Thwarted Terrorist Plots Since Sept. 11 Attacks

Feb. 9, 2006 — -- According to the White House, the United States and its partners have disrupted at least 10 serious al Qaeda plots since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks -- including three plots to attack inside the United States.

In addition, at least five more al Qaeda efforts to case targets in the United States or have operatives infiltrate the country have been stopped.

Among the plots the Bush administration says have been thwarted are:

The West Coast Airliner Plot: In mid-2002, the United States disrupted a plot to attack targets on the West Coast using hijacked airplanes. The plotters included at least one major operational planner involved in planning the events of Sept. 11.

The East Coast Airliner Plot: In mid-2003, the United States and a partner disrupted a plot to attack targets on the East Coast using hijacked commercial airplanes.

The Jose Padilla Plot: In May 2002, the United States disrupted a plot that involved blowing up domestic apartment buildings. One of the alleged plotters, Jose Padilla, also allegedly discussed the possibility of using a "dirty bomb" in the United States.

The 2004 U.K. Urban Targets Plot: In mid-2004, the United States and partners disrupted a plot that involved urban targets in the United Kingdom. These plots involved using explosives against a variety of sites.

The 2003 Karachi Plot: In the spring of 2003, the United States and a partner disrupted a plot to attack Westerners at several targets in Karachi, Pakistan.

The Heathrow Airport Plot: In 2003, the United States and several partners disrupted a plot to attack London's Heathrow Airport using hijacked commercial airliners. The planning for this attack was undertaken by a major Sept. 11 operational figure.

The 2004 U.K. Plot: In the spring of 2004, the United States and partners, using a combination of law enforcement and intelligence resources, disrupted a plot to conduct large-scale bombings in the United Kingdom.

The 2002 Arabian Gulf Shipping Plot: In late 2002 and 2003, the United States and a partner nation disrupted a plot by al Qaeda operatives to attack ships in the Arabian Gulf.

The 2002 Strait of Hormuz Plot: In 2002, the United States and partners disrupted a plot to attack ships travelling the Strait of Hormuz, the entrance to the Persian Gulf from the Indian Ocean.

The 2003 Tourist Site Plot: In 2003, the United States and a partner nation disrupted a plot to attack a tourist site outside the United States.

Casings and Infiltrations

The U.S. Government and Tourist Sites Tasking: In 2003 and 2004, an individual was tasked by al Qaeda to case important U.S. government and tourist targets within the United States.

The Gas Station Tasking: In approximately 2003, an individual was tasked to collect targeting information on U.S. gas stations and their support mechanisms on behalf of a senior al Qaeda planner.

Iyman Faris and New York's Brooklyn Bridge: In 2003, and in conjunction with a partner nation, the U.S. government arrested and prosecuted Iyman Faris, who was accused of exploring the destruction of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. Faris ultimately pleaded guilty to providing material support to al Qaeda and is now in a federal correctional institution.

2001 Tasking: In 2001, al Qaeda sent an individual to facilitate post-Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. U.S. law enforcement authorities arrested the individual.

2003 Tasking: In 2003, an individual was tasked by an al Qaeda leader to conduct reconnaissance on populated areas in the United States.