From MEMRI, another warning of an imminent Al Qaeda attack: London Islamists Anticipate Large Operation.

Today, the London-based Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that Islamist sources in London believe Al-Qa’ida is preparing “a large attack” on American targets that will coincide with the expected war on Iraq. These sources have refused to reveal the precise location of the attack but said it is expected to take place in Asia.

An Electronic Message Concerning a Forthcoming New Operation by Al-Qa’ida

“A London Islamist referred to an electronic message he received from Asia which calls for the glad tidings [Istibshar] of a forthcoming new operation by Al-Qa’ida. He indicated that the operation could be [against] American military forces in Afghanistan, whose purpose would be “to mess up” the American plans and to incite Islamists everywhere to carry out suicide activities against the Americans at the outbreak of the war against Iraq.”

“Another Islamist told the newspaper by phone that there was more than one indicator about the proximity of a new operation (which will be huge and no smaller than the September 11 operation). Islamist sources said bin Laden will take advantage of the boiling situation in the Arab street to direct an attack against an American target. He added this will not stop at incitement only … it is likely that the operation will be outside the organization [Al-Qa’ida] and that bin Laden will participate only in its financing.”

Al-Qa’ida is Still Capable of Carrying Out Some Qualitative Operations

“The sources pointed out that in many instances members of Al-Qa’ida may be arrested in a particular country, which caused an operation to be foiled, but the security agencies would never know if a big operation was foiled. Despite the arrests of some Al-Qa’ida activists like the Yemeni Ramzi ibn Al-Shibah, the coordinator of the September 11 operation, and the Palestinian abu Zubaida, a senior aide to bin Laden, both arrested in Karachi, Pakistan, Al-Qa’ida is still capable of carrying out some qualitative operations.”

” … It is not necessary that those who carry out future operations be direct members of Al-Qa’ida, but they could be in agreement with bin Laden’s principles, and it is likely that bin Laden has provided them with financial support without necessarily connecting them with Al-Qa’ida.”

Operations to be Carried Out by “Sleeping Cells” in the Al-Qa’ida Organization

“The discussion among Islamists revolves around threats to be carried out by “sleeping cells” in the Al-Qa’ida organization against targets in the United States or in the [Persian] Gulf where thousands of American soldiers who would invade Iraq are stationed.”