al-Qaeda terrorist tries to blow up Northwest flight on Christmas Day [Video]

Bomber purportedly received training and instructions from Yemen, which has fast become a terrorist stronghold.

A suspected al-Qaeda operative tried to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253 twenty minutes before the plane landed in Detroit on Friday. However, an explosive device failed to detonate that had been strapped to the leg of the suspect, identified as 23-year old Nigerian national Abdul Mudallad, who was then smothered by other passengers. White House officials called it "an attempted act of terrorism."

One hero acted immediately, and might be responisble for saving the lives of the 278 passengers and 11 crew members aboard the flight, according to one eyewitness:

There was one guy who sat on the other side, on the right side of the wing. This was on the left side of the wing. He jumped over all the other people and he took care of it, so the fire went out."

Mudallad was able to sneak the bomb, which officials say consisted of powder and liquid, onto the plane in Nigeria, where the flight originated before it went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit. Nigeria's two major international airports in Abuja and Lagos have been known for lax security - incoming passengers are typically not tested for explosive residue on their carry-on baggage and shoes. 

Mr. Mudallad told authorities that he had received instructions and training at an al-Qaeda terrorist camp based in Yemen, a country which has a number of ties to terrorist activities against the United States, and is linked with key jihadist figures. Officials also said that the man’s name did appear on a U.S. intelligence watch list, however, not on a no-fly list that would have prevented him from boarding the flight.

The following AP Video provides the latest:

U.S. officials believe that Mudallad’s attempt to bring down the plane was in retaliation for America backing the Yemen government in its war against al-Qaeda. Yemen has been able to kill nearly one hundred militants over the past few weeks with the support of U.S. airstrikes, financial aid and intelligence assistance.

At a tribal gathering in Yemen on Monday an al-Qaeda leader vowed to strike the US and its agents in retaliation for people killed during these raids, which included civilians. Sources identified the man as Mohamed Saleh Al-Awlaki, a relative of Fahd Al-Kusaa, who was involved in the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000.

Yemen is also home to Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S. born and educated radical Islamic cleric who supposedly inspired the Fort Hood Shooter, Nidal Hasan, before he went on his psychotic murderous rampage and killed 13 people and wounded 30.   Three of the 9/11 terrorists also attended some of the sermons given by Anwar al-Awlaki, who is a Muslim lecturer, spiritual leader, and former imam. The U.S. thought they might have killed al-Awlaki in air raids on Thursday when they targeted a key meeting of al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen, but reports surfaced Friday that he may still be alive.

Yemen’s instability has even impacted President Barack Obama’s goal of shutting down the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba, because nearly half of the 210 prisoners are Yemeni nationals.

Another interesting connection between Yemen and global jihadist terrorism is the fact that Osama bin Laden's family originally came from Yemen.

President Obama has made Yemen central to the U.S. global war against extremism.  He even mentioned them during his annoucement to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan a few weeks ago:

Where al-Qaeda and its allies attempt to establish a foothold -- whether in Somalia or Yemen or elsewhere -- they must be confronted by growing pressure and strong partnerships."

Meanwhile, al-Qaeda's strategy will be to continue to try and show Americans and the world that confronting them with growing pressure will not deter terror and violence - but will only beget it.

Michael Hughes is also the Afghanistan Headlines Examiner - click here to read more

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