The Growing Threat of Female Suicide Attacks in Western Countries

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

14 july 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 7 to detonate when she executed a cross- In the United Kingdom, where a AQI.21 Reports suggest that Degauque border attack in Amman, Jordan.10 total of five women were convicted was one of many female Muslim converts Since then, Iraq has seen a number of for Islamism-related offenses, three in Europe to have been targeted for female suicide bombers, as recently as acted as protectors for their respective recruitment to carry out suicide attacks July 2010.11 fiancé, husband or brother-in-law in in Iraq and Pakistan.22 In January 2010, the July 21, 2005 failed suicide attacks the Sunday Times reported that a British- Afghanistan and Pakistan have also in London, of which one described her Somali female medical student traveled witnessed female suicide bombers.12 husband as a “martyr.”18 Of the other to Somalia to help the al-Qaìda-linked Afghanistan nearly saw its first in two, one was convicted of distributing al-Shabab group.23 December 2007: the woman, who a terrorist publication that encouraged claimed she was from Pakistan, was The motivations for females to arrested before attempting the suicide “The fact that Ayman participate in violent jihad are not attack.13 By May 2008, however, the categorically known, but some suggest Afghan Taliban reportedly claimed al-Zawahiri’s wife that women fight out of a sense of responsibility for a successful female issued a call to women revenge—particularly Chechen “Black suicide attack.14 Pakistan also saw its Widows”—and to protect their male first female suicide attack in December to participate in jihad counterparts or country.24 For example, 2007, and in January 2010 two teenage and ‘martyr’ themselves Hawa Barayev, the first Chechen female girls claimed that they decided to suicide bomber, committed the act become suicide bombers after hearing suggests that al-Qaìda in 2000 to not only aid Chechnya’s speeches from a leader of the Pakistani may change tactics and independence but to set an example Taliban, Maulana Fazlullah, but later for men to follow.25 Comparatively, changed their minds.15 Security officials follow in the footsteps of some Palestinian suicide bombers in Pakistan are concerned that the groups such as Hamas are thought to have fought to regain a Pakistani Taliban may have recruited sense of honor, as seen in the case of “hundreds” of female students from or its own Iraqi affiliate, Reem al-Rayashi.26 Yet examples such Islamabad’s Red Mosque (Lal Masjid), a AQI.” as Colleen LaRose, who as “JihadJane” hotbed of Pakistani radicalism.16 cited religious reasons to fight jihad, can lead to the conclusion that women, The United States and Western Europe just like men, can participate in jihad have yet to suffer a female suicide attack. others to conduct jihad abroad; the for ideological reasons. Women have, however, remained on the other, Houria Chentouf, was convicted peripheries of major terrorism plots or for attempting to smuggle a USB stick acted as propagandists for al-Qaìda’s into the United Kingdom containing global narrative. In Belgium, Malika files that may have been useful for el-Aroud was convicted and sentenced terrorists.19 Chentouf was discovered in May 2010 to eight years in prison for with hand-written notes that indicated “leading a terrorist group linked with she was considering making herself and 21 Karla Cunningham, “The Evolving Participation of al-Qaeda,” which recruited people in her children “bombs for the sake of this Muslim Women in Palestine, Chechnya, and the Global 20 France and Belgium and sent them to religion” for they seek “revenge.” Jihadi Movement,” in Ness, p. 95. Cunningham states 17 Afghanistan for fighting. that Degauque was “tasked by al-Zarqawi.” Also see Where Western women have “Journey of Belgian Female ‘Bomber,’” BBC, December participated in combat activities, they 2, 2005. 