Hudson River bomb plot
Assem Hammoud | |
|---|---|
| Born | Beirut |
| Occupation | University lecturer |
| Known for | Alleged involvement in 2006 tunnel terrorist plot |
On July 6, 2006, the New York Daily News disclosed that the FBI had intercepted a terrorist scheme targeting the tunnels connecting New Jersey to Manhattan, with the objective of flooding the New York Financial District.
The following day, the FBI clarified that although online communications mentioned such a plan, none of the individuals involved were present in or attempting to enter the United States. Counterterrorism authorities questioned both the plot's validity and the initial account provided by James Gordon Meek. The plan was considered impractical due to the tunnel’s construction being embedded in bedrock and situated above sea level, with no signs of preparatory steps such as acquiring explosives or financial transactions. Two U.S. counterterrorism officials expressed skepticism regarding the perpetrators' ability to carry out an attack.
Nonetheless, the story attracted global media coverage. Government officials condemned the leak to the Daily News, while the Department of Homeland Security reassured that no actual threat of execution ever existed. Although Meek identified the Holland Tunnel as the intended target, authorities described the intercepted digital communications as "highly ambiguous."
Assem Hammoud
Assem Hammoud, who earned a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University Montreal in 2002, returned to Beirut where he took up a teaching position at Lebanese International University. After reports of the purported plot surfaced, Lebanese authorities detained him in 2006; he was subsequently released on bail in 2008.
The Lebanese Internal Security Forces released a confession attributed to Hammoud, admitting involvement in plans inspired by Osama bin Laden. Reports indicate that in 2003 he underwent weapons training at Ain al-Hilweh, a Palestinian refugee camp, and in 2005 was solicited to supply arms and shelter to mujahideen fighters.
External links
- Terrorist incidents in the United States in 2006
- Improvised explosive device bombings in 2006
- Failed terrorist attempts in New York City
- Islamic terrorism in New York (state)
- 2006 in New York City
- Hudson River
- Holland Tunnel
- Improvised explosive device bombings in New York City
- Islamic terrorist incidents in 2006
- Attacks on buildings and structures in 2006
- Attacks on buildings and structures in New York City
- Terrorist incidents on subterranean rapid transit
- Terrorist incidents against transportation in the United States