JANUARY 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2

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

Contents A Profile of Tehrik-i-Taliban feature article Pakistan 1 A Profile of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan By Hassan Abbas By Hassan Abbas

Reports 4 The Changing Face of Salafi-Jihadi Movements in the United Kingdom By James Brandon 6 Al-Qa`ida’s Extensive Use of the Internet By Gabriel Weimann 8 Al-Qa`ida’s “MySpace”: Terrorist Recruitment on the Internet By Evan F. Kohlmann 10 Combating Terrorism Through a Counter-Framing Strategy By Robert Wesley 12 Partner or Spoiler: The Case of the Islamic Army in Iraq By Pascale Combelles Siegel 14 The Challenge of Islamist Militancy in India By Paul Staniland

he organizational strength, groups, which were banned in Pakistan, 16 Recent Highlights in Terrorist Activity military strategy and leadership started joining the Taliban ranks in FATA— 20 CTC Sentinel Staff & Contacts quality of the Taliban in Pakistan’s some as followers while others as partners.

T tribal territories has qualitatively During this process, the Pakistani Taliban improved during the last few years. At never really merged into the organizational the time of the U.S.-led military campaign structure of the Afghan Taliban under in Afghanistan in late 2001, allies and Mullah Omar; instead, they developed a sympathizers of the Taliban in Pakistan distinct identity. From their perspective, were not identified as “Taliban” themselves. they intelligently created a space for That reality is now a distant memory. Today, themselves in Pakistan by engaging in Pakistan’s indigenous Taliban are an effective military attacks while at other times cutting About the CTC Sentinel fighting force and are engaging the Pakistani deals with the Pakistani government to military on one side and NATO forces on the establish their autonomy in the area.1 By The Combating Terrorism Center is an other. default, they were accepted as a legitimate independent educational and research voice in at least two FATA agencies—South institution based in the Department of Social The transition from being Taliban Waziristan and North Waziristan. Sciences at the United States Military Academy, supporters and sympathizers to becoming West Point. The CTC Sentinel harnesses a mainstream Taliban force in the Federally During this process, the Pakistani Taliban the Center’s global network of scholars and Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) effectively established themselves as an practitioners in order to understand and initiated when many small militant groups alternative leadership to the traditional confront contemporary threats posed by operating independently in the area started tribal elders. By the time the Pakistani terrorism and other forms of political violence. networking with one another. This sequence government realized the changing of developments occurred while Pakistani dynamics and tried to resurrect the tribal The views expressed in this report are those of forces were spending the majority of their jirga institution, it was too late. The Taliban the authors and not of the U.S. Military Academy, resources finding “foreigners” in the area the Department of the Army, or any other agency linked to al-Qa`ida (roughly in the 2002-04 1 They began cutting deals with the government in of the U.S. Government. period). Soon, many other local extremist 2004.

1 january 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 had killed approximately 200 of the tribal services to gather support for the group. Bhutto’s death on December 27, 2007.8 On elders under charges of being Pakistani and Such leaks are not uncommon. Nothing has January 4, 2008, however, TTP spokesman American spies. been heard about this organization since. Ghazi Ahmed called journalists to inform them that a one week extension of the These developments explain the genesis of Less than two months after this ultimatum would begin on January 5 and a new formation: Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan announcement, another group claiming to threatened to attack the city of Peshawar (TTP). The TTP refers to the Taliban be Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan announced if their demands were not met.9 The TTP “movement” in Pakistan that coalesced its formation. The December 14, 2007 was also quick to deny their involvement in December 2007 under the leadership announcement was viewed suspiciously in killing Bhutto after the government of of Baitullah Mehsud—a wanted militant in terms of authenticity, since it followed Pakistan claimed that her assassination leader from South Waziristan. This analysis after the October 23 announcement. It soon was conducted by associates of Baitullah discusses the origin, nature, capabilities and became clear, however, that the December Mehsud and even produced a transcript of potential of this organization. 14 announcement was unique and alarming. Mehsud’s telephone conversation proving It showed that the authentic Taliban were his involvement.10 Formation of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan quick to establish their ownership over the The name “Tehrik-i-Taliban” had been title “Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.” Mehsud’s spokesman responded by used prior to the latest December 14 maintaining that the transcript was “a announcement. An organization with a Structure, Activities and Goals of the TTP drama,” and that Bhutto’s death was a similar name emerged in FATA’s Orakzai A shura of 40 senior Taliban leaders “tragedy” that had left Mehsud “shocked.”11 Agency in 1998.2 Some reports also mention established the TTP as an umbrella A purported spokesman for Mehsud, Maulvi a similar organization by the name of organization. Militant commander Baitullah Omar, later told Reuters: “Tribal people Tehrik-i-Tulaba (Movement of Students) Mehsud was appointed as its amir, Maulana have their own customs. We don’t strike also operating in Orakzai Agency that even Hafiz Gul Bahadur of North Waziristan women.”12 This shows that the organization established an active Shari`a court.3 The as senior naib amir (deputy) and Maulana has a media cell, a public relations policy name and idea, therefore, is not original. Faqir Muhammad of Bajaur Agency as the and is quite serious about its plans. The third in command.6 The shura not only has Pakistani government has been slow to More recently, on October 23, a credible representation from all of FATA’s seven respond to these developments as the TTP newspaper in Pakistan disclosed that five tribal agencies, but also from the settled has not yet been officially banned, and the militant groups joined hands to set up an North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) government maintains that “a decision to organization named Tehrik-i-Taliban in districts of Swat, Bannu, Tank, Lakki this effect will come only after a thorough Mohmand Agency with a goal “to flush out Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Kohistan, Buner examination of all the aspects concerned.”13 gangs carrying out criminal activities in the and Malakand. This reach demonstrates the name of Taliban.” Its spokesman, who was TTP’s ambitions. Since its establishment, Although the TTP is young as an identified under the Arab name Abu Nauman the TTP through its various demarches have organization, there is no dearth of Askari, even mentioned the formation of a announced the following objectives and operational capabilities at its disposal. 16-member shura (consultative committee) principles: Baitullah Mehsud already is an established to coordinate the activities of the groups.4 leader—with the command of some 5,000 The statement, however, sounded like an 1. Enforce Shari`a, unite against NATO fighters—and has been involved in initiative that benefited from government forces in Afghanistan and perform militant activities for the last few years in involvement since Islamabad has been “defensive jihad against the Pakistan FATA and the adjacent areas. Many other attempting to create rifts between the army.”7 militant groups seem anxious to join in. different Taliban and militant factions. The 2. React strongly if military operations are On December 23, 2007, for instance, rise of Maulvi Nazir in 2007, for instance, not stopped in Swat District and North five soldiers and six civilians were killed was such an operation as he had received Waziristan Agency. in the Mingora area of the Swat Valley government support in challenging Uzbek 3. Demand the abolishment of all military when a suicide bomber targeted an militants operating in South Waziristan.5 checkpoints in the FATA area. army convoy. Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat- Furthermore, the news was not carried by 4. Demand the release of Lal Masjid (Red e-Mohammadi (TNSM) quickly claimed any other major newspaper in the country, Mosque) Imam Abdul Aziz. responsibility for the attack on behalf of the indicating that no general press release 5. Refuse future peace deals with the was issued by the supposed new formation. government of Pakistan. 8 Alamgir Bhettani, “Taliban Give Two Days for Swat In this context, it is possible that it was a Pullout,” Dawn, January 3, 2008. planted story by Pakistan’s intelligence Initially, the TTP gave a 10 day deadline for 9 “Tehrik-i-Taliban Threatens Attacks in Settled the government to stop military action in Areas,” The News, January 5, 2008; “Taliban Set 7-day 2 Hassan Abbas, “The Black-Turbaned Brigade: The FATA and Swat District, but then extended Deadline,” The Nation [Lahore], January 5, 2008. Rise of TNSM in Pakistan,” Terrorism Monitor 4:23 the deadline in lieu of the country’s 10 “Transcript of Alleged al-Qaida Intercept,” ABC (2006). mourning of former Prime Minister Benazir News, December 28, 2007. 3 The Herald [Karachi], February 1999. 11 “Mehsud Denies Killing Bhutto: Al-Qaida,” NDTV, 4 “Militants Form New Group,” Dawn, October 23, December 29, 2007. 2007. 6 Mushtaq Yusufzai, “Militants Seek End to Military 12 Laura King, “Taliban Blamed for Attack on Bhutto,” 5 For details, see Hassan Abbas, “South Waziristan’s Operations,” The News, December 16, 2007. Los Angeles Times, December 29, 2007. Maulvi Nazir: The New Face of the Taliban,” Terrorism 7 “Second Editorial: Tribal Areas Under Centralized 13 Azaz Syed, “Taliban Outfit Faces Ban,”Daily Times, Monitor 5:9 (2007). Control,” Daily Times, December 16, 2007. December 21, 2007.

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TTP.14 TNSM, another banned terrorist in the interests of the tribal regions as well the government—while on the other hand is outfit, is led by Maulana Fazlullah and as Pakistan.18 As part of the deal, he had negotiating with the government on behalf had re-emerged in 2006. The group made pledged not to provide any assistance to al- of his home agency. It is possible that the headlines for taking control of large Qa`ida and other militants and not to launch government is trying to create a wedge areas in the Swat Valley of the NWFP. operations against government forces. The between the top leaders of the TTP—a smart The army, after a large operation in late deal was short lived, and since 2006 he move if this is indeed the motivation. 2007, recaptured the district, but TNSM has virtually established an independent militants (numbering in the hundreds) are zone in parts of South Waziristan Agency, Maulana Faqir Muhammad—The relatively still operating in parts of the district. The which is widely believed to be a sanctuary well-profiled 39-year-old Faqir Muhammad TTP’s demand for halting government for al-Qa`ida and the Taliban. In private belongs to Mohmand tribe and is known as military action in Swat appealed to TNSM discussions, Pakistani officials also blame a facilitator for al-Qa`ida.23 He is a resident members and will predictably lead to the United States for direct military of Bajaur Agency, but was educated in the more collaboration between the two operations in FATA, leading to the collapse Salafist tradition in various madrasas of the groups in terms of manpower, logistics of some deals. Mehsud commands a force NWFP. This brought him closer to the Arabs and intelligence. TNSM leader Fazlullah of around 5,000 militants and has moved operating in the area, which also benefited is known for the mobile FM radio stations aggressively against Pakistan’s army in him financially. This perhaps allows him to that he managed until recently, on which recent months, especially when he captured afford the personal security team that he is he would broadcast his radical ideology. around 250 army soldiers in August 2007.19 known to have. He came into prominence A TTP radio broadcast in the future would The soldiers were returned only when the in 2005 when government forces raided be one potential sign of more cooperation government released 25 militants associated his house in search of some “high-value” between the two terrorist groups. with Mehsud.20 al-Qa`ida operatives. He was a target of a U.S. missile attack in 2006, but he escaped The TTP’s denial about its involvement in Maulana Hafiz Gul Bahadur—Belonging unhurt. He also remained close to TNSM’s Bhutto’s murder has little face value, but to North Waziristan Agency, he has been founder Maulana Sufi Muhammad, who is it is too early to reach any conclusion since a member of the local Taliban shura since currently in jail. the Pervez Musharraf government may be 2005. He was also a member of the three- trying to shift the blame and divert attention man signatory team, representing North Conclusion from its own failure to provide adequate Waziristan tribes, that signed the well- Of the 56 suicide bombings in Pakistan security for Bhutto. The TTP’s involvement in 2007, 36 were against military related in the killings of nine tribesmen associated “The TTP, however, targets, including two against the ISI; with pro-government leader Maulvi Nazir two against the army headquarters in on January 7 in South Waziristan, however, is bound to refocus on Rawalpindi; one aimed at the air force in is near certain.15 The Pakistani government Afghanistan if and when Sargodha; and one directed at the facility of has also circulated a list to law enforcement the Special Services Group (SSG) in Tarbela. agencies of about a dozen important Shi`a its position strengthens in For many of these attacks, the government political leaders who, according to its FATA and the NWFP.” blamed Baitullah Mehsud and his associates. intelligence services, are on Baitullah This reveals the TTP’s potential now that Mehsud’s hit list.16 it has additional resources and geographic reach. This new organization in fact is Brief Profiles of TTP’s Senior Leaders known peace deal between the Pakistani expected to increase the capacity of militant Baitullah Mehsud—The 34-year-old warrior government and North Waziristan in forces in the area and exacerbate the political belongs to South Waziristan Agency and September 2006.21 The deal collapsed in instability that has gripped Pakistan in hails from the Mehsud tribe. He did not July 2007. Currently, some negotiations are recent months. This internal engagement attend schooling or religious madrasa. being held again between the government also perhaps largely accounts for the 40 He shuns media and has refused to be and the agency, and Bahadur is involved percent decline in insurgent attacks on photographed, indicating that he stands by in these discussions. Bahadur in fact NATO forces in the Pakistan-Afghanistan the fanatic Talibanized version of Islam. His recently chaired the meeting of militants border areas.24 The TTP, however, is bound to worldview is evident from his statement that that extended an ongoing cease-fire until refocus on Afghanistan if and when its position “only jihad can bring peace to the world.”17 January 20, 2008.22 It is noteworthy strengthens in FATA and the NWFP. He came to prominence in February 2005 that on one hand he is part of the TTP when he signed a deal with the Pakistani leadership—which is openly challenging There are signs that the government is now government that it termed as his surrender, targeting the TTP leadership, but it lacks the although he interpreted it as a peace deal 18 Shamim Shahid, “Baitullah, Supporters, Lay Down human intelligence required on the ground. Arms,” The Nation, February 8, 2005. Musharraf’s waning support within the 14 Claude Salhani, “A Grim Year 2007 for Pakistan,” 19 Amir Mir, “The Most Wanted Pakistani Talib,” armed forces also complicates the country’s Middle East Times, December 28, 2007. Pakistan Post, December 10, 2007. “war on terrorism” strategy. There are many 15 “Nine Aides of Maulvi Nazir Killed,” Daily Times, 20 Sami Yousafzai and Ron Moreau, “Al Qaeda’s New- January 8, 2008. est Triggerman,” Newsweek, January 14, 2007. 23 Sohail Abdul Nasir, “Al-Zawahiri’s Pakistani Ally: 16 Personal interview, Pakistani government official, 21 Rahimullah Yusufzai, “Peace Accord with Militants,” Profile of Maulana Faqir Mohammed,”Terrorism Moni- January 5, 2008. The News, September 14, 2006. tor 4:3 (2006). 17 Syed Shoaib Hasan, “Profile: Baitullah Mehsud,” 22 “Five Killed in S Waziristan Clashes,” The News, 24 Jason Straziuso, “US: Afghan Border Attacks Drop BBC, December 28, 2007. January 9, 2008. 40 pct.,” Guardian, December 16, 2007.

