In the name of Allah, the merciful and compassionate

Means of Transportation

Introduction:
It is well known that in undercover operations, communication is the mainstay of the movement for rapid accomplishment. However, it is a double-edged sword: It can be to our advantage if we use it well and it can be a knife dug into our back if we do not consider and take the necessary security measures.

Communication Means:
The Military Organization in any Islamic group can, with its modest capabilities, use the following means:

1. The telephone,

2. Meeting in-person,

3. Messenger,

4 .Letters,

5. Some modern devices, such as the facsimile and wireless [communication ].

Communication may be within the county, state, or even the country, in which case it is called local communication.  When it extends expanded between countries, it is then called international communication.

Secret Communication is Limited to the Following Types:

Common, standby, alarm

1. Common Communication:
It is a communication between two members of the Organization without being monitored by the security apparatus opposing the Organization.  The common communication should be done under a certain cover and after inspecting the surveillance situation [by the enemy ].

2. Standby Communication:
This replaces common communication when one of the two parties is unable to communicate with the other for some reason.

3. Alarm Communication:
This is used when the opposing security apparatus discovers an undercover activity or some undercover members.   Based on this communication, the activity is stopped’ for a while, all matters related to the activity are abandoned, and the Organization's members are hidden from the security personnel.

Method of Communication Among Members of the Organization:

1.Communication about undercover activity should be done using a good cover;it should also be quick,explicit,and pertinent.That is,just for talking only.

2 .Prior to contacting his members,the commander of the cell [B] should agree with each of them separately (the cell members should never meet all in one place and should not know one another)on a manner and means of communication with each other.  Likewise,the chief of the Organization should [use a similar technique ]with the branch commanders.

[B.]Cell or cluster methods should be adopted by the Organization. It should be composed of many cells whose members do not know one another,so that if a cell member is caught the other cells would not be affected,and work would proceed normally.

3 .A higher-ranking commander determines the type and method of communication with lower-ranking leaders.

First Means: The Telephone:

Because of significant technological advances,security measures for monitoring the telephone and broadcasting equipment have increased.Monitoring may be done by installing a secondary line or wireless broadcasting device on a telephone that relays the calls to a remote location...That is why the Organization takes security measures among its members who use this means of communication (the telephone).

1.Communication should be carried out from public places. One should select telephones that are less suspicious to the security apparatus and are more difficult to monitor. It is preferable to use telephones in booths and on main streets.

2. Conversation should be coded or in general terms so as not to alert the person monitoring [the telephone ].

3. Periodically examining the telephone wire and the receiver.

4. Telephone numbers should be memorized and not recorded.  If the brother has to write them, he should do so using a code so they do not appear as telephone numbers (figures from a shopping list, etc.)

5 .The telephone caller and person called should mention some words or sentences prior to bringing up the intended subject. The brother who is calling may misdial one of the digits and actually call someone else.  The person ‘called may claim that the call is for him, and the calling brother may start telling him work-related issues and reveal many things because of a minor error.

6. In telephone conversations about undercover work, the voice should be changed and distorted.

7. When feasible, it is preferable to change telephone lines to allow direct access to local and international calls. That and proper cover facilitate communications and provide security protection not available when the central telephone station in the presence of many employees is used.

8. When a telephone [line ]is identified [by the security apparatus ], the command and all parties who were using it
should be notified as soon as possible in order to take appropriate measures.

9. When the command is certain that a particular telephone [line] is being monitored, it can exploit it by providing information that misleads the enemy and benefits the work plan.

10. If the Organization manages to obtain jamming devices, it should use them immediately.

Second Means: Meeting in-person:

This is direct communication between the commander and a member of the Organization. During the meeting the following are accomplished:

1. Information exchange,
2. Giving orders and instructions,
3 . Financing,
4. Member follow-up

Stages of the In-Person Meeting:

A. Before the meeting,
B. The meeting [itself ],
C. After the meeting

A .Before the Meeting:

The following measures should be taken:

1. Designating the meeting location,

2. Finding a proper cover for the meeting,

3. Specifying the meeting date and time,

4. Defining special signals between those who meet.
 

1. Identifying the meeting location:
If the meeting location is stationary, the following matters should be observed :

i. The location should be far from police stations and security centers.

ii. Ease of transportation to the location.

iii. Selecting the location prior to the meeting and learning all its details.

iv. If the meeting location is an apartment, it should not be the first one, but one somewhere in the middle.

v. The availability of many roads leading to the meeting location.  That would provide easy escape in case the location ware raided by security personnel.

vi. The location should not be under suspicion (by the security [apparatus ])

vii. The apartment where the meeting takes place should be on the ground floor, to facilitate escape.

viii. The ability to detect any surveillance from that location.

ix. When public transportation is used, one should alight at some distance from the meeting location and continue on foot.  In the case of a private vehicle, one should park it far away or in a secure place so as to be able to maneuver it quickly at any time.

