CTC Sentinel Objective

march 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 3

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

Contents Anwar al-`Awlaqi: Profile of a

FEATURE ARTICLE 1 Anwar al-`Awlaqi: Profile of a Jihadi Radicalizer Jihadi Radicalizer By Christopher Heffelfinger By Christopher Heffelfinger

Reports 5 The Taliban Arrest Wave in Pakistan: Reasserting Strategic Depth? By Thomas Ruttig 7 Untangling the Punjabi Taliban Network By Raheel Khan 10 Insight into a Suicide Bomber Training Camp in Waziristan By S.H. Tajik 13 Iran’s Ambiguous Role in Afghanistan By Sajjan M. Gohel 17 The Nexus Between Salafism and Jihadism in the Netherlands By Beatrice de Graaf 22 Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Courts By Huma Yusuf

26 Recent Highlights in Terrorist Activity 28 CTC Sentinel Staff & Contacts

mam anwar al-àwlaqi was the subject of an extensive manhunt. In thrust into the media spotlight late December, it was reported that he following news of his involvement may have been killed in a missile strike with Major Nidal Malik Hasan, in Yemen’s Shabwa Province, but he Ithe gunman in the November 5, 2009 survived. shootings that killed 12 U.S. soldiers and a doctor at the Fort Hood Army base in Al-Àwlaqi has already served to Texas.1 Before the shootings, al-Àwlaqi radicalize a sizable number of young About the CTC Sentinel was only a concern to a select few in the Muslims, including Americans and U.S. law enforcement community. Now, The Combating Terrorism Center is an other English-speaking Muslims who however, al-Àwlaqi is an open enemy of independent educational and research aspired to learn more about jihad and the United States. Indeed, Umar Farouk institution based in the Department of Social its permissibility according to Sharià Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian man who Sciences at the United States Military Academy, (Islamic law). He has translated and attempted to blow up a Northwest West Point. The CTC Sentinel harnesses discussed famous Arabic-language tracts Airlines flight as it landed in Detroit the Center’s global network of scholars and on jihad in his lectures and articles, as on Christmas Day, was reportedly one practitioners to understand and confront well as hadith stories and other matters of al-Àwlaqi’s students.2 Al-Àwlaqi, contemporary threats posed by terrorism and of faith and doctrine. He has been able to currently believed to be in Yemen, is now other forms of political violence. connect across cultures; the American- born al-Àwlaqi received his higher 1 Mark Schone and Rehab el-Buri, “Fort Hood: Hasan education in the United States after The views expressed in this report are those of Asked Awlaki if it Was Okay to Kill American Soldiers,” spending his formative teenage years in 3 the authors and not of the U.S. Military Academy, ABC News, December 23, 2009. his native Yemen. Moreover, while al- the Department of the Army, or any other agency of the U.S. Government. 2 “U.S. Preacher Says Backs Failed Plane Bombing: Re- port,” Reuters, February 3, 2010. 3 Tom Sharpe, “Radical Imam Traces Roots to New Mexi-

