IS Threat to LAX Calls for Increased Security But Not Just at Airports

Airport security was stepped up at LAX on Saturday, April 25, 2014 in response to a potential threat. Currently, the FBI is investigating intercepted chatter and other intelligence, which led to a decision to increase safety precautions. The Department of Homeland Security is not yet commenting on this specific threat, but did concede that security has been increasing for flights inbound to the US and in several major cities.

Security has also been increased at the TSA security checkpoints with armed guards have been stationed outside of the terminals and at the security checkpoints. This is consistent with information regarding the threat, which reportedly called for attacks on uniformed personnel.

While little is known about this specific threat, if the past is any indication, LAX remains a highly desirable target. Both the 2000 millennium attack plots and the 2002 Los Angeles International Shooting were aimed at the entrance of LAX.

The 2000 millennium attack plot on LAX was carried out by Ahmed Ressam. His plan was to leave luggage filled with explosives near a passenger waiting area prior to security screening. Ressam attempted to enter the U.S. with the materials by crossing the Canadian border, but was detained there by customs and border protection. The officers found the suspicious items in the trunk of his car, and Ressam was arrested.

During his trial, Ressam cooperated and informed authorities, admitting his ties to al-Qaeda and providing information about the presence of sleeper cells in the United States.

The 2002 attack on LAX focused on the El Al Israeli National Airlines ticket counter. Hesham Mohamed Ali Hedayat walked into the terminal, and opened fire at individuals in the ticket line and airport personnel in attempted act of martyrdom. Hedayat entered the United States in 1992, after requesting political asylum, claiming his religious freedom was oppressed in his native Egypt. At the time the Mubarak regime was attempting to suppress a major jihadist terror campaign by Egyptian Islamic Jihad, led by Ayman Al-Zawahiri, who would go on to lead Al Qaeda.

Among the three killed in this attack, one was a ticketing agent, a bystander, and one was a security officer, all Israelis. After an investigation, the FBI deemed this attack was motivated by his religious and political beliefs and designated it an act of terrorism.

While the DHS and FBI are not commenting on the present threat, previous attack trends and the combined increase in security may indicate that the threat implied an attack on the entrance and security checkpoints for LAX terminals.

Importantly, both previous attacks were committed by foreigners with Ressam attempting to cross the border, and Hedayat had only lived in the U.S. for 2 years after emigrating from Egypt.

This next attack, however, could originate within California, from an Islamic State supporter without previously identified ties.  Recently, two men were arrested in California on their way to a San Diego airport in an attempt to join the Islamic State. The plot was broken up through the FBI’s use of an informant among the Somali Muslim community in Minnesota, which has been known as a hub for Islamic State and Al Shabaab recruiting.

While authorities are reporting that the attack may not be aviation-related, the threat does indicate that security at terminal entrances should remain heightened. While hardening an obvious potential target like LAX is important, its also worthwhile to increase security well before the target site. For this reason, there should be strengthened border security, particularly along the southern border where reports of jihadist terror activity has increased. Additionally, the government should conduct more thorough screening of refugees and/or immigrants for jihadist ties and/or motivations. Lastly, the government should continue with the aggressive use of intelligence-based policing, utilizing undercover officers and informants to identify and stop potential homegrown jihadists before they conduct attacks.