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Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told reporters at the UN General Assembly today that ISIS is planning an attack on the subways of New York and Paris.
He said the terror plot has not been thwarted and that he was made aware of the intelligence this morning. U.S. officials say this is the first they’ve heard of it.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Abadi Says Those Plotting the Attack Include Americans
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According to the AP, Al-Abadi said the plot involves foreign fighters trained by ISIS in Iraq, including Americans:
Today, while I’m here I’m receiving accurate reports from Baghdad that there were arrests of a few elements and there were networks from inside Iraq to have attacks … on metros of Paris and U.S. They are not Iraqis. Some of them are French, some of them are Americans. But they are in Iraq.
Al-Abadi clarified the terror scheme has not been thwarted, just discovered:
“No, it has not been disrupted yet … this is a network.”
He said Iraqi intelligence agents learned of the plot from captive ISIS fighters.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. (Getty)
Obama insiders and defense officials say they have no information to confirm the terror plot but are investigating. Caitlin Hayden, National Security Council spokesperson, released this statement:
We have not confirmed such a plot and would have to review any information from our Iraqi partners before making any further determinations. We take any threat seriously and always work to corroborate information we receive from our partners. We’re obviously very focused on the issue of foreign fighters.
2. America Was Already on Alert for Homeland Attacks Amid U.S. Bombing in Iraq & Syria
The Islamic State flag. (Wikipedia)
It had been previously reported that ISIS was plotting terror attacks against nations who have been active in the bombing campaigns of Syria and Iraq.
Authorities specifically warned the public in the U.S about the potential for “Lone Wolf” attacks.
3. NYC Recently Beefed Up the Police Presence on Subways
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The New York Post reported that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently pledged an”unprecedented” amount of law enforcement officers to protect transit hubs amid the threat of retaliation as U.S. bombs ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria.
An NYPD statement about the Iraqi PM’s statement said:
We are aware of the Iraqi prime minister’s statements and we are in close contact with the FBI and other federal partners as we assess this particular threat stream. New York City normally operates at a heightened level of security and we adjust that posture daily based on our evaluation of information as we receive it.
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New York Congressman Peter King told CBS New York that he hadn’t seen any evidence of an imminent attack:
I have been aware that there are plots that ISIS is planning overseas against other countries, quite honestly, I have not been advised of this — and I have been checking this out — I don’t believe that the U.S. government has been advised of an imminent plot.
It could be speculation in Iraq, it could be conversations where they were talking about it as aspirational, but as far as it being in motion I don’t believe it is.
4. This Comes as Iran’s President Blames the U.S. for the Rise of ISIS
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Just after the Iraqi PM announced the ISIS plot, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, also in New York for the General Assembly, blamed the rise of ISIS on the West’s involvement in the Middle East.
The Iranian leader said the fight against ISIS should be led by “regional powers”:
Countries leading the coalition aiming to continue their hegemony are making a mistake. Instead the countries in the region should create a coalition to fight terrorism, and then if other countries want to provide assistance they should come to their support.
Rouhani added that if the U.S. wants Iranian support, Obama must support Tehran’s nuclear plans. A day prior, Obama spoke to the Assembly requesting support for the U.S. mission to bomb ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
5. A Major Plot Against New York Subways Was Foiled in 2009
Najibullah Zazi pictured in 2009. (Getty)
In 2009, Najibullah Zazi of Colorado was arrested for plotting to bomb the subways of New York and London. Zazi was acting on behalf of al-Qaeda, according to investigators.
Zazi has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.