10 Ibid. Also see “Jordan Shows ‘Would-Be Bomber,’” are known to have done so outside of 22 Cunningham, p. 95. BBC, November 13, 2005. Western countries. In November 2005, 23 Richard Kerbaj, “UK Students Recruited for Somali 11 “Suicide Bomber in Government HQ in West Iraq Europe saw its first suicide bomber in Jihad,” Sunday Times, January 24, 2010. Kills 3,” Reuters, July 4, 2010. Iraq, when Muriel Degauque, a white 24 Farhana Ali, “Dressed to Kill: Why the Number of 12 O’Rourke. Belgian convert aged 38, detonated Female Suicide Bombers is Rising in Iraq,” Newsweek, 13 “Afghans Detain Woman with Bomb Under Burqa,” explosives in Baghdad on behalf of July 30, 2008. “Black Widows” is a reference to Chech- Reuters, December 24, 2007. en women who have committed suicide out of revenge 14 “Female Suicide Bomber Kills 15 at Crowded Afghan 18 The three women are Yeshiemebet Girma, Mulume- for losing their brothers, husbands or sons in the war Market,” Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, May 15, bet Girma and Fardosa Abdullahi. Police found a note in against Russia. 2008. the Muslim convert Yeshiemebet Girma’s handwriting 25 Ness, p. 19. 15 Sze Leng Chan, “Pakistan’s First Female Suicide that described her husband, Hussain Osman, as a “mar- 26 Ibid., p. 28. Reem al-Rayashi was thought to have Bomber Killed Near Christian School,” Christian Post, De- tyr.” See “Wife of 21 July Plotter Convicted,” BBC, June been involved in an extramarital affair. It is argued that cember 5, 2007; “Swat: 2 Suicide-Bomb Girls Presented 11, 2008; “21 July Plotter’s Fiancee Jailed,” BBC, July 11, her motivation may have been to regain a sense of honor. Before Media,” Geo TV, January 9, 2010. 2008. Similarly, Samira Jassim in Iraq allegedly confessed to or- 16 For details, see Jeremy Page and Zahid Hussain, 19 “Woman Produced ‘Holy War’ Leaflet,” BBC, Feb- ganizing the rape of potential female suicide bombers to “Female Suicide Bomber Joins Pakistan Violence,” The ruary 3, 2009; Russell Jenkins, “Mother of Six Houria later convince them that becoming a suicide bomber was Times, October 17, 2009. Chentouf Hid Terror Manual in Burka,” The Times, No- their only escape from “shame.” See Deborah Haynes, 17 “Belgium Convicts Terror Suspects,” BBC, May 10, vember 3, 2009. “‘Female Suicide Bomb Recruiter’ Samira Ahmed Jassim 2010. 20 Ibid. Captured,” The Times, February 3, 2009.

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Legitimizing Female Suicide Terrorism stronger psychologically than women, jihad. Yusuf al-Ùyayri, al-Qaìda’s Militant Islamist groups are who might not be able to stay hidden leader in Saudi Arabia who was killed increasingly adopting female suicide and alone.”32 Hamas changed tact in in 2003, issued a pamphlet, The Role of terrorism because it serves their 2004, however, when Reem al-Rayashi, Women in Jihad Against the Enemies, aimed at ideological goals and is highly effective. a mother of two, believed she would women that implicitly encouraged them Women are generally subject to more attain martyrdom and become one of to participate.36 He lionized women in relaxed security checks and attract the 70 houris (nymphs) promised to early Islamic history who fought jihad less suspicion, and their attacks garner male suicide bombers.33 Shaykh Yassin and stated that they should be role greater media coverage; female suicide explained why the group used a woman models for women today. Al-Ùyayri went bombings have more shock value for the first time: further to dismantle traditional religious because women are considered less arguments that require permission for likely to commit acts of mass violence.27 For the first time, Hamas used women to fight: “But if the Jihad becomes Moreover, the increasing willingness of a female fighter and not a male an individual obligation (fard àyn), then militant Islamist groups to use female fighter. It is a new development no permission is needed.”37 He argued suicide bombers reflects shifts in in resistance against the enemy… that the jihad al-Qaìda is currently attitudes. Female terrorism has gained Resistance will escalate against confronting is fard àyn: “And in our intellectual legitimacy, and this tactic this enemy until they leave our time jihad is an individual obligation.”38 of warfare