september 2013 . Vol 6 . Issue 9

Contents The Risk of Non-State Actors

FEATURE ARTICLE 1 The Risk of Non-State Actors Acquiring Acquiring Chemical Weapons Chemical Weapons in By Stephen Hummel in Syria Reports By Stephen Hummel 5 The Swedish Foreign Fighter Contingent in Syria By Per Gudmundson 9 Pakistani Fighters Joining the War in Syria By Zia Ur Rehman 11 AQAP’s Resilience in By Andrew Michaels and Sakhr Ayyash 14 Bilal al-Berjawi and the Shifting Fortunes of Foreign Fighters in By Raffaello Pantucci 18 The Current State of Mexico’s Many Drug Cartels By Malcolm Beith

20 Recent Highlights in Terrorist Activity 24 CTC Sentinel Staff & Contacts

A UN arms expert collects samples during an investigation into a suspected chemical weapons strike in Damascus. - AFP/Getty Images he power of nuclear, chemical are currently 189 member-states in the and biological weapons— OPCW, Syria is not one of them. Syria all considered weapons of deliberately chose not to join the OPCW mass destruction (WMD)— and has not been held accountable for Tdoes not necessarily rest solely in their its CW arsenal in the past 16 years. As destructiveness, but rather in the anxiety a result, the international community and fear that they create. WMDs can can only estimate the state and range from extremely complex weapons quantities of Syria’s CW stockpiles. About the CTC Sentinel systems, where a high level of expertise The Combating Terrorism Center is an is needed, to relatively unsophisticated The U.S. government and other Western independent educational and research munitions where only a minimal amount states have accused the Bashar al-Assad institution based in the Department of Social of scientific knowledge is required to regime of using CWs against rebel forces Sciences at the Military Academy, create and employ them. and civilians in multiple incidents during West Point. The CTC Sentinel harnesses the past six months, with the deadliest the Center’s global network of scholars and The Organization for the Prohibition attack occurring in August 2013.1 The practitioners to understand and confront of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which Syrian government, however, has denied contemporary threats posed by terrorism and works with the United Nations, was other forms of political violence. established in The Hague, Netherlands, in 1997 to ensure that chemical weapon (CW) stockpiles are destroyed and 1 Dana Hughes, Z. Byron Wolf, and Mary Bruce, “US The views expressed in this report are those of Confirms Syrian Government Used Chemical Weapons,” the authors and not of the U.S. Military Academy, that CW precursors are tracked ABC News, June 13, 2013; Ben Hubbard, “Signs of Chemi- the Department of the Army, or any other agency and monitored to prevent the rogue of the U.S. Government. development of CWs. Although there cal Attack Detailed by Aid Group,” Times, Au- gust 24, 2013.

1 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 these allegations.2 Russia, a Syrian borders.5 According to sources cited in This illustrates why Syria’s porous ally, has claimed that Syrian rebels are the New York Times, U.S. counterterrorism borders represent a threat to the region. to blame for the August CW attack.3 officials estimate that there are more The Syrian border is regularly crossed These disputes raise questions about than 6,000 foreign fighters in rebel by fleeing refugees, rebel fighters and the security of CW stockpiles, and there groups in Syria.6 Foreign fighters from pro-Assad non-state actors. Shi`a Hizb is concern that non-state actors could countries such as the , Allah, for example, has crossed into acquire CWs in Syria.4 , Jordan and have moved across Syria’s weak borders to “There is a risk, albeit an This article explores the CW dynamic join jihadist rebel groups, some of which of the Syrian civil war and the potential are associated with al-Qa`ida.7 Clearly, unlikely one, that non-state for non-state actors to acquire or employ Syria has become a popular training actors could gain control these weapons. It finds that there is a ground for jihadist militants. risk, albeit an unlikely one, that non- over a limited number state actors could gain control over a Abu Omar, a commander for al-Qa`ida’s of CWs in Syria. Yet the limited number of CWs in Syria. Yet the Islamic State of and the Levant successful employment of CWs would (ISIL), highlighted in an interview successful employment of prove difficult for a small terrorist that the goals of his movement extend CWs would prove difficult organization. beyond Syria’s borders.8 He threatened Russia, and he talked of the broad-based for a small terrorist Syria’s Porous Borders fight against Shi`a Iran and its strategy organization.” The massive exodus of 1.5 million to dominate the region.9 According to refugees from Syria during the course Omar, Sunnis from around the world of the past two years is not only a are justified in traveling to Syria to humanitarian crisis but an illustration fight with the rebels because the Syrian Syria from and has fought for of Syria’s porous, uncontrolled regime is deploying Shi`a fighters from the al-Assad regime, particularly in the Lebanon and Iraq.10 Other groups such town of Qusayr in Homs Province.12 as Jabhat al-Nusra, which also has ties Westerners and other Sunni foreign

2 Hubbard. to al-Qa`ida, have been identified as fighters have entered Syria—probably 3 “UN Chemical Weapons Inspectors to Visit Syrian fighting alongside mainstream fighters from —to fight with jihadist Sites,” BBC, July 31, 2013. who identify themselves with the Free groups such as Jabhat al-Nusra, the 11 13 4 In September 2013, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Syrian Army (FSA). ISIL or Jund al-Sham. Hagel warned, “The Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons poses grave risks to our friends and partners Abu Omar’s comments reveal the Weak border security also raises the along Syria’s borders including Israel, Jordan, Turkey, paradox of the Syrian civil war and the concern that CWs—if acquired by non- Lebanon and Iraq. If Assad is prepared to use chemical role of foreign fighters. The al-Assad state actors—could be smuggled out of weapons against his own people, we have to be concerned government is bolstered by Lebanese Syria and employed against regional that terrorist groups like Hezbollah, which has forces in Hizb Allah while the ranks of the FSA targets or Western interests. Syria supporting the Assad regime, could acquire and include some fighters whose allegiance would use them. That risk of chemical weapons prolif- is solely to Sunni Muslims, rather than eration poses a direct threat to our friends and partners, to nationalist or democratic ideals. For and to U.S. personnel in the region. We cannot afford for those like the ISIL’s Abu Omar, the civil 12 The 17-day battle for Qusayr between Syrian govern- Hezbollah or any terrorist group determined to strike the war in Syria is a sectarian war pitting ment and Hizb Allah forces against the opposition forced United States to have incentives to acquire or use chemi- Sunni Muslims against regime Alawites the rebels to abandon the town and marked a major vic- cal weapons.” For his full statement, see Chuck Hagel, and their Shi`a Muslim backers in Iran tory for the al-Assad regime. For details, see Nicholas “Statement on Syria Before the Senate Foreign Relations and Hizb Allah. Blanford, “The Battle for Qusayr: How the Syrian Re- Committee,” U.S. Department of Defense, September 3, gime and Hizb Allah Tipped the Balance,” CTC Sentinel 2013. In March 2013, Director of National Intelligence 6:8 (2013). James Clapper testified before Congress that the intelli- 5 “Syria Regional Refugee Response,” United Nations 13 For a list of a few alleged foreign fighters, see Elias gence community is concerned that “nongovernmental High Commissioner for Refugees, August 19, 2013. Groll, “PSA To Prospective Jihadists: The FBI Will Pros- groups or individuals in Syria could also gain access to 6 Anne Barnard and Eric Schmitt, “As Foreign Fighters ecute You if You Join Jabhat al-Nusra,” Foreign Policy, such materials [chemical weapons].” For Clapper’s full Flood Syria, Fears of a New Extremist Haven,” New York May 31, 2013. New York Times journalist Jeffrey Gettleman statement, see James R. Clapper, “Worldwide Threat As- Times, August 8, 2013. reported in July 2012 that “it seems the Antakya area [in sessment to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence,” 7 Ibid.; “Risk of Chemical Catastrophe if Syria’s Assad Turkey] is becoming a magnet for foreign jihadis, who Office of the Director of National Intelligence, March 12, Goes: UK Lawmakers.” are flocking into Turkey to fight a holy war in Syria.” See 2013. Also see a report by senior British lawmakers in 8 Barnard et al. Jeffrey Gettleman, “Fighters Replace Tourists Crossing which they warned that “there has to be a significant risk 9 Ibid. Over From Syria to an Idyllic Turkish Town,” New York that some of the country’s chemical weapons stockpile 10 Ibid. Times, July 28, 2012. For evidence of Swedish foreign could fall into the hands of those with links to terrorism, 11 Bill Roggio, “Al Nasrah Front Launches Joint Assaults fighters, see Per Gudmundson, “The Swedish Foreign in Syria or elsewhere in the region—if this happens, the with Numerous Syrian Rebel Groups,” The Long War Fighter Contingent in Syria,” CTC Sentinel 6:9 (2013); consequences could be catastrophic.” For details, see Journal, July 31, 2013; Josh Wood, “Jihadi Group Says it Misbah al-Ali and Antoine Amrieh, “Lebanese Suicide “Risk of Chemical Catastrophe if Syria’s Assad Goes: UK Stands with Other Syrian Rebels,” New York Times, Janu- Bomber’s Family Celebrates Death of Kin in Syria,” Daily Lawmakers,” Reuters, July 10, 2013. ary 9, 2013. Star, August 5, 2013. Also see Barnard et al.

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Acquisition The second possible way for non-state procedures, for example, would prevent There are three potential ways that non- actors to gain access to CWs is if the a soldier at a military storage site from state actors could acquire CWs: military Syrian regime provides the weapons to a moving a handful of CW rounds to his success, proliferation by the Syrian group such as Hizb Allah. This concept vehicle and driving off. regime, or regime defectors. of “indebtedness” suggests that the al-Assad regime could hypothetically Employment The most transparent means for non- give Hizb Allah CWs to maintain their Chemical weapons can be disseminated state actors to gain control over CWs current or future support, or in an in multiple forms including gases, is military success. The rebels have effort to hide CWs from international liquids, and solids.19 These poisons are launched large, coordinated attacks inspectors.16 In September 2013, U.S. designed to be lethal and highly toxic. To against al-Assad’s military facilities, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel affect large populations in open areas, and it is possible that they could warned that “if Assad is prepared to however, CW agents must be delivered overtake a CW storage site. Yet these use chemical weapons against his own in large doses. Weather conditions— attacks are frequently covered by people, we have to be concerned that such as wind direction, temperature, and terrorist groups like Hezbollah, which population density—affect the delivery “A terrorist organization, has forces in Syria supporting the of chemical agents. A vehicle-borne Assad regime, could acquire and would improvised explosive device laden with without proper protective use them.”17 a chemical agent consequently would equipment, would be have limited success, whereas delivery The third possibility, which is perhaps of an agent in a confined space, such limited in the range it could the least likely, is for defectors within as in an arena or office building, could transport a CW as the the Syrian military and government to affect thousands.20 alter the balance of the war by providing agent could potentially kill weapons such as CWs to rebel groups.18 The delivery concepts of CWs are those moving it.” Yet significant acquisition challenges relatively basic. The Aum Shinrikyo would remain. The Syrian regime Sarin attack on the subway in has likely established accountability 1995 highlighted the intensity and redundancies, and more than one amount of casualties expected by a CW international media who are embedded person would be required to oversee the attack employed by a small terrorist within the units, and they are certainly movement of a CW. General security group in an enclosed space, as opposed monitored by various international to the massive amounts used against intelligence agencies. If rebels were to 16 Yaara Shalom, “Report: Syria is Transferring Chemi- soldiers on World War One French attack a facility known to store CWs, it cal Weapons to Hezbollah to Avoid International Inspec- battlefields. The Tokyo subway attack, would likely be discovered by concerned tion,” Jerusalem Post, September 16, 2013. which killed 13 and injured more than 21 entities—such as the U.S. intelligence 17 Hagel. On September 16, 2013, a Lebanese member of 5,000, also showed how dissemination community—who might be able to enact parliament even went so far as to claim—albeit without does not require complex delivery contingency operations to prevent the presenting any evidence—that the al-Assad regime had systems, as would be required for 22 spread of CWs. Nevertheless, recent already given Hizb Allah CWs to be stored in Hizb Allah- biological weapons. CWs are designed reporting by the Wall Street Journal and controlled mountain areas of Lebanon, where it would be to have a high boiling point so that an other media outlets indicates that the difficult to find or monitor them. His claim is likely -un exploding shell does not destroy the al-Assad regime has not been storing substantiated rhetoric, but it shows the heightened con- chemical agent, although there are the CWs in centralized locations, but cerns about Syria’s CWs. For details, see ibid. complex processes required when instead “moving the stocks around 18 A number of Syrian officials have already defected to using a binary CW agent. Some binary 14 for months to help avoid detection.” the rebels, the most prominent of whom is former Syr- agents need to be mixed in advance of Dispersion of the CW stockpiles would ian Air Force Colonel Riad al-Asaad, who formed the being loaded into a delivery system, make it difficult for the international FSA. A report in the Daily Beast told the story of Obei- community to know precisely where dah al-Mustafa, a former Syrian Army lieutenant who 19 Chemical weapons in a solid state will, depending on the weapons are located. The CW defected in 2012 and now leads the Liwa al-Fathin rebel environmental conditions such as temperature and hu- stockpiles, however, are also al-Assad’s brigade in Damascus. Al-Mustafa said that he is trying midity, “off-gas” as their state changes from either solid bargaining chip in staving off foreign to facilitate more defections. See Mike Giglio, “Fearful to liquid or directly solid to gas. intervention, so it is unlikely that he of a U.S. Strike, Defectors Flee the Syrian Army,” Daily 20 In the case of a car bomb, the deadly gas from a CW would compromise the security of such Beast, September 5, 2013. Moreover, according to a Reu- would be disseminated by both the explosion and the 15 weapons. ters report, which cited former Syrian soldiers, “military wind, but it would need to be of high quantities to be ef- sites in Syria are packed with soldiers who have been fective. effectively imprisoned by their superiors due to doubts 21 Melissa Locker, “Tokyo Sarin Gas Attack Suspect Ar- about their loyalty...Most of the commanding officers are rested, 17 Years Later,” Time, June 4, 2012. from Assad’s Alawite sect, an off-shoot of Shi’ite Islam, 22 Biological weapons (BW) are living organisms. There- 14 Adam Entous, Julian Barnes, and Nour Malas, “Elite and fear their subordinates will defect, flee their posts fore, they require more complex delivery systems that Syrian Unit Scatters Chemical Arms Stockpile,” Wall or coordinate with rebel units...” See Oliver Holmes and are capable of dispersing the agent over a widespread Street Journal, September 12, 2013. Khaled Yacoub Oweis, “Exclusive: Syria Army Defectors area without destroying the agent. BW are not capable of 15 Jay Solomon, “Disarmament Talks Begin on Shaky Say U.S. Strikes Could Kill Assad Opponents,” Reuters, withstanding the heat and pressure caused by an explod- Ground,” Wall Street Journal, September 13, 2013. August 30, 2013. ing ordinance like CWs.

