New issue of ‘Inspire’ lists specific targets in America, Britain, France — with a bizarre emphasis on tennis matches
By Lazar Berman March 19, 2014, 1:12 pm
America is al-Qaeda’s primary target for car bombs, specifically Washington, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, according to the latest issue of Inspire, a slick online English-language magazine published by the global terrorist organization.
In a section entitled “Car Bombs inside America,” instructing readers how and where to carry out car bombings, a writer going by the name of “AQ Chef” writes that “America is our first target, followed by United Kingdom, France and other Crusader countries.”
“As for the field target for the car-bomb, you have places flooded with individuals, e.g. sports events in which tens of thousands attend, election campaigns, festivals and other gathering [sic]. The important thing is that you target people and not buildings.”
The article then lists specific sites in the US and other target countries.
Washington, DC, is seen as a ripe target both for its “symbolic importance” and the 347,000 federal employees working there. Inspire instructs its readers to target on weekends restaurants and bars in the trendy Georgetown neighborhood, and DC suburbs Arlington and Alexandria.
Followers are urged to strike during election seasons, and on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Somewhat bizarrely, the author instructs followers to attack tennis stadiums, of all places, as they “are visited by thousands of people, and high profile people, especially the US Open.”
New York is listed as a target because of its economic and cultural importance for the United States. Northern Virginia is presented similarly because of the many government agencies and military bases in the area. Commercial hubs Chicago and Los Angeles are also presented as desirable targets.
Soccer matches in the UK are recommended targets, especially as fans file out after games. Horse races and, again, tennis matches, in the country are also seen as vulnerable. London’s Savoy Hotel warrants a highly specific mention, which includes a recommendation to detonate a car bomb at about 10 p.m., as “businessmen and high profile targets leave the hotel.”
France is described as an enemy of Islam in the article: “It does not even use pretexts to invade Muslims. What happens in the Central African Republic is enough evidence. It invaded the country to help the Christian militia fight the regime Army for its relation to Islam.”
Train stations, the Musee du Louvre, and Bastille Day Military Parade are among the recommended targets in France.
Around the borders of the article, graphics include helpful hints for the reader about car bombing: “This type of car bomb is used to kill individuals and NOT to destroy buildings. Therefore, look for a dense crowd.” “Be creative in your Jihad. This is ‘Open Source Jihad.’ Surprise the enemy, don’t follow a particular protocol.” “US, UK and French police for are not used to a frontline-type war. They cannot withstand a bang of a grenade, let alone a full car bomb.”
The article ran in the 12th issue of Inspire, a magazine put out by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. In addition to a cover story about 9/11 and the collapse of the American empire, the issue contains several features on ‘Open Source Jihad,’ actions by lone wolf terrorists with no formal training or connection the Al-Qaeda groups.
“Inspire Magazine’s goal is to empower Muslim youth,” the author writes. “And what is empowerment without being strong, powerful, and intelligent? In this section, we give you strength, power and intelligence. Believe me, using car bombs gives you all that.”
The articles instruct jihadists on the home construction of car bombs. “AQ Chef” explains how to use household items like garage remote, nails and gas cylinders to craft a bomb designed to maximize civilian deaths.
Israel was not listed as an al-Qaeda target country.