july 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 7

Pakistan’s Challenges in and early 2010.3 Some analysts believe Farooqi belonged to the Mamuzai that Maulana Fazlullah, the former tribe and was affiliated with the anti- Agency chief of the Swat Taliban, could also be Shi`a group Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan hiding in Orakzai.4 Finally, the Ghazi (SSP). In the wake of the U.S.-led By Tayyab Ali Shah Force, believed to be behind most of the attack on Afghanistan in 2001, Farooqi deadly attacks in Islamabad during the reportedly offered the Afghan Taliban in pakistan’s federally Administered last three years—including an attack Tribal Areas (FATA), Orakzai Agency on the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has become the scene of violent clashes the Marriott Hotel, the World Food “Orakzai is closer to between security forces and Pakistani Program and the recent June 9 attack , Islamabad and Taliban militants. In the past few near Islamabad that destroyed multiple years, militants have fled to Orakzai NATO supply trucks—is also based in Rawalpindi, making it to establish safe havens in the wake of the agency.5 an ideal launching point Pakistani military operations in other parts of the tribal belt. As a result, on Geographically, Orakzai is in a strategic for fighters attacking March 23, 2010, Pakistan launched position as it borders the Tirah Valley Pakistan’s more populated a military offensive in Orakzai and of Khyber Agency, and Hangu declared victory on June 1. Pakistan districts of the North-West Frontier and strategically significant claims that it has killed more than 1,500 Province, and Kurram Agency. Orakzai’s cities.” militants in the agency during the last total area is 1,538 square kilometers three months.1 Nevertheless, despite the (594 square miles).6 The main access official end of its offensive, Pakistan’s to Kurram, the only tribal agency with security patrols continue to be ambushed a Shi`a majority, is through Orakzai; 12,000 men with arms and ammunition in Orakzai, and the government has by blocking this road, Taliban fighters to fight against the U.S.-led coalition.9 responded by dispatching helicopter have often put the Kurram Shi`a Farooqi’s men remained active in gunships and fighter jets to assault under siege.7 Also, compared to other Afghanistan until the end of 2001, when various areas of the territory. Military Taliban strongholds such as North and they melted away as the Afghan Taliban operations are ongoing today. South Waziristan, Orakzai is closer to resistance crumbled before the U.S.-led Peshawar, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, offensive.10 In light of the continued fighting, this making it an ideal launching point for article provides an overview of the fighters attacking Pakistan’s more Orakzai was relatively calm until 2004- strategic importance of the agency, populated and strategically significant 2006, when Pakistan Army operations the history of its Talibanization, the cities. The topography of Orakzai also in South Waziristan forced many different Taliban groups operating plays a factor, as the mountainous region Pakistanis, as well as foreign militants, there and the current state of Pakistan between Stori and Dara Adam Khel to seek refuge in the agency. Orakzai Army operations in Orakzai. provide a natural fortress and plenty of acted as a safe haven for these fighters cover for militants.8 Orakzai, however, since Pakistan’s military was not The Strategic Importance of Orakzai Agency is the only tribal agency that does not present in the area. After the formation Orakzai Agency, which has an estimated share a border with Afghanistan. of the TTP in 2007, a Taliban force was population of 250,000 people, is organized in Orakzai.11 Hakimullah strategically important to both The Talibanization of Orakzai Mehsud, the current head of the TTP, Pakistan’s military and Tehrik-i-Taliban The Talibanization of Orakzai Agency moved to Orakzai and was appointed by Pakistan (TTP).2 Orakzai is considered can be traced to 1999, when a 30-year- the TTP’s leader at the time, Baitullah the TTP’s “second home,” as its current old native of the agency, Aslam Farooqi, Mehsud, as the chief commander for the leader Hakimullah Mehsud rose to raised a Taliban lashkar (militia). group in Orakzai, Khyber