3 January 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 indications that some former intelligence Government Crackdown for Islamic radicalism by operating agents and serving junior level officials of Before the 2005 London bombings, high- covertly, avoiding open clashes with the the army apparently are in league with the profile radicals from the Middle East— authorities and spurning the national militants. Borrowing the words of leading often Saudi-educated and/or veterans of media. Typically, such preachers—often Pakistani scholar Pervez Hoodbhoy, “a part of jihadist violence—controlled mosques and born and bred in the United Kingdom— the establishment is clearly at war with another held rallies in central London, while their operate in small mosques, community part.” In this troubling scenario, dismantling supporters openly ran publishing houses centers and houses, frequently on the TTP and bringing its leadership to justice and websites and forged close links with the fringes of large towns. They will is critical for Pakistan’s internal security as foreign militant groups to whom they also use more prominent locations, well as for tackling the Taliban insurgency in could channel funds and volunteers. Since such as sympathetic Islamic societies southern Afghanistan. 2005, the United Kingdom has jailed the in universities, if such opportunities most prominent of these preachers, such arise. These developments are largely Hassan Abbas is a fellow at Harvard University’s as Abu Hamza al-Masri, an Egyptian in keeping with widespread predictions Kennedy School of Government and a doctoral veteran of Afghanistan’s anti-Soviet jihad, that any post-July 7 crackdown would candidate at The Fletcher School, Tufts University. and Abu Qatada, a Jordanian sometimes fragment the jihadist movement and push Previously, he served in the administrations of known as Usama bin Ladin’s spiritual it underground. Benazir Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan. leader in Europe. Other radical preachers He is also the author of Pakistan’s Drift into such as Omar Bakri Muhammad and These lower profile figures have a greater Extremism: Allah, the Army and America’s Shaykh Abdullah Feisal have left the ability to escape detection than their War on Terror. United Kingdom. Others again, such as media-hungry predecessors. For example, Saad al-Faqih and Mohammad al-Massari, Usman “Uzi” Ali, a former member of al- * * * both linked to al-Qa`ida through their Muhajiroun, Omar Bakri’s pro-jihadist opposition to the Saudi government in the group, who has claimed to have helped The Changing Face of early 1990s, now restrict their activities British volunteers join the Taliban in 2001, to Arabic language media and websites preached pro-jihadist sermons for several Salafi-Jihadi Movements in to avoid deportation to their home years at an obscure mosque in Woolwich, the United Kingdom countries. Other leading Islamists—most East London, leaving only after the mosque’s notably Rashid al-Ghanoushi and Ali trustees won a £30,000 court case to expel By James Brandon al-Bayanouni, the respective leaders of him.4 Soon afterward, Ali was appointed the Muslim Brotherhood in Tunisia and Muslim chaplain to the nearby state-funded a series of attempted Islamic terrorist Syria—have similarly been allowed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital before being attacks in the United Kingdom since the remain in the United Kingdom as long as fired after Muslim patients complained July 7, 2005 London bombings seem, they do not incite or plan violence. about his anti-Western sermons.5 He now at first glance, to suggest that Britain’s organizes prayers and meetings in gyms Salafi-jihadi networks—once among In a further attempt to remove extremists’ and community centers in East London the most sophisticated in Europe—have platforms, radical mosques—such as and has told his followers that he aims to survived government crackdowns largely Abu Hamza’s mosque in Finsbury Park establish after-hours religious schools for unscathed. In particular, one group’s in north London—have been put in the their children to counter the “un-Islamic” attempt to detonate two car bombs in hands of more moderate preachers and teachings of mainstream schools and central London and then attack Glasgow pro-jihadist websites shut down. In mosques.6 Although arrested on at least one airport in June 2007 appears to indicate addition, groups funneling volunteers and occasion, he has not been prosecuted for any that the threat of further jihadist attacks money to jihadist groups in South Asia terrorism-related offenses. remain high.1 Other plots allegedly and the Middle East have been broken up, prevented by police include separate while the security services have proven Supporters of jihadist ideologies who run attempts to kidnap and kill off-duty themselves increasingly able to penetrate their own mosques have also found ways to Muslim soldiers in the British army2 and cells preparing terrorist attacks. continue spreading pro-jihadist teachings to explode bombs on a number of trans- while avoiding prosecution. For example, in Atlantic flights.3 Behind this apparent Evolution of Jihadist Networks Luton, a town 30 miles north of London with swell of jihadist activity, however, While the government’s actions have made a large Pakistani population, one mosque government initiatives have significantly radical Islam less visible in the United has apparently circumvented laws against disrupted militant networks, and jihadist Kingdom—especially compared to the incitement by using child imams who ideologies are coming under increasingly “Londonistan” era of the late 1990s—there cannot be prosecuted as they are below the effective theological attack from Muslims are signs that this calm may be deceptive. legal age of responsibility. In autumn 2007, in Britain and abroad. Jihadist groups worldwide are notable one such child imam lectured worshippers for their willingness to adapt to changing on the injustices suffered by Muslims held circumstances, and those in the United 1 David Leppard, “Britain Under Attack as Bombers Kingdom are no exception. 4 Personal interview, eyewitness, London, January Strike at Airport,” The Times [London], July 1, 2007. 2008. 2 David Byers, “Soldier Kidnap Terror Plot: Six Increasingly, evidence suggests that a 5 “Extremist Was Hospital Chaplain,” BBC, September Charged,” The Times, February 9, 2007. younger generation of preachers who 20, 2007. 3 Adam Fresco, “Eleven Charged over Transatlantic sympathize with al-Qa`ida are presently 6 Personal interview, eyewitness, London, November Bomb Plot,” TimesOnline, August 21, 2006. adapting to the UK’s decreasing tolerance 2007.

4 January 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 in prison on anti-terror laws before calling perceived as dangerous not only to Islamism, Qa`ida—most notably its decision to target on the congregation to “resist” the British but even to the Islamic faith as a whole. Iraqi civilians—have also done considerable government.7 damage to the jihadist cause and have boosted Other damaging attacks on al-Qa`ida’s those who question the group’s Islamic Veteran Muslim Brotherhood members ideology have come from former jihadists. legitimacy. have similarly continued to incite their Usama Hasan, an imam who runs a followers while carefully skirting anti- prominent Salafist mosque in Leyton in Conclusion terror laws. For instance, Azzam Tamimi, East London, is typical. In 1990, Hasan Salafi-jihadi networks in Britain have a prominent defender of Hamas and a traveled to Afghanistan where he received changed significantly since the 2005 Muslim Brotherhood member, told an military training and briefly fought against London bombings. Yet, while there are anti-Israel rally in London’s Trafalgar the country’s communist government. signs that jihadist ideologies are losing Square on July 10, 2006 that “if they After returning to the United Kingdom, ground to less violent forms of Islam, this don’t want peace, we have another he was heavily involved in radical Salafist process remains fragile. Any perceived language—and we have every right to activism; for example, he wrote influential victories for jihadist movements in Iraq, use that language.”8 In some universities, critiques of “pacifists” such as Hamza Afghanistan, Somalia or elsewhere at this radical Salafist preachers have similarly Yusuf, a U.S.-based cleric.10 Today, Hasan critical time will likely greatly strengthen exploited traditions of tolerance and preaches religious tolerance and integration British radicals and could badly freedom of speech. For example, a Friday at his mosque to a traditionalist Salafist undermine Muslim attempts to challenge sermon given to hundreds of Muslims on congregation, which averages 800-1,000 jihadist theologies—underscoring how the campus of Imperial College University strong on Fridays. “Usually if someone U.S. success in Iraq and elsewhere in London in autumn 2007 reportedly speaks against extremism, people say that remains critical to defeating Islamic ended in prayers for the “victory of the he’s a government agent but with those of us extremism globally. mujahidin everywhere in the world.”9 who were in Afghanistan they can’t say that to us,” he said.11 In addition, because Britain’s Muslims Challenges to Pro-Jihadist Ideologies are disproportionately poor, young and Although many Salafi-jihadi preachers Such indigenous refutations of jihadist unskilled, they remain vulnerable to have adapted to anti-terrorism measures, ideas augment similar criticisms made extremist ideologies. Socio-economic there are signs that many British Muslims by Salafists abroad. The latest of these factors do not directly cause jihadist are becoming more willing to tackle is by Sayyid Imam `Abd al-`Aziz Imam violence, but they allow radical preachers extremist preachers. During the 1980s al-Sharif (also known as Dr. Fadl), the to convince British Muslims to locate and 1990s, British Salafi-jihadis enjoyed a former spiritual leader of Egyptian Islamic themselves within the global Muslim sense free reign to promote their ideology as the Jihad presently imprisoned in Egypt, who of victimhood and to believe that their most authentic form of Islamic practice recently wrote that Muslims who have an situation can only be addressed through and to present violence and martyrdom agreement or contract with a non-Muslim violence. Furthermore, the growing as the greatest acts of faith. Since then, state (e.g. who have received a European political savvy of the next generation of jihadist ideologies have come under visa or citizenship) are forbidden from jihadist preachers poses new challenges increasing attack. The most damaging attacking its citizens there.12 His thesis to the United Kingdom’s security attacks are those which have come from has been swiftly attacked by British-based services—especially as the fragmentation within the Salafist tradition. Salafists who perceive such critiques as a and dispersal of radical networks makes threat. In December 2007, for example, potentially militant individuals harder to Since the summer of 2007, one of the most Tariq Ramadan, a prominent supporter of monitor. Together, these and other factors prominent British opponents of the jihadist the Muslim Brotherhood, told students at ensure that British-based Salafi-jihadi worldview has been Maajid Nawaz, a former London’s School of Oriental and African movements—even if declining in strength member of the leadership council of Hizb- Studies that al-Sharif’s ideas were invalid and influence—will continue to threaten ut-Tahrir (HT), a global group that wants to because people held in Egyptian prisons the United Kingdom for years to come. restore the caliphate. HT has been accused “will say anything.”13 of radicalizing several British jihadists, most James Brandon is a senior research fellow at the notably Omar Sharif, a British student who For many British Muslims, however, such Centre for Social Cohesion in London. He is a attempted to carry out a suicide bombing critics of jihadism are increasingly being former journalist who has reported on Islamic in Israel in April 2003. Nawaz has begun vindicated by setbacks suffered by jihadist movements in Europe, the Middle East and Africa a theological refutation of HT’s ideology, movements in Central Asia, the Middle East for a wide variety of print and broadcast media. publicizing his views through mainstream and North Africa. Strategic errors by al- He has a MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the media as well as to all Muslim audiences. School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). In many cases, the vitriolic responses to his 10 Usama Hasan, “Recapturing Islam from the Paci- arguments suggest that his ideas are often fists,” available on various websites, November 14, 2001. 11 Personal interview, Usama Hasan, Masjid al-Tawhid, 7 Personal interview, eyewitness, London, October Leyton, East London, December 28, 2007. 2007. 12 Jarret Brachman, “Leading Egyptian Jihadist Sayyid 8 Available at http://www.youtube.com/ Imam Renounces Violence,” CTC Sentinel 1:1 (2008). watch?v=zh6q02J6dJk. 13 Lecture by Tariq Ramadan, “Introduction to Islam 9 Personal interview, eyewitness, London, November and Islamism,” SOAS Middle East Society, November 2007. 17, 2007.

