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Washington, D C , Fusion Center February 10, 2009, Intelligence Briefing

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Page 1 from Washington, D C , Fusion Center February 10, 2009, Intelligence Briefing
Washington Regional Threat and Anal sis Center Fire Watch Fire and Emergency Medical Service Intelligence Briefing TITLE Possibili of "Forest Jihad"? SERIES NUMBER 2009-100 DATE 10-Feb-09 Death toll may reach 200 as wildfires spread across southern Australia Analyst comment: Could these fires be the result of "Forest Jihad." as called for on terrorist websites? Below are some open source articles from the past. There has been a lot of speculation about this happening, although there has been no definitive linking I am currently aware of. The 2007 Greece forest fires The 2007 Greek forest fires were a series of massive forest fires that broke out in several areas across Greece throughout the summer of 2007. The most destmctive and lethal infernos broke out on August 23, expanded rapidly and raged out of control until August 27, until they were put out in early September. The fires mainly affected western and southern Peloponnese as well as southern Euboea. The death toll in August alone stood at 67 people. In total 84 people lost their lives because of the fires, including several fire fighters. Some of these firestorms are believed to be the result of arson while others were indeed the result of mere negligence. Hot temperatures, that included three consecutive heat waves of over 105 °F, and severe drought rendered the 2007 summer unprecedented in modem Greek histo1y. From the end of June to early September, over 3,000 forest fires were recorded across the nation. Nine more people were killed in blazes in June and July. DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION: UNCLASSIFIEO//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 1 DISTRIBUTION: This document is provided for your information and use. It is intended for first responders, security personnel, antiterrorism officers and intelligence personnel. Further dissemination should be limited to a minimum, consistent with the purpose of supporting effective response to and planning activities associated with security of installations, personnel, equipment and facilities. (This does not limit the readers' ability to pass the information to members of their organizati on if they believe sharing the informat ion assists in preparing other members for a future incident). This document shall not be furnished to the medi a. It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552).
Washington Regional Threat and Anal sis Center Fire Watch Fire and Emergency Medical Service Intelligence Briefing TITLE Possibili of "Forest Jihad"? SERIES NUMBER 2009-100 DATE 10-Feb-09 Death toll may reach 200 as wildfires spread across southern Australia Analyst comment: Could these fires be the result of "Forest Jihad." as called for on terrorist websites? Below are some open source articles from the past. There has been a lot of speculation about this happening, although there has been no definitive linking I am currently aware of. The 2007 Greece forest fires The 2007 Greek forest fires were a series of massive forest fires that broke out in several areas across Greece throughout the summer of 2007. The most destmctive and lethal infernos broke out on August 23, expanded rapidly and raged out of control until August 27, until they were put out in early September. The fires mainly affected western and southern Peloponnese as well as southern Euboea. The death toll in August alone stood at 67 people. In total 84 people lost their lives because of the fires, including several fire fighters. Some of these firestorms are believed to be the result of arson while others were indeed the result of mere negligence. Hot temperatures, that included three consecutive heat waves of over 105 °F, and severe drought rendered the 2007 summer unprecedented in modem Greek histo1y. From the end of June to early September, over 3,000 forest fires were recorded across the nation. Nine more people were killed in blazes in June and July. DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION: UNCLASSIFIEO//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 1 DISTRIBUTION: This document is provided for your information and use. It is intended for first responders, security personnel, antiterrorism officers and intelligence personnel. Further dissemination should be limited to a minimum, consistent with the purpose of supporting effective response to and planning activities associated with security of installations, personnel, equipment and facilities. (This does not limit the readers' ability to pass the information to members of their organizati on if they believe sharing the informat ion assists in preparing other members for a future incident). This document shall not be furnished to the medi a. It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552).
