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Khorasan: US officials admit different Syrian terror group may be bigger threat than Isis Khorasan: US officials admit different Syrian terror group may be bigger threat than Isis
(about 1 hour later)
American intelligence officials claimed over the weekend another Syrian group could pose a greater threat than Isis to Europe and the United States.American intelligence officials claimed over the weekend another Syrian group could pose a greater threat than Isis to Europe and the United States.
United States officials said the group called Khorasan, led by senior al-Qaeda figure Muhsin al-Fadhli, has emerged as a cell in Syria that may be the most intent on launching a terror attack on America.United States officials said the group called Khorasan, led by senior al-Qaeda figure Muhsin al-Fadhli, has emerged as a cell in Syria that may be the most intent on launching a terror attack on America.
Al-Fadhli, 33, was a close associate of Osama Bin Laden and one of the few with advance knowledge of the 9/11 attacks.Al-Fadhli, 33, was a close associate of Osama Bin Laden and one of the few with advance knowledge of the 9/11 attacks.
U.S. Director of national intelligence James Clapper said on Thursday, “in terms of threat to the homeland, Khorasan may pose as much of a danger as the Islamic State.”U.S. Director of national intelligence James Clapper said on Thursday, “in terms of threat to the homeland, Khorasan may pose as much of a danger as the Islamic State.”
There is almost no public information about the shadowy organisation. According to the New York Times, it was described by several intelligence, law enforcement and military officials as being made up of al-Qaeda operatives from across the Middle East, South Asia and north Africa.There is almost no public information about the shadowy organisation. According to the New York Times, it was described by several intelligence, law enforcement and military officials as being made up of al-Qaeda operatives from across the Middle East, South Asia and north Africa.
U.S. Director of national intelligence James Clapper has warned of threat posed by Khorasan However, it is unclear apart from al-Fadhli who is part of the Khorasan organisation. U.S. Director of national intelligence James Clapper has warned of threat posed by Khorasan Four days ago CBS reported that at least two dozen American airports were under enhanced security screening as U.S. intelligence agencies believe the Khorasan organisation in Syria may be targeting the airline industry by recruiting Western fighters to carry bombs back.
According to CBS these bombs have been constructed under technicians trained by al-Qaeda bomb-maker Ibrahim al-Asiri.
U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan said said al-Asiri was a "very dangerous individual" earlier this year.
According to former deputy director of the CIA Mike Morrell this is what makes the group dangerous.
"That is very worrisome because that brings together two pieces of a potential plot in the West," said Morell to CBS This Morning. "It brings together Western fighters who have gone to Syria to fight - so capable of carrying out operations in the West - with this bomb technology that Asiri brings to the table. You put those things together, you have a serious threat."
However, it is unclear – apart from al-Fadhli – who is part of the Khorasan organisation.
Al-Fadhli has been under the surveillance of American intelligence agencies for nearly a decade. After fleeing Afghanistan in the wake of the September 11 attacks, he lived in Iran as part of a small number of al-Qaeda members, supposedly under house arrest.Al-Fadhli has been under the surveillance of American intelligence agencies for nearly a decade. After fleeing Afghanistan in the wake of the September 11 attacks, he lived in Iran as part of a small number of al-Qaeda members, supposedly under house arrest.
Two years ago he was identified as the head of al-Qaeda in Iran, with a $7 million reward offered for information leading to his capture.Two years ago he was identified as the head of al-Qaeda in Iran, with a $7 million reward offered for information leading to his capture.
Yesterday American president Barack Obama stated: “Our intelligence community has not yet detected specific ISIL [Isis] plots against America,” in a Tampa Bay newspaper opinion piece.Yesterday American president Barack Obama stated: “Our intelligence community has not yet detected specific ISIL [Isis] plots against America,” in a Tampa Bay newspaper opinion piece.
An Foreign Office spokesperson said they did not comment on intelligence matters.An Foreign Office spokesperson said they did not comment on intelligence matters.