A news website with strong links to the Israeli military has predicted that al-Qaeda will launch an attack on the online world later this month.

Debka.com claims to have seen online intercepts that warn of mass denial-of-service attacks to be launched on 11 November.

The article claims that hundreds of thousands of Muslim computer users are preparing to take part in the attacks.

"Our sources say the instructions come in simple language and are organised in sections according to target," said the site.

"They offer would-be martyrs, who for one reason or another are unable to fight in the field, to fulfil their Jihad obligations on the net. These virtual martyrs are assured of the same thrill and sense of elation as a Jihadi on the 'battlefield'."

The report claims that the attacks are in response to Western government agencies taking down al-Qaeda sites in the past.

The source reports that 15 sites judged to be anti-Muslim will be targeted on the first day of the attacks.