Al Qaeda claims responsibility for parcel bomb plot

WASHINGTON - Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has claimed responsibility for the recently uncovered attempt to destroy cargo planes with parcel bombs, according to a private terrorism watchdog.

The Yemeni-based group, which is affiliated with Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda terrorist network, posted a statement on militant websites Friday claiming to be behind the plot. Two parcels bound for Chicago were intercepted, proving to be computer printer cartridges packed with explosives.

The group also said it was responsible for the crash of a UPS cargo plane Sep 3 after takeoff from Dubai. Two pilots, the only people on board, died in the incident.

Aviation authorities in the United Arab Emirates have said the flight data and voice recorders from the crashed UPS plane gave no indication of an explosion and instead blamed the disaster on a fire aboard the aircraft.

The Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claims were reported by the SITE Intelligence Group, a Washington-based website that monitors global terrorism.

The discovery of the parcel plot set off a global scare and heightened efforts to secure cargo and parcel shipments.