has received scholarly, albeit land and homeland.34 This jihad, according to al-Ùyayri, Islamist, backing.28 applies equally to both men and women, Despite Yassin’s statement, Hamas and that the latter do not require the Egyptian scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi, did not deploy its second female permission from a male guardian one of Sunni Islam’s preeminent clerics, suicide bomber until November 2006 to fight.39 Al-Ùyayri provided the has justified the use of female suicide with Fatima Omar Mahmud al-Najar, religious and intellectual justification terrorism against perceived “occupying” showing that Hamas has not yet adopted for female jihad, although fell short of powers, such as Israel. He issued a fatwa these bombings as a regular tactic.35 explicitly sanctioning it by stating that (religious edict) that states: “…committed women should instead support their Muslim women in Palestine have the A similar intellectual shift may be men.40 By 2004, al-Qaìda launched right to participate and have their own occurring in al-Qaìda. Usama bin the first online jihadist magazine aimed role in jihad and to attain martyrdom.”29 Ladin’s 1996 Declaration of War Against the specifically at women, al-Khansaa.41 He also said that women can embark Americans indicated that women should on a “martyrdom” operation “without only play a supportive role in the fight By December 2009, sympathetic jihadist a mahram (male guardian, a husband or against the West. He instructed women forums posted a letter by Ayman al- male relative they cannot marry).”30 Al- to “instigate their brothers to fight Zawahiri’s wife, Umaymah Hasan, titled Qaradawi’s fatwa makes it permissible in the cause of Allah” and glorified for women to fight alongside men when women who did so. By the early 2000s, 36 The exact publication date of the pamphlet is un- jihad becomes fard àyn—an individual however, al-Qaìda moved toward known, as the English translation published by at-Tib- duty during times of war that requires legitimizing female participation in yan Publications makes no mention of it. Al-Ùyayri, all men and women to participate—and however, mentioned in the pamphlet Hawa Barayev, they can do so without the permission 32 O’Rourke, p. 696. who committed suicide in 2000, and al-Ùyayri was 31 or accompaniment of a male guardian. 33 Hala Jaber and Uzi Mahnaimi, “Husband Took Wife killed in 2003. This pamphlet can therefore be dated to Suicide Bombing,” Sunday Times, January 18, 2004. to sometime between 2000-2003. An English version Hamas, inspired by the Muslim In a video, al-Rayashi reportedly said, “I want to be the of the pamphlet is available at www.islamfuture.files. Brotherhood, provides the best example first woman to carry out a martyr attack.” For details, see wordpress.com/2009/12/the-role-of-the-women-in- of this shift, with its spiritual leader, Margot Dudkevitch, “Suicide Attack at Erez Crossing fighting-the-enemies.pdf. Shaykh Yassin, claiming at the start Kills Four,” Jerusalem Post, January 14, 2004. 37 For details, see al-Ùyayri’s pamphlet. For legitimiza- of the second intifada: “Men are more 34 Dudkevitch. tion, al-Ùyayri cited the classical scholar al-Qurtubi efficient because they are better at 35 Steven Erlanger, “Grandmother Blows Self Up in who wrote: “There may be a situation where it is obliga- hiding out with the bomb…They are Suicide Attack on Israeli Forces,” New York Times, No- tory for everyone to go out, and that is if jihad becomes vember 24, 2006. Al-Najar is the last known female sui- an individual obligation…The one who has a father [i.e. 27 O’Rourke; Debra Zedalis, “Beyond the Bombings: cide bomber claimed by Hamas. According to one study, mahram] can go without his permission, as well as the Analysing Female Suicide Bombings,” in Ness. Palestinian suicide bombings have been in decline since one without a father.” Al-Ùyayri also cited another clas- 28 Cunningham, p. 93. 2005. See Yoram Schweitzer, “Palestinian Female Sui- sical scholar, Ibn Qudamah, who argued the same. 29 The exact date of al-Qaradawi’s fatwa is unknown. It cide Bombers: Virtuous Heroines or Damaged Goods?” 