gulfmidnightflier
17th Sep 2009, 08:16
United Arab Emirates (Country threat level - 2): According to a report on 15 September 2009, Emirati authorities foiled in August 2009 (some reports also cite July 2009) a plot to blow up the Burj Dubai Tower in Dubai, which is currently under construction and is the tallest man-made structure in the world. Officials reportedly arrested an unspecified number of individuals in August or July 2009, but the development was not widely reported due to a media blackout; in recent days, it has been reported that 45 individuals, mostly Palestinian and Lebanese -- and possibly several Syrians -- were arrested in connection with the plot and that many of those individuals have been expelled from the U.A.E.
Few details regarding the plot are available, but it appears that the individuals involved in it planned to use an aircraft to attack the Burj Dubai Tower upon its completion, which is scheduled for late 2009. There is no indication that a hijacking was planned or that a commercial aircraft was to be used; unconfirmed reports indicate that the group was to use a waiting aircraft at an unidentified location in Iran. Emirati officials are downplaying the entire plot as well as the Iranian connection. The group was reportedly plotting the attack from Ras al-Khaimah, the northernmost emirate that is also located in close proximity to Iran.
The announcement comes shortly after reports earlier in the month that Emirati officials would deport several hundred Palestinians as well as several dozen Lebanese from the U.A.E. by the end of September. Very little information regarding the expulsions was given, but officials stated that they were "security related." No information has since emerged linking the development to the alleged plot, but it is possible that the two developments are in some way connected. Overall, the security apparatus in place in the U.A.E. is aware of the potential threats to the country and works diligently to prevent incidents from occurring. The U.A.E. has not experienced a major terrorist attack, but there are factors -- including the government's pro-Western policies as well as the relative social liberalism in Dubai -- that make the country (and Dubai specifically) a potential target.
Few details regarding the plot are available, but it appears that the individuals involved in it planned to use an aircraft to attack the Burj Dubai Tower upon its completion, which is scheduled for late 2009. There is no indication that a hijacking was planned or that a commercial aircraft was to be used; unconfirmed reports indicate that the group was to use a waiting aircraft at an unidentified location in Iran. Emirati officials are downplaying the entire plot as well as the Iranian connection. The group was reportedly plotting the attack from Ras al-Khaimah, the northernmost emirate that is also located in close proximity to Iran.
The announcement comes shortly after reports earlier in the month that Emirati officials would deport several hundred Palestinians as well as several dozen Lebanese from the U.A.E. by the end of September. Very little information regarding the expulsions was given, but officials stated that they were "security related." No information has since emerged linking the development to the alleged plot, but it is possible that the two developments are in some way connected. Overall, the security apparatus in place in the U.A.E. is aware of the potential threats to the country and works diligently to prevent incidents from occurring. The U.A.E. has not experienced a major terrorist attack, but there are factors -- including the government's pro-Western policies as well as the relative social liberalism in Dubai -- that make the country (and Dubai specifically) a potential target.