Page 2 from Washington, D C , Fusion Center February 10, 2009, Intelligence Briefing
A total of 670,000 acres of forest, olive groves and farmland were destroyed in the fires, which was the worst fire season on record in the past 50 years. Of the total of 370,000 acres were burnt forests in Southern Greece alone. Many buildings were also destroyed in the blaze. The fire destroyed 1,000 houses and 1,100 other buildings, and damaging hundreds more. Pyro-Terror: Are Greek Wildfires An Act Of Terrorism? - August 27, 2007 A top prosecutor ordered an investigation Monday into whether recent arson attacks in Greek forests could be considered terrorism, the Public Order Ministry said. Meanwhile, a fire broke out on the fringes of Athens a day after a massive effort prevented the birthplace of the Olympics from being devastated by flames. Dimitris Papangelopoulos, who is responsible for prosecuting terrorism and organized crime, ordered the investigation to determine “whether the crimes of arsonists and of arson attacks on forests” could come under Greece’s anti-terrorism law, the ministry said in a statement. The probe also will seek to establish the identities of the alleged perpetrators. Could it happen here? The threat of similar pyro-terrorist attacks pose a significant risk to the U.S. and the fires in Greece should be a wake-up call. In 2003 an FBI memo alerted law enforcement agencies that an alQaeda terrorist being held in detention had talked of masterminding a plot to set a series of devastating forest fires around the western United States. Forest Fire Jihad Being Threatened On Terrorist Websites - January 15, 2008 U.S. officials monitoring terrorist web sites have discovered a call for using forest fires as weapons against “crusader” nations, in what may explain some recent wildfires in places like southern California and Greece. A terrorist website was discovered recently that carried a posting that called for “Forest Jihad.” The posting was listed on the Internet on Nov. 26 and reported in U.S. intelligence channels last week. The statement, in Arabic, said that “summer has begun so do not forget the Forest Jihad.” The writer called on all Muslims in the United States, Europe, Russia and Australia to “start forest fires.” The posting quoted imprisoned Al Qaida terrorist Abu Musab Al-Suri, as saying “Jihad is an art just like poetry, music, and the fine arts. There are people that draw and there are others that are jihadists. They both act upon inspiration.” Terror Group Urges Forest Fire Jihad - September 7, 2008 Analyst comment: Note the date of this posting in relation to the current fires The threat of a forest fire jihad has been made on numerous occasions. This story is again another reminder to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity. DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 2 DISTRIBUTION: This document is provided for your information and use. It is intended for first responders, security personnel, antiterrorism officers and intelligence personnel. Further dissemination should be limited to a minimum, consistent with the purpose of supporting effective response to and planning activities associated with security of installations, personnel, equipment and facilities. (This does not limit the readers’ ability to pass the information to members of their organization if they believe sharing the information assists in preparing other members for a future incident). This document shall not be furnished to the media. It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552).
A total of 670,000 acres of forest, olive groves and farmland were destroyed in the fires, which was the worst fire season on record in the past 50 years. Of the total of 370,000 acres were burnt forests in Southern Greece alone. Many buildings were also destroyed in the blaze. The fire destroyed 1,000 houses and 1,100 other buildings, and damaging hundreds more. Pyro-Terror: Are Greek Wildfires An Act Of Terrorism? - August 27, 2007 A top prosecutor ordered an investigation Monday into whether recent arson attacks in Greek forests could be considered terrorism, the Public Order Ministry said. Meanwhile, a fire broke out on the fringes of Athens a day after a massive effort prevented the birthplace of the Olympics from being devastated by flames. Dimitris Papangelopoulos, who is responsible for prosecuting terrorism and organized crime, ordered the investigation to determine “whether the crimes of arsonists and of arson attacks on forests” could come under Greece’s anti-terrorism law, the ministry said in a statement. The probe also will seek to establish the identities of the alleged perpetrators. Could it happen here? The threat of similar pyro-terrorist attacks pose a significant risk to the U.S. and the fires in Greece should be a wake-up call. In 2003 an FBI memo alerted law enforcement agencies that an alQaeda terrorist being held in detention had talked of masterminding a plot to set a series of devastating forest fires around the western United States. Forest Fire Jihad Being Threatened On Terrorist Websites - January 15, 2008 U.S. officials monitoring terrorist web sites have discovered a call for using forest fires as weapons against “crusader” nations, in what may explain some