Analyze This

9/11 6th Anniversary: New Bin Laden Video Coming and Islamist "Special Gift" Promised

By Jeffrey Imm

The SITE Intelligence Group reports that a new Osama Bin Laden video message is forthcoming. SITE states that the new Osama Bin Laden message will be "addressing the American people on the sixth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001."

ABC also reports this stating that a Jihadist web site posting made this afternoon announced the planned Osama Bin Laden video stating: "Soon, with the permission of God, a new visual tape, the Sheikh, the Lion, Osama bin Laden. May God protect him."

Associated Press has 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 states 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 is reporting 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.