America 'on verge of new terror outrage'

The group which claimed responsibility for the Madrid train massacre threatened that America was on the verge of another deadly terror attack.

The group, speaking in the name of al-Qaida, said plans to strike America with a “black wind of death” were 90% complete.

The warning was sent to the London-based Arabic newspaper, Al Quds, by The Brigade of Abu Hafs al-Masri.

It said: “We announce the good news for the Muslims in the world that the strike of the black wind of death, the expected strike against America, is now at its final stage – 90% ready – and it is coming soon, by God’s will.

“The faithful will be happy for God’s victory,” it added.

The editor of Al Quds, Abdel Bari Atwan, said he believed the claim of responsibility was genuine.

“In the past, the same organisation sent us similar letters. They claimed responsibility for the attacks against Italian troops in Iraq and also for other attacks in Istanbul against the British consulate,” he told Sky News.

“It is the routine of this kind of organisation to send these kind of e-mails.”

The warning that the US was on the verge of another attack will sow seeds of fear into the consciences of Americans.

But some terrorism experts have argued that it is simply a tactic to terrorise the American people, whether it is true or not.

There have been several threats in recent months, all claiming that the US was on the brink of a doomsday-type assault.

After the attacks in New York and Washington in September 11, 2001, people in the United States fear what the terrorists are capable of next.

The Department of Homeland Security, established after September 11, currently assesses the threat level to the US as “elevated” – yellow on a five-point scale, which runs from green (low) to blue (guarded), yellow (elevated), orange (high) and red (severe).

Despite the latest warning there appeared to be no plans for the US to raise the threat level.

Shortly before Christmas the Department of Homeland Security raised the threat level to orange in light of fresh intelligence.

But the alert was downgraded to yellow in early January – the level at which it remains now.

Among other recent threats against America was one by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, who said in a recorded message that the end of America was imminent.

In claiming responsibility for the Madrid attacks, the Brigade of Abu Hafs al-Masri said its “death squad” had penetrated “one of the pillars of the crusader alliance”.

“This is part of settling old accounts with Spain, the crusader, and America’s ally in its war against Islam,” it said.

There is no way of knowing, at this stage, whether the claim is true or authentic.

US president George Bush pledged to “stand strong with the people of Spain”.

He said: “I appreciate so very much the Spanish government’s fight against terror.”

Secretary of State Colin Powell condemned the “outrageous and appalling terrorist attacks”.

He said in a statement: “The United States stands resolutely with Spain in the fight against terrorism in all its forms.”

He added: “We will assist the Spanish government in any way we can to find those responsible for these heinous acts and bring them to certain justice.”