3 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 such as a shell, while others are self- Nevertheless, Israel’s security doctrine Yet due to the restrictions in mixing where the detonation of the suggests it would take immediate transporting CWs, al-Qa`ida would shell automatically mixes the precursors military action to prevent Hizb Allah most likely be limited to a target in stored within it. from acquiring CWs.26 the immediate region. Regardless of the target, a successful To maintain potency, CWs require Al-Qa`ida, on the other hand, operates CW attack could further destabilize unique handling and storage. CW clandestinely and is not based in any a region already struggling to define agents are corrosive and degrade their one state. It has shown a prior interest itself in the wake of the own storage containers over time. A in CWs, and U.S. security officials uprisings. A CW attack on Western shell containing Sarin removed from operate under the assumption that al- interests—such as an embassy—within its controlled storage environment Qa`ida would use CWs if it acquired any country in the region might would immediately begin degrading them.27 There is evidence that al-Qa`ida increase the legitimacy of a terrorist the seals of the container in the shell.23 experimented with crude chemical group among its supporters, and force The vapor pressure in the container weapons in the past,28 and the group Western governments to reevaluate the would also drastically increase as well even had a chemical and biological threat picture. as the acidity of the CW with increasing weapons expert, Abu Khabab al-Masri, temperature. Since it is unlikely that who was killed by a U.S. drone in Conclusion a terrorist organization would have 2009.29 Moreover, al-Qa`ida in Iraq used In a positive development, the Syrian access to aircraft, it would be limited the chemical chlorine in more than a dozen government provided “an initial to using trucks or cars along hot, dusty bombs in 2007.30 Director of National declaration” of its chemical weapons roads to leave Syria.24 A terrorist Intelligence James Clapper told Congress program on September 20, the first organization, without proper protective in January 2012 that the U.S. intelligence step in a U.S.-Russian deal for Syria to equipment, would be restricted in community worries “about a limited CBR relinquish its CW stockpiles.32 the range it could transport a CW as [chemical, biological and radiological] the agent could potentially kill those attack in the United States or against Yet until it becomes clear that the moving it. A terrorist group would be our interests overseas in the next year Syrian regime is committed to the constrained to targeting regional actors because of the interest expressed in such agreement—especially in light of unless provided sophisticated storage a capability by some foreign groups, such recent reports that it is continuously and transport capabilities. as al-Qa`ida in the Arabian Peninsula moving around its CW stockpiles—the (AQAP).”31 risk for proliferation remains.33 Hizb Allah and Al-Qa`ida Two groups that might be interested in 26 Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s international relations, intelli- Captain Stephen Hummel is a FA52 officer acquiring CWs include Hizb Allah and gence and strategic affairs minister, said that Israel “has currently studying Chemical and Physical al-Qa`ida. drawn a red line over the transfer of chemical weapons to Biology at Vanderbilt University as part terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah.” See Yaa- of the Army’s Advance Civil Schooling Although Hizb Allah is a non-state kov Lappin, “Steinitz: Israel Can See if Assad is Moving Program. CPT Hummel previously served in actor, the group plays a major role in Syria’s Chemical Weapons,” Jerusalem Post, September both Iraq and as well as served Lebanese politics and operates openly 15, 2013. For more details on Israel’s security doctrine, as the USAREUR CBRN plans officer. Upon 25 in southern Lebanon. Consequently, see Arie Perliger, “Israel’s Response to the Crisis in Syr- graduation at Vanderbilt, he will teach in the Hizb Allah might determine that such ia,” CTC Sentinel 6:8 (2013). Chemistry and Life Science Department at weapons are best used as deterrence 27 An argument can be made that there is not enough the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. The against a repeat of Israel’s invasion evidence to prove that al-Qa`ida would employ CWs if viewpoints expressed in this article do not of Lebanon in 2006, rather than in it acquired that capability. According to this reasoning, necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army or an offensive capacity which might al-Qa`ida (or an affiliated group) would refrain from us- the Department of Defense. invite a strong international response. ing CWs due to concerns that such use would cause a loss of support. Regardless, the U.S. intelligence commu- Intelligence Community for the Senate Select Committee 23 Most containers are not 100% steel. There needs to be nity and law enforcement clearly consider this outcome a on Intelligence,” Office of the Director of National Intel- a rubber plug or epoxy to create a complete seal. These possibility and prepare accordingly. ligence, January 31, 2012. Also see a recent report that seals are quickly degraded once a gas such as Sarin is 28 Barton Gellman, “Al Qaeda Nears Biological, Chemi- three men charged with being members of al-Shabab, an removed from its storage unit. There are other factors at cal Arms Production,” Washington Post, March 23, 2003. al-Qa`ida affiliate, “had substantial knowledge regard- play as well, not mentioned in this article. 29 Farhan Bokhari, “Officials: Al Qaeda’s Mad Scientist ing an al-Shabaab research and development department 24 Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky has spent years Killed,” CBS News, September 10, 2009. that was developing chemical weapons.” See “Court Doc- cleaning up and repairing CW munitions that had spent 30 There should be a distinction, however, between ument References Al Qaeda-linked Chemical Weapons their lifetime in controlled, secure environments so that chlorine bombs and CWs such as the one used by Aum Program in Somalia,” CBS, September 19, 2013. they can simply transport the weapons to a neutral- Shinrikyo on the Tokyo subway in 1995. Chlorine is a 32 Michael R. Gordon and Nick Cumming-Bruce, “Syria izing facility for destruction. See “Chemical Weapon toxic industrial chemical and not a true CW. For details, Meets its First Test of Accord on Weapons,” New York Meltdown,” PEEReview, 2007; “Meeting Summary,” see “‘Chlorine Bomb’ Hits Iraq Village,” BBC, May 16, Times, September 20, 2013. Kentucky Chemical Destruction Community Advisory 2007; Peter Bergen, “Reevaluating Al-Qa`ida’s Weap- 33 On September 23, 2013, al-Assad said that inspectors Board, October 4, 2004. ons of Mass Destruction Capabilities,” CTC Sentinel 3:9 might have a difficult time accessing CW sites because 25 For a profile of Hizb Allah and its role in Lebanese (2010). “militants might want to stop the experts’ arrival.” See politics, see Jonathan Masters, “Hezbollah,” Council on 31 James R. Clapper, “Unclassified Statement for the “Assad: Syria Will Allow Access to Chemical Sites,” As- Foreign Relations, July 22, 2013. Record on the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US sociated Press, September 23, 2013; Entous et al.

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lived there since childhood.3 Almost A third of the fighters were born in The Swedish Foreign all of the 18 identified fighters lived in Sweden to immigrant parents. The rest Fighter Contingent in Syria southwestern Sweden, and more than migrated to Sweden, typically during half in the suburbs of , childhood, with their families. The By Per Gudmundson Sweden’s second largest city. Of the 18 fighters and their families hail from fighters, 11 came from two neighboring many countries: Iraq, Jordan, Kosovo, in april 2013, the Swedish Security suburbs of Gothenburg, Angered , and even the .10 Service estimated that “around 30” and Bergsjön. This gives credence to Yet as many as 10 are of Lebanese individuals from Sweden have traveled claims from Swedish terrorism expert to Syria to join “groups inspired by al- Magnus Norell who recently said that “All but two of the 18 Qa`ida.”1 This author has identified 18 recruitment in Sweden seems to occur fighters from Sweden who have joined through friendship ties.4 Three of the fighters carry Swedish the war in Syria—including their real identified fighters, for example, were passports. The two without names and social security numbers—and active members of the same Gothenburg has researched their backgrounds and club for Mixed Martial Arts.5 Others Swedish passports are relationships.2 Using public records, were frequent visitors to a well- Lebanese citizens who this article explores the socioeconomic known Gothenburg radical , backgrounds, regional distribution, the Bellevue Masjid.6 Some are even lived in Sweden for many criminal records and ethnicities of the 18 relatives of one another. years.” fighters. It also includes more anecdotal data from information collected through The fighters all have immigrant social media to show group affiliations, backgrounds, but only one has a direct casualties and previous connections connection to Syria. The fighter Abo Isa, descent (two of those are said to be to terrorism and the global jihadist a Palestinian, was born in the Syrian Palestinians). Only one, Abu Kamal, movement. city of Homs in 1984.7 He migrated to has any Scandinavian family history. Sweden at the age of eight, and became a Abu Kamal, a Swedish citizen who was The article finds that although the citizen in July 1992. He traveled to Syria reported “martyred” in January 2013, typical fighter from Sweden in the in the middle of June 2013, probably was born in Esbo, Finland.11 His parents Syrian war is a young man with an through Turkey,8 which is believed to were a Finnish convert mother and a immigrant background, most of the be the most common route to enter Syria Sudanese father, both living in Sweden. fighters are not of Syrian descent. among fighters from Sweden.9 All but two of the 18 fighters carry The majority of the fighters come from Swedish passports. The two without relative poverty, while many have Swedish passports are Lebanese citizens criminal records. Half of the fighters who lived in Sweden for many years.12 have previous links to terrorism 3 In Sweden, the Tax Agency (Skatteverket) keeps the or activities in the global jihadist population register, which is easily accessible to the The 18 fighters are all male, with the movement. public. All information on fighters’ residences, children, median age 23.5. The youngest fighter parents, siblings, citizenship, home countries, etc., was was born in 1994, while five are over 30, Origins 13 collected from Skatteverket. with the oldest born in 1976. Public records show that men who 4 “Terrorexperten: Rekryterarna jagar nya krigare i traveled from Sweden to fight in Syria are Göteborg,” Göteborgs-Posten, July 31, 2013. All of the 18 fighters are generally from more or less “homegrown” in the sense 5 Abu Kamal, Abu Dharar Filibbino and Abu Abdur- large families, where the median number that they attended the Swedish school rahman were all active in the club GBG MMA in Goth- of children is five. Three fighters have system and, if not born in Sweden, have enburg. children of their own. Two of them left 14 6 Khaled SigSauer, Abu Omar and Mark Abu Usama their wives and children in Sweden. 1 “The Swedish Security Service Yearbook,” Swedish were all visitors to the Bellevue mosque. Security Service, April 15, 2013. The number of fighters 7 The Swedish population register does not track ethnic- 10 The full data for country of origin: Lebanon: 10 fighters from Sweden is much higher than in previous conflicts. ity, but Abo Isa describes himself as a Palestinian on his (2 Palestinians); Iraq: 2 fighters (1 Palestinian); Jordan: 1 As a comparison, the previous most attractive conflict Instagram profile. fighter; Kosovo: 1 fighter; Morocco: 1 fighter; Philippines: zone for jihadists in Sweden was Somalia. Yet between 8 Abo Isa displays a Turkish phone number on his Fa- 1 fighter; Syria: 1 fighter; Sudan/Finland: 1 fighter. 2006 and 2012, “around 30” jihadists from Sweden trav- cebook profile. In the comments section to a picture of 11 His family wrote about his martyrdom and his up- eled to Somalia to fight. See “Säpo bevakar terrortränade himself with an AK-47 on his Instagram account, there is bringing on January 26, 2013, in Sudan’s al-Rakoba mag- svenskar,” Dagens Nyheter, February 27, 2012. a dialogue, dated to the middle of June, with a girlfriend azine, available at www.alrakoba.net/articles-action- 2 The author used ordinary journalism methods to iden- where he instructed her to use the Turkish phone num- show-id-29641.htm. tify the fighters, mainly through their own presence and ber from that point forward. 12 Rabih, who has lived in Sweden for 16 years, and Abu connections on social media. In a few cases, where there 9 Professor Magnus Ranstorp, research director of the Omar Kurdi, who has lived in Sweden for 23 years, are have been uncertainties, the author used sources from Centre for Asymmetric Threat Studies at the Swedish Lebanese citizens. within Swedish security agencies on condition of ano- National Defence College, stated that the most common 13 The full data for birth years: 1976: 1 fighter; 1978: 3 nymity. Although all of the 18 have been identified, this route to Syria is by plane to Ankara or , and by fighters; 1983: 1 fighter; 1984: 1 fighter; 1987: 1 fighter; article purposely only provides their pseudonyms. Being bus from there to villages near the Syrian border. See 1989: 3 fighters; 1990: 4 fighters; 1991: 2 fighters; 1993:1 a member of a terrorist organization, or being a fighter in “Om svenska jihadister i Syrien,” Sveriges Radio Studio fighter; 1994: 1 fighter. a civil war, is not a crime in Sweden. Ett, June 13, 2013. 14 Technically, only one fighter is married in the eyes of

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Isa al-Suedi, however, has two small cannabis (marijuana).21 Three of the fought for Kataib al-Muhajirin.27 The children with his Swedish convert wife, fighters committed violent crimes, same group took credit for the operation and the whole family reportedly moved two of those being of the less serious in which he was killed (a British foreign to Aleppo, Syria.15 variety. Abu Taha, for example, fighter died with him).28 The video assaulted his younger brothers at said that Abu Kamal was buried in Public records also show that the home in a family dispute gone Aleppo.29 fighters typically come from low income overboard.22 families16 in high-rise suburbs and are Abu Omar, born in October 1991, died low earners themselves.17 Only four One of the fighters in Syria, however, in early April 2013 from a head injury of the fighters have had incomes high can be considered a hardened criminal. caused by a rocket-propelled grenade. enough to indicate that they had steady Abo Isa, 29-years-old, has been charged He fought for an “extremely religious employment when they departed for with 15 criminal offenses and has been group,” according to Albanian news Syria, according to the latest available sentenced to prison three times. His outlet Telegrafi.30 records from the Swedish tax agency. records include repeated assaults Six others have incomes so low that and threats directed at a girlfriend, a Abu Dharr, born in October 1991, spoke they likely only worked part-time. series of narcotics crimes, and illegally in the first jihadist propaganda video Eight of them reported no income at carrying a knife in public. His most made entirely in Swedish, Och uppmana all, indicating that they have lived at recent conviction for a violent crime de troende att strida, released through home with their parents, or on social was in early November 2012.23 YouTube in late November 2012 by the welfare.18 “Swedish Muhajereen Fi Ash Sham” Activities in Syria group.31 He was reported dead five At least eight of the fighters have Public records do not tell the whole months later, in the middle of April, criminal records. That figure could story of the 18 fighters. Based on social with no details on the circumstances.32 s be higher because older criminal media and press reports, eight of them records are not easily searched in have already died in Syria.24 Abu Abdurrahman, born in July 1989, Sweden.19 Most of the charges are for reportedly died in Idlib in northwestern petty crimes.20 Four of the fighters Abu Kamal, born in March 1990, was Syria in early June 2013.33 His death committed narcotics crimes, typically allegedly killed by shrapnel when a announcement did not contain details.34 use or possession of small amounts of shell fired from a tank hit the wall next A British news report broadcast only to him in the suburbs of Aleppo.25 His days after the announcement of his death was announced in January 2013, death and based on exclusive access 26 the Swedish government: Abu Omar Kurdi. Islamic tradi- the same month he is said to have died. to foreign fighters in northern Syria tions say otherwise. Mark Abu Osama, for example, is said A martyr video titled Shaheed Abu Kamal, portrayed him as a fighter for Kataib al- 35 to have two wives, but in the Swedish register he is listed released in mid-March, stated that he Muhajirin. as divorced. See Echorouk TV, December 2012, available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEuCPfvWmF4. 15 Isa al-Suedi stated on his Facebook profile that he lives 21 Surprisingly, Umm Aya Bint Eswede, the Swedish in Aleppo. His wife’s decision to move to Syria was deep- convert wife accompanying her fighter husband, has 27 Kataib al-Muhajirin merged with other groups to be- ly contested by friends and family on her Facebook wall. been convicted of smuggling lesser amounts of psyche- come Jaysh al-Muhajirin wa-al-Ansar in March 2013. 16 Sixteen fighters come from families whose incomes are delic mushrooms and cannabis for personal use. It is led by a Chechen, and the group has a large foreign in decile eight, nine or ten, which means their family in- 22 These details can be found in Göteborgs tingsrätt fighter contingent. comes are between $3,000-$25,000 per year. (Gothenburg Regional Court) case #B 3518-05. 28 The English version of Shaheed Abu Kamal is available 17 In Sweden, details in tax returns are easily accessible 23 These details can be found in Hovrätten för Västra at www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sRq3sy1UpU. by the public through the Tax Agency. Information on Sverige (Court of Appeal for Western Sweden) case #B 29 Abu Kamal was reported dead on January 26, 2013. fighters’ incomes was collected there. 4418-12. Friends announced his death in the Swedish Muslim 18 The pay is not good in Syria, either. In a news report, 24 The chaotic situation makes it hard for Sweden to mailing list “Fatimazahra - Systrar i Islam.” His family an unidentified jihadist from Sweden, Abu Bakr, was get official information from Syria. This is not anew wrote about his death in the Sudanese magazine al-Rako- said to earn $150 a month fighting for Kataib al-Muha- phenomenon. Previous “martyrs” from Sweden, such ba also on January 26. jirin. See “How British Women are Joining the Jihad in as al-Qa`ida in Iraq’s second-in-command, Mohamed 30 “Dhjetë shqiptarë ‘bien për lirinë e popullit sirian,’” Syria,” Channel 4, July 23, 2013. Moumou (also known as Abu Qaswarah), are still not Telegrafi, April 13, 2013. 19 Criminal records are not centrally stored in Sweden, registered as dead in Swedish records. They remain list- 31 YouTube deleted the original, but the video can still and it is often difficult to search for cases that are older ed as “emigrated.” Also, these details should not be inter- be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzDXQ0f-jK0. than five years. The author used the web-based research preted as the casualty rate for all Swedish fighters (that 32 “Abu Dharr” was reported dead via the Jordanian tool at Piscatus.se that digitally collects all verdicts from approximately eight out of every 18 will die). Instead, the news site assaqifa.com, among others. Also, a now- all courts. high number of dead is because jihadists like to publish defunct jihadist Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ 20 The information on petty crime corresponds with a “martyrdom” announcements for dead fighters. Strangers.Sy) published a notice. news report, broadcast in the middle of June 2013, where 25 A Swedish daily reported that Abu Kamal’s death 33 Abu Abdurrahman’s death was announced on June the reporters researched “about 10” Swedish jihadists in was announced by Jabhat al-Nusra. The author has not 12, 2013, on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ Syria and found that some of them had committed petty been able to verify that claim independently. See “Ter- shahed.3ayan. This page covers the war in Syria. crimes, which is typical with all youth from the suburbs. rorgrupp: Svensk jihadist dödad i Syrien,” Expressen, 34 Ibid. See “Svenska Bilal strider för al-Qaida i Syrien,” Sveriges February 27, 2013. 35 “Britons Fighting with Syria’s Jihadi ‘Band of Broth- Radio, June 17, 2013. 26 Ibid. ers,’” Channel 4, June 14, 2013.

