may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6

Combating Terrorism Center at West Point CTC Sentinel Objective . Relevant . Rigorous

Contents Abu Yahya al-Libi’s “Human FEATURE ARTICLE Shields in Modern Jihad” 1 Abu Yahya al-Libi’s “Human Shields in By Jarret Brachman and Abdullah Warius Modern Jihad” By Jarret Brachman and Abdullah Warius

Reports 4 The Funding Methods of FATA’s Terrorists and Insurgents By John Solomon 7 Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi: A Counter-Terrorism Asset? By Joas Wagemakers 9 Human Smuggling and Trafficking: An International Terrorist Security Risk? By Jacob Townsend and Hayder Mili 12 Combating Terrorism with Non-Lethal Weapons By John B. Alexander 14 Evaluating the Terrorist Threat Posed by African-American Muslim Groups By Christopher Heffelfinger 17 Al-Qa`ida’s Medinan Strategy: Targeting Global Energy Infrastructure By Marisa Urgo and Jack F. Williams 19 Iraq’s Ho Chi Minh Trail: The Syrian-Iraqi Border Since 2003 n the course of defending al- apostasy. The method in which al-Qa`ida By James Denselow Qa`ida against charges of unjustly is promoting al-Tatarrus, however, seeks to killing innocent Muslims during facilitate the sacrifice of Muslim lives in 21 Recent Highlights in Terrorist Activity I his April 2, 2008 “open interview,” contravention of 14 centuries of religious 25 CTC Sentinel Staff & Contacts Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri reintroduced teachings. For instance, both al-Qa`ida in 3 Hukm al-Tatarrus (the law on using human the Arabian Peninsula and the al-Qa`ida shields) into the debate.1 A relatively Organization in Yemen4 hid behind the unfamiliar term to non-Muslims and protections offered by al-Tatarrus in their Muslims alike, al-Tatarrus refers to God’s justification of terrorist attacks that sanctioning of Muslim armies that are About the CTC Sentinel forced to kill other Muslims who are 3 Al-Qa`ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) relied on The Combating Terrorism Center is an being used as human shields by an the al-Tatarrus concept when pushed by the Arab press 2 independent educational and research enemy during a time of war. Al-Tatarrus about why they killed so many women and children in institution based in the Department of Social is a religiously legitimate, albeit obscure, the course of their attacks. For instance, in reaction to Sciences at the United States Military Academy, Islamic concept that al-Qa`ida ideologues the al-Muhayya bombings in Riyadh, an AQAP official, West Point. The CTC Sentinel harnesses have been increasingly using in order to Muhammad al-Ablaj, told Majallat al-Majalla (November the Center’s global network of scholars and exculpate themselves from charges of 2003) that anyone who gathers in places frequented by practitioners in order to understand and non-Muslim enemies or who fails to flee those places is confront contemporary threats posed by 1 Ayman al-Zawahiri, “Open Interview with Shaykh Ay- subject to the law of human shields, which protects one terrorism and other forms of political violence. man al-Zawahiri,” published jointly by al-Sahab Media from God’s wrath if they are unable to distinguish be- Production Organization and al-Fajr Center for Media, tween killing Muslims and non-Muslims in the course of April 2, 2008, part one. a combat operation on a legitimate target. The views expressed in this report are those of 2 In its most comprehensive formulation, al-Tatarrus also 4 On November 7, 2007, the al-Qa`ida Organization in the authors and not of the U.S. Military Academy, sanctions the intentional killing of non-Muslim women Yemen released the wills of the suicide attackers who the Department of the Army, or any other agency conducted four coordinated attacks against oil installa- of the U.S. Government. and children when they are being used as shields, an is- sue that Abu Yahya mentions briefly. tions in Hadramawt, Yemen in September 2006.

1 may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6 resulted in significant Muslim casualties. when a Muslim army is forced to kill other As if criticizing 14 centuries of Islamic Al-Qa`ida’s use of al-Tatarrus was also at Muslims who are being used as shields by thought on the matter was not enough, the heart of Sayyid Imam Sharif’s recent non-Muslim enemies. The non-Muslim Abu Yahya decides to reject the premise, attacks against al-Zawahiri and al- enemy, Abu Yahya accurately explains, saying, “I have never seen [al-Tatarrus Qa`ida.5 puts their Muslim captives as an explicit concept] mentioned in hadiths of the Prophet or in the Although an extensive body of Islamic in places that make it impossible biographies of the fighting companions literature exists on the topic, al-Zawahiri for the Muslim army to reach them in this same particular way that cited only three sources of intellectual and hit them without killing or scholars have expressed it.” By calling authority regarding al-Tatarrus: his own injuring the prisoners. This serves the conditions placed on al-Tatarrus by books, a brief statement on the topic by as an obstacle in front of the Muslim Islamic scholars something “new” (and army to stop them from attempting thus an “innovation”), he grants himself an attack and as a deterrent to the religious authority to not only reject “Abu Yahya’s small attacking and striking. the entire body of Islamic literature essay on al-Tatarrus is (and accompanying restrictions) on Abu Yahya even celebrates the fact that the killing of innocent Muslims, but he nothing short of a religious previous Islamic scholars have dealt with positions himself as the sole arbiter of revolution.” the topic and conditions of al-Tatarrus, what constitutes “permissibility” with calling their work “a gift from God.” regard to killing.

When one pushes past Abu Yahya’s The Impact of Modern Warfare Usama bin Ladin and a short monograph spellbinding prose and sycophantic After dismissing an entire tradition penned by Abu Yahya al-Libi explicitly praise of Islamic tradition, however, the of Islamic scholarship out-of-hand, on al-Tatarrus.6 Al-Zawahiri’s reference enormity of his real ambition becomes Abu Yahya takes on his next major to Abu Yahya al-Libi, the crown prince shockingly clear: Abu Yahya’s small challenger: the Qur’an and hadith. of al-Qa`ida, can be viewed as a savvy essay on al-Tatarrus is nothing short of a Instead of defending himself against political move, one that allays jihadist religious revolution. the most damning Qur’anic and hadith fears of an Egyptian-Libyan rift within the passages regarding the prohibitions “high command,” while simultaneously Early Islamic thinkers typically used three against killing innocent Muslims as one bolstering Abu Yahya’s status within general forms of shielding in the course might expect, Abu Yahya flaunts his the movement. One could also view the of their discussions on the matter: first, intellectual flexibility in a curious two- reference as al-Zawahiri’s attempt to the intentional placement of Muslims in step. First, he embraces those passages, refocus the global jihadist movement’s an enemy fort or outpost that a Muslim becoming their strongest proponent: attention on Abu Yahya’s two-year-old army wants to conquer as either residents “There are numerous hadiths to work, Human Shields in Modern Jihad, because or prisoners; second, the placement of this effect; they are strict about the it offers something that al-Zawahiri Muslims onboard an enemy ship that sacredness of Muslim blood, and they believes important.7 a Muslim army wants to sink; or third, warn ardently against breaching it and when an enemy force literally takes cover not respecting it,” he ironically reminds Revolution in 36 Pages behind Muslims in a combat situation. the reader. Yet it becomes quickly At first glance, Abu Yahya’s 36-page apparent that his agreement with those monograph seems to be little more than a Abu Yahya begins his theological verses is entirely disingenuous. dry analysis of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) upheaval by explaining that these early on the matter of killing non-combatants. thinkers were not specific enough in their While the Qur’anic and hadith He correctly defines al-Tatarrus as the discussions on the use of human shields restrictions on killing innocent exemption to the Islamic prohibition nor did they adequately articulate the Muslims were appropriate during the against shedding innocent Muslim blood conditions under which it is permissible early days of Islam, he suggests, they to shed Muslim blood in the course of should have no bearing on warfare 5 Sayyid Imam Sharif criticizes the jihadist movement warfare against a non-Muslim enemy today because modern warfare is for too loosely employing the al-Tatarrus justification as when they take Muslims as human qualitatively different. Whereas early a way of helping them to expand their circle of killing. shields. This perceived historical failure Islamic thinkers had to consider the Sayyid Imam Sharif, “First Part: Rationalizing Jihad of the early scholars to deal with al-Tatarrus implications of using a catapult against in Egypt, the World,” al-Masri al-Yawm, November 18, honestly and comprehensively, whether an enemy fortress in which Muslims 2007. Also see Jarret Brachman, “Leading Egyptian Ji- due to their fear or embarrassment, he were residing, or conducting night hadist Sayyid Imam Renounces Violence,” CTC Sentinel says, has led to a condition wherein the raids against an enemy household in 1:1 (2008). unjustified spilling of Muslim blood has which Muslims were likely present, the 8 6 Specifically, the books Ayman al-Zawahiri referenced become pervasive. nature of contemporary warfare is one of his own include The Healing of the Believers’ Chests and where the enemy uses “raids, clashes The Exoneration. 8 Although Abu Yahya does not explicitly make this and ambushes, and they hardly ever 7 Although the essay is dated January 6, 2006, it was point, early Islamic writings on the topic of al-Tatarrus stop chasing the mujahidin everywhere not published and widely circulated until April 16, 2006, are quite inaccessible to the average Muslim reader when it appeared on the Tajdeed and Ana al-Muslim given their specialized vocabulary and dense style. Abu traditional Islamic discussions in that it simplifies mat- websites. Yahya’s approach to the concept is notably different from ters considerably.

2 may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6 and all the time, imprisoning them, more than 20 times in his short essay one so kills a believer, it is ordained their families and their supporters.” and has virtually no discussion of the that he should free a believing What it means to be “directly engaged conditions under which the killing of slave, and pay compensation to the in combat,” Abu Yahya argues, has innocent Muslims is impermissible. deceased’s family, unless they remit changed. By positing that Islam is in a it freely. If the deceased belonged to state of constant and universal warfare, He also employs another trick commonly a people at war with you, and he was he implicitly lowers the threshold for used by al-Qa`ida thinkers, which a believer, the freeing of a believing proving that one’s killing of innocent is heralding the death of those non- slave (is enough). If he belonged to Muslims is just. combatant Muslims who have been a people with whom ye have treaty killed in terrorist attacks by calling of Mutual alliance, compensation In short, the nature of today’s all- them martyrs. Quoting the words of Ibn should be paid to his family, and a encompassing warfare means that the Taymiyya, Abu Yahya writes, “The one believing slave be freed. For those jihadist movement must find a “new which allows/accepts that their death is who find this beyond their means, perception of different ways of modern for the sake of jihad and is analogous with is prescribe a fast for two months shielding which were probably not the death of Muslims when fighting [for running: by way of repentance to provided for by the scholars of Islam who Islam], in which case they are martyrs.” Allah: for Allah hath all knowledge knew only of the weapons used during and all wisdom.9 their era.” In these few sentences, Abu Abu Yahya’s essay contains several Yahya attempts to wipe the slate clean major oversights that one can only As the above verse suggests, there are two of the most sacred and defining texts believe are intentional given the depth general forms of compensation that are with regard to the issue of killing human of his knowledge on the issue. The relevant to the al-Tatarrus discussion. The shields. first is kaffara, defined as the atonement to God or repayment made for some The only options that Muslims have left, “Abu Yahya attempts to failure to act, or harm done to another. It he explains, particularly given the ways wipe the slate clean of the usually mandates that the one who spilled in which non-Muslim enemies occupy Muslims’ blood either fast for a period Islamic countries, take large numbers of most sacred and defining of time (usually one or two months) or Muslims prisoner, and fight using modern texts with regard to the serve charitable acts (such as serving 60 weaponry are the following: poor Muslims food for a period of time). issue of killing human The second form of compensation is 1. “Stop fighting the enemy out of fear for shields.” diyya (blood money), which is a monetary the lives of the human shield,” which is compensation paid as a fine to the clearly not an actual option for Abu Yahya next of kin of someone who was killed or al-Qa`ida; intentionally. 2. “accept the idea of sacrificing the shield first oversight is regarding the fact that and engage in a fierce war using weapons al-Tatarrus is not limited to the human There is little doubt that Abu Yahya of mass destruction”; body, but is commonly extended to intentionally avoided discussing the 3. “or choose to engage in a long-term the enemy’s use of Muslim property, religious duty to compensate the family war against the enemy using traditional including buildings, infrastructure and of Muslim victims who are killed.10 This weapons,” which Abu Yahya suggests is vehicles as a deterrent in times of war. is most likely due to the fact that doing “not advantageous because it prevents one Abu Yahya’s decision to leave out Muslim so is simply beyond al-Qa`ida’s current from benefiting from the use of weapons of property becomes clearer when viewed in capacity and would likely catalyze an even mass destruction because of caring for the the light of his second major oversight: stronger popular backlash against the lives of the enemy’s prisoners who would compensation for damage caused. organization within Muslim populations be the first victims…if they were used.” who have been targeted. If Abu Yahya Most discussions of al-Tatarrus during were to have tried to extend al-Tatarrus The only viable and effective option the past 14 centuries include reference to to Muslim property and riches, he would for Abu Yahya al-Libi is the second: the necessary compensation required by have further indebted al-Qa`ida to Islam accepting the fact that the nature of God for damage caused to Muslim lives, for the great deal of property damage that modern warfare makes the killing of property or wealth. The most blatant their attacks have caused. large amounts of Muslims a necessity. evidence of Abu Yahya’s intentional avoidance of compensatory damages Abu Yahya’s Mistakes appears in the peculiar way that he cites 9 Qur’an 4:92. Abu Yahya’s revolutionary pamphlet the Qur’an, noting: “Never should a 10 Abu Yahya fails to deal with the lessons learned in the follows suit with previous treatments on believer kill a believer but (if it so happens) well-known story of the inadvertent killing of Yaman, fa- the matter by al-Qa`ida ideologues who by mistake.” Had Abu Yahya continued ther of Hudayfa, during the battle of Uhud, as referenced have similarly sought to justify their his quote to the next verse of the sura, he in Fethoof al-Baldan (1/304) by al-Belathri. During this killing of innocent Muslims using al- would have been forced to reveal it as, battle, when the Prophet and his companions were in Tatarrus rather than objectively clarifying retreat, one of the Prophet’s companions, Abdullah ibn the conditions when its use is permissible Never should a believer kill a Mas’ud, mistook Yaman for an enemy and killed him. In or impermissible. In fact, Abu Yahya uses believer but if it so happens by response, the Prophet obliged Mas’ud to pay the diyya to derivatives of the word “permissible” mistake, compensation is due: If Hudayfa, which he then donated to charity.

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Another important dimension of al- The Funding Methods Despite its advantages, however, FATA Tatarrus overlooked by Abu Yahya is has at least one significant disadvantage the duty that is incumbent upon Muslim of FATA’s Terrorists and for the militants there: financial fighters who are hiding from an attacking Insurgents vulnerability. Al-Qa`ida and the IJU, enemy in civilian Muslim populations and their guardians the TTP and Afghan to compensate the local population for By John Solomon Taliban, need stable sources of revenue any damage inflicted by the enemy to to maintain their heightened scale of that area (to include the loss of Muslim there is broad consensus in the United militancy in Afghanistan, Pakistan and lives, property or wealth). States and Europe that Pakistan’s Western Europe. Underscoring the Federally Administered Tribal Areas relation between funding and capability, Conclusion (FATA) provide sanctuary to local and the TTP amir in Bannu District of the In sum, Abu Yahya al-Libi uses al- foreign Taliban, al-Qa`ida’s central North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), Tatarrus to dismiss 14 centuries of leadership, and the Islamic Jihad Union Islamic scholarship, advocate the (IJU).1 During the past two years, there “At no time has al-Qa`ida religious permissibility of killing have been at least four advanced attack innocent Muslims and artificially cells with links to Pakistan’s tribal enjoyed a more formidable bifurcate Islam into two halves: those areas disrupted in the United Kingdom, redoubt than in FATA.” who are “ignorant or obstinate” about Germany, Denmark and Spain. Sanctuaries the harm posed to Islam by its enemies, enable insurgents and terrorists to not and those who are dedicated to not just only plan attacks, but also to generate “resisting” this threat but “removing” critical support infrastructures by raising Issa Khan, has reportedly said recently that harm. One must be “blind,” he funds, projecting ideology and providing that the only reason it does not carry argues, if they disagree with him or technical assistance to associated groups out attacks globally against the United refuse to sacrifice Muslim lives for the and cells. To effectively destroy al-Qa`ida States and Europe is because it lacks the sake of his war. and its support structures, U.S. national resources to do so.4 Recognizing that security policy correctly calls for the countering the financing of terrorism is Dr. Jarret Brachman is the Combating closure of these terrorist sanctuaries in an effective way to degrade the ability of Terrorism Center’s Director of Research concert with a coordinated global effort al-Qa`ida and its associated groups, this where he manages projects related to al- to desiccate the movement’s funding report examines the known or suspected Qa`ida strategy and ideology. Dr. Brachman streams. funding methods of the main jihadist has testified before the U.S. Congress, organizations active in FATA. spoken before the British House of Lords This is no small challenge. At no time and routinely advises government officials has al-Qa`ida enjoyed a more formidable Funding Methods on counter-terrorism strategy. His work redoubt than in FATA.2 Known in To appreciate the current funding has been profiled on 60 Minutes, CNN, al- Pakistan as ilaqa-e-ghair (lawless lands), the structures of FATA militants, one must Jazira and Sharq al-Awsat. He served as a Pashtun tribal areas that revolve around examine those from which they have Fellow with the Central Intelligence Agency’s the Peshawar Valley have, with some evolved. The ethnic Pashtun TTP and Counter-Terrorist Center before coming to exception during the Mughal and Durrani Afghan Taliban indeed share a common West Point. His new book, Global Jihadism: empires, always remained autonomous. history, language, ethnicity, religion, Theory and Practice, is forthcoming with In Waziristan, there is no empire of any culture and in many cases familial Routledge Press this summer. record that has succeeded in subjugating descent. The two groups also share the region’s tribes. Waziristan is a material interests in common. They Abdullah Warius is an Arabic linguist with stronghold of the Tehrik-i-Taliban are intimately familiar with taxing the the Combating Terrorism Center. Pakistan (TTP) movement that Baitullah lucrative licit and illicit transit corridor Mehsud commands, and a suspected safe that extends from Karachi through haven for core elements of al-Qa`ida and FATA or Balochistan to landlocked the IJU.3 Afghanistan and Central Asia. The Taliban established its rule in the early and mid-1990s precisely because it had marginalized the warlords and 1 “Combating Terrorism: The US Lacks Comprehen- positioned itself as the security provider sive Plan to Destroy the Terrorist Threat and Close the for all those with an economic interest Safe Haven in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal in the lucrative Afghanistan-Pakistan Areas,“ U.S. Government Accountability Office, April transit trade corridor of smuggled 5 2008; “EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report,” Eu- goods. Previously, a Hobbessian ropol, 2008. state of nature had developed from 2 For a good backgrounder, see Thomas H. Johnson and the war economy of the 1980s, and M. Chris Mason, “No Sign Until the Burst of Fire: Un- derstanding the Pakistan-Afghanistan Frontier,” Inter- 4 Interview, Tehrik-i-Taliban lieutenant, conducted by national Security 32:4 (2008). Saifullah Mehsud, FATA, April 2008. 3 For more on TTP, see Hassan Abbas, “A Profile of Teh- 5 Barnett R. Rubin, “The Political Economy of War and rik-i-Taliban Pakistan,” CTC Sentinel 1:2 (2008). Peace in Afghanistan,” World Development 28:10 (2000).

