Terrorist attack: Investigators say attempted bombing of Detroit plane an al-Qaeda plot

Airport police operate a checkpoint for vehicles entering Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009. Aviation security officials worldwide boost safety restrictions on travelers after an attempted Christmas Day terrorist attack on a flight from Europe to Detroit, imposing extra screening and new limits on carry-on luggage. (AP Photo)

According to recent reports, the failed terrorist attack on Delta (Northwest) flight 253 on Christmas Day was planned by al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen. It was there that the suspect had bomb materials sewn into his underwear before he was placed on the plane.

Federal authorities told ABC News that the supsect, now being identified as Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, had on his person over 80 grams of PETN—a compound similar to nitro-glycerin. Investigators said the bombing attempt likely failed because the “detonator may have been too small or was not in ‘proper contact’ with the explosive material,” according to ABC.

Abdulmutallab told authorities he made contact with an imam in Yemen, who some believe may be the same man who was in contact with alleged Fort Hood shooter, Nidal Hasan, prior to the Army base attack. Imam Anwar Awlaki was born in the U.S. but has lived in al-Qaeda since 2002, according to ABC.

The bombing suspect told officials that he lived with the imam for about a month and was not allowed to leave during his training. In addition, he claims that during that time, they were joined by a bomb maker, a Saudi citizen.

The explosive device was made up of a 6-inch packet of powder and a syringe filled with liquid—both sewn into the suspect’s underwear “so they would be near his testicles and unlikely to be detected, he told agents,” according to ABC.

Investigators said Abdulmutallab’s failed attempt to detonate the device resulted in second-degree burns to his genitals.

The suspect was on a U.S. “terror watch list,” but was not on the “no fly” list, which would have prevented him from getting on the plane.

ABC News reports that Abdulmutallab’s father was concerned about his son’s behavior and contacted the U.S. embassy about six months ago warning them that he may pose a threat to the U.S.

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