Posted on 05/08/2007 2:57:53 PM PDT by TexasCajun
From this afternoon's FBI news conference in Camden:
* Suspects allegedly scoped out Dover Air Force Base and a Coast Guard station in Philadelphia.
* Suspects said to have "burst out in laughter" at gruesome video of attack on U.S. Marine
* Coordination of law enforcement called "model of the post-911 era"
The FBI arrested six people last night, including five in Cherry Hill, for an alleged plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix, several federal officials said. "If you want to do anything here, there is Fort Dix and I don't want to exaggerate, and I assure that you can hit an American base very easily," one of the men told an FBI informant, according to the FBI. "You take a map and draw it and then you calculate that there are areas where there are 100 to 200 individuals . . .
"When you got a military base, you need mortars and RPGs," the man allegedly said.
"My intent is to hit a heavy concentration of soldiers," the man on the tape said. "You hit 4, 5 or 6 humvees and light the whole place up."
Greg Reinert, a Justice Department spokesman in Camden, described the six as "Islamic radicals . . . who were involved in a plot to kill U.S. soldiers at Fort Dix in New Jersey."
"Their alleged intention was to conduct an armed assault on the Army base and to kill as many soldiers as possible," he said.
A Justice Department spokesman in Washington noted that none of the suspects is charged with terrorism crimes.
"We have no indication that they were receiving direction from a foreign terrorist organization," said Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd. "However, they were engaged in weapons training, surveilled targets and discussed killing large numbers of servicemen, and so that certainly warranted a strong law enforcement response."
They also targeted Dover Air Force Base, but determined that it was too well-guarded to attack, the FBI said.
"The actions of these defendants posed a real threat to the safety and security of New Jersey citizens," U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said today. "We will remain steadfast in our focus on protecting New Jersey from the terrorist threat among us whether that threat is against everyday citizens or our men and women in uniform."
While training for their alleged Fort Dix mission in the Poconos in February, some of the men allegedly discussed a planned attack on two American warships that were supposedly going to be docked in Philadelphia next year, the FBI said.
During a meeting on March 16, also apparently recorded by the FBI, one of the men said:
"You know where the stadiums are in Philadelphia? There is the Navy base and every year they have the Army-Navy ball game and they come and stay one or two weeks. The Navy base will then be full of people. You see this is an opportunity and the beauty of this location specifically if you have the proper weaponry, is that you can hit it. . ."
Four of the men charged have been living in Cherry Hill and hail from the former Yugoslavia: Mohamed Shnewer and brothers Dritan, Eljzir and Shaine Duka.
The others charged are Serdar Tatar of Philadelphia and Agron Abdullahu of Williamstown. One was born in Jordan, one in Turkey.
The investigation began more than a year ago, according to an affidavit from FBI agent John J. Ryan.
The tipster called the FBI on Jan. 31, 2006, and said that someone had brought a "disturbing" video to have duplicated.
"The DVD depicted 10 young men who appeared to be in their early-20s shooting assault weapons at a firing range in a militia-like style while calling for jihad and shouting in Arabic, 'Allah Akbar,' or 'God is Great.'"
In March 2006, an FBI cooperator infiltrated the group, the FBI said, and began recording his conversations with the Shnewer.
On a laptop computer belonging to one suspect, the FBI found a file labeled "19," and "what appears to be the last will and testament of at least two of the hijackers" in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the FBI said.
On July 29, a second FBI informant recorded a meeting with the three Dukas and Shnewer, during which they watched videos on the laptop that included "armed attacks on and the killing of U.S. military personnel," the FBI said.
Three days later, the FBI said, the informant recorded a meeting with Shnewer in which he said the six were part of a "group that was planning to attack a U.S. military base."
"Shnewer explained that they could utilize six or seven jihadists to attack and kill at least one hundred soldiers by using rocket-propelled grenades," the FBI said.
Carolee Nisbet, a public information officer at Fort Dix, said: "I understand that they weren't just targeting Fort Dix, that it was a multiple-base plan to attack several bases in the Northeast." She declined to elaborate.
Some of the six men tried to purchase automatic weapons from a local gun dealer before the arrests, sources said.
"These guys were absolutely serious," one official said.
Tatar provided the group with a map to the base, a federal official said.
Their nationalities could not be confirmed this morning, but several are believed to be naturalized U.S. citizens.
At the base this morning, Nisbet said: "They are going to make the security procedures more stringent, but we're not going to increase the threat level. We are just going to make people more aware of their surroundings."
A successful attack on Fort Dix is highly unlikely. Armed soldiers guard every gate, whose approaches have curbs or barriers that force traffic to slowly snake as they get near.
The soldiers perform "a 100 percent identification check" and do random vehicle searches, Nisbet said.
Each gate also has additional security measures that are far from obvious. "We do not publicize this," she said.
