Al Qaeda in the tribal areas of Pakistan and beyond

Studies in Conflict and Terrorism

Volumn 31, Issue 9, 2008, Pages 775-807

  Gunaratna, Rohan ^a   Nielsen, Anders ^b  

^a NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY   (Singapore)

^b Danish Security Intelligence Service (DSIS)   (Denmark)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 51449109980     PISSN: 1057610X     EISSN: 15210731     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/10576100802291568     Document Type: Article

References (184)

1. In May 2001, Al Qaeda and Egyptian Islamic Jihad merged. The official name of Al Qaeda led by Osama bin Laden and his deputy Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri is Jama'at Al Qaeda al-Jihad (Al Qaeda al-Jihad Group) or Tanzim Qaedat al-Jihad (Al Qaeda and Jihad Organization).
2. "Al Qaeda Video Praises Hijacker," Financial Times, 12 September 2007, p. 6. According to the IntelCentre, it was the 75th video released by Al Qaeda in 2007.
3. Figure 1 from http://www.fata.gov.pk/, accessed 10 November 2007.
4. Amitav Acharya, "Multilateralism, Sovereignty and Normative Change inWorld Politics" Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies Working Paper No. 78 (May 2005), p. 12.
5. Ahmed Rashid, Taliban (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2000), p. 93.
6. Arabinda Acharya and Khuram Iqbal, "Extremism in Pakistan: Time for Decisive Action?" RSIS Commentaries (76/2007), 18 July 2007.
7. While Nielsenwas in Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore in Pakistan inMay 2007, Gunaratna was in Islamabad and Lahore in April 2007.
8. Pervez Musharraf, In the Line of Fire (London: Simon and Schuster, 2006), p. 219.
9. "Inside al-Qaeda's Hard Drive,"The Atlantic Monthly Online, September 2004. Available at http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200409/cullison
10. "Taliban behindWaziristan Accord," The Fourth Rail, 23 September 2006
11. and "Al-Jazirah Airs New Al-Zawahiri Video," Al-Jazirah FBIS Feature, 2341 GMT, 19 September 2005.
12. "Inside al-Qaeda's Hard Drive."
13. Musharraf, In the Line of Fire, pp. 213-214.
14. Ibid., p. 221.
15. Ibid., p. 220. None of the other high value detainees have been able to verify this statement of KSM. However, what is publicly known is that after the U.S. intervention ofAfghanistan in October 2001, Haqqani, the former military commander of Hezb-i-Islami, joined the Taliban.
16. Lawrence Wright, The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 (New York: Vintage Books, 2007), p. 418.
17. Tora Bora is located in the northern slope of Pakistan's mountainous tribal area, southwest the Khyber Pass projecting to Afghanistan.
18. "Pakistan: Villagers Start Rebuilding Seminary Destroyed in Bajaur Airstrike," The News Internet Version), 18 November 2006.
19. "Profile on Abu Faraj al-Libi" and "Khalid Sheikh Muhammad," Office of the Director of National Intelligence, September 2006.
20. "Profile on Abu Faraj al-Libi," Office of the Director of National Intelligence, September 2006.
21. Ayman al-Zawahiri's letter, dated July 2005.
22. Musharraf, In the Line of Fire, p. 221.
23. Ibid., p. 221.
24. Ron Suskind, The One Percent Doctrine (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006), p. 235.
25. Ibid.
26. "Son-in-law of Zawahiri was Mastermind," Dawn, 19 August 2006.
27. The Media Office is under the Media Committee. The Media Committee was led by al Zawahiri, and later by his son-in-law Abu Abdel Rahman al Maghrebi, a specialist in computers.
28. "Profile on Khalid Sheikh Muhammad," Office of the Director of National Intelligence, September 2006.
29. Available at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/911/pdf/sec7.pdf, p. 226.
30. "Profile on Khalid Sheikh Muhammad," and "Profile on Ali Abd-al Aziz Ali" and AFTEREFFECTS: AL-QAEDA; U.S. Reports Plot to Fly a Plane Into U.S. Consulate in Pakistan," New York Times, 3 May 2003.
31. Suskind, The One Percent Doctrine, pp. 317-318.
32. Musharraf, In the Line of Fire, p. 233.
33. Suskind, The One Percent Doctrine, pp. 317-318.