38 Ibid. is referenced, however, in a question and answer discus- in Ness, p. 131. Another study claims that this decline is a 39 For further analysis of al-Ùyayri’s pamphlet, see Da- sion dated November 6, 2006 on the Islamic religious result of effective Israeli counterterrorism measures. See vid Cook, “Women Fighting in Jihad?” in Ness. website IslamOnline.net. Hillel Frisch, “Motivation or Capabilities? Israeli Coun- 40 Ibid., p. 46. 30 Ibid. terterrorism Against Palestinian Suicide Bombings and 41 The magazine is named after a famous Arab poetess 31 This is different from fard kifaya (collective duty), Violence,” The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, who wrote eulogies in early Islamic history about her where the duty applies to the Muslim community collec- December 2006. A 2008 BBC report, however, states male relatives fighting in jihad. Articles in the magazine tively, but means that not every Muslim has to perform that Palestinian Islamic Jihad is training women as sui- advised women on how to support jihad. See Sebastian an act such as jihad as long as a sufficient number of com- cide bombers. See “Just Married and Determined to Die,” Usher, “‘Jihad’ Magazine for Women on Web,” BBC, Au- munity members fulfill the duty. BBC, October 13, 2008. gust 24, 2004.

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“[A Letter] to the Muslim Sisters.”42 The violent jihad in South Asia and Europe, as the United Kingdom and the United letter stated that women should follow and women who had the ability to travel States, are targeted for recruitment. in the footsteps of those who “martyred” into Europe in support of jihad.45 She is Moreover, the fact that Reilly, along themselves in Palestine, Chechnya, accused of agreeing to kill a Swedish with Degauque and LaRose, is also Afghanistan, Somalia and Iraq. For resident and using the internet to solicit a white convert to Islam worryingly the first time, women are openly called funds for terrorists.46 In an online suggests that converts, often in search upon by al-Qaìda to participate in its YouTube forum, she posted comments of a new identity, are easy prey for al- jihad against the West, which is made as “JihadJane” stating her desire to Qaìda or at least its violent ideology. It permissible by the group because jihad is become a “martyr in the name of Allah” is suspected that the group may want to considered fard àyn. The letter described and that her appearance would allow her groom the next generation of operatives “martyrdom” as an aspiration, and the to “blend in with many people.”47 She is by targeting women with the ability to author asked for women to aid Islam also accused of traveling to Europe in move freely and without suspicion in by fighting alongside men.43 Women August 2009 with the intent to live and Western countries. Nevertheless, the should also encourage each other, the train with jihadists.48 extent to which women are actually letter stated, to “not abstain from this targeted by al-Qaìda’s central religious obligation.”44 Differing from LaRose’s alleged attempts to radicalize leadership to become suicide bombers al-Ùyayri and al-Qaradawi, however, others online are not uncommon. is still unclear. the letter said that women should have a Houria Chentouf is believed to have male guardian during combat activities: been radicalized online by visiting Conclusion “Jihad is fard àyn on every Muslim man jihadist forums. Similarly, Nicky Reilly, The fact that Ayman al-Zawahiri’s wife and woman, but the way of fighting a 22-year-old man convicted in 2008 of issued a call to women to participate in is not easy for Muslim women for it attempting to commit a suicide attack in jihad and “martyr” themselves suggests requires a mahram.” The letter continued the United Kingdom that same year, is that al-Qaìda may change tactics and to say, however, that also believed to have been radicalized follow in the footsteps of groups such online by two men with alleged links as Hamas or its own Iraqi affiliate, AQI. we should aid our religion in to al-Qaìda living in the Afghan- If so, female converts who have the several ways and should