Terror groups develop bombs that can pass airport security
According to intelligence assessments, terrorist organizations obtained advanced airport security equipment currently in use and conducted a series of experiments until they found a way to successfully plant bombs in electronics.
According to CNN, the recent ban of laptops, tablets and other devices was the result of this alarming revelation.
According to intelligence assessments, terrorist organizations obtained advanced airport security equipment currently in use and conducted a series of experiments until they found a way to successfully plant bombs in electronics.
The assessments led to a ban of electronics on flights from ten airports in eight countries: Egypt (Cairo), Jordan (Amman), Kuwait (Kuwait City), Morocco (Casablanca), Qatar (Doha), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah and Riyadh), Turkey (Istanbul) and the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai).
When the Trump administration issued the travel restriction last month, a US government official said the decision was related to a terrorist threat, but did not delve into detail.
The ban was initiated against the eight countries because intelligence information suggested a credible threat from those places.
CNN reported that a series of experiments conducted by the FBI to test the new method found that it was very difficult to detect the explosives. The experiments were conducted using a variety of security equipment in use around the world and on a variety of electronic devices including computers and batteries.
"As a matter of policy, we do not publicly discuss specific intelligence information. However, evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in electronics," the Department of Homeland Security told CNN in a statement. "The US government continually re-assesses existing intelligence and collects new intelligence. This allows DHS and TSA to constantly evaluate our aviation security processes and policies and make enhancements when they are deemed necessary to keep passengers safe. As always, all air travelers are subject to a robust security system that employs multiple layers of security, both seen and unseen."
(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
