al-Qaedaal-Qaeda

Ontogeny of the prototypic Ontogeny of the prototypic RIF terrorist organizationRIF terrorist organization

COLCOL. . ENGR.ENGR. JAJANOSNOS TOMOLYATOMOLYA Ph.DPh.DNATONATO CoECoE DATDAT ChiefChief ofof CapabilitiesCapabilities

Al-Qaeda DefinedAl-Qaeda Defined

A very complex A very complex

organization that has organization that has been in existence since been in existence since the late 1980’sthe late 1980’s

Commits acts of Commits acts of violence aimed at violence aimed at America and Western America and Western Allies.Allies.

Al-Qaeda training camp

Al-Qaeda’s StrategyAl-Qaeda’s Strategy

• Soldiers operate in fast moving light forces. Work in complete Soldiers operate in fast moving light forces. Work in complete secrecy to complete complex strategic strikes.secrecy to complete complex strategic strikes.

• Avoids engagement in conventional fighting (forces are not Avoids engagement in conventional fighting (forces are not strong enough)strong enough)

• Spreads rumors, fear and discouragement among enemy Spreads rumors, fear and discouragement among enemy forcesforces

• Relies on a force of over 20,000 professionally trained soldiers Relies on a force of over 20,000 professionally trained soldiers throughout the world. The organization’s strengths are its’ throughout the world. The organization’s strengths are its’ secrecy extensive influence and planning. secrecy extensive influence and planning.

Misconceptions of Al-QaedaMisconceptions of Al-Qaeda

• Islam vs. Islam vs. IslamistIslamist (has own interpretation of Koran)(has own interpretation of Koran)

• Commit acts of desperationCommit acts of desperation

• They are a brand new organizationThey are a brand new organization

• Al-Qaeda is an organization without a homeAl-Qaeda is an organization without a home

NAMENAME

• Designated name:Designated name:International Front for Jihad against the International Front for Jihad against the Jews and CrusadersJews and Crusaders

• Familiar name: al-Qaeda (“The Base”)Familiar name: al-Qaeda (“The Base”)

RIFRIF

• Radical Islamic fundamentalist (RIF) Radical Islamic fundamentalist (RIF) terrorist organizations did not begin with terrorist organizations did not begin with and will not end with al-Qaedaand will not end with al-Qaeda• Evolved from earlier organizationsEvolved from earlier organizations• Morphed into ‘movement’Morphed into ‘movement’

EvolutionEvolution

• Muslim Brotherhood in EgyptMuslim Brotherhood in Egypt

• Egyptian Islamic JihadEgyptian Islamic Jihad

• Maktab Khadamat al-Mujahidin al-Arab (MAK)Maktab Khadamat al-Mujahidin al-Arab (MAK)

• International Front for Jihad against the Jews International Front for Jihad against the Jews and Crusadersand Crusaders——al-Qaedaal-Qaeda

Muslim Brotherhood in EgyptMuslim Brotherhood in Egypt

• Formed in 1928 by Hassan al Banna Formed in 1928 by Hassan al Banna (1906-1949)(1906-1949)

• Anti-colonial advocating expulsion of Anti-colonial advocating expulsion of British influences in EgyptBritish influences in Egypt

• Strong fundamentalist orientationStrong fundamentalist orientation

• Generally nonviolent except for the Generally nonviolent except for the “secret apparatus”“secret apparatus”

Egyptian Islamic JihadEgyptian Islamic Jihad

• Formed in the 1970s by militant faction of Formed in the 1970s by militant faction of the Muslim Brotherhoodthe Muslim Brotherhood

• Advocated terrorist tactics to achieve Advocated terrorist tactics to achieve goals including formation of Islamic stategoals including formation of Islamic state

• Spawned parallel organizations in other Spawned parallel organizations in other Muslim countriesMuslim countries

• Ayman al-Zawahiri assumed control in Ayman al-Zawahiri assumed control in the 1980sthe 1980s

Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt vs. Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt vs. Egyptian Islamic JihadEgyptian Islamic Jihad

• Muslim Brotherhood Muslim Brotherhood • Primary objectivePrimary objective: :

Muslim unity and expulsion Muslim unity and expulsion of foreign influences of foreign influences (considerable RIF (considerable RIF elements)elements)

• fundamentalism a fundamentalism a secondary objectivesecondary objective

• Generally nonviolent Generally nonviolent approach to changeapproach to change

• Egyptian Islamic JihadEgyptian Islamic Jihad• Primary objectivePrimary objective: :

expulsion of foreign expulsion of foreign influences and influences and establishment of an establishment of an Islamic state (RIF core)Islamic state (RIF core)

