Al-Qaeda takes responsibility for failed attempt
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who is accused of trying to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253 during its descent into Detroit on Christmas day, reportedly told agents at the prison in Michigan where he is being held, that his attempt is just the first of many. On the flight from Amsterdam, the 23-year-old Nigerian allegedly tried to detonate an explosive device hidden in his underwear before being overpowered by the passengers and crew. Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen took responsibility for the botched bombing in a statement released on Monday, claiming it was meant as a response to American-backed air strikes that reportedly killed 60 in Yemen. Abdulmutallab is said to have been in Yemen since August.