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Al-Qa`ida’s Extensive Malaysia and Texas before it was taken our site closes down before you have off at the request of U.S. officials. It then done this, we may hold you to account Use of the Internet changed its name and URL every few days, before Allah on the Day of Judgment… forced to move from server to server by We expect our website to be opened By Gabriel Weimann citizens who complained to the Internet and closed continuously. Therefore, Service Providers (ISP) that were hosting we urgently recommend any Muslims al-qa`ida is a decentralized network the sites. Then, in late 2002, al-Qa`ida that are interested in our material of networks with no structure, hierarchy lost access to its internet domain because to copy all the articles from our site or center of gravity. It is based on a global it expired and was acquired by a private and disseminate them through their alliance of autonomous groups and citizen. The alneda.com site operators tried own websites, discussion boards and organizations, in a loosely-knit international to reappear by using various server accounts e-mail lists. This is something that network. This composition is strikingly any Muslim can participate in, easily, similar to the internet with its unstructured “The internet is becoming including sisters. This way, even if network, reliance on a decentralized web our sites are closed down, the material of nodes with no center and no hierarchy. a major weapon in al- will live on with the Grace of Allah.2 The parallel between the two may not be so Qa`ida’s strategy.” coincidental: al-Qa`ida adopted the internet The Communicative Uses and has become increasingly reliant on it for From the communicative perspective, its operations and survival. The 2001 war on terrorism is often viewed as a form of terrorism destroyed al-Qa`ida’s sanctuary that had no associated domain name. When psychological warfare, and al-Qa`ida has in Afghanistan and forced the organization that failed, they started posting the alneda. attempted to wage such a campaign through to transform into a highly decentralized com site as a “parasite”: the site would be the internet. For instance, al-Qa`ida uses network of alliances and confederations. posted on a hijacked website until it was the internet to spread disinformation, For the new global network of al-Qa`ida, the noticed and removed by the ISP. When it was deliver threats intended to cause fear and internet became a crucial platform, carrier removed, however, they would simply start disseminate grisly images of recent actions. and bonding mechanism. the process again. In April 2003, al-Qa`ida’s The internet—an uncensored medium— website came back online with the title allows even a small group to spread its The internet, the most contemporary of “Faroq,” yet flying the alneda.com banner. message and exaggerate its importance media, has become the leading instrument Although the new site and other al-Qa`ida and threat potential. Since the September of al-Qa`ida’s communications, propaganda, sites moved frequently, administrators and 11 attacks, al-Qa`ida has saturated its recruitment and networking. Al-Qa`ida is readers publicized the site’s new locations websites with a string of announcements of now operating approximately 5,600 websites through chat room announcements, e-mail 1 and 900 more are appearing each year. They correspondence and links on other groups’ are in various formats including jihadist websites. “The internet—an websites, forums, chat rooms, electronic uncensored medium— boards and blogs. This report focuses on Today, al-Qa`ida’s organization is even al-Qa`ida because in terms of quantity and more virtual. Its reliance on the free allows even a small group sophistication, it is the leading terrorist access and use of the internet is also one of to spread its message and abuser of the internet. the main reasons why the group is still a dangerous force. The internet is becoming exaggerate its importance Al-Qa`ida Goes Virtual a major weapon in al-Qa`ida’s strategy and threat potential.” In the late 1990s, al-Qa`ida launched its first to win supporters to its cause, preserve website, www.alneda.com (“al-Neda” means its decentralized structure, galvanize its “The Call” in Arabic). It was registered in members to action and raise funds. A Singapore and appeared on web servers in widespread network of websites is used to an impending major attack on U.S. targets. feed directions and information from the These warnings have received considerable 1 The present report is based on a decade-long project group’s top leadership to supporters and media coverage, helping to create a sense of monitoring and analyzing terrorist presence on the sympathizers around the world. Al-Qa`ida of insecurity among audiences throughout internet, reported in numerous publications. See, for ex- openly acknowledges the importance of the world and especially within the United ample, Gabriel Weimann, Terror on the Internet (Wash- the internet as a propaganda tool, as it did States. Al-Qa`ida itself has repeatedly stated ington, D.C.: U.S. Institute of Peace, 2006); Gabriel on one of its numerous websites: on jihadist websites that the 9/11 attacks not Weimann, “Virtual Disputes: The Use of the Internet for only inflicted concrete damage to the U.S. Terrorist Debates,” Studies in Conflict and Terrorism 29:7 Due to the advances of modern economy, but also psychological damage. (2006): pp. 623-639; Gabriel Weimann, “Virtual Train- technology, it is easy to spread ing Camps: Terrorist Use of the Internet,” in J. Forest news, information, articles and Another popular communicative use of the ed., Teaching Terror: Strategic and Tactical Learning in other information over the internet. internet is for publicity and propaganda. the Terrorist World (Boulder, CO: Rowman & Littlefield, We strongly urge Muslim internet Until the advent of the internet, terrorists’ 2006), pp. 110-132; Gabriel Weimann, “Terrorist Dot professionals to spread and hopes of winning publicity for their causes Com: Using the Internet for Terrorist Recruitment and disseminate news and information Mobilization,” in J. Forest ed., The Making of a Terrorist about the jihad through e-mail lists, 2 Cited in “Jihad Online: Islamic Terrorists and the (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2005), pp. 53-65. discussion groups and their own Internet,” a report produced by the Anti-Defamation websites. If you fail to do this, and League, 2002.

6 January 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 and activities depended on attracting the on creating IEDs to producing chemical to play a more active role in support of attention of major media outlets. Now that weapons. Terrorists also use the internet terrorist activities or causes. Recruiters terrorists themselves have direct control for data mining. They research information can log into chat rooms or visit cyber-cafes over the content of their websites, they such as the schedules and locations of to find receptive members of the public, are better able to manipulate how they are targets, including transportation facilities, especially the youth. Electronic bulletin perceived by different target audiences nuclear power plants, airports and even boards and user nets can also act as vehicles and to shape their image and the image of counter-terrorism measures. According to for reaching out to potential recruits. their enemies. Thus, the most visible part of al-Qa`ida’s online presence involves Conclusion the spread of propaganda, which is “Al-Qa`ida represents the Al-Qa`ida represents the worst that created by the group’s media branch, al- worst that globalization globalization and advanced community Sahab Media Production (al-Sahab means technologies have to offer. Al-Qa`ida is a “The Cloud” in Arabic). This organization and advanced community virtual “network of networks,” a jihadist uses modern technology to produce its technologies have to offer.” franchise marketing its messages on the video statements and distribute them to internet. Since 9/11, al-Qa`ida operatives the world. In addition to being released have only improved their internet skills in Arabic, some published videos include and increased their web presence. How English or other language subtitles, while then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, should democratic societies respond to more recent productions include videos speaking on January 15, 2003, an al-Qa`ida the challenge of online al-Qa`ida? At in the English and German languages. Al- training manual recovered in Afghanistan least two principles seem clear. First, it Qa`ida is also operating online radio and told its readers, “Using public sources openly is necessary to become better informed television broadcasting and an additional and without resorting to illegal means, it is and educated about al-Qa`ida’s use of online production facility—the Global possible to gather at least 80 percent of all the internet so that its activities can be Islamic Media Front (GIMF), an al-Qa`ida information required about the enemy.” more efficiently monitored. The growing mouthpiece group. familiarity with terrorist online discourse Al-Qa`ida websites use maps, diagrams may guide us to use the same internet to Many terrorist groups, such as Hamas and photos of potential targets challenge the culture of death with an and al-Qa`ida, have transformed from downloaded from popular websites alternative discourse. strictly hierarchical organizations with such as Google Earth. One captured al- designated leaders to affiliations of semi- Qa`ida computer, for example, contained Second, while it is imperative to better independent cells that have no single engineering and structural architecture defend our societies against terrorism, we commanding hierarchy.3 By utilizing the features of a dam, which had been must not in the process erode the qualities internet, these loosely interconnected downloaded from the internet and which and values that make our societies worth groups are able to maintain contact with “would enable al-Qa`ida engineers defending. The use of advanced techniques one another and with members of other and planners to simulate catastrophic to search, monitor, track and analyze terrorist groups. These different groups failures.”4 In November 2005, one al- communications carries inherent dangers. use the internet not only to exchange Qa`ida website, al-Firdaws, posted Although such technologies might prove ideas and suggestions, but also to share instructions on how to make nuclear helpful in the fight against cyber-terrorism practical information about constructing dirty and biological bombs.5 The manual and internet-savvy jihadists, they would also bombs, establishing cells and executing contained 80 pages of instructions and hand participating governments, especially attacks. was dedicated as a “gift to the commander authoritarian governments and agencies of the jihad fighters, Shaykh Usama bin with little public accountability, tools with By sharing information with other terrorist Ladin, for the purpose of jihad for the which to violate civil liberties domestically groups, al-Qa`ida became the “Jihad’s sake of Allah.”6 The website received and abroad. The long-term implications Franchise” by using the internet to connect some 57,000 hits.7 could be damaging for democracies and terrorist groups ranging from Algeria’s their values, adding a heavy price in terms Armed Islamic Group (and later the Salafist Al-Qa`ida and other terrorist groups also of diminished civil liberties to the high toll Group for Preaching and Combat) to use the internet for fundraising. Al-Qa`ida’s exacted by terrorism itself. Pakistan’s Jaysh-i-Muhammad, Chechen global fundraising network includes rebels, Iraqi insurgents or the al-Qa`ida charities, non-governmental organizations Dr. Gabriel Weimann is a Full Professor of cells in Indonesia and Lebanon. and other financial institutions that use Communication at Haifa University, Israel and a websites and internet-based chat rooms former Senior Fellow at the United States Institute The Operational Uses and forums. The internet can be used not of Peace, Washington, D.C. He has written widely Al-Qa`ida is also using the internet only to solicit donations from sympathizers, on modern terrorism, political campaigns, and for operational purposes. After losing but also to recruit and mobilize supporters the mass media. His recent book, Terror on the Afghanistan as a sanctuary and country Internet: The New Arena, the New Challenges, in which to train, thousands of training 4 Ibid. was published in April 2006. manuals and documents were posted online. 5 Uzi Mahnaimi and Tom Walker, “Al-Qaeda Woos These documents range from instructions Recruits with Nuclear Bomb Website,” Sunday Times [London], November 6, 2005. 3 Gabriel Weimann, How Modern Terrorism Uses the In- 6 Ibid. ternet (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Institute of Peace, 2004). 7 Ibid.

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Al-Qa`ida’s “MySpace”: arrangements had been brokered on his forum. Months later, in March 2005, his behalf (over e-mail), the Moroccan became fate became clear when another Sudanese Terrorist Recruitment on ecstatic and gloated, national broke the news to the community the Internet on Muntada al-Ansar: “Allahu Akhbar…O’ Praise be to Allah, we are going to go in brothers, I have just come from the house of By Evan F. Kohlmann over there at the time when the Shaykh our brother Zaman al-Hawan…[he] executed Usama has given the official attestation the martyrdom operation in Ba`quba last it has been clearly established that to the amir [Zarqawi]…The timing Wednesday, may Allah accept him.” Phone terrorist organizations have adopted couldn’t be better for us!!!…it is serious, numbers were posted for Rahman’s father unusual and innovative ways of using we have taken the bags [and] we can’t and brother back in Sudan so that users could cutting-edge online technologies to expand go back.2 contact them and offer their congratulations.5 their movements. Al-Qa`ida’s principal A well-known face on the forum—Saqr media wing, al-Sahab Media Production, These men were far from being alone. al-Jihad al-Afriqi (The African Falcon of has recently released a flood of new audio Another frequent participant on Muntada al- Jihad)—offered more details about the final and video recordings over Arabic-language Ansar was a young Sudanese national named moments of Rahman’s life: internet chat forums, and has even solicited Hassan Abdel Rahman. On the web, Rahman open questions from forum participants had assumed the nickname Zaman al-Hawan Twelve minutes before the operation to be addressed by al-Qa`ida’s second-in- (The Era of Shame)—a decision which was in Ba`quba, he called his family and command, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Yet, while explained his intentions. He told them much time and thought has been dedicated “The notion that even the that, in 15 minutes, news of his death to studying the physical content broadcast would be delivered to them—and then over these chat forums, there has been al-Ekhlaas forum elite were he vanished in the cause of Allah… far less attention focused on studying the setting forth on their own Twenty minutes later, another brother individual users who populate them. In fact, called his father to inform him of his during the past three years, these extremist personal jihad missions son’s departure to meet the virgins of forums have not only been used as a cover was particularly inspiring paradise. for al-Qa`ida’s propaganda war, but have evolved into a disturbing MySpace-like to other members.” Even senior Muntada al-Ansar social-networking hub for homegrown administrators contributed eulogies in extremists around the world intent on honor of Rahman, such as the notorious Saif becoming the next generation of terrorists, al-Islam al-Athari. In an open address to his hijackers and even suicide bombers. inspired by the title of an article published departed comrade, al-Athari mourned, in al-Qa`ida’s Sawt al-Jihad online magazine. Muntada al-Ansar’s Role in Recruitment Rahman first registered on the Ansar forum you left people behind you heartbroken Arguably, no single such forum has in April 2004; in only seven months, he and went to achieve martyrdom. We achieved greater infamy than the now- authored at least 178 different messages. thank Allah, the Islamic nation, the defunct Muntada al-Ansar (The Supporters Later, one of his comrades on the forum mujahidin, and all of the supporters Forum)—the brainchild of, among others, wrote about him, stating, “Zaman al-Hawan of jihad for inspiring you…May Allah a 21-year-old resident of London, Younis was a hero of Islam who used to write in these accept you in paradise.6 Tsouli (known as “Terrorist 007”). The forums, just like the rest of us…at first, he sat Ansar forum’s user database included an still and stayed behind, until Allah called him Indeed, forum administrators such as al- elite assortment of recruiters from multiple to join his brothers.”3 In June 2004, Rahman Athari were eagerly encouraging faithful terrorist organizations affiliated with al- posted a note on the forum which admonished users to follow the path of online martyrs Qa`ida, including the actual head of Abu fellow Muntada al-Ansar users, like Hassan Abdel Rahman. In August 2005, Mus`ab al-Zarqawi’s media wing, Abu Saif al-Islam al-Athari was again the one Maysarah al-Iraqi. Under the careful watch who will step forward to defend the who broke the “good news” to Muntada al- of Tsouli—and with the assistance of such honor of Muslim women? O’ young Ansar users about a “meeting of Ansar forum figures as Abu Maysarah—the Ansar forum men of Muhammad, men of al- members” inside Iraq: became a virtual matchmaking service for Tawhid…arise and aid your Muslim budding Islamic militants searching for sisters in Iraq now that their honor This story is fascinating and emotional a path to jihad, and particularly for the has been assaulted by the filthy because it is closely linked to…the emerging mujahidin frontline in Iraq. In Christians…Where is your pride? Ansar forum…One of our brothers who December 2004—in private messages sent Where are all the real men?4 was a member on the Ansar forum and over the Ansar forum—a user from Morocco was originally from a country adjacent contacted Tsouli and begged him for help in In November 2004, at the height of the to Iraq decided to leave and fight in the establishing direct contact with Zarqawi’s second battle for control of Falluja in Iraq, cause of Allah. Allah made it possible network in Iraq: “I want to remind you that Rahman suddenly disappeared from the for him to meet with an additional five we would like to depart to the land of jihad. brothers from other countries who had We await your call as though on the hottest Court, London, prosecution exhibit FK-5, 2007. all come to fight in the cause of Allah… 1 of embers.” Upon learning that his travel 2 Ibid. 3 Posted on www.inn4news.net, April 19, 2005. 5 Posted on www.ekhlaas.com, March 24, 2005. 1 Regina v. Tsouli, Daour and Mughal, Woolwich Crown 4 Posted on www.inn4news.net, April 19, 2005. 6 Posted on www.inn4news.net, April 19, 2005.