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Brothers Abu Maaz, born in May 1994, There have also been reports of All of the 18 fighters are Sunni, and and Abu Osman, born in February 1993, wounded fighters from Sweden. every fighter, both identified and were raised in the Swedish town Borås One told a reporter about a friend unidentified, where anything at all is in a large family of Lebanese heritage. “seriously wounded in his leg.”44 known, joined the more radical Islamic The older brother, Abu Osman, entered A Facebook account, operated by rebel groups (except Adam Samir Syria from Lebanon in early January unidentified fighters from Sweden in Wali who joined the FSA). They have 2013. He was followed by his brother northern Syria, said that those wounded fought for Jabhat al-Nusra, Kataib al- two months later. They were killed in in Syria are taken up to areas next to the Muhajirin and Jund al-Sham. In fact, the Turkish border for medical treatment. video Shaheed Abu Kamal stated that Abu “Unfortunately, we are circa 3 brothers Kamal first joined the FSA, but grew “Just being a member of that are wounded, so we have to stay disappointed because “most of them a terrorist organization, close to the border, and then some may [the FSA] didn’t pray, [but] listened need good care and then you have to go to music, and smoked cigarettes.”49 He however, is not a crime in to Turkey,” the Facebook account stated. then left Syria for Turkey, where he Sweden.” The fighter also explained the upside to met his old friend Abu Suleiman from being wounded: better internet access. Sweden, who convinced him to go back “This account may not be active that and instead join Kataib al-Muhajirin, long, if not anyone else gets wounded according to the video.50 an attack on an army checkpoint in Abu and takes it over,” it said. The account Zeid near the famous crusader castle has been up and running since the start During recent months, after the claimed Krac des Chevaliers in the region of of May 2013, with frequent updates in (and then rejected) merger of Jabhat Homs.36 The younger brother performed Swedish.45 al-Nusra and the , a suicide mission with a car bomb.37 The several fighters from Sweden clearly older brother died from small arms fire Apart from the eight deaths noted identify themselves with the Islamic in the pursuant assault.38 Their deaths above, two other men from Sweden have State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), were announced by Jund al-Sham and been reported dead, although the author judging by the content on their Facebook representatives from the family.39 At has not been able to corroborate their pages.51 the same time, the family revealed that pseudonyms with their real identities. another brother also had died fighting Adam Samir Wali hailed from Libya, A major concern of Swedish security 18 months earlier.40 Rabih, the third according to his martyr announcement, officials is whether Swedish citizens brother, was born in 1978 to the same but lived in Sweden and left to fight in have committed any terrorist acts, war father and a different mother, also Syria. Internet sources claimed that he crimes or other atrocities in the Syrian of Lebanese descent, in Kuwait. He died from grenade shrapnel on March conflict. There are some worrying signs. migrated to Sweden at the age of nine, 29, 2013.46 One source claimed that he One obvious incident is the suicide but retained his Lebanese citizenship was a fighter for the Free Syrian Army bombing conducted by 19-year-old Abu while also being registered as a resident (FSA), which would mean he is the only Maaz, one of the Lebanese brothers. Yet in Borås. He was killed in sectarian fighter from Sweden to claim affiliation there are no credible reports about the clashes in Tripoli, Lebanon, in 2012, with the more “secular” FSA.47 In late casualties (Jund al-Sham boasted that according to the family.41 August 2013, fighters from Sweden 200 soldiers were killed).52 The fact that announced that Abu Mohammad al- fighters from Sweden have fought with, Abu Omar Kurdi, born in 1976, Baghdadi, from Sweden, had been or side-by-side, Jabhat al-Nusra and reportedly died on the last day of killed, but provided no details.48 the ISIL is another concern. Just being Ramadan in August 2013 during the final a member of a terrorist organization, 53 attack on the Menagh air base outside 44 Expressen interview with “Abou Tauba,” an unidenti- however, is not a crime in Sweden. 42 of Aleppo. His death was announced fied fighter from Gothenburg, published on February 24, on Facebook by a jihadist friend from 2013. 49 The English version of Shaheed Abu Kamal is available 43 Sweden a few days later. 45 This account is available at www.facebook.com/ at www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sRq3sy1UpU. ghurabasyrien.syrien.1. 50 Ibid. 36 “Lebanese-Swedish Brothers Killed in Syria,” Agence 46 A now defunct webpage for Libyan martyrs, www. 51 For example, the Facebook accounts Ghuraba Syrien France-Presse, August 3, 2013. This was also revealed on facebook.com/ShuhadaLibyafeSuria, published the first Syrien and Sollentunas Muslimer, both operated by a Facebook page. death notice. Another can be found on the Ansar al-Mu- groups of Swedish jihadists in Syria, identify themselves 37 Ibid. jahideen web forum. with the ISIL. 38 Ibid. 47 The broader rebel opposition in Syria has much sup- 52 The original claim was located on the following Fa- 39 Ibid. port in Sweden (from exiled Syrians, for example), but cebook page, which has since been taken down: www. 40 Ibid. there have been almost no indications of any individuals facebook.com/JUNDALSHAM1. 41 Since the incidents in Tripoli in February 2012 are gen- from Sweden fighting for the FSA. Neither have there 53 Terrorism trials in Sweden have shown that a suspect erally considered spillovers from the war in Syria, Rabih been any reports of Shi`a Muslims from Sweden fighting has to be connected to a specific terrorist attack to be re- is included here among the fighters actually in Syria. with Lebanese Hizb Allah or nationalist Kurds fighting garded as a terrorist, roughly speaking. Sending money 42 The unidentified fighter, Abu Yaqeen, published the with the YPG, and there are no reports about conscripts to a terrorist group like is not a crime. Completing announcement in the radical Swedish Facebook group in the regular Syrian army. training and working as a foot soldier with al-Shabab is “Ummah Nyheter” on August 9, 2013. 48 This announcement was posted at www.facebook. not a crime. Taking part in a bombing against civilians, 43 Ibid. com/SollentunasMuslimer. however, is a crime.

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Evidence of possible war crimes is not One of the dead fighters, Abu Omar, Abu Omar Kurdi ran a website, www. easy to confirm. Abu Dharar Filibbini, is the son of an Albanian jihadist from tawhid-islam.se, which for years was however, has been the most prolific Mitrovica in Kosovo who was sentenced the only site in Swedish that openly publisher of photographs from the to seven years and four months in propagated violent jihad.62 According war. In mid-December 2012, he posted prison by a Serbian court in 2000 for to a news report, the Swedish Security a series of photographs from when preparing alleged terrorist crimes with Service had information that Abu Omar Kataib al-Muhajirin and Jabhat al- a group called Abu Bakr Siddiq.56 Kurdi was a jihadist already in 2003.63

The three dead Swedish-Lebanese Abu Salman is another propagandist “Another concern is brothers also have an interesting family who started a website in 2011 based whether fighters will history. An uncle to the brothers, on material from `Abdullah `Azzam, Youssef el-Hajj Dib, is currently in Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi and Ibn return to Sweden with prison in Germany for trying to kill Taymiyya, among others.64 He also the intention to perform German civilians with bombs hidden provided one of Norway’s most infamous in suitcases—commonly referred to as Islamists (later a fighter in Syria) with jihadist activities at home the German train bombing plot of May living quarters in Stockholm.65 or in Europe.” 2006.57 Another uncle, Saddam el-Hajj Dib, was regarded as the fourth highest Thirty-five-year-old Abu Dharar leader in Lebanese Fatah al-Islam Filibbino is the only fighter who boasted when he was killed fighting against the of previous jihadist fighting experience. Nusra captured the Sheikh Suleiman air Lebanese army in May 2007.58 When he first announced that he was base. In one of the pictures, he posed in Syria—via Facebook using his real triumphantly with his foot placed on One fighter, Khaled SigSauer, born in name—in late October 2012, he claimed the head of a slain enemy in civilian July 1990 and a cousin to the deceased that he had been trained by Lashkar-i- clothes. Other pictures from the same Abu Abdurrahman, figured in the Tayyiba in Pakistan during the spring battle showed inhumane treatment of background of a jihadist-related case of of 2001.66 prisoners and him posing with corpses. attempted murder in Sweden in the fall of 2011. Four young men in Gothenburg Another concern is whether fighters He is not the only one to publish were arrested on the suspicion that will return to Sweden with the intention photographs of atrocities. The most they planned to murder the Swedish to perform jihadist activities at home or gruesome photo yet was published artist Lars Vilks.59 The four men, who in Europe. According to sources within in early July 2013 by an unidentified were subsequently freed by the court,60 Swedish intelligence agencies, however, fighter from Sweden, Abu Ikrema. It carried knives on their way to an art fighters have already returned home. showed a fighter—most likely himself— fair where the alleged stabbing was One fighter, Abu Dharar Filibbino, posing with the head from a decapitated to occur. One of the knives had been returned in the spring of 2013, now man.54 provided by Khaled SigSauer, who was a battle-hardened veteran. At home friends with two of the suspects. Khaled in Gothenburg, he resurrected his Previous Jihadist Connections SigSauer was interrogated during the Facebook profile and started to post As many as nine of the 18 have previous investigation, court documents show.61 pictures from his battles, advice on links to terrorism or the global jihadist the equipment needed in war, movies movement. The 34-year-old Isa al-Suedi from training, and also a film showing from Halmstad is the older brother to a him and other fighters from Sweden 67 convicted terrorist currently serving 56 KMDLNJ / CDHRF Prishtina, report #506, July 2000. experimenting with explosives. He also a 12-year prison sentence in Denmark For an interview with the father, see www.ex-yupress. after plotting a Mumbai-style attack com/danas/danas30.html. 62 A recent report to the Swedish government on inter- on the Jyllands-Posten newspaper office 57 “The Brothers Deeb: A Family’s Terrorism Saga,” al- net extremism dedicated no less then seven pages to an in Copenhagen along with three other Akhbar, August 7, 2013. analysis of www.islam-tawhid.se. See “Våldsbejakande individuals living in Sweden. The 58 Another close relative, currently living in Sweden, has och antidemokratiska budskap på internet,” Swedish terrorist brother is no stranger to posted pictures of himself online with the controversial Media Council, May 2013. conflict zones himself. He was arrested British preacher Anjem Choudary. 63 “Svensk var hemlig agent åt tre länder samtidigt,” Da- both on the Somali border in 2007 and 59 In 2007, ISI chief Abu `Umar al-Baghdadi promised gens Nyheter, June 11, 2012. in Pakistan’s tribal agency $100,000 for the murder of Lars Vilks, and $50,000 64 The website, www.islamquransunnah.com, was 55 in 2009. more if Vilks was slaughtered like a lamb. See “Al-Qaeda closed down by its owner after it was exposed. Offers Reward for Cartoonist’s Death,” ABC News, Sep- 65 Per Gudmundson, “Ökänd norsk islamist sägs ha flyt- 54 The photo was later removed from Facebook. tember 15, 2007. tat till Stockholm,” gudmundson.blogspot.se, October 55 Actually, three of the four convicted for the Copenha- 60 The court found the four innocent of the accused mur- 30, 2011. gen plot had experience from travel in jihadist conflict der attempt, but stated that they had planned something 66 His Facebook account later specifically mentioned zones. The Copenhagen plot was suspected to be master- “in the like of what the prosecutor has described,” mean- Muzaffarabad in Kashmir as the location of the training minded by Ilyas Kashmiri. See Paul Cruickshank, “The ing assaulting Vilks. The four were instead convicted of grounds. Militant Pipeline Between the Afghanistan-Pakistan illegally carrying knives. 67 The author has chosen not to identify this Facebook Border Region and the West,” New America Founda- 61 These details can be found in Göteborgs tingsrätt page, as these activities are not necessarily a crime in tion, July 2012. (Gothenburg district court) case #B-12823-11. Sweden.

8 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 published a series of new homemade Separately, a mid-level TTP commander logos, indicating that he was toying Pakistani Fighters Joining said that the TTP are prepared to help with the idea of starting an organization the War in Syria Muslims worldwide and determined of some kind, possibly in Sweden. to provide manpower support to ease By Zia Ur Rehman the hardships of Syria’s Sunni Muslim Conclusion community.7 He claimed that the Based on the data that currently exists, more than two years since the Iranian regime is sending Pakistani the typical fighter from Sweden in the beginning of the uprising against Shi`a fighters to Syria through Iran Syrian war is a young man living in President Bashar al-Assad, Syria has and Iraq to join al-Assad’s forces the southwest of Sweden, probably in become an attractive destination for to suppress Syria’s majority Sunni the suburbs of Gothenburg. He has an Sunni foreign fighters.1 Al-Qa`ida Muslim population.8 Although there immigrant background, but is not of has exploited the Syrian civil war, are no confirmed reports that Pakistani Syrian descent. As with other young and hundreds of fighters from various Shi`a fighters have shown up on the immigrants, he is relatively poor, Muslim countries have traveled to Syria battlefield in Syria, Shi`a scholars without a steady job, and has been to fight with al-Qa`ida or one of its in Iran have issued fatawa (religious charged with petty crimes in the past. affiliated groups, such as the Islamic decrees) directing their followers to What might make him unique is that he State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and fight in Syria.9 Moreover, Shi`a militant has friends or relatives who also became Jabhat al-Nusra.2 For its part, various leaders fighting in Syria and those in fighters, or he was already connected, Tehrik-i- Pakistan (TTP) charge of recruitment in Iraq claim that in some way, to the global jihadist commanders have claimed to have sent the number of volunteers has increased movement. militants to Syria to join the fighting dramatically since the fatawa were against the al-Assad regime.3 issued.10 Still, the size of the Swedish contingent in Syria seems to have surprised the This article examines the presence of The network sending Pakistani Sunni Swedish Security Service. The only the TTP in Syria and the factors behind fighters to Syria is jointly run by the official estimate on the total number the group’s possible participation in TTP and the banned sectarian group of jihadists in Sweden was published the Syrian civil war. It also looks at the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LJ), both of which are by the Swedish Security Service in TTP’s propaganda toward the al-Assad affiliated with al-Qa`ida.11 The network December 2010.68 On a given year, it regime, their global outreach and the has reportedly sent between 100-150 said “around 200” individuals from impact of the Syrian war in Pakistan. fighters.12 Abdul Rashid Abbasi, a close Sweden could be considered active in associate of TTP chief Hakimullah the jihadist movement in one way or Reports of TTP Fighters in Syria Mehsud, said that 120 fighters are another. In light of the number of men Recent media reports and interviews already in Syria where they are under from Sweden who have already joined with TTP militants suggest that the the command-and-control structure of the war in Syria, that overall number Pakistani Taliban have sent militants al-Qa`ida in Syria.13 The leaders of this seems low. Half of the fighters identified to fight alongside rebels in Syria. network are Usman Ghani, a former LJ in this article had no known previous Mohammad Amin, described by the commander, and Alimullah Umry, a TTP connections to the jihadist movement BBC as the TTP’s coordinator for commander from and may not have been included in the Syrian affairs, said that the TTP have Province.14 2010 count. Indeed, the Syrian war established a base in Syria with the help continues to attract young men from of Arab fighters who had previously According to al-Jazira, Pakistani Sweden at a pace not seen in previous fought in Afghanistan.4 The purpose militants in Syria fight under the jihadist conflicts.69 Unless stricter of the base, Amin said, is to assess the platform of Katibat Muhajiroon, a enforcement measures are taken, this “ongoing jihad” in Syria and coordinate Latakia-based jihadist group solely participation rate may continue to rise. joint operations with Syrian militants.5

Another TTP senior commander said 7 Personal interview, TTP commander who identified Per Gudmundson is a journalist working as that the decision to send Pakistani himself as Omar because he was not authorized to speak an editorial writer for Svenska Dagbladet, fighters to Syria came at the appeal of to the media, August 5, 2013. 6 Sweden’s largest conservative daily. He their “Arab friends.” 8 Ibid. also runs the blog www.gudmundson. 9 Suadad al-Salhy, “Syria War Widens Rift Between blogspot.com. Shi’ite Clergy in Iraq, Iran,” Reuters, July 20, 2013. 1 Personal interview, Ahmed Wali Mujeeb, a BBC jour- 10 Ibid. nalist based in , August 8, 2013. 11 Zarar Khan and Sebastian Abbot, “Islamic Militants 2 Bruce Riedel, “Al Qaeda is Back,” Daily Beast, July 26, Leave Pakistan to Fight in Syria,” Associated Press, July 2013. 14, 2013; Shoaib-ur-Rehman Siddiqui, “Taliban Joining 3 Ahmed Wali Mujeeb, “Pakistan Taliban ‘Sets up a Base Syria Conflict?”Business Recorder, September 1, 2013. in Syria,’” BBC, July 12, 2013. 12 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 13 Saima Mohsin and Joe Sterling, “Syrian Opposition 5 Ibid. Questions Taliban Rebel Role,” CNN, July 19, 2013; “Is- 68 “Våldsbejakande islamistisk extremism i Sverige,” 6 Maria Golovnina and Jibran Ahmad, “Pakistan Taliban lamic Militants Stream Out of Pakistan in Growing Num- Swedish Security Service, December 16, 2010. Set Up Camps in Syria, Join Anti-Assad War,” Reuters, bers to Fight in Syria,” Associated Press, July 14, 2013. 69 For comparisons to other conflicts, see footnote #1. July 14, 2013. 14 Ibid.

