Al-Qa’ida Says More Airline Bombers “On the Way”

A Yemen-based Al-Qa’ida cell has claimed responsibility for the attempt to blow up a Delta airlines passenger jet on Christmas. “Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula” posted notices on websites saying it provided the explosive materials to 23-year old Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried, but was unsuccessful detonating the device. The group said it was in retaliation for American attacks on Al-Qa’ida in Yemen this month and called for the deaths of workers in western embassies in Yemen as part of its war on what it termed “Crusaders.” ABC News reported that Abdulmutallab told his U.S. interrogators that he was only “one of many” being trained by Al-Qa’ida to attack American-bound aircraft. American security officials are still trying to explain how Abdulmutallab was able to move about airports and board airliners while being named on watch-lists.