Feds issue suicide hijacking warning

WASHINGTON -- Federal officials are warning of the possibility that al-Qaida will attempt new suicide hijackings but said Tuesday they have no plans to raise the nation's terrorism threat alert level.

The Department of Homeland Security sent a warning to airlines and law enforcement agencies on Saturday. Officials said the credibility of the threat is still being evaluated, and there was no precise information on when or where such an attack could take place.

A copy of the warning, obtained by The Associated Press, says terrorists may use five-man teams to take over airplanes just after takeoff or before landing and crash them into buildings, just like in the Sept. 11 attacks.

It suggests an attack could take place by the end of the summer.

"The hijackers may try to calm passengers and make them believe they were on a hostage, not suicide, mission," it says.

The warning also suggests cities on the east coast of the United States and in the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia as possible targets.

The warning was based on information gleaned from interviews of at least one al-Qaida prisoner as well as intercepted communications, said one intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Cognizant of changes in aviation security measures since Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaida is looking for new ways to circumvent enhancements in aviation security screening and tightening immigration requirements," the warning says.

Homeland Security officials initially provided the warning only to the aviation industry and law enforcement agencies but acknowledged its existence in response to press queries.

The agency placed a statement on its Web site saying the advisory was transmitted after U.S. intelligence-gatherers "received information that al-Qaida continues to be interested in using the commercial aviation system in the United States and abroad to further their cause."

In response to the advisory, the State Department on Tuesday revised an existing caution for American travelers to reflect the perceived hijacking threat.

"Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft," the revised statement said.

The national terrorist threat level remains at yellow, signifying an elevated risk of attacks. The five-level, color-coded system was last raised to orange, or high risk, for 11 days in May. Officials said they do not plan to raise it to reflect the possibility of suicide hijackings.