4 may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6 reached a crescendo at the time of the organized crime and TTP elements. On has also trained those without security Soviet withdrawal, which resulted in a the processing and distribution sides backgrounds and then deployed them security vacuum filled by a dizzying array of the business, TTP is thought to tax to cities to find security jobs in banks of predatory warlords and brigands. laboratories up to 15% and distributors a in order to rob them.13 Seeking external Insecurity along key trade routes was flat tax of 15%.9 Since the TTP has grown sources of revenue outside FATA may endemic and transit traders and truckers more powerful and established control of be a way to avoid disturbing traditional were left paying exorbitant tolls or simply markets in FATA and the NWFP, there income streams had by tribal interests. having their goods stolen, which had have been some recent signs suggesting negative residual effects for stakeholders that traditional tribal structures are Another piece of the Taliban’s throughout the supply chain. battling with militants over funding partnership with the Pashtun merchant class is the suspicion that it entrusted a By becoming a “one-stop” security select class of them to act as trustees and provider, the predominantly Pashtun “The Taliban also controls managers of Taliban assets present at merchants and truckers who required vast swathes of the three the time of the U.S. invasion in October secure transit from the trade corridor 2001.14 After the 1998 U.S. Embassy extending from Dubai through highest opium producing attacks in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Balochistan or FATA became the provinces in Afghanistan, the UN imposed financial sanctions Taliban’s financial backing through on the Taliban and al-Qa`ida through taxes, contributions and political the source of 93% of world UNSCR 1267. The sanctions sensitized support.6 According to one World Bank supply.” the Taliban so that it likely anticipated report, the estimated Taliban revenue the financial sanctions that would sourced from taxing Afghanistan- follow the 9/11 attacks. Therefore, the Pakistan trade in 1997 was $75 million.7 Taliban leadership probably transferred The same report indicated that taxed sources. The clashes between the Afridi- their cash assets at the time of invasion opium and “contributions” from truckers Kokikhel and Lashkar Islam in April to capable businessmen who they could during the same year may have accounted 2008 appear to be the most transparent trust.15 A rare and relevant example for as much as twice that amount. The case of a tribal interest group defending regarding the destination of some of Taliban also controls vast swathes of the a traditional source of revenue sought by these funds emerged in January 2006 three highest opium producing provinces an insurgent group.10 when Hamid Karzai’s government in Afghanistan, the source of 93% of world issued an Interpol Red Notice for supply. The security taxed revenue from Apart from looting and taxing in FATA a prominent Kandahari Pashtun that trade is estimated to have increased and the NWFP, TTP has deployed businessman, Abdul Bari, who was to as much as 20% of $2.2 billion.8 dual use terror-crime cells further accused of managing Taliban funds for afield in Karachi. TTP has recruited Mullah Omar in Pakistan.16 Individuals FATA’s tribal militias and now the TTP security professionals, trained them in like Abdul Bari—successful Pashtun umbrella alliance have also raised funds terrorist tactics in Waziristan, and then traders with Taliban connections, from a security tax levied on the goods deployed them as hit squads and bank international businesses and companies Pashtun merchants transport through robbers. Baitullah Mehsud and TTP dealing in commodities susceptible to the tax-free area. The 1965 Afghanistan allegedly provided a jihadist organized trade-based laundering such as used Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) created crime network called Jundullah with a cars and trucks, vehicle parts, and a region-wide arbitraging center where hit list, money, weapons and a means electronics operating in less regulated profits could be made off policy-induced of transferring stolen money via an jurisdictions along the ATTA corridor price differentials from tax-free Dubai Egyptian TTP money courier, named including Dubai—would fit the profile through the tax-free FATA in Pakistan Hamza Jofi, to its safe haven in South of businessmen with whom the Taliban or beyond. The result, according to all Waziristan.11 The Egyptian nationality would likely entrust its assets.17 Due to first hand and scholarly accounts, is “a suggests a possible al-Qa`ida link. To corruption and the lack of documents smugglers paradise.” In addition, it has give some indication of the scale of a and business transparency in Pakistan, remained a perennial livelihood for many robbery, a recently arrested Jundullah Afghanistan and the Gulf, however, of the non-settled tribes in FATA to tax or cell’s final bank heist amounted to about the money trail often does not exist or loot goods transiting through their areas $73,500. One of these arrested cadre the authority bringing the charges is of control through the use or threat of disclosed during interrogation that there violence. The pervasive opium industry were about 600 Jundullah active and ers Present in Karachi,” Daily Times, February 4, 2008. 12 feeds into the smuggled goods trade ready suicide cadre in Karachi. TTP 13 Ibid. transiting FATA and has benefited mainly 14 Craig S. Smith, “The Business World; For Afghans, 9 Cyrus Hodes and Mark Sedra, “Chapter Three: The the Bank is Often a Bag of Cash,” New York Times, March 6 Cyrus Hodes and Mark Sedra, “Chapter Two: Spoiler Opium Trade,” Adelphi Papers 47:391 (2007). 10, 2002. Groups and the Anti-Government Insurgency,” Adelphi 10 Sher Khan Afridi, “8 Khasadars Abducted,” The Na- 15 Ibid. Papers 47:391 (2007). tion, April 17, 2008. 16 Sohail Abdul Nasir, “Two Taliban-linked Companies 7 Zareen Naqvi, Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade Relations (Is- 11 Jamal Khurshid, “Jundullah Man Admits Sending Raided by Pakistani Authorities,” Terrorism Focus 3:6 lamabad: World Bank, 1999). Looted Money to Wana: Police,” The News, February 26, (2006). 8 Barnett R. Rubin, “Saving Afghanistan,” Foreign Af- 2008. 17 Syed Saleem Shehzad, “How the Taliban Keep Their fairs 86:1 (2007). 12 Faraz Khan, “Jundullah Claims 600 Suicide Bomb- Coffers Full,” Asia Times Online, January 10, 2007.

5 may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6 convinced to drop them. pilgrimage season in December 2007. The bomb the subway systems of a number model described by the Saudi government of Western European cities. Turkic Contributions and donations among and other reporting follows. A mobile Germans recruited by the IJU have also Pashtun businessman and ordinary phone SIM card contained a message from begun to appear with greater frequency people in Pakistan and FATA an al-Qa`ida fundraising appeal from in battles and/or suicide attacks in constitute another dimension of the Ayman al-Zawahiri. The message was the Afghan theater, according to some funding structure. The same Pashtun physically transferred by a non-Saudi to reports. To raise funds, IJU seems to merchant class is often targeted for a Saudi national in-country. Al-Zawahiri rely to a large extent on donations raised contributions—financial gifts over and endorsed the Saudi funds collector in his via the internet in Turkey and among above the amounts mandated by the recorded message as “a trusted brother the ethnic Turk demographic residing religious taxes, ushr and zakat. Usually in whom we have confidence.” The funds in Germany and perhaps other parts of a sympathetic mullah will use his collector used the cover of charity work Europe. The comparatively advantageous contact base to assemble a relatively to approach possible donors.20 Funds foreign exchange of euros or lira to affluent audience. Then, either he successfully raised are then suspected rupees and afghanis could make these or a prominent Taliban commander to be moved formally or informally—by members financially beneficial for the will address the audience and ask for hawala or cash courier—most probably to group. Perhaps correspondingly, Uzbek financial contributions. According to complicit money exchangers in Peshawar numbers in North Waziristan seem to be anecdotal information, some high net before being moved to aid FATA increasing. According to one local source, worth Pashtun traders donate as much militants. There have been a number of the number of jihadist Uzbeks (IMU as $100,000 during these gatherings.18 arrests of Saudi al-Qa`ida members in and IJU combined) has increased from Money is also raised among middle and Pakistan caught carrying substantial approximately 600 into the thousands.22 lower-middle class Pakistanis under sums of foreign currencies while in transit the guise of zakat in madrasas and between countries. To further support Conclusion mosques sympathetic to the movement. this claim, there is also a significant “Jihadi armies march on their stomachs,” The Taliban and TTP are able to raise amount of Saudi currency evident in TTP as one seasoned diplomat with deep substantial sums this way, especially in strongholds, especially in Swat in the experience in the region put it, “and it’s areas controlled by TTP mullahs with NWFP. not as easy as it used to be for them to seminaries.19 beg food.” While the Taliban movements, Taliban fundraising appeals note its al-Qa`ida and the Islamic Jihad Union More important perhaps are financial infrastructure. According to the exploit a wide range of financial flows, the sophisticated videos and 21st issue of the Taliban’s Arabic monthly through under-regulated jurisdictions telecommunications used by militants magazine al-Sumud, its financial authority and industries, constant pressure must to target fundraising markets abroad. is administered through a shura comprised continue to be applied through all levers The Taliban and al-Qa`ida are both of a head with deputies in every Afghan of power available to the United States active fundraisers among the Gulf Arab province.21 Budgets are apparently and its European allies to constrain the populations in the United Arab Emirates estimated by province, and donations jihadist elements in FATA. The likelihood and Saudi Arabia; almost all of their collected domestically and abroad are of a military or political solution is highly messaging is in Arabic. The IJU targets allocated according to need. Described unlikely in the near- or medium-term; potential support markets among ethno- by some analysts as a “mini-copy of the therefore, more direct pressure must linguistic Turk populations in Europe Taliban,” the Pakistani TTP leadership be applied on the enemy’s known and (mainly Germany) and Turkey, where tends to imitate the administrative suspected funding streams to increasingly euros and the new lira hold relatively high methods of the Afghan Taliban leadership, degrade its ability to attack. exchange values. The more interesting which is comparatively older and more facet, perhaps, is the informal trust experienced. It is suspected that a similar John Solomon is global head of terrorism verification process and the methods used finance shura exists in FATA and in the research for World-Check. An expert on to move the money once raised. There is NWFP. terrorist financing with extensive regional anecdotal and other reporting information experience in the Middle East and Asia, he available suggesting that individuals The IJU has emerged as a particularly is regularly invited to speak to governments are specifically tasked with distributing worrisome threat in the West due to and leading financial institutions around messages and collecting or moving funds. its recruitment and fundraising among the world. His work on terrorism issues has One example emerged after Saudi internal ethnic Turks and converts in Germany appeared in the edited volume Unmasking security allegedly detected and disrupted and Turkey. IJU trainees reached Terror: A Global Review of Terrorist an al-Qa`ida financial support network advanced stages in a planning cycle Activities, in addition to Jane’s Intelligence that entered the country during the hajj to attack U.S. military facilities in Review and The Jamestown Foundation’s Germany in 2007, after they received Terrorism Monitor and Terrorism Focus. He 18 Personal interview, Syed Saleem Shehzad, May 7, explosives training in Pakistan. IJU holds a master’s degree in Middle East and 2008. has also been linked to another plot to Central Asian Security Studies from the 19 For example, Maulana Sadiq Noor, a member of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and is Dawar tribe and an important Taliban leader close to al- 20 “Interior Ministry Warns Al-Qaeda Financiers,” Arab proficient in Arabic. Qa`ida, reputedly raises substantial sums through the News, March 9, 2008. Manba-ul-Uloom madrasa that he runs in Miran Shah, 21 “21st edition of Taliban Monthly Magazine,” al-Sumud, 22 Interview, Sailab Mehsud, conducted by Saifullah North Waziristan. March 2008. Mehsud, FATA, April 2008.

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Abu Muhammad al- literature on the internet and a report by radical ideology,10 perhaps implying that the Combating Terrorism Center at West al-Maqdisi might, in the future, even Maqdisi: A Counter- Point calls him “the key contemporary be used by the Jordanian authorities Terrorism Asset? ideologue in the Jihadi intellectual to discourage others from engaging in universe.”6 Considering al-Maqdisi’s terrorism. This article concentrates on By Joas Wagemakers stature and influence among jihadists, al-Maqdisi’s views on the use of violence, it is not surprising that the news of his whether he has indeed become more on march 12, 2008, Jordanian authorities release caused expressions of great joy on moderate and what implications this has released from prison the radical Islamic several radical Islamist weblogs.7 for any efforts to use him as a counter- ideologue Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi. terrorism asset. He had spent approximately three years in Al-Maqdisi’s influence on other radicals is prison on the charge that he had contacted not, however, what made him well-known The Near Enemy and encouraged terrorists. Al-Maqdisi among journalists and scholars alike. Although al-Maqdisi, who was born had repeatedly denied these accusations, The credit for that goes to Abu Mus`ab in 1959 and whose real name is `Isam however, and had started a hunger strike al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian terrorist al-Barqawi, is originally from Barqa, a to protest his prolonged detention.1 The who became infamous for his bombing village in the West Bank, he was raised lack of evidence against him as well as attacks against Shi`a in Iraq and who was ideologically in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. his declining health due to the hunger killed by U.S. forces in 2006. The two In the latter two countries he immersed strike are probably the reasons behind men spent several years in a Jordanian himself in the ideas of Wahhabism, and his release.2 prison together, with al-Maqdisi acting in the 1980s became involved with the as al-Zarqawi’s mentor. When both supporters of Juhayman al-`Utaybi, Although al-Maqdisi’s release was not were released in 1999, al-Zarqawi went who had occupied the Grand Mosque broadcast widely by Western media, it is to Afghanistan and later Iraq, while of Mecca for two weeks in 1979.11 In important to take a closer examination. al-Maqdisi stayed in Jordan, being re- this period, he started working on his The mostly Arabic media that did report arrested several times. In July 2005, first book, Millat Ibrahim,12 which he on his release were unanimous in labeling when al-Maqdisi had just been released finished in 1984. The book stresses al-Maqdisi an important thinker within a few days before, he used an interview the need for Muslims to employ the the world of radical Islamic ideology, with al-Jazira to criticize his former pupil concept of al-wala’ wa’l-bara’ (loyalty with one newspaper even calling him for his extreme use of violence and his and disavowal) in their lives, which in “the spiritual father of the al-Qa`ida tendency to target other Muslims.8 Some al-Maqdisi’s view means that Muslims movement.”3 Even though this particular have argued that this type of criticism, should be loyal and faithful to God in claim may be an exaggeration, there is no particularly coming from an important every possible way, while disavowing doubt that al-Maqdisi is one of the most ideologue like al-Maqdisi, could actually all forms of polytheism (shirk) and its prominent radical Islamic ideologues in help moderate the views of Muslim youth adherents.13 For al-Maqdisi, polytheism the world today. His writings are said willing to engage in terrorism.9 It has is not just the worship of multiple gods, to have been a source of influence to even been suggested that al-Maqdisi’s but also the adherence to non-Islamic terrorists in Saudi Arabia4 and Jordan,5 criticism of al-Zarqawi is part of a series laws and obedience to the leaders of his website (www.tawhed.ws) is perhaps of moderate “revisions” (muraja`at) of his Muslim countries, whom he considers the most comprehensive library of jihadist infidels (kuffar) for not fully applying Islamic law (Shari`a). Since al-Maqdisi 1 For more detailed accounts of the exact accusations 6 William McCants and Jarret Brachman, Militant Ideol- views all these as manifestations of against al-Maqdisi, see Human Rights Watch, “Arbitrary ogy Atlas – Executive Report (West Point, NY: Combating unbelief (kufr), any positive feelings Arrest and Detention of ‘Isam al-‘Utaibi (Abu Muham- Terrorism Center, 2006), p. 8. toward them by Muslims should be mad al-Maqdisi),” December 4, 2007; Human Rights 7 For an example of one such posting, see http://revolu- seen as misdirected loyalty to others Watch, “Human Rights Watch Letter to Jordanian Prime tion.muslimpad.com/2008/03/12/allahuakbar-shaykh- besides God. Since he states that God Minister Dahabi on Detention of ‘Isam al-‘Utaibi (Abu abu-muhammad-al-maqdisi-is-released/. should be the only rightful recipient of Muhammad al-Maqdisi),” December 4, 2007. 8 For the interview, see al-Jazira, July 6, 2005. For more Muslims’ loyalty, al-Maqdisi believes 2 Al-‘Arab al-Yawm, March 13, 2008; al-Hayat, March 13, on al-Maqdisi’s criticism of al-Zarqawi and a detailed de- that adherence to man-made laws or 2008; Middle East Times, March 18, 2008; al-Sabil, March scription of the relationship between the two men, see for obedience to worldly rulers effectively 18, 2008; al-Sharq al-Awsat, March 13, 2008. example Steven Brooke, “The Preacher and the Jihadi,” amounts to worshipping other gods. 3 Al-Sharq al-Awsat, March 13, 2008. in Hillel Fradkin, Husain Haqqani and Eric Brown eds., 4 Mamoun Fandy, Saudi Arabia and the Politics of Dissent Current Trends in Islamist Ideology 3 (2006): pp. 52-66; 10 Al-Hayat, March 13, 2008. (New York: Palgrave, 1999), pp. 2-4; Madawi al-Rasheed, Fu’ad Husayn, Al-Zarqawi – Al-Jil al-Thani li-l-Qa‘ida 11 Thomas Hegghammer and Stéphane Lacroix, “Rejec- Contesting the Saudi State – Islamic Voices from a New Gen- (Beirut: Dar al-Khayyal, 2005), pp. 11-15, pp. 101-114; Ni- tionist Islamism in Saudi Arabia: The Story of Juhayman eration (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007), bras Kazimi, “A Virulent Ideology in Mutation: Zarqawi al-‘Utaybi Revisited,” International Journal of Middle East p. 122. Upstages Maqdisi,” in Fradkin, Haqqani and Brown Studies 39:1 (2007): pp. 115-116. 5 International Crisis Group, “Jordan’s 9/11: Dealing eds., Current Trends in Islamist Ideology 2 (2005): pp. 59- 12 This book, as well as all other writings by al-Maqdisi with Jihadi Islamism,” November 23, 2005, pp. 9-10; 73; Loretta Napoleoni, Insurgent Iraq – Al-Zarqawi and the used for this article, was taken from www.tawhed.ws. Quintan Wiktorowicz, The Management of Islamic Activ- New Generation (New York: Seven Stories Press, 2005), Since most of these sources can only be found in html ism – Salafis, the Muslim Brotherhood, and State Power in pp. 50-77. format, referring to page numbers is difficult. Jordan (New York: State University of New York Press, 9 Al-Hayat, March 13, 2008; Personal interview, mem- 13 Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Millat Ibrahim wa- 2001), p. 122. ber of the Saudi opposition, March 11, 2008. Da`wat al-Anbiya’ wa’l-Mursalin, 1984.