9 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 composed of foreign militants belonging “systematic” campaign by pro-al-Assad The TTP have also threatened to attack to various Islamic and European forces to smear the rebels.23 Myanmar to avenge crimes against countries and led by a Libyan, Abu the Muslim Rohingya population, and Jaafar il Libi.15 The Pakistani groups The Pakistani Taliban’s Global Outreach pledged to send fighters to Kashmir to that have sent fighters to Syria include It is not a surprise, however, that wage a struggle for the implementation the TTP, the LJ and the Hafiz Gul Pakistani militants have joined the of Shari`a in India.31 Several Pakistani Bahadur group.16 The TTP also asked war in Syria. have become fighters fought in the Bosnian civil its commanders in Mohmand, Bajaur, involved in international jihadist war in 1992-1995, and in the Nagorno- Khyber, Orakzai and Waziristan violence in recent decades, and militants Karabakh war in 1988-1994 on the side tribal agencies to enlist new fighters from Pakistan have fought in several of Azerbaijan.32 Some fighters also to participate in the Syrian war.17 regions, especially in Afghanistan, participated in the recent war in Iraq.33 and the Balkans.24 The On July 31, 2013, an Urdu-language TTP work in a close alliance with al- Implications jihadist forum posted an authentic video Qa`ida, and their recent dispatch of As Pakistani militants increasingly confirming the presence of TTP fighters fighters to Syria shows their desire to view the war in Syria through a in Syria for the first time.18 The video, play a role in foreign jihadist theaters.25 sectarian lens, security analysts produced by the ISIL, showed a short In a January 2013 video, TTP chief believe that the conflict could clip of 10-20 TTP fighters on the ground , while discussing exacerbate Sunni-Shi`a tensions in in Syria.19 Additionally, a media report the organization’s post 2014 objectives, Pakistan.34 Since 1989, sectarian in September claimed that 30 bodies of described the TTP as an “international” fighting has claimed thousands of Pakistani jihadists killed in Syria have organization.26 When asked about the lives in Pakistan, mostly from the been sent back to Pakistan, the majority uprisings in Arab Spring countries, Shi`a community.35 Pakistan has of whom were associated with the LJ Hakimullah said, “We support them and experienced a sharp resurgence in and the TTP’s Punjab faction.20 we will aid them. If they need our blood, sectarian violence in the last decade, our life; if they need our people, we are which can be traced to the rise of the Despite these claims, however, other ready for every type of assistance so Pakistani Taliban in the mid-2000s reports state that the TTP’s leadership that the democratic and secular system and the organization’s growing ties to has rejected suggestions that they are [in Arab nations] comes to an end.”27 banned militant sectarian outfits in sending militants to Syria. One TTP Pakistan, such as the LJ.36 The TTP, the leader told reporters that some of There are other examples of Pakistani LJ and affiliated sectarian groups view their fighters have traveled to Syria militants joining foreign conflicts. the Shi`a as heretics, and they regularly independently, but that the TTP’s Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou attack them.37 focus remained in Pakistan. He said warned in June 2012 that jihadist fighters that while the TTP supports the Syrian from Pakistan and Afghanistan were This sectarian tension partly explains rebels, the TTP have their own targets training militants in northern Mali.28 the movement of fighters from Pakistan in the immediate region.21 The Pakistani Yemeni intelligence sources claimed to Syria. It has also reshaped the government has also rejected claims that al-Qa`ida was bringing Pakistani TTP’s propaganda toward the Shi`a that Pakistani militants have joined explosives experts into Yemen, and that community in general.38 A TTP-linked the war in Syria.22 The Syrian National one of them, Ragaa Bin Ali, was killed 29 Council called the news of Pakistani in a drone strike in Yemen in 2013. Times Square Plot, Says US,” Guardian, May 9, 2010. fighters traveling to Syria as part of a The TTP also sent Faisal Shahzad, a 31 “Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Threaten Myanmar young Pakistani who had been living in Over Rohingya,” Express Tribune, July 26, 2012; “Tehrik- 15 Rania Abouzeid, “Inside the Battle for Assad’s Heart- the United States, on a mission to bomb e-Taliban Pakistan Pledges to Fight in Kashmir, Imple- land,” al-Jazira, August 28, 2013; Rania Abouzeid, “On New York’s Times Square in May 2010, ment in India,” Indian Express, January 8, 2013. 30 Syria’s Front Lines: A Night in the Field Clinic,” al-Jazi- a plot that ultimately failed. 32 Mujeeb, “Pakistan Taliban ‘Sets up a Base in Syria.’” ra, August 28, 2013. 33 Personal interview, Aqeel Yousafzai, author of several 16 Personal interview, North Waziristan-based journal- 23 Saima Mohsin and Joe Sterling, “Syrian Opposition books on militancy, Peshawar, Pakistan, August 2013. ist who requested anonymity for security reasons, Au- Questions Taliban Rebel Role,” CNN, July 19, 2013. 34 Personal interview, Ahmed Wali Mujeeb, a BBC jour- gust 8, 2013. 24 Mujeeb, “Pakistan Taliban ‘Sets up a Base in Syria.’” nalist based in Islamabad, August 8, 2013. 17 Zahir Shah Sherazi, “First Batch of Fighters Reaches 25 Personal interview, Aqeel Yousafzai, author of several 35 “Sectarian Violence in Pakistan 1989-2013,” South Syria, Confirms Pakistan Taliban,”Dawn , July 16, 2013. books on militancy, Peshawar, Pakistan, August 2013. Asia Terrorism Portal, undated. 18 “Video Confirms Pakistani Taliban’s Presence In Syr- 26 “In New Video, Taliban Commanders Discuss Jihad 36 Huma Yusuf, “Sectarian Violence: Pakistan’s Great- ia,” The Middle East Media Research Institute, August Against America And The ‘Crusader-Zionist Alliance’; est Security Threat?” Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource 1, 2013. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Described As International Centre, July 2012. 19 Ibid. Organization,” The Middle East Media Research Insti- 37 Banned Shi`a militant groups in Pakistan, such as 20 Aqeel Yousafzai, “Taliban se muzakraat Hukmaran tute, January 9, 2013. Sipah-i-Muhammad Pakistan (SMP), target the Sunni band gali mai,” Hum Shehri [Lahore], September 9-15, 27 Ibid. community as retribution. See personal interview, 2013. 28 “Afghans, Pakistanis Training Militants in Mali: Ni- Ahmed Wali Mujeeb, a BBC journalist based in Islam- 21 “Pakistan Taliban Say No shift to Syria,” , ger,” Dawn, June 8, 2012. abad, August 8, 2013; Faraz Khan, “Sectarian Hit-Men July 16, 2013. 29 “Al Qaeda Bringing Pakistani Explosive Experts to Move from Killing Individuals to Targeting Families: 22 “Pakistan Denies Reports of Taliban Cell in Syria,” Yemen, Claims Official,”Dawn , August 10, 2013. Police,” Express Tribune, September 28, 2012. Dawn, July 16, 2013. 30 Andrew Clark and Declan Walsh, “Taliban Behind 38 Personal interview, North Waziristan-based journal-

10 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 leader said that they have planned more by U.S. airstrikes.3 At the time, it was attacks against the Shi`a community in AQAP’s Resilience in hailed as a crucial victory, as Yemeni Pakistan to seek revenge for attacks by Yemen government officials trumpeted the Shi`a and Alawites against Sunnis in “liberation” of Abyan from Ansar al- Syria and Iraq.39 Tehreek-ul-Ansar, a By Andrew Michaels and Sakhr Ayyash Shari`a fighters.4 Yet the year that has wing of the TTP, claimed responsibility followed has made such declarations for the July 26, 2013, twin suicide attacks in the spring of 2011, militants appear premature. Since Ansar al- in Parachinar town of Kurram Agency that affiliated with al-Qa`ida in the Arabian Shari`a abandoned control of its former killed 57 Shi`a, saying that the operation Peninsula (AQAP) seized control of strongholds in western Abyan, they was in revenge for the “killing of Sunnis towns in Yemen’s southern Abyan have expanded their presence across in Syria.”40 Province.1 This land grab occurred the country, showing few tangible at the same time that Sana`a-based signs of struggling to find areas of Tactically, it is not immediately clear how political forces were mired in a power relative refuge, even amidst continuing the small Pakistani contingent in Syria, struggle between the supporters of U.S. airstrikes carried out by drone used to fighting in the mountainous then-President Ali Abdullah Salih and aircraft.5 Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, a number of regime defectors ignited could help rebels in the streets of Syrian by Arab Spring-inspired protests. With Outside of Yemen, discussions of AQAP cities.41 Analysts, however, believe that the Yemeni armed forces split, and often tend to focus on a handful of the the Pakistani militants could provide military leaders distracted by events group’s most prominent members. This bomb-making skills, and guerrilla in the capital, the AQAP-affiliated attention is far from unwarranted. warfare and suicide bombing training fighters were able to cement their AQAP’s current leadership has proven to Syrian militants.42 Most Pakistani control of Abyan, taking on the role of uniquely skilled, demonstrating a great fighters are poorly educated, under governance and meting out their strict degree of coherence.6 Yet it contrasts employed and marginalized youth, and interpretation of Shari`a (Islamic with the relative lack of attention such it is feared that al-Qa`ida’s leadership law) as they declared a succession figures receive in Yemen itself, where in Syria could easily motivate them by of Islamic emirates in the name of focus instead falls on the various parts paying money for more violence.43 Ansar al-Shari`a (The Supporters of of the country where the group has been Islamic Law). Both locals and Yemeni able to find refuge. The TTP and al-Qa`ida have a government officials largely spoke of the symbiotic relationship, and sending two as interchangeable from the start, This article reexamines AQAP’s Pakistani militants to Syria will likely while statements from AQAP figures “defeat” in Abyan Province and be seen as an act of loyalty toward appeared to cast Ansar al-Shari`a as an identifies some of the factors behind al-Qa`ida’s affiliates.44 This mutual alias for their group.2 the group’s resilience in Yemen. It cooperation likely gives the TTP access finds that AQAP’s unified leadership to al-Qa`ida’s global terrorist network The militants would not be dislodged and ideology notwithstanding, it must and the operational experience of its from their strongholds in the province deal with differing regional dynamics members.45 until more than a year later in June 2012 as it aims to find and solidify areas to after a sustained offensive by Yemeni operate in Yemen. The importance of Zia Ur Rehman is a journalist and researcher troops and local tribal fighters backed the latter certainly does not negate that who covers militancy and security issues in of the former. Indeed, the developments Pakistan. He has written for the Friday of the past year would appear to Times, The Jamestown Foundation, the New 1 The takeover of Zinjibar came as clashes between anti- demonstrate that AQAP’s strength lies York Times, The News International and government tribesmen and pro-Salih troops plunged in its adaptability, which is ultimately The National. He is also the author of the much of Sana`a into urban warfare. fueled by its leadership’s knowledge of book in Turmoil. 2 On the eve of its emergence in April 2011, Shaykh Adil the differing dynamics of areas across al-Abab, AQAP’s fourth-ranking figure, described Ansar the country and their ability to apply it ist who requested anonymity for security reasons, Au- al-Shari`a as “the name…we use to introduce ourselves to their larger strategy. gust 8, 2013. in areas where we work.” Ansar al-Shari`a’s leaders uni- 39 “Parachinar Bombings: Death Toll Rises to 57,” Paki- versally delivered oaths of allegiance to AQAP amir Na- stan Today, July 27, 2013. sir al-Wahayshi. Yet even if a number of the details of the 40 Ibid. relationship between AQAP and Ansar al-Shari`a con- 3 “Yemen Retakes Ground in Push on Islamist Rebels,” 41 Jason Burke, “Syria Conflict: Why Pakistani Taliban tinue to fuel discussion, the debate has largely focused Reuters, June 11, 2013. is Pledging Support for Rebels,” Guardian, July 14, 2013. on whether the latter constitutes a formal arm of the 4 Adam Baron, “Yemen’s Defense Minister Visits Zin- 42 Personal interview, North Waziristan-based journal- former or a simple rebranding. Even analysts who have jibar, Jaar – Freed from al Qaida-linked Militants’ Con- ist who requested anonymity for security reasons, Au- focused on apparent differences in the shape of the two trol,” McClatchy Newspapers, June 13, 2012. gust 8, 2013. groups’ operations have still cast Ansar al-Shari`a as a 5 The end of 2011 marked the start of a sharp uptick in 43 Burke. subordinate organization inextricably tied to AQAP. For U.S. military actions in Yemen. The New America Foun- 44 Personal interview, North Waziristan-based journal- its part, the U.S. government directly designated Ansar dation recorded 79 U.S. airstrikes in Yemen during the ist who requested anonymity for security reasons, Au- al-Shari`a an alias for AQAP in October 2012. For more Obama administration. gust 8, 2013. details, see Christopher Swift, “Arc of Convergence: An- 6 See also Gabriel Koehler-Derrick ed., A False Founda- 45 Personal interview, Aqeel Yousafzai, author of several sar al-Sharia, AQAP and the Struggle for Yemen,” CTC tion: AQAP, Tribes, and Ungoverned Spaces in Yemen (West books on militancy, Peshawar, Pakistan, August 2013. Sentinel 5:6 (2012). Point, NY: Combating Terrorism Center, 2011).

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The Case of Abyan Province having to defend the easily penetrable This comes in spite of claims that The example of Abyan Province is flat farmlands surrounding Jaar and Yemen’s current president, Abd Rabu particularly instructive. What was cast its environs.13 Mansur Hadi, has proved a far more at the time as a “defeat” of Ansar al- dedicated counterterrorism partner Shari`a fighters appears in hindsight In consort with its activities outside the than his predecessor, Ali Abdullah as a “strategic retreat,” in consonance province, AQAP’s moves since Ansar Salih, since taking office in February with the claims of the group itself.7 The al-Shari`a’s defeat in Abyan suggest 2012.17 While U.S. officials largely military onslaught the group faced in the a shift away from any aims to hold described Salih as a crucial American spring of 2012 may have spurred them to land. Instead, AQAP appears to have ally, the former president’s critics and forsake control of former strongholds, reverted to its pre-2011 strategy, which political opponents had long argued that but rather than abandoning the province privileged operations space over any he exploited the threat of al-Qa`ida for it appears that they instead shifted their aspiration of governance.14 his own political benefit.18 In contrast presence. to Salih’s quiet granting of permission, Resilience Hadi has openly acknowledged—and As reports noted at the time, the In that sense, the fruits of last spring’s backed—the U.S. policy of launching bulk of fighters were able to flee offensive bear little resemblance to a airstrikes at targets in Yemen.19 Local the towns of Jaar and Zinjibar with conclusive defeat for AQAP as a whole. analysts have largely corroborated U.S. relative ease, in most cases with their Militants have retained longstanding and Yemeni government claims that weapons, while many of those native areas of relative refuge, while Hadi’s time in office has seen increased to the towns were able to slip back into expanding their presence to new parts commitment and improved bilateral normal society.8 Security officials of the country, most notably the central cooperation in the battle against acknowledge that AQAP and Ansar province of Bayda and the eastern AQAP.20 al-Shari`a cells remain even in towns province of Hadramawt.15 Ongoing U.S. and villages that are ostensibly in the airstrikes have eliminated a handful of Yet even those who note improvements hands of the government or local anti- AQAP’s top leaders—most notably its since the transfer of power counter AQAP tribal militias.9 These fighters former deputy, Said al-Shihri, and its that the current counterterrorism maintain a significant presence near top cleric, Adil al-Abab—but Yemeni strategy employed in the country the towns of Jaar and Mudiyya, which security officials question claims that remains critically flawed, arguing that were both focal points of last year’s airstrikes have decisively hampered an apparent focus on simply targeting military push, even if the bulk of the group’s activities.16 These officials militants has come at the expense of fighters in the province have taken to instead ground AQAP’s resilience in devoting the necessary attention and higher ground.10 The center of gravity its ability to capitalize on changing effort to combating the larger factors has shifted to the mountains of al- dynamics in different parts of the that have given AQAP room to grow. Maraqisha, and the AQAP stronghold country, seeking out havens in isolated Analysts and regular Yemenis alike of al-Mahfad in the province’s east, areas where government control is argue that the battle against AQAP which grant the fighters comparative nearly absent and resentment of Sana`a must also tackle longstanding issues safety in its rugged terrain.11 They is rife, largely avoiding confrontations like underdevelopment, high levels have continued to stage intermittent with powerful tribes and manipulating of unemployment and widespread attacks on tribal and military targets local discord to strengthen its position. resentment of the central government in population centers in the province’s in rural areas spurred by uneven access west,12 while giving up the “liability” of to basic services like electricity and healthcare.21 They argue that current 7 A statement attributed to Ansar al-Shari`a released af- initiatives from international actors ter the group’s withdrawal explicitly stated that they “did Sada Aden, August 12, 2013; “8 Killed in U.S. Drone aimed at tackling such problems, most not retreat from weakness, but rather to turn the pages of Strike in Southern Yemen,” Xinhua, June 1, 2013; “Two notably through the Friends of Yemen the enemy.” See “Al-Qaeda and the Political Transition Killed in Battle Between AQAP and Popular Commit- group, are insufficient. Process in Yemen,” al-Jazira Center for Studies, August tees,” Yemen Times, September 5, 2013. 29, 2012; Baron, “Yemen’s Defense Minister Visits Zin- 13 Personal interview, Abyan-based local official, Sana`a, jibar, Jaar – Freed from al Qaida-linked Militants’ Con- Yemen, September 2013. trol.” 14 Personal interview, Sana`a-based analyst specializing 8 Kelly McEvers, “Yemen Works to Reclaim Al Qaeda’s in AQAP-related issues, Sana`a, Yemen, August 2013. Territory,” National Public Radio, June 13, 2012 15 See, for example, the following incidents: “Air Raids 9 Personal interview, local Yemeni security official, Au- in Yemen Kill At Least 33 Suspected al-Qaeda Militants: 17 See John Brennan’s speech at the Council on Foreign gust 2013. See also Andrew Hammond, “Al Qaeda Goes Officials,” al-Arabiya, March 10, 2002; “Al-Qaeda Con- Relations on August 8, 2012. Underground in US-driven Crackdown,” Reuters, Octo- firms Death of Yemen Leader Qaeed al-Dhahab,” al-Ar- 18 See, for example, Gregory Johnsen, “Losing Yemen,” ber 23, 2012. abiya, September 15, 2013; “Terrorism Operations Grow Foreign Policy, November 5, 2012. 10 Ibid. in Hadramout,” Yemen Times, March 5, 2012; “Al-Qaeda 19 Scott Shane, “Yemen’s Leader Praises U.S. Drone 11 Personal interviews, two local figures familiar with Seizes Territory in Yemen’s Hadramawt,” Daily Star Strikes,” New York Times, September 29, 2012. AQAP operations in the region, August 2013; “US Drone [], May 24, 2013. 20 Personal interview, Yemeni political analyst, Sana`a, Kills Six Al Qaeda Militants, Says Yemeni Military 16 Mark Mazzetti, “No. 2 Leader of Al Qaeda in Yemen Yemen, August 2013. Source,” Agence France-Presse, July 28, 2013. is Killed,” New York Times, January 24, 2013; “Al-Qa`ida 21 Gregory D. Johnsen, “How We Lost Yemen,” Foreign 12 “AQAP Attacks Popular Committees in Lawdar,” Leader Killed in Shabwa,” al-Masdar, October 20, 2012. Policy, August 6, 2013.