• fundamentalism a fundamentalism a primary objectiveprimary objective

• Generally violent Generally violent approach to changeapproach to change

Maktab Khadamat al-Mujahidin Maktab Khadamat al-Mujahidin al-Arab (MAK)al-Arab (MAK)• Formed in the 1980s by Osama bin Formed in the 1980s by Osama bin

Laden and Laden and Abdullah al-Azzam to recruit to recruit and train foreign fighters to combat the and train foreign fighters to combat the Soviet invasion in AfghanistanSoviet invasion in Afghanistan• Encouraged and indirectly supported by Encouraged and indirectly supported by

the U.S. during the Cold Warthe U.S. during the Cold War• Had strong fundamentalists elements with Had strong fundamentalists elements with

a desire to influence the social-political a desire to influence the social-political system of post-war Afghanistansystem of post-war Afghanistan

MAK SplitMAK Split

• Conflicting agendas after Soviet Conflicting agendas after Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistanwithdrawal from Afghanistan• Protection of Muslim populations in Protection of Muslim populations in

troubled spots throughout the world troubled spots throughout the world ((Azzam objective)

• Overthrow of despotic Arab regimens, Overthrow of despotic Arab regimens, especially Egypt and Saudi Arabia (bin especially Egypt and Saudi Arabia (bin Laden objective)Laden objective)

1989-95 Birth and Development1989-95 Birth and Development• Al-Qaeda starts in the aftermath of Soviet invasion 1987Al-Qaeda starts in the aftermath of Soviet invasion 1987• By 1989 begins to target AmericaBy 1989 begins to target America• Recruits from across the globe including AmericaRecruits from across the globe including America• No solid base (Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq) No solid base (Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq) • 1991-1996 primarily based in Sudan1991-1996 primarily based in Sudan• Much soldier training and a system of Hierarchy stabilized (Bin Much soldier training and a system of Hierarchy stabilized (Bin

Laden, Deputy, 5 committees)Laden, Deputy, 5 committees)

MAK Merger with Egyptian Islamic MAK Merger with Egyptian Islamic Jihad LeadershipJihad Leadership

• Azzam was assassinated in 1989 leaving bin Azzam was assassinated in 1989 leaving bin Laden in controlLaden in control

• Zawahiri functionally merged Egyptian Zawahiri functionally merged Egyptian Islamic Jihad with former MAK membersIslamic Jihad with former MAK members

• Al-Qaeda emergesAl-Qaeda emerges• bin Laden—financial aspectsbin Laden—financial aspects• Zawahiri—ideological and operational aspects Zawahiri—ideological and operational aspects

1996-2001 War Plans1996-2001 War Plans

• Al-Qaeda still relatively unknown to US (1987-1999)Al-Qaeda still relatively unknown to US (1987-1999)• Strategy: Spread enemy’s attention and expose it. (2 Strategy: Spread enemy’s attention and expose it. (2

Al-Qaeda members example)Al-Qaeda members example)• Encyclopedia of Jihad released in 1996 conveniently Encyclopedia of Jihad released in 1996 conveniently

upgraded to DVD in 1999.upgraded to DVD in 1999.• Taliban team up (2,000 Al-Qaeda soldiers)Taliban team up (2,000 Al-Qaeda soldiers)• Al-Qaeda will officially declare war for the first time in Al-Qaeda will officially declare war for the first time in

19961996

Conflict with bin Laden EscalatesConflict with bin Laden Escalates• Offers to raise a mujahidin army to defend Saudi Offers to raise a mujahidin army to defend Saudi

Arabia from a potential invasion from Iraq in 1990Arabia from a potential invasion from Iraq in 1990• Saudi Arabia declines his offer opting instead to Saudi Arabia declines his offer opting instead to

accept the assistance of the U.S. and allow American accept the assistance of the U.S. and allow American troops (including women soldiers) in Saudi Arabiatroops (including women soldiers) in Saudi Arabia

• Moves to Sudan by invitation of the Sudanese Moves to Sudan by invitation of the Sudanese government in 1991government in 1991

• Supports several small to medium attacks against Supports several small to medium attacks against Western interestsWestern interests

• Moves to Afghanistan in 1996 by invitation of the Moves to Afghanistan in 1996 by invitation of the TalibanTaliban

• Cruise missiles fired at al-Qaeda training camp in Cruise missiles fired at al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan to kill bin Laden in 1998Afghanistan to kill bin Laden in 1998

