Terrorist group Abu Hafs Brigade, who claimed credit for the 3/11 Madrid train bombings, has called out to its sleeper cells to become active and “carry out the planned attack.”

This time, part of the message is addressed directly to the European cells. The first part of the ‘Message to the mujahideen in Europe’, however, is directed at the Iraqi groups and reads: “We of the Abu Hafs al-Misri Brigades call on all our cells in Iraq to close ranks and start the bloody war against the enemies of Islam. We send out a message to America and its allies, wherever they are, to state that we will not let the sacrilege of the Koran pass unnoticed and there all be a reply in the future.”

The second part of the message refers to the supposed attack that sleeping cells should carry out in Europe. “The truth about the infidel crusade has become obvious,” the document says, calling on the cells to carry out the planned attack “after the infidels declared war on Islam, desecrating the noble Book that is the Holy Koran. But we also send a message to all those locked up in the prisons of the tyrants,” it continues, “from Fes to Guantanamo: the dawn is near and so too is victory.”

The message clearly states that it is the alleged desecration of the Koran by guards in the US-run Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba that should spur the dorment European cells to action.

Again with the Koran desecration. As I’ve stated numerous times on this site, I’ll only make one brief mention of what the Koran desecration story means as far as terrorism is concerned. Terrorist groups are using the Koran desecration story only as a recruiting tool and it is not the real reason why any of these groups wish to attack the United States or Europe.

To the best of my knowledge, Fes pertains to a prison camp in Morocco where Amnesty International (yes, the same group who says Guantanomo is “the gulag of our time” therefore in my eyes it is discredited) declares human rights abuses occur due to imprisoning Moroccans. Presumably with the mention of Fes by a radical Islamic group, Fes is holding several terrorists captive.

Is this threat by Abu Hafs Brigade real? The threat is real, but whether or not they have the operational ability to carry out an attack is not known. Abu Hafs Brigade is widely regarded as the European wing of Al Qaida and they have threatened the United States before.

It is interesting to note that Osama Bin Laden offered a “truce” to Europe if the countries of the continent met his demands. Europe did not and six months after the truce offering expired, Bin Laden finally came out of his cave and said the truce offer is nonexistent. This was about two months ago therefore this latest statement by Abu Hafs Brigade might carry some truth to it.