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Local Factors Determine AQAP’s Success or Hiraak. Similar to the Huthis, to withdraw a week later after tribal Local factors tend to govern both the Southern Movement blames mediation.33 Yet the group maintains the absence and presence of AQAP AQAP’s strength on Sana`a-based a strong presence in the al-Dahabs’ militants. AQAP and the vociferously elites, stating that the government’s stronghold in al-Manaseh.34 The anti-American Huthi22 rebels, who incompetence and collusion with allegiance of some members of the al- control the bulk of the provinces of extremists effectively left them Dahab family has brought with it the Sa`da and al-Jawf, may share a common with no other option but to defend allegiance of many local tribesmen—a enemy in the Yemeni government, but themselves against AQAP and Ansar result of their loyalty to AQAP- their relationship is just as adversarial. al-Shari`a militants, which southern aligned, Manaseh-based members Statements from AQAP have condemned secessionists see as both a threat to of the al-Dahab family, rather than the Zaydi Shi`a Huthis in starkly their way of life and to their aims an endorsement of AQAP itself.35 sectarian terms, taking responsibility of gaining independence.30 The Regardless, locals say that the loyalty of for attacks on the group in both Sa`da mobilization of separatist-leaning many area tribesmen has held up even and al-Jawf.23 The Huthis openly cast tribesmen, largely spearheaded by in the face of a government military AQAP as an “American creation” Mohamed Ali Ahmed, a prominent offensive earlier this year, stating manipulated by political and military Southern Movement figure, is also that many tribesmen fought alongside powers in Sana`a.24 Regardless, local widely acknowledged to have played a AQAP-affiliated fighters, viewing the officials say the group’s strength key role in the battle against Ansar al- Yemeni military’s battle against the currently functions as a bulwark against Shari`a in Abyan. 31 militants as an unwelcome violation of potential AQAP expansion in areas their sovereignty.36 under their control.25 While Sa`da and Local analysts explain AQAP’s current al-Jawf are strategically located along actions in the context of a general The open cooperation of leading tribal Yemen’s border with , strategy to seek out areas where figures in Bayda contrasts with the AQAP’s presence in both provinces government control is absent and local general state of affairs in most of the remains light, largely concentrated tribal leaders are apathetic or weak. rest of the country. AQAP’s greatest in isolated villages where locals have The group’s expansion in the area of asset in most areas where it maintains adopted Saudi-influenced brands of Qayfa and the town of Ra`da in the west a presence is typically cast as local Sunni Islam.26 AQAP’s small numbers of the central province of Bayda are a indifference: too weak to face the group belie the significance such border areas notable exception to the latter, coming on their own, locals will rarely confront hold for the group: the loss of key transit as a result of support from a number of it absent a reason to do so, whether routes in the border province of al-Jawf key members of the al-Dahab family— in the form of incentives and support would rob AQAP of its primary link to powerful and locally respected tribal offered from the government or more Saudi Arabia.27 elites.32 Al-Qa`ida-affiliated fighters prominent tribal leaders, or blowback led by one member of the family, Tariq from overly aggressive actions from To the south, in mountainous districts al-Dahab, took control of the town of AQAP affiliates themselves.37 Locals in the north of the province of Lahj, Ra`da in early 2012 before agreeing in the central province of Marib have armed locals have largely been able to explained its longstanding AQAP prevent AQAP fighters from gaining former People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY), presence by the absence of the central 28 ground. This area is a stronghold which was an independent country until Yemen’s 1990 government’s control and militants’ of hard line factions of Yemen’s unification. While rooted in the rights-based protests ability—and willingness—to quietly 29 38 secessionist Southern Movement, that accompanied its 2007 emergence, the demand has blend in. increasingly shifted to the return of full independence, 22 The Huthis are a Zaydi Shi`a insurgent group based even if some factions continue to express openness re- A security official in Hadramawt in far northern Yemen known for their acerbic slogan, garding a federal solution. The mountains of the provinc- explained the group’s recent expansion “God is Great, Death to America, Death to America, es of al-Dhale and Lahj are largely seen as the heartland on similar issues, noting the lack of Damn the Jews, Victory to Islam.” The target of six wars of hard line factions while a disproportionate number of government presence in areas of the waged by the central government during the final decade Southern Movement leaders in Abyan, the birthplace of of Salih’s rule, they have appeared open, if skeptical, to President Hadi, have shown a comparative willingness 33 “Al-Qaeda Gunmen Pull Out of Yemen Town,” al- political inclusion efforts undertaken since Hadi took of- to work with the current government. Arabiya, January 25, 2012. fice, retaining their well-armed militias. 30 Personal interview, Southern Movement leader, 34 Personal interview, local security official, Sana`a, Ye- 23 “Al-Qa`ida Claims Responsibility for the Attack Aden, Yemen, February 2013. Many supporters of the men, August 2013; Francois-Xavier Tregan, “US Drone Against Huthis,” al-Masdar, November 28, 2010. Southern Movement blame Sana`a-based political forces Strikes in Yemen Cast a Long Shadow Over Life on the 24 See, for example, www.ansaruallah.com/news/2925. for the spread of hard line interpretations of Islam, which Ground,” Guardian, July 23, 2013. 25 Personal interview, Huthi-aligned Sa`da-based offi- they cast as part of a deliberate effort to eliminate the 35 Personal interview, local tribal leader, Sana`a, Ye- cial, Sana`a, Yemen, October 2012. south’s perceived cultural differences, a result of British men, February 2013. 26 Ibid. influence, and the effects of the PDRY’s three decades of 36 Adam Baron, “Yemen Moves Against Al Qaeda- 27 Personal interview, Yemeni local journalist from al- socialist governance. linked Fighters after Hostage Talks Falter,” McClatchy Jawf Province, Sana`a, Yemen, October 2012. 31 Farea al-Muslimi, “Returned South Yemen Leader: Newspapers, January 28, 2013. 28 Joseph Logan, “Yemeni Secessionist Dangles Pledge ‘Peaceful Struggle’ May Yet Win,” al-Monitor, September 37 Personal interview, Sana`a-based political analyst, to Fight Al Qaeda,” Reuters, May 17, 2012. 11, 2012. Sana`a, Yemen, August 2013. 29 The Southern Movement is a fractious coalition of 32 “Tariq al Dahab, Yemen Al Qaeda Leader, Dead, Says 38 Personal interview, local tribal leader, Sana`a, Ye- differing factions calling for a return to autonomy in the Terrorist Group,” Associated Press, February 20, 2012. men, June 2013.

13 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 province that host AQAP activity and Bilal al-Berjawi and of American al-Shabab fighter Omar the passive response of locals who Hammami alongside another Briton,2 feel too weak to fight back.39 Since the the Shifting Fortunes the death of long-time al-Shabab leader offensive in Abyan, analysts argue, of Foreign Fighters in Ibrahim al-Afghani, the disappearance the group appears to have focused on Somalia of Mukhtar Robow, and Hassan Dahir avoiding inflaming local sentiment. Aweys’ decision to turn himself in Militants in Hadramawt, for example, to authorities all point to a change By Raffaello Pantucci have directed offensive actions largely within the organization that seems to at security officials.40 This has made have been punctuated by the ambitious on september 21, 2013, al-Shabab it all the easier for AQAP to capitalize attack in . The ultimate result militants attacked an upscale shopping on resentment of U.S. airstrikes; by is still developing, but al-Berjawi’s rise mall in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. The presenting themselves as a benign and fall provides a useful window with brazen operation comes in the aftermath force to locals, the group is able to shift which to look at the role of foreigners in of al-Shabab leader Ahmed “Mukhtar blame for violence to the Yemeni and the conflict in Somalia. Abu al-Zubayr” Godane’s consolidation U.S. governments, casting them as the of power. In June, Godane swept aside a belligerent parties. The Life of Bilal al-Berjawi raft of senior leaders in the group. His Bilal al-Berjawi was a Lebanon-born, power grab marked a watershed event Conclusion British-educated young man also in a period of dramatic turmoil for al- Hailed as a victory at the time, known as Abu Hafsa.3 Born in Beirut Shabab. in hindsight Ansar al-Shari`a’s in September 1984, his parents brought abandonment of its former strongholds him to the United Kingdom when he was One individual, Bilal al-Berjawi, whose in Abyan seems to have been more of a baby.4 Raised in west London, he lived death may have come as part of an early a temporary setback than a crippling as a young man near an Egyptian family expression of this schism, returned defeat. AQAP has responded to its whose son, Mohammed Sakr, became to public attention when al-Shabab losses by shifting strategy, going so far his close friend. Characterized as “two published a number of videos and as to expand its presence to new parts peas in a pod” by fellow Somalia-based materials celebrating him in early of Yemen in the year that has followed. foreign jihadist Omar Hammami, al- 2013. A British citizen who was While U.S. airstrikes have had some Berjawi’s and Sakr’s stories seem closely drawn to Somalia before al-Shabab success in targeting the group’s key intertwined.5 Sakr’s family reported formally existed, he rose through the leaders, they have shown no signs of that the two men met as boys when ranks of al-Shabab and the foreign inflicting a debilitating blow.41 Sakr was 12-years-old, and then lived fighter cell linked to al-Qa`ida to adjacent to each other.6 Most references become a figure who was reportedly In accordance with its reputation, to the men in jihadist materials mention second only to the head of al-Qa`ida’s AQAP has shown a continued ability to them as a pair. East Africa operations, Fazul Abdullah adapt, one that appears to be fueled by Mohammad (also known as Fadil knowledge of differing dynamics across In a martyrdom notice for al-Berjawi, Harun). Al-Berjawi’s death in January the country. In context, events in Abyan al-Shabab said that he was from west 2012 reportedly triggered tensions ultimately constitute one chapter in a London,7 while the BBC identified him within al-Shabab, culminating in long and continuing narrative. as being from St. Johns Wood in the Godane’s takeover earlier this year. Yet al-Shabab emphasized that al- Andrew Michaels and Sakhr Ayyash Berjawi’s death was the product of 2 Tom Whitehead, Mike Pflanz and Ben Farmer, “Brit- are two journalists who have reported Western intelligence efforts, rather ish Terror Suspect Linked to ‘White Widow’ Samantha extensively from Yemen for international than an internal purge.1 Lewthwaite Reportedly Killed,” Telegraph, September 12, media outlets. 2013. In fact, it is not clear whether the individual iden- The accuracy of al-Shabab’s claims in tified in the article was the same Briton killed alongside the videos remain to be proven, but the Hammami, although it seems clear that the kunya identi- releases provide an interesting view on fying him as British was correct (Osama al-Britani). current developments within al-Shabab 3 One Ugandan report also gave him the following pseud- as well as illuminating al-Berjawi’s role in onyms: Hallway Carpet, Omar Yusuf and Bilal el Ber- the group and his narrative as an epigraph jaour. See Barbara Among, “Police Foil Another Bomb for foreigners drawn to al-Shabab. Attack in Kampala,” New Vision, September 25, 2010. An online biography released about al-Berjawi also men- 39 Personal interview, Hadramawt-based security offi- This article offers an in-depth look tioned he liked to use the name Abu Dujana. cial, Sana`a, Yemen, August 2013. into al-Berjawi’s life, as well as some 4 Among; Chris Woods, “Parents of British Man Killed 40 Personal interview, security official, Sana`a, Yemen, thoughts on how he may have become by US Drone Blame UK Government,” The Bureau of In- August 2013. enmeshed within the contingent of al- vestigative Journalism, March 15, 2013. 41 White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan Shabab that has been sidelined. Al- 5 This quote is based on a conversation between said in 2012 that the United States is “very concerned Berjawi’s death, the reported death this author and the @abumamerican Twitter handle, about AQAP…it’s the most active operational franchise.” April 19, 2013. Omar Hammami is believed to be the He also said that AQAP now had more than 1,000 mem- owner of that handle. bers. See Paul Cruickshank, “Brennan on Bin Laden 1 “A Drone Strike Pronounces a Martyr,” al-Shabab, 6 Woods. Raid, and ‘Dangerous’ Yemen,” CNN, April 20, 2012. January 21, 2012. 7 “A Drone Strike Pronounces a Martyr.”

14 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 northwest of the city.8 A community They were detained in Nairobi because Sakr called his parents from Somalia worker who knew al-Berjawi in his they “aroused the suspicions” of a hotel to reassure them that he was doing teenage years said that he was involved manager in Mombasa.18 Both were well.27 in teenage gang violence in west London, deported back to the United Kingdom specifically in clashes between Irish (as British passport holders) and told In July 2010, a cell linked to al-Shabab gangs and Muslim youth in the area.9 He different accounts of their actions to conducted a double suicide bombing in was not particularly religious, although awaiting security officials.19 When Kampala, Uganda, on two bars where he appeared to be a contemplative Mohammed Sakr’s father confronted his people watched the soccer World Cup young man.10 He had a wife of Somali son about his actions, Sakr said, “Daddy, final. The attack claimed approximately origin who he married when he was it’s finished, it will never happen again. 74 lives.28 According to one report in 19- or 20-years-old, and a child who It’s all done and dusted.”20 the Ugandan press, al-Berjawi, Sakr was conceived after he had risen up the and Rahman were detected entering ranks of al-Qa`ida’s East Africa cell.11 By October 2009, the men decided to try the country in July 2010, although it to return to Somalia, and this time they remains unclear the exact role that they According to a longer martyrdom notice were able to evade detection and slip out played, if any, in the Kampala attack.29 published almost a year after his death of the United Kingdom along with a third as part of a series called “Biographies of man. According to the “Biographies By this point, al-Berjawi was repeatedly the Flags of the Martyrs in East Africa,”12 of the Flags of the Martyrs in East referred to in the Ugandan press as being al-Berjawi was trained by al-Qa`ida Africa,” they had to travel through a a direct deputy to Fazul Mohammad, operatives Fazul Abdullah Mohammad number of countries before they arrived the head of al-Qa`ida’s operations in and Salah Ali Salah Nabhan when in Somalia.21 In November, they were East Africa, although he seems to have he first arrived in Somalia in 2006.13 reported by Ugandan authorities as been close to others in al-Shabab as Under their tutelage, he seems to have being at the heart of a manhunt for well.30 The “Biographies of the Flags of flourished, although when the Islamic individuals allegedly plotting terrorist the Martyrs in East Africa” identified Courts Union (ICU) fled as a result of the acts in the country.22 The two were him as being in regular direct contact Ethiopian invasion, al-Berjawi returned identified alongside a third British with Fazul, and even helping him get to the United Kingdom to fundraise and national named Walla Eldin Abdel into Somalia at one point.31 A biography find ways to send money back to East Rahman—a name that corresponds with of Fazul released by al-Shabab and Africa.14 Al-Berjawi’s martyr biography British court documents.23 Al-Berjawi, statements from American jihadist praised him in this role, calling him in particular, was identified as having Omar Hammami corroborated this, with “brilliant” and able to set up many three passports with him.24 the biography stating that al-Berjawi profitable projects.15 According to was in regular contact with Fazul32 and his martyrdom video released by al- According to his martyr biography, Hammami claiming in an interview that Shabab’s media wing, after the release having returned to Baidoa in Somalia, Fazul kept abreast of developments of his written biography, he decided to al-Berjawi joined a camp and trained in Somalia through contacts with al- travel back to Lebanon from London.16 diligently alongside others, undertaking Berjawi and Sakr, both of whom “were “difficult assignments” despite very close to Fazul at the time prior to In February 2009, al-Berjawi and Sakr being reported as having a stomach his martyrdom.”33 In September 2010, headed to , telling their families condition.25 He was described as being the British home secretary sent letters their intention was to go on a “safari.”17 supportive of his colleagues and a lover to al-Berjawi’s and Sakr’s parents of battles. As time passed, he seemed to revoking their citizenships “on grounds 34 8 Secunder Kermani, “Drone Victim’s Somalia Visits have assumed greater responsibilities, of conduciveness to the public good.” Probed,” BBC, May 30, 2013. helping to supply forces (with items 9 Personal interview, Tam Hussein, community worker such as clothing and weapons) and who knew al-Berjawi, London, August 2013. to take on responsibility for tending 27 Woods. 10 Ibid. to families left behind by fallen 28 Elias Biryabarema, “Uganda Bombs Kill 74, Islamists 26 11 Woods. warriors. In early 2010, Mohammed Claim Attack,” Reuters, July 12, 2010. 12 For the entire series “Biographies of the Flags of the 29 Among. Martyrs in East Africa,” see www.jihadology.net/catego- 18 BX v. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, 30 In fact, it is not entirely clear how separate the two or- ry/biography-of-the-flags-of-the-martyrs-in-east-africa. Royal Courts of Justice, 2010. ganizations were at this point. The al-Qa`ida in East Af- 13 See “Biography of the Martyred Figures in East Africa 19 Ibid. rica cell seems to have been quite small and largely part 4: ‘Abd Allah Fadil al-Qamari,’” available on Jihadology. 20 Woods. of al-Shabab’s community. net, which seems to draw on Fazul Mohammad’s own 21 “Biography of the Martyred Figures in East Africa 5: 31 “Biography of the Martyred Figures in East Africa 5: published biography, “War on Islam,” and interviews Bilal al-Birjawi al-Lubnani (Abu Hafs).” Bilal al-Birjawi al-Lubnani (Abu Hafs).” with individuals like al-Berjawi. 22 Milton Olupot, “Security Hunts for Somali Terror- 32 “Biography of the Martyred Figures in East Africa 4: 14 “Biography of the Martyred Figures in East Africa 5: ists,” New Vision, November 8, 2009. ‘Abd Allah Fadil al-Qamari,’” available on Jihadology. Bilal al-Birjawi al-Lubnani (Abu Hafs),” available on Ji- 23 J1 v. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, net. hadology.net. Royal Courts of Justice, 2013. 33 “Answers to the Open Interview with the Mujahid 15 Ibid. 24 Olupot. Shaykh [Omar Hammami] Abu Mansur al-Amiriki,’” 16 This video is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v 25 “Biography of the Martyred Figures in East Africa 5: The Islamic World Issues Study Center, May 2013, avail- =dPQGhZaxD5A&feature=youtu.be. Bilal al-Birjawi al-Lubnani (Abu Hafs).” able at Jihadology.net. 17 Woods. 26 Ibid. 34 Woods.