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This, in al-Maqdisi’s view, is clear Revisionism? of the validity of excommunication23 and polytheism and turns a Muslim into an For al-Maqdisi ever to be used by the concludes that many of its current day unbeliever.14 authorities to discourage others from applications, such as calling entire Muslim engaging in terrorism, it is clear from the societies un-Islamic, are misguided and The theory of al-wala’ wa’l-bara’ as above that he would have to change his extreme.24 Although these ideas are a means to brand rulers and their ideas drastically. Several examples of the clearly meant to moderate the views of legislation as forms of polytheism recent past have shown that it is certainly radical jihadists, they are not a revision is further developed in al-Maqdisi’s not impossible for radical ideologues to of al-Maqdisi’s earlier statements. None other works. Relying on the example of renounce some of their earlier views and of al-Maqdisi’s writings support the Ibrahim used in Qur’an 60:4, in which take a new, more moderate approach. The extreme views that he criticizes in this believers are encouraged to show their Egyptian Jihad Organization, for example, book. In fact, al-Maqdisi goes out of his enmity and hatred of polytheism, he apologized two years ago for its attacks on way to point out to his readers that the stresses that all Muslims must disavow civilians,20 and the Egyptian al-Jama`a al- leaders of the Muslim world are definitely politicians and their laws. Al-Maqdisi infidels and that he is not criticizing the considers the highest form of this “He is, therefore, unlikely use of excommunication as such but that disavowal to be jihad.15 Unlike others, some Muslims have simply gone too far in however, al-Maqdisi believes that to moderate others to such applying it.25 this jihad should first and foremost an extent that they will be waged against the “near enemy” The second of al-Maqdisi’s writings (i.e. the regimes in the Muslim world). give up their radical ideas criticizing other radicals is a study on While he does not object to fighting altogether.” jihad, in which he evaluates what results the “far enemy” (i.e. Israel, the United the various attempts to fight “the infidels” States, United Kingdom),16 he deems the have yielded. In this book, he criticizes the “apostasy” (ridda) of Muslim leaders recklessness of some fighters and laments worse than the “original unbelief” Islamiyya even revised its entire ideology their lack of knowledge of both Islam and (kufr asli) of Jews and Christians17 and in the 1990s along more moderate lines.21 the reality of the country in which they also uses Qur’an 9:123 to argue that Could al-Maqdisi’s critical comments on fight.26 Again, however, al-Maqdisi does the former should be fought first.18 Al- al-Zarqawi’s conduct in Iraq signify a not criticize jihad and fighting itself. He Maqdisi thus believes that Muslims similar trend? Muhammad Abu Ruman, stresses that he supports jihad and has should show their loyalty to God by a journalist for the Arabic daily al-Hayat, had to pay the price for his views.27 In fact, giving priority to the disavowal of their believes they do. He argues that al- he praises the 9/11 hijackers for executing political leaders through jihad. Fighting Maqdisi’s criticism of his former pupil is such a well-planned operation and states the West, though important, should simply the latest example of a revisionist that the jihad needs more people like come later.19 trend in his thinking that began in the late them.28 Therefore, even though al-Maqdisi 1990s.22 While Abu Ruman is certainly again criticizes young jihadists for being 14 Ibid. For more on the development of al-wala’ wa’l- correct to point out that al-Maqdisi has reckless, he sounds like a spiritual leader bara’ and its role in al-Maqdisi’s ideology, see Joas Wage- been critical of radical Muslims’ activities who feels “his” jihad has gone awry rather makers, “The Transformation of a Radical Concept: for some time, a closer look at his writings than a radical who recants his earlier Al-Wala’ wa-l-Bara’ in the Ideology of Abu Muhammad shows that he has not revised his ideas at beliefs. al-Maqdisi,” in Roel Meijer ed., Global Salafism: Islam’s all and has been remarkably consistent New Religious Movement (London: Hurst, forthcoming in throughout the years. Al-Maqdisi also uses moral arguments 2008). to call for a restriction on bloodshed in 15 Ibid.; Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Kashf al-Niqab `an Al-Maqdisi’s criticism of other radical his book on jihad, as well as in his letter Shari`at al-Ghab, 1988; Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Al- Muslims can mostly be found in three of his of advice to al-Zarqawi, the third of his Kawashif al-Jaliyya fi Kufr al-Dawla al-Sa`udiyya, 1989; writings. The first of these, a huge study critical writings. In both documents, he Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Risalat Munasaha wa Tad- on excommunication (takfir) of Muslims laments the great number of casualties hkir ila ba`d al-Ikhwan, no date provided. by other Muslims, scolds radicals for among Muslims caused by jihadists and 16 Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Bara`at al-Muwahhidin their casual use of this tool to legitimate clearly states that many of the targets min `Uhud al-Tawaghit wa Amanihim li’l-Muharibin, 2002. violence against others. Al-Maqdisi they select, such as mosques, churches For an excellent book dealing with the debate within Is- delves into the Islamic legal intricacies and buses, may not be attacked according lamist circles over which of these two enemies to fight first, see Fawaz Gerges, The Far Enemy – Why Jihad Went British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies (forthcoming). 23 Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Al-Risala al-Thalathini- Global (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005). 20 ‘Abd al-Qadir b. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz [aka Dr. Fadl, who yya fi’l-Tahdhir min al-Ghulu fi’l-Takfir, 1998. 17 Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Hadhihi `Aqidatuna, is Sayyid Imam al-Sharif], one of the most prominent 24 Ibid. Al-Maqdisi gives 33 examples of what he con- 1997; Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, “Liqa’ min khalaf Salafi-jihadi scholars and a former leader of the Egyptian siders wrong forms of excommunication. All of these are Qadban al-Murtaddin ‘Sana`a 1418,’” 1997. Islamic Jihad, also moderated some of his views later on. dealt with in separate chapters. 18 Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Tabsir al-`Uqala’ bi-Tal- 21 For an in-depth treatment of this phenomenon, 25 Al-Maqdisi, Al-Risala al-Thalathiniyya fi’l-Tahdhir min bisat Ahl al-Tajahhum wa’l-Irja, 1996; Al-Maqdisi, “Liqa’ see Roel Meijer, “Commanding Good and Forbidding al-Ghulu fi’l-Takfir. min khalaf Qadban al-Murtaddin ‘Sana 1418.’” Wrong as a Principle of Social Action: The Case of the 26 Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Waqafat ma`a Thamrat 19 For a more detailed and in-depth treatment of al-Maq- Egyptian al-Jama‘a al-Islamiyya,” in Meijer ed., Global al-Jihad, 2004. disi’s ideology, see Joas Wagemakers, “A Purist Jihadi- Salafism: Islam’s New Religious Movement. 27 Ibid. Salafi: The Ideology of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi,” 22 Al-Hayat, March 13, 2008. 28 Ibid.

8 may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6 to Islamic law.29 Al-Maqdisi also criticizes have a moderating influence on those Human Smuggling the Islamic legal reasoning radicals use committed terrorists who are unlikely for suicide bombings, explaining that to be swayed by anyone else. and Trafficking: An killing innocent Muslims is not allowed International Terrorist by pointing out the difference between In practice, this policy would mean Security Risk? collateral damage and intentionally killing allowing al-Maqdisi to spread his ideas 30 Muslim women and children. Once again, without interfering with him too much By Jacob Townsend and Hayder Mili however, al-Maqdisi does not reject any of as long as he does not materially support his former beliefs. He has never advocated terrorism. The drawback of such a international borders are becoming attacking mosques and churches and policy is that, while possibly helping to more of a challenge for terrorists, although he criticizes the reckless use of moderate an extremely violent fringe encouraging stronger links to organized suicide bombings, he explicitly confirms among jihadists, al-Maqdisi’s still radical crime in the businesses of people smuggling that they are a legitimate means to fight writings might simultaneously inspire and trafficking.1 Quantitatively speaking, the enemy, as long as they are used for the a whole generation of new terrorists. smuggled terrorists are dwarfed by the 31 right purpose. Considering the fact that the Jordanian diffusion of ideology and training via the government apparently does not have a internet. They are, however, qualitatively Counter-Terrorism viable case to keep al-Maqdisi in prison, much more significant, and the support It is clear that al-Maqdisi, though critical however, this policy of non-interference rendered by organized crime makes them of jihadists’ reckless behavior and lack may be less unacceptable than it sounds. difficult to eliminate. This analysis will be of knowledge, has not changed his views Moreover, if all jihadists in Iraq had of interest to law enforcement, national at all. His criticism of al-Zarqawi in his done what al-Maqdisi advised them, security agencies and policymakers in interview with al-Jazira, though part of a there probably would have been a lot less contributing to the threat assessment longer trend, should therefore not be seen bloodshed. on the terrorism dimension of human as a sign of revisionism. All of the more smuggling and trafficking. moderate positions he has taken in the Conclusion past 10 years are completely compatible The release of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, An Expanding Market with his earlier writings and in many one of the most important radical Islamic Since 2001, al-Qa`ida’s infrastructure cases simply confirm what he has written ideologues alive, seemingly has very little has weakened and many important cadres before. This means he still believes the impact on the worldwide efforts to fight have been killed. Decentralization has leaders of the Muslim world are infidels terrorism. His ideas, though critical of resulted, and the contemporary counter- and considers jihad against them (and the excesses among jihadists, have always terrorism challenge posed by radical West) to be legitimate. This seemingly been supportive of violence against both Islamism is one of identifying, disrupting excludes al-Maqdisi as a useful tool to the governments of the Muslim world and destroying operationally autonomous combat terrorism. as well as the West. Al-Maqdisi is, cells. International cooperation has therefore, unlikely to moderate others frozen terrorist assets and impaired Still, al-Maqdisi’s use as a factor in to such an extent that they will give the operational procedures of groups counter-terrorism may be greater than up their radical ideas altogether. Still, attempting to organize globally. The the above suggests, since a major problem his relative moderation supported by coordination of migration databases2 and in using former radicals to discourage his credibility as an unbending scholar widespread improvements in document others from engaging in terrorism is may influence those whose strong security have raised the logistical demands that they lose all credibility in the eyes commitment and well-informed ideas for international terrorists. There is no of the most committed extremists. The cannot be influenced by other, lesser doubt that training and indoctrination latter are unlikely to be turned around figures. Whether governments are willing can occur without physical contact, by someone who has, in their view, to give al-Maqdisi relatively free reign for notably via the internet; there is also no 32 sold out to the enemy. Al-Maqdisi, such a new and risky approach, however, doubt, however, that this is inferior to however, cannot possibly be accused of remains to be seen. face-to-face instruction, certainly for selling out to anyone and has his prison training3 and probably for indoctrination. record to prove it. The credibility and Joas Wagemakers is a lecturer and Ph.D. candidate authority this gives him must mean at Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands. something in the eyes of jihadists. Al- His research focuses on Abu Muhammad al- 1 Smuggling is the procurement, for material gain, of Maqdisi’s criticism, precisely because it Maqdisi’s influence on the Jihadi-Salafi movement. the illegal entry of someone into a state of which they are is coming from a fellow radical who has He has written several articles on this subject, neither citizen nor resident. Trafficking is the movement not changed his views, could therefore including “A Purist Jihadi-Salafi: The Ideology of a person for exploitation, defined by a lack of consent. of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi” (forthcoming Smuggling is always transnational, whereas trafficking 29 Ibid.; Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, Al-Zarqawi: Mu- in the British Journal of Middle Eastern can also occur within a single state. nasara wa-Munasaha, 2004. Studies) and “The Transformation of a Radical 2 An example is the Regional Movement Alert System, 30 Al-Maqdisi, Waqafat ma`a Thamrat al-Jihad. Concept: Al-Wala’ wa-l-Bara’ in the Ideology of created under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Economic 31 Al-Maqdisi, Al-Zarqawi: Munasara wa-Munasaha. Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi” in Roel Meijer ed., Cooperation organization. It allows real-time sharing of 32 The recent revisionism of former Egyptian Islamic Global Salafism: Islam’s New Religious passport data between the United States, New Zealand Jihad leader and long-time prisoner Sayyid Imam, for Movement (forthcoming summer 2008). and Australia, with plans to incorporate new members. example, met with a spirited rebuttal by Ayman al- 3 The problems that terrorists face in training them- Zawahiri. selves with little expert assistance were demonstrated in

