Mubtakkar
Encyclopedia
Mubtakkar is a word that appears in both Arabic and Persian with related meanings that translate into English as "invention", "initiative", or "inventive". The word was reportedly used by Al-Qaeda
to describe a poison gas weapon developed and intended for use in an attack in the New York subway system. According to author Ron Suskind
, in his book The One Percent Doctrine: Deep Inside America's Pursuit of Its Enemies Since 9/11
, the plan for this attack was called off about forty-five days before execution by Al-Qaeda commander Ayman al-Zawahiri
.
The mubtakkar is described as a small binary chemical device that would generate large amounts of hydrogen cyanide gas, which could potentially kill hundreds in an enclosed space. The components contained in two separate containers would not be lethal to humans if individually released, so these bombs can be assembled, stored, and transported without appreciable danger. However, when the device is put into operation it releases large quantities of a lethal gas.
Cyanide ions bind to the iron atom of the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (also known as aa3) in the fourth complex in the mitochondrial membrane in the mitochondria of cells. This deactivates the enzyme and the final transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen can not be completed. As a result, the electron transport chain is disrupted, meaning that the cell can no longer produce ATP for energy. Tissues that mainly depend on aerobic respiration, such as the central nervous system and the heart, are particularly affected.
For further information, see Ron Suskind's The One Percent Doctrine, p. 192ff.
Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
to describe a poison gas weapon developed and intended for use in an attack in the New York subway system. According to author Ron Suskind
Ron Suskind
Ron Suskind is a Pulitzer Prize winning American journalist and best-selling author. He was the senior national affairs writer for The Wall Street Journal from 1993 to 2000 and has published the books A Hope in the Unseen, The Price of Loyalty, The One Percent Doctrine, The Way of the World and...
, in his book The One Percent Doctrine: Deep Inside America's Pursuit of Its Enemies Since 9/11
The One Percent Doctrine
The One Percent Doctrine is a nonfiction book by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ron Suskind about America's hunt for terrorists since September 11th.On July 24th 2006, it reached number 3 on the New York Times Best Seller list....
, the plan for this attack was called off about forty-five days before execution by Al-Qaeda commander Ayman al-Zawahiri
Ayman al-Zawahiri
Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri is an Egyptian physician, Islamic theologian and current leader of al-Qaeda. He was previously the second and last "emir" of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, having succeeded Abbud al-Zumar in the latter role when Egyptian authorities sentenced al-Zumar to life...
.
The mubtakkar is described as a small binary chemical device that would generate large amounts of hydrogen cyanide gas, which could potentially kill hundreds in an enclosed space. The components contained in two separate containers would not be lethal to humans if individually released, so these bombs can be assembled, stored, and transported without appreciable danger. However, when the device is put into operation it releases large quantities of a lethal gas.
Cyanide ions bind to the iron atom of the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (also known as aa3) in the fourth complex in the mitochondrial membrane in the mitochondria of cells. This deactivates the enzyme and the final transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen can not be completed. As a result, the electron transport chain is disrupted, meaning that the cell can no longer produce ATP for energy. Tissues that mainly depend on aerobic respiration, such as the central nervous system and the heart, are particularly affected.
For further information, see Ron Suskind's The One Percent Doctrine, p. 192ff.