recent wildfires in places like southern California and Greece. A terrorist website was discovered recently that carried a posting that called for “Forest Jihad.” The posting was listed on the Internet on Nov. 26 and reported in U.S. intelligence channels last week. The statement, in Arabic, said that “summer has begun so do not forget the Forest Jihad.” The writer called on all Muslims in the United States, Europe, Russia and Australia to “start forest fires.” The posting quoted imprisoned Al Qaida terrorist Abu Musab Al-Suri, as saying “Jihad is an art just like poetry, music, and the fine arts. There are people that draw and there are others that are jihadists. They both act upon inspiration.” Terror Group Urges Forest Fire Jihad - September 7, 2008 Analyst comment: Note the date of this posting in relation to the current fires The threat of a forest fire jihad has been made on numerous occasions. This story is again another reminder to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity. DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 2 DISTRIBUTION: This document is provided for your information and use. It is intended for first responders, security personnel, antiterrorism officers and intelligence personnel. Further dissemination should be limited to a minimum, consistent with the purpose of supporting effective response to and planning activities associated with security of installations, personnel, equipment and facilities. (This does not limit the readers’ ability to pass the information to members of their organization if they believe sharing the information assists in preparing other members for a future incident). This document shall not be furnished to the media. It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552).
Page 3 from Washington, D C , Fusion Center February 10, 2009, Intelligence Briefing
Australia has been singled out as a target for “forest jihad” by a group of Islamic extremists urging Muslims to deliberately light bushfires as a weapon of terror. US intelligence channels earlier this year identified a website calling on Muslims in Australia, the US, Europe and Russia to “start forest fires”, claiming “scholars have justified chopping down and burning the infidels’ forests when they do the same to our lands”. The website, posted by a group called the Al-Ikhlas Islamic Network, argues in Arabic that lighting fires is an effective form of terrorism justified in Islamic law under the “eye for an eye” doctrine. The posting — which instructs jihadis to remember “forest jihad” in summer months — says fires cause economic damage and pollution, tie up security agencies and can take months to extinguish so that “this terror will haunt them for an extended period of time”. “Imagine if, after all the losses caused by such an event, a jihadist organization were to claim responsibility for the forest fires,” the website says. “You can hardly begin to imagine the level of fear that would take hold of people in the United States, in Europe, in Russia and in Australia.” With the nation heading into another hot, dry summer, Australian intelligence agencies are treating the possibility that bushfires could be used as a weapon of terrorism as a serious concern. Australian Wildfires Could Fuel ‘Forest Jihad’ Terrorists, Experts Say - Feb. 9, 2009 Firefighters and homeowners aren’t the only ones keenly watching Australia’s massive wildfires, responsible for killing at least 173 people in the southern part of the continent. Terrorism experts suspect Muslim extremists are watching closely, too — and taking note of the devastation. While Australian authorities have revealed no evidence linking the wildfires to extremists, terrorism experts say the large death toll, the huge swath of destruction and the massive financial blow to the country are proving to Islamic terrorists that arson can be a highly effective — and simple — tool of holy war. In November, an extremist Web site called on Muslims to launch a “forest jihad” in Australia, Europe, Russia and the United States. The posting, which quoted imprisoned Al Qaeda terrorist Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, said setting forest fires was legal under “eye-for-an-eye” Islamic law. “Scholars have justified chopping down and burning the infidels’ forests when they do the same to our lands,” the posting read. The author of the posting indicated that Nasar — also known as Abu Musab Al-Suri — was urging terrorists to use sulfuric acid or gasoline to start the fires. DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 3 DISTRIBUTION: This document is provided for your information and use. It is intended for first responders, security personnel, antiterrorism officers and intelligence personnel. Further dissemination should be limited to a minimum, consistent with the purpose of supporting effective response to and planning activities associated with security of installations, personnel, equipment and facilities. (This does not limit the readers’ ability to pass the information to members of their organization if they believe sharing the information assists in preparing other members for a future incident). This document shall not be furnished to the media. It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552).