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The best method for groups wanting cells economically efficient. Human smuggling countries such as Canada. More recently, in multiple countries is still to infiltrate and trafficking is a profitable business investigations into a Milan-based a member, with recruiters directed at with strong and inelastic demand—in Ansar al-Islam network uncovered cells long-term development and operatives other words, any extra costs that criminal responsible for organizing safe houses, for specific attacks. The alternative is networks incur in developing and recruiting volunteers and raising upwards to establish a base in a safe haven and operating their expertise can be passed of a million euros smuggling Kurdish import recruits, requiring ex-filtration onto clients. migrants into Europe.11 These funds were from target countries and subsequent re- then reinvested into smuggling around infiltration. Even homegrown operatives As the risks of international travel rise, 200 militants in the opposite direction, need migration to undertake effective terrorist groups are encouraged to move from Europe into Iraq. training. This centralized training option only in moments of necessity. Maintaining has become more difficult with greater permanent capacities for irregular Terrorists also use people-moving pressure on safe havens. Nevertheless, moments is inefficient. Organized connections for operational purposes. travel for instruction continues, especially criminal groups are better at organizing In Belarus and Ukraine, border guards to Iraq and Afghanistan, which act as clandestine movement, they are available describe networks used to smuggle Chechen giant training centers. Recent examples for hire and can be engaged with a high militants out of Russia through the western are available in the Sinjar Records, level of anonymity. Ultimately, the Commonwealth of Independent States documenting the movement of militants security of a terrorist’s attempt to migrate region. The same officials readily admit into Iraq, many steps of which must have is a question of their ability to pay.7 that it is often impossible to determine the involved illegal migration.4 One such route country of origin of illegal migrants for moves militants from Europe to Tangiers Masking Movements repatriation since they almost never carry in Morocco and onward to Syria.5 Robbery, petty crime and trafficking any documentation. in various goods8 are common means In key areas for jihadist activity— of subsistence for terrorist cells. Some In Portugal, the national intelligence such as the Middle East, Afghanistan, have developed sophisticated divisions service observed a regular pattern of Pakistan and North Africa—cross-border of labor under which one group runs terrorist fundraising through drug community links remain useful and are criminal enterprises, while another plans trafficking, theft and illegal immigration often sufficient for infiltration. Entering and undertakes operations. A few include operations.12 An Italian example of the Western heartland is another matter. in their repertoire the forcible movement criminal cooperation for terrorist Relative to these higher barriers, terrorists of people, such as described by a Tajik migration involved three persons have diminished mobility and benefit victim: “the mujahideen in Tajikistan convicted in May 2005 of providing from the services of specialized networks. routinely kidnap children and release al-Qa`ida members in Europe and the Forging documents and negotiating secure them after extorting ransom, steal people’s Middle East with support, including the transport are challenges much easier to belongings, including their livestock.”9 provision of false documents. Belgium overcome with a network extending into Terrorist kidnappings of foreigners is considered a major hub for human the target territory. While terrorist groups or locals for ransom have increased in smuggling to England and onward to may have contacts in much of the Western North Africa, while they have remained a the United States, with extremist groups heartland, it has become rare for them to constant in Iraq and Afghanistan. exploiting connections between Indian/ possess the expertise or access required Pakistani people smuggling networks to facilitate clandestine movement.6 By With global annual profits in the billions and Islamic fundamentalists. An contrast, organized criminal groups have of dollars, a slice of the illicit migration important route reportedly runs from demonstrated proficiency in combining market is valuable to terrorists for India through Uzbekistan, Moscow, any or all of the elements of forged finance alone.10 Throughout the 1990s, Ukraine, Slovakia, Austria, Italy and documents, concealed transportation, the Tamil Tigers were involved in Belgium.13 Long-distance smuggling corrupt officials and secure residence. human trafficking and smuggling to routes are more often than not circuitous Like terrorist groups, criminal networks and change frequently to avoid detection. have responded to law enforcement and 7 “The W-5 of Human Smuggling to Canada,” RCMP The modus operandi varies within and globalization by decentralizing. Driven by Criminal Intelligence Directorate, October 2006. Such between routes. Some border controls profit, operating in illicit industries and services do not come cheap; according to the Royal Cana- may be completely circumvented, while against state power, such networks are dian Mounted Police, fees to reach Canada from South- others require fraudulent documents and east Asia, for example, can reach US$60,000. an international flight; others require the poor technical planning for the Glasgow and London 8 Trafficked products have even included precious met- a bribe. At present, terrorists are more attacks in 2007. als and endangered species. See Adrian Levy and Cathy likely to circumvent borders than attempt 4 Joseph Felter and Brian Fishman, Al-Qaida’s Foreign Scott-Clark, “Poaching for Bin Laden,” Guardian, May 5, to claim refugee status, as was the case in Fighters in Iraq: A First Look at the Sinjar Records (West 2007. the past. Point, NY: Combating Terrorism Center, 2008). 9 Ismail Khan, “How Tajik Boy Joined ‘Jihad,’” Dawn, 5 Raphaël Mergui, “Les Islamistes passent par la route October 23, 2004; “Court Rejects Bail Plea of 10 Foreign- 11 Lorenzo Vidino, “Jihad from Europe,” Journal of Inter- du Haschisch,” Marianne2, September 11, 2004. ers,” Dawn, April 29, 2006. national Security Affairs, September 27, 2005. 6 Jihadist logistical support structures in Europe were 10 The ILO estimated $31.6 billion of annual profit in 12 “International Jihadist Networks are a Threat to Por- significantly weakened following the anti-GIA campaign trafficked persons alone. See Patrick Belser, Forced La- tugal: Report,” Agence France-Presse, March 30, 2006. launched by French (and other European) law enforce- bour and Human Trafficking: Estimating the Profits (Gene- 13 Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to ment in the mid-1990s. va: International Labour Office, 2005). Racism, July 2007; Knack, July 11, 2007.

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Servants or Sympathizers? the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and who leads Pakistan’s hunt for al-Qa`ida While criminality gives financial Algerian criminals during the 1990s in militants in northwestern Pakistan, autonomy to a terrorist cell, it places both Algeria and France.17 In Central Asia, reported to Radio Free Europe the greater stress on anonymity and the an ex-member of the Islamic Movement of presence of young foreigners, “boys whose capacity to plan terrorism. It also brings Uzbekistan explained that he had used average age is 16 or 17 years, and it is my terrorists into more frequent contact Iranian drug traffickers to move him assessment that most of them have either with criminal networks. Terrorists’ through the Iranian city of Mashaad.18 been kidnapped or they were sold…and financial aims are only slightly higher after bringing them here, these [boys] are than subsistence and they tend toward Some organized criminal groups pursue used for terrorism.”20 Whether smuggled small-scale criminality or retailing for specific industries, while some diversify or trafficked, most youths are reported organized crime. For example, extremists heavily. In August 2005, arrests linked to come from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and in Central Asia increasingly rely on to a plot during the pope’s funeral northern Afghanistan.21 organized crime to import heroin from Afghanistan, finding it more efficient and “These movements are Responses secure to concentrate on retailing.14 Some governments have become sharp, deadly needles in concerned about people smuggling as Criminals have varying levels of the haystacks of global a potential national security menace. knowledge when smuggling terrorists. Moving from cognition to action is On the one hand, if terrorists conceal migration and terrorist- crucial, however, and much more their identity, criminals may be more criminal collaboration.” research and analysis is needed in this willing to offer services. On the other area. hand, if terrorists can cultivate a sympathetic criminal network, it may Collaboration and cross-pollination increase operational security. Ethnic suggested that terrorists can benefit between terrorists and criminals create and cultural links between terrorists from the ability to use criminal links for opportunities for clandestine terrorist and criminals facilitate cooperation multiple purposes. Notably, weapons movement. Criminal involvement in but are not necessary when the profit for the operation—missile launchers smuggling terrorists is a small sub-set of motive is at work. Nevertheless, for and explosives—were to be trafficked to terrorist-criminal interaction. Clandestine terrorists whose priority is infiltration Europe using human smuggling routes movements by terrorists comprise a tiny and secrecy, collaboration with criminal through Slovenia and the northeastern sub-set of illegal immigration. Many outfits that share a language and/or Italian port of Trieste.19 The implications more people are exposed to jihadist culture is preferable, while human of this type of smuggling for international propaganda and training via the internet smugglers generally “recruit” within security are clear, especially taking into than undertake migration to receive or their own ethno-cultural group. Some account the stated aim by terrorist groups impart instruction. The movement of criminal groups or individuals may, out to use weapons of mass destruction. terrorists and trainees, however, has a of ethnic/cultural loyalty, even partially special importance for global jihadism. sympathize with terrorists’ aspirations. Trafficked for Terrorism? It enables the most powerful processes of Notably, symbiosis can emerge in More sinister than terrorists using people conversion from a disgruntled individual prison, where extremists convert fellow smuggling to transport themselves to a radicalized and capable terrorist. It is inmates.15 is utilizing those same networks for also the means of placing a team in a target unwitting recruitment. Human trafficking country prior to a planned attack. These In Morocco, one recently apprehended is movement without consent and movements are sharp, deadly needles terrorist cell had prepared human generally occurs to service illicit labor in the haystacks of global migration and smuggling rings in anticipation of attacks. markets. Emerging evidence suggests terrorist-criminal collaboration. The networks were set to intervene that terrorist groups may traffic children immediately following the operation to to obtain new, pliant recruits—a common Disrupting terrorist smuggling remove the operatives to Europe or the form of recruitment in many conflicts networks may require stiffer penalties Middle East (Egypt, Tunisia and Libya). across Africa. Jihadists now seem to have for smugglers in key transit regions This suggests a high degree of collusion, adopted the tactic, at least in Waziristan. such as the CIS and more awareness- or at least that the criminal group had Lieutenant General Safdar Hussain, raising of the threat convergence among some understanding of its clients.16 law enforcement agencies in the West, Similar relationships developed between 17 The above examples notwithstanding, it should be particularly border staff. An important assumed that most criminal groups would shun the improvement would be strong cooperation 14 Personal interviews, Tajik and Kyrgyz law enforce- heightened law enforcement attention this type of activ- between counter-terrorism units and ment, September 19, 2005, June 29 and July 1, 2006. ity would bring. people-smuggling teams—in the reverse 15 Cecilia Gabizon, “De plus en plus de détenus tentes 18 Kathy Gannon, “Uzbeks Find Their Way Home direction to that usually imagined. For par l’islamisme Radical,” Le Figaro, May 2, 2005; Inter- Through Network of Terrorist Trails,” Associated Press, national Crisis Group, “‘Deradicalisation’ and Indone- June 12, 2005. 20 Antoine Blua, “Central Asia: Pakistan Says Militants sian Prisons,” November 19, 2007. 19 Center for Strategic and International Studies, Trans- Kidnap Central Asian Boys For Training,” RFE/RL, De- 16 Abdelhak Najib and Karim Serraj, “Le Trafic de national Threats Update 3:10 (2005); “Italy, Croatia Jointly cember 2004. Drogue, L’émigration Clandestine et le Terrorisme Isla- Foil Group’s Suspected Plan for Attack in Italy—Press,” 21 Qudssia Akhlaque, “Hunt Launched for Key Mili- miste,” La Gazette du Maroc, February 9, 2004. BBC Monitoring European, August 26, 2005. tants,” Dawn, December 18, 2004.

11 may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6 defensive purposes, it is important for Combating Terrorism with and generating fear throughout the civilian counter-terrorism agencies to inform sector. Although different groups were immigration agencies of terrorist Non-Lethal Weapons responsible for each attack, there were identities. Yet, for proactive counter- several common factors. Foremost, every terrorism, it is crucial that immigration By John B. Alexander incident took place in a major metropolitan agencies are sensitized to the possibility area. The attacks required a high degree of of unidentified or disguised terrorists in the conduct of the global war on coordination and sophistication to carry swimming in the sea of “ordinary” people terrorism, certain trends in terrorist out. The perpetrators were either local, or smuggling. Sensitization is particularly activities are clearly emerging. To create had the ability to operate openly in their important as intelligence agencies the most damage as well as a lasting environment. None of the targets were become more involved in monitoring and psychological effect, attacks often have military in nature or represented national disrupting smuggling networks, which taken place in densely populated areas symbols of power. risks solidifying a one-way information with civilians as the primary targets. flow from intelligence agencies to law Given the likelihood of collocation These attacks, and others like them, enforcement/immigration. The latter of terrorists and non-combatants, it foretell the nature of future terrorist remain more comprehensively involved is necessary to reconsider the use of incidents. Specifically, most often they in irregular migration and need to guard area non-lethal weapons, including will take place in densely populated against passivity in assessing the counter- incapacitating agents. cities and the assailants will be almost terrorism intelligence significance of indistinguishable from their potential people smuggling and trafficking. They It is worth considering a few examples victims. Under such conditions, the must understand that they are not just of recent civilian-targeted attacks. On ability of counter-terrorist organizations implementing agencies for counter- March 11, 2004, in Madrid, 10 near- to apply force is, at best, limited. Mistakes terrorism, but also information generators. simultaneous explosions ripped through can and do happen, such as the London four commuter trains of the Cercanias shooting death of Brazilian Jean Charles Improvements should be extended transportation system with devastating de Menezes on July 22, 2005, only two to origin countries, including greater effect. The backpack bombs killed 191 weeks after the bombings there.4 interoperability between databases and riders and wounded another 1,755. In capacity-building in areas like document addition to the physical casualties, the If collocation of terrorists and innocent fraud and immigration data analysis. timing of the attack was influential in civilians becomes a norm, then new Caution is warranted, however, in the outcome of the general elections held alternative capabilities need to be 1 securitizing further the issues of labor three days later. The following year, on explored. The best cases to examine migration and trafficking. Many countries July 7, 2005, domestic suicide bombers regarding alternatives took place in are responding overly aggressively, similarly attacked the London public Russia. The outcomes were dramatically in the process compromising the transportation system. Initially, three different, but one offers an example of intelligence value of migrants arrested. bombs were detonated within 50 seconds a highly controversial technique for Human smuggling is more than a law of each other at disparate locations along resolving hostage situations. enforcement or labor migration challenge. the Underground. Approximately one Transnational crime is a national security hour later, a bomber blew himself up on Incapacitating Agents threat in its relationship to terrorism (as a double-decker bus at Tavistock Square. On October 23, 2002, 42 armed Chechen well as other reasons). A migrant worker The attacks resulted in 52 fatalities and terrorists stormed a theater in the 2 looking for a better life should not be more than 700 wounded passengers. Dubrovka area of Moscow where Nord- confused with terrorists infiltrating, but On July 11, 2006, attacks in Mumbai, Ost was being performed and took the latter is clearly a danger. India demonstrated similar, well- approximately 850 hostages. During the coordinated planning and were executed next two and a half days, discussions Jacob Townsend is an independent analyst of with devastating effects. These incidents were held between the terrorists and the transnational security threats. His academic included the detonation of seven bombs Russian government. The history of the and popular publishing covers the drug within 11 minutes at various locations Chechen terrorists was well-known, and trade, counter-terrorism, coalition strategy along the suburban railway system during they had a propensity for violence; in 1995, in Afghanistan, arms trafficking and border the evening rush hour. Casualties were they had taken a hospital in Budyonnovsk control. He has been a consultant to the high and included 209 riders killed and and massacred all of the hostages. In an 3 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in more than 700 others wounded. unusual turn, the Moscow terrorists Central Asia and in the Asia-Pacific. He is were about evenly split between men and now based in Australia. In each of these terrorist incidents, clearly women, and many came wearing bombs. the objective was both causing casualties Although negotiations were initiated, it Hayder Mili is an independent researcher. was believed that the terrorists planned to He has published analytical and academic 1 “Scores Die in Madrid Bomb Carnage,” BBC, March 11, blow up the theater with all of the hostages articles on terrorism, the drug trade and law 2004. enforcement responses. He holds master’s 2 Paul Murphy, MP, “Report into the London Terrorist 4 Due to misidentification, and a series of circumstances degrees in Strategic Studies and International Attack of 7 July 2005,” Intelligence and Security Com- that culminated in no spare reaction time, Menezes was Relations from the Sorbonne University in mittee, Parliament (UK), May 2006. shot in the head seven times by officers who had no good Paris. He is currently based in Central Asia. 3 “Tuesday Terror: Six Blasts Rock Mumbai Railway alternatives. See Ken Livingston, Mayor of London, Stations,” Times of India, July 11, 2006. “Statement on IPCC Report,” August 2, 2007.