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Later, after talking with one another, may all of us meet in paradise. You brothers is indeed a hard thing to do…I they all realized that they were fellow should keep on the path of jihad and do would like to thank you personally… users on the Ansar forum, and that not forget to pray for us. All I ask you, the brothers in al-Nusrah forum. I also made them very happy. They began dear brothers, is to pray to Allah that I send my regards to…all al-Ekhlaas crying and their love for Allah may achieve martyrdom.8 forum members. I promise you that I increased…I also inform you that will fight every infidel and crusader, one of the brothers who is a member The notion that even the al-Ekhlaas forum and may Allah grant us martyrdom. on the Ansar forum will soon rejoin elite were setting forth on their own personal I also inform you that our brother his beloved comrades in the land jihad missions was particularly inspiring Mujahid 1988 is safe and sound, praise of jihad and martyrdom, the land to other members. Mujahid 1988’s initial be to Allah for his blessing.10 of Mesopotamia, and he will also farewell received a torrent of responses from participate in a suicide operation.7 other users. A second administrator wrote Conclusion back, In the same way that traditional terrorist Muntada al-Ansar’s Legacy training camps once served as beacons for Unfortunately, the shuttering of Muntada Allahu Akhbar…believe me, my friend, would-be jihadists, online support forums al-Ansar in late 2005 and the subsequent the words are frozen in my mouth as I such as Muntada al-Ansar and al-Ekhlaas arrest and conviction of Younis Tsouli stammer and do not know what to say. now operate as black holes in cyber- have done almost nothing to deter this I am happy and sad at the same time, space, drawing in and indoctrinating disturbing trend. In the wake of the Ansar joyful for you and for all the mujahidin, sympathetic recruits, teaching them basic forum’s disappearance, other online chat and pleased because you have put your military skills and providing a web of venues have taken over and, once again, knowledge into action and you were social contacts that bridges directly into are serving as an active recruiting ground not merely content with staying on the the ranks of al-Qa`ida. Rather than simply internet forums without entering the using the web as a weapon to destroy the “This is the hidden dark real world, where killings and death infrastructure of their enemies, al-Qa`ida truly are. is using it instead as a logistical tool to side of online social- revolutionize the process of terrorist networking—as a virtual Other users offered a chorus of prayers that enlistment and training. Ironically, Mujahid 1988 be granted martyrdom “and these chat forums are based on the same factory for the production receive it in a hail of bullets.”9 viral methodology behind the success of of terrorists.” many contemporary American high-tech The example set by Mujahid 1988 was a enterprises. This is the hidden dark side powerful signal to other aspiring cyber- of online social-networking—as a virtual terrorists about the necessity of gathering factory for the production of terrorists. for al-Qa`ida—including the ubiquitous useful information over the internet and then al-Ekhlaas forum. Although the al- “putting it to good use” on the battlefields Evan F. Kohlmann is an NBC News terrorism Ekhlaas site has actually been in existence of the mujahidin. One such user was a analyst and a senior investigator at the since the era of Muntada al-Ansar, it has North African militant operating under the Nine Eleven Finding Answers (NEFA) particularly gained in public prominence pseudonym Abu al-Hijja al-Maghribi. In Foundation. He has served at various times and notoriety during the last year, as other his various posts on the al-Ekhlaas forum, as a private consultant in terrorism matters similar sites have been forced to deal with Abu al-Hijja explored a range of topics— for the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. intermittent service blackouts. Al-Ekhlaas including sharing ideas for new graphic Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau has become so sophisticated that it now designs with al-Qa`ida fighters in Iraq and of Investigation, the Office of the High posts slick, animated advertisements for discussing the best methods to destroy U.S. Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, upcoming recordings of Usama bin Ladin Apache helicopters and Abrams tanks. the Australian Federal Police, Central and Ayman al-Zawahiri. As such, it serves After a curious absence, he reappeared in Scotland Police, the UK Crown Prosecution as one of al-Qa`ida’s most important public November 2007 with a message titled, “The Service and Scotland Yard’s SO-15 Counter mouthpieces. Will of Brother Abu al-Hijja al-Maghribi, Terrorism Command. Mr. Kohlmann holds Member of the al-Ekhlaas Forum”: a degree in International Politics from the In late May 2007, a widely-admired Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service administrator on the al-Ekhlaas forum— Dear brothers…I did go suddenly to (Georgetown University) and a J.D. from the using the handle “Mujahid 1988”—posted a Iraq, praise be to Allah for his blessing. University of Pennsylvania Law School. He new message, declaring, The brothers here have allowed me to is also the recipient of a certificate in Islamic get on the internet for one hour and I studies from the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal I say goodbye to you, I loved you all. have used it to send a message to you Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding Dear brothers, I say farewell to you all. I am full of happiness for coming (CMCU) at Georgetown University. and I thank Allah who has enabled all here and…I am a member in all the of us to follow the path of jihad. I am jihadist forums under various names…I filled with joy. Soon my humble will, ask Allah to use these forums to glorify that I sent a few days ago to one of the Islam…Saying farewell to all of you brothers, shall be posted to you all… 8 Posted on www.ekhlaas.ws, May 31, 2007. 7 Posted on www.ansary.info, August 21, 2005. 9 Posted on www.ekhlaas.ws, May 31, 2007. 10 Posted on www.ekhlaas.ws, November 15, 2007.

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Combating Terrorism Operationalizing Ideology and Framing or movement. In fact, the history Although the concept of framing of social movements—including al- Through a Counter- processes as applied to social movements Qa`ida5—reveals that specific ideological Framing Strategy is widely understood, surprisingly a components may not even be understood common conception of what constitutes by all adherents nor articulated publicly. By Robert Wesley “ideology” does not exist. In general These facts problematize a purely counter- terms, the framing process refers to how ideological approach. It is also true—and ideology is of great importance to an organization or movement articulates especially so in respect to the conflict understanding all social movements, its beliefs and strategy with the view of against the jihadist movement—that and the global jihadist movement is no mobilizing support. The framing process individuals and organizations of many exception. Indeed, many policymakers and approach developed by David A. Snow types and orientations may share a broader terrorism analysts have emphasized the et al. was itself borrowed from John cultural ideology and yet disagree over significance of ideology for determining Wilson’s deconstruction of ideology, collective action processes. For example, the outcome of the current conflict. using the concepts of diagnosis, prognosis there are numerous relatively peaceful Unfortunately, however, neither the and rationale.2 Therefore, what is the Muslim political, religious and social conceptual intricacies nor the methods of difference between the related concepts organizations, as well as individuals, who analysis for a counter-ideology approach of ideologies and frames designed to subscribe to general Salafist ideological have been usefully articulated. Although mobilize collective action? Although both tenets yet denounce violence as a form of it is true that ideology plays a major role concepts involve the value and belief expression or strategy. These facts further in the communicative, mobilizing and systems of an organization or movement, support the pursuance of an approach indoctrinative aspects of this conflict, there are important distinctions that need that negates these inconsistencies by focusing counter-movement strategies to be elaborated in order to provide a focusing on the communicative links around “countering ideology” is probably sound foundation for developing counter- between organizational leaders and not the most promising vector of influence strategies. potential adherents, thereby forgoing the for Western state-level efforts. risk of getting bogged down in detailed Pamela Oliver and Hank Johnston provide ideological discourse—an area of which This article presents some introductory a rough distinction, writing that “framing Western governments have shown little argumentation found in a larger study on points to process, while ideology points competence. improving analytical methodologies for to content.”3 Robert Benford and Snow combating the global jihadist movement.1 elaborate further, mentioning that ideology Indeed, the framing approach encompasses Governments should distinguish between can refer to a ideological developments, while moving the ideological tenets and framing beyond the mere description of their details practices of the jihadist movement, fairly pervasive and integrated to elaborate the process of how these while concentrating on the latter to more set of beliefs and values that have developments are used for the benefit of efficaciously influence the protracted considerable staying power… organizational or movemental growth. nature of the conflict. This distinction is In contrast, collective action The framing process also reaches beyond an essential prerequisite to formulating frames function as innovative pure ideological discourse to include a comprehensive and methodologically- amplifications and extensions of, or the strategic and interactive practices of sound grand strategy. The counter- antidotes to, existing ideologies or movement adherents and their audiences framing approach essentially provides a components of them. Accordingly, such as potential supporters, governments set of concepts that allows both the analyst ideology functions as both a and rival organizations. and policymaker to better understand constraint and resource in relation how to reduce mobilization to both the to framing processes and collective An Argument for Counter-Framing ideology and the strategy of al-Qa`ida action frames.4 There is clearly a complex and dynamic by influencing the connectivity between interactive process within the jihadist content and audience. It also should be mentioned that movement that necessitates a specific ideologies, or specific value and belief analytical framework. It is fair to say that Before addressing the differing potential sets, are not necessarily homogeneously for the jihadist movement, in everything is approaches to countering mobilization accepted throughout an organization ideology, yet not everything is pure ideology. to the ideas and strategy of al-Qa`ida or To describe this intricate dynamic, the the jihadist movement, it is helpful to 2 David A. Snow, E. Burke Rochford Jr., Steven K. framing perspective is immensely useful. touch on the definitional, congruency Worden and Robert D. Benford, “Frame Alignment and differentiating aspects of the related Processes, Micromobalization and Movement Participa- Analysis of ideology can determine what concepts of ideology and framing as tion,” American Sociological Review 51:4 (1986); John specific ideological developments have conceptualized in social movement theory. Wilson, Introduction to Social Movements (New York: occurred, but there is no current framework This is the first step to understanding the Basic Books, 1973). (or methodology) from which to analyze difference between a counter-ideological 3 Pamela E. Oliver and Hank Johnston, “What a Good why these developments matter. Framing and a counter-framing approach. Idea! Frames and Ideologies in Social Movement Re- analysis also helps better explain the search,” Mobilization 5:1 (2000). 4 Robert D. Benford and David A. Snow, “Framing 5 See, for example, Vahid Brown, Cracks in the Founda- 1 The author is currently writing a monograph on fram- Processes and Social Movements: An Overview and As- tion: Leadership Schisms in al-Qa`ida from 1989-2006 ing analysis and counter-strategies. sessment,” Annual Review of Sociology (2000). (West Point, NY: Combating Terrorism Center, 2007).

10 January 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 process of ideological interactions—“how” there is a much higher potential to crucial component of this conflict for both and “why” efforts were successful or disrupt the resonance of the message for the jihadists and those wishing to minimize unsuccessful. Furthermore, it is not always these ideas and acceptance of the violent their success. possible to empirically observe ideological strategy designed to achieve them. activities. As Snow and Benford point out, Al-Qa`ida and the jihadist movement’s such activities could in fact be “mentalistic In conflicts where ideology plays a leading recruitment and radicalization practices or cognitive” in nature, and thus difficult to role, the ideas and broader ideologies provide additional evidence of the assess.6 involved can linger well beyond the importance of strategic framing activities cessation of violence, and thus the to the vitality of the organization Distinguishing between the interactive primary objective for any such strategy and movement. Recruits who join al- processes of framing and ideological should be focused firstly on the removal Qa`ida-linked groups have generally development is essential to understanding or minimization of violent components. undergone some sort of ideological the communication processes of the Part of this strategy entails disruption of indoctrination process, many times in jihadist movement and al-Qa`ida proper. the further organizational development the form of classroom or camp-type To be sure, the movement is dependent of al-Qa`ida from a network into a larger environments, where doctrinal growth on its ideological foundations to maintain movement. The second component of the can be closely controlled. In more strategy is to constrict mobilization of constrained operational environments adherents to the network of organizations. such as those in Europe, smaller groups “Part of this strategy This study argues that the best way of of peers—many times led by a more entails disruption of the minimizing mobilization is to influence the experienced “guide”—become an initial linkages between organization members orientational community for potential further organizational and potential mobilized adherents. These recruits.8 Evidence from arrests in Spain development of al-Qa`ida linkages are many, but most promisingly and elsewhere in Europe indicate that are the communication practices of the strategic communications materials such from a network into a movement—specifically the relative salience as videos and literature were of central larger movement.” and resonance of frames. importance to the acceptance of jihadist ideology and strategy—or diagnostic and Furthermore, there are additional prognostic frames.9 indicators that suggest a predominately cohesiveness in spite of its decentralized ideology-focused approach is less The fact that many recruits have structure. It is also dependent on an active encouraging. We can see from viewing attempted to join jihadist groups communications program that places a the historical development of al-Qa`ida without fully subscribing to or fully heavy emphasis on core framing activities and the jihadist movement that this understanding jihadist ideology strongly to articulate its ideological foundations process of ideological development occurs indicates that an ideological conversion while mobilizing additional and essential gradually. Since this process is based on a has not yet fully taken root. Since this support. somewhat—but still interpretative—pre- “radicalization” process can take place structured religious system, the process at a later stage after initial enlistment One of the objectives of the study from is less dynamic than the prognostic or exploration, it seems axiomatic that which this article is adopted is to provide a framing and alignment activities of the mobilization is not necessarily based on a framework for monitoring and influencing organizations involved. It also seems to purely ideological acceptance, but rather the success of the jihadist movement’s be much less malleable and much more on the successful mobilization result of communication practices and by extension consistent over time. either the framing processes of human the longevity of the overall conflict. At this operatives or of the more general framing juncture there is no existing analytical The prospect of influencing intra- processes of the wider communications framework in open literature for movemental ideological change is efforts—such as the so-called “Media understanding jihadist communications probably low at the current stage in the Jihad.” Indeed, evidence from internet in the context of their effectiveness. This conflict. Although this article is primarily chat rooms and other sources indicate study does not argue that ideology and its concerned with Western state-level that a level of mobilization (both mental analysis can be ignored, but rather that activities, it should be mentioned that and physical alignment) for the jihadist viewing the prospects for Western state- local authorities in predominately Muslim conflict theatres have occurred through level interventional activities through countries (such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia communication efforts. These trends a counter-ideological lens is much less and Indonesia) have had some success are yet another strong indication that promising in terms of its success than an in “encouraging” imprisoned leaders to the framing process—especially through approach that focuses on framing analysis revise the ideological foundations of their 7 and its influence. Influencing potential organizations. Although it is important to 8 See, for example, Daniel Fried, U.S. Senate Subcom- acceptance and adherence to an ideology analyze ideological developments, without mittee Testimony, April 5, 2006; Edwin Bakker, “Jihadi is difficult from a distance. In contrast, an active framing process the movement Terrorists in Europe: Their Characteristics and the Cir- would not grow and mobilization would cumstances in which they Joined the Jihad,” Clingendael 6 David A. Snow and Robert D. Benford, “Clarifying prove difficult. Thus, framing analysis is a Security Paper, December 2006. the Relationship Between Framing and Ideology in the 9 See, for example, Javier Jordan and Robert Wesley, Study of Social Movements: A Comment on Oliver and 7 Examples of notable leaders include Sayyid Imam and “The Threat of Grassroots Jihadi Networks: A Case Johnston,” Mobilization 5:1 (2000). Najih Ibrahim. Study from Ceuta, Spain,” Terrorism Monitor 1:3 (2007).

