Sarah Adams, a former CIA officer, exposes a major terrorist threat within the United States involving sleeper cells linked to al-Qaeda and allied groups. She discusses the infiltration methods, the political complexities, and the potential for a large-scale attack worse than 9/11. Adams also clarifies misconceptions about Israel's role and sheds light on the Las Vegas shooting's ISIS connection.
In a revealing discussion, former CIA officer Sarah Adams exposes a significant and alarming terrorist threat within the United States. Adams details how al-Qaeda and allied terrorist groups have infiltrated sleeper cells on U.S. soil, plotting a large-scale attack potentially worse than 9/11. This article delves into the origins of this threat, the political and operational challenges in addressing it, and the broader implications for national security.
Sarah Adams explains that starting at the end of 2021, al-Qaeda began plotting an attack on the U.S. homeland. By 2022, terrorists were being sent into the United States, primarily through the southern border using fake identity documents. Some terrorists also entered legally through special immigrant visas and educational programs.
These sleeper cells are coordinated by multiple terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda, HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), ISIS, and others, each running different cells and pieces of a massive 9/11-style plot. The intent is to carry out a multi-faceted attack involving aviation suicide bombers, assaults on Washington D.C., and urban assaults on communities across the country.
Adams highlights that many terrorists came in with fake identities, making it difficult for government agencies to track them. For example, a Syrian terrorist might enter with a Turkish passport. Additionally, some terrorists entered through evacuation pipelines from Iraq and Afghanistan or through university programs.
Despite government awareness of some terrorists entering the country, the exact numbers remain unknown. Director Joe Kent publicly acknowledged that approximately 1,400 evacuees from Afghanistan were linked to terrorist groups, and 600 entered through an ISIS pipeline at the southern border.
Adams discusses the puzzling fact that a known terrorist leader, Julani, was allowed to speak at the United Nations in the United States without protest. Julani, who joined al-Qaeda in Iraq in 2003 and later led HTS in Syria, is linked to numerous attacks against American forces and civilians.
There is a political effort to include Julani in a Middle East peace plan, possibly aiming for a Nobel Peace Prize. This political agenda complicates operational efforts to counter terrorism, as the Department of Defense is allied with Julani in certain operations, despite his terrorist background.
The U.S. military's efforts to eliminate ISIS leadership have been ineffective, with reports of targeted leaders still alive. This situation mirrors the problematic partnership with the Taliban in Afghanistan, where the U.S. was effectively allied with terrorist groups.
Adams clarifies misconceptions about Israel's role, emphasizing that Israel is a strong ally in combating terrorism. Israel has effectively targeted terrorist leaders and groups that threaten both Israeli and American interests.
She explains that the terrorist groups, including Hamas, al-Qaeda, and HTS, are part of a coalition called the United Resistance Council or the Islamic Army. These groups share resources, training, and funding, enabling them to reconstitute and expand despite military efforts against them.
For example, Hamas terrorists train in camps controlled by Julani's HTS in Syria and Afghanistan. Even if Hamas is weakened in Gaza, it continues to regenerate through these external training camps.
The October 7th attack, initially attributed to Hamas, was actually planned by Iran with involvement from al-Qaeda and the Taliban. This attack served as a dress rehearsal for a potential similar attack on U.S. soil.
Adams reveals that the terrorists involved in the October 7th attack included members from multiple groups, not just Hamas. This multi-group coordination complicates U.S. counterterrorism efforts, as cells in America may consist of members from various terrorist organizations working together.
According to Adams, the planned attack on the U.S. could be the largest since Pearl Harbor if not thwarted. The plot includes:
These attacks would be coordinated across multiple locations simultaneously, overwhelming law enforcement and emergency responders.
Adams expresses concern that the government has not adequately thwarted the plot, especially the attackers already inside the country. She notes a shift in focus towards cartel-related threats and a reclassification of terrorism that downplays Islamic terrorism.
She stresses the importance of community-level preparedness, as federal response times may be insufficient in such an attack. Adams advocates for a post-9/11 mindset of resilience and readiness at local levels.
Addressing conspiracy theories, Adams states that ISIS claimed responsibility for the 2017 Las Vegas shooting from the beginning, naming the shooter as an ISIS affiliate. Despite limited access to detailed intelligence, she believes the attack was an ISIS operation, though the government has not been fully transparent about this.
Sarah Adams' insights reveal a complex and dangerous terrorist threat within the United States, involving sleeper cells from multiple extremist groups coordinating a large-scale attack. Political considerations and operational challenges hinder effective counterterrorism efforts. Public awareness and community preparedness are crucial to mitigating this threat.
Adams co-authored the book Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy with Dave Benton, detailing investigations into terrorist activities. She and Benton also provide free investigative reports available through their social media channels.
This comprehensive overview underscores the urgent need for vigilance, informed public discourse, and robust counterterrorism strategies to protect the nation from evolving threats.
