Al Qaeda’s resurgence
Citing counter-terrorist officials, the Guardian newspaper reported that Britain has become the prime target for a resurgent al Qaeda, with last year’s London bombings seen as just the beginning. The officials claimed that al Qaeda has successfully regrouped in Pakistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001 and the retreat of the al Qaeda leadership into the Tora Bora Mountains. Al Qaeda has managed to survive a four-year military campaign seeking out and killing its leaders, and has managed to come out stronger. Previously, al Qaeda conducted terror attacks in Bali in 2002 and 2005, among some other terrorist ventures around the globe. But the revamped al Qaeda has taken a new leaf out of its old manual and is now involved in urban guerrilla warfare, which is different from and in some respects more difficult than the rural guerrilla warfare in which it was previously mostly involved. Even in Afghanistan and Iraq, al Qaeda’s new strategy is visible through the increase in roadside bombings and suicide bombings. It is indeed an alarming situation.
The officials also expressed deep concern about the rise of individual al Qaeda-inspired groups in Britain, which were following in the footsteps of the old Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) and developing new structures with a lead organiser/planner, a quartermaster in charge of acquiring weapons and explosives and conducting training, and finally several volunteers. These groups operate underground and follow the Jihadi philosophy propagated by the likes of al Qaeda. The July 7 train bombings in Britain last year were conducted by one such group. It is being speculated that the core al Qaeda figures in Pakistan send their emissaries to Europe to guide such groups. Although these groups enjoy operational autonomy and their whole structure is decentralised, yet the occasional exchange of views and ideas with al Qaeda people makes these groups all the more dangerous. The strategic, ideological convergence and operational devolution makes it even more difficult for intelligence services to track down and smash these groups.
Britain has not done its cause much good by adopting policies demonising its Muslim community. The British Muslims feel isolated and threatened under these circumstances. What has added fuel to the fire is the unnecessary controversy raised by Cabinet Minister Jack Straw about Muslim women wearing veils. Such religious discrimination is bound to give rise to extremism amongst the British Muslims, who already feel alienated. This in turn makes it easier for extremist groups to brainwash the disoriented community and recruit them. Britain’s policies also make it difficult for its intelligence agencies to track down and monitor the activities within such an alienated community.
Another reason why Britain is a soft target for terrorism is because of its immigrant community’s ties with Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people visit Pakistan each year and it would be extremely difficult to monitor the activities of all such travellers. The madrassas in Pakistan are referred to as the “mothers of all terrorism”, which is why under much international pressure the Pakistan government had decided to bring about reforms in the madrassa system. The reform process began, but has been abandoned midway and not pursued. The rhetoric of enlightened moderation does not match the performance on the ground, which gives rise to suspicions about the government’s actual policy. Al Qaeda’s global resurgence is harmful for world peace, especially for Pakistan. Pakistan needs to pull up its socks and address the contradictions and inconsistencies in its policies vis-à-vis extremism.
The officials also expressed deep concern about the rise of individual al Qaeda-inspired groups in Britain, which were following in the footsteps of the old Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) and developing new structures with a lead organiser/planner, a quartermaster in charge of acquiring weapons and explosives and conducting training, and finally several volunteers. These groups operate underground and follow the Jihadi philosophy propagated by the likes of al Qaeda. The July 7 train bombings in Britain last year were conducted by one such group. It is being speculated that the core al Qaeda figures in Pakistan send their emissaries to Europe to guide such groups. Although these groups enjoy operational autonomy and their whole structure is decentralised, yet the occasional exchange of views and ideas with al Qaeda people makes these groups all the more dangerous. The strategic, ideological convergence and operational devolution makes it even more difficult for intelligence services to track down and smash these groups.
Britain has not done its cause much good by adopting policies demonising its Muslim community. The British Muslims feel isolated and threatened under these circumstances. What has added fuel to the fire is the unnecessary controversy raised by Cabinet Minister Jack Straw about Muslim women wearing veils. Such religious discrimination is bound to give rise to extremism amongst the British Muslims, who already feel alienated. This in turn makes it easier for extremist groups to brainwash the disoriented community and recruit them. Britain’s policies also make it difficult for its intelligence agencies to track down and monitor the activities within such an alienated community.
Another reason why Britain is a soft target for terrorism is because of its immigrant community’s ties with Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people visit Pakistan each year and it would be extremely difficult to monitor the activities of all such travellers. The madrassas in Pakistan are referred to as the “mothers of all terrorism”, which is why under much international pressure the Pakistan government had decided to bring about reforms in the madrassa system. The reform process began, but has been abandoned midway and not pursued. The rhetoric of enlightened moderation does not match the performance on the ground, which gives rise to suspicions about the government’s actual policy. Al Qaeda’s global resurgence is harmful for world peace, especially for Pakistan. Pakistan needs to pull up its socks and address the contradictions and inconsistencies in its policies vis-à-vis extremism.
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