The Swamp: The swearing-in of Barack Obama came off without a security-related hitch today, but underneath the calm veneer, federal authorities were intensively investigating a report that a group of Somalia-based militants wanted to launch some kind of inauguration-related attack.
Secret Service officials anxiously oversaw what was by far the largest-ever security operation for a presidential inauguration, marshaling the forces of several dozen federal, state and local law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Their biggest white-knuckle moment: when the new president and First Lady Michele Obama exited their heavily fortified limousine and walked along long stretches of Pennsylvania Avenue on their way from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. As they strolled, government counter-snipers patrolled the rooftops overhead and hyper-alert Secret Service fanned out around them, scouring parade viewers often more than a dozen deep for the glint of a handgun or some other kind of weapon. The biggest concerned was whether the crowds would get unruly. “The crowd has been well-behaved. No problems,” said Sgt. Ernesto Celaya of the San Antonio, Texas Police Department, as he and 60 of his brown-uniformed men and women faced the crowd along one portion of the parade route.
The day’s responsibilities for most security officers ended at 4:39 p.m. when the Obamas walked under the white awning and entered the White House. But for others, it will continue, as authorities search for any indication that the Somalia-based threat was real.more..http://patdollard.com/2009/01/betrayed-by-his-own-people-feds-feared-somali-attack-on-obama-during-inauguration/
Secret Service officials anxiously oversaw what was by far the largest-ever security operation for a presidential inauguration, marshaling the forces of several dozen federal, state and local law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Their biggest white-knuckle moment: when the new president and First Lady Michele Obama exited their heavily fortified limousine and walked along long stretches of Pennsylvania Avenue on their way from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. As they strolled, government counter-snipers patrolled the rooftops overhead and hyper-alert Secret Service fanned out around them, scouring parade viewers often more than a dozen deep for the glint of a handgun or some other kind of weapon. The biggest concerned was whether the crowds would get unruly. “The crowd has been well-behaved. No problems,” said Sgt. Ernesto Celaya of the San Antonio, Texas Police Department, as he and 60 of his brown-uniformed men and women faced the crowd along one portion of the parade route.
The day’s responsibilities for most security officers ended at 4:39 p.m. when the Obamas walked under the white awning and entered the White House. But for others, it will continue, as authorities search for any indication that the Somalia-based threat was real.more..http://patdollard.com/2009/01/betrayed-by-his-own-people-feds-feared-somali-attack-on-obama-during-inauguration/
DHS, Intelligence Agencies Analyzing ‘Potential Threat’ From al-Shabaab
Inauguration security stays busy
WASHINGTON — Authorities monitored a rush of intelligence leads Tuesday at the largest security operation in presidential inauguration history, including a possible threat from an East Africa radical Islamic terrorist group.
Law enforcement and intelligence officials received information that people associated with a Somalia-based group, al-Shabaab, might try to travel to the U.S. with plans to disrupt the inauguration, according to a joint FBI/Homeland Security bulletin issued Monday night. The information had limited specificity and uncertain credibility, said Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke.
U.S. counter-terror officials have grown concerned in recent months about the threat posed by the militant al-Shabaab group and a cell of U.S.-based Somali sympathizers who have traveled to their homeland to "fight alongside Islamic insurgents," the alert reported.
Authorities stressed that the warning was posted as a precaution as part of the massive effort to monitor intelligence traffic and check out all leads in advance of President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. Officials have warned that the inauguration poses an attractive target for terrorists because of the large crowds descending on the nation's capital and the historic significance of the country swearing in its first black president.more..
Law enforcement and intelligence officials received information that people associated with a Somalia-based group, al-Shabaab, might try to travel to the U.S. with plans to disrupt the inauguration, according to a joint FBI/Homeland Security bulletin issued Monday night. The information had limited specificity and uncertain credibility, said Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke.
U.S. counter-terror officials have grown concerned in recent months about the threat posed by the militant al-Shabaab group and a cell of U.S.-based Somali sympathizers who have traveled to their homeland to "fight alongside Islamic insurgents," the alert reported.
Authorities stressed that the warning was posted as a precaution as part of the massive effort to monitor intelligence traffic and check out all leads in advance of President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. Officials have warned that the inauguration poses an attractive target for terrorists because of the large crowds descending on the nation's capital and the historic significance of the country swearing in its first black president.more..
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment