Federal Authorities Probe Possible Terror Threat Around 9/11 Anniversary

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Fox News:

WASHINGTON – Federal authorities are warning local law enforcement agencies of a potential terrorist threat involving car bombs that could coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, several sources told Fox News on Thursday.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that it had information about a "specific, credible but unconfirmed threat," and the White House said President Obama was briefed Thursday morning and has been updated throughout the day.

“The president directed the counterterrorism community to redouble its efforts in response to this credible but unconfirmed information," a White House official told Fox News.

Law enforcement officials already have been on alert for any potential threats timed for the 9/11 anniversary, but intelligence on the threat identified Thursday was described by one official as noteworthy for seeming "more than aspirational."

Another senior U.S. official with knowledge of the threat said it was "specific enough to elicit worry."

Details trickled in throughout the evening. The potential threat is said to focus on New York City or Washington, D.C., and involves possible suspects tied to Al Qaeda, sources said. Authorities have received a "general description" of two or three possible suspects but don't necessarily have names, one source said. Authorities are trying to determine if such suspects might already be in the U.S.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security were drafting a bulletin Thursday night to send to local law enforcement across the country.

"We have a duty to warn,” the senior U.S. official said.