All six men are expected to be arraigned in federal court in Camden today, according to Reinert.
Fort Dix is a 13,400-acre military post near Exit 7 of the New Jersey Turnpike in Burlington County. On an average day, there are about 15,000 to 16,000 soldiers and civilians. It is a regional reserve and mobilization site, the largest such site in the country.
Fort Dix spokesman David Moore issued a statement this morning that says:
"Security at Fort Dix remains stringent in the wake of arrests Monday of six men who were allegedly plotting a terrorist attack on the post. This alleged attack is a reminder that we are a nation at war, and that each of us must be vigilant and aware of our surroundings . . .
"Mobilization and training continue as scheduled at Fort Dix, which has mobilized and demobilized more than 95,000 Soldiers since Sept. 11.
"Those passing through checkpoints onto Fort Dix will notice more frequent vehicle searches and strict adherence to a 100-percent ID check, which may slow traffic."
The FBI and immigration officials are expected to hold a news conference later today.
It’s not beyond reason that this was a set up to give more fuel for banning assault weapons. The insider government is up to no good.....
It’s very odd that they were dumb enough to circulate the DVD for one issue.
I’ve been following this all day and don’t understand why the MSM continues to refer to this as “homegrown” terrorism.
I hear that these fellows were members of the infamously violent Irish Leprachaun Society (ILS) posing a peaceful muslims. /s
I lived in Kosovo from 1999 to 2004. We supported the Kosovar Albanian rebels, who were linked with Al Qaeda both overtly and covertly by U.S. contractors. We supported the KLA, and we changed the name TMK/KPC, but it is the same group. They murdered Serbs; men, women and children since 1999 without few if any arrests. We either looked the other way or actually supported the perpetrators......and still are.
Don't be an alarmist. There is no WOT. I know because John Edwards said so, and any guy who gets $400 haircuts can't be wrong.
ABC 7 in Stamford, CT actually dedicated time to this. They also mentioned the Jihadis wanted to target the Army - Navy game in December.
Lines have been drawn. When will something be done?
I happen to disagree. I believe that they were "close, real close to" trying to "kill[] them some Americans."
I've read many places today the army bases such as Ft. Dix are "soft targets." Somehow I just don't buy it, and portions of this article seem to indicate that there are significant (and I'd wager lethal) security measures in place, some obvious and some not so obvious.
Doesn't fit their agenda. If they are not homegrown, it means that the terrorists from other countries enter our country to attack. Dems/media cannot allow Bush to be seen as being right on this issue. They are in denial about what enemy we face.
I am seeing some FReepers saying these guys were losers and could not have succeeded. They are wrong. One guy delivered pizzas to Ft. Dix all day long. You don’t think he could have gotten 2-3 guys and weaponry in? Piece of cake. They would have let it right in.
If the MSM didn't...well, then they'd be admitting that there IS a global jihad against the West, and the U.S. in particular....and that the enemy is armed and here!
It’s not murder. It’s terrorism. A murder plot is somebody offing his boss because he hates him or his wife for insurance money. Murder can even be an armed psycho going nuts. But terrorism is an ideologically motivated attack on non-combatants to impose your ideology on them.
This was terrorism. Let’s start calling this what it is.
I think you win the prize.
How they can describe 6 foreign-born persons (one of whom was a US citizen but born and raised in Jordan), 5 of them foreign nationals and three of them illegal immigrants, as “home grown” is utterly beyond me.
It’s folly to try and decipher/understand the irrational....
So what were they charged with, shoplifting?
"We have no indication that they were receiving direction from a foreign terrorist organization," said Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd. "However, they were engaged in weapons training, surveilled targets and discussed killing large numbers of servicemen, and so that certainly warranted a strong law enforcement response."
It doesn't get any more "Through the Looking Glass" than this.
You just gotta be kidding me.
It wouldn't take 3 or 4 well trained teams of snipers...to put this country in panic mode.
Two morons did just that, in Virgina......
I hate to say it...but I think it will happen sooner or later.
Most all Army Training Commands are lightly guarded...
good advice......it is a very irrational. It just seems to follow a pattern leading to the rise of more control and we will want it. This does not follow the normal methodology by the Islamic fundies.....a truck bomb or several, with AK-47 security.....something is not right even for these yahooos.....
Who knows?
This is the odd thing that sets this apart and has set up written all over it.........
No argument there. At this point, anything is possible.
It is already illegal to own an assault weapon without a federal license.
And the idiots at Homeland Security look at this as a law enforcement issue rather than an act of undeclared war by enemy combatants. Under the Geneva Convention, these A-holes should be unceremoniously shot and then unceremoniously cremated and their ashes tossed in a pig trough.
