- Report: Terrorism intelligent Report and Dossier
Executive Summary
The purpose of this report was to research and analyse terrorism in particular a terrorist organisations and other organisation involved in violence in the past and now. The research focused on Al-Qaeda, a group that has been involved in the mass killing of people and attacks on properties. The research for this report involved news paper reports, online articles, text books and radio and television interviews. The findings of the research show that terrorism is still very active around the world and there has been a decrease in attacks by some of its organisations. Many subsidiaries of Al-Qaeda have become ineffective in recent year due to counter terrorism activities. However its ideologies and teachings are still being used by individuals who have been radicalised by its teachings such as in the case of Boston Bombings were two brothers carried out a bombing in during The Boston Marathon on the 15th of April 2013.Before carrying out the bombing one of them had downloaded the summer 2010 issue of Inspire which is an English language magazine published by Al-Qaeda which contains details on how to make bombs from pressure cookers. The research also showed that most attacks are happening where there is no political stability such as in countries in the Middle East and North Africa. This proves that though the organisation might not be as visible their literature is still available. The tactics of carrying out the attacks have changed in recent
years making it difficult in keeping abreast of the terrorist activities. Cooperation amongst countries is essential to deal with the terrorist activities.
Post’s graphics team on a map of al-Qaeda’s global network of alliances and proxies, indicating their best assessment of where the group’s reach is expanding and where it’s receding.
Source: Staff reports. The Washington Post.
History
The history of Al-Qaeda can be traced back to the time of the defeat of the Russian invading forces in Afghanistan in 1989.Other Arab countries had join in helping to expel the invading forces. The Arab countries who had participated decided to form a group that would work together in defeating those they considered enemies of Islam. It is then Al-Qaeda was set up with the goal of continuing the (jihad Holy war). The name Al-Qaeda means base.Al-Qaeda is described as being a group of persons who work together in planning acts of terrorism which was led by Bin Laden.Al-Qaeda now is operating in 40 to 50 countries around the globe.
Leaders
After the United States killing Of Bin Laden and other leaders of the organisation new leaders appeared. Ayaman al Zawahiri an eye surgeon who had been involved in the founding of the Egyptian militant group Islamic Jihad was named the new leader on the 16th of June 2011.On his appointment he vowed to continue Al-Qaeda’s jihad against what he termed crusader American servant Israel. Zawahiri was the second in command under Bin Laden and is the 22 most wanted terrorists list which was announced by the US government. Abu Yahiya al-Libi is said to be the organisation’s theologian though his where about is not known. Khalid al-Habib Al-Qaida’s field commander in South-East Afghanistan.Abd al-Hadi al- Iraq was named commander in the South-West though in 2006 was described as military commander .Adnan el Shukrijumah took over as chief of Al-Qaeda’s external operations council. He lived more than 15 years in America and the first leader who is familiar with the America’s society. Khalid Sheik Mohammed facilitates regular contact with Al-Qaeda senior leadership and the military commanders.Saif al Adel an Egyptian was one of Bin Laden’s security in chief and took the position of military commander after Bin Laden’s death. Mustafa Humid who is the father in law of Saif –Adel became an instructor in tactics at an Al-Qaeda camp near Jalalabad and said to be the link between the organisation and the Iran Government. However he was captured by the Iranian authorities. Said Bin Laden one of Osama Bin Laden’s sons was involved with al Qaeda’s activities in helping relatives flee to Iran.
Political/religious/economic Objectives
Al-Qaeda’s objectives are difficult to understand as it is a not legally established organised enterprise, however as an international organisation it has objectives are. The objectives show the ambitions of its then leader Osama Bin Laden of keeping with its goal of radical Islamic groups like the Muslim Brotherhood. The primary objectives are:
- Inspire and incite Islam nations and Muslims masses of the world to attack enemies of
Islam
- Destroy Israel
3. Expel Western Powers from the Arab world.
4. To establish the Islamic religion throughout the world.
5. To extend the Islamic authority and religion into new areas in the world.
However Al-Qaeda’s religious objectives are obscure .According to it training manual ‘Islam is a complete system: religion, government, worship and jihad’ Bin Laden phrased it as in the following words. The religion of Islam encompasses all affairs of life, including the religious, economic, military and political affairs. Though some claim that the unity of religion and politics in Islam .Wherever the origins and however the phrasing, the crucial point is that religion suffuses and galvanise the pursuit of political agenda for Al-Qaeda whose origins where founded on an Islamic terms of a political ideology as well as in terms of religion. The main product of the religion driven political perspective is the idea that Al-Qaeda is leading a defensive jihad .However in Islam this type of war only arises where an enemy is expelled from an Islamic homeland when these offensive becomes a duty. However the Al-Qaeda’s perspective, jihads must be of a violent nature. Most of the attacks by Al-Qaeda were not for religion reasons but political such per se. The attack on the Twin Towers on 9/11 Al-Qaeda did not give a religious reason for the attack. Its economic objectives are based on destroying the United States economy by carrying out massive damage to properties and causing harm to the civilians.
