Iraqi PM: Islamic State planning attacks on US, Paris subway systems

US security officials say have no information to support threat.

By REUTERS
A Paris Metro sign in central Paris (photo credit: REUTERS)
A Paris Metro sign in central Paris
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Iraq has received "credible" intelligence that Islamic State militants plan to launch attacks on subway systems in Paris and the United States, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Thursday.
Abadi said the information, which he received on Thursday morning, came from militants captured in Iraq. He said he had asked for further details and concluded it appeared credible.
The United States and France have both launched air strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq in an effort to curb the radical Sunni militant group's territorial gains.
"Today, while I am here, I am receiving accurate reports from Baghdad where there was (the) arrest of (a) few elements and there are networks planning from inside Iraq to have attacks," Abadi told a small group of US reporters.
The prime minister was in New York for the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.
"They plan to have attacks in the metros of Paris and the US," he added. "I asked for more credible information. I asked for names. I asked for details, for cities, you know, dates. And from the details I have received, yes, it looks credible."
Two senior US security officials, contacted by Reuters following the comments from Abadi, said the United States had no information to support the threat.
New York City's police department said it was "aware" of the Iraqi prime minister's warning and was "in close contact with the FBI and other federal partners as we assess this particular threat stream."
John Miller, deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism at the New York City Police Department said the city "normally operates at a heightened level of security and we adjust that posture daily based on our evaluation of information as we receive it."
Earlier on Thursday, France said it would increase security on transport and in public places after a French tourist was killed in Algeria, and said it was ready to support all states that requested its help to fight terror.