12 may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6 and themselves when they thought they remained focused on the chemical warfare in peace support operations in which there could get the most publicity. aspects of the operation. is a need to apply force, but at minimum levels, especially when large numbers of After gunfire was heard in the theater, About two years later, on September non-combatants are present. the Russian government made a crucial 1, 2004, Chechen separatists initiated decision to end the standoff. They another massive terrorist incident. Despite the obvious conundrum, the authorized the use of a previously secret Now known as the Beslan Massacre, mood of the international community, chemical agent designed to cause rapid several dozen terrorists took about 1,200 especially of Europeans, is to take the incapacitation of everyone in the theater. hostages at a school on the first day of most conservative position regarding While never formally acknowledged, the academic year. Having learned from chemical weapons.9 They cite the slippery the agent, called M-99, is thought to be the Dubrovka operation, the terrorists slope argument, suggesting that use of fentanyl-based and capable of rendering quickly smashed out the windows to any chemical agent would lead to use of humans unconscious in a matter of a increase the circulation of air and make all chemical agents. In addition, there are few seconds. The introduction of the introduction of an incapacitating aerosol other new technologies that are equally gas through the ventilation system had more difficult. This incident ended contentious. the intended effect. Immediately upon tragically for all involved. On day three application of the agent, Spetsnaz troops of the siege, chaos erupted with massive Energy Weapons entered the building and dispatched most Anti-personnel directed energy weapons of the terrorists. The details of the rescue may also be useful as area weapons operation that followed remain clouded. It “Both chemical and in counter-terrorism situations. They is certain that at least 129 of the hostages electromagnet technologies have encountered similar legal issues died as a result of inhalation of the gas; that have delayed their entry onto the however, more than 600 were rescued.5 offer the ability to improve battlefield. The technology needed to rescue odds.” field the Active Denial System (ADS) The application of this chemical has been demonstrated and could have incapacitating agent was at once been deployed years ago. Due to the successful and unfortunate. The rescue uniqueness of the effects (temporary pain of hundreds of hostages quickly became gunfire and detonation of several of the that stops immediately after exposure), overshadowed by the secrecy of the terrorists’ pre-placed bombs. Unlike the the Department of Defense has opted not chemical makeup of the aerosol and Moscow theater, the military and police to send the ADS into Iraq.10 controversy regarding legality of using units surrounding the Beslan school did that agent. The rules of engagement in not have a clear plan in place in case the The ADS provides a new dimension in hostage situations, however, are that once situation deteriorated quickly. As a result, directed energy. This beam weapon is casualties occur all attempts are made the death toll was 368 killed, including highly directional and quickly induces to save as many hostages as possible. many young children, and an additional pain. It can affect targets accurately that Additionally, the laws regarding use of 738 severely injured.6 are many hundreds of meters distant and chemical agents in domestic situations would be useful in separating terrorists are quite different from use in war. Research into incapacitating agents is not from civilians. Traveling at the speed of new, nor exclusively Russian. In the 1960s light, the system can also inhibit snipers There were several operational errors and 1970s, the U.S. Army also explored who must expose themselves in order that could have significantly lowered the use of fentanyl and other similar to shoot. Operating with experienced the fatality rate that night. Adequate agents.7 Upon signing the Biological and counter-sniper spotters and rapid transportation was not available to Toxin Warfare Convention in 1972, it was response time, a single system could move hundreds of unconscious patients. determined that even research in that provide suppression over a broad area. Fentanyl is a known respiratory inhibitor; area was in contravention of the treaties there could have been arrangements and work was stopped. As recently as There are other developments in directed made to ensure all of the unconscious 1997, the conventions have become even energy weapons that would be effective victims remained breathing by assigning more restrictive, banning the use of riot in isolating terrorists. These are anti- an assistant to each victim. Finally, the control agents and flame weapons on the materiel systems that can damage or Russians authorizing the operation could battlefield.8 Concurrently, the situations destroy sensitive electronics. Advances have better informed the medical staffs facing military units have become more have been made in systems that can block about the nature of the substance being complex. There has been a significant rise communications, incapacitate vehicles, or used. That information would have allowed even predetonate explosives. for more effective treatment. No rescue 6 Uwe Klussmann, “The Breslan Aftermath: New Pa- operation of that magnitude, however, pers Critical of Russian Security Forces,” Der Spiegel, had ever been attempted previously. July 4, 2005. 9 In November 2005, COL George Fenton, USMC (Ret.) Despite the efforts of the Spetsnaz forces in 7 Chemical Warfare Convention, effective April 29, and I appeared before a group of Chemical Warfare Con- saving the hostages, the world attention 1997. vention delegates in The Hague in support of incapacitat- 8 “The Protocol for the Prohibition of the use in War of ing weapons. The European participants were adamant- 5 Paul Wax, MD, et al., “Unexpected ‘Gas’ Casualties in Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Biologi- ly opposed to the use of any chemical agents. Moscow: A Medical Toxicology Perspective,” Annals of cal Methods of Warfare,” signed in Geneva, Switzerland, 10 David Martin, “The Pentagon’s Ray Gun,” 60 Min- Emergency Medicine 41 (2003): pp. 700-705. June 17, 1925. utes, March 2, 2008.

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Conclusion Evaluating the Terrorist claimed that 85% of men are easily Given the high probability that troops will misled, 10% understand some truth but encounter terrorists in close proximity Threat Posed by African- use it for their own benefit, and five to non-combatants, it is imperative that American Muslim Groups percent are enlightened divine beings.5 new, innovative technologies be explored. Under Clarence 13X, or Allah, the Five Having the options of shooting or not By Christopher Heffelfinger Percenters (also called the Five Percent shooting is unacceptable. This suggests a Nation) established a headquarters in two-pronged effort in providing soldiers the fbi introduction to the Freedom of Harlem—the Allah School in Mecca—in with additional capabilities. First, Information Act (FOIA) file on Clarence 1966.6 Today, the movement includes research into incapacitating technologies Smith—aka Clarence 13X—reads only, Busta Rhymes, members of Wu Tang must be dramatically increased. Due “Smith was the leader of the ‘Five Clan, Jus Allah and many other high- to the variability of human physiology, Percenters,’ a notorious Harlem street profile hip-hop artists. it is unlikely that a perfect solution gang. He was shot to death in 1969.”1 will be found. The differential between Yet, as a lyrical sample from Lord Jamar The FOIA FBI file on Clarence Smith rapid incapacitation and death is small. (a prominent Five Percenter and hip- reveals some of the details pertaining to Even under the best of circumstances, hop artist) reads in his Greatest Story their concern over his activities: anesthesiologists lose patients. Given Never Told, “Allah [Clarence Smith] the exigency of hostage situations, was assassinated in 1969, that case was …letterhead memorandums however, calculated risks must be never solved. His movement survived to the Bureau dated 6/2/65, deemed acceptable. Both chemical and him, today it’s known as the Nation of 6/9/65 and 7/9/65, all captioned electromagnet technologies offer the Gods and Earths.”2 The Five Percenters “DISTURBANCE BY GROUP ability to improve rescue odds. are just one facet of indigenous Muslim CALLED ‘FIVE PERCENTERS,’ evolution in the United States; others, HARLEM, NEW YORK CITY, The second axis may be more difficult, as like Jama`at al-Fuqara’, retain ties to 5/31/65; RACIAL MATTERS,” tremendous emotional interest has been Pakistan and are ideological affiliates which contained subject under the vested in prohibiting chemical weapons. of militant Salafist groups such as al- name CLARENCE 13X SMITH aka Initiated nearly a century ago, for worthy Qa`ida. This article will examine trends “Allah,” and which further reflected and altruistic purposes, societies have among three predominantly African- that subject was the recognized sought to ban such weapons that can American Islamic movements, at least leader of the “Five Percenters.” inflict widespread death. A paradox now one of which should be considered exists, however, as tremendous advances a domestic terrorism concern for It is noted that records of the Bureau have been made in chemistry and it is the United States. It also serves to of Special Services, (BSS), New York now possible to employ such weapons provide counter-terrorism professionals City Police Department, (NYCPD), in a life-conserving mode. Just as the with knowledge enabling them to reflects subject’s true name as global war on terrorism has forced a differentiate terrorist threats from more CLARENCE SMITH JOWERS and reevaluation of concepts of conflict, it also benign religious groups. as CLARENCE SMITH JOWARS, suggests that perspectives on chemical however, for uniformity, subject’s and electromagnetic technologies are The Five Percent Nation true last name will be carried changed. The goal is to provide the Clarence 13X was initially a member of as JOWARS until such time as capability to incapacitate an area and the Nation of Islam (NOI) and attended investigation determines the true allow rescuers to sort out terrorists from its Temple Number Seven in Harlem, spelling of subject’s last name. hostages. where Malcolm X preached from 1960 to 1963.3 One rumor claims that he left CLARENCE SMITH JOWARS, Dr. John Alexander is a former U.S. Army the NOI because he questioned the aka Clarence 13X, a Negro male, colonel who served in key positions in divinity of Wallace Fard, the founder born 2/21/28 in Virginia, city Special Forces, Intelligence, and Research & of the NOI who claimed to bring divine not known, NYCPD # B 612230, Development. Upon retirement, he joined Los inspiration to Elijah Muhammad. resided in Apartment 5E, 21 West Alamos National Laboratory and introduced Clarence 13X split with the NOI in 112th St., NYC, from August, 1954, Non-Lethal Defense concepts for which he is 1963.4 He adopted the name “Allah” and through January, 1964. Subject an internationally recognized expert. More set to the streets of Harlem to educate has Social Security Number 228- recently he served with the Army Science fellow black Americans on the Supreme 28-0034. Subject served in the US Board. He is the author of several books Mathematics, the Supreme Alphabet Army under the name CLARENCE and many articles on international security and the tenets of his movement, which SMITH JOWARS or CLARENCE issues. Currently, he is a senior fellow at the SMITH from 10/29/52, through Joint Special Operations University. 1 FBI File #100-444636, available at http://foia.fbi.gov/ 10/29/54, and had Army Serial foiaindex/smith.htm. Number 51207085. Subject had the 2 One site that includes the lyrics from the Greatest Story Never Told is www.lyricstime.com/lord-jamar-greatest- 5 Mattias Gardell, In the Name of Elijah Muhammad: Louis story-never-told-lyrics.html. Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam (Durham, NC: Duke 3 Jane I. Smith, Islam in America (New York: Columbia University Press, 1996), p. 225. University Press, 1999), pp. 101-103. 6 Michael Muhammad Knight, The Five Percenters (Ox- 4 Ibid. ford: One World Publications, 2007).

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rank of Private First Class, served 24 members of the compound were Though primarily based in Lahore, in Korea, and was last assigned to convicted of firearms violations.13 Red Pakistan, Jamaat ul-Fuqra has Company “F,” 39th Infantry, Ft. Dix, House sits about 66 miles from Danville, operational headquarters in New New Jersey.7 VA, Clarence Smith’s birthplace. The York and openly recruits through locations of JF’s compounds often various social service organizations The final assignment is peculiar, for appear laden with symbolism, but it is in the U.S., including the prison coincidence if no other reason. Ft. Dix not yet known if the proximity of this system. Members live in hamaats was the site of the foiled plot by six compound to Danville has any larger or compounds, such as Islamberg, young Muslim men arrested in 2007 significance. where they agree to abide by the for planning to essentially embark on a laws of Jamaat ul-Fuqra, which are shooting spree within the base and kill What relevance do the Five Percenters considered to be above local, state as many U.S. servicemen as possible.8 have to terrorism? There is no material and federal authority.15 The case is still awaiting trial. Ft. Dix is link between the Five Percent Nation significant to African-American history, (nor fringe groups like the Seas of Although JF is estimated to be 95% as in 1969 “there were rebellions at David) and terrorism, but they are African-American, it is not purely an the military prisons of Fort Dix, Fort on a graduating spectrum in terms of Afro-nationalist movement in the United Jackson, three times at Fort Riley, Camp States. Its ties to overseas militant Pendleton, and others. At Fort Dix, one “A number of JF members Salafist trends clearly run much deeper. of the prisoner demands was: ‘Free Sometime in the late 1990s, Jama`at al- Huey P. Newton, the New York Panther have fought overseas, Fuqara’ changed its name to the “Muslims 21, the Presidio 27, and all political including in Afghanistan, of America” and still operates as such. prisoners!’”9 Chechnya, Kashmir, Bosnia It is possible there is some resonance Toward the end of Clarence Smith’s FBI and Lebanon.” in ideas between followers of the Five File, it reads: Percent Nation and followers of Jama`at al-Fuqara’. George Johnson, Jr., a retired On 11/16/65, [REDACTED] BSS, serviceman, security analyst and African- NYCPD, advised SA that on 11/16/65, radicalization. To the extreme of the Five American, said, subject […] appeared in New York Percent Nation is the highly militant State Supreme Court, NYC, and Jama`at al-Fuqara’ that strongly I have never personally known an was found “unable to understand rejects the tenets of the Nation of Gods admitted member of Al-Furqara’. the charges against him.” Subject and Earths,14 and instead adheres to a However, some of my Black Muslim was remanded to the custody of Salafist Islam akin to that of al-Qa`ida. friends and relatives who belong the New York State Department of Members may move toward the more to various other Afro-centric Mental Hygiene for an indefinite militant and austere Islam of JF if they and mainstream Islamic sects confinement.10 feel the Five Percenters are ineffective (NOI, Ansar Allah, 5 per centers, at effecting societal change, or if they Bilalians, etc.) express some of the He was assassinated in 1969 in a case can be convinced that their doctrine is same doctrines and beliefs and are that remains unsolved. Curiously, the blasphemous per Salafist norms. sympathetic to Al-Fuqara’s ideas.16 latter pages of Clarence Smith’s FBI file read: “Subject is a Negro male, Jama`at al-Fuqara’ Yet, JF’s ideology is drastically different born 2/21/28 or 2/22/28, at Danville, The Salafist Jama`at al-Fuqara’ is a than that of NOI, the Five Percenters, Virginia.”11 At one of Jama`at al-Fuqara’s much more potentially threatening or Seas of David. It was founded by a (Community of the Impoverished, JF) group. It could have as many as 30 Pakistani cleric, Shaykh Mubarak `Ali compounds, called “Red House,”12 compounds in the United States and Gilani, in Brooklyn in 1980, when he Canada, with affiliates in the Caribbean. first visited the United States.17 Shaykh 7 FBI File #100-444636, available at http://foia.fbi.gov/ At these compounds, members engage in Gilani’s guiding principle is to “purify” smith/smith1.pdf. tactical training exercises and weapons the Islamic umma through violence. One 8 See Troy Graham, “Man who Supplied Guns in Alleged training, and explosives caches have retired intelligence official with expertise Fort Dix Terror Plot Sentenced to 20 Months,” Philadel- been uncovered in at least one instance. on militant Islam explained in September phia Inquirer, April 1, 2008. Islamberg, in Hancock, NY, is considered 2007, 9 “Black GIs, Rebellion and the Fall of the Flag,” Revolu- to be JF’s headquarters. Paul Williams, tionary Worker #994, February 14, 1999. who did extensive study on the group, At one point they ran private 10 FBI File #100-444636. states, 11 Ibid. 15 Williams, “Springtime in Islamberg: Radical Muslim 12 Ironically, Red House shares the name of the parlia- lications Occasional Papers Series, Florida International Paramilitary Compound Flourishes in Upper New York ment of Trinidad and Tobago. The building was stormed University, Dialogue #135, 1992. State.” by Jamaat al-Muslimin, an Afro-Caribbean Islamist 13 Paul L. Williams, “Springtime in Islamberg: Radical 16 Personal interview, George Johnson, September 14, movement, in July 1990. The group took hostages, in- Muslim Paramilitary Compound Flourishes in Upper 2007. cluding the prime minister, and announced that they New York State,” Canada Free Press, May 11, 2007. 17 For more information, see the South Asia Terrorism had overthrown the government. See Ken I. Boodhoo, 14 The Nation of Gods and Earths is the current name of Portal file on Jama`at al-Fuqara’, located at www.satp. “Islamic Fundamentalism in the Caribbean,” LACC Pub- the Five Percenters movement. org.

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security firms in NYC and in seems to have turned toward a much Where They Are Today Karachi, Pakistan. Their spiritual more austere form of Islam. There is still Critical for intelligence and law leader was Pir Sayed Gilani who much more to be unraveled pertaining enforcement officials is the ability to lives in Pakistan, and arranged to Bilal Phillips and his connections distinguish non-violent, pietistic or training for U.S. Fuqra members in to Salafist clerics in Saudi Arabia and spiritualist movements from Salafist- the Pakistan camps of the Kashmiri around the Islamic world. inspired ones that advocate or practice insurgents; some American Fuqra militancy. Today, the Five Percent members actually fought in Kashmir Seas of David/Liberty City Seven Nation is largely leaderless, with against Indian forces. Intelligence A more recent manifestation of non- various teachers propagating the beliefs shows that Gilani is connected to Salafist militancy is the case of the Seas of Clarence 13X and poses no serious Pakistan’s ISI and al-Qaeda; the of David, or Liberty City Seven. On terrorist threat, although gang activity WSJ’s Daniel Pearl was on his way April 16, a jury was hung in the case and criminality is a concern. The Seas to interview Gilani when he was against the “Liberty City Seven,” who of David will, in all likelihood, dissipate kidnapped.18 were charged with planning an attack and pose no further threat. Such on Chicago’s Sears Tower following a movements, however, may serve at times A number of JF members have fought 2006 FBI raid on their warehouse and as a gateway to more conservative— overseas, including in Afghanistan, temple in Liberty City, a poor suburb sometimes militant—Salafist groups, Chechnya, Kashmir, Bosnia and of Miami.22 This was the second trial such as Jama`at al-Fuqara’. The Jama`at Lebanon. Others in the highly secretive against the group; the first ended in al-Fuqara’/Muslims of America deserves group were affiliated with the Kifah acquittal for one man while the jury a more comprehensive treatment, as the Refugee Center, also known as the was deadlocked over counts against the group is clearly one of the most glaring Brooklyn Jihad Office.19 One member, other six. domestic terrorism concerns for the Clement Rodney Hampton-El, an United States. African-American Muslim convert, The group had no firearms, no explosives was convicted of plotting to blow up and no links to a terrorist group when Christopher Heffelfinger is a researcher and New York City landmarks in 1993. He they were arrested. Its leader reportedly consultant for the Combating Terrorism provided weapons training to fellow roamed the neighborhood in a bathrobe, Center at the United States Military members at the Brooklyn Jihad Office, Academy. He contributed to the Militant including El Sayyid Nosair who used “Such movements, Ideology Atlas, the CTC Harmony project, that training to assassinate Rabbi Meir and the continuing CTC-FBI education Kahane in New York in 1990. According however, may serve at collaborative at West Point. Prior to to Hampton-El’s testimony, he had times as a gateway to more that, Mr. Heffelfinger edited two volumes a meeting at the Saudi Embassy in on terrorism (Unmasking Terrorism, December 1992 where Jamaican-born, conservative—sometimes with forewords by Michael Scheuer and Muslim scholar Bilal Phillips gave him militant—Salafist groups, Gen.William Odom), and also served as the names of U.S. servicemen ready to editor of the weekly Terrorism Focus. finish their tours of duty. He was to such as Jama`at al- He is a fluent Arabic reader and speaker, recruit the men as volunteer mujahidin Fuqara’.” having spent time in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and paramilitary trainers for an Usama and Morocco. Mr. Heffelfinger lived in bin Ladin-sponsored insurgency in Sana`a, Yemen in 2000, and attended Bosnia.20 the same language school as John Walker toting a wooden walking stick.23 The Lindh. He also lived and studied with the Bilal Phillips provides more material Liberty City Seven subscribed to Naqshbandi Tariqat, where he studied with linkages between these African- teachings that blended Christianity and native speakers refuting militant Salafist American Muslims (typically converts) Islam; the Seas of David, the obscure ideology through Islamic source texts. and militant Salafism. Phillips’ organized group of which the seven were biography on his website reads, members, developed teachings partially “Bilal, who had read Malcolm X’s derived from those of the Moorish autobiography, visited one of the Science Temple of America, according temples of the Black Muslims. Though to Narseal Batiste, the group’s alleged impressed by their organization and the leader.24 fact that their women dressed modestly, he found their ideology useless.”21 He

18 Personal interview, unnamed retired intelligence of- website at www.bilalphilips.com. ficial, September 2007. 22 Justin Rood and Vic Walter, “Second Terror Mis- 19 “United States: The Jamaat al-Fuqra Threat,” Stratfor. trial Hurts Bush Administration, Critics Say Hung Jury com, June 3, 2005. Leads to Second Mistrial in ‘Liberty City Seven’ Case,” 20 J.M. Berger, “Al Qaeda Recruited Gulf War Vets in ABC News, April 16, 2008. 1992, Effort Linked To Saudi Gov’t,” Intelwire.com, Jan- 23 Ibid. uary 6, 2004. 24 “Indictment: Suspects Wanted to ‘Kill All the Devils 21 For more information on Bilal Phillips, see his official We Can,’” CNN, June 24, 2006.

