Al-Qaida 'link to UK extremists.Byline: By JOHN-PAUL FORD ROJASA TERROR video recorded by July 7 bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan Mohammad Sidique Khan (October 20, 1974 – July 7, 2005) was the oldest of the four suicide bombers responsible for the 7 July 2005 London bombings, in which bombs were detonated on three London Underground trains and one bus in central London suicide attacks that killed 52 shows al-Qaida has penetrated the Muslim extremist community in the UK, it was claimed last night. Abdel Bari-Atwan, editor of London-based Arabic daily newspaper Al Quds, said it also showed the "war against terrorism" had strengthened the organisation. Anti-terror experts, however, believe accomplices of Khan could have helped him film the message and then smuggle smug·gle v. smug·gled, smug·gling, smug·gles v.tr. 1. To import or export without paying lawful customs charges or duties. 2. To bring in or take out illicitly or by stealth. the tape abroad, possibly to Pakistan. It was shown for the first time by the Arab TV station al-Jazeera, which is based in Qatar, on Thursday night. The video bore the "al Sahab" logo, which means "The Clouds" and is a signature of al Qaida recordings. In the broadcast, Khan also said he was inspired by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden Osama bin Laden: see bin Laden, Osama. and the reputed leader of the terror group in Iraq, Abu-Musab al Zarqawi. That, and the accompanying message from al Zawahri, has been taken as proof by some analysts that al-Qaida was behind the London bombings. Mr Atwan, an expert on al-Qaida who has met Osama bin Laden, said the message indicated the link between the bombings and policy on Iraq. He said: "It does confirm that al-Qaida managed to penetrate some support of Muslim extremists in this country. They managed to recruit them and actually use them in this kind of atrocity." But security analysts claimed Khan's message may have been stitched together with Zawahri's comments by bin Laden sympathisers in an attempt to allow him to use the atrocity as a propaganda tool. Further video messages from the July 7 bombers may still emerge. One report claimed a broadcast from the Aldgate bomber, Shehzad Tanweer Shehzad Tanweer (December 15, 1982 – July 7, 2005) was one of four men who blew up three trains on the London Underground and one bus in central London during the 7 July 2005 London bombing. , could be released. Tanweer and Khan visited Pakistan, and possibly Afghanistan, together last year. Security officials are trying to establish what they did during their visit CAPTION(S): July 7 suicide bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan in his video broadcast shown on Thursday night |
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