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Bomb Threat Leaves US Air Base on Alert

German police, American security swing into action

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 11, 2007 7:13 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The US air base in Spangdahlem, Germany, received a phoned-in bomb threat last night, and German police and the American military personnel have secured the facility. Although officials say they doubt the threat is credible, they're taking no chances. "It is being taken very seriously given the current situation and because of the date," said a local police spokesman.

A man who spoke German with a Russian or Turkish accent claimed he had bombs and would attack with four accomplices, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, police in Ankara intercepted a huge car bomb in a parking structure in the center of the Turkish capital, heading off what the city's governor called a "possible catastrophe," the BBC reports.

U.S. soldiers check a vehicle in front of the main entrance of U.S. airbase in Spangdahlem, western Germany, Tuesday, Sept.11, 2007. A man called the air base and threatened to attack it, prompting police to step up security measures. (AP Photo/Roberto Pfeil)
U.S. soldiers check a vehicle in front of the main entrance of U.S. airbase in Spangdahlem, western Germany, Tuesday, Sept.11, 2007. A man called the air base and threatened to attack it, prompting police...   (Associated Press)
U.S. soldiers block the road in front of the main entrance of U.S. airbase in Spangdahlem, western Germany, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007. A man called the air base and threatened to attack it, prompting police to step up security measures. (AP Photo/Roberto Pfeil)
U.S. soldiers block the road in front of the main entrance of U.S. airbase in Spangdahlem, western Germany, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007. A man called the air base and threatened to attack it, prompting police...   (Associated Press)
US soldiers block the patrol the road in front of the main entrance of U.S. air base in Spangdahlem, western Germany, Tuesday, Sept.11, 2007. A man called the U.S. air base and threatened to attack it, prompting police to step up security measures. (AP Photo/Roberto Pfeil)
US soldiers block the patrol the road in front of the main entrance of U.S. air base in Spangdahlem, western Germany, Tuesday, Sept.11, 2007. A man called the U.S. air base and threatened to attack it,...   (Associated Press)
A military plane is seen behind the US Air Base sign while stars and stripes flags are on the ground at the main gate of Spangdahlem US-Air Base, Germany, near the Luxembourg border, in a March 21, 2002 file photo. A man called a U.S. air base in western...
A military plane is seen behind the US Air Base sign while stars and stripes flags are on the ground at the main gate of Spangdahlem US-Air Base, Germany, near the Luxembourg border, in a March 21, 2002...   (Associated Press)
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Related Links

German police prevented an attack just last week
BBC

More on what measures have been taken
CNN

More on the threat and the reaction
Bloomberg

Police dogs discover unexploded bomb in Ankara
BBC

World • US

 
Germany • Ankara • September 11 • air base • bomb threat • Spangdahlem

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