Washington Times
By Audrey Hudson

A planned cyber-attack by al Qaeda supporters against Internet sites today has its intended targets in the U.S. on guard.

Robert Spencer, whose Web site Jihad Watch is a lightning rod for criticism from Islamist groups, said he is consulting with his technical advisers to ensure his page is inoculated from intrusion.

"Jihadists and their allies cannot compete in the arena of open debate, and so they resort to thuggish tactics to silence their opponents," Mr. Spencer said.

The plans were uncovered by several Web sites in October, one of which launched a counterattack earlier last week.

"Sheikh Osama [bin Laden] may Allah protect him said: '90% of the battle is through the media and the remaining is through weapons,' " according to a translation posted on the Jawa Report (http:// mypetjawa.mu.nu), whose host blogger goes by the handle of "Dr. Rusty Shackleford."

"From this blessed forum I call on to the formation of 'Jihadi Battalions to Attack the Internet' for the triumph of truth in the age of darkness so contribute with us in establishing these blessed Battalions," the announcement said.