Boston Marathon jihad update; suspect released, Al-Qaeda online takes credit

After 24 hours there has been movement on the investigation.  In Gaza, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah rejoiced at the deaths of Americans by handing our candies and sweets and dancing in the streets.  This is usual behavior when the enemies of Islam take a hit, yet it also shows the depth Al-Qaeda wing in Gaza wants credit, claiming that the Boston attack was in retaliation for a U.S. military airstrike that killed a high-profile Taliban leader and four other Taliban members last week near Afghanistan’s eastern border with Pakistan.  There is no confirmation as yet of this claim, although it is likely that this attack is jihad, executed by what are euphemistically called "Lone Wolf" cell or cells and planned with the knowledge of higher ups in Al-Qaeda, and activated with monies provided from overseas.  This same group is also claiming that there have been arrests of jihadists suspected to be part of the attack, no confirmation of this statement is available at the current time except the statements on jihadist websites.  Interestingly, some are saying we should be on the lookout for "right-wing extremists" and not just look under the Muslim rocks.  I agree, at this time it could be anyone, even some fundamentalist Christian sects or some crazy end of world cult.  

The the bombs were of the "pressure cooker" type, meaning they were made from a pressure cooker with the explosive and shrapnel packed inside and the top locked.  The two that exploded were made of black powder and filled with ball bearings and "nail-like" objects, placed in black nylon duffel bags and left on the ground.  Bits of nylon have been found and are being analyzed by the FBI. This type of IED is common in the Middle East, as pressure cookers are found everywhere across the region.  This could be another pointer towards it being a jihad attack.  The article goes on to say they have no idea who is responsible, a claim rebutted by the link and article above.  It could be that the authorities are not reading the media from outside the US, and are relying on their own narrow judgement to come to their conclusions.  I would hope they are at least looking at all the material out there and using what fits while discarding what doesn't. 

Now that the main suspect has been released, a man by the name of Abdul Rahman Ali Alharbi we must wait and see how the investigation plays out.  There are still many stones to be turned, and eventually we will have our answers.  Regrettably, those answers will not make us safer, or smarter, or more aware of the threat, but some will feel good that they did their jobs as unbiased as possible.  Pray for the victims and their families, and for our continued safety in the wake of this terrible chaos.