Phones and Shoes Under Increased Scrutiny as Airport Security Tightens: U.S. by Reuters

By Mark Hosenball

WASHINGTON – Airlines operating direct flights to the United States have been instructed to intensify screening procedures for mobile phones and shoes due to intelligence reports indicating heightened threats from al Qaeda-linked militant groups, according to U.S. officials.

The officials identified specific smartphones, such as Apple’s iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy devices, as requiring additional security checks on flights heading to the U.S. from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

U.S. security officials expressed concerns that bombmakers associated with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) may have developed methods to convert these phones into explosives that could evade detection. Furthermore, there are apprehensions regarding the possibility of bombs being hidden in footwear, as noted by the officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.

A U.S. official indicated that other electronic devices brought by passengers are also likely to undergo increased scrutiny. Airlines or airport operators that do not enhance their security measures risk facing bans on flights entering the United States, the officials warned.

The Department of Homeland Security recently announced plans to bolster security checks but provided limited information on how these would be implemented by airlines and airports.

An official familiar with the situation mentioned that while there could be some delays at security checkpoints, major airports are expected to minimize inconvenience for passengers. Most travelers on long-haul flights typically arrive well in advance of their scheduled departure, allowing time for additional screening. However, potential disruptions in countries with less sophisticated airport infrastructure and security measures cannot be ruled out.

U.S.-based airlines remained mostly silent on the enhanced security measures. An American Airlines spokesperson stated that the Department of Homeland Security had communicated with the airline on this matter but did not provide further comments. Similarly, a representative from United Airlines confirmed their collaboration with federal officials on security issues but refrained from discussing the specifics.

U.S. security agencies are particularly concerned that bombmakers from AQAP and the Nusra Front, al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, may be working together on plans to target U.S. or European-bound aircraft using bombs concealed on foreign fighters with Western passports.

AQAP has a history of orchestrating such attacks, notably employing innovative designs by its bombmaker, Ibrahim al-Asiri, who created an underwear bomb used in a failed 2009 plot to down a Detroit-bound flight, as well as being linked to other attempts.

Currently, there is no indication that U.S. intelligence has pinpointed a specific plot or timeframe for any impending attacks. Nevertheless, U.S. officials assert that evidence has emerged suggesting that Nusra and AQAP operatives have been experimenting with new bomb designs in Syria, where Nusra is a leading Islamist group opposing President Bashar al-Assad.