Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Attempted Plane Bombing

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has claimed responsibility for the attempted attack on a U.S. airliner on Christmas day, saying it was retaliation for a U.S. operation against the group in Yemen.In a statement posted on the Internet, the group said 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab coordinated with members of the group.Yemeni forces, helped by U.S. intelligence, carried out two airstrikes against Al Qaeda operatives in the country this month. The second one was a day before the attempted bombing of the plane.The group said the would-be bomber used explosives manufactured by Al Qaeda members.Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is an alliance of militants based in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.