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Al-Qa`ida’s Medinan possessed of tremendous military might unclear at the time. The release of the and a wide-ranging economy, but all fatwa, however, provided analysts a partial Strategy: Targeting Global this is built upon an unstable foundation explanation for the dramatic change in Energy Infrastructure which can be targeted, with special strategy. attention to its obvious weak spots By Marisa Urgo and Jack F. Williams [reliance on oil from the Middle East].”2 It Legal Ruling on Targeting Petroleum-Related was not until December 2004, however, Interests al-qa`ida’s leadership seeks historical that Bin Ladin declared a new strategy on Al-Qa`ida’s leadership relies on the and religious authenticity in their manner, behalf of al-Qa`ida: “There is now a rare religious guidance found in numerous clothing, speech and word choice, and even and golden opportunity to make America fatawa. Three in particular, however, stand in the tactics they have embraced. Following bleed in Iraq, both economically and in out in the history of the group because of the loss of their bases in Afghanistan in 2001, terms of human losses and morale…Focus their associations with key aspects of the much of al-Qa`ida’s leadership retreated your operations on it [oil production], group’s strategy. The first two of these into the mountainous tribal regions along especially in Iraq and the Gulf area, since fatawa covered the issues concerning the the Afghan-Pakistan border. Along with this this [lack of oil] will cause them to die off religious acceptability of specific jihadist physical migration—for them, reminiscent [on their own].”3 tactics: 1. the intentional targeting of of the hijra (migration) of the Prophet women and children4; and 2. the use of Muhammad—al-Qa`ida’s leadership also Within the year, al-Qa`ida attempted its weapons of mass destruction.5 The third migrated from a strategy of direct conflict, first—albeit unsuccessful—large-scale fatwa, related to attacks on petroleum- such as the attacks on the U.S. Embassies in ground attack on a key energy facility related interests, was written by Abd al- Tanzania and Kenya in 1998 and New York in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Undeterred, Aziz bin Rashid al-Anzi, a Salafi-jihadi and Washington in 2001, into a subtle but in February 2006 al-Qa`ida succeeded Saudi thinker, who is described as one no less historically authentic campaign of in breaching security at the Abqaiq of the “main ideologues” of al-Qa`ida’s long-term, low-intensity conflict against processing facility in Saudi Arabia, affiliate in Saudi Arabia.6 The fatwa its enemies. One core characteristic of this but was unsuccessful at interrupting justifies the use of jihadist tools to target strategy is al-Qa`ida’s efforts to target production. Every year since 2006, Saudi energy infrastructure within the rubric of global energy infrastructure, especially in security forces have interrupted large- the jurisprudential concept of economic Saudi Arabia. An examination of the group’s scale, near operational attacks targeting jihad.7 The importance of the fatwa is official statements, strategy documents and the same energy-related sites, including explained in Bin Rashid’s description of other sponsored media suggests that al- Ras Tanura. Moreover, in a statement the complex jurisreligious problem that Qa`ida will continue to sponsor attacks on posted on an Islamist website just a such attacks pose: key energy facilities in a concerted effort of few hours after the Abqaiq attack, al- inflicting significant damage to the world Qa`ida operatives publicly announced Some jihadists believe that economy. In order to do so, al-Qa`ida may be the issuance of a religious (legal) ruling, targeting such wealth is a necessity employing tactics of low-intensity conflict or fatwa, as part of the authority and as oil has harmed Muslims more inspired and guided by the example of the justification for the attack. Entitled “The than it benefited them, whereas early Muslim community in Medina. Laws of Targeting Petroleum-Related other people believe that oil is Interests and a Review of the Laws the nation’s fortune and the A Dramatic Turn Pertaining to the Economic Jihad,” the source of its economy and that Al-Qa`ida’s interest in targeting global carefully reasoned fatwa sought to justify it is not appropriate to waste it. energy facilities represents a recent and the targeting of petroleum-related Such opposing ideas require a dramatic change in strategy. In 1996, interests throughout the world. Though jurisprudence research in order Usama bin Ladin acknowledged the supposedly written in June 2004, the fatwa to provide a sound interpretation/ strategic importance of the energy sector was not publicly available until a February reasoning of such [an] important in his “Declaration of War Against the 2006 announcement. It is occasionally matter.8 Americans Occupying the Land of the shared among participants on jihadist Two Holy Places.” He cautioned against forums. Two recent examples include in such attacks, writing: “to protect this late July 2007 and again in March 2008. (oil) wealth and not to include it in the Although Bin Ladin’s December 2004 4 “A Statement from Qaidat al-Jihad Regarding the Man- battle as it is a great Islamic wealth and statement referenced above represented dates of the Heroes and the Legality of the Operations in a large economical power essential for a dramatic tactical change for the group, New York and Washington,” April 2002, available on the soon to be established Islamic state, the reasons for the tactical shift were various jihadist internet forums. 1 by Allah’s Permission and Grace.” By 5 “A Treatise on the Legal Status of Using Weapons of March 2003, in consultation with al- 2 “Bin Laden’s Sermon for the Feast of the Sacrifice,” Mass Destruction Against Infidels,” May 2003, available Qa`ida’s leadership, Bin Ladin was clearly Middle East Media Research Institute, Special Dispatch on various jihadist internet forums. rethinking this strategy of benign neglect. Series #476, March 5, 2003. 6 Thomas Hegghammer, “Terrorist Recruitment and In his “Sermon on the Feast of Sacrifice,” 3 “Osama Bin Laden: ‘Today There is a Conflict between Radicalization in Saudi Arabia,” Middle East Policy Win- he wrote that “America is a great power World Heresy Under the Leadership of America on the ter (2006). One Hand and the Islamic Nation with the Mujahideen 7 For excerpts, see Evan Kohlmann, “Al-Qaida Issues 1 “Bin Laden’s Fatwa,” PBS Online NewsHour, available in its Vanguard on the Other,’” Middle East Media Re- Rules on Attacking Oil Facilities,” GlobalTerrorAlert. at www.pbs.org/newshour/terrorism/international/ search Institute, Special Dispatch Series #838, December com, March 2, 2006. fatwa_1996.html. 30, 2004. 8 Translation by Mano Fooladi at the author’s request.

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Anticipating complaints of doing, he provides Western analysts near-operational successes, such as their “transgression” from mainstream insight into a possible methodology on ambitious attempts at Gulf facilities, their Islamic scholars, the fatwa is al-Qa`ida’s al-Qa`ida’s strategic thinking on the attacks in London, and four ongoing low- preemptive justification for attacks on subject of low-intensity conflict. Malik, intensity conflicts: Iraq, Afghanistan- facilities that produce great wealth for for example, points out that the “Medinan Pakistan, Yemen and Algeria. the Arab-Muslim world. It is also written strategy” relied on two primary tactics: as a religious and legal guide for the first, the location of the caravan route—in If al-Qa`ida sees its attempts at targeting group’s ground commanders who may this case, heading northwest along the key energy facilities as a righteous act, find themselves in a position of leading an then they could be interpreting their attack on energy facilities. “Energy infrastructure strategic successes as “grace” from Allah. In the context of al-Qa`ida’s long-term Al-Qa`ida’s “Medinan Strategy” in the Persian Gulf has strategy, energy infrastructure in the In the fatwa, Bin Rashid draws an analogy become the contemporary Persian Gulf has become the contemporary between the Prophet Muhammad’s version of Mecca’s caravan routes. The “Medinan strategy” of targeting caravan version of Mecca’s caravan attacks and target selection become routes as part of the justification for routes.” historically authentic actions, aligning al- economic jihad against energy facilities. Qa`ida with a well-known tradition of the After years of persecution by the ruling Prophet and his followers, elevating their (pagan) Qurayshi tribe in Mecca, relative stature throughout the Salafi- Muhammad and his companions migrated Red Sea toward Syria was of “easy striking jihadi community. As long as they see and settled in Medina in 622 CE. This hijra distance” from their location in Medina; some spiritual benefit from attempting from the persecution of Mecca to the open second, these Syrian-bound routes were such attacks, even if they are regularly hospitality of Medina not only begins of high strategic value to the enemy since tactically unsuccessful, al-Qa`ida will the Islamic calendar, but also frames “the economic life of the [Qurayshi] was continue to wage contemporary “caravan an important battle tactic—controlled almost entirely oriented to their trade attacks,” targeting international energy retreat, retrenchment and low-intensity with Syria.”11 infrastructure. conflict. From Medina, Muhammad and his followers refined the combat strategy A More Righteous Jihad Marisa Urgo, MSLS, was senior counter-terrorism of attacking caravan routes leading out of By drawing the analogy between the and energy security analyst at the U.S. Department the city through the use of highly mobile “Medinan strategy” and today’s economic of Energy from 2003-2008. She has also held small bands of Muslims in order to secure jihad against energy facilities, Bin Rashid counter-terrorism and management positions at the booty and weaken Mecca. Muhammad seeks to lay the theoretical groundwork FBI and Raytheon Company. Her areas of interest recognized that the global trade routes to for al-Qa`ida to practice contemporary include the theological foundations of the Salafi- the Levant and other points west were the economic jihad in a more righteous way, jihadi movement and its long-term implications economic lifeblood of Mecca. Eight years while simultaneously deflecting any for homeland security and foreign policy. Her work of such attacks degraded Mecca’s wealth criticism that such tactics are bid`a, or an in open source intelligence (OSINT) is currently and the ruling Qurayshi’s authority, while innovation without support in the Islamic supporting the development of data-mining and at the same time hardened Muhammad’s holy sources. Al-Qa`ida’s leaders may analysis applications. She and Jack Williams are warriors and swelled the ranks of his envision their own lives as paralleling co-authoring a book on open source research to be followers. When the campaign-hardened the lives of members of the first Muslim published in early 2009. Ms. Urgo has a blog at Muslims from Medina finally engaged community as it coalesced in Medina, and www.makingsenseofjihad.com. the Meccans in a large-scale battle, the may have decided to return to a state of former were much better prepared and action more in line with Islamic history Dr. Jack Williams is a Professor at Georgia State won decisively. as understood by them. Their continued University in the College of Law and Middle East attempts at targeting energy facilities on Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches Drawing a connection between this the Arabian Peninsula could fulfill both Islamic Law, Homeland Security and other “Medinan strategy” and contemporary tactics described above. related topics. Dr. Williams is also the Robert M. low-intensity conflict, Pakistani general Zinman Scholar in Residence at the American S.K. Malik, in his book Quranic Concept If this is the case, then al-Qa`ida’s Bankruptcy Institute in Alexandria, Virginia, of War, identified the ultimate purpose own version of the “Medinan strategy” where he is researching, among other topics, risk in of the Meccan campaign. “The strategy has already been a success. Since its the energy industry and the economic consequences adopted against the Meccans,” he “migration” into the mountain regions of terrorism. He serves as a consultant to the wrote, “was one of exhaustion through along the Afghan-Pakistan border, al- federal government and the private sector on economic strangulation and psychological Qa`ida has made remarkable progress Salafi-jihadi theory and tactics, the role of dislocation.”9 Malik attempts to reconcile consolidating its influence over other culture in threat analysis and risk assessment, traditional Islamic military tactics found militant Salafi-jihadi Islamist groups, at infrastructure protection, and counter-terrorism. in the Qur’an, sura, and hadith with least ideologically. They have had many He has testified before the House and Senate; has contemporary military studies.10 In so addressed the American Petroleum Institute, the lam; A Study in Khalid’s Generalship (Karachi: Ferozsons, National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, 9 S.K. Malik, Quranic Concept of War (Lahore: Wajidalis, 1968); S.K. Malik, Quranic Concept of Power (Lahore: Pro- the American Chemistry Council, and American 1979), p. 75. gressive Publishers, 1991). Society for Industrial Security; and has authored 10 See also S.K. Malik, Khalid Bin Walid: The General of Is- 11 Malik, Quranic Concept of War, p. 78. four books and more than 100 articles and papers.

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Iraq’s Ho Chi Minh Trail: responsible for six international borders. Synthesizing these views in order to Dr. Mustafa Alani, formerly of the Royal define a policy approach to Syria suggests The Syrian-Iraqi Border United Services Institute, described this the importance of balancing Syria’s Since 2003 action as having turned Iraq’s 2,270 potential constructive role with its pivotal miles of international boundaries into role as a spoiler. The legacy of the policies By James Denselow an “open house.”3 The opening of the of the Bush administration’s first-term, borders also included the dissolution of however, was the transformation of the precise framework of Iraq’s trade barriers.4 The consequences of this, border securitization, theoretically a territorial integrity is currently compounded by vagueness over the role facing both old and new challenges. and responsibilities of the replacement In the northern Kurdistan Regional border force, have affected all of Iraq’s “Syria has constructed 557 Governorate (KRG), problems of borders and its relationships with its border posts, each spaced sovereign control are characterized by neighbors. regular and often deadly incursions between 0.6 and 1.5 miles by the Turkish military in pursuit of The collapse of the Iraqi state in 2003 apart, as imposed by the PKK fighters. Iraq’s borders with Saudi saw the rapid emergence of a (largely Arabia and Kuwait are characterized by Sunni) insurgency. The insurgency topographical nature of the new and developing high-tech border proved a multi-factional entity consisting terrain.” security solutions.1 The Iranian border of a variety of groups: former regime dispute over the delineation of the Shatt loyalists, disenfranchised Sunni Arab al-Arab waterways resulted in British nationalists and the participation of al- naval personnel being held captive Qa`ida-inspired foreign jihadists. The functional issue, into a political dispute in May 2007. The main focus of this insurgent movement that emerged post- with the Syrian regime, with little input article, however, is the Syrian-Iraqi war constituted a largely indigenous from either the nascent Iraqi government border—the source of the majority of force, with foreign elements playing or its fledgling border guard. foreign fighter transit and therefore one regular—and deadly—cameo appearances of the driving factors shaping present as “force multipliers”: those carrying out Fences in the Sand U.S.-Syrian relations.2 comparatively rare but highly destructive The Syrian-Iraqi border is 376 miles in suicide attacks. length and, despite poor relations between The Syrian Connection Baghdad and Damascus in the past, has The triangle of Syrian-Iraqi-U.S. How does Syria fit into this? In February historically been more of a line on a map relations has proved an ever-changing 2006, John Negroponte, as director of U.S. rather than any physical reality. In terms narrative. It demonstrates Washington’s National Intelligence, delivered the annual of population and socio-economics, it is ideological-strategic conundrum in threat assessment to the Senate Select worth emphasizing the general poverty of dealing with Syria with respect to its Committee on Intelligence. His appraisal the borderland area, as well as recognizing Iraq policy. U.S. policy in Iraq has of the Syrian role was illuminating. He the tripartite division in terms of physical shifted away from reliance solely on described it as that of a “pivotal—but and social dynamics:8 hard power to becoming increasingly generally unhelpful—player in a troubled varied and pragmatic. Yet the desired region.” The statement echoed that of 1. From the Jordanian tri-point to the nature of such engagement is somewhat historian Philip Hitti, who, in 1951, Euphrates River, the border runs through disputed, currently consisting as it painted Syria as “perhaps the largest full desert. It is a sparsely populated and does of low-level regional conferences small country on the map, microscopic in challenging environment, home to small and Washington’s “green light” to size but cosmic in influence.”5 Moreover, Bedouin settlements, nomadic farming the establishment of improved and visiting London in September 2006, and little else. more public bilateral ties between the Syrian Information Minister Dr. Mohsen respective states. Bilal responded to a question as to why 2. North of the Euphrates is a more built- the United States should engage Syria up area with villages on and along the Therefore, where does the narrative by confirming that Syria did indeed have border line. Villages such as al-Baguz are concerning the Syrian-Iraqi border influence “beyond its borders.”6 Other examples of settlements whose houses troubles begin? Arguably, the most commentators, however, have contrasted virtually cross the international border obvious trigger was the much debated a Syrian inability to steer the region with line itself. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, Coalition Provisional Authority’s (CPA) a capability to “thwart the ambitions of this section of the border witnesses the “Order 2,” which disbanded the Iraqi others.”7 security forces, including the 35,000- Present,” speech by Dr. Jubin Goodarzi, Chatham House strong Iraqi border guard that had been 3 Personal interview, Dr. Mustafa Alani, March 2006. Event, October 2, 2006. Goodarzi is a Middle East ana- 4 “Let’s All Go to the Yard Sale: Iraq’s Economic Liberal- lyst and author of Syria and Iran: Diplomatic Alliance and 1 Harry de Quetteville, “Saudis Build 550-mile Fence to ization,” Economist, September 27, 2003. Power Politics in the Middle East (London: I.B. Tauris, Shut Out Iraq,” Daily Telegraph, September 30, 2006. 5 Philip Hitti, History of Syria, including Lebanon and Pal- 2006). 2 The paper is based on research carried out in Syria dur- estine (London: Macmillan, 1951), p. 4. 8 This information was obtained through participant ing the past four years that examined the evolution of the 6 Mohsen Bilal, press conference, London, September observation. Living in the region, the author visited all geopolitics of this borderland as well as political relations 2006. sections of the border at various times between 2005 and between Damascus, Baghdad and Washington. 7 See “Syria and Iran: An Enduring Alliance – 1979 to 2007.