International Front for Jihad against International Front for Jihad against the Jews and Crusadersthe Jews and Crusaders

““The ruling to kill the Americans and their The ruling to kill the Americans and their alliesallies──civilians and militarycivilians and military──is an is an individual duty for every Muslim who can individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible do it in any country in which it is possible to do it.to do it. ””

Fatwa issued by Osama bin Laden Fatwa issued by Osama bin Laden & Ayman al-Zawahiri on 23 February 1998& Ayman al-Zawahiri on 23 February 1998

September 11, 2001September 11, 2001

2002-03 Regroup and Privatize2002-03 Regroup and Privatize• The full-scale war brought by America was expectedThe full-scale war brought by America was expected• Al-Qaeda groups become almost separate working Al-Qaeda groups become almost separate working

loosely with mother Al-Qaeda (Southeast Asia, North loosely with mother Al-Qaeda (Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, Iraq, North Africa and East Africa)America, Europe, Iraq, North Africa and East Africa)

• Aside from war in Iraq since 2002 groups have made Aside from war in Iraq since 2002 groups have made attacks on the US and seven of our allies. (18 major attacks on the US and seven of our allies. (18 major attacks in 11 countries)attacks in 11 countries)

• Each Al-Qaeda group is strengthened by perceived Each Al-Qaeda group is strengthened by perceived injustices to that country (i.e. radical Egyptians in injustices to that country (i.e. radical Egyptians in North Africa)North Africa)

The Iraq ConnectionThe Iraq Connection• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is believed to have formed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is believed to have formed

Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in Afghanistan during the Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in Afghanistan during the 1980s1980s• May have received some funds from al-Qaeda but May have received some funds from al-Qaeda but

operated independentlyoperated independently• Original objective was to overthrow the Jordanian Original objective was to overthrow the Jordanian

government and establish an Islamic stategovernment and establish an Islamic state• Expanded urban guerilla warfare in Iraq to include Expanded urban guerilla warfare in Iraq to include

terrorist tactics also targeting Iraqisterrorist tactics also targeting Iraqis• Officially merged with al-Qaeda 21 October 2004 Officially merged with al-Qaeda 21 October 2004

(finally providing an al-Qaeda connection to Iraq)(finally providing an al-Qaeda connection to Iraq)

New Role for al-QaedaNew Role for al-Qaeda

• Various RIF factions aggressively compete Various RIF factions aggressively compete with each other for control, only uniting with each other for control, only uniting provisionally to fight the common enemiesprovisionally to fight the common enemies

• Al-Qaeda evolved into the symbolic focus of a Al-Qaeda evolved into the symbolic focus of a ‘united’ RIF terrorist movement‘united’ RIF terrorist movement

• As demonstrated by Zarqawi, Sadr, and As demonstrated by Zarqawi, Sadr, and others, the leadership of al-Qaeda is not others, the leadership of al-Qaeda is not essential for continued RIF terrorist activitiesessential for continued RIF terrorist activities

Essam al-Eryan and Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh, senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Guidance Office in Cairo urged an immediate release in a statement posted 18 January 2006.

“We ... appeal to the kidnappers of the American journalist Jill Carroll to release her as lives of innocent civilians – Iraqi or foreign – should be well guarded,” they wrote. “Jill ... and her colleagues have come to Iraq to report the events to the world, reminding everyone of the hardships faced by the Iraqi people under occupation. Once more, we call upon our brothers in the Iraqi resistance not to target media workers. This contradicts the principles of our religion and doesn't help the cause of liberating the country.”

Source: csmonitor.com (March 2006)

Parent Movement Less Militant Than Parent Movement Less Militant Than Offspring?Offspring?

Jill Carroll ReleasedJill Carroll Released

Timeline of the Evolution of the Timeline of the Evolution of the Modern International Terrorist Threat Modern International Terrorist Threat

• 1979:1979: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and subsequent occupation. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and subsequent occupation.• 1984:1984: Radical preacher Abdullah Azzam set up an organisation Radical preacher Abdullah Azzam set up an organisation

called Maktab al-Khidmat (MAK) “Bureau of Services” to called Maktab al-Khidmat (MAK) “Bureau of Services” to disseminate propaganda about jihad in Afghanistan. Usama bin disseminate propaganda about jihad in Afghanistan. Usama bin Laden (UbL) joins.Laden (UbL) joins.

• 1989: Withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan. UbL returns to Saudi Arabia. Decision by MAK to continue to support further jihadist causes. Thinking around “the base” or “foundation” (translation: Al Qaida) for further operations articulated.