and Kurram power in the agency. Additionally, after agencies.12 Pakistan’s military offensive in South 3 Michael Hughes, “Pakistan Turns Up Heat on Tehrik- Waziristan Agency in late 2009, many i-Taliban in Orakzai and North Waziristan,” Afghani- There have been attempts to counter TTP militants relocated to Orakzai. stan Headlines Examiner, May 25, 2010. Talibanization in the agency. Law and The TTP is not the only militant group 13 4 Rahimullah , “The Taliban Strike Back,” order is the responsibility of Khasadars operating in Orakzai. Lashkar-i-Jhangvi Newsline, May 20, 2010. and Jaysh-i-Muhammad, for example, 5 Kathy Gannon, “The Ghazi Force: Vengeful New Mili- 9 “Orakzai Taliban Chief Extends Full Help,” Dawn, No- have bases and training camps in the tant Group Emerges in Pakistan,” Associated Press, July vember 6, 2001. agency, and they reportedly launched 1, 2010. 10 Personal interview, Brigadier (retired) Asad Munir, suicide bombers from Orakzai to attack 6 For details, see the FATA Secretariat website at www. former Inter-Services Intelligence official, July 2010. targets in Punjab Province in late 2009 fata.gov.pk. 11 Asad Munir, “Taliban & Orakzai,” The News Interna­ 7 Tayyab Ali Shah, “Taliban Exploit Shi’a-Sunni Divide tional, June 13, 2009. in Pakistan’s Kurram Tribal Agency,” Terrorism Moni­ 12 Amir Mir, “A Young Turk Takes Over TTP, Ringing 1 “At Least 25 Militants Killed in Orakzai Clash,” Dawn, tor 8:15 (2010); Mariam Abou Zahab, “Sectarianism in Alarm Bells,” The News International, August 28, 2009. July 21, 2010. Pakistan’s Kurram Tribal Agency,” Terrorism Monitor 13 The Khasadar are a poorly trained and organized force 2 For details, see the FATA Secretariat website at www. 7:6 (2009). that is recruited and managed by the FATA Political fata.gov.pk. 8 Hughes. Agent, the head of a tribal agency.

12 july 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 7 in Orakzai, due to the absence of the fire in Tori Mela.19 Continuing with their Pakistan’s Offensive in Orakzai Frontier Corps in the agency. Khasadars, atrocities, the Taliban chopped off the On March 23, 2010, Pakistan’s military basically local security forces, are not hands of three men on theft allegations launched a major anti-Taliban operation trained or equipped to combat well- in the Ghaljo area of the agency in the in Orakzai called Khwakh Ba dee Sham.25 As trained militants. As a result, the tribes first week of May 2010.20 part of the offensive, the army blocked were forced to fight against Taliban most of the entry and exit routes to and fighters on their own. When the Taliban Today, the most active Taliban from Orakzai. Both sides reportedly asked the biggest tribe in Orakzai, the groups operating in Orakzai are the suffered casualties, and the military Ali Khel, to expel 100 Shi`a families Commander Tariq Group, the Abdullah claims that the dead included foreign from the area, the Ali Khel convened a Azzam Brigades, Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, fighters, such as Arabs, Chechens and tribal jirga to establish an anti-Taliban and the Ghazi Force. The Commander Uzbeks.26 lashkar in October 2008.14 The jirga, Tariq Group is headed by Tariq , however, was attacked by a suicide On June 1, the Pakistan Army declared bomber, who killed more than 82 tribal “Despite its recent that the military operation in Orakzai elders.15 This one attack decimated the was finished and the objectives achieved. tribal leadership of Orakzai and paved offensive, Pakistan’s This announcement, however, appears the way for the Taliban to take control government has yet to more a public relations move than a of the entire agency.16 military reality. Air strikes in the agency bring Orakzai under have continued through July, providing After consolidating its hold on the control.” ample proof that military operations are agency, Taliban militias announced far from over.27 Moreover, according to the enforcement of Shari`a, and residents in the area, , Ghaljo they established Islamic courts and and Shahoo are still under Taliban complaint centers. Through mosque who is based in Dara Adam Khel, and is control. Some government officials also loudspeakers, they urged people to considered the most powerful militant admitted in early June that terrorists contact the Islamic courts to settle group in Orakzai. The Abdullah Azzam were putting up “stiff resistance” in disputes in accordance with Islamic Brigade was reportedly involved in the upper Orakzai.28 These results are not law. The Taliban established a parallel attack on the Pearl Continental Hotel in surprising considering that Pakistan’s political administration and levied jizya Peshawar and the killing of anti-Taliban military deployed just 5,000 troops for (protection tax) on members of the local religious scholar Sarfraz Naeemi in June only three months (March 23-June 1) to Sikh and Hindu communities.17 In June 2009.21 Lashkar-i-Jhangvi is a violent, clear Taliban militants from the territory. 