Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Al Qaida has developed a bomb that could penetrate U.S.
security and blow up aircraft.

Officials said Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula assembled a bomb that
did not contain metal and could be worn as underwear. They said AQAP had
planned to send an operative with the underwear improvised explosive device
to blow up a U.S. passenger aircraft.

Officials acknowledged that the latest AQAP bomb, believed to have been assembled by Ibrahim Hassan Al Asiri, would not have been
spotted by metal detectors at U.S. airports. But they said the Homeland Security Department has designed layered security, including pre-screening passengers and random searches, that would have exposed the concealed explosives.

“The device never presented a threat to public safety, and the U.S.
government is working closely with international partners to address
associated concerns with the device,” the FBI said.

“Initial exploitation indicates that the device is very similar to IEDs
that have been used previously by Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula in attempted terrorist attacks, including against aircraft and for targeted assassinations,” the FBI said on May 7.

Officials said the bomb was seized by the CIA in an unidentified country
in April before it was brought aboard a U.S. commercial flight. They said
the IED was an enhanced variant of plastic explosives worn by a Nigerian
agent in December 2009 on a flight to the U.S. city of Detroit. The bomb
emitted smoke but failed to detonate aboard the flight.

“I congratulate the CIA for thwarting this reported plot by AQAP to
destroy a U.S.-bound airliner using a specific type of bomb that is of new
design and very difficult to detect by magnetometer,” Senate Intelligence
Committee chairwoman Sen. Dianne Feinstein said.

Officials said the latest bomb, reported to President Barack Obama, was
significantly superior to the IED employed in 2009. They said the seized
explosives, reportedly given to a CIA double agent, demonstrated AQAP’s
intent to enhance its capabilities.

“While the president was assured that the device did not pose a threat
to the public, he directed the Department of Homeland Security and law
enforcement and intelligence agencies to take whatever steps necessary to
guard against this type of attack,” Homeland Security Department deputy
spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said.

AQAP was also said to have tried to bomb at least two cargo aircraft
headed for the United States in 2010. The Islamist insurgency network had
concealed explosives in printer cartridges.

“What this incident makes clear is that this country has to continue to
remain vigilant against those who would seek to attack this country and we
will do everything necessary to keep America safe,” Defense Secretary Leon
Panetta said.

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