Timeline adapted from the British Home Office Report on the 07 July 2005 London Bombings, printed by order of the House of Commons, 11 May 2006.

• 1988-89: UbL disagreement over focus of the cause and starts to form Al Qaida. November 1989, Azzam assassinated.

• Early 1990s: Violence in a number of regions worldwide, including Afghanistan, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Chechnya, Bosnia, Tajikistan, East Africa, Yemen and Philippines. Groups that would later be a significant international terrorist threat formed eg Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines. Extremist support networks created in the UK and Europe.

• Aug 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait. Saudi Government agrees to allow US troops to be stationed in the Kingdom for 1st Gulf War. UbL fiercely opposed.

• 1991: UbL leaves for Sudan. Al Qaida (AQ) changes from being predominantly paramilitary organisation into a terrorist group, focussing on the US.

• 1992: AQ publishes a fatwa calling for jihad against western “occupation” of Islamic lands.

• 1990s: Radical young men from the UK go to support jihad overseas eg Richard Reid, the shoe bomber, left for Pakistan/Afghanistan in 1997.

• 1992: Somalia: two IED (improvised explosive device) attacks against hotels where US troops were staying. January 1993, “Black Hawk down” incident.

• 1993: First World Trade Centre attack.• 1994: Taliban established.• 1995: Start of 4-month GIA (Armed Islamic Group) campaign in

France.• Mid-1996: Relocation of AQ leadership and many other

extremists to Afghanistan.

• Jun 1996: Truck bomb at housing complex in Saudi Arabia.• Aug 1996: UbL publishes fatwa “Declaration of War against the

Americans occupying the Land of the Two Holy Places [Saudi Arabia]”.

• Nov 1997: Islamic gunmen attack tourists in Luxor, Egypt.• Feb 1998: UbL’s second fatwa calling for jihad “to kill the

Americans and their allies – civilian and military”.• Aug 1998: US Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya damaged in

AQ truck bomb attacks. Many dead and injured.• Dec 1998: Yemen: kidnapping of 16 tourists, including 12

Britons.• Aug 1999: Russia: start of 2-month series of bombings.

• Dec 1999: Indian airlines flight hijacked.• Oct 2000: suicide bombers directed by AQ attacked USS Cole

in Aden, Yemen.• Nov 2000: 2 British citizens of Bangladeshi origin arrested in

Birmingham, UK on suspicion of preparing a large quantity of home made explosives.

• Jan 2001 India: The Red Fort in New Delhi attacked by Kashmiri militants.

• Sept 2001: AQ operatives crashed hijacked airliners into the World Trade Centre and Pentagon.

• Late 2001- Early 2002: Coalition action expelled the Taliban, AQ and other extremist groups from main Afghanistan, dismantling training camps etc. Freezing of assets and targeting of support networks.

• Oct 2001: Kashmir, India assembly attacked by militants.

• Dec 2001: militants attacked Indian Parliament in New Delhi.

• Dec 2001: disrupted plans to attack US, Australian and British Missions in Singapore.

• Dec 2001: Richard Reid’s attempted “shoe bomb” attack on US airliner.

• Jan 2002: Kidnapping and execution of US journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan.

• Apr 2002: attack on Western tourists at synagogue in Tunisia.

• May 2002: attack against a bus transporting French Naval engineers in Karachi, Pakistan.

• Jun 2002: attack against the US Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.

• Jun 2002: : disrupted attacks on Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco.

• Oct 2002: : water-borne attack on MV Limburg in Yemen.• Oct 2002: attack on nightclub in Bali, Indonesia.• Oct 2002: Chechen terrorists occupy Moscow theatre, taking

hundreds hostage.• Nov 2002: attack on hotel and Israeli charter aircraft in

Mombasa, Kenya.• 2002-2003: Ricin plot (UK).• Feb 2003: Coalition action and removal of Saddam Hussain in

Iraq.• May 2003: attack on residential compounds and US/Saudi

office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.• May 2003: attacks on various (including Jewish) targets in

Casablanca, Morocco.

• Aug 2003: simultaneous bomb blasts in Mumbai, India.• Aug 2003: attack on Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia.• Nov 2003: attack on residential compound in Riyadh, Saudi

Arabia.• Nov 2003: multiple attacks on Jewish and British targets in

Istanbul, Turkey.• Dec 2003: two assassination attempts on President Musharraf

in Pakistan.• Feb 2004: bomb on Superferry 14 in Manila, Philippines.• Mar 2004: multiple attacks on Madrid, Spain train network.

• Apr 2004: Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) suicide attack in Saudi Arabia.