keep Pakistan border region.49 In fact, posts advantage of blending in and possibly our selves in the service of the encouraging women to participate in evading security measures would be a Mujahideen, and we should fulfill jihad are increasing on militant Islamist likely target. The internet has no doubt whatever they ask of us, may it be forums, including English-language become an efficient way to propagandize through monetary aid to them…or ones such as Ansar al-Mujahideen and and win over recruits worldwide. It participation in fighting or even al-Qimmah.50 This indicates that women is no coincidence that there has been through a martyrdom operation. from English-speaking countries, such a recent increase of posts on jihadist forums that eulogize and call on women This apparent discrepancy over male 45 U.S.A. v. Colleen R. LaRose, Eastern District of Penn- to participate in jihad and “martyrdom guardians is perhaps an attempt to sylvania, 2010. operations.” appease more conservative followers of 46 Ibid. al-Qaìda. 47 Ibid. The legitimization of female terrorism 48 Ibid. There have been training camps in the United as an individual duty by militant Al-Qaìda’s Strategy Kingdom, which members of the July 21, 2005 cell at- Islamist groups shows that they believe The case of Colleen LaRose parallels tended. These camps were run by Mohammed Hamid Muslims are facing a growing existential what al-Qaìda may be hoping to and Atilla Ahmet. Hamid was convicted in 2008 of so- threat from the West and “occupying” achieve in the West: an increase of liciting to murder and providing terrorist training, and powers. Hamas is fighting on behalf of “homegrown” sympathizers among Ahmet in 2007 of soliciting to murder. See “Top Extrem- Palestinians against Israel, making its Western women who are able to provide ist Recruiter is Jailed,” BBC, March 7, 2008. attacks specific to one territory. Al- logistical and operational support. A 49 Duncan Gardham, “‘Al-Qaeda’ Terrorists who Brain- Qaìda, on the other hand, is currently white convert and U.S. citizen, LaRose washed Exeter Suicide Bomber Still on the Run,” Daily fighting its jihad to target those it is alleged to have recruited men to wage Telegraph, October 15, 2008. perceives as posing a threat to Islam or 50 A May 2, 2010 post included a video of a female Muslims worldwide. If group tactics are 42 Al-Qaìda’s publishing house al-Sahab originally fighter in the Ogaden region in Ethiopia. Forum mem- copied, it may be only a matter of time issued this letter in Arabic and it appeared on jihadist bers praised the woman for her bravery. For details, see before the United States and Western websites on December 17, 2009. For details, see “Wife of www.ansar1.info/showthread.php?p=75107#post75107. European countries are attacked by a Al-Qa’idah’s Al-Zawahiri Urges Muslim Women to Sup- A January 29, 2010 post asked women to follow the ex- female suicide bomber. port Mujahidin,” BBC, December 17, 2009. The letter ample of al-Khansaa and support jihad. For details, see was translated into English by Dar al-Murabtieen Pub- www.alqimmah.net/showthread.php?t=13736. A Febru- Houriya Ahmed is a Research Fellow at the lications and was posted on the militant website Ansar ary 2010 post detailed how a woman should support her Centre for Social Cohesion, the first think- al-Mujahideen. All quotes from the letter are taken from husband’s jihad. For details, see www.alqimmah.net/ tank in the United Kingdom to specialize the English translation of the letter uploaded on Ansar. showthread.php?t=13736. An August 2009 post includ- in studying radicalization and extremism The PDF file, however, is no longer accessible. ed a letter intended for Muslim women praising them for within Britain. She is co-author of Hizb 43 The letter states: “...the Muslim women should work their virtues and dignity in the jihad cause and “martyr- ut-Tahrir: Ideology and Strategy and beside men to defend her religion and land.” dom…at the hands of a kafir [non-believer].” For details, Islamist Terrorism: The British 44 Ibid. see www.ansar1.info/showthread.php?t=16807. Connections, published by the Centre.