to conduct synchronized attacks against US interests. At the same time, recent terrorist incidents overseas highlight the possibility that Al-Qaeda could opt to conduct lower-scale attacks against "softer" target sets.
The Department of Homeland Security will continue to work with Federal partners in monitoring and assessing all intelligence reporting relative to Al-Qaeda operations. This Advisory is provided to increase the awareness of appropriate state and local authorities and the private sector responsible for security of critical infrastructure and other potential target sets.
DETAILS
Aviation Threats
A growing body of credible intelligence indicates Al-Qaeda continues to develop plans for multiple attacks against targets in the US involving commercial aircraft, with some plans calling for hijacking airliners transiting near or flying over the continental United States - but not destined to land at US airports. Operatives have been studying countries to determine which have the least stringent requirements for entry (visas or other documentation). Identifying which countries have the least restrictive requirements for entry may also tell terrorist operatives which airline flights would be easiest to board and take control in order to crash into targets in the US during over-flight. Al-Qaeda's interest in the Transit Without Visa Program (TWOV) demonstrates that the group sees international flights transiting the US as candidates for takeover and use in aerial suicide attacks against the US.
Protective Measures
As a measure to mitigate this vulnerability, the TWOV program has been suspended until further notice. DHS and the Department of State are discussing with foreign governments measures to increase aviation security awareness and procedures. Airlines are encouraged to continue the same level of vigilance in following security procedures and should review Homeland Security Advisories, dated 26 July 2003, on Potential Al-Qaeda Hijacking Plot in the US and Abroad, 8 August 2003, on the Threat of Nitrocellulose Stuffed Items, and 5 August 2003, on Use of Common Electronic Items as Improvised Weapons.
For general aviation, security managers may consider the following:
Secure unattended aircraft to prevent unauthorized use.
Verify the identification of crew and passengers prior to departure.
Verify that baggage and cargo are known to the persons on board.
Direct increased vigilance to unknown pilots and or clients for aircraft or helicopter rental or charters - as well as unknown service/delivery personnel.
Be alert to aircraft with unusual or unauthorized modifications.
Be aware/alert of persons loitering in the vicinity of aircraft or air operations areas - as well as persons loading unusual or unauthorized payload onto aircraft.
Critical Infrastructure Threats
Al-Qaeda views critical infrastructure targets in the US as attractive attack options because of their potentially significant economic and psychological impacts. These targets include:
Nuclear power plants and other energy facilities, including power generating stations, oil storage and distribution facilities.
Petroleum, chemical, and petrochemical facilities.
Transportation systems and facilities, including passenger rail, freight trains carrying toxic industrial chemicals, rail and vehicle bridges, tunnel, and mass transit systems.
Water reservoirs and systems, including dams.
Food supply, including food production, processing, and distribution facilities.
Electric power grids.
A demonstrated capability of Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations against an infrastructure-type target involves the use of a vehicle carrying a large amount of explosives, commonly referred to as a car or truck bomb. This tactic allows for attacks to be conducted without entering a facility and requires a protective strategy to include areas outside the controlled perimeter.
There is no standard type of vehicle associated with vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs.) Vehicle selection depends on vehicles common to and available in a region as well as the security posture of the intended target. The typical tactic for the employment of a VBIED is to drive a single vehicle to the target, park the vehicle, and allow the vehicle to detonate via time delay or by remote control. Another tactic is the use of suicide drivers, driving up to the target and detonating the vehicle by use of a "dead-man" switch.
In the case of the Riyadh, Saudi Arabia compound bombings this May, we saw a change in tactics from the "traditional" tactic of driving a single VBIED to a target, to confronting security personnel with assault teams equipped with small arms to gain access through the perimeter in order to allow suicide VBIEDs to gain entry to the target area. Reference Department of Homeland Security Information Bulletin, Potential Indicators of Threats Involving Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) May 15, 2003.
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