Australia has been singled out as a target for “forest jihad” by a group of Islamic extremists urging Muslims to deliberately light bushfires as a weapon of terror. US intelligence channels earlier this year identified a website calling on Muslims in Australia, the US, Europe and Russia to “start forest fires”, claiming “scholars have justified chopping down and burning the infidels’ forests when they do the same to our lands”. The website, posted by a group called the Al-Ikhlas Islamic Network, argues in Arabic that lighting fires is an effective form of terrorism justified in Islamic law under the “eye for an eye” doctrine. The posting — which instructs jihadis to remember “forest jihad” in summer months — says fires cause economic damage and pollution, tie up security agencies and can take months to extinguish so that “this terror will haunt them for an extended period of time”. “Imagine if, after all the losses caused by such an event, a jihadist organization were to claim responsibility for the forest fires,” the website says. “You can hardly begin to imagine the level of fear that would take hold of people in the United States, in Europe, in Russia and in Australia.” With the nation heading into another hot, dry summer, Australian intelligence agencies are treating the possibility that bushfires could be used as a weapon of terrorism as a serious concern. Australian Wildfires Could Fuel ‘Forest Jihad’ Terrorists, Experts Say - Feb. 9, 2009 Firefighters and homeowners aren’t the only ones keenly watching Australia’s massive wildfires, responsible for killing at least 173 people in the southern part of the continent. Terrorism experts suspect Muslim extremists are watching closely, too — and taking note of the devastation. While Australian authorities have revealed no evidence linking the wildfires to extremists, terrorism experts say the large death toll, the huge swath of destruction and the massive financial blow to the country are proving to Islamic terrorists that arson can be a highly effective — and simple — tool of holy war. In November, an extremist Web site called on Muslims to launch a “forest jihad” in Australia, Europe, Russia and the United States. The posting, which quoted imprisoned Al Qaeda terrorist Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, said setting forest fires was legal under “eye-for-an-eye” Islamic law. “Scholars have justified chopping down and burning the infidels’ forests when they do the same to our lands,” the posting read. The author of the posting indicated that Nasar — also known as Abu Musab Al-Suri — was urging terrorists to use sulfuric acid or gasoline to start the fires. DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 3 DISTRIBUTION: This document is provided for your information and use. It is intended for first responders, security personnel, antiterrorism officers and intelligence personnel. Further dissemination should be limited to a minimum, consistent with the purpose of supporting effective response to and planning activities associated with security of installations, personnel, equipment and facilities. (This does not limit the readers’ ability to pass the information to members of their organization if they believe sharing the information assists in preparing other members for a future incident). This document shall not be furnished to the media. It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552).
Page 4 from Washington, D C , Fusion Center February 10, 2009, Intelligence Briefing
"Forest fires trnck well with the latest discussion trends seen in the Al Qaeda f01ums - easy to do, big impact, low security risk, high media coverage," said Al Qaeda expe1i Janet Brachman. "We've seen these kinds of appeals for action, be it setting fire to forests in Australia, to creating oil slicks on mountain roads in Europe, to poisoning water supplies and driving buses off bridges in the United States. "The fact is that the Al Qaeda ideology is staiiing to branch out to more of an 'anyone, anywhere, anytime, anyhow' approach. " Brachman, author of "Global Jihadism: Theo1y and Practice," said "forest jihad" fits well in the growing interest among tenorists to establish "Al Qaeda armies of one. " "Could [militants] do this? Yes," said Steve Emerson, executive director of The Investigative Project on Tenorism. "It wouldn't be difficult, in the same way that tenorists could poison stored food supplies." Perhaps more troubling, Emerson said, is that there is ve1y little authorities can do to prevent tenorists from setting deadly wildfires. "It would be absolutely impossible to protect against," he said. "Airpo1i parameters are hard enough to protect. Imagine tiying to protect something 100,000 times as big." Wildfire Impacts on the United States • The Federal Government annually spends billions of dollars to suppress wildfires. • Wildfires increase the potential