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Àwlaqi’s online videos have inspired Background on Anwar al-Àwlaqi Witnesses told FBI agents investigating a number of mostly self-formed jihadist Anwar al-Àwlaqi was born in Las al-Àwlaqi’s ties to the hijackers that groups in the years following 9/11, he was Cruces, New Mexico in 1971.6 His father he had a close relationship with the also connected to the well-established Nasir, who hailed from the Àwlaq two and frequently attended closed Salafist network in the Washington, tribe that dominated much of Shabwa door meetings with them.15 Some of D.C. area.4 Al-Àwlaqi served as imam Province in eastern Yemen, came to the investigating agents remained at the popular Dar al-Hijrah mosque in the United States to pursue a degree suspicious of al-Àwlaqi’s alleged non- Falls Church, Virginia, where, during in agricultural economics.7 He would involvement in the 9/11 plot given this his tenure, two of the 9/11 hijackers eventually become agricultural minister relationship, but he was never charged prayed in 2001, as did Major Hasan.5 in Yemen.8 Anwar al-Àwlaqi spent his in connection with the attack.16 early years in the United States, but Despite the increased media focus returned with his father to their native In early 2001, al-Àwlaqi moved to recently, al-Àwlaqi’s role in furthering Yemen where he spent his teenage northern Virginia, taking a position as the global jihad has not yet been years. In 1991, he returned to the United imam at the Dar al-Hijrah mosque, one adequately understood. What makes States to seek an engineering degree of the largest in the area. The mosque al-Àwlaqi unique is his role in the at Colorado State University.9 After was also a place of worship for al-Hazmi radicalization process, serving as graduation, he became a leader at a local and another 9/11 hijacker, Hani Hanjour the critical link that takes dedicated mosque in Fort Collins, Colorado, and (al-Hazmi moved from San Diego to students of Salafi-jihadi ideology from soon afterward at an Islamic center in northern Virginia around the same time an inspirational to an operational mode. San Diego, where he worked toward a as al-Àwlaqi). Board members of the Accordingly, al-Àwlaqi’s greatest master’s degree in education.10 Dar al-Hijrah mosque said they hired significance lies in his ability to al-Àwlaqi because he was popular function as a motivational speaker for In 1996, Anwar al-Àwlaqi led San with Muslim youth. During his time jihad, demonstrating a proven talent to Diego’s Masjid al-Ribat al-Islami, and in northern Virginia, al-Àwlaqi also drive believers into action. Far beyond served as imam there for four years.11 served as a Muslim chaplain at George his eventual survival, capture or death, In 1998 and 1999, he served as vice Washington University.17 al-Àwlaqi will have a lasting impact president for a charity founded by on jihadist activism. Like many other the influential Yemeni Islamist figure In 2002, al-Àwlaqi left the United jihadist ideologues whose output has Àbd al-Majid al-Zindani, who the States for the United Kingdom, where been hindered by the duress of combat, U.S. government labeled a “specially he went on a lecture tour over the his videos continue to find a wide designated global terrorist” in 2004.12 course of several months, giving audience online. Martyrdom would only Federal prosecutors have described numerous talks that attracted Muslim amplify his popularity. that charity, the Charitable Society for youth in particular.18 Before moving Social