Activities
AL-Qaeda employs deferent tactics such as hijacking, bombing, kidnapping, suicide attacks, the use of raisin, arson and whatever means can use to attack their so called enemies.
Strength
The strength of Al-Qaida lies in its anonymity. The leaders and members are always in hiding.Al-Qaeda has many members in different parts of the world that can carry out its global goal attacking their enemies.
Taliban is another headline Islamic movement fighting force in Afghanistan and the major threat to the government of Afghanistan. The Taliban in n1994 and was supported by ethnic Pashtuns.Taliban has been carrying many attacks in recent months ageist the government and NATO forces.
Al- Qaida operates in different countries across the world they do not really have a base as most of them are on the most wanted in the world.Zawari the current leader is on US’s most wanted and is in hiding. Recently they have carried attacks in the Middle East and some of the radicals carry attacks wherever they are.
Al-Qaeda does not have a home base; however it maintains many t cells in different countries such as East Asia, Europe, Middle East and South Asia.Alqaeda has decentralised with isolated cells and groups that are loosely affiliated to it. The original group is now headed by Ayaman Zawahiri after Osama Bin Laden’s death. The Egyptian Islamic Jihad (Tanzim A1 Jihad) operates in Egypt.Anasar A1 Islam is an Iraq Kurdish organisation which operates in the northern areas of Iraq and Iran.A1 Jemaah A1 Islamiyya (The Islamic Group) is a southeast Asian group which is dedicated to bringing Islamic rules to the area.Lashkar-i-Tayyiba Kashmir based Sunni group has shown ties to Al- Qaeda .A1 Organisation in Islamic Maghreb operating in Algeria
Sources of funding
Much of the finances of Al-Qaeda seem to come from charitable contributions made by philanthropic and devout Muslims and the operation of legitimate business. Some of Al-Qaeda’s finances in the 1990’s came from Bin Laden‘s personal finances however some of the finances involved heroin trade and donations from suppliers in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries.
Identification and characterisation of nature of threat
The graph shows that Al-Qaeda attacked almost every part of the world between 1969 and 2009.The graph does no show later attacks that were carried out in later years
Rick analysis for Australia/Australian national Interest
Al-Qaida’s global missions are to spread their beliefs throughout the world especially with the use of its followers in many countries around the world. The really threat to Australia comes from the fact that of Islamic extremist groups living in the country or coming to the country. Australia has not experienced terrorist attacks of recent, however that does not mean there is no risk of terrorist attacks since the transitional Bali bombings of 2002.Australia is mostly threatened by transnational terrorism which is carried out in the name of an extremist Muslim ideology. The majority of Muslims are known to be peaceful and law abiding. The number of Australian Muslims has grown since the census of 2001 to 281 578 to 359 000-450 000 with 35% having born in Australia. These Muslims have contributed a lot to the political, economic and social life. However there are some extremist Muslims within the society which pose a threat to the Australian community. The real nature of the terrorist threat to Australia interests is seen overseas where it is higher than it is at home. Most of Australia’s interests that are overseas can be easy targets by Al-Qaeda especially were Western Interests are targeted. Recently Aon 25 May 2023 an Australian Policeman was killed in Afghanistan by the Taliban. The extremist who have transnational optimist –Muslim terrorist groups have are willing to undertake terrorist attacks in Australia.Al Qaeda’s view is that The Wet and their allies would be safe from international violence as long as stay out of affairs of other states. Australia needs to join forces with the rest of the world if terror acts are to be thwarted.
References
- Bobbitt, P. (2009) Terror and Consent: The war for the twenty first century. Strand, London: Penguin Books
2. Channel 4 News 2013 Wednesday24 April World
3. David. A, (2002) ‘Lake Rational Extremism: Understanding Terrorism in the twenty first century’ Dialogue Vol 1 issue pp15-29. Published on line, accessed from
http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_s777777777200000
4. Inspire: Inside Al-Qaeda Magazine Daily Mail 23 May 2013: Where they inspired by al-Qaeda Magazine? Authorities investigate whether terrorists were inspired into action by publication which urged them into lone wolf attacks.
5. Miller, S. International Security Twenty First Century: From One World to Another: International S Vol 26, No1
6. Transitional Terrorism: The threat to Australia accessed from
www.dtta.gov.au/publications/terrorism/transiitional. pdf
7. Strategic Foresight Initiative key