U.S.: ‘no evidence’ of Islamic State subway plots against West

US authorities said Thursday they had no knowledge of a plot by Islamic State radicals to attack subway systems in the United States and Paris, following reported comments by Iraq’s leader about such a threat. Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi was earlier quoted as saying at the United Nations that the alleged plot had been revealed following a series of arrests in Iraq. “We’ve seen the reports of Prime Minister Abadi’s comments,” said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden. The Paris Metro is the second busiest subway system in Europe after Moscow.

We have not confirmed such a plot and would have to review any information from our Iraqi partners before making further determinations

Caitlin Hayden, US National Security Council spokeswoman

The US has launched nearly 200 air strikes against Iraqi militants since August and expanded the operation against the Islamic State to Syria on Monday. France is also participating in airstrikes against IS and said recently it would increase its efforts after terrorists connected to IS beheaded Frenchman Herve Gourdel Wednesday in Algeria.

World subway plot