SITE Institute: Message from al-Suri Calling Upon Sleeper Cells to Awaken and Attack Britain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Australia, Japan, and Especially France

SITE Institute: SITE Publications – A Statement about the Arrest of Sheikh Abu Musab al-Suri and a Message from al-Suri Calling Upon Sleeper Cells to Awaken and Attack Britain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Australia, Japan, and Especially France

A recently issued statement from the spokesman for Abu Musab al-Suri, Abdul al-Tawab al-Shami, confirms the arrest of the al-Qaeda operative, and in addition, includes a speech from al-Suri, over one hour in length, as well a 17-page transcript of this oration, concerning his alleged complicity in the July 7, 2005 London bombings and the new British government regulations concerning Muslims. In the speech, al-Suri alleges innocence and having no connection with the attacks in London, or those in Madrid in 2005 and Paris in 1995; however, confirms his support to these attacks. Further, he castigates those governments who maintain a military presence in Muslim lands and urges the mujahideen residing within Europe to “move fast” to attack Britain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Germany, France, as well as Russia, Australia, and Japan.

The statement from Abdul al-Tawab al-Shami indicates that al-Suri was arrested approximately three months ago, rather than “lately” as reported by the media, and the speech regarding London was withheld due to “security reasons.” For additional information, Al-Shami directs readers to al-Suri’s will , as well as his 1,600-page book,

“The International Islamic Resistance Call. ”

Abu Musab al-Suri’s message calls for an immediate jihad amongst the mujahideen from Syria and Lebanon against France, stating: “On this occasion I asked for the mujahideen from Syria, Lebanon, and al-Sham as well as others…to hit France and target it now in all of its land and its interests everywhere just as they hit and attacked others”.

Al-Suri elaborates upon three points in his speech: the collective argument of the “jihadists” against their enemies, his innocence in the explosions in London, Madrid, and Paris, and warning to the British and European governments, as well as other “general enemies”. He argues that al-Qaeda made it explicit to the Western governments that their continued abuse and encroachment upon resources and politics within Muslim lands would end fruitless debate and the Muslims would take up arms. Al-Suri indicates that the British received the sternest of warnings in this regard. He explains the position the jihadists in Britain during the mid-1990’s through the ascendancy of Tony Blair to Prime Minister, and of some of their exit to Afghanistan.

Though he took pleasure in the London bombings, al-Suri states he had nothing to do with its planning or execution. He reiterates this same claim about Madrid and Paris, though he “reveals” that he is the one who drew the picture of an “Eiffel Tower exploding in pieces.” Al-Suri saves his harshest vitriol for France, condemning its government and promising attacks for its aggression in Syria, Lebanon, Bosnia, Algeria, Afghanistan, and for an “active role in NATO” and forbidding Muslim women to wear hijab. Concerning Spain, he urges its government to ask the European Union to accept the truce for non-aggression as laid out by Usama bin Laden. However, for those states he condemns, al-Suri states: “Let our sleeping cells wake up, the war is at its apex. The enemy is about to collapse. This is obvious now. Those who sleep now maybe will not participate when they wake up.”

Media reports indicate that a suspect believed to be Abu Musab al-Suri was captured in Quetta, Pakistan during the beginning of November 2005. Abu Musab al-Suri, AKA Mustafa Sitmaryan Nassar, or Umar Abd al-Hakim, is an al-Qaeda operative who ran terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and instructs in poison and chemical warfare. On November 18, 2004, the U.S. State Department offered a $5 million for information leading to his arrest. Al-Suri, meaning “The Syrian,” was indicted in Spain in 2003 for allegedly training al-Qaeda sleeper cells for deployment in Spain, Italy, and France and is believed to have masterminded the Madrid train bombings in March 2004.

The Dutch Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) is checking this statement.