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Iraq: Al-Qaida Plot to Attack World Cup Intercepted
Updated: 2 hours 49 minutes ago
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Lauren Frayer Contributor
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(May 18) -- Iraqi officials say they've arrested an al-Qaida suspect who was plotting a terrorist attack on the World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa this summer.
A 30-year-old Saudi army officer, Abdullah Azam Saleh al-Qahtani, has been working with militants in Iraq since 2004, officials said. He's a suspect in several attacks in Baghdad and across the country.
Khalid Mohammed, AP
Abdullah Azam Saleh al-Qahtani, 30, was arrested by Iraqi authorities who said he was planning an attack on the World Cup tournament in South Africa.
"He participated in the planning of a terrorist act in South Africa during the World Cup. He was in contact with the terrorist Ayman al-Zawahiri to organize the plan hatched by al-Qaida," Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, a Baghdad security spokesman, told reporters from several news agencies Monday. Al-Zawahiri is an Egyptian militant who's believed to be Osama bin Laden's top deputy.
Al-Moussawi didn't give details about the alleged World Cup plot, or al-Qahtani's alleged role. He also didn't say when the suspect was arrested or whether he faces formal charges.
But al-Qahtani's capture marks the first major move against Islamic militants from afar who might be planning attacks on this summer's World Cup -- the largest single sports event on the globe. This year is the first time the tournament has been played on African soil, despite critics' warnings that South Africa isn't safe enough nor equipped to handle 32 visiting teams and an influx of millions of tourists.
South African police have recruited and trained an additional 44,000 officers for the event. They've also bought more vehicles, water cannons and other equipment for emergencies -- some of which was displayed Monday during a parade in Johannesburg aimed at reassuring the world that South Africa's security apparatus is ready.
"The force is ready. That is the message we shared with South Africans over the past year and that we will be articulating to our 2010 visitors. Police will be everywhere, ready to respond to any eventuality," the country's police minister, Nathi Mthethwa, told reporters. "South Africa will be hosting the whole world, and therefore will take no chances."
At Monday's parade, South African police demonstrated their agility by rappelling down the sides of buildings and parachuting out of police helicopters. More than 200 vehicles were on display.
With some of the highest rates of murder and rape in the world, South Africa is one of the world's most violent countries outside of war zones.
Last month, Mthethwa said officials had become aware of a particular al-Qaida threat against World Cup games involving a grouping of teams including the U.S. and England. Messages about a possible attack were posted on websites frequently used by militants.
But Monday's announcement of an arrest in Baghdad is the first concrete security action against rumored attacks.
Interpol, the international agency that fosters cooperation between national police forces, has praised South Africa's security preparations ahead of the World Cup. The agency is sending 200 experts to assist during the tournament, and each of the 31 visiting teams is also expected to send at least eight officers.
Filed under: World, Sports
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Updated: 2 hours 49 minutes ago
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(May 18) -- Iraqi officials say they've arrested an al-Qaida suspect who was plotting a terrorist attack on the World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa this summer.
A 30-year-old Saudi army officer, Abdullah Azam Saleh al-Qahtani, has been working with militants in Iraq since 2004, officials said. He's a suspect in several attacks in Baghdad and across the country.
Khalid Mohammed, APAbdullah Azam Saleh al-Qahtani, 30, was arrested by Iraqi authorities who said he was planning an attack on the World Cup tournament in South Africa.
"He participated in the planning of a terrorist act in South Africa during the World Cup. He was in contact with the terrorist Ayman al-Zawahiri to organize the plan hatched by al-Qaida," Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, a Baghdad security spokesman, told reporters from several news agencies Monday. Al-Zawahiri is an Egyptian militant who's believed to be Osama bin Laden's top deputy.
Al-Moussawi didn't give details about the alleged World Cup plot, or al-Qahtani's alleged role. He also didn't say when the suspect was arrested or whether he faces formal charges.
But al-Qahtani's capture marks the first major move against Islamic militants from afar who might be planning attacks on this summer's World Cup -- the largest single sports event on the globe. This year is the first time the tournament has been played on African soil, despite critics' warnings that South Africa isn't safe enough nor equipped to handle 32 visiting teams and an influx of millions of tourists.
South African police have recruited and trained an additional 44,000 officers for the event. They've also bought more vehicles, water cannons and other equipment for emergencies -- some of which was displayed Monday during a parade in Johannesburg aimed at reassuring the world that South Africa's security apparatus is ready.
"The force is ready. That is the message we shared with South Africans over the past year and that we will be articulating to our 2010 visitors. Police will be everywhere, ready to respond to any eventuality," the country's police minister, Nathi Mthethwa, told reporters. "South Africa will be hosting the whole world, and therefore will take no chances."
At Monday's parade, South African police demonstrated their agility by rappelling down the sides of buildings and parachuting out of police helicopters. More than 200 vehicles were on display.
With some of the highest rates of murder and rape in the world, South Africa is one of the world's most violent countries outside of war zones.
Last month, Mthethwa said officials had become aware of a particular al-Qaida threat against World Cup games involving a grouping of teams including the U.S. and England. Messages about a possible attack were posted on websites frequently used by militants.
But Monday's announcement of an arrest in Baghdad is the first concrete security action against rumored attacks.
Interpol, the international agency that fosters cooperation between national police forces, has praised South Africa's security preparations ahead of the World Cup. The agency is sending 200 experts to assist during the tournament, and each of the 31 visiting teams is also expected to send at least eight officers.
Filed under: World, Sports
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
2010 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.