19 may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6 highest incidence of illegal trade and The Syrians also constructed a sand berm and security channels. Seventy non- border crossings. (earth fence) at a height of between 6-12 Syrian nationals remained in Syrian feet along large parts of the border in detention and more than 4,000 Syrians 3. The northeast corner of Syria, called 2005. The rudimentary and temporal attempting to travel to Iraq illegally had the Jazira, is characterized both by a nature of the structure, however, has been interrogated. history of more organized border control meant that large parts have suffered measures on either side as well as by the natural weathering, thereby reducing its The secretive nature of the Syrian regime worst incidence of national poverty. The effectiveness as a barrier. The berm is means that there has been little follow- greater security both at and behind the easy to traverse by foot and there have up confirming these statistics. The work border itself is linked to internal Syrian been frequent reports of 4x4s also gaining that has been done to look at the numbers concerns with the indigenous Kurdish access.12 and backgrounds of would-be fighters population and its connections with other has pointed to Saudi Arabia as the largest Kurdish groups across the borders with Two of the three official crossing points country of origin.17 Turkey and Iraq. have been steadily improved, although security concerns at al-Qaim mean Future Developments Syrian Border Control Measures continued closure. Al-Yaroubiyeh, in the Since 2003, the Syrian-Iraqi border has Border security starts with a good, solid northeast of the country, and al-Tanf, developed into a security filter that has strategy along the border itself, reinforced close to the Jordanian tri-point, have seen reduced the number of would-be fighters by policing and intelligence-gathering steadily increasing flows of both people gaining access into Iraq. In February 2008, behind it. Syria claims to have made and goods in both directions. In particular, General David Petraeus revealed that the significant progress in tightening security the need for building materials and other number of foreign fighters traveling into along its frontier since 2005. There are goods in the relatively stable KRG- Iraq to join al-Qa`ida had dropped by 50%. also some glaring negative characteristics controlled north has seen a boom in traffic To see further improvements to the level of Syria’s border security arrangements, at al-Yaroubiyeh. This is characterized by of border security, there would have to be which allow the issue of foreign fighters regular queues of more than 18 miles of a warming in U.S.-Syrian relations—or at crossing from Syria into Iraq to remain. lorries backed-up on the Syrian side.13 In least in EU-Syrian relations—to address Syrian adjustments to their border have addition, there is a rail service that travels both the technological and the political changed its functionality from a line in across this border with two trains a day, shortcomings in securing the line. the sand to a semi-effective filter to the mainly carrying freight cargo. illicit transfer of people and/or materials. James Denselow is a writer on Middle East The Syrian Ministry of Interior has also geopolitical and security issues and a board Syria has constructed 557 border posts, introduced a new integrated computer member of the Council for Arab-British each spaced between 0.6 and 1.5 miles system for all border entry points.14 This Understanding (CAABU). Mr. Denselow apart, as imposed by the topographical helps to compensate for the fact that earlier completed the masters program in nature of the terrain.9 Each post is Arab nationals are not required to have International Boundary Studies at Kings in manned by between five and eight soldiers visas to enter Syria. In October 2005, 2004. Previously, he graduated in Geography equipped with personal weapons and one however, the Ministry of Interior issued from the University of Exeter. He worked as a fixed heavy weapon.10 The main weakness a circular informing immigration and researcher at Chatham House between 2003 of such a personnel-heavy approach is security officers that non-permanent and 2005. Mr. Denselow has visited and that the Syrians have neither the training resident males between the ages of 18 worked extensively in the Middle East. He nor the equipment to conduct patrols and 30 could be denied entry under a writes regularly for The Guardian and has at night, when the largest percentage of number of conditions, including traveling written articles for The World Today, The illicit transit occurs. alone, student or recent graduate status, Daily Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post. residence in a country other than their He has appeared on numerous occasions The overall size of the Syrian border own, or suspicious travel abroad.15 to discuss Middle Eastern issues on the security force has hovered around 10,000, international television and radio media, mostly troops that were redeployed to the By 2006, according to security officials,16 including BBC World Service, Newsnight, east following the 2005 withdrawal from Syrian efforts to control the border Sky News, ITN and CNN. He is currently Lebanon. To put this reinforcement in have resulted in the detention of more working on a book on The Geopolitics of context, it should be noted that prior to the than 1,300 “extremists” of different Iraq with Richard Schofield to be published war, the guard on the Iraq border stood at nationalities who were handed over to by Hurst in 2008. only 700 men. Furthermore, both British their country of origin through embassies and U.S. officials in Syria have admitted that the Syrians have deployed over time 12 Personal interviews, Syrian residents of Jazira area, and that a “satisfactory” system of border Damascus, September 2006. 11 coverage is in place. 13 Personal observation, June 2007 14 J. Denselow, “From Stone Age to Space Age,” Syria 9 Personal interview, Syrian defense official, Damascus, Today, May 2006. June 2007. 15 Personal interviews, Syrian officials, Damascus, May 10 Ibid. 2006. 11 Personal interviews, Syrian officials, Damascus, Au- 16 Personal interview, Syrian journalist, Damascus, Au- 17 Ian Black, “Saudis Make Up 41% of Foreign Fighters gust 2006. gust 2006. in Iraq,” Guardian, November 23, 2007.

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Recent Highlights in during a speech in East London. He was insurgents in Mogadishu left nine sentenced to four and a half years. – Guardian Ethiopian soldiers, seven Islamic Terrorist Activity Unlimited, April 17 militants and a number of civilians dead. The bodies of four of the dead Ethiopian April 16, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): Two April 17, 2008 (IRAQ): More than 50 soldiers were dragged through the streets NATO soldiers were killed by an explosion people were killed after a suicide bomber of the capital, according to reports. – AP, in southern Afghanistan. ISAF did not attacked a funeral of two Sunni members April 19; CNN, April 19 specify the exact location of the incident. of an Awakening Council in Albu – AFP, April 16 Muhammad, a town 90 miles north of April 19, 2008 (PAKISTAN): Pakistan’s Baghdad. – AP, April 17 envoy to Afghanistan, Tariq Azizuddin, April 16, 2008 (PAKISTAN): According to who went missing in February, is being police sources, authorities killed Mullah April 17, 2008 (THAILAND): A bomb held captive by Taliban fighters, according Ismail, a senior Taliban commander from killed one soldier in Yala Province. The to a new video released on al-Arabiya. In Afghanistan’s Kunar Province. Ismail, soldier was part of a unit searching for the video, Azizuddin explained that “we who allegedly shot down a U.S. Navy MH- suspected militants in Muang district. were on our way to Afghanistan in our 47 Chinook helicopter in 2005, was killed – Bangkok Post, April 17 official car on February 11 when we were on his way to the North-West Frontier kidnapped in the region of Khyber…by the Province. Journalists reported that April 17, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A mujahidin of the Taliban.” In exchange for Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid suicide bomber targeted a mosque in his release, the Taliban is demanding the confirmed Ismail’s death. – CBS News, April Zaranj in Nimroz Province, leaving at release of Mullah Obaidullah—a deputy 16 least 23 people dead. – Voice of America, of Mullah Omar who was captured by April 17 Pakistani forces in March 2007—along April 16, 2008 (PHILIPPINES): with a number of other militants. – AFP, Authorities announced that one of the April 17, 2008 (SOMALIA): A rocket- April 19; Dawn, April 20 suspects involved in the April 13 bombing propelled grenade fired at an Ethiopian in Zamboanga City is Joel Salem, also military convoy in Mogadishu left three April 19, 2008 (THAILAND): A Muslim known as Abu Madja, an Abu Sayyaf soldiers dead. – Garowe Online, April 17 man working for a pro-government militia Group bomb expert. He has yet to be was shot to death by suspected separatist apprehended. – Sun Star, April 17 April 17, 2008 (GLOBAL): A new audio fighters in Narathiwat Province. – AFP, recording of al-Qa`ida second-in- April 19 April 16, 2008 (IRAQ): The U.S. military command Ayman al-Zawahiri appeared released to reporters a letter from an al- on Islamist web forums, in which al- April 19, 2008 (IRAQ): A new audiotape Qa`ida in Iraq (AQI) operative to Abu Zawahiri marked the fifth anniversary of by al-Qa`ida in Iraq leader Abu Ayyub al- Ayyub al-Masri (who is also identified by the invasion of Iraq. “Where the American Masri (who is also identified by the alias the alias Abu Hamza al-Muhajir), the head invasion stands now, after five years, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir) calls for a new of AQI. The letter states that “we must is failure and defeat,” al-Zawahiri said month-long campaign against U.S. troops. always leave the enemy in psychological on the 16-minute tape. “If the American The statement says that the mujahidin conflict” so that “they can never have forces leave, they will lose everything. need to celebrate the fact that U.S. troop stability.” The letter offers a number And if they stay, they will bleed to deaths have surpassed 4,000. Al-Qa`ida of ways to create insecurity in order to death.” In addition to discussing Iraq, al- has called the campaign the “Attack of weaken the coalition in Iraq and the Iraqi Zawahiri also denounced corruption in Righteousness.” – Reuters, April 19 government. The letter was uncovered Muslim states: “Corruption and stealing during a March 5 raid that left one Abu have gotten to the point of making people April 19, 2008 (IRAQ): The U.S. military Safyan dead. – CNN, April 16 hungry and preventing them from basic warned that a group of terrorists had food. Making people hungry in Egypt… entered Baghdad and were planning April 16, 2008 (UNITED STATES): A is a part of the U.S.-Zionist plan, which to carry out suicide attacks in the near federal judge declared a mistrial in the aims to make Muslims subservient.” future. One of the attacks is expected to case of the “Liberty City Seven,” a group – CNN, April 17; AP, April 18 target Baghdad’s Karkh district. – UPI, of six Florida men arrested in June 2006 April 19 and charged with planning to blow up April 18, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): buildings in the United States with the Two Dutch soldiers were killed after a April 20, 2008 (THAILAND): Thirteen help of al-Qa`ida. It was the second time roadside bomb hit their patrol in Uruzgan people were injured after a bomb exploded in the case that the jury had failed to reach Province. – AP, April 19 in Yala Province. The bomb was hidden a verdict. – AFP, April 16 in a trash can and was detonated remotely April 18, 2008 (THAILAND): Thailand’s via cell phone. – AFP, April 19 April 17, 2008 (UNITED KINGDOM): cabinet will extend emergency rule in A British court found Abu Izzadeen, Thailand’s Muslim-majority southern April 20, 2008 (THAILAND): Militants also known as Omar Brooks, guilty of provinces for another three months gunned down two policemen who were fundraising for terrorists and inciting beginning April 20. – AFP, April 17 guarding a local election polling station terrorism overseas. Izzadeen became outside a mosque in Narathiwat Province. well-known in 2006 when he heckled the April 19, 2008 (SOMALIA): Fighting – AFP, April 19 home secretary at the time, John Reid, between Ethiopian troops and Islamic

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April 21, 2008 (SOMALIA): Somali support its brothers of the mujahidin, occurred as the bomber was being chased Islamic fighters took control of two towns, and [urge it] not to withhold men and by police. – Reuters, April 23 Guda and Dinsor, killing an unknown money, which is the mainstay of a war,” number of Somali government soldiers in al-Zawahiri said. In addition to calling April 23, 2008 (PAKISTAN): Baitullah the process. – Reuters, April 21 on Muslims to join Islamist insurgencies, Mehsud, the leader of Tehrik-i-Taliban he also criticized Hamas for considering Pakistan (TTP), has reportedly ordered April 21, 2008 (PHILIPPINES): The a peace deal with Israel. Al-Zawahiri also his followers not to attack Pakistani Philippine Marines announced the said that “Lebanon is a Muslim frontline security forces and that failure to heed his creation of a new strike force—called fort. It will have a pivotal role God willing order would result in public punishment. the Marine Raiders—that will act as a in future battles with the Crusaders and The orders, distributed in pamphlets, rapid deployment force for use against the Jews.” – AFP, April 22 demanded a cease-fire in Waziristan, terrorists and other groups that target Tank, Gomal and Dera Ismail Khan. The national security. The initial company- April 22, 2008 (IRAQ): A truck bomb statement comes after reports that the sized unit will be based at the Marine exploded at a checkpoint near Ramadi, Pakistani government is brokering a Battalion Landing Team 9 in Palawan. Anbar Province, killing two U.S. Marines peace deal with Taliban militants. – Daily – Manila Standard Today, April 21 and one civilian. It is suspected that al- Times, April 24 Qa`ida in Iraq was behind the bombing. April 21, 2008 (PAKISTAN): The Pakistani – AP, April 22 April 24, 2008 (THAILAND): Five government released from prison Sufi Buddhist construction workers were Muhammad, a pro-Taliban leader who April 22, 2008 (IRAQ): A bomb attached killed by suspected Malay-Muslim had sent thousands of men to fight against to a car exploded after being inspected separatists in Pattani Province. – Reuters, the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan. by soldiers in Mosul, Ninawa Province, April 24 Muhammad is the founder of Tehreek-e- leaving one Iraqi soldier dead. – Voice of Nafaz-e-Shariat- e-Mohammadi, a group America, April 22 April 25, 2008 (PHILIPPINES): The that wants to establish Shari`a law in Philippines withdrew another batch of Pakistan. Sufi Muhammad’s son-in-law April 22, 2008 (IRAQ): A female suicide soldiers from Sulu due to the improving is the well-known, pro-Taliban cleric bomber detonated her explosives near a security situation there. This has allowed Maulana Fazlullah. – AP, April 21 police station in Diyala Province, killing the Philippines to assign the soldiers six people, a number of whom were to other troubled areas where a larger April 21, 2008 (IRAQ): Three members policemen. – Voice of America, April 22 security presence is needed, such as of the anti-al-Qa`ida Sons of Iraq group Mindanao. – GMANews.tv, April 25 were killed by a female suicide bomber in April 22, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A Ba`quba, Diyala Province. One civilian group of Taliban fighters attacked a April 25, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): was also killed. – AFP, April 21; Los Angeles police outpost in Kunar Province. The Suspected Taliban militants killed a Times, April 22 police managed to defend the outpost, yet district census director, along with his five officers were killed in the gunfight. driver, in Paktia Province. – AFP, April 26 April 22, 2008 (SOMALIA): Somali A number of Taliban fighters were also militias allied with the government retook killed. – CNN, April 23 April 25, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): ISAF the town of Guda, which had been overrun troops killed 15 Taliban militants in Paktia by Islamic militants on April 21. – Reuters, April 22, 2008 (NETHERLANDS): Gerard Province as they were preparing to attack April 22 Bouman, the head of the Dutch General a government compound. – AFP, April 26 Intelligence and Security Service, said April 22, 2008 (PHILIPPINES): The that the threat of terrorism is growing April 25, 2008 (PAKISTAN): A car chief of staff of the Armed Forces of in the Netherlands. Bouman’s concern bomb exploded outside a police station the Philippines announced that initial is based on the Netherlands’ decision to in Mardan District of the North-West DNA tests on a body suspected of being extend its involvement in Afghanistan, Frontier Province. One police officer and Jemaah Islamiyah operative Dulmatin and the ongoing domestic debate over the two civilians were killed in the blast. A were inconclusive. More DNA samples role of Islam in Dutch society. – AP, April spokesman for Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan will be taken from relatives of Dulmatin 22 said that the bombing was a response to in order to establish a conclusive result. the death of Taliban commander Hafiz The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation April 23, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A Saidul Haq, who was recently killed by is conducting the DNA testing for the suicide bomber killed two police officers police. – AP, April 26 Philippines. – Philippine Inquirer, April 22 in Gereshk district of Helmand Province. It is believed that the bomber was April 26, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): The April 22, 2008 (GLOBAL): A new audiotape targeting the police chief, yet was stopped Taliban has revised their demand that by al-Qa`ida second-in-command Ayman by officers before he could reach his mobile phone operators shut down al-Zawahiri appeared on Islamist web intended target. – CNN, April 23 service from 5 PM to 7 AM. According forums, in which the leader criticized the to a new statement, “As the nights are Muslim community for failing to support April 23, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A now shorter and the days longer, the ongoing Islamic insurgencies. “I call upon suicide bomber detonated his explosives Islamic Emirate…permits the [telephone] the Muslim nation to fear Allah’s question in a crowded market in Spin Boldak, companies to operate from 6:30 AM until [at judgment day] about its failure to Kandahar Province. The explosion 7:00 PM in the cities and surrounding