11 January 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 strategic communications—is a vital link Partner or Spoiler: The “illegitimate and unjust.”1 The group argues between the movement and its potential that the ultimate goal of U.S. policy in Iraq supporters. Case of the Islamic Army is to plunder Iraq’s wealth and advance in Iraq the “Crusader-Zionist” plot to divide the Conclusion umma and subdue the great nation of Iraq. It is important to emphasize the By Pascale Combelles Siegel As a result, the IAI consistently claims that inextricable relationship between “repelling the Western Crusader-Zionist ideology and the framing process for a the islamic army in iraq (iai) is often campaign” is its top priority. To illustrate movement. For this reason, this study referred to as an Islamist-nationalist its commitment to this proclaimed goal, the does not argue that one analytical or policy organization fighting to secure a space for IAI releases daily rosters of attack claims approach should be discarded completely Sunnis in the post-Saddam political era. against coalition forces. in favor of another. What this study does The subtext of this view is that the IAI is argue is that for Western authorities an insurgent organization with which the The IAI is no less harsh on the current wishing to impact the longevity of this U.S. and Iraqi governments can possibly Iraqi government. Applying its own conflict, a strategy needs to be developed reconcile to move toward a peaceful post- version of the fruit of the poisoned tree, that is focused on the linkages that enable Saddam era. Recurring rumors of informal the IAI unequivocally opposes the Iraqi the jihadist movement to sustain itself negotiations between the IAI and U.S. government. Indeed, because the current over the long-term. It is thus important government representatives and evidence of government was established under to develop a method for assessing the IAI military engagement against al-Qa`ida in rules decided by the United States, it success of this interactive process between Iraq have reinforced the image of the IAI as a has no legitimacy. In May 2007, the IAI the movement and potential adherents “reasonable insurgent.” subscribed to the political program of the as well as providing a framework for RJF, which states: influencing this interactive dynamic. This image, however, does not comport with Such an integrated analytical/policy the group’s public statements. Through a We do not recognize the constitution feedback approach does not functionally series of pronouncements during the past which was written during the time of exist. The counter-framing approach year, the IAI does not appear as a moderate the occupiers...We do not recognize provides the most accurate and thorough Islamist-nationalist organization willing to any political games starting [sic] by method for optimizing grand strategy to compromise in order to be reintegrated into the ill-reputed Bremer’s council up better identify areas of opportunity for to his sectarian agent, al-Maliki... influence, while importantly providing “The IAI castigates the We do not recognize the sectarian a feedback mechanism to determine the elections or what it was based on... effectiveness of the efforts of both sides of Shi`a as ‘polytheists,’ calls We do not recognize any treaty or any the conflict. Shi`a political leaders agreement held by these consecutive governments.2 Robert Wesley is Director of the Terrorism ‘Safawis’ and characterizes Research Initiative and Editor of the journal the ISF as ‘apostates.’” The IAI also accuses the Iraqi government Perspectives on Terrorism, which can be of being sectarian and serving the interests accessed at www.terrorismanalysts.com. He has of Iraqi Shi`a at the expense of Sunnis. published and continues to lead studies on violence Therefore, in October 2007, the IAI in Islamist ideology, counter-terrorism, Middle the post-Saddam political system, but rather characterized the Iraqi government as Eastern affairs and nuclear and radiological as a rejectionist group seeking to make a “bringing to the Sunni nothing but misery, terrorism. He has worked closely with national blank slate of the current system in favor of torture and displacement.”3 In particular, the governments, international organizations and a new political arrangement solely designed IAI routinely accuses the Iraqi government the private sector on these issues. This article is by the Iraqis based on Shari`a. These of covering the nefarious activities of Shi`a based on an ongoing study into jihadist framing tenets of the IAI’s ideology have become militias (the Badr Corps and the Mahdi analysis and counter-strategies. The views those of the larger fronts in which the IAI Army) and of using the Iraqi Security Forces expressed in this article are those of the author is participating: the Reformation and Jihad (ISF) for campaigns of Sunni brutalization. and are not of any affiliated organization. Front (RJF) and the Political Council of the As a consequence, the IAI proposes to Iraqi Resistance (PCIR). “reconstruct the Iraqi government on a just basis with a government of professionals.” In A Rejectionist Political Platform short, the IAI argues for a coup d’état against In a string of statements released during the elected government. the past few months, the IAI (like the fronts it joined, the RJF and the PCIR) has repeatedly reaffirmed its opposition to the presence of coalition forces in Iraq, the Iraqi 1 Islamic Army in Iraq, “Jihad and Reformation Front government and the post-Saddam political Establishing Statement,” press communiqué, English system. The IAI decries the occupation version, May 3, 2007. of Iraq as an “act of aggression,” both 2 Ibid. 3 Islamic Army in Iraq, “Press Statement on the State- ment of a Member of al-Maliki’s Government,” press communiqué, English version, September 17, 2007.

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Additionally, the IAI rejects the current body calls Shi`a political leaders “Safawis” and informal talks with the U.S. government. of legislation that underpins the present characterizes the ISF as “apostates.” All of In addition, the group has seemingly political system. The IAI put it plainly in May these references are negatively connoted. In been endeared to U.S. goals by publicly 2007 when it pledged: Islam, polytheists are considered infidels and physically clashing with the ISI because their venerating multiple divinities since mid-2007. Indeed, the IAI publicly We do not recognize any treaty or any directly contradicts with the Islamic denounced the ISI for committing crimes agreement held by these consecutive principle of the unicity of God. Salafi-jihadi against other mujahidin and for trying governments…We do not recognize ideologues have argued that the Shi`a to submit other groups to its control. the constitution which was written are polytheists because they venerate the Subsequently, IAI members have attacked during the time of the occupiers and twelve imams. The term Safawi refers to the ISI strongholds in Anbar Province and we do not recognize any bill that Persian empire of the 16th to 18th centuries Baghdad.7 It is possible that if the IAI opposes the Shari`a of Allah.4 that extended well into modern Iraq (Basra, were able to achieve power, it would Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad). The connotation adopt a more secular and non-sectarian The IAI went even further in its rejectionist here is that Iraqi Shi`a are outside the approach to governing. approach in the PCIR political platform, bounds of both the Islamic and national stating: “There is no Shari`a legitimacy (Iraqi) community. The characterization The significance of these developments, for any constitution, any ruling regime of bona fide Iraqi Shi`a political parties however, should not be overstated. First, or law which was legislated during the as “Safawis” is intended to cast doubt on the informal talks have not borne fruit. occupation.”5 Practically, these statements the legitimacy and allegiance of millions According to public accounts of the deny the democratic legitimacy of the current of Iraqi Shi`a, intrinsically suspected of discussions, the IAI posed unacceptable political process. They also imply that there betraying Iraq’s best interests to further conditions for engaging in official their supposed sectarian interests. negotiations. These include setting a “More generally, IAI timetable for a U.S. troop withdrawal, the More generally, IAI propaganda is replete recognition of the Iraqi Islamic resistance propaganda is replete with with Salafist references. French journalists as the sole legitimate representative of the Salafist references.” Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot, Iraqi people and the trial of all officials who were taken hostage by the IAI in 2004, involved in murders or corruption since testified to the radical ideology underpinning the occupation. Second, the IAI’s conflict the group. “References to ‘Chief Osama’ with the ISI should not be misconstrued is an inherent and irrepressible contradiction abounded…and there was much talk of living and it seems that it does not mean a between Shari`a-based and Western-based by Muslim law,” said Chesnot upon returning complete rejection of the tenets of the legislations. Pushed to its logical conclusion, from 124 days in captivity. His colleague, ISI. In the past few months, the IAI has the IAI stance means that what comes from Malbrunot, concurred: the West must be, by definition, anti-Islamic. They are adamant jihadists, “Indeed, the IAI publicly The IAI does not limit itself to criticizing convinced that they are waging war denounced the ISI for the current political system. To to defend the Muslim faith against the demonstrate its commitment to changing West. There was a lot of talk about committing crimes against that system, the IAI routinely attacks Chief Osama, references to Chechnya other mujahidin and for Iraqi government targets, principally ISF and how the Muslim world is fighting members and facilities. It also encourages the Western world in Chechnya, trying to submit other Sunni politicians who have opted for a Pakistan and Afghanistan.6 groups to its control.” reintegration strategy to withdraw their support. The IAI’s stance regarding those Perhaps more importantly, these Sunnis involved in the political process only references are also those of the ISI and confirms this hypothesis. The IAI praised the Salafi-jihadi community that support called on “all those who believe...[who] the Iraqi Accordance Front for leaving the al-Qa`ida and its affiliates around the conform to Islamic rule…[and] who do government in July, but condemned Vice world. not wage war against others” to unite President Tariq al-Hashimi for meeting and work together.8 Considering its past with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Divergences Between IAI and ISI expressed positions against the Shi`a, Nevertheless, the IAI could be using it is not a stretch to hypothesize that the A Radical Discourse this ideological framework to gain and IAI is actually offering an olive branch to The IAI does not shy away from using Salafist maintain support for its actions as the IAI the ISI if it stops coercing other insurgent fundamentalist and sectarian references, retains very different political goals than groups under its control and killing other akin to those used by the Islamic State of Iraq the ISI. The IAI does not, for example, mujahidin. (ISI), al-Qa`ida’s affiliate in the country. The claim to have an internationalist agenda. IAI castigates the Shi`a as “polytheists,” It has been regularly rumored that the 7 For a detailed description of the relationship between IAI has established contacts with U.S. the ISI and the IAI, see Evan F. Kohlmann, “State of the 4 Islamic Army in Iraq, “Jihad and Reformation Front representatives and that it has engaged in Sunni Insurgency in Iraq: August 2007,” The NEFA Establishing Statement,” press communiqué, English Foundation, August 2007. version, May 3, 2007. 6 Jody K. Biehl, “Four Months on Planet Bin Laden,” 8 Islamic Army in Iraq, “A Call to the Honorable Na- 5 The announcement was reported by al-Jazira. Spiegel Online, January 21, 2005. tion,” press communiqué, October 19, 2007.