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In June 2011, a drone strike that may them track al-Berjawi so that he could 2011 when al-Shabab leaders “opposed have been targeting senior al-Shabab be killed in a drone strike.41 Hassan said to Godane” gathered in Baidoa.50 figure Ibrahim al-Afghani supposedly that al-Berjawi was the first person that injured al-Berjawi.35 This came two the handlers asked him about.42 Concerns seem to have focused around weeks after Fazul took a wrong turn the fact that so many key players in al- down a road in and drove In Hassan’s telling, he recruited a Qa`ida’s East Africa cell and the foreign straight into a Somali government friend, Yasin Osman Ahmed, who was to fighter community were being removed roadblock. According to al-Shabab’s drive al-Berjawi that day.43 Al-Berjawi from the battlefield in quick succession. biography of Fazul, in the wake of allegedly called Ahmed on the morning The fact that Fazul died in such odd his death concerns started to mount of January 21, 2012, at around 9 or 10 circumstances for a man of his caliber about the circumstances involved, and AM as he wanted to go to the market to and training,51 followed by al-Berjawi’s a number of al-Shabab commanders, purchase a firearm.44 Later, according death, all seemed to suggest an internal alongside al-Berjawi, Sakr and others, to Hassan, al-Berjawi was driving to purge. When Sakr and others were fled the country.36 In this version of meet with the “amir of the mujahidin” killed a month after al-Berjawi, this events, as the group fled Somalia, they when they stopped to make a phone sense seemed to harden, with Omar were targeted by the drone that injured call. It was at this point that the drone Hammami considering Sakr’s death al-Berjawi.37 After being injured in the found its target, killing al-Berjawi.45 In “a strange incident.”52 In between al- drone strike, al-Berjawi snuck into Kenya Hassan’s confessional, a month later an Berjawi’s and Sakr’s deaths, however, to recuperate with Sakr’s assistance.38 almost identical scenario played out, the new leader of al-Qa`ida, Ayman al- but this time with him recruiting a third Zawahiri, announced al-Shabab’s official It is unclear at what point al-Berjawi man called Abdirahman Osman to act merger with the terrorist group. returned to Somalia, but by early 2012 he as the person who supposedly led the seems to have been back in the country drone to its targets: Mohammed Sakr The exact details of this possible and is described in the regional press and another group of foreign fighters.46 leadership dispute remain unclear. Yet as having assumed Fazul’s position as the recent executions of Ibrahim al- the leader of al-Qa`ida in Somalia39— Questions About Death Afghani and Sheikh Maalim Burhan,53 although given he had been injured so Bilal al-Berjawi’s death seems to have the reported death of American Omar soon after Fazul’s death, it is not clear sparked a wave of concern within the Hammami,54 ’ how much he would have been able to community of al-Qa`ida in East Africa decision to hand himself over to achieve in this role. Nevertheless, this and foreigners in al-Shabab. After al- authorities in Mogadishu, and Mukhtar would have made him a target for foreign Berjawi death, hundreds of foreign Robow’s abrupt move into hiding55 intelligence services and, according fighters reportedly left Somalia. Shaykh all indicate that whatever leadership to a video confession produced by al- Abuukar Ali Aden, an al-Shabab leader struggle was underway has now come Shabab and released by al-Kataib that for Lower and Middle Jubba region, into the open with Godane emerging was posted in May 2013 seemingly told Somalia Report that “yes, it is true victorious. What role al-Berjawi played to affirm the narrative behind al- that those brothers left us and went in this remains unclear, although it Berjawi’s death, it is at this time to Yemen due to some minor internal seems as though his death may have that unspecified foreign intelligence misunderstandings amongst ourselves. been a catalyst to precipitate subsequent services allegedly recruited a young This started when we lost our brother events. The emergence of the video Somali named Isaac Omar Hassan.40 Bilal al-Berjawi.”47 An emergency confessional produced by al-Shabab According to Hassan’s confession meeting was held almost immediately seems a conscious effort to claim al- to al-Shabab, he was recruited by after al-Berjawi’s death that was Berjawi’s death was solely the product foreign intelligence services to help attended by al-Shabab leaders Ali of external intelligence efforts, rather Mohamed Rage, Hassan Dahir Aweys, than due to an internal purge.56 35 Thomas Joscelyn and Bill Roggio, “Senior Shabaab Mukhtar Robow, Omar Hammami, Commander Rumored to Have Been Killed in Recent Shaykh Fuad Mohammed Kalaf, and 50 “Al Qaeda Commander Killed in Somalia Blast,” The 48 Predator Strike,” The Long War Journal, July 9, 2011. unidentified others. Notably absent Star, January 24, 2012. 49 36 “Biography of the Martyred Figures in East Africa 4: was Godane. This seemed to echo 51 It is worth noting that in the East Africa martyrs bi- ‘Abd Allah Fadil al-Qamari,’” available at Jihadology. another meeting that had been held ography about Berjawi, Fazul’s death is characterized as net. prior to al-Berjawi’s death in December being a “planned” assassination, suggesting it was not an 37 Ibid. accident. 38 “Biography of the Martyred Figures in East Africa 5: 41 Ibid. 52 This detail is based on a Twitter conversation between Bilal al-Birjawi al-Lubnani (Abu Hafs).” 42 Ibid. this author and the @abumamerican Twitter handle, 39 “Al Qaeda Leader Killed in Somalia Blast,” The Star 43 Ibid. April 19, 2013. Omar Hammami is believed to be the [Nairobi], January 24, 2012. 44 Ibid. owner of that handle. 40 This confession video was purportedly filmed by 45 Ibid. 53 “Godane Loyalists Reportedly Execute al-Shabaab al-Shabab. It is worth noting that in the video the group 46 Ibid. Leader Ibrahim al-Afghani,” Sabahi, June 28, 2013. alternates between accusing the CIA or Britain’s MI6 of 47 Rashid Nuune, “Al Qaeda, al-Shabaab Pledge Alle- 54 Whitehead et al. being responsible for handling Hassan. The video was giance…Again,” Somalia Report, February 9, 2012. 55 Hassan M. Abukar, “Somalia: The Godane Coup and posted in May 2013 and is available at http://ia600707. 48 Mohammed Odowa, “Al Barjawi Assassination Wid- the Unraveling of al-Shabaab,” African Arguments, July 3, us.archive.org/22/items/3d-f7dhrhm-2/SoBeware2_ ens Rift in Shabaab,” Somalia Report, January 23, 2012. 2013. HQ.m4v. 49 Ibid. 56 This could certainly be true as al-Berjawi clearly was a

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Al-Berjawi’s Links to Other Militants the camp was a pair of men who were seeking to advance a narrative of What led Bilal al-Berjawi to fight in later detected to have gone to Somalia global jihad.67 Somalia is uncertain. His decision to in May 2005 with three other friends train in Somalia in 2006 when the ICU as part of what security services This is not to say that the jihad in was in power suggests he was part of a assessed was “for purposes relating to Somalia no longer has its foreign larger community of London radicals terrorism.”62 J1 admitted knowing the adherents. The elusive Samantha who were drawn to Somalia before al- men had gone to Somalia, although he Lewthwaite, the convert wife of July Shabab emerged as a powerful entity. claimed he thought it was for “religious 7, 2005, bomber Jermaine Lindsay, The fact that he had a Somali wife likely purposes.”63 remains at large in East Africa and acted as a stimulant to go to Somalia, is accused of being a key figure in rather than to Iraq or Afghanistan, Around a month later, on July 21, al-Shabab cells outside Somalia.68 which were popular destinations among 2005, J1 was in telephone contact Canadian passport holder Mahad Ali British Islamists at the time. These with Hussain Osman—one of the men Dhore was among those involved in the individuals were part of the radical responsible for the attempted London attack on the Mogadishu Supreme Court scene in London that were drawn by bombings that day (also present at in April 2013.69 Most significantly, messages advanced by radical preachers Mohammed Hamid’s camp).64 His role al-Shabab claimed that a number of who circled around the “Londonistan” in al-Berjawi’s tale is similar to that foreign fighters—including Americans— community. Al-Berjawi was further with the May 2005 group that went to participated in the recent Westgate Mall connected, at least peripherally, to Somalia. According to court documents, attack in Nairobi.70 a group linked to the network that by 2009 J1 was a “significant member attempted to carry out a terrorist attack of a group of Islamist extremists in Yet Somalia has lost some of its luster, on London’s transportation system on the UK” and in this role he provided something that has been accelerated July 21, 2005. support for al-Berjawi, Sakr and a by the emergence of alternative third acquaintance when they went to battlefields like Syria or North Africa The links to this cell can be found Somalia in late 2009.65 as places where young Western jihadist through an individual mentioned tourists can go. This is a situation that in UK court documents as “J1.” An Conclusion could reverse itself, but until some Ethiopian national born in 1980, The narrative around al-Berjawi greater clarity is cast over Godane’s J1 reportedly moved to the United shows the shifting relationship power grab in the organization and the Kingdom with his family in 1990 and between al-Shabab and al-Qa`ida’s status of al-Shabab, it seems likely that is currently believed to be fighting East Africa cell. His travel to the fewer foreigners will be drawn to that deportation to Ethiopia.57 He was part region in 2006, and then again in battlefield. The life and times of Bilal of a group that attended camps in the 2009, was during the period when al-Berjawi offer a window with which United Kingdom run by Mohammed jihad in East Africa was of great appeal to see the waxing and waning appeal of Hamid, an older radical figure who took to Western aspirants seeking jihadist East Africa for Western jihadists. over responsibilities for the community adventures. The emergence of the ICU around Finsbury Park after Abu Hamza that at first seemed to emulate the Raffaello Pantucci is a Senior Research al-Masri was taken into custody in Taliban provided inspiration that was Fellow at the Royal United Services 2003.58 then spurred on with the invasion of Institute (RUSI) and the author of the Somalia by U.S.-supported Ethiopian forthcoming We Love Death As You Love In December 2004, J1 was picked forces in 2006.66 With the withdrawal Life: Britain’s Suburban Mujahedeen up by police in Scotland near where of Ethiopian forces and the subsequent (Hurst/Columbia University Press). Hamid was running a training camp, overstretch by al-Shabab, however, far away from their residences in Somalia appears to have become a London.59 A former crack cocaine less welcoming place for foreigners addict who had founded the al- Koran bookshop on Chatsworth Road, BBC, February 26, 2008. 67 Most publicly, this has been seen in the struggle East London, Mohammed Hamid is 62 J1 v. The Secretary of State for the Home Department. around the American Omar Hammami whose writings currently in jail having been convicted 63 Ibid. and online activity on YouTube and Twitter highlight- of soliciting murder and providing 64 Ibid. ed the disagreements between the various factions in 60 terrorist training. Most notoriously, 65 According to court documents: “In October 2009 Ber- al-Shabab, but traces of it can also be found in Bilal al- in May 2004 he ran a training camp jawi, Sakr and Rahman travelled from the UK to Somalia Berjawi’s tale. in Cumbria where four of the July 21, for the purpose of terrorist training and terrorist activ- 68 Mike Pflanz, “White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite 61 2005, bombers attended. Also at ity in Somalia. The appellant knew in advance about the ‘was Plotting to Free Jermaine Grant,’” Telegraph, March travel plans of those three men and the purpose of their 13, 2013. It is worth noting, however, that it was her new focus of Western intelligence efforts. expedition.” See ibid. Confirmation of support is provid- husband, Habib Ghani, who died alongside Omar Ham- 57 J1 v. The Secretary of State for the Home Department. ed through a separate court document: J1 v. The Secretary mami. See Whitehead et al. 58 Ibid. of State for the Home Department, “Deportation – Substan- 69 Michelle Shephard, “Probe Focuses on Canadian as 59 Ibid. tive (National Security) – Dismissed,” 2011. Shabaab Leader of Somalia Courthouse Attack,” Toronto 60 Duncan Gardham, “Airlines Plot: Al-Qaeda Master- 66 It emulated the Taliban in the sense that it was an Is- Star, April 15, 2013. mind ‘is Still Alive,’” Telegraph, September 10, 2009. lamically driven movement seeking to restore order to a 70 David Simpson and Arwa Damon, “Smoke Rises Over 61 Dominic Casciani, “Top Extremist Recruiter is Jailed,” land overrun by warlords. Besieged Kenya Mall,” CNN, September 23, 2013.

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The Current State of style since the 1990s. While the cartel Sinaloa cartel has continued to expand itself may employ as many as 100,000 in Mexico and globally, but has faced Mexico’s Many Drug operatives,4 the leadership is believed to increasing pressure from rival groups, Cartels rarely communicate directly with them, Los Zetas in particular.9 While it is no preferring instead to issue wide-ranging longer as effective as it once was, the By Malcolm Beith orders and allow the plaza chiefs—those Sinaloa Federation remains the most in charge of specific trafficking zones— expansive, organized cartel operating it is tempting to separate Mexico’s drug to run their operations like franchises. in Mexico today. cartels into six hierarchical groups, For this reason, the Sinaloa cartel has each competing for trafficking long been known as the Federation. Los Zetas turf. The reality, however, is that Los Zetas are Mexico’s most lethal drug the Sinaloa Federation, the Gulf In 2008 and 2009, however, the trafficking organization. Originally a Cartel, the Tijuana Cartel, the Juarez Sinaloa Federation suffered its first tight-knit group of approximately 30 Cartel, Los Zetas and La Familia, major ruptures when the Beltran Leyva former members of a Mexican Special not to mention several new offshoot brothers and Edgar Valdez Villareal Forces unit who operated as the organizations, are fluid, dynamic, (also known as La Barbie) split off from paramilitary wing for the Gulf Cartel, for-profit syndicates that sometimes Sinaloa to form their own independent Los Zetas have grown exponentially operate under the umbrella of what outfits,5 the Beltran Leyva Organization since the early 2000s.10 True to their are effectively conglomerates but more and the Cartel del Pacifico Sur.6 As a origins, some of the often than not operate as independent, result, one of the Beltran Leyva brothers recruits have received advanced smaller-scale franchises. and Villareal were arrested in 2008 weapons and communications training, and 2010 respectively, while another which is what originally distinguished This article examines the current state brother was killed in 2009.7 It is unclear the group from other cartels in Mexico. of the Sinaloa Federation, Los Zetas, whether Sinaloa leader Guzman and his and other Mexican cartels. It finds that inner circle informed the authorities of Nevertheless, today many Los Zetas due to law enforcement pressure in the three’s locations as payback over members have had little training at all; recent years, Mexico’s drug trafficking the split, or whether they simply proved since 2008, small groups of “thugs” organizations have increasingly unable to run operations on their own. sporting crew cuts and purporting to be splintered, and may well end up The Sinaloa Federation, however, members of Los Zetas have appeared in consolidated under the influence of the would never be the same. While it small towns in Mexico, quickly claiming last cartel standing. That cartel would would expand in size—domestically the turf as their own. Los Zetas members likely be the Sinaloa Federation, which and internationally—it would suffer have been involved in turf battles in remains the most powerful cartel in setbacks and lose clout near its home Sinaloa cartel strongholds like the city Mexico today. turf of Sinaloa and Durango, as well as of Culiacan and have been spotted as in southwestern Mexico.8 far south as Guatemala and Honduras.11 The Sinaloa Federation Yet aside from a few apparent attempts The Sinaloa Federation is the most Since 2008, dozens of high-level to consolidate the multitudes of groups powerful Mexican drug trafficking Sinaloa cartel lieutenants have been calling themselves Zetas, Los Zetas have organization with the largest presence brought down by authorities, including remained splintered.12 nationwide and globally. Based in the Guzman’s father-in-law and longtime state of Sinaloa in northwestern Mexico, associate, Ignacio Coronel Villareal The authorities have continually it has operatives in at least 17 Mexican (also known as Nacho Coronel), who was hampered Los Zetas’ ability to use states.1 In recent years, its members killed in a shootout in the central city technology to communicate. In August are known to have operated in cities of Guadalajara in July 2010, and Ismael 2012, for example, the military seized throughout the United States.2 At the Zambada’s son Vicente Zambada Niebla, 15 communications installations, helm of the cartel is Joaquin “El Chapo” who is currently on trial in Chicago. The Guzman Loera, and he is accompanied 9 For details on the Sinaloa Federation’s international by several other key figures, among them 4 This is the author’s own estimate, based on arrests and operations and activities, see Samuel Logan, “The Si- Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Juan Jose the breakdown of official estimates of Mexicans involved naloa Federation’s International Presence,” CTC Sentinel 3 Esparragoza “El Azul” Moreno. These in the drug trade. Also see “‘Hay 500 mil narcos:’ Revela 6:4 (2013). three figures, in their 50s and 60s, have Senado al Congreso Magnitud del crimen organizado,” El 10 For a profile of Los Zetas, see Samuel Logan, “A Pro- run the Sinaloa Federation through Universal, August 9, 2008. file of Los Zetas: Mexico’s Second Most Powerful Drug a hands-off, top-down management 5 “El Ocaso de Los Beltran. Un operativo llevado a cabo Cartel,” CTC Sentinel 5:2 (2012). por la Marina permitio que se terminara con uno de los 11 “El Capturado Z-40 organizo a Los Zetas en Guate- 1 “El Cártel de Sinaloa,” Milenio, undated. grupos delictivos mas peligrosos,” Excelsior, September mala,” Associated Press, July 18, 2013. 2 See National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Depart- 19, 2013. 12 A founding member of Los Zetas, Marcos Carmona ment of Justice, available at www.justice.gov/archive/ 6 “Detenido presunto lider del cartel del Pacifico Sur en Hernandez (also known as “El Cabrito”), was arrested in ndic. el estado de Morelos,” EFE, February 11, 2013. the southern state of Oaxaca in March 2011, shortly af- 3 For details, see the U.S. Treasury Department’s leader- 7 “Cronologia narcotraficantes caidos en los ultimos ter another founding Zeta member was killed in nearby ship chart for the Sinaloa Federation, available at www. anos,” El Universal, July 15, 2013. Veracruz. This suggests that the northern-based leader- treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/ 8 “Sicarios de los Beltran Leyva y Zetas atacan a gente del ship was trying to gain control of its membership in the Documents/20120724_esparragoza_moreno_org.pdf. Chapo en Sonora,” Milenio, July 2, 2010. south.