2008, six men were publicly executed sectarian group and an offshoot of the By comparison, operations in South after a Taliban-established court found SSP.22 The Ghazi Force is named after Waziristan and Swat were supported by them guilty of kidnapping.18 In January Abdul Rashid Ghazi, the former cleric more than 25,000 and 15,000 troops, 2010, the Taliban punished tribesmen of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) who was respectively.29 Nevertheless, it appears who refused to remain in their village to killed when Pakistani security forces that Pakistan’s military has cleared support the Taliban in the fight against stormed the facility in 2007. The Ghazi some areas in southern Orakzai to act as security forces by setting 63 houses on Force is currently led by Niaz Raheem, a base camp from where it can continue a former student of Lal Masjid, and is its anti-Taliban operations. 14 Syed Hasan Mahmood and Mushtaq Yusufzai, “Or- suspected of being behind many of the akzai Blast Toll Rises to 82,” The News International, Oc- recent violent attacks in Islamabad and Conclusion 23 tober 12, 2008; Farhat Taj, “Life in Orakzai,” The News other populated areas in Pakistan. Despite its recent offensive, Pakistan’s International, February 11, 2009. government has yet to bring Orakzai 15 Mahmood and Yusufzai. The Commander Tariq Group is part of under control. The security services 16 Mukhtar A. Khan, “The Role of Tribal Lashkars in the TTP, while Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, the Winning Pakistan’s War on Terror,” Terrorism Focus Ghazi Force and the Abdullah Azzam 25 This is a Pashtu expression meaning, “I will teach you 5:40 (2008). Brigade are closely affiliated with the a lesson.” 24 17 The Sikhs of Orakzai have lived in the agency for TTP. 26 Ikram Sehgal, “Counterinsurgency Operations,” The centuries. When the Taliban took control of Orakzai, News International, April 29, 2010. they discriminated against the Sikhs. In April 2009, 11 27 “At Least 38 Taliban Insurgents and Four Security houses in the Sikh community were razed for not being 19 “Militants Burn Village in Lower Orakzai,” Dawn, Personnel Were Killed,” Express Tribune, June 23, 2010; able to pay the Rs. 150 million ($1.9 million) jizya to the January 5, 2010. Manzoor Ali, “22 Suspected Militants Killed in Orakzai,” Taliban, and the Sikh community—comprising 30-35 20 “Taliban Cut Off Hands of Three Tribesmen,” Dawn, Express Tribune, July 12, 2010. families—had to shift from the Feroze Khel area to the May 6, 2010. 28 Iqbal , “Taliban Still Rule Half of Orakzai,” nearby Merozai area in lower Orakzai. For details, see 21 Bill Roggio, “Arakzai Taliban Take Credit for Mosque Daily Times, June 3, 2010. “Taliban Seize Houses, Shops of Sikhs in Orakzai,” Daily Suicide Attacks,” The Long War Journal, June 12, 2009. 29 Although Orakzai differs in size from South Wa- Times, April 30, 2009; “Taliban Raze Houses of Sikhs in 22 Bill Roggio, “Taliban Torch Village in Arakzai,” The ziristan and Swat, there are likely more militants in the Orakzai,” Dawn, April 30, 2009. There are also approxi- Long War Journal, January 5, 2010. agency and they appear to be in hardened positions. mately 18 Hindu families in Orakzai. For details, see Mu- 23 Gannon. Therefore, it seems that the number of troops deployed nir and Mir. 24 Ibid.; Syed Yasir Shah, “Unknown Group Claims Pe- in the Orakzai offensive was inadequate. For details, see 18 Bill Roggio, “Pakistan Signs Peace Accord in Orakzai shawar Hotel Bombing,” The News International, June 11, “Brief: Military Operations In Orakzai Over?” Stratfor Tribal Agency,” The Long War Journal, July 19, 2008. 2009. Global Intelligence, June 2, 2010.

