Russian Islamic group threatens Sochi Olympics

Russian Islamic group threatens Sochi Olympics

USA TODAY

- ‎1 hour ago‎

An Islamic militant group in Russia's North Caucasus claimed responsibility for twin suicide bombings in the southern city of Volgograd last month and posted a video threatening to strike the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

US military to be on standbyESPN

US, Russian forces hunt 'jihadist white widow' feared inside Olympic zoneHerald Sun

From Russia:Isinbaeva Lights Winter Olympic Cauldron in VolgogradRIA Novosti

Opinion:Sochi suicide-bomber threat: The Olympics aren't worth it anymoreLos Angeles Times

In Depth:Russia's anti-terrorism agency examining threatening Sochi videoCTV News

Wikipedia:2014 Winter Olympics

 

U.S. military to be on standby

Updated: January 20, 2014, 3:46 PM ET

ESPN.com news services

• 0
• 2
• 0
• Email
• Print

Security Concerns In Russia

ABC reporter Brian Ross breaks down growing concerns of terrorist threats during the Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Amid the recent security and terrorist concerns involving the Sochi Olympics, the U.S. is preparing a contingency plan to keep American athletes and officials safe.

[+] Enlarge

Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty ImagesThe U.S. looks into contingency plans as security at the Sochi Olympics is a growing concern.

The U.S. military will have warships and several aircraft on standby during the Games, CNN reports, citing a U.S. official with knowledge of the plans, adding that Moscow would first need to ask for help before any American action was taken.
Still, the ships are in place "if something happens like a major terrorist attack and we need to get Americans out," the official told CNN.
Russia's counter-terrorism agency is currently studying a video posted by an Islamic militant group that asserted responsibility for suicide bombings which killed 34 people last month and is threatening to strike during the Games.
The video was posted online Sunday by a militant group in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim republic in Russia's volatile North Caucasus. The Olympic host city of Sochi lies only 500 kilometers (300 miles) west of Dagestan.
Russia has responded to the Islamic threat by introducing some of the most sweeping security measures ever seen at an international sports event. Some 100,000 police, army and other security forces have been deployed, according to analysts, and tight restrictions have been placed on access to the Sochi area.
Anyone attending the Winter Olympics has to buy a ticket online from the organizers and obtain a spectator pass that requires providing passport details.
Authorities have already barred access to all cars registered outside of Sochi and Russian police have gone house-to-house methodically screening all city residents.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
end quote from:

US military to be on standbyESPN