Welfare, Inc., as a front used to Yemen in early 2004, al-Àwlaqi to finance al-Qaìda and Usama bin returned briefly to northern Virginia Ladin.13 During his years in San Diego, around the end of 2003 where he met al-Àwlaqi also came into contact with with the now-imprisoned radical Ali Khalid al-Midhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, al-Timimi,19 and allegedly discussed co,” New Mexican, November 14, 2009. two of the 9/11 hijackers, when they recruiting young Muslims for jihadist 14 20 4 Until about 2004, Salafist activism thrived in the north- attended Masjid al-Rabat al-Islami. campaigns abroad. Al-Àwlaqi also ern Virginia suburbs outside Washington. Scores of ed- had connections to other prominent ucational institutions, non-profits and outreach groups 6 Michelle Shephard, “The Powerful Online Voice of Ji- militant Salafists, including Ùmar provided ideological instruction and spiritual guidance had,” Toronto Star, October 18, 2009. Àbd al-Rahman (the imprisoned “blind 21 to the area’s Muslims, many with ties to universities in 7 Schmidt. shaykh”). In mid-2006, al-Àwlaqi was Saudi Arabia that have been bastions of Salafist activism. 8 Sudarsan Raghavan, “Cleric Linked to Fort Hood At- Aside from a small number of other communities, such tack Grew More Radicalized in Yemen,” Washington unlikely that al-Àwlaqi was aware of the 9/11 plot be- as those in East Orange, New Jersey, some communities Post, December 10, 2009. forehand. in Michigan and perhaps Richardson, Texas, northern 9 “Profile: Anwar al-Awlaki,” BBC, January 3, 2010. 15 Ibid. Virginia was the largest of the Salafist communities in 10 Ibid. Despite his lack of formal religious credentials, 16 Ibid. the United States. It was the center of national Salafist Anwar al-Àwlaqi is considered charismatic, which ex- 17 Brian Handwerk and Zain Habboo, “Attack on Amer- organizational efforts given its proximity to Washing- plains his success in the mosque. ica: An Islamic Scholar’s Perspective—Part 1,” National ton, D.C.—this network of organizations dated back to 11 “Profile: Anwar al-Awlaki.” Geographic News, September 28, 2001. the late 1960s. 12 Al-Zindani is one of the most influential Islamist fig- 18 Raghavan. 5 A third 9/11 hijacker attended his lectures in San Diego. ures in Yemen. He is president of al-Iman University 19 Ali al-Timimi was the spiritual mentor of the Virginia U.S. law enforcement officials, however, do not believe in Sanaà and has extensive ties to Saudi Salafist insti- Paintball Group, and he is currently serving a life sen- that al-Àwlaqi played an operational role in his con- tutions and their leaders. Al-Zindani is also a leader of tence for inciting his followers to jihad. tact with any of those militants. For details, see Philip al-Islah, Yemen’s largest opposition party. The United 20 Schmidt. Sherwell and Alex Spillius, “Fort Hood Shooting: Texas States labeled him a “Specially Designated Global Ter- 21 U.S. officials claim that al-Àwlaqi met with a close Army Killer Linked to September 11 Terrorists,” Tele- rorist” in 2004. associate of Ùmar Àbd al-Rahman. Al-Rahman is cur- graph, November 7, 2009; Susan Schmidt, “Imam From 13 Schmidt. rently imprisoned in the United States for his role in the Va. Mosque Now Thought to Have Aided Al-Qaeda,” 14 Ibid. While the two did speak to al-Àwlaqi and at- 1993 World Trade Center bombing. For details, see Jo- Washington Post, February 27, 2008. tended his lectures, U.S. law enforcement officials find it seph Rhee and Mark Schone, “How Anwar Awlaki Got