13 july 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 7 need to approach the Orakzai campaign The Growing Threat of This article provides background on in a more “intelligence informed Muslim female participation in violent manner,” concentrating on breaking the Female Suicide Attacks in extremism, shows how certain clerics Taliban from within. There are chances Western Countries have encouraged female participation for success in this approach, as during in jihad, and finally examines how al- the past two years there have been a By Houriya Ahmed Qa`ida may adapt its strategy to make number of occurrences where Taliban use of this tactic. factions have fought each other over in january 2010, U.S. intelligence disputes in Orakzai. officials warned that al-Qa`ida in Female Participation in Violent Extremism the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)—the Hizb Allah, the Shi`a Islamist group In August 2009, for example, 21 Yemen-based group responsible for based in Lebanon, first introduced militants were killed when two Taliban the attempted Christmas Day airline suicide terrorism in 1983.5 Although it groups clashed for control of the bombing in the United States—is was the first religiously motivated party area of upper Orakzai.30 In April 2010, training female suicide bombers to to use this tactic of warfare, secular more clashes were reported, when six attack countries in the West.1 In nationalist groups popularized female Taliban, including a local commander, May 2010, AQAP itself issued a call suicide bombings in 1985 on behalf of were killed in Orakzai during infighting to Muslim women to join the jihad the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.6 between two rival Taliban factions led movement in Yemen.2 U.S. officials Indeed, according to one 2009 study, by Mullah Toofan and Mullah Rafiq.31 reportedly believe that these women 85% of female suicide attacks have been There were also reports of a Taliban may have a “non-Arab” appearance carried out by secular organizations.7 commander who defected to his Ali Khel and have Western passports, making it tribe over the Taliban’s poor treatment easier for them to evade detection while By 2004, however, the Palestinian of Shi`a in Orakzai.32 Although the traveling.3 group Hamas employed a female suicide senior Taliban leadership was able to bomber—Reem al-Rayashi.8 Since that prevent these infighting incidents from There are growing concerns that al- attack, the tactic has been emulated by spreading, it does show that there are Qa`ida will start deploying women a number of militant Islamist groups possible rifts that can be exploited with in its global fight against Western waging jihad, especially in Iraq. Abu a more nuanced understanding of the states and their interests. The group is Mus`ab al-Zarqawi, the deceased leader Taliban factions operating in Orakzai. clearly reaching out to Muslim women of al-Qa`ida in Iraq (AQI), claimed and asking them to participate in its responsibility for the group’s first Tayyab Ali Shah is a freelance political “struggle” against the West. This year, female suicide bomber in September and security analyst specializing in the for example, female suicide bombers 2005.9 By November of that year, AQI Taliban and other Islamic extremists. He have already attacked in Russia, Iraq claimed responsibility for an additional is a Pakistani Pashtun and has a post- and Afghanistan. Belgium convicted five female suicide attacks, which graduate education in Political Science, one woman of leading a terrorist group, included one Iraqi-born woman, Sajida Business Administration and Public while Muslim convert Colleen LaRose Mubarak al-Rishawi, whose bomb failed Policy. He has extensive experience in is currently facing trial in the United 4 community development, policy advocacy States for wanting to fight violent jihad. 5 Cindy D. Ness, “In the Name of a Cause: Women’s and political education with both Pakistani These signs, combined with the ongoing Work in Secular and Religious Terrorism,” in Cindy D. and Afghan . He moderates the concern of homegrown militants, make Ness ed., Female Terrorism & Militancy: Agency, Utility, Pakhtunkhwa Peace Forum and has written it increasingly likely that the United and Organisation (London: Routledge, 2008), p. 18. for The Jamestown Foundation, Pakistan’s States or Western European countries 6 Lindsey A. O’Rourke, “What’s Special about Female Frontier Post and the Daily Times. will experience their first female suicide Suicide Terrorism?” Security Studies 18:4 (2009). Other bombing in the future. examples of secular militant groups that used female suicide bombers include the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in Turkey, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka and the Palestinian al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. 7 Ibid. O’Rourke also states that female suicide bomb- ers have detonated from approximately eight times in the 1 A May 2010 magazine published by AQAP, Sada al- 1980s to more than 100 since 2000. For details on that Malahim, includes an article by the wife of AQAP’s sec- claim, see p. 696. ond-in-command, Said al-Shihri, calling on women to 8 The militant Islamist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad join the jihad in Yemen. also started using female suicide bombers. Hamas and 2 Ibid. Islamic Jihad are not the first Palestinian groups to have 3 Phil Sherwell and Sean Rayment, “Al-Qaeda Has embraced female terrorism. Fatah’s militant al-Aqsa Trained Female Suicide Bombers to Attack the West, Martyrs Brigade (a nationalist group) was the first to in- US Officials Warn,” Daily Telegraph, January 23, 2010; troduce female suicide bombings against Israeli targets 30 “Hakeemullah’s Followers in Orakzai Clash; 21 Anthony Browne, “Western White Woman a Suicide with Wafa Idris in January 2002. For more information Killed,” Dawn, August 12, 2009. Bomber,” The Times, December 1, 2005. see O’Rourke, pp. 697-698. 31 “Taliban Infighting Claims Six Lives in Orakzai,” 4 “Belgium Convicts Terror Suspects,” BBC, May 10, 9 Little is known about AQI’s first female suicide bomb- Daily Times, April 2, 2010. 2010; “Muslim Convert Colleen LaRose, aka Jihad Jane, er. See Christopher Dickey, “Women of Al Qaeda,” News­ 32 Taj. Faces Terror Charges,” Guardian, March 10, 2010. week, December 12, 2005.

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