If the meeting location is not stationary, the following matters should be observed:

i. The meeting location should be at the intersection of a large number of main and side streets to facilitate entry, exit, and escape.

ii. The meeting location (such as a coffee shop)should not have members that might be dealing with the security apparatus.

iii. The meeting should not be held in a crowded place because that would allow the security personnel to hide and monitor those who meet.

iv. It is imperative to agree on an alternative location for the meeting in case meeting in the first is unfeasible. That holds whether the meeting place is
stationary or not.

Those who meet in-person should do the following:

i. Verifying the security situation of the location before the meeting.

ii. Ensuring that there are no security personnel behind them or at the meeting place.

iii. Not heading to the location directly.

iv. Clothing and appearance should be appropriate f o r the meeting location.

v. Verifying that private documents carried by the brother have appropriate cover.

vi. Prior to the meeting, designing a security plan that specifies what the security personnel would be told in case the location were raided by them, and what [the brothers ]would resort to in dealing with the security personnel (fleeing, driving b a c k ,...)

2. Finding a proper cover for the meeting:[The cover ]

i. should blend well with the nature of the location.

ii. In case they raid the place, the security personnel should believe the cover.

iii. should not arouse the curiosity of those present.

iv. should match the person's appearance and his financial
and educational background.

v. should have documents that support it.

vi. provide reasons for the two parties’ meeting (for example, one of the two parties should have proof that he is an architect.  The other should have documents as proof that he is a land owner. The architect has produced a construction plan for the land)

3. Specifying the Meeting Date and Time:

i. Specifying the hour of the meeting as well as the date.

ii. Specifying the time of both parties’ arrival an the time of the first party's departure.

iii. Specifying how long the meeting will last.

iv. Specifying an alternative date and time.

v. Not allowing a long period of time between making the meeting arrangements and the meeting itself.

4. Designating special signals between those who meet

If the two individuals meeting know one another's shape and appearance, it is sufficient to use a single safety sign. [In that case,]the sitting and arriving individuals inform each other that there is no enemy surveillance.   The sign may be keys, beads, a newspaper, or a scarf. The two parties would agree on moving it in a special way so as not to attract the attention of those present.

If the two individuals do not know one another, they should do the following:

a. The initial sign for becoming acquainted may be that both of them wear a certain type of clothing or carry a certain item. These signs should be appropriate for the place, easily identified, and meet the purpose. The initial sign for becoming acquainted does not [fully ]identify one person by another. It does that at a rate of 30%.

b. Safety Signal: It is given by the individual sitting in. the meeting location to inform the second individual that the place is safe.  The second person would reply through signals to inform the first that he is not being monitored.  The signals are agreed upon previously and should not cause suspicion.

c. A second signal for getting acquainted is one in which the arriving person uses while sitting down.  That signal may be a certain clause, a word, a sentence, or a gesture agreed upon previously, and should not cause suspicion for those who hear it or see it.

B. The Stage of the Meeting [itself ]:The following measures should be taken:

1. Caution during the meeting.

2 .Not acting unnaturally during the meeting in order not to raise suspicion.

3. Not talking with either loud or very low voices ([should be ]moderate).

4. Not writing anything that has to do with the meeting.

5. Agreeing on a security plan in case the enemy raids the location.

C. After the Meeting: The following measures should be taken:

1. Not departing together, but each one separately.

2. Not heading directly to the main road but through secondary ones.

3. Not leaving anything in the meeting place that might indicate the identity or nature of those who met.

Meeting in-person has disadvantages, such as:

1. Allowing the enemy to capture those who are meeting.

2. Allowing them [the enemy ]to take pictures of those who are meeting, record their conversation, and gather evidence against them.

3. Revealing the appearance of the commander to the other person. However, that may be avoided by taking the previously mentioned measures such as disguising
himself well and changing his appearance (glasses, wig, etc.)

Third Means: The Messenger:

This is an intermediary between the sender and the receiver. The messenger should possess all characteristics mentioned in the first chapter regarding the Military Organization’s member.

These are the security measures that a messenger should take:

1. Knowledge of the person to whom he will deliver the message.

2. Agreement on special signals, exact date, and specific time.

3. Selecting a public street or place that does not raise suspicion.

4. Going through a secondary road that does not have check points.

5. Using public transportation (train, bus,...) and disembarking before the main station.  Likewise, embarking should not be done at the main station either, were there are a lot of security personnel and informants.