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Conclusion The Challenge of Islamist a Muslim-majority but was ruled by a Hindu The radical Islamism rhetoric that the IAI maharaja. This violence bred a foundational uses might have a long-term pernicious Militancy in India enmity between India and Pakistan that has effect. Whether or not the IAI leadership continued for six decades. Further wars in adheres to or simply uses the radical By Paul Staniland 1965 and 1971 and the development of nuclear Islamism rhetoric to gain exposure and weapons by both states hardened this support, its mere use may facilitate IAI’s islamist militant organizations have “conflict unending.”2 foot soldiers passage to international targeted India for more than a decade. jihadism in the future. The IAI’s followers Bombings have bloodied the sprawling For the purposes of understanding the recent will have received in Iraq an ideological metropolises of Delhi, Mumbai and wave of Islamist terrorism within India, the formation into Islamist radicalism, Hyderabad, as well as smaller cities and year 1989 marked an important moment. It accepting some of the fundamental towns throughout India. Dramatic attacks was then that a serious insurgency erupted premises of al-Qa`ida’s ideology. Among have also hit the historic Red Fort in Delhi, in Kashmir led by Kashmiris seeking these premises are the belief that the the Indian Parliament and Kashmir’s state independence, the Jammu and Kashmir Sunni community is being wronged and assembly. Police and paramilitaries stand Liberation Front (JKLF). This rebellion was under threat from a supposed “Crusader- permanent guard outside government backed by Pakistan, which began supplying Zionist” complot; that those declared buildings, popular tourist sites and crowded arms and training in large quantities to non-believers can and should be attacked; markets, while terrorism alerts have become that armed struggle is the way to redress familiar headlines. For an India experiencing “The glories of past Mughal these torts; and that the Qur’an and sunna unprecedented economic growth, Islamist provide the answers to most questions. terrorism is a grim reminder of South Asia’s dominance combined bitter divisions. with broader Islamist Even if the IAI does not seek to export its jihad outside of Iraq officially or does not As with much of the political violence that ideologies, creating a South seek to restore the caliphate in the Middle has roiled the subcontinent, a corrosive Asian jihadist milieu.” East (key strategic differences with the mixture of external and domestic causes ISI), its demobilized foot soldiers, rich of lie behind this terrorist threat. Pakistan’s battlefield experience and molded into a sponsorship of militant groups fighting in rather radical brand of Salafism, might be Kashmir has allowed these organizations to individuals and organizations fighting primed for rolling over into international build their capabilities for pushing violence in Kashmir.3 Drawing on the lessons of jihadism. The IAI might not be using into the Indian heartland. At home, a small Afghanistan in the 1980s, Pakistan’s Inter- the terms “Zionist-Crusader complot” but sufficient proportion of Indian Muslims Services Intelligence (ISI) believed that or “takfiris” or “Shari`a” in exactly the appear to have been radicalized by vicious it could bleed India while safely shielded same sense as al-Qa`ida’s Usama bin anti-Muslim riots instigated and enabled behind Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Ladin and Ayman al-Zawahiri, but by by nationalist Hindu politicians. While using a similar vocabulary the IAI might the vast majority of the 140 million Indian The JKLF was quickly marginalized by ultimately facilitate the passage to a more Muslims have no interest in militancy, its own organizational failures, Indian extreme interpretation. In the end, al- a driven few believe that there can be counter-insurgency strategy and Pakistani Qa`ida is likely to be the benefactor of no justice or security for Muslims in a dissatisfaction with the JKLF’s pro- this confusion. “Hindu Raj.” This combination presents a independence ideology. A more disciplined, multilayered challenge to an Indian state pro-Pakistan group rose to the fore built Pascale Combelles Siegel is president of lacking the resources of its richer peers and around the infrastructure of the Jamaat-i- Insight Through Analysis, an independent beset by serious challenges of development Islami political party—the Hizb al-Mujahidin. consultancy company based in McLean, and governance. Hizb al-Mujahidin carried the banners of VA. Her research focuses on information Islam and Kashmir in the early and mid- operations (mainly public affairs, Background to Today’s Violence 1990s, but largely restricted its violence to psychological operations, military-media When British India was partitioned in 1947, the confines of the Indian-administered state relations and public diplomacy) and millions left their homes amidst chaos and of Jammu and Kashmir. civil-military relations. Mrs. Combelles carnage—Hindus and Sikhs fled from the Siegel is currently involved in analyzing newly-formed Pakistan into India, and many Indian counter-insurgency efforts expanded the information dimension of terrorism Muslims abandoned the historic core of the apace, containing, though not eliminating, 1 and counter-terrorism strategies and in Mughal Empire in north India. The riots and the Hizb al-Mujahidin. In the mid- and monitoring Iraqi insurgents’ propaganda. massacres of partition were quickly followed late-1990s, militant organizations with a She has conducted numerous post-conflict by a full-scale war over the disputed princely dominantly Pakistani recruiting base began to analyses, including a review of the Pentagon’s state of Jammu and Kashmir—situated between the two new countries—which had embedding policy and information operations 2 Sumit Ganguly, Conflict Unending: India-Pakistan during Iraqi Freedom (2004) and an analysis Tensions Since 1947 (New York: Columbia University of American sensitivities toward military 1 Two recent overviews of partition are: Yasmin Khan, Press, 2001). casualties (2002). The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan 3 Stephen P. Cohen, The Idea of Pakistan (Washington, (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2007); Stanley D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2004), pp. 53-4; Wolpert, Shameful Flight: The Last Years of the British Em- Owen Bennett-Jones, Pakistan: Eye of the Storm (New pire in India (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006). Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2002), pp. 86-91.

14 January 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 take up an increasingly prominent role in the India’s Muslims have also been influenced have been widely seen as retaliation for the Kashmir conflict.4 Harkat-ul-Mujahidin and by tolerant strands of Islam, born of the anti-Muslim riots and were committed by Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, soon followed by Jaysh-i- subcontinent’s exposure to numerous faiths Muslims of a variety of backgrounds.12 The Muhammad, were based heavily in Pakistan and sects over centuries. This diversity has murderous backlash against the Hindu and had ties to groups in Afghanistan; provided an important check on radicalism, as nationalists’ fusing of politics and violence Harkat-ul-Mujahidin and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba has the ability of Muslims to become involved had begun. The overwhelming majority of had been formed to fight in Afghanistan and in India’s democratic politics as candidates, Muslims abhorred terrorism, but some were consequently shifted attention to Kashmir. workers and government employees. The willing to turn to death and fear themselves. They had more expansive aims than either Muslim population has not historically the JKLF or Hizb al-Mujahidin, both of which proved a source of violent radicalism or The late 1990s saw a slow and partial drew the bulk of their cadres from Kashmir support for Pakistan-backed militants.8 merging of these two dynamics—a conflict in itself. The new wave of powerful jihadist Kashmir with a growing presence of radical groups, though different in important ways Hindu-Muslim Clashes Pakistani groups, and a tiny but existent from one another, had visions of shattering In the late 1980s and early 1990s, portion of India’s Muslims willing to listen to the Indian state and “liberating” its Muslim however, India witnessed a remarkable their message and eventually accept it. Other components.5 The glories of past Mughal mass mobilization by Hindu nationalist factors were also at play, particularly the dominance combined with broader Islamist leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). ability of Islamists to base out of Bangladesh, ideologies, creating a South Asian jihadist Rallying their followers around Hindu and the spread of sophisticated technology milieu.6 symbols and narratives, they argued that and explosives. This period saw an upsurge Muslims had been appeased by the ruling in highly visible bombings believed to Pakistan provided these groups with Congress party. Accompanying this charge have been committed by Islamist militants. extensive sanctuary, resources and was the insinuation that Indian Muslims Militant groups used support within India to assistance in infiltrating across the Line were secretly supporters of Pakistan, and hide, plan and receive logistics, particularly of Control. In this way, Kashmir laid an thus a fifth column within India. The rise through the indigenous Students Islamic important organizational basis for the of Hindu nationalism triggered a wave a Movement of India.13 In 1999, for example, terrorism that would come to haunt India’s communal riots that targeted Muslims at the an Indian Airlines jet was hijacked; in 2000, streets—the Harkat, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and direct instigation of politicians or with the Delhi’s Red Fort was attacked by Lashkar-e- Jaysh-i-Muhammad would take the guns, acquiescence of a politicized police force.9 Tayyiba; and in December 2001 the Indian money and training of the ISI and strike Small groups of Muslims began developing Parliament itself was assaulted by a team of beyond Kashmir. self-defense organizations in response.10 The militants linked to Jaysh-i-Muhammad and Hindu nationalist “saffron wave” reached Lashkar-e-Tayyiba.14 The latter attack nearly For this to become a sustained campaign, a brutal crescendo in 1992 and 1993 after a took India and Pakistan to war, resulting in a however, these organizations needed local Hindu mob destroyed a mosque in the north standoff between mobilized armies.15 assistance from Indian Muslims. Although Indian city of Ayodhya. They claimed the partition divided the subcontinent along mosque had been built on the birthsite of Although war was avoided, a different religious lines, many millions of Muslims a Hindu god, Lord Rama.11 Violence swept kind of tragedy nevertheless lay in store. remained in India. They tended to be less much of the country, killing thousands. In February 2002, Hindus returning from educated and poorer than the middle and a pilgrimage to Ayodhya were burned to upper classes who would join the elite of Bombay (now Mumbai), India’s financial death in a railway car in the state of Gujarat. the new Pakistan. This relative poverty has capital, was the scene of vicious riots. Several While the source of the fire remains unclear continued—Muslims lie toward the bottom months later the city was rocked by a series of (it may have been accidental), rumors of most key statistical categories.7 Some of coordinated bombings that left 257 dead and immediately spread that Muslims were to more than 1,000 wounded. These bombings blame. The BJP government is then alleged 4 This is the theme of Manoj Joshi, The Lost Rebellion: to have largely allowed radical Hindu Kashmir in the Nineties (New Delhi: Penguin, 1999); see Report, discussed in Somini Sengupta, “Report Shows nationalists to attack Muslims with relative also Navnita Chadha Behera, Demystifying Kashmir Muslims Near Bottom of Social Ladder,” New York impunity for several days, killing well over a (Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2006). Times, November 29, 2006. 5 Another group with a smaller presence in Kashmir 8 One of the reasons for the failure of Pakistan’s attempt but a significant role in terrorist attacks within India is to seize Kashmir in 1965 was the lack of support it 12 “The 1993 Bombay bombings, say police, were in the Harkat-ul-Jehad al-Islam, which has an important received from Kashmiri Muslims. response to the 1992 destruction of the Ayodhya mosque Bangladesh branch. “HuJI’s Role in Focus Again,” Times 9 Steven Wilkinson, Votes and Violence: Electoral Com- by Hindu mobs, and to avenge Muslim deaths in the of India, August 27, 2007. petition and Ethnic Riots in India (Cambridge: Cambridge rioting that followed,” in Sajan Kuriokos, “Bombay 6 Overviews of Islamist terrorism in South Asia can be University Press, 2004); Ashutosh Varshney, Civic Life Bombing: More Religious Strife?” The Christian Science found in Mariam Abou Zahab and Olivier Roy, Islamist and Ethnic Conflict: Hindus and Muslims in India (New Monitor, August 26, 2003. Networks: The Afghan-Pakistan Connection (New York: Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2002). 13 Praveen Swami writes that “with local networks Columbia University Press, 2004); Zahid Hussain, 10 Praveen Swami, “A Widening Network,” Frontline in place, top jihadi commanders were able to operate Frontline Pakistan (New York: Columbia University 19:26 (2002). outside Jammu and Kashmir with ease,” in “A Widening Press, 2007); and C. Christine Fair and Peter Chalk, 11 Cristophe Jaffrelot, The Hindu Nationalist Movement Network,” Frontline 19:26 (2002). Fortifying Pakistan (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Institute of in India (New York: Columbia University Press, 1996); 14 John F. Burns, “Pakistan Moves Against Groups Peace, 2007). Thomas Blom Hansen, The Saffron Wave: Democracy Named by India,” New York Times, December 29, 2001. 7 Details of Muslim economic and social marginaliza- and Hindu Nationalism in India (Princeton, NJ: Princeton 15 V.K. Sood and Pravin Sawhney, Operation Parakram: tion can be found in the Indian government’s Sachar University Press, 1999). The War Unfinished (London: Sage Publications, 2003).

