9/11 6th Anniversary: Bin Laden Video Being Analyzed by US Govt and Islamist "Special Gift" Promised (updated)

By Jeffrey Imm

UPDATE: September 7, 2007:

--- US government has copy of Bin Laden tape and is analyzing. Reuters, CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC report that the US government has a copy of the Bin Laden video and that the US government is currently analyzing it.

-- NBC reports that numerous Jihadist web sites have simultaneously shut down. NBC and FOX reports that Evan Kohlmann suspected it was the work of Al Qaeda itself, trying to find how the video leaked to U.S. officials

-- ABC and NBC are both reporting details on the Bin Laden tape, which they estimate to be 25-30 minutes long.

-- NBC is also broadcasting that NBC's experts believe that the Osama Bin Laden tape will be released today (September 7) or the very near term.

-- ABC News reports that the CIA is analyzing the video message, quoting a CIA spokesman "It's quite possible this is a new video". ABC also reports that the Department of Homeland Security released a bulletin this morning, saying it and the FBI have "no intelligence of any specific and imminent threat to the homeland at this time." ABC news states that "intelligence sources tell ABC News they believe the expected video message from Osama bin Laden is authentic, recently produced and evidence the al Qaeda leader is still alive. U.S. authorities now say they have a transcript which they say is aimed at potential suicide bombers who he urges to carry out missions against the West."

September 6, 2007 News:

The SITE Intelligence Group and Laura Mansfield reported on September 6 that a new Osama Bin Laden video message was forthcoming. SITE stated that the new Osama Bin Laden message will be "addressing the American people on the sixth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001."

Associated Press also reported this stating: "Intelcenter, which is based in Alexandria, Va., and also monitors Islamic Web sites, said the video was expected within the next 72 hours, or by Sunday. That would come before the sixth anniversary next Tuesday of the World Trade Center attack."

The SITE Intelligence Group also stated that "image of bin Laden contained in the banner found on jihadist forums is reminiscent of his last video appearance in 2004, but his beard is now completely black, as it was previously streaked with grey." AP reports SITE's Rita Katz as speculating that Bin Laden has dyed his beard: " 'I think it works for their benefit that he looks young, he looks healthy,' Katz said of the new image."

In a potentially related story, FOX News reported on September 6 that "Federal counterterrorism officials are analyzing a posting on an Islamic forum Web site that warns of "a special gift" to be given on the sixth anniversary of Sept. 11".

FOX News reports that "warning was posted Sept. 2 on a site frequented by radical groups and said in part that 'there will be a special gift coming on the day of the blessed invasion of Manhattan.' "

In addition, both Laura Mansfield and the SITE Institute report the release of a new 40 minute video from Al Qaeda's "Azzam the American" to jihadist forums on September 5. Laura Mansfield has provided the video link for download.

Sources:

September 7, 2007 - NBC News: Details of purported bin Laden video emerge -- Officials: No specific threat made; Web sites carrying tape shut down

September 7, 2007 - ABC News: New OBL Tape: Iraq, Democratic Control

September 7, 2007 - ABC News: New Videotape From Bin Laden; Al Qaeda's No. 1 Still Alive

September 7, 2007 - FOX News: U.S. Officials Analyzing Usama Bin Laden Video

September 7, 2007 - Reuters: U.S. analyzing purported bin Laden tape

September 7, 2007 - CNN: U.S. trying to determine age of purported bin Laden tape

September 7, 2007 - NBC: U.S. has copy of purported bin Laden video

September 7, 2007 - CBS: U.S. Analyzing New Bin Laden Video

The SITE Institute Web Site

SITE: Image of Bin Laden in Jihadist Banners

September 6, 2007 - ABC: Al Qaeda Announces New Bin Laden Video

September 6, 2007 -- AP: "Groups: Bin Laden plans video on 9/11"

September 6, 2007 - Reuters: Web site says to carry new bin Laden video

September 6, 2007 -- FOX News: "Counterterrorism Officials Analyzing Islamic Web Post Warning of 'Special Gift' "

SITE: As-Sahab Issues English-Subtitled Version of “The Winds of Paradise”, Narrated by Adam Gadahn AKA Azzam the American

Laura Mansfield: As Sahab releases English translation of Winds of Marytrs Part 1 - video link

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