34. Interview, Inter-Services-Intelligence, Islamabad, April 2007.
35. "Taliban and Allies Tighten Grip in North of Pakistan," The New York Times, 11 December 2006
36. and Musharraf, Pervez, In the Line of Fire, pp. 267-269.
37. "Pakistan's Tribal District of South Waziristan, on the Border with Afghanistan, is in the Throes of Turmoil Once Again," BBC, 5 April 2007.
38. "al-Qaeda No. 3 dead, but how?" CNN, 4 December 2005.
39. "Dead U.S. Embassy Bomber Suspect Taken Off FBI Terror List," Associated Press, 20 October 2006.
40. "Profile on Abu Faraj al-Libi."
41. Musharraf, In the Line of Fire, p. 268.
42. "NYPD Says al-Qaida Operative Favored Limo Bomb for U.S. Targets," Associated Press, 16 November 2006.
43. Musharraf, In the Line of Fire, p. 241.
44. Ibid., pp. 241 and 242.
45. As the information on foreign militants in FATA is sparse, this article will not attempt to provide aggregate numbers or estimates on the foreign groups in FATA.
46. Ibid., pp. 265-270.
47. "Al-Qaeda Affiliate Behind Pakistan Rocket Plot: Report," Reuters, 4 November 2006.
48. "Pakistan: Urdu Press Roundup on Fighting inWaziristan," Pakistan - OSC Summary, 26 March 2007.
49. "Suicide Bombers Hit Uzbek Capital, Leaving At Least Five Dead," Eurasianet.org, 30 July 2004.
50. "Ethnic Rifts tearing at al-Qaida May Have led to al-Libbi Capture," Associated Press, 11 May 2005.
51. Ibid.
52. Ibid.
53. "Footage Showing al-Qaeda Leader in Afghanistan Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi Downing an American Fighter Jet," Middle East Media Research Institute, 29 May 2005.
54. Moroccan Justice Department, 2003, Interrogation Report from Interrogations of Nurredin Nafei.
55. "Accounts after 2005 London Bombing Point to al-Qaeda Role From Pakistan," New York Times, 13 August 2006.
56. ICPVTR profile on "Libyan Islamic Fighting Group."
57. "Letter Exposes New Leader in Al-Qa'ida High Command," Combating Terrorism Center, United States Military Academy, 25 September 2006
58. and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, ICPVTR profile on "Libyan Islamic Fighting Group."
59. "Al-Qa'ida's Al-Libi Discusses 'Jihad' in Iraq, Afghanistan, Other Issues," Jihadist Websites - OSC Summary, 29 April 2007.
60. Ibid.
61. "British Terror Trial Traces a Path to Militant Islam," New York Times, 25 November 2006.
62. "Accounts after 2005 London Bombing Point to al-Qaeda Role From Pakistan."
63. Ibid.
64. Ibid.
65. "Pakistan's Tribal Areas: Appeasing the Militants," International Crisis Group, Report,11 December 2006, p. 21.
66. Musharraf, In the Line of Fire, pp. 265-270.
67. "Pakistan's Tribal District of South Waziristan, on the Border with Afghanistan, is in the Throes of Turmoil Once Again," BBC, 5 April 2007.
68. Ibid.
69. and "Tribal militants pledge to evict Uzbeks from Wana," The News (Internet Version), 29 March 2007,
70. and "Letter Explains Drive Against Foreign Militants in Waziristan," The News (Internet Version), 7 April 2007. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=6929
71. "Pakistan's Tribal District of South Waziristan, on the Border with Afghanistan, is in the Throes of Turmoil Once Again." Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6529147.stm
72. "Terror Broker," Newsweek, 11 April 2006.
73. Ibid.
74. Hikmat Karzai, "Afghanistan and Globalisation of Terrorist Tactics," Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University, 4 January 2006.
75. "Pakistan's Tribal Areas: Appeasing the Militants," International Crisis Group Report, 11 December 2006, p. 21.
76. "Pakistan Raid Toll 'Climbs to 45,'" BBC, 2 March 2006.
77. "Afghanistan Arrests 17 Would-Be Bombers," Associated Press, 4 October 2006.
78. "Pakistan's Tribal Areas: Appeasing the Militants," International Crisis Group Report, 11 December 2006, p. 22.
79. "Local Taliban, Foreigners Part Ways in N Waziristan," The News, 1 August 2006.
80. "Cracks Appear in Taliban Over NorthWaziristan Leadership," The Post, 19 August 2006.
81. "Spain Emerges as Base for AQ-Linked Terror Groups," ABC News, 5 February 2007.