15 January 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 thousand.16 The sweeping victory of the BJP militancy in and against India has its own Recent Highlights in in the consequent elections signaled that their autonomous logic and infrastructure. actions were supported by large segments of Terrorist Activity the population. India’s democracy and diversity have helped it weather many storms. The overwhelming December 15, 2007 (PAKISTAN): Rashid Rauf, Gujarat has contributed further to Muslim majority of its Muslims show no inclination the British citizen accused of involvement in alienation within India.17 One of India’s to militancy. India’s challenge is to stop the August 2006 plot to blow up 10 passenger premier security correspondents wrote, further radicalization, while successfully jets over the Atlantic Ocean, escaped from “As a direct consequence, terrorist groups containing militant organizations and police custody in Pakistan. His whereabouts appear to have acquired greater social their sympathizers. Police forces need to are unknown. – AP, December 15 legitimacy than at any time in the past, even be professionalized so that they are not used solely as political cudgels. India’s December 15, 2007 (SOMALIA): Twelve internal security agencies should be better Somali soldiers were injured, and two “Islamist militancy in and coordinated to avoid bureaucratic conflicts civilians killed, when a remote-controlled against India has its own and oversights. Good intelligence and police bomb targeting a military truck detonated in work can blunt the ability of organizations Mogadishu. – Reuters, December 15 autonomous logic and with existing networks to do significant infrastructure.” damage. Finally, government efforts to December 15, 2007 (IRAQ): A member of a integrate Muslims need to stop offering U.S.-supported volunteer patrol was killed laundry lists of programs and instead in the Baghdad neighborhood of Adhamiyya focus on a few meaningful and achievable after an individual offered him an explosives- if their influence is still peripheral in the goals. Overcoming Islamist militancy is no rigged bag that was said to have been found in Muslim community”18 In 2003, bombings easy task, but can be accomplished with a the street. – AP, December 15 hit Mumbai; in 2005 New Delhi; in 2006 combination of straightforward policies. Mumbai19 and Varanasi; and in 2007 December 16, 2007 (AFGHANISTAN): Two Hyderabad and Lucknow.20 For the United States, India’s experience civilians were killed when a roadside bomb is important for several reasons. First, exploded in Yaqubi district in eastern Khost Conclusion the groups operating in India have links Province. Authorities claimed that the Taliban This trend has led to growing concerns that to the rising tide of Islamist militancy was responsible. – AP, December 16 al-Qa`ida has become a force in India. There within Pakistan. Their ability to grow is room for concern as al-Qa`ida leaders within India can only increase their power December 16, 2007 (GLOBAL): Islamist have specifically deemed India an enemy in a dangerously unstable Pakistan. websites posted a statement offering of Islam. Moreover, the Islamist groups Organizations that can leverage support journalists the opportunity to submit targeting India have ties through Afghan throughout the subcontinent will be interview questions to al-Qa`ida second-in- and Pakistani jihadist networks to al-Qa`ida enormously difficult to combat. The ability command Ayman al-Zawahiri. The questions members. This does not mean, however, of Pakistan to control its jihadist fighters are to be posted online at two Islamist that al-Qa`ida has a significant presence and factions is already unclear, and will websites before a deadline of January 16. in India. The groups that have carried out certainly diminish if an independent Indian – AFP, December 20 the major attacks in India have their own base of support develops. Second, India’s resources, organizational structure and attempts to maintain a liberal, multiethnic December 17, 2007 (IRAQ): Al-Qa`ida social base. They have pursued their agenda democracy in the face of terrorism can Ayman al-Zawahiri released a new video since well before 9/11, and will continue provide valuable lessons and warnings calling on Iraq’s Sunni Arab tribes to attack doing so regardless of what happens to for European countries trying to deal with Awakening Councils in the country, calling Usama bin Ladin’s organization. Islamist problems in integrating Muslims. The them “traitors” and “hypocrites” and arguing Indian and European situations differ that “any clan or tribe that defends Islam and crushes traitors…will be remembered in 16 Sumit Ganguly, “The Crisis of Indian Secularism,” in many crucial respects, but if India Arab history with pride and glory.” Zawahiri Journal of Democracy 14:4 (2003): pp. 11-25. proceeds wisely it can show how to avoid also criticized Iran, Hizb Allah, Egypt and 17 Many Muslims remain afraid to return to their pre- alienating Muslim populations without Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. – riot homes. One example is “In Concentrated Camps,” compromising the crucial attributes of AP, December 17 Outlook, January 29, 2007. secular democracy. The Indian example 18 Somini Sengupta, “India Fears Terrorism May may thus prove relevant beyond the December 17, 2007 (PAKISTAN): Nine Attract Its Muslims,” New York Times, August 9, 2006. borders of South Asia. Pakistani army recruits were killed in a suicide Examples of Muslims feeling alienated by Gujarat and blast in Kohat, close to Peshawar. – AP, Hindu nationalism can be found in Jill McGivering, Paul Staniland is a Ph.D. candidate in the December 17 “India’s Muslims Feel Backlash,” BBC, June 6, 2002. Department of Political Science and a member of 19 On the coordinated train bombings in 2006 in the Security Studies Program at MIT. He studies December 17, 2007 (YEMEN): Yemen’s Mumbai, and discussion of other attacks, see “Terror in international security and civil wars, with a government newspaper 26th of September Mumbai: Call This Peace?” Economist, July 12, 2006. focus on South Asia and Northern Ireland. Mr. announced that authorities had arrested two 20 A slightly out-of-date chronology of major attacks Staniland has published academic and policy alleged members of al-Qa`ida in Yemen. Some in India since 9/11 (including in Jammu and Kashmir) pieces in The Christian Science Monitor, Civil reports stated that the men were members of can be found through the South Asia Terrorism Portal, Wars, Security Studies, and the Washington a cell that was planning a suicide attack in the available at www.satp.org. Quarterly.

16 January 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 country. – Saba, December 17; Daily Times, sites—including a church—in the Christian December 2005. He was arrested near Jenin. December 18 town of Zahleh. The cell, which consisted of – Jerusalem Post, December 19 Lebanese and Syrians, was allegedly led by a December 17, 2007 (IRAQ): Three members Saudi and a Syrian. – Reuters, December 18 December 20, 2007 (IRAQ): Thirteen Iraqis of a local Awakening Council were killed and one U.S. soldier were killed by a suicide in Mafrag, Diyala Province, when gunmen December 18, 2007 (PAKISTAN): Pro-Taliban bomber in the town of Kanan in Diyala opened fire on them while they were near a cleric Faqir Muhammad announced that Province. The attack targeted an Awakening vegetable vendor’s stall. – CNN, December 17 Pakistani militant leaders have agreed to join Council. – AFP, December 20 forces under the name Tehrik-i-Taliban, or the December 17, 2007 (IRAQ): A truck bomb was United Taliban Movement. Faqir Muhammad December 21, 2007 (PAKISTAN): A suicide detonated as it was parked on a bridge near threatened that if the Pakistani government bomber attacked a mosque in Charsadda, the Mosul dam in Ninawa Province. Although failed to cease operations in Waziristan and located in the North-West Frontier Province, the facility was damaged, the explosion did Swat, then the new militant grouping would killing at least 50 people. It is believed that the not damage the dam itself. According to an launch suicide attacks and target government attack was an assassination attempt on former engineer, the bomber left his explosives-laden officials. – AP, December 18 Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao, who is a truck near the dam after informing police that close ally of President Pervez Musharraf. – AP, the vehicle had broken down and claimed that December 18, 2007 (FRANCE): Authorities December 21; Los Angeles Times, December 22 he was going to find a tow truck. – Reuters, detained eight alleged members of a logistical December 17; Los Angeles Times, December 18 cell supporting al-Qa`ida in the Islamic December 21, 2007 (BELGIUM): Authorities Maghreb (AQIM). The men—six French arrested 14 individuals on charges of plotting December 18, 2007 (PHILIPPINES): The nationals, a Tunisian and an Algerian—were to break convicted terrorist Nizar Trabelsi Philippine military killed two Abu Sayyaf believed to have provided computer material from jail. Trabelsi was jailed in 2003 for Group (ASG) fighters during a raid on a and equipment to AQIM, but were not planning to drive a car bomb into a Belgian militant base in Ungkaya Pukan township, planning attacks inside France. Although airbase with the intention of killing U.S. in Basilan Province. Authorities claimed three of the men were released on December military personnel, 100 of which are stationed that about 40 militants were located at the 19, authorities continued to hold the other five. at the base. On December 22, however, all 14 remote camp, including both ASG and “rogue – AFP, December 20 of the suspects were released from jail due elements” of the Moro Islamic Liberation to lack of evidence. – Guardian Unlimited, Front. – AP, December 18 December 19, 2007 (IRAQ): A new study December 21; AP, December 23 released by the Combating Terrorism Center December 18, 2007 (PAKISTAN): A large at West Point found that the majority of al- December 23, 2007 (SAUDI ARABIA): The amount of explosives, in addition to suicide Qa`ida fighters entering Iraq from Syria Saudi Arabian Interior Ministry announced jackets, were discovered inside a Land Cruiser during a one year period are from Saudi that since mid-December authorities had in the Khwazakhela area of Swat, in the Arabia and Libya. The study, based on 606 arrested 28 militants linked to al-Qa`ida who North-West Frontier Province. – Daily Times, personnel records captured from al-Qa`ida were planning attacks inside the kingdom. December 19 in Iraq by coalition troops in October, found Of those arrested, 27 were Saudi and one was that the average age of the fighters from the a foreign resident. The announcement came December 18, 2007 (AFGHANISTAN): data set was 24-25; 41% were Saudi, 19% after another group of arrests on December 21, Approximately 15 Afghan security guards Libyan, 8% Yemeni, 8% Syrian, 7% Algerian in which Saudi authorities revealed that they were ambushed and killed in Bala Buluk and 6% Moroccan. – AP, December 19 had foiled a terrorist attack during the annual district, Farah Province. The guards worked hajj. – Voice of America, December 23 for a U.S. company and were protecting December 19, 2007 (PHILIPPINES): a convoy of fuel tankers at the time of the Authorities arrested an Egyptian in the December 23, 2007 (ALGERIA): A bomb attack. – BBC, December 18 southern city of Cotabato, who they allege targeted an Algerian military convoy near the was planning to detonate a bomb in the city town of Tebessa, seriously wounding three December 18, 2007 (IRAQ): Sixteen people on December 25. The suspect, identified as Algerian soldiers. – Reuters, December 24 were killed during a suicide bomb attack at a Mohamad Sayed, was in possession of a 60mm coffee shop in the predominately Shi`a village mortar shell and ball bearings, connected to December 24, 2007 (MAURITANIA): Four of al-Abbara, which is near Ba`quba in Diyala a timer. Although authorities claim that they French tourists were shot to death while Province. – Reuters, December 18 found Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) parked on a roadside near the town of Aleg, 150 literature in Sayed’s apartment, it is not yet miles east of the country’s capital, Nouakchott. December 18, 2007 (ISRAEL): Thirteen clear whether the suspect had any actual links Militants associated with al-Qa`ida in the Palestinian militants were killed by Israeli to MILF or any other militant group. – AFP, Islamic Maghreb were suspected of committing airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. The attacks December 19 the attacks. – AFP, December 29 targeted Islamic Jihad, and the organization confirmed some of the deaths and threatened December 19, 2007 (ISRAEL): A joint IDF-Shin December 24, 2007 (AFGHANISTAN): to retaliate with suicide bombings inside Israel. Bet operation resulted in the apprehension of Authorities arrested a woman in eastern – Reuters, December 18 Salim Sayoud, believed to be a top member of Afghanistan who was carrying explosives Islamic Jihad. Israeli authorities allege that under her burqa. It was not clear whether the December 18, 2007 (LEBANON): Lebanese Sayoud was an important actor behind a Tel woman was preparing for a suicide attack, authorities charged 31 al-Qa`ida-linked Aviv nightclub bombing in February 2005 and or if she was transporting the explosives individuals with planning to attack religious two suicide bomb attacks at a mall in July and elsewhere. If it were the former, the woman

17 January 2008 . Vol 1 . Issue 2 would have marked the first case of a female the semi-autonomous region of Puntland. – January 1, 2008 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber suicide bomber in Afghanistan. – Reuters, SomaliNet, December 28 killed approximately 36 men who were December 24 attending the funeral of a retired Iraqi Shi`a December 29, 2007 (GLOBAL): A new army officer, who was himself killed in a car December 25, 2007 (IRAQ): Two suicide 56-minute audio statement from Usama bombing on December 28. The January 1 bombs hit Iraq, one of which occurred in bin Ladin appeared on jihadist internet attack took place in Zayouna district in eastern Baiji and left 25 people dead. In that incident, forums, in which the al-Qa`ida leader Baghdad. – CNN, January 2 the bomber crashed his vehicle into a truck accused any Muslim cooperating with the filled with gas cylinders. The second incident Iraqi government as being an apostate. He January 2, 2008 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber occurred in Ba`quba, when a suicide bomber promised the “liberation of Palestine” and struck a checkpoint manned by members of a detonated his payload during a funeral advised Iraq’s Sunni Muslims not to attack local Awakening Council, killing at least four procession, killing four people; Haj Farhan al-Qa`ida’s auxiliaries in Iraq. Bin Ladin people, including Abu Sadjat, a local tribal al-Baharzawi, the provincial head of the 1920 also criticized Hizb Allah leader Hassan chief who had been meeting with U.S. officials Revolution Brigades, was among those killed. Nasrallah for allowing the United Nations shortly before the explosion. The attack took – AFP, December 25 to station troops in Lebanon following the place in Ba`quba. – Los Angeles Times, January group’s 2006 war with Israel. – news.com. 3; New York Times, January 3 December 26, 2007 (PAKISTAN): Militants au, December 30 blew up a checkpoint in Bannu District of January 2, 2008 (ALGERIA): Four policemen the North-West Frontier Province and then December 30, 2007 (TURKEY): Turkish were killed when a suicide car bomber proceeded to kidnap 10 policemen. – Dawn, authorities jailed five alleged members of exploded his payload at the doors of a police December 26 an al-Qa`ida sleeper cell. The accused were station in Naciria, which is about 45 miles east rounded up in a countrywide security sweep of Algiers. A spokesman for al-Qa`ida in the December 26, 2007 (MAURITANIA): the previous day, during which 19 people Islamic Maghreb, Salah Abou Mohammad, Three soldiers were killed near the town of were detained. One of the five suspects is a claimed credit for the operation, and said that Ghallawiya, which is 430 miles north of the high school English teacher from the city of the truck contained at least 1,100 pounds of country’s capital, Nouakchott. The soldiers, Aksaray. – AP, December 30 explosives. – International Herald Tribune, who were manning a checkpoint at a military January 2; Reuters, January 2 base, were ambushed by gunmen who arrived December 31, 2007 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber in two trucks. Al-Qa`ida in the Islamic detonated a minibus packed full of explosives January 2, 2008 (SOMALIA): A roadside bomb Maghreb claimed responsibility for the attack at an Awakening Council checkpoint in killed three people in the town of Afgoye, which in an audio recording. – AP, December 27; al- Tarmiyya, which is 30 miles north of Baghdad. is approximately 30 miles south of Mogadishu. Jazira, December 29 Approximately 12 people were killed in the The bomb went off in a crowded market and attack, including nine members of the council was possibly intended for Ethiopian troops, yet December 27, 2007 (PAKISTAN): Former and three children. – AP, December 31 civilians were the only casualties. – SomaliNet, Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto January 2 was assassinated at a rally in Rawalpindi. At December 31, 2007 (THAILAND): Three least 20 others were killed during the attack, bombs detonated in the Sunagi Kolok district January 2, 2008 (SOMALIA): Two Somali which involved both a gunman and a suicide of Narathiwat Province, injuring at least 27 government soldiers were killed during bomber. people. Two of the bombs were rigged into clashes with insurgents near Mogadishu’s motorcycles parked at hotels and nightspots, Bakara market. – SomaliNet, January 2 December 27, 2007 (IRAQ): U.S. forces killed while the third exploded inside a discotheque in an airstrike Muhammad Khalil Ibrahim, a at the Marina Hotel. – Xinhua, December 31 January 3, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A suicide deputy military leader for al-Qa`ida in Iraq’s bomber targeted an Indian road construction operations south of Baghdad. According to a December 31, 2007 (NETHERLANDS): crew and their Afghan police guards in Nimroz U.S. military statement, Ibrahim was a “key Dutch authorities arrested three men for Province, resulting in seven deaths. According planner in numerous attacks against coalition allegedly planning to execute a terrorist to authorities, the construction convoy was forces operating in the Mahmudiyya area, and attack on Rotterdam’s Erasmus bridge, first hit by an IED attached to a motorcycle, was also involved in the facilitation of foreign where approximately 15,000 people were to which halted the convoy. The suicide bomber terrorists and weapons.” – CNN, January 4 commemorate the New Year. According to then moved in on the convoy and detonated his Dutch press sources, two of the men had dual payload, which accounted for the majority of December 27, 2007 (TUNISIA): Ten men Dutch and Moroccan citizenship, while the the casualties. – AP, January 3 received jail sentences from two to five years other was an illegal immigrant from Sudan. for planning to join al-Qa`ida fighters in Iraq. – De Telegraaf, January 3 January 3, 2008 (PHILIPPINES): Authorities The men were also convicted of attempting to apprehended two al-Qa`ida-linked militants, recruit militants to attack international forces January 1, 2008 (SUDAN): John Granville, an one of whom, Tuwatin Anahalul, was in Iraq. – Reuters, December 26 American official working for the U.S. Agency involved in the 2001 kidnapping of three for International Development, was shot and Americans at the Dos Palmas resort in December 27, 2007 (SOMALIA): Militants killed, along with his driver, in the residential Palawan Province. Anahalul, also known as threw a grenade into a house where a meeting area of Ryad in western Khartoum. Sudanese Abu Basilan, is a sub-leader of Abu Sayyaf with local elders was taking place, wounding authorities deny that Granville was the victim Group and a $48,700 bounty was out for his seven people. The attack, which took place in of a terrorist attack and claim that it was an arrest. – AP, January 4 Biyo-Kulule village in Bosasso, occurred in isolated incident. – AFP, January 1