18 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 including a 50-foot telecom tower, in given the corner in which Los Zetas find than intra-cartel violence, with the the northern state of Tamaulipas.13 themselves.20 high-level drug trafficking operations In the past year, the authorities apparently conducted by members of the have also had success in arresting Mexico’s Other Cartels Sinaloa and Gulf cartels. In some ways, or killing some of the top Los Zetas There are more than a handful of other Sinaloa has always had a foot in Juarez: leaders.14 On October 7, 2012, Los cartels operating in Mexico, but none in the 1990s, Esparragoza Moreno was Zetas leader Heriberto Lazcano on the level of the Sinaloa Federation or considered the “number three” for Lazcano, known as “El Lazca” or “Z- Los Zetas. There are already indications the Sinaloa Federation as well as the 3” (indicating his high-rank within that the Sinaloa Federation may try to “number two” for the Juarez Cartel, the original Zeta unit), was killed by strike an alliance with the remnants even though the two organizations were the Mexican Navy.15 On July 15, 2013, of the Gulf Cartel, which, since the officially rivals.24 Lazcano’s successor, Miguel Angel extradition of Osiel Cardenas Guillen in Trevino Morales (“Z-40”), was arrested 2007 (he received a 25-year sentence in What remains in the rest of Mexico is in Tamaulipas without a shot being Houston in 2010), has been considerably a hodgepodge of offshoot groups that fired and reportedly with the help of weakened.21 Its members have been in are increasingly staking their claim U.S. intelligence.16 Law enforcement constant conflict with Los Zetas, from to disputed turf from Veracruz to pressure during the majority of the Tamaulipas all the way to Guatemala. Guadalajara to Acapulco. La Familia, Calderon administration was focused Once the most powerful drug trafficking a pseudo-religious group based in on Los Zetas and La Familia, in large organization on Mexico’s East Coast, the the central state of Michoacan which part because these two groups were the Gulf Cartel’s current level of influence is preached wholesome values all the most intent on executing indiscriminate unclear. It is reasonable to assume it still while peddling methamphetamine on acts of violence.17 controls the majority of drug trafficking the side, has all but shattered under law operations in Tamaulipas, but it is enforcement pressure, but the so-called Without these leaders, Los Zetas will impossible to be completely confident of Knights Templar has risen in its place. likely remain a ragtag operation, intent the Gulf Cartel’s current condition given The Knights Templar, like La Familia, on violence and willing to engage in the fog that surrounds the criminal operates behind a facade of pseudo- almost any illicit activity for profit, underworld in Tamaulipas.22 religiosity, calling into question just but increasingly disorganized and, as a how separate it is from what was once result, less in control of drug trafficking Of the other groups, the Tijuana Cartel La Familia. Given La Familia’s growth and less capable of undermining the is perhaps the least menacing. Since the during the early years of the Felipe authorities and the state.18 It is also fall of the last of the group’s long-time Calderon administration, it is unlikely likely that the Sinaloa Federation will leaders, the Arellano Felix brothers in the organization simply disappeared repeat a move from its 2004 playbook 2008, the group has stayed largely off entirely. and try to take control of the lucrative the radar. It is believed that a sister of Nuevo Laredo trafficking corridor19 the Arellano Felix brothers, Enedina, Groups such as Nueva Generacion, may be trying to run operations, but based in Guadalajara, and the Matazetas 13 “Desmantelan una red de comunicaion de los Zetas,” there are indications that the Sinaloa (the “Zeta Killers,” who are purportedly Excelsior, August 24, 2012. Federation has moved in on their an offshoot of the aforementioned 23 14 Ibid. territory. A similar situation exists Jalisco organization now based largely 15 Randal C. Archibold, “Mexico Kills a Drug Kingpin, in Ciudad Juarez, where just one of in Veracruz) have appeared on the but the Body Gets Away,” New York Times, October 9, the original Carrillo Fuentes brothers, scene in the last two or three years, 2012. Vicente, remains in charge of what used attracting attention with beheadings, 16 Randal C. Archibold, “Drug Kingpin is Captured in to be the powerful Juarez Cartel but is other violent killings and narcomantas Mexico Near Border,” New York Times, July 15, 2013; Tra- now an increasingly fluid operation that (banners) laying claim to their turf. Yet cy Wilkinson, “Leader of Zetas Drug Cartel Captured: resembles gang-on-gang warfare more a closer examination reveals that these ‘40’ May be Extradited to U.S.,” Los Angeles Times, July may not actually be new organizations 16, 2013. 20 For more on this, see Logan, “The Future of Los Zetas at all: the Nueva Generacion was a name 17 The lack of obvious law enforcement pressure on after the Death of Heriberto Lazcano.” commonly thrown around Guadalajara other organizations, the Sinaloa Federation in particular, 21 James C. McKinley, Jr., “Mexican Drug Kingpin Sen- in association with Sinaloa Federation prompted accusations from journalists and government tenced to 25 Years in Secret Hearing,” New York Times, kingpin Coronel Villareal as early critics that the Calderon administration was protecting February 25, 2010. as 2008, while the name Matazetas Sinaloa, or at the very least turning a blind eye to its ac- 22 It is reasonable to assume that the Gulf Cartel controls appeared as early as 2004 in the tivities. A string of high-profile arrests from 2009 until the majority of drug trafficking operations in Tamauli- northern border city of Nuevo Laredo the present day have largely silenced these claims. pas because Los Zetas engages in risky endeavors like when Sinaloa Federation operatives 25 18 For more on this argument, see Samuel Logan, “The human trafficking and less profitable ventures -like pi challenged Los Zetas for their turf. It Future of Los Zetas after the Death of Heriberto Lazca- racy in Tamaulipas. Los Zetas would probably not be in- no,” CTC Sentinel 5:10 (2012). volved in such activities if it dominated the drug trade in 24 “El Azul, segundo en la lista de criminals mas busca- 19 Nuevo Laredo is widely considered to be one of the Tamaulipas. All historical research has shown that drug dos por la FBI,” La Jornada, February 13, 2005. most important trafficking routes from Mexico to the trafficking is so lucrative that if a group controls it, then it 25 Personal interviews, various sources, Guadalajara, United States, as highways from Texas lead to every part has no need for profit from other illicit activity. Mexico, 2008; Silvia Otero, “‘El Chapo’ envia a rivales of the United States. It is also less policed than the bor- 23 “Tijuana ‘Cartel Boss’ Arellano Felix Extradited to mensaje en video via internet,” El Universal, October 15, ders at Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. US,” BBC, April 29, 2011. 2006.

19 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 is nearly impossible to confirm whether placed the number of dead at 42. The the new organizations are offshoots of Recent Highlights in militants reportedly doused the dormitory the major cartels or not. Although many Terrorist Activity in fuel and then set the building on fire as disgruntled operatives are often tempted students slept. A number of students were to try to form their own organizations, July 1, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber also shot. ’s leader, Abubakar sometimes even with their leadership’s detonated explosives inside a Shi`a Shekau, later said that Boko Haram was blessing, it is rarely clear whether they mosque in Muqdadiya, Diyala Province, not responsible for the operation, but operate independently or under an killing at least 22 people. – Telegraph, July 2 that he fully supported the attack “on this umbrella. Western education school.” Shekau said, July 2, 2013 (CANADA): Canadian police “We don’t attack students.” – AP, July 6; Conclusion announced that they foiled an al-Qa`ida- AFP, July 13 If there is one certainty that has inspired plot to detonate three pressure emerged from roughly six years of cooker bombs in Victoria during the July 7, 2013 (UNITED KINGDOM): The fighting the cartels in Mexico, it is Canada Day holiday on July 1. Police said United Kingdom deported radical Muslim that the country’s drug trafficking that there was no evidence of a foreign preacher Abu Qatada to Jordan to face organizations are more fragmented than link to the plot. – Reuters, July 2 terrorism charges. UK authorities have ever, and now lack the leadership of tried to deport Qatada, who has been organized, business-oriented kingpins. July 2, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): Afghan described as a key al-Qa`ida operative Taliban militants attacked the entrance in Europe, since 2001, but British courts There are several scenarios for the to a NATO supply company compound in blocked his extradition over human rights future. If offshoots like La Generacion Kabul, killing nine people. Four Nepalese, concerns. – AP, July 7 Nueva, Los Zetas and the Matazetas— one Briton and one Romanian were among which have shown a propensity for the dead. – AFP, July 2; Reuters, July 2 July 8, 2013 (PAKISTAN): A suicide wanton violence that is unparalleled bomber on a motorcycle attacked a pro- in Mexican history—continue to gain July 3, 2013 (EUROPE): Charles Farr, the government tribal elder’s vehicle in a foothold, Mexico may become such director general of Britain’s Office for Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa difficult terrain through which to move Security and Counterterrorism, warned Province, killing at least eight people. The drugs that the traffickers shift back to that “the blunt truth is there are more elder was not in the vehicle at the time of the Caribbean, which they abandoned people associated with AQ [al-Qa`ida] the attack. – AP, July 8 in the 1990s after increased U.S. law and AQ-associated organizations now enforcement pressure around the operating in Syria than there ever have July 8, 2013 (NIGERIA): The United islands. Traffickers also may opt to use been before that close to Europe…Groups Kingdom announced that they have Central America as a hub, given its lack in Syria aspire to attack Europe and banned the Boko Haram group under of strong institutions. clearly in this chaotic environment have their antiterrorism laws, making it a both the capability and the means to do so criminal offense in the United Kingdom to There is also the possibility that the using, amongst others, returning foreign belong to or support the group, as well as Sinaloa Federation and Gulf Cartel fighters who are coming back to Europe.” to facilitate meetings or wear any clothing will seek to consolidate control over – Reuters, July 3 supporting them. – AFP, July 8; Voice of the various offshoots and incorporate America, July 8 them into their larger organizations. July 4, 2013 (MALI): French forces If this happens, violence would likely discovered the body of Philippe Verdon, July 10, 2013 (UNITED KINGDOM): diminish, but drug trafficking would a French hostage who had been held in According to the United Kingdom’s flourish, and both U.S. and Mexican law Mali by al-Qa`ida in the Islamic Maghreb. annual report of the parliamentary enforcement along the border would be After an autopsy, French authorities said intelligence and security committee, “al- put under increasing pressure. that Verdon died from a gunshot wound Qaida elements and individual jihadists to the back of the head. Verdon, a 53-year- in Syria currently represent the most Malcolm Beith is a freelance journalist old businessman, was kidnapped from a worrying emerging terrorist threat to and author of The Last Narco: Inside the hotel in northeastern Mali in November the UK and the West…There is a risk Hunt for El Chapo, the World’s Most 2011. – RFI, July 19 of extremist elements in Syria taking Wanted Drug Lord. A former general advantage of the permissive environment editor at Newsweek International, he July 5, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): A suicide to develop external attack plans, has also written for Foreign Policy, The bomber wearing an Afghan police uniform including against Western targets. Large New Statesman, and detonated his explosives in a police dining numbers of radicalized individuals have Foreign Affairs, among other publications. room in Trinkot, Uruzgan Province, been attracted to the country, including He has just completed a Master’s Degree killing 12 police in what was possibly an significant numbers from the UK and in War Studies from the University of insider attack. – Reuters, July 5 Europe.” The report warned that these Glasgow. militants are likely to acquire “expertise July 6, 2013 (NIGERIA): Suspected and experience which could significantly Boko Haram group militants attacked a increase the threat posed when they boarding school in the northeast Nigerian return home.” – Guardian, July 10 town of Potiskum, Yobe State, killing 29 students and a teacher. Later reports

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July 10, 2013 (PAKISTAN): A suicide July 17, 2013 (YEMEN): Al-Qa`ida in , freeing hundreds of convicts, bomber targeted a vehicle carrying the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) confirmed including senior members of al-Qa`ida. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari’s that its second-in-command, Said al- As part of the assault, suicide bombers security chief in Karachi, killing him and Shihri, was “killed in a U.S. drone attack.” in explosives-laden vehicles attacked the two police officers. – AP, July 10; Reuters, According to CNN, AQAP’s recent gates of the prison, blasting their way July 10 statement “did not say when or where al- into the facility. Gunmen then attacked Shihri died, just that a U.S. drone took guards with mortars and rocket-propelled July 11, 2013 (SYRIA): According to the his life sometime after the first week of grenades. Militants entered the prison Free Syrian Army (FSA), al-Qa`ida- April.” – Reuters, July 17; CNN, July 17 to free inmates, while another group linked militants from the Islamic State of of militants established positions near Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) killed a senior July 17, 2013 (SYRIA): Kurdish fighters the main road to fight off government figure in the FSA. An FSA spokesman reportedly expelled jihadists from the al- reinforcements sent from Baghdad. Four said that militants from the al-Qa`ida- Qa`ida-linked Jabhat al-Nusra from the militants and 10 policemen were killed, linked group called him and threatened Syrian flashpoint town of Ras al-Ain and while at least 500 inmates escaped. that “they will kill all of the Supreme took control of the nearby border crossing According to one Iraqi official, most of Military Council.” – Reuters, July 11 with Turkey. – Daily Star, July 17; Voice of the 500 were “convicted senior members America, July 18 of al-Qa`ida and had received death July 12, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber sentences.” A simultaneous attack on a targeted a café in Kirkuk, killing at least July 17, 2013 (LEBANON): Gunmen shot prison in Taji, 12 miles north of Baghdad, 18 people. – AFP, July 12 to death a prominent Syrian pro- followed a similar design, but militants government figure at his home in Sarafand there failed to free any inmates. During July 13, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber in southern Lebanon. Mohammed the Taji raid, 16 soldiers and six militants detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at a Darrar Jammo was shot nearly 30 times. were killed. The Islamic State of Iraq and Shi`a funeral tent in the village of Zahra, According to the Associated Press, the Levant claimed responsibility for both north of Baghdad, killing five mourners. “Jammo, a 44-year-old political analyst operations. – Reuters, July 22; UPI, July 22; – AFP, July 13 who often appeared on Arab TV stations, Reuters, July 23 was one of Assad’s most vociferous July 13, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber defenders.” – AP, July 17 July 22, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber detonated explosives near a Sunni mosque in a vehicle attacked an Iraqi army convoy in southern Baghdad, killing at least 16 July 18, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): in Mosul, Ninawa Province, killing nine people. – Reuters, July 13 Suspected Taliban militants shot to death soldiers and three civilians. – AP, July 23 eight Afghan civilians who were on their July 14, 2013 (MAURITANIA): A way to jobs at the Camp Shank U.S. July 23, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): A Mauritanian court freed a Canadian, military base in Logar Province. – AFP, suicide bomber riding a donkey killed Aaron Yoon, who was jailed for attempting July 17 three U.S. soldiers and their Afghan to join an al-Qa`ida training camp in Mali. translator in Wardak Province. – NBC Yoon was arrested in December 2011 when July 19, 2013 (UNITED STATES): Federal News, July 23 he tried to visit al-Qa`ida in the Islamic law enforcement officials in Manhattan Maghreb camps in neighboring Mali. announced charges against Mokhtar July 24, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): The He was released after his sentence was Belmokhtar, including conspiring to Afghan Taliban poisoned and captured reduced in an appeal, since he already had support al-Qa`ida among other charges. at least 12 policemen in Zabul Province. served a year and a half in prison. Yoon is Belmokhtar, who was once part of al- – AFP, July 25 of Korean descent. – AFP, July 14 Qa`ida in the Islamic Maghreb, allegedly organized the January 16, 2013, attack on July 24, 2013 (PAKISTAN): Four July 16, 2013 (PAKISTAN/SYRIA): the Ain Amenas gas facility in eastern militants, at least one of whom was a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Algeria in which more than 35 hostages suicide bomber, attacked the regional militants rejected claims that they were were killed. – AP, July 19 headquarters of Pakistan’s Inter-Services sending fighters to Syria, saying that Intelligence in Sukkur, Sindh Province, some TTP militants have traveled to fight July 19, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber killing three security force personnel and in Syria independently but the TTP’s killed 20 people inside a Sunni mosque five other people. Both Tehrik-i-Taliban focus remained on Pakistan. Various in the town of al-Wajihiyya in Diyala Pakistan and Jundullah took credit for other media reports, however, quoted Province. – France24, July 19; BBC, July 19 the operation. – The News International, July TTP commanders saying that the group 24; BBC, July 24; New York Times, July 25 sent “hundreds of fighters” to Syria at the July 19, 2013 (LEBANON): Lebanon request of their “Arab friends.” – AFP, July charged six alleged members of Jabhat al- July 25, 2013 (IRAQ): Dozens of Sunni 16; NBC News, July 15 Nusra with forming an armed gang with militants set up a roadblock on a highway the purpose of conducting terrorist acts in north of Baghdad. The militants stopped July 17, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): Afghan Lebanon. – Daily Star, July 19 trucks, checked IDs, and then proceeded Taliban militants killed Ahmad Wali to execute 14 Shi`a drivers. – AAP, July 25 Tahiri, a government prosecutor and July 21, 2013 (IRAQ): Al-Qa`ida militants brother of Afghanistan’s national security launched a major attack against Abu adviser. – Washington Post, July 17 Ghurayb prison on the outskirts of