82. "Taliban and Allies Tighten Grip in North of Pakistan," The New York Times, 11 December 2006.
83. "al-Qaeda's Western Recruits," Newsweek, 25 December 2006
84. and "al-Qaeda Camps Surge: New Videos Tout Terror Training," New York Daily News, 13 August 2006.
85. "Pakistan's Tribal Areas: Appeasing the Militants," International Crisis Group Report, 11 December 2006, p. 21.
86. "Terror Officials See Al-Qaeda Regaining Power," New York Times, 19 February 2007.
87. "Security Forces Kill Over 20 Miscreants in S Waziristan Operation," The News, 16 January 2007.
88. "4 Saudis Held for Alleged Illegal Entry from Iran," Daily Times 6 September 2006.
89. "al-Qaeda's Western Recruits," Newsweek, 25 December 2006.
90. ICPVTR Briefing, "Bojinka 2, What Can We Learn about Present-Day al-Qaeda."
91. Ibid.
92. "Top Security Sources'RevealAl-Qa'ida Links of Attacked Seminary," TheNews (Internet Version), 1 November 2006
93. and "Pakistan Court Drops British Airline Plot Terror Charge," AFP, 13 December 2006.
94. "Report Profiles Detained 'Key Suspect' in UK Terror Plot," The News (Internet Version), 13 August 2006.
95. Interview, Counter Terrorism Command, New Scotland Yard, May 2007.
96. "Pakistan Says al-Qaida Link to Plot Found Organisation's Number Three Identified as Main Planner by Security Sources," The Guardian, 17 August 2006.
97. Ibid.
98. Musharraf, In the Line of Fire, pp. 265-270.
99. Ibid.
100. and "Bojinka 2."
101. "Rashid Rauf Reveals 'Vital Clues': Sherpao," Geo TV (Internet Version), 26 August 2006.
102. "Bojinka 2."
103. "Heathrow Terror Suspect Set to be Extradited," The Times, 13 December 2006
104. "'Panic' as Plotters' Bomb Attempts Failed," Daily Mail, 16 January 2007
105. "The Hydrogen Peroxide Bombs that Link 21/7 Terror Plot to 7/7 Suicide Bombers," Daily Telegraph, 25 March 2007.
106. Ibid.
107. Al-Sharq al-Awsat (Internet Version) in Arabic, 19 March 2004.
108. Ibid.
109. Ibid.
110. "Pakistan Court Drops British Airline Plot Terror Charge."
111. Ayman al-Zawahiri's letter, dated 9 July 2005.
112. Ibid.
113. Ibid.
114. "Al-Jazirah Airs Excerpts of New Videotape by Al-Zawahiri on Reform, Other Issues," GMP20050617549003 Doha Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television in Arabic 1830 GMT, 17 June 2005.
115. Ibid.
116. "Palestinian President to Call for Early Elections," Middle East Online, 9 December 2006.
117. "al-Qaeda calls for Palestine Jihad," ALJAZEERAH.NET, 20 December 2006. Available at http://english.aljazeera.net/news/ middleeast/2006/12/200852514122944318.html.
118. "Al-Jazirah Airs New Al-Zawahiri Video," 2341 GMT, 19 September 2005.
119. "Al-Jazirah Airs New Al-Zawahiri, London Bomber Video," 2243 GMT, 1 September 2005.
120. "7/7 'Mastermind' is Seized in Iraq," The Times, UK, 28 April 2007.
121. "Pakistanis Arrest Two Over US Consulate Blast," Reuters, 21 August 2006.
122. "Man Declared Absconder in US Consulate Blast Case," Daily Times 19 September 2006.
123. Ibid.
124. "al-Qaeda Militants Plead Not Guilty in US C-G Blast Case," The News, 12 October 2006.
125. "Pakistanis Arrest Two Over US Consulate Blast," Reuters, 21 August 2006.
126. Ibid.
127. Ibid.
128. "Sindh Announces Rs 11.5 Million Reward for Arrest of 23 Militants," Daily Times, 25 August 2005.
129. "4 Suspects of Two Banned Outfits Held," Dawn, 9 February 2005.
130. Ibid.
131. "Possible Sabotage Thwarted in Karachi," Paktribune, 8 February 2005.
132. "The Man Who Is Planning the Next Attack on America,"ABC, 9 August 2006.
133. Der Spiegel, 29 January 2006.
134. AFP, 19 January 2006.
135. Al Qaeda's Muhajidin Data Form, recovered by the CIA, Global Pathfinder, ICPVTR Database.
136. Der Spiegel, 29 January 2006
137. and "Profile on Khalid Sheikh Muhammad," Office of the Director of National Intelligence, September 2006.
138. "Interpol Alleges Senior Bin Laden Advisor Hiding in the Tribal Areas," Daily Times, 18 December 2004.
139. Ibid.
140. "Local and Foreign Taliban in Waziristan have Started Preparations to Cope with the Situations as They Fear the Government may Breach the Peace Agreement," Frontier Times, 22 September 2006