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January 3, 2008 (PHILIPPINES): A grenade the West Bank, the United Arab Emirates, al-Bared,” and he threatened to attack the was thrown into a nightclub in the southern Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Gadahn urges his Lebanese army. The audio recording, which Philippine city of Cotabato, leaving one dead “militant brothers in Muslim Palestine and lasted 58 minutes, if authenticated will prove and five injured. Authorities were unsure as to the Arab peninsula…to be ready to receive that al-Abassi survived the 15-week Nahr al- whether the incident was a terrorist attack. – the Crusader slayer Bush in his visit to Bared battle. – Reuters, January 8 Deutsche Press Agency, January 4 Muslim Palestine and the Arab peninsula in the beginning of January and to receive him… January 8, 2008 (PAKISTAN): Pakistani January 4, 2008 (MOROCCO): Fifty radical with bombs and booby-trapped vehicles.” – authorities announced the December arrest of Islamists were sentenced for planning to AP, January 7 Ahsanul Haq, a retired army major linked to launch a “holy war” in northeast Morocco al-Qa`ida, who was wanted for a November through bombings and robberies. The group January 6, 2008 (IRAQ): Three Christian 1 attack on an air force bus in Sargodha. In was called Ansar al-Mahdi, and they were churches and one monastery were attacked addition to Haq, six others involved in the apprehended by authorities in 2006. The group in Mosul. Although there were few casualties, operation were apprehended. – AP, January 8 and its leader, Hassan Khattab, had managed the various churches were damaged. – BBC, to recruit members of the Moroccan security January 7 January 8, 2008 (UNITED STATES): A services, including police and military. During sentencing hearing opened for Jose Padilla, the hearings, Khattab labeled the Moroccan January 6, 2008 (IRAQ): Soldiers and locals a U.S. citizen who was convicted in August, government as an “apostate dictatorship” and who were in the streets to commemorate a along with two other conspirators, of aiding denounced the country’s ties to the United national holiday in central Baghdad were al-Qa`ida. Federal prosecutors are pushing States. – Reuters, January 5 targeted by a suicide bomber, leaving nine for life sentences, while Padilla’s legal team is people dead. – Reuters, January 6 requesting a maximum sentence of 10 years. January 4, 2008 (NORTH AFRICA): The – AFP, January 9 famous Dakar Rally was canceled for the January 7, 2008 (IRAQ): At least three suicide first time in its 30-year history due to threats bombings ripped through Iraq, one of which January 8, 2008 (IRAQ): Three U.S. soldiers made against the event by al-Qa`ida. The killed Riyadh al-Samaraie, an anti-al-Qa`ida were killed during operations in Salah al-Din threats came after the December 24 killings leader of a local Awakening Council in northern Province. – New York Times, January 10 of four French tourists near the town of Aleg Baghdad. Approximately 15 people were killed in Mauritania, and the December 26 killings in the three separate attacks. – CNN, January January 9, 2008 (ALGERIA): Four soldiers of three soldiers near the town of Ghallawiya, 7 were killed and two wounded when a roadside also in Mauritania. – The Scotsman, January 5 bomb hit their vehicle in the area around Ait January 7, 2008 (PAKISTAN): Eight tribal Yahia, which is south of Tizi Ouzou. – AP, January 4, 2008 (GLOBAL): A new internet leaders were shot to death in South Waziristan January 9 statement posted by al-Qa`ida’s media wing Agency, in Pakistan’s Federally Administered announced that video messages of the group’s Tribal Areas (FATA). The attacks, which January 9, 2008 (ISRAEL): One member of core leaders—Usama bin Ladin and Ayman occurred between January 6-7, were believed Islamic Jihad was killed and six others injured al-Zawahiri—could now be downloaded to to be an effort by Islamist militants to prevent while launching a rocket at Israel from the cell phones. The posting included a written negotiations between the tribal leaders and the Gaza Strip. Islamic Jihad announced that the statement by Zawahiri, in which he encouraged Pakistani government. – The Canadian Press, group was hit by a surface-to-surface missile, the new effort, stating, “I asked God for the men January 7 presumably launched by Israeli forces. – AP, of jihadi media to spread the message of Islam January 9 and monotheism to the world and spread real January 7, 2008 (PAKISTAN): A suicide awareness to the people of the nations.” – AP, bomber struck a Pakistani army base located January 9, 2008 (IRAQ): Six U.S. soldiers January 6 in the Swat Valley in the North-West Frontier were killed in Diyala Province after a bomb Province. Three soldiers were wounded. – exploded in a booby-trapped house. The January 5, 2008 (IRAQ): Six people were Deutsche Press Agency, January 7 soldiers were engaged in Operation Iron killed when a roadside bomb destroyed a Harvest. – CNN, January 9; AP, January 9 minibus in Diyala Province. – AP, January 5 January 7, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A roadside bomb in Nangarhar Province’s Kot January 10, 2008 (IRAQ): U.S. forces dropped January 5, 2008 (PAKISTAN): Authorities district left two U.S.-led coalition soldiers 40,000 pounds of explosives on al-Qa`ida arrested an al-Qa`ida operative in Lahore dead. – AP, January 8 hideouts in southern Baghdad. The airstrikes who allegedly was a security coordinator for were part of a larger operation that began Usama bin Ladin. The suspect, Amin al-Haq, January 7, 2008 (AFGHANISTAN): A on January 8, labeled Phantom Phoenix. – is a 48-year-old Afghan-born doctor. – UPI, suicide bomber on a motorcycle attacked a Guardian Unlimited, January 10 January 7 police patrol in Kandahar Province’s Spin Boldak district, leaving one policeman dead. January 10, 2008 (PAKISTAN): A suicide January 6, 2008 (GLOBAL): In a new – AP, January 8 bomber detonated his explosives outside of 50-minute video posted on the internet, a court in Lahore, killing at least 23 people. al-Qa`ida’s Adam Gadahn, also known as January 7, 2008 (LEBANON): A new The majority of those killed were police “Azzam the American,” encouraged Islamist statement by Shakir al-Abassi, the leader officers. Authorities explained that the bomber militants to assassinate President George W. of Fatah al-Islam, appeared on Islamist blew himself up after being stopped while Bush during his upcoming trip to the Middle forums. In the statement, al-Abassi said that approaching a police barricade. There was East, where he plans to visit Kuwait, Bahrain, “this is my first speech after the epic of Nahr no immediate claim of responsibility. – CNN,

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January 10 January 11, 2008 (LEBANON): Lebanese CTC Sentinel Staff authorities arrested Othman Turkmani, January 10, 2008 (PAKISTAN): Members of a suspected militant of Fatah al-Islam. Editor-in-Chief the Pashtun Wazir tribe announced that they Turkmani was detained in the Bab al-Ramel Erich Marquardt would form a militia to combat al-Qa`ida- neighborhood of Tripoli. – AFP, January 12 Senior Editor, CTC linked foreign fighters in regions under their control. A tribal elder told journalists that a January 11, 2008 (GUINEA-BISSAU): Local Editorial Board militia of 600 people would be organized for authorities in Guinea-Bissau arrested Jarret Brachman, Ph.D. the task. – Reuters, January 10 two Mauritanians for involvement in the Director of Research, CTC December 24 killings of four French tourists January 10, 2008 (IRAQ): Iraqi National in Mauritania. The suspects allegedly Brian Fishman Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie told confessed to the attack, and it is believed Senior Associate, CTC Saudi reporters that his country’s security that they are affiliated with al-Qa`ida in forces have arrested hundreds of suspected al- the Islamic Maghreb. The two, who were Assaf Moghadam, Ph.D. Qa`ida militants from Saudi Arabia. He also found 400 miles south of the scene of the Senior Research Fellow, CTC noted that many of the suspects were listed December 24 attack, were identified as Sidi on Saudi Arabia’s “wanted” lists, and that the Ould Sidna and Mohamed Ould Chabarnou, James Forest, Ph.D. majority had entered Iraq from Syria. – UPI, both in their 20s. It is believed that a third Director of Terrorism Studies, CTC January 10 suspect involved in the operation fled to Algeria. Three separate suspects believed LTC(P) Joseph Felter, Ph.D. January 10, 2008 (SOMALIA): Somali police linked to the December 24 crime were Director, CTC killed two men suspected of kidnapping arrested later in the day while trying to foreigners, including the now released French photograph French police. – AP, January 11; COL Cindy R. Jebb, Ph.D. journalist Gwen Le Gouil. The men were Reuters, January 12 Deputy Department Head killed after police raided a house in Puntland, Department of Social Sciences (West Point) although some of the gunmen escaped. – AP, January 11, 2008 (RUSSIA): Russian January 10 authorities believe that between 500-700 COL Michael J. Meese, Ph.D. militants are still active in the country’s North Department Head January 10, 2008 (FRANCE): Portuguese Caucasus region. – RIA Novosti, January 11 Department of Social Sciences (West Point) aviation authorities intercepted a short-wave radio message threatening terrorist attacks January 11, 2008 (EGYPT): Authorities against Paris, including on the Eiffel Tower. announced the arrest of 11 people, including Contact The threats, which were not completely clear, a Syrian student, for links to terrorist groups Combating Terrorism Center were relayed to French authorities who went in Iraq and Afghanistan. Press reports stated U.S. Military Academy on a heightened state of alert. – The Canadian that the Syrian student was planning “to 607 Cullum Road, Lincoln Hall Press, January 11 recruit students to send them to Iraq and West Point, NY 10996 Afghanistan.” – AFP, January 12 Phone: (202) 425-8578 January 10, 2008 (SOMALIA): Shaykh Sharif Email: [email protected] Shaykh Ahmed, the former head of Somalia’s January 12, 2008 (ISRAEL): Al-Jazira Web: www.ctc.usma.edu/sentinel/ Islamic Courts Union, told reporters that a reported that Egyptian authorities foiled an “part of al-Shabab” militants have withdrawn al-Qa`ida-linked terrorist attack on Israel * For Press Inquiries: (202) 425-8578 from his organization, the Alliance for the Re- two months ago. The attack, which included Liberation of Somalia (ARS). The shaykh did at least 14 operatives, involved an unmanned support state, however, that Shaykh Hassan Turki, an aircraft/drone to attack targets inside Israel. al-Shabab commander in the southern Jubba The cell included Egyptian army officers and The Combating Terrorism Center would regions, was still part of the ARS. During engineers. - Jerusalem Post, January 13 like to express its gratitude to its financial the interview, Shaykh Ahmed warned the supporters, for without their support and al-Shabab grouping that broke away from January 12, 2008 (YEMEN): A new jihadist shared vision of the Center products like the ARS not to denounce Somalis as “non- journal appeared on the web, called the Echoes the CTC Sentinel could not be produced. If Muslims.” – GaroweOnline, January 11 of Epics. The journal included a statement by you are interested in learning more about al-Qa`ida in Yemen in which they vow to free how to support the Combating Terrorism January 11, 2008 (LEBANON): A Lebanese their associates from Yemen’s prisons and Center, please visit http://www.ctc.usma. security source told Deutsche Press Agency attack the government. – Reuters, January 13 edu/support/ or call Wayne Richardson at that they had taken into custody Mohammed West Point’s Association of Graduates at Ndoub, a Syrian national who is allegedly 845-446-1553. linked to al-Qa`ida and who was possibly involved in the 2006 attempted train bombing plot in Germany. The arrest came after Ndoub The views expressed in this report are those of called in threats to the German Embassy in the authors and not of the U.S. Military Academy, Beirut that he would launch attacks on civilian the Department of the Army, or any other agency targets in Germany during the next three of the U.S. Government. months. – Deutsche Press Agency, January 11

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