for flooding, debris flows, and landslides. • Smoke and other emissions contain pollutants that can cause sign ificant health problems. • Sho1i-te1m effects: desti11ction of timber, forage, wildlife habitats, scenic vistas, and watersheds • Long-te1m effects: reduced access to recreational areas; desti11ction of community in:frasti11cture This map shows locations that experienced wildlfires greater than 250 acres, from 1980 to 2003. Analyst comment: Wh;/e the D. C. does not have the potenNal for the w;/dfire problem that many areas of the county deal with, we still have large areas of park/ands, such as Rock Creek, Fort Chap/;n and Fort Dupont Parks. Additionally, you don't have to far out ;n Maryland or Virg;nia to find more of the same. Large w;/dfires would cause a regfonal strain on resources and availab;/ity for other responses. Determining the cause of thefire would now be more important the ever! DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION: UNCLASSIFIEO//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 4 DISTRIBUTION: This document is provided for your information and use. It is intended for first responders, security personnel, antiterrorism officers and intelligence personnel. Further dissemination should be limited to a minimum, consistent with the purpose of supporting effective response to and planning activities associated with security of installations, personnel, equipment and facilities. (This does not limit the readers' ability to pass the information to members of their organizati on if they believe sharing the informat ion assists in preparing other members for a future incident). This document shall not be furnished to the medi a. It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552).
"Forest fires trnck well with the latest discussion trends seen in the Al Qaeda f01ums - easy to do, big impact, low security risk, high media coverage," said Al Qaeda expe1i Janet Brachman. "We've seen these kinds of appeals for action, be it setting fire to forests in Australia, to creating oil slicks on mountain roads in Europe, to poisoning water supplies and driving buses off bridges in the United States. "The fact is that the Al Qaeda ideology is staiiing to branch out to more of an 'anyone, anywhere, anytime, anyhow' approach. " Brachman, author of "Global Jihadism: Theo1y and Practice," said "forest jihad" fits well in the growing interest among tenorists to establish "Al Qaeda armies of one. " "Could [militants] do this? Yes," said Steve Emerson, executive director of The Investigative Project on Tenorism. "It wouldn't be difficult, in the same way that tenorists could poison stored food supplies." Perhaps more troubling, Emerson said, is that there is ve1y little authorities can do to prevent tenorists from setting deadly wildfires. "It would be absolutely impossible to protect against," he said. "Airpo1i parameters are hard enough to protect. Imagine tiying to protect something 100,000 times as big." Wildfire Impacts on the United States • The Federal Government annually spends billions of dollars to suppress wildfires. • Wildfires increase the potential for flooding, debris flows, and landslides. • Smoke and other emissions contain pollutants that can cause sign ificant health problems. • Sho1i-te1m effects: desti11ction of timber, forage, wildlife habitats, scenic vistas, and watersheds • Long-te1m effects: reduced access to recreational areas; desti11ction of community in:frasti11cture This map shows locations that experienced wildlfires greater than 250 acres, from 1980 to 2003. Analyst comment: Wh;/e the D. C. does not have the potenNal for the w;/dfire problem that many areas of the county deal with, we still have large areas of park/ands, such as Rock Creek, Fort Chap/;n and Fort Dupont Parks. Additionally, you don't have to far out ;n Maryland or Virg;nia to find more of the same. Large w;/dfires would cause a regfonal strain on resources and availab;/ity for other responses. Determining the cause of thefire would now be more important the ever! DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION: UNCLASSIFIEO//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 4 DISTRIBUTION: This document is provided for your information and use. It is intended for first responders, security personnel, antiterrorism officers and intelligence personnel. Further dissemination should be limited to a minimum, consistent with the purpose of supporting effective response to and planning activities associated with security of installations, personnel, equipment and facilities. (This does not limit the readers' ability to pass the information to members of their organizati on if they believe sharing the informat ion assists in preparing other members for a future incident). This document shall not be furnished to the medi a. It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552).