2 march 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 3 arrested by Yemeni authorities (roughly period of waiting. It is not a discussion Many of al-Àwlaqi’s lectures, mostly on two years after he resettled in Yemen of politics, jihad or the “tyranny” of the religion, are available on YouTube. They with his wife and children) and detained United States, but a speech typical of an discuss the importance of Ramadan, for 18 months.22 Al-Àwlaqi said he was imam at virtually any mosque providing the lives of the prophets, paradise, and repeatedly interrogated during that exegesis of scripture on the nature of the stories of the Prophet Muhammad’s time by agents from the FBI regarding soul as described by the Qur’an—what companions. Yet his lectures also veer his ties to the 9/11 hijackers.23 the believer can expect upon death and into the topics of prototypical Salafist what will come of the “evildoer.” discourse. Beginning around 2004- Al-Àwlaqi himself may have been 2005, al-Àwlaqi neglected to temper further radicalized by his time in His more prominent contributions have his message against militancy and Yemen’s prisons. If nothing else, it played an important role in radicalizing spoke openly of a war between Muslims reinforced his existing jihadist beliefs. Muslims to take part in jihad. In his Although he previously showed an well-known discussion of “Constants “The importance of al- affinity for Salafi-jihadism and support on the Path of Jihad,” al-Àwlaqi for Muslim resistance in Palestine, discussed the issue of “Is tarbiyyah a Àwlaqi’s role in the global he began making increasingly public prerequisite of Jihad Fi Sabilillah?” (“Is jihad lies in his ability to calls for violent struggle after his education/instruction a prerequisite for incarceration and interrogations waging jihad for the sake of Allah?”). radicalize Muslim youth in Yemen.24 After this period, his In this talk, he dispelled the conception through his English- popularity continued to increase, as did that extensive religious instruction is his calls for jihad against the West. necessary before partaking in jihad, and language writings and instead made the argument that jihad is online presence.” Al-Àwlaqi’s Popular Propaganda required in Islam, as is fasting, prayer The importance of al-Àwlaqi’s role and other religious obligations. After in the global jihad lies in his ability to invoking the ayah (2:216)—“Fighting is radicalize Muslim youth through his prescribed upon you, and you dislike and the United States, seeing the latter English-language writings and online it. But it may happen that you dislike as an oppressor and working against presence. Until November 2009, Anwar a thing which is good for you, and it the will of Allah. Among the videos of al-Àwlaqi had a Facebook page with may happen that you love a thing which his lectures posted online are talks on 4,800 fans and a popular blog. Both is bad for you. And Allah knows and the importance of fulfilling jihad and its were taken offline after his endorsement you know not”—al-Àwlaqi asked his legitimacy in Islam, along with examples of Nidal Hasan as a hero for the Ft. Hood audience, of the mujahidin and how they lived. shootings. On these outlets, al-Àwlaqi One of his most popular lectures is a six- was presented as a scholar, imam and If someone starts practicing Islam, part series explaining the late al-Qaìda daì (one who calls people to Islam). He or someone reverts to Islam, strategist Yusuf al-Ùyayri’s “Thawabit answered questions on various aspects would we tell them that they have àla Darb al-Jihad” (Constants on the of belief and provided inspirational to have tarbiyya before they start Path of Jihad). That lecture seems to words on faith, particularly to the fasting?...There is no difference in accompany another of al-Àwlaqi’s youth audience. Many of his teachings this matter and jihad fi sabil Allah. works, “44 Ways of Supporting Jihad,” reflected that persona; Facebook fans, The instruction for siyam [fasting] quite well. for example, discussed inspirational and jihad is no different. points on faith made by al-Àwlaqi in Significantly, in both of these popular his audio lectures and how he brought Al-Àwlaqi’s discussion of “Constants works on jihad, al-Àwlaqi borrows Muslim youth closer to Islam, even on the Path of Jihad” and his other heavily from the works of well-known as their modern environment seemed contributions provide legal justification jihadist ideologues. This is no doubt part estranged from it. for Muslims to join in jihad against the of their popularity. Yusuf al-Ùyayri is United States. considered to have been one of the most In “The Journey of the Soul” audio lecture, effective al-Qaìda jihadist thinkers for example, al-Àwlaqi discussed the After hearing al-Àwlaqi’s lectures, and a veteran fighter who died while period of waiting (al-Ihtidhar) between the fluid interchange between Arabic waging jihad against the Saudi regime. death and the afterlife. In the eight- terms and English discourse is Moreover, “44 Ways of Supporting minute talk, he provided explanation immediately evident. In a consistently Jihad” is clearly taken from Muhammad of various Qur’anic verses dealing with calm and measured demeanor, al- bin Ahmad al-Salim’s famous “39 Ways the subject, the processes of the angel of Àwlaqi provides many terms, such as to Serve and Participate in Jihad,” with death and what one can expect in this tarbiyya, in the original Arabic without much of it identical or paraphrased. providing translation, clearly intending Such deference to earlier Salafist texts Away,” ABC News, November 30, 2009. his discussions for a Muslim audience is not uncommon in jihadist ideologue 22 “Profile: Anwar al-Awlaki.” educated on key Islamic terms in their circles, but al-Àwlaqi fails to provide 23 Ibid. original language. This imbues the any mention of al-Salim’s text anywhere 24 Raghavan. Many fervent Salafists openly advocate talks with a feel of authenticity, which in his own, which is indeed surprising militancy against the West yet do not partake in physi- has proven a draw for many of his considering the text is so clearly inspired cal violence. followers. by al-Salim’s well-known tract.