22 may 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 6 areas.” The Taliban’s original demand April 29, 2008 (IRAQ): A female suicide May 1, 2008 (PAKISTAN): A suicide was made in February, as they alleged that bomber detonated her explosives at a bus bomber detonated his explosives at an international forces use mobile phones station near the town of Muqdadiyya, Islamic seminary in Khyber District of the to track Taliban troop movements. The Diyala Province, killing one person. North-West Frontier Province, injuring Taliban then conducted a series of attacks – Gulf News, April 29 30 people. According to a witness report, on mobile phone operators, causing some the bomber, who was approximately 17- of them to abide by the Taliban decree. April 29, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): years-old, walked into the madrasa and – Reuters, April 26 Suspected Taliban militants targeted an then exploded. - CNN, May 1 opium-eradication team in Nangarhar April 26, 2008 (IRAQ): A suicide car Province, killing 19 people, 12 of whom May 1, 2008 (PAKISTAN): A Taliban bomber detonated his explosives at an were policemen. The attack included a leader told BBC Urdu that the cease-fire Iraqi army checkpoint in Mosul, Ninawa suicide bomber and then a subsequent with Pakistan has allowed the Taliban to Province, killing three soldiers. Thirty firefight with small arms and rocket- send fighters into Afghanistan to engage minutes after the attack, a suicide truck propelled grenades. – Voice of America, April international forces there. – Daily Times, bomber detonated his explosives at a 29 May 2 separate Iraqi army checkpoint in Mosul, injuring 15 civilians. – AP, April 26 April 30, 2008 (THAILAND): Three May 1, 2008 (IRAQ): A car bomb exploded police officers were killed after a roadside in Baghdad as a patrol of U.S. troops was April 26, 2008 (IRAQ): An Iraqi police bomb exploded underneath their vehicle passing by, killing one U.S. soldier and at official told the Kuwaiti news agency in Pattani Province. – Reuters, April 30 least nine Iraqis. – AP, May 2 KUNA that U.S. forces killed a leading al-Qa`ida commander and three of April 30, 2008 (PHILIPPINES): A May 1, 2008 (IRAQ): At least 31 people his lieutenants in an airstrike east of Philippine military offensive in Jolo were killed after two suicide bombers Samarra, Salah al-Din Province. The resulted in the wounding of Abu Sayyaf detonated their explosives at a wedding commander was identified as Muhammad Group (ASG) leader Isnilon Hapilon. party in Balad Ruz, Diyala Province. The Muzahem al-Harbouni. – UPI, April 26 Hapilon, who has been identified as first bomber was female and was disguised “the last of two surviving leaders of to appear pregnant. The second bomber April 27, 2008 (ALGERIA): Algerian the Abu Sayyaf who engineered daring detonated his explosives as emergency newspapers reported that government kidnapping raids and bombing attacks vehicles arrived at the scene. The U.S. security forces killed 14 al-Qa`ida in the early in the decade,” was shot in the military blamed al-Qa`ida in Iraq for the Islamic Maghreb fighters in El Oued and hand yet managed to flee into the jungle attack. – Voice of America, May 2; AP, May 2 Boumerdes provinces the previous week after the confrontation. His son, an ASG in two separate operations. – Reuters, April fighter, was critically wounded during May 3, 2008 (YEMEN): The Jund al- 27 the offensive. A number of other ASG Yaman Brigades, an al-Qa`ida-linked fighters were killed during the operation. group in Yemen, claimed responsibility for April 27, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): Taliban The U.S. government has offered a $5 the April 30 mortar attack on the Italian militants attacked a military parade in million reward for Hapilon’s capture. Embassy in Sana`a. The statement, which Kabul attended by Afghan President – AFP, May 1 was posted on Islamist web forums, said Hamid Karzai. During the attack, Karzai that the purpose of the attack “was to make managed to escape unhurt but three April 30, 2008 (YEMEN): A hand the infidels leave the Arabian Peninsula people were killed. Since the attack, the grenade or bomb exploded near the Italian and to avenge all Muslim victims of the Afghan government has claimed that al- Embassy in Sana`a. The Jund al-Yaman worldwide crusader campaign.” – AHN, Qa`ida was also involved. – BBC News, Brigades would later claim credit for the May 4 April 27; UPI, May 5 attack. There were no reported injuries. – CBC News, April 30 May 4, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): The April 27, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): Afghan government announced that Taliban militants engaged an Australian April 30, 2008 (UNITED STATES): Salim al-Qa`ida was involved in the April Special Forces military patrol in Uruzgan Ahmad Hamdan, a Yemeni detainee at 27 assassination attempt on President Province, leaving one soldier dead. Guantanamo Bay who was allegedly one Hamid Karzai. The government also According to the chief of Australia’s of Usama bin Ladin’s drivers, refused to announced the arrests of two government defense forces, “The commandos were attend a military commission hearing. employees who were allegedly involved in involved in a deliberate assault. They He is scheduled to be tried in May. the operation, one of whom is a weapons were out in the open and, as they were – Washington Post, April 30 expert. – AFP, May 5 doing their preparations, they were engaged by the Taliban. There was a May 1, 2008 (SOMALIA): The U.S. military May 4, 2008 (SOMALIA): Islamist heavy exchange of fire.” – AP, April 28 killed al-Qa`ida-linked commander Aden fighters killed at least three Ethiopian Hashi Ayro in an airstrike in Somalia. soldiers during a firefight in southern April 27, 2008 (IRAQ): A female suicide Ayro was one of the leaders of al-Shabab, Mogadishu. – AFP, May 4 car bomber targeted an Iraqi security an Islamist militant group active in the forces checkpoint in eastern Baghdad, country. – AP, May 2 May 4, 2008 (THAILAND): A bomb killing at least three people. – CNN, April hidden in a garbage can exploded at the 27 annual Red Crescent fair in Narathiwat

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Province, injuring 12 civilians. The bomb, civilians, eight Ethiopian soldiers and cease-fire is scheduled to take effect on which was approximately 1-2 kilograms, two Islamist fighters were killed in the May 10. – AP, May 9 was detonated by a digital watch. – The fighting. The village lies approximately Nation, May 5 180 miles north of Mogadishu. – AFP, May May 9, 2008 (PAKISTAN): A suicide car 8 bomber attempted to ram his vehicle into May 5, 2008 (YEMEN): An appeals court the Mingora police station in Swat District judge in Yemen reduced the prison term May 7, 2008 (SOMALIA): A roadside of the North-West Frontier Province. of Bashir Muhammad Raweh Numan—a bomb ripped through a military convoy in Police opened fire on the vehicle before it member of the al-Qa`ida-inspired Fatah Baidoa, killing eight Somali government could reach its target, causing the bomber al-Islam group in Lebanon—from five soldiers. – Reuters, May 7 to divert course and explode 35 feet away years in prison to two. Numan was from the building. - The News, May 11 charged by a lower court in February May 8, 2008 (UNITED KINGDOM): A to five years after being found guilty of British judge ruled that Abu Qatada, an May 9, 2008 (IRAQ): The U.S. military receiving military training at a Fatah extremist Muslim cleric who has been rejected claims by the Iraqi government al-Islam camp in Lebanon. He was not, labeled Usama bin Ladin’s “spiritual that Iraqi forces had captured al-Qa`ida however, charged with fighting against ambassador in Europe,” be freed on bail. in Iraq leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri (who Lebanese troops. – AP, May 5 According to one press report, “The is also identified by the alias Abu Hamza judge said he agreed that Qatada posed a al-Muhajir) on May 8. According to a U.S. May 5, 2008 (IRAQ): Suspected al- security risk, but added that it would be military spokesperson, “Neither coalition Qa`ida fighters killed 10 Iraqi soldiers at overstepping the law to further jail him forces nor Iraqi security forces detained a checkpoint in Diyala Province. – Reuters, in the absence of a conviction or trial.” or killed Abu Ayyub al-Masri. This guy May 5 Qatada will be subject to 22-hours of [who was captured on May 8] had a house arrest each day. - UPI, May 9 similar name.” – AP, May 9 May 6, 2008 (IRAQ): Pro-U.S. tribal chief Ibrahim Abdullah al-Mujamai, along with May 8, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): Afghan May 10, 2008 (IRAQ): The Iraqi Army, some of his family, was kidnapped by police killed six Taliban fighters in Ghor supported by approximately 10,000 suspected al-Qa`ida operatives in Diyala Province, including a Taliban-appointed Sunni tribesmen, have begun a major Province. – AFP, May 6 provincial governor. – Voice of America, May operation against al-Qa`ida in Mosul, 8 Ninawa Province. The operation has been May 6, 2008 (SOMALIA): An Ethiopian dubbed “Lion’s Roar.” – UPI, May 10 government soldier revealed that May 8, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A suicide hundreds of Ethiopian troops have been car bomber detonated his explosives near May 10, 2008 (SOMALIA): Islamist killed fighting the ongoing Islamist a convoy of foreign troops in Kabul. There fighters ambushed a convoy carrying insurgency in Somalia since December were no casualties among the soldiers, but Somalia’s internal affairs minister, Muse 2006. – AP, May 6 three civilians were wounded. – AP, May 8 Nur Amin, killing at least four government soldiers. Nur Amin managed to escape May 6, 2008 (PAKISTAN): A suicide May 8, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): Militants unhurt. Al-Shabab claimed credit for the bomber attacked a police checkpoint in marched into the Jalalabad house of operation. - Garowe Online, May 10 Bannu District of the North-West Frontier well-known parliamentarian Hazrat Ali, Province, killing two civilians. – Reuters, killing his father and taking hostage three May 11, 2008 (ALGERIA): Press reports May 6 women and four children. – AFP, May 10 claim that six Algerian soldiers were ambushed and killed by al-Qa`ida in May 7, 2008 (IRAQ): The U.S. military May 8, 2008 (PAKISTAN): Suspected the Islamic Maghreb fighters in Medea revealed that a suicide bomber who blew Islamist militants killed a Pakistani Province. - AKI, May 13 himself up in Mosul, Ninawa Province, soldier near a police station in Kabbal, on April 26 was identified as Abdallah a town in the Swat Valley of the North- May 11, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A Salih al-Ajmi, a Kuwaiti man who was West Frontier Province. – AP, May 8 new statement released by al-Qa`ida formerly held at Guantanamo Bay. After on an Islamist website claimed that a being returned to Kuwait, al-Ajmi was May 9, 2008 (NIGERIA): Nigeria’s police prominent operative, Abu Sulayman released and allegedly made his way to chief warned senior security officers that al-`Utaybi, was killed fighting U.S.-led Iraq through Syria. – Washington Post, May al-Qa`ida may be planning a bombing forces in Afghanistan. The statement 8 campaign in the country. “The al-Qa`ida said that al-`Utaybi was killed along with network has planned to send time bombs another member, who was identified as May 7, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): Two to Nigeria,” Inspector General Mike Okiro Abu Dujana al-Qahtani. Both men had NATO soldiers were killed after an told his security team. No more details previously fought in Iraq, and al-`Utaybi explosion hit a troop patrol in Sabari were released. – AFP, May 10 was identified as the head of the Islamic district of Khost Province. – AP, May 7 State of Iraq’s judiciary. They were killed May 9, 2008 (PAKISTAN): Pakistani in Paktia Province; the date of their deaths May 7, 2008 (SOMALIA): At least authorities and pro-Taliban militants was not provided. - Reuters, May 11 23 people were killed in the village of under the leadership of Maulana Fazlullah Garsani after Islamist insurgents attacked declared a cease-fire in the North-West May 12, 2008 (IRAQ): The U.S. Air Force an Ethiopian military convoy. At least 13 Frontier Province’s Swat Valley. The dropped eight bombs on an al-Qa`ida

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training base south of Baghdad. According May 13, 2008 (UNITED STATES): The CTC Sentinel Staff to an AP report citing the U.S. military, Pentagon dropped charges against “the area in the district of Arab Jabour Muhammad al-Qahtani, a Saudi citizen Editor-in-Chief was used to manufacture bombs, stash held at Guantanamo Bay, who was Erich Marquardt weapons caches and train and launch accused of being the “20th hijacker” in Senior Editor, CTC sniper attacks at U.S. military convoys.” the September 11, 2001 attacks. - BBC - AP, May 12 News, May 13 Editorial Board Jarret Brachman, Ph.D. May 12, 2008 (SUDAN): Hassan al- May 14, 2008 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber Director of Research, CTC Turabi, a Sudanese Islamist leader who detonated his explosives at a funeral used to associate with Usama bin Ladin, service in Anbar Province, killing 20 Brian Fishman was arrested in Khartoum on charges people. - Los Angeles Times, May 15 Senior Associate, CTC of fomenting a rebellion. Authorities released him without charge after 15 hours. May 14, 2008 (IRAQ): A female suicide Assaf Moghadam, Ph.D. - International Herald Tribune, May 12 bomber detonated her explosives near Senior Associate, CTC Iraqi troops south of Baghdad, killing May 12, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): An one soldier. The bomber is believed to James Forest, Ph.D. Afghan government official announced have been a teenager, and according to Director of Terrorism Studies, CTC that a number of generals have been press reports it is not clear “whether the suspended from duty and are being girl detonated the explosives attached to LTC(P) Joseph Felter, Ph.D. questioned about possible involvement her body herself or [if] they were set off Director, CTC in the April 27 assassination attempt on remotely.” - Los Angeles Times, May 15; The President Hamid Karzai. - Reuters, May 12 Times, May 15 COL Cindy R. Jebb, Ph.D. Deputy Department Head May 12, 2008 (THAILAND): Suspected May 14, 2008 (PAKISTAN): A missile Department of Social Sciences (West Point) Malay-Muslim separatists killed three strike destroyed a house in Bajaur Agency Muslim men in Pattani Province. - AFP, of the Federally Administered Tribal COL Michael J. Meese, Ph.D. May 13 Areas. The missiles, which were believed Department Head launched by an unmanned U.S. drone Department of Social Sciences (West Point) May 12, 2008 (THAILAND): Suspected aircraft, targeted Taliban operatives. Malay-Muslim separatists killed two off- - Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 15 GEN(R) John P. Abizaid duty soldiers in Narathiwat Province. Distinguished Chair, CTC The soldiers were part of a government- May 15, 2008 (PAKISTAN): Tehrik-i- backed militia. - AFP, May 13 Taliban leading figure Faqir Muhammad Contact vowed revenge against the United States Combating Terrorism Center May 13, 2008 (INDIA): Eight near- for the May 14 missile strike on a suspected U.S. Military Academy simultaneous bomb blasts ripped through Taliban compound in Bajaur Agency. The 607 Cullum Road, Lincoln Hall crowded markets in Jaipur, Rajasthan leader warned, “We will avenge it by West Point, NY 10996 State, leaving more than 60 people dead. targeting America.” - AP, May 15 Phone: (202) 425-8578 Home Ministry officials blamed the attack Email: [email protected] on the Islamist group Harkat-ul-Jihad al- May 15, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A suicide Web: www.ctc.usma.edu/sentinel/ Islami. - CNN, May 14; AFP, May 14 bomber concealed in a burqa exploded by police vehicles in a crowded market in * For Press Inquiries: (202) 425-8578 May 13, 2008 (IRAQ): According to a Farah Province, killing 12 people. It is not U.S. Central Command spokesperson, the clear if the bomber was male or female. support reward for al-Qa`ida in Iraq leader Abu - Toronto Star, May 16 The Combating Terrorism Center would Ayyub al-Masri (who is also identified like to express its gratitude to its financial by the alias Abu Hamza al-Muhajir) has May 15, 2008 (YEMEN): Al-Qa`ida in the supporters, for without their support and been cut to $100,000 from $5 million South of the Arabian Peninsula, which is shared vision of the Center products like the since his value is “not what it was, say, the name for an al-Qa`ida-linked group CTC Sentinel could not be produced. If you at this time last year...Our assessment in Yemen, released an online statement are interested in learning more about how has led us to believe he’s not as effective threatening attacks in the Arabian to support the Combating Terrorism Center, a leader on the battlefield...and because Peninsula against non-Muslim foreigners. please visit http://www.ctc.usma.edu/ of that he’s just not as valuable to us.” The group warned that they “stand support/ or call Wayne Richardson at West Additionally, according to an AP report, absolved from [the rights] of any infidel Point’s Association of Graduates at 845- “Officials said that besides denigrating who has entered the Arabian Peninsula.” 446-1553. al-Masri’s leadership skills, the reduction - Reuters, May 15 could lower his stature among potential The views expressed in this report are those of informants who might otherwise be the authors and not of the U.S. Military Academy, frightened to turn in a senior operative.” the Department of the Army, or any other agency - AP, May 14 of the U.S. Government.

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