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July 25, 2013 (TUNISIA): Mohamed July 28, 2013 (PAKISTAN): A suspected greatest evidence that taking democracy Brahmi, a politician with the opposition U.S. drone strike killed five people in as a path to Islamic rule has failed,” and secular Popular Front party, was the Shawal area of North Waziristan that “legitimacy doesn’t lie in elections assassinated in Tunis. Authorities found Agency in the Federally Administered and democracy but it lies in Shari`a.” that the gun used to kill Brahmi was the Tribal Areas, close to the border with – AP, August 3; Reuters, August 2 same one used to assassinate another Afghanistan. – Guardian, July 28 opposition politician, Chokri Belaid, in August 2, 2013 (GLOBAL): The U.S. State February 2013. While protestors accused July 29, 2013 (IRAQ): The Associated Department issued a worldwide travel the Islamist-led coalition government of Press reported that “more than a dozen alert warning citizens of potential al- involvement in the killings, the Tunisian explosions, mainly from car bombs, ripped Qa`ida terrorist attacks in the Middle government said that the assassinations through marketplaces, parking lots, a café East, North Africa and South Asia. As a were carried out by a radical group of and rush-hour crowds in Iraq…killing at precaution, the U.S. government said it Salafists led by Boubacar Hakim, an least 58 people.” – AP, July 29 would close 21 embassies and consulates extremist Salafist and suspected arms in those regions over the coming smuggler. – Voice of America, July 26; AP, July 30, 2013 (PAKISTAN): More than weekend. U.S. law enforcement sources July 25 100 Pakistani Taliban militants disguised later told multiple media outlets that an as police used bombs to free 250 prisoners intercepted electronic communication in July 26, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): A from a jail in Dera Ismail Khan. According which Ayman al-Zawahiri and Nasir al- suicide bomber on a motorcycle killed to Reuters, “As the attack unfolded, Wahayshi agreed that they “wanted to do a local police commander, three police gunmen blew up electricity lines to something big” on the weekend of August officers and three civilians at a bazaar in the prison and detonated bombs to 3-4 is what led to the precautionary Ghazni Province. – Geo TV, July 27 breach the outer walls. They fought closing of diplomatic posts. – Bloomberg, their way inside using rocket-propelled August 3; NBC, August 5 July 26, 2013 (PAKISTAN): Two suicide grenades and machine guns, and bombers on motorcycles detonated called the names of Taliban prisoners August 2, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): explosives at a busy marketplace in they wanted to release through loud Hundreds of Taliban fighters ambushed a Parachinar, a primarily Shi`a area speakers.” Pakistani officials said police and military convoy in Nangarhar located in Kurram Agency of the that 12 people were killed, including Province, sparking a five-hour battle. Federally Administered Tribal Areas. five policemen and four prisoners. The More than 20 Afghan policemen and The explosions killed at least 52 people. killed prisoners were Shi`a, and the dozens of Taliban fighters were killed. A previously unknown group claimed gunmen had slashed open their throats. – Dawn, August 3 responsibility, saying that they would – Reuters, July 30; AP, July 31 execute “similar attacks against the August 2, 2013 (SYRIA): Clashes between Shi’ite community in Pakistan to seek July 30, 2013 (SYRIA): A car bomb killed Kurdish fighters and al-Qa`ida-linked revenge for the brutalities of Shi’ites a prominent Syrian Kurdish politician in militants in Hasaka Province in northern against Sunni Muslims in Syria and Iraq.” the northeastern town of Qamishli. The Syria killed 12 members of the Islamic – Reuters, July 27 politician, Isa Huso, was a member of the State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Supreme Kurdish Council. – BBC, July 30 Approximately 22 Kurdish fighters died July 27, 2013 (YEMEN): A suspected U.S. as well. – Daily Star, August 2 drone strike killed four suspected Ansar July 31, 2013 (GLOBAL): Al-Qa`ida al-Shari`a militants in Abyan Province. chief Ayman al-Zawahiri released a new August 3, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): Three Ansar al-Shari`a is linked to al-Qa`ida in 22-minute audio message saying that the suicide attackers tried to target the the Arabian Peninsula. – Guardian, July 28; terrorist group would “spare no efforts” Indian Consulate in Jalalabad, Nangarhar Reuters, July 28 to free prisoners held at Guantanamo Province, resulting in nine civilian deaths. Bay, as well as other militants held in U.S. All three militants were also killed. The July 27, 2013 (SOMALIA): A minivan prisons. – AP, July 31 Afghan Taliban denied responsibility. packed with explosives blew up a few – Independent, August 3 meters from a building housing Turkish August 1, 2013 (IRAQ): The United Embassy staff in Mogadishu, killing Nations reported that more than 1,000 August 5, 2013 (): two Somali security guards and a people were killed in Iraq during the Unidentified gunmen assassinated university student. Al-Shabab claimed month of July, the highest monthly death Imam Yacob Raimani, a high-profile responsibility, saying that “the Turkish toll in five years. – AP, August 1 Muslim cleric, in Pattani Province. Some were our main target.” – CNN, July 28; BBC, reportedly viewed him as a sympathizer July 27 August 2, 2013 (GLOBAL): Al-Qa`ida of Thai authorities. Since 2004, more chief Ayman al-Zawahiri released a new than 5,000 people have been killed in the July 28, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber audio message condemning the removal insurgency in southern Thailand. – Wall in a vehicle killed eight Kurdish of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi Street Journal, August 6 policemen in Tuz Khurmatu, Salah al-Din from power. Al-Zawahiri, however, Province. – AFP, July 28 also criticized Morsi and the Muslim August 6, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): Brotherhood for trying to “satisfy America Taliban leader Mullah Omar released and the secularists” by abandoning “jihad.” his annual statement, saying that He also said Morsi’s ouster provides “the the country’s presidential elections

22 september 2013 . Vol 6. Issue 9 scheduled for April 2014 are a “deceiving August 12, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber Gadahn is a California-born convert to drama.” He also said that the Taliban killed 13 people in a café in the Shi`a- Islam who has a $1 million U.S. bounty on were willing to begin peace negotiations. majority town of Balad, Salah al-Din his head. – Reuters, August 18 – Guardian, August 6 Province. – AP, August 12 August 19, 2013 (EUROPE): The German August 7, 2013 (YEMEN): Two suspected August 12, 2013 (YEMEN): Nasir al- newspaper Bild reported that al-Qa`ida U.S. drone strikes killed six militants in Wahayshi, the leader of al-Qa`ida in the is plotting attacks on Europe’s high Shabwa Province. – UPI, April 7 Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), said that he speed rail network. The newspaper, would soon free jailed Islamist militants. citing intelligence sources, said that al- August 7, 2013 (YEMEN): Yemeni AQAP staged at least two prison breaks Qa`ida could plant explosives on trains authorities said that they uncovered an last month, and al-Wahayshi himself and tunnels or sabotage train tracks and al-Qa`ida plot to fire missiles at foreign escaped from a prison in Yemen in 2006. electric cabling. – AFP, August 19 embassies in Sana`a and to attack naval – Reuters, August 12 forces protecting international shipping August 19, 2013 (NIGERIA): The Nigerian in the Red Sea. – Globe and Mail, August 7; August 13, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): military said that the leader of the Boko UPI, August 7 Taliban fighters kidnapped female Haram group, Abubakar Shekau, may parliamentarian Fariba Ahmadi Kakar have died from gunshot wounds sustained August 8, 2013 (PAKISTAN): A suicide in Ghazni Province. In exchange for her during a clash on June 30. Past reports of bomber killed at least 29 people at a funeral freedom, the militants demanded that four Shekau’s death, however, have proved for a policeman in Quetta, Baluchistan Taliban prisoners be released. – Reuters, false. – Reuters, August 19 Province. Fayaz Sumbal, the deputy August 13 inspector general for police operations in August 19, 2013 (NIGERIA): Suspected Quetta, was among the dead. – NBC, August August 13, 2013 (NIGERIA): Nigerian Boko Haram group gunmen killed at least 8; Reuters, August 8 security forces said that they killed two 35 people in the village of Demba in Borno senior leaders in the Boko Haram group, State after locals refused to cooperate August 8, 2013 (YEMEN): A suspected Abubakar Zakaria Ya’u and Muhammed with them. – BBC, August 23 U.S. drone strike killed six alleged Bama. – Voice of America, August 15 militants from al-Qa`ida in the Arabian August 22, 2013 (NORTH AFRICA): Two Peninsula in Marib Province. – CBS, August August 14, 2013 (IRAQ): A pair of Islamist groups that broke from al-Qa`ida 8 bombings killed 14 people in Ba`quba, in the Islamic Maghreb announced that Diyala Province. – Voice of America, August they have merged, and they pledged to August 8, 2013 (THAILAND): The 15 attack French interests. The decision Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), a unites fighters led by Mokhtar Muslim-Malay separatist group in August 14, 2013 (SYRIA): Al-Qa`ida’s Belmokhtar with the Movement southern Thailand, suspended peace talks Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant for Unity and Jihad in with the Thai government. Peace talks to (ISIL) reportedly expelled other rebel (MUJAO). Both groups fought in Mali resolve southern Thailand’s insurgency fighters—belonging to the Ahfad al- until the French-led invasion earlier this began in February 2013. – Straits Times, Rasoul brigade—from the northern city of year. The new name for the group was August 8; AP, August 8 Raqa. – AFP, August 14 identified as al-Mourabitoun. – Reuters, August 22 August 10, 2013 (IRAQ): The Islamic State August 15, 2013 (LEBANON): A car of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al-Qa`ida’s bomb ripped through the southern Beirut August 22, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bomber Iraqi affiliate, executed a series of attacks stronghold of Hizb Allah, killing 24 in an explosives-laden vehicle attacked on cafes and busy marketplaces, killing people. Hizb Allah chief Hassan Nasrallah an Iraqi military headquarters in Ramadi, 69 people. Approximately nine car bombs accused radical Sunni Islamists of being Anbar Province, killing at least 14 people. exploded in Shi`a neighborhoods in behind the attack, and then he promised – Voice of America, August 22 Baghdad, among other attacks. The ISIL to escalate his group’s military support to said that the attacks were in revenge for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. – Reuters, August 22, 2013 (PAKISTAN): A senior the arrests of hundreds of Muslims by August 16 commander of the Punjabi Taliban, Iraqi security forces. – AP, August 12; UPI, Ismatullah Muaweea, welcomed the August 11 August 16, 2013 (THAILAND): Suspected Pakistani government’s recent offer Muslim-Malay militants killed four to hold peace talks. Two days later, on August 10, 2013 (YEMEN): A suspected police officers in front of a nursery school August 24, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan U.S. drone strike killed two alleged al- in Narathiwat Province in southern (TTP) dismissed Muaweea from his Qa`ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Thailand. – AFP, August 16 position as head of the Punjab chapter. militants in Lahj Province. Later reports – AFP/Dawn, August 22; AFP, August 24 suggested that AQAP’s chief bombmaker, August 18, 2013 (GLOBAL): American al- Ibrahim al-Asiri, may have been wounded Qa`ida militant Adam Gadahn released August 22, 2013 (PAKISTAN): Militant in the strike. – AP, August 11; NBC, August 13 a new video message, calling for more commander Ghulam Jan Wazir, who was attacks on Western diplomats in the Arab known for sheltering al-Qa`ida fighters, world. He also praised the men who killed was killed by a roadside bomb three miles the U.S. ambassador to Libya in 2012. west of Wana in South Waziristan Agency

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of the Federally Administered Tribal August 27, 2013 (TUNISIA): The CTC Sentinel Staff Areas. According to Agence France- Tunisian government declared Ansar al- Presse, “He is the third pro al-Qaeda Shari`a, the country’s most prominent Editor-in-Chief militant commander killed in similar organization of Salafists, as a terrorist Erich Marquardt circumstances in South Waziristan in the group. – AP, August 28 Senior Editor, CTC last two years.” – AFP, August 22 August 28, 2013 (IRAQ): A series of Editorial Board August 23, 2013 (IRAQ): A suicide bombings and other attacks across COL Cindy R. Jebb, Ph.D. bomber killed at least 28 people in a Baghdad killed at least 71 people. On Department Head crowded park in the predominately August 30, al-Qa`ida’s Islamic State of Department of Social Sciences (West Point) Shi`a al-Qahira neighborhood in Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility northeastern Baghdad. – CNN, August 23 for the attacks. – Reuters, August 28; AFP, COL Suzanne Nielsen, Ph.D. August 30 Deputy Department Head August 23, 2013 (LEBANON): Two car Department of Social Sciences (West Point) bombs exploded in Tripoli, killing at least August 28, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): The 42 people. According to Voice of America, Taliban attacked a base operated by Polish MAJ Bryan Price, Ph.D. “One of the bombs exploded outside the and Afghan forces in Ghazni Province, Director, CTC Taqwa mosque as midday prayers were killing four policemen and three civilians. ending. That mosque is where Sheik Salem – Reuters, August 29 Rafei, a Salafi cleric opposed to Lebanon’s militant Shi’ite Hezbollah group, usually August 29, 2013 (BAHRAIN): A car bomb prays.” The Tripoli bombings come a exploded as a police patrol passed by in a week after a car bomb killed 24 people in Shi`a village near Manama, injuring four Hizb Allah’s southern Beirut stronghold Bahraini policemen. According to Agence on August 15, an attack that was blamed France-Presse, “Bahrain has been rocked Contact on Salafists. – Voice of America, August 23 by sporadic violence since pro-democracy Combating Terrorism Center protests started by its Shiites in 2011.” U.S. Military Academy August 23, 2013 (SYRIA): A suicide – AFP, August 30 607 Cullum Road, Lincoln Hall bomber killed eight people at a restaurant West Point, NY 10996 in Aleppo. – Bloomberg, August 23 August 29, 2013 (IRAQ): A car bomb killed Phone: (845) 667-6383 at least 16 people at a market in Samarra, Email: [email protected] August 23, 2013 (YEMEN): A suicide Salah al-Din Province. – BBC, August 29 Web: www.ctc.usma.edu/sentinel/ bomber in an explosives-laden vehicle killed two soldiers at a checkpoint in August 30, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): A * For Press Inquiries: (845) 667-6383 Hadramawt Province. Yemeni authorities suicide bomber killed a district governor blamed al-Qa`ida in the Arabian at a mosque in Kunduz Province. – RFE/ Peninsula. – AFP, August 23 RL, August 30

August 25, 2013 (SYRIA): A car bomb August 31, 2013 (EGYPT): Al-Qa`ida’s killed Anas Abdul-Razzaq Na’em, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant support governor of Hama Province. – al-Jazira, (ISIL) called on Egyptians to take up The Combating Terrorism Center would August 25 arms against their army, criticizing the like to express its gratitude to its financial Egyptian military’s crackdown on Islamist supporters, for without their support and August 25, 2013 (SYRIA): The al-Qa`ida- protestors. The group also said that the shared vision of the Center products like the linked Jabhat al-Nusra rebel group vowed Muslim Brotherhood is “more evil and CTC Sentinel could not be produced. If you revenge attacks against Alawite villages malevolent than the secularists, and if are interested in learning more about how in response to claims that Syrian regime seizing power necessitates bowing to the to support the Combating Terrorism Center, forces used chemical weapons against Devil, they will bow without hesitation.” please visit http://www.ctc.usma.edu or call civilians near Damascus. Al-Qa`ida’s – Reuters, August 31; AP, August 31 Kristin Sorenson at West Point’s Association Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) of Graduates at 845-446-1561. released its own statement promising August 31, 2013 (AFGHANISTAN): A a “volcano of revenge” against Syrian suicide bomber killed six people in front government security and military targets. of a bank in Kandahar. – CNN, August 31 – AFP, August 25; Reuters, August 28 August 31, 2013 (IRAQ): A car bomb killed August 25, 2013 (YEMEN): A bomb tore 12 people in Ramadi, Anbar Province. through a bus carrying Yemeni air force – Reuters, September 1 The views expressed in this report are those of personnel to their base in Sana`a, killing the authors and not of the U.S. Military Academy, between one and six officers. – Reuters, the Department of the Army, or any other agency August 25 of the U.S. Government.

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