World News

Military Under Attack - Aftermath

Written by Joshua Smith - 12th September, 2001

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As a new day unfolds in Australia, one of the most horrific and devastating days in American history is drawing near a close. This day has been described as the moment at which America's luck ran out.

As was reported here as the events transpired, both towers of the World Trade Center have been reduced to rubble following the crashing of two hijacked commercial airliners into the building at or around the opening of business there this morning. This initial attack was followed by the strategic crashing of a third plane into the Pentagon, which led to a structural collapse within America's military nerve centre. A fourth hijacked airliner was later brought down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania - killing all civilians aboard.

Building 7 at the World Trade Center collapsed hours after the initial incident, and the Marriot hotel is believed to be close to collapse at this time.

The New York mayoral election was to have taken place today, but that has been cancelled amidst an attack that has brought much of the city to a halt. All US financial markets have been put on hold, and in what is an unprecedented action in American history, not a single civilian aircraft is in flight over America. Flights will not resume until at least midday tomorrow, but may be delayed indefinately.

All US financial markets have been closed, and it has recently been confirmed that the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange will also be closed tomorrow. In addition, several malls, schools and landmarks throughout the United States have been shut while the country's residents come to terms with what has been an attack not only upon the nation's civilians, but that has struck at the core of the country's sense of security.

Almost half of the fire-fighting force who made their way to the World Trade Center after the initial blasts are believed to have perished in the collapse of the buildings, and the New York Police Department has announced that 78 police officers are presently mission in action. What is clear also at this point is that all of those who weree aboard the hijacked flights have been killed. The four planes are believed to have been occupied by 233 passengers, 25 crew and 8 pilots.

Secretary Rumsfeld took his position within the Pentagon's briefing room this morning in order to indicate to the enemies of the United States that that country cannot be shut down. In his statement, he noted that he could not divulge information pertaining to any warnings that they may have received prior to the events, before calling for both America's political parties and the democratic nations of the world to unite in response to this incident.

While the full extent of this disaster in terms of human life lost has yet to be realised, this surprise attack has been compared to the December 1941 offensive against Pearl Harbour. That attack resulted in the loss of some 2500 lives, and was key in stimulating the US to unleash its full forces against its enemies during the Second World War. Estimates suggest that this calculated series of attacks has already been referred to as the largest single act of violence in American history. As a result, it has been suggested that the US is at war, but against an unknown aggressor.

The US Attorney General, Mr. Jon Ashcroft, made it clear that America is preparing to stage a response of equal severity against those who brought down the two tallest structures in New York City. He noted that "...we will expend every effort and devote all necessary resources to bring those responsible to justice." To that end, the full resources of the Departments of Justice and Defence have been deployed to investigate the crimes, to offer support to the victims of terrorism and to defend the nation against any further offensives.

Five naval destroyers have been put into motion, and two aircraft carriers have been moved into waters surrounding New York City. In addition, fighter jets and military helicopters are patrolling US airspace with the right to destroy any suspicious aircraft, and the entire US Military has been put on high-alert.

Congress will convene tomorrow in order to indicate that America's most critical infrastructure and political systems will continue as usual. Congress is expected to speak with one bipartisan voice, and to bring the full resources of the US Government to bare in response to the unbelievable attack, which has decended downtown Manhattan into a grey blanket of desolation not unlike a Nuclear Winter.

The former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albrieght solidified this sentiment by stating that "America is strong and cannot be brought down." before calling on the democratic nations of the world to stand together as a united force against such civilian terrorism. Various spokespeople, including former US Envoy Richard Holbrooke have also highlighted that it will not be sufficient to respond only the individuals composing the responsible terrorist group, but to view any harbouring of such criminals by supporting countries as an act of war against the US.

It remains a mystery as to how the responsible group managed to successfully hijack four seperate commercial airliners, before flying three of those into restricted air space to commit this brutal act. Security at US airports will be increased indefinitely in response to this incident, and investigations will continue in an attempt to confirm the suspicions that have arisen thus far. One such lead has seen a finger pointed at the group led by Osama Bin Laden, who has established a history of aggression against the US, though this has yet to be explored in full. The Taliban is denying any involvement.

The FBI has opened an online contact point at IFCC FBI.gov and has requested that individuals who have any information regarding these crimes, or their perpetrators, report such information at the site in question. A support and information hotline has been established by the Office of Victims of Crime to keep the families of those affected informed. That hotline may be reached by calling 800 331 0075. The cities of New York and Washington are calling for residents of those cities to give blood and to offer all possible assistance in order to start healing the wounds inflicted upon the nation's people.

The sheer complexity and sophistication of the attack has reduced the suspects to a few, but no group has yet to make a credible claim of responsibility.

Fears now are that as the sense of shock fades, it may transform into outrage. The sentiment is that the US must initiate an equal response, while still maintaining restraint.

Our own Prime Minister, Mr. John Howard, was just a few hundred metres from the incident at the Pentagon, and has been placed under protection while preparations are being put in place for his safe return to Australia. Defence aircraft may be used to transport Mr. Howard.

Several explosions were experienced overnight at Kabul, Afghanistan following attacks made on an ammunition dump within that country by two armed helicopters. The Northern Alliance rebel group, which is opposed to the ruling Taliban has claimed full responsibility for that attack, and it is unknown at this stage whether or not the offensive move was made in direct response to the attacks on America.