You mean tax stamp, not license. The federal government doesn't issue licenses for weapons. Also, what do you mean by 'assault weapons'?
yes...but when they ban them, it will never be legal. Total gun control and banning all weapons is the goal, they need provocation and reason to get it through congress. This is for the design for the NWO to take over in the right time...one step at a time.
If it’s a rifle and it doesn’t have the ability to fire full automatic it isn’t an assault rifle.
They’re back!
I agree we need to call things what they are. Iraq is not a war it is a battle.
But we need open borders, these people are committing the terrorism you can't get Americans to do.
Good post. Anyone who still thinks this country has ever had any intention of fighting a stupid “war on terror” should take a good hard look at the track record of the U.S. in the Balkans and in Chechnya.
“..what do you mean by ‘assault weapons’?”
It is that mean looking thingamajig - black with a pistol grip, long clip (sorry, magazine), adjustable stock and a black tube with glass lenses mounted on the weapon that you look through before you pull the trigger. You have a better description?
Attacking Ft Dix? Sounds like these guys should be able to cop an insanity plea. But I sure hope nobody tells the jihadists what a soft target Fort Knox is...
“A Justice Department spokesman in Washington noted that none of the suspects is charged with terrorism crimes.”
What is a terrorist crime? Is that the same as a hate crime?
A reminder that “loose lips sink ships.”
Camden. Where have I heard that name before?
BUMP!
I guess this is not illegal but I wonder what happened to the other four guys.
Was asking myself the same, but came about an answer after reading a short statement the father of the 3 brothers made.
The three Kosovar Albanian brothers are in their early 20's, they arrived in the US about 12 years ago. For all intents and purposes, these young men grew up as first generation Americans, attended public schools in Cherry Hill NJ or where ever, and have lived more than half their lives in the US.
But in many ways this makes it even more disturbing. Their collection of Jihadist videos are the same videos posted on FR, ogrish.com, and dozens of other places. Their weapons they acquired on their own (seperate from the FBI sting) were bought off the street, and their trips to shooting ranges in the Poconos and paintball fights did not make them stand out from the regular antics of a good number of young men in NJ.
They are however, complete and utter dumbasses, who had so little sense of worth they were willingly brainwashed by online Jihadists.
As of yet, I haven't heard a single mention of them having any connections to any ACTUAL veteran Jihadists. And there are thousands of veterans of the KLA living in the tri-state area. So it looks like these young men were complete punks with a death wish, no support, no financing, no plan, and no clue.
(Of course, if they are connected to other Jihadists who pose an actual threat, ongoing investigations would preclude the FBI from mentioning it in the Affidavit they filed today)
The same way BMW X5 made in S.C. is American car. Made in U.S.A. from foreign parts.
United States under X42 created, armed and trained Albanian terrorists and kept blind eye on their AQ connection. When the U.S. acted as terrorist air force in 1999, 20 000 Albanian refugees were allowed into U.S., some 4000 into Ft. Dix.
After the war, National Guard continued to train Albanian terrorists and Department of State provided full diplomatic cover for their activities. The practice continued even after Philanderer in Chief left the Oral Office, to the present day.
One of the Albanian perps was provided with security pass to enter Ft. Dix.
It is not surprising at all that CNN is covering up the real identity of the perps. Calling them "Albanians from Kosovo" would shatter carefully constructed pile of lies CNN made all these years about "poor innocent Albanians in Kosovo".
The list of the supporters of Albanian terrorism is very long and the names of terrorist supporters are on public record.
It is homegrown. In Washington, D.C.
It is not surprising at all that CNN is covering up the real identity of the perps. Calling them “Albanians from Kosovo” would shatter carefully constructed pile of lies CNN made all these years about “poor innocent Albanians in Kosovo”.
*****You hit the nail on the head. By calling them, erroneously; From Yugoslavia it leaves the reader to “assume” that they are Serb terrorist.......
I wonder if there is any link in the carnage caused by one alleged shooter at Virginia Tech., who could very well be a “sleeper” given his “family ties”, and the possible damage that 6 shooters with AK-47’s, could do, knowing that this would more than likely be a suicide mission.......
In any case, a good friend wrote this interesting paragraph as to what is wrong with a lot of the ones in denial....
Quote:
“Coincidental Denialists believes that there are no conspiracies and no criminality can ever be ascribed to anyone inside government or America’s venerated institutions. It is an article of faith and just like many religions of the world, empirical evidence must be explained away in order to support the religious institution of Americanism. It is a religion that, through inaction and willful blindness, supports corruption at the highest levels and attacks proponents of other belief systems, such as those who have read history.”
this set up....my best guess, to justify the ill conceived Patriot Act....and, to even expand it’s powers. Americans will buy this rot.
I heard that "homegrown" BS this morning on ABC's Good Morning America.
This should be SOP for EVERY military establishment.
So these guys could be some of Slick's old friends?
I keep getting the good guys and bad guys, Albanians and Serbs confused.
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