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Al-Àwlaqi’s Role in the Global Jihad Some observers have commented that a Minnesota Somali man, Mohamoud Anwar al-Àwlaqi’s threat is not merely al-Àwlaqi’s popularity among some Hassan, who in November 2008 gave as an operational planner or recruiter, Western Muslims is his fluency in up a university education to enlist in as has frequently been mentioned in the English. Yet it is not simply his ability al-Shabab training camps in Somalia.27 storm of Western press coverage, but to speak English well; instead, it is his He too had listened to audio lectures by as a motivational speaker, whereby he adept skill at moving between fluent Anwar al-Àwlaqi.28 Al-Àwlaqi was can mobilize thousands toward jihad. English and Arabic, quoting the Qur’an again instrumental in the radicalization His strength is to connect with a young and hadith in flawless Arabic. This of those involved in Canada’s largest audience and impress upon them the gives him the credibility needed to terrorist plot, the so-called “Toronto necessity of joining the struggle. Indeed, influence a serious Muslim audience. 18” who planned a large-scale attack both “44 Ways of Supporting Jihad” Until the last few years, he was able to against the Canadian government and and “Constants on the Path of Jihad” move seamlessly between the Arab and targets in Toronto. His videos were are ideological rather than strategic or Western worlds. played at a training camp the group held tactical works that provide evidence six months prior to their arrests.29 from early Islamic sources to legitimize Moreover, part of what makes al- jihad for a devout and studious English- Àwlaqi so remarkable is that he served Al-Àwlaqi has been a critical figure in language audience. Muslim communities in the United Salafi-jihadi radicalization, particularly States as a prayer leader and spiritual for the audience of English-speaking Moreover, al-Àwlaqi is a charismatic guide for years. He was part of a large Muslims. He is one of a number of clerics speaker. He is distinct from most of the community of Salafist activists in spreading radical messages on internet other Salafi daìs available online in that northern Virginia. While U.S. federal forums, through media distribution he received no formal Islamic higher law enforcement was unable to build outlets online, and previously in education. To many, this is a clear mark a strong enough case to arrest him in lectures at Islamic centers. Among against him (and is perhaps reflected in the immediate years after 9/11, they did this group of Salafist preachers and his heavy borrowing of others’ texts), ideologues there is a circle of militant but for his target audience of Western “Al-Àwlaqi can relate Salafists advocating violent jihad as Muslims it seems to have helped forge the necessary means of establishing a common ground and connection. culturally to a Western an Islamic state and improving the Al-Àwlaqi can relate culturally to audience, while bringing status of Muslims worldwide. Sadly, a Western audience, while bringing al-Àwlaqi will certainly not be the last religious authenticity at the same time. religious authenticity at the Western cleric to promote such views, same time.” and the United States and European Another strength al-Àwlaqi governments must come to understand demonstrates is his ability to speak the critical role ideology plays in jihadist about international politics with more militancy before it can be mitigated or clarity and authority when compared to against another northern Virginia imam reversed. Usama bin Ladin or Ayman al-Zawahiri. with a similar background and who ran For example, al-Àwlaqi stated: in the same circles, Ali al-Timimi. Al- Christopher Heffelfinger is a Washington Timimi, born in Washington, D.C., but D.C.-based writer and analyst on terrorism, Political strength, diplomacy around educated in his teenage years in Saudi Islam and ideology, and the Middle the world now is revolving around Arabia, was the spiritual mentor of East. Mr. Heffelfinger is author of the the central idea, which is fighting the Virginia Paintball Group, and he forthcoming Radical Islam in America: Islamic terrorism. EU meets to talk is currently serving a life sentence Salafism’s Journey from Arabia to the about Islamic terrorists, NATO for inciting his followers to jihad. In West (Potomac Books). He is also a member meets to talk about the challenge essence, both he and al-Àwlaqi have of the CTC Sentinel’s Editorial Board. of Islamic terrorists, the US is committed the same offense, but the mobilizing its political force to fight latter was never brought to justice. the Islamic threat. On the political level the world is united in fighting Conclusion Islam. There is no exception on the Al-Àwlaqi’s connections to jihadists political level.25 are remarkable. Not only was he in contact with some of the 9/11 hijackers, English-speaking al-Qaìda members do along with Ali al-Timimi, but his not seem to have nearly the same sway. propaganda influenced a large number The American al-Qaìda spokesman of recent jihadist plots. One of those Adam Gadahn, for example, fails to convicted in the Fort Dix plot in New resonate with Western Muslims in the Jersey, Shain Duka, raved about al- same way, perhaps because he lacks Àwlaqi’s talks.26 Al-Àwlaqi was authenticity as a convert to Islam. also a figure in the radicalization of 27 Andrea Elliott, “A Call to Jihad, Answered in Ameri- ca,” New York Times, July 12, 2009. 25 See www.forums.islamicawakening.com/f18/shaykh- 26 Scott Shane, “Born in U.S., a Radical Cleric Inspires 28 Ibid. anwar-al-awlaki-constants-jihad-693. Terror,” New York Times, November 18, 2009. 29 Shephard.