6. Complete knowledge of the location to which he is going.

Fourth Means: Letters:

This means (letters) may be used as a method of communication between members and the Organization provided that the following security measures are taken:

1.It is forbidden to write any secret information in the letter.If one must do so, the writing should be done in general terms.

2.The letter should not be mailed from a post office close to the sender's residence, but from a distant one.

3.The letter should not be sent directly to the receiver's address but to an inconspicuous location where there are many workers from your country. Afterwards,the letter will be forwarded to the intended receiver.(This is regarding the overseas-bound letter).

4. The sender's name and address on the envelope should be fictitious.In case the letters and their contents are discovered,the security apparatus would not be
able to determine his [the sender's ]name and address.

5. The envelope should not be transparent so as to reveal the letter inside.

6. The enclosed pages should not be many,so as not to raise suspicion.

7. The receiver's address should be written clearly so that the letter would not be returned.

8. Paying the post office box fees should not be forgotten.

Fifth Means:Facsimile and Wireless:

Considering its modest capabilities and the pursuit by the security apparatus of its members and forces, the Islamic Military Organization cannot obtain theses devices.  In case the Organization is able to obtain them, firm security measures should be taken to secure communication between the members in the country and the command outside.  These measures are:

1. The duration of transmission should not exceed five minutes in order to prevent the enemy from pinpointing the device location.

2. The device should be placed in a location with high wireless frequency, such as close to a TV station, embassies, and consulates in order to prevent the enemy from identifying its location.

3. The brother, using the wireless device to contact his command outside the country, should disguise his voice.

4. The time of communication should be carefully specified.

5. The frequency should be changed from time to time.

6. The device should be frequently moved from one location to another.

7. Do not reveal your location to the entity for which you report.

8. The conversation should be in general terms so as not to raise suspicion.

Transportation Means:

The members of the Organization may move from one location to another using one of the following means:

a. Public transportation,            b. Private transportation

Security Measures that Should be Observed in Public Transportation:
 

1. One should select public transportation that is not subject to frequent checking along the way, such as crowded trains or public buses.

2. Boarding should be done at a secondary station, as main stations undergo more careful surveillance. Likewise, embarkment should not be done at main stations.

3. The cover should match the general appearance (tourist bus, first-class train, second-class train, etc.).

4. The existence of documents supporting the cover.

5. Placing important luggage among the passengers' luggage without identifying the one who placed it. If it is discovered, its owner would not be arrested. In trains, it [the luggage] should be placed in a different car than that of its owner.

6. The brother traveling on a "special mission” should not get involved in religious issues (advocating good and denouncing evil) or day-to-day matters (seat reservation,...).

7 .The brother traveling on a mission should not arrive in the [destination] country at night because then travelers are few, and there are [search] parties and check points along the way.

8. When cabs are used, conversation of any kind should not be started with the driver because many cab drivers work for the security apparatus.

9. The brother should exercise extreme caution and apply all security measures to the members.

Security Measures that Should be Observed in Private Transportation:

Private transportation includes: cars, motorcycles

A. Cars and motorcycles used in overt activity:

1. One should possess the proper permit and not violate traffic rules in order to avoid trouble with the police.

2. The location of the vehicle should be secure so that the security apparatus would not confiscate it.

3. The vehicle make and model should be appropriate for the brother ’s cover.
4. The vehicle should not be used in special military operations unless the Organization has no other choice.

B. Cars and motorcycles used in covert activity:

1. Attention should be given to permits and [obeying] the traffic rules in order to avoid trouble and reveal their actual mission.

2. The vehicle should not be left in suspicious places (deserts, mountains, etc.).If it must be, then the work should be performed at suitable times when no one would keep close watch or follow it.

3. The vehicle should be purchased using forged documents
so that getting to its owners would be prevented once it is discovered.

4. For the sake of continuity, have only one brother in charge of selling.

5. While parking somewhere, one should be in a position to move quickly and flee in case of danger.

6. The car or motorcycle color should be changed before the operation and returned to the original after the operation.

7. The license plate number and county name should be  falsified.  Further, the digits should be numerous in order to prevent anyone from spotting and memorizing it.

8. The operation vehicle should not be taken to large gasoline stations so that it would not be detected by the security apparatus.

US Anti-terrorism Threat/Risk Policy
Mitigating Risk/Threat of Terrorism and Other Risks
The al Qaeda manual
The Disaster Center