BRIEFS
FRANCE: Warning of New Terror Method
Matt Whitney
Issue date: 10/14/09 Section: Eagle Eye
Summary: French intelligence services have issued warnings concerning suicide bombers carrying in-body explosives.
Development: On Tuesday, Oct. 6, French intelligence services issued a warning that suicide bombers may attempt to conceal small amounts of explosives in their body in an effort to pass security. Current metal detectors are unable to read explosive material should it be placed within the body. According to officials, a single explosion using this method could bring down a plane. Authorities have considered taking X-ray images of every individual boarding a flight, but health risks have negated that possibility. Officials also commented that al-Qaeda has been publicizing the concept as a means of public disruption, despite not having perfected the technique. This method was first used unsuccessfully against the Saudi Arabian Deputy Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef in late August, and has not been reported since.
Analysis: Al-Qaeda released a statement saying they would post instructions of assembling and concealing in-body bombs. The release of this information may be a disruption tactic rather than a legitimate threat. This new method of explosives delivery threatens to change airport security methods in Europe and the Western world. New detection methods and security measures will need to be put in place should this delivery method grow more common. One possible security measure would require passengers to turn their cell phones over to the flight crew for the duration of their flight. This measure would stir protest from passengers and cause general disruption in airport security. This new tactic will bring increased invasive security measures around the world with little effective change to the al-Qaeda threat.
Development: On Tuesday, Oct. 6, French intelligence services issued a warning that suicide bombers may attempt to conceal small amounts of explosives in their body in an effort to pass security. Current metal detectors are unable to read explosive material should it be placed within the body. According to officials, a single explosion using this method could bring down a plane. Authorities have considered taking X-ray images of every individual boarding a flight, but health risks have negated that possibility. Officials also commented that al-Qaeda has been publicizing the concept as a means of public disruption, despite not having perfected the technique. This method was first used unsuccessfully against the Saudi Arabian Deputy Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef in late August, and has not been reported since.
Analysis: Al-Qaeda released a statement saying they would post instructions of assembling and concealing in-body bombs. The release of this information may be a disruption tactic rather than a legitimate threat. This new method of explosives delivery threatens to change airport security methods in Europe and the Western world. New detection methods and security measures will need to be put in place should this delivery method grow more common. One possible security measure would require passengers to turn their cell phones over to the flight crew for the duration of their flight. This measure would stir protest from passengers and cause general disruption in airport security. This new tactic will bring increased invasive security measures around the world with little effective change to the al-Qaeda threat.
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