• May 2004: multiple attacks in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.• May- Sept 2004: assassination of Westerners in Saudi Arabia.• Aug - Sept 2004: Chechen terrorists down 2 passenger aircraft

in Russia, mount suicide bombing on the Moscow metro and take over 1,000 hostage at a school in North Ossetia.

• Sept 2004: attack on Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia.

• Oct 2004: attack on Israeli tourists at a hotel and campsites in Egypt.

• Dec 2004: Further AQ attacks in Saudi Arabia.• Feb 2005: simultaneous Valentine’s Day bombings in the

Philippines.• Mar 2005: suicide car bomb against Western theatre in Qatar.• April 2005: IED detonated in Cairo, Egypt bazaar, suicide

attacks against tourists.• July 2005: bombings in London, UK.

52 commuters killed along with 4 suicide bombers, 700 others injured

• October 2004. Bin Laden bursts into the U.S. October 2004. Bin Laden bursts into the U.S. election campaign in his first videotaped election campaign in his first videotaped message in over a year to deride Bush.  message in over a year to deride Bush. 

• January 2006 - Bin Laden's first public January 2006 - Bin Laden's first public message for over a year is a bid to show he message for over a year is a bid to show he is still in command of al Qaeda.is still in command of al Qaeda.

• September 2006. Bush vows "America will September 2006. Bush vows "America will find you".find you".

• September 2007. Bin Laden issues first new September 2007. Bin Laden issues first new video for nearly three years, telling U.S. it is video for nearly three years, telling U.S. it is vulnerable despite its power.vulnerable despite its power.

• January 24th 2010. Bin Laden claims January 24th 2010. Bin Laden claims responsibility for the failed Dec. 25 bombing of a responsibility for the failed Dec. 25 bombing of a U.S.-bound plane in an audio tape and vows to U.S.-bound plane in an audio tape and vows to continue attacks on the United States.continue attacks on the United States.

• March 25th 2010March 25th 2010.. Bin Laden threatens al Qaeda Bin Laden threatens al Qaeda will kill any Americans it takes prisoner if will kill any Americans it takes prisoner if accused Sept. 11 planner Khalid Sheikh accused Sept. 11 planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, held by United States, is put to Mohammed, held by United States, is put to deathdeath

• January 21st 2011. Bin Laden says in an audio January 21st 2011. Bin Laden says in an audio recording that the release of French hostages recording that the release of French hostages held in Niger by al Qaeda depends on France's held in Niger by al Qaeda depends on France's soldiers leaving Muslim lands.soldiers leaving Muslim lands.

• On May 2On May 2ndnd 2011 Osama bin Laden was 2011 Osama bin Laden was killed in a million-dollar compound in the killed in a million-dollar compound in the resort of Abbottabad, 60 km north of the resort of Abbottabad, 60 km north of the Pakistani capital Islamabad. Pakistani capital Islamabad.

• On the same day Osama bin Laden was On the same day Osama bin Laden was buried at sea according to senior US buried at sea according to senior US administration officials who said Islamic administration officials who said Islamic practice calls for burial within 24 hours. practice calls for burial within 24 hours.

• They also said it would have been too hard They also said it would have been too hard to find a country willing to accept the to find a country willing to accept the remains of the world's most wanted remains of the world's most wanted terrorist, and wanted to avoid creating a terrorist, and wanted to avoid creating a pilgrimage site.pilgrimage site.

Backing & AffiliationsBacking & Affiliations

Al Qaeda appears to be affiliated with militant groups in the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia and Eurasia.

These groups include, most notably:Abu Sayyaf Group (Philippines, Malaysia)Al Qaeda in IraqEgyptian Islamic JihadJemaah Islamiya (Indonesia)Lashkar e Taiba (Kashmir)

Al Qaeda in IraqAl Qaeda in Iraq

"Al Qaeda in Iraq' is a shortening of the organization's original name Tanzim Qaidat Al Jihad fi Bilad Al Rafidin: Organization of Qaidat Al Jihad in the Land of Two Rivers.

Moktar Belmoktar, the Marlboro ManMoktar Belmoktar, the Marlboro Man

Al Qaeda group AQIM says killed Al Qaeda group AQIM says killed French hostage seized in MaliFrench hostage seized in Mali

Due to the War on Terror, Al Due to the War on Terror, Al Qaeda has become Qaeda has become destabilized and decentralized. destabilized and decentralized. This means they no longer This means they no longer play as big a part in World play as big a part in World Terrorism as they once did.Terrorism as they once did.

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