141. and "Taliban behind Waziristan Accord," The Fourth Rail, 23 September 2006.
142. "Accounts after 2005 London Bombing Point to al-Qaeda Role," York Times, 13 August 2006. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2006/ 08/13/world/europe/13qaeda.html?r=1&scp=554&sq=&st= nyt&oref=slogin.
143. "7/7 'Mastermind' is Seized in Iraq."
144. "Fugitive bin Laden protégé Shot Dead by British Troops," The Times, 26 September 2006.
145. Ibid.
146. "A Video from al-Sahab Production of an Interview with Mujahid Farouq al-Iraqi, an Escapee from Bagram Prison in Afghanistan," Site Institute, 9 March 2006.
147. ICPVTR Personality Profile on Abu Hamza al-Muhajir.
148. "Al-Qaeda Man Rearrested," The News (Internet Version), 13 November 2006. Available at http://www.karachipage.com/news/Nov06/ 111306.html.
149. "Al-Zawahiri Calls on Muslims to Wage 'War of Jihad', Reject UN Resolutions," Jihadist Websites - OSC Report, 12 September 2006.
150. ICPVTR Group Profile on GSPC/al-Qaeda Organization of the Islamic Maghreb.
151. "Algeria Hit by Bombings, Six Dead," Reuters, 13 February 2007.
152. ICPVTR Analysis of 11 April 2007 attacks by Tanzim al-Qaeda al-Jihad bi Bilad al- Maghreb al-Islami in Algiers, available in ICPVTR Database.
153. Ibid.
154. "Al-Qaida's No. 2 Welcomes Egyptian Group," AP, 6 August 2006.
155. Ibid.
156. "Son-in-law of Zawahiri was Mastermind."
157. "UK Islamists Say IG Leader Al-Hakayimah Escaped From Iran, Is in Asian Country," Al-Sharq al-Awsat, 2 August 2006.
158. "Al-Qaida's No. 2 Welcomes Egyptian Group."
159. "Book on 'Unmaksing' US Intelligence," Jihadist Websites - OSC Report, 11 August 2006.
160. "Translation of Al-Hakaymah's Book 'How to Fight Alone,'" Jihadist Websites - OSC Report, 20 October 2006.
161. "Jihadist Websites Express Support for Somali Islamists, Brand Ethiopians as 'Crusaders,'" Jihadist Websites - OSC Report, 19 December 2006.
162. "Egyptian Jihadist Al-HakaymahWrites 'Hamas and the Democratic Deception'" Jihadist Websites - OSC Report, 8 November 2006.
163. "Egyptian Muhammad Al-Hakayimah PublishesMemoirs Detailing Jihadist Involvement, Travel," Jihadist Websites - OSC Report, 3 January 2007.
164. "Al-Qa'ida Leader Al-Hakaymah Responds to Islamic Group: Do Not Underestimate me ... and Qa'idat al-Jihad Shelters me, Al-Islambuli and Others Among the Leaders," Al-Sharq al-Awsat, 27 November 2006.
165. "Webmaster Arrested, Site Shut Down by 'Western Country," Jihadist Websites-OSC Report, 10 January 2007.
166. Ibid.
167. "Former Moderator of Jihadist Website Describes Arrest, Mocks Algerian Claims," Jihadist Websites - OSC Report, 1 February 2007.
168. "Toward a New Strategy in Resisting the Occupier." Available at http://www.althabeton.co.nr/
169. "Al-Jazirah Airs New Al-Zawahiri Tape," 4 August 2005.
170. "Toward a New Strategy in Resisting the Occupier." Available at http://www.althabeton.co.nr/
171. Ibid.
172. Ibid.
173. "Al-Qa'ida Leader Al-Hakaymah Responds to Islamic Group."
174. "UK Islamists Say IG Leader Al-Hakayimah Escaped From Iran, Is in Asian Country."
175. Ibid.
176. "Report by Muhammad al-Shafi'i in London: 'London's Fundamentalists: Umar Abd-al- Rahman's Son 'Sayfallah' Has Joined Al-Hakayimah in Iran. Said His Brother Asad-al-RahmanWas Moved From Guantanamo to Egypt,'" Al-Sharq al-Awsat, 25 November 2006.
177. "al-Qaeda is Seen as Restoring Leadership," The New York Times, 2 April 2007.
178. "Website: Al-Zawahiri Congratulates Muslims on Id Al-Adha, 'Defeat' of Americans," Jihadist Websites - OSC Report, 30 December 2006.
179. Combating Terrorism Center, United States Military Academy, "Letter Exposes New Leader in Al-Qa'ida High Command," 25 September 2006.
180. Ibid.
181. Ibid.
182. European ParliamentWebsite, "Pakistani President hopes for more trade with the EU," 13 September 2006.
183. General Ehsan, Chief of Defence Staff, Pakistan, Interview, Singapore, 1 June 2007.
184. Within the Western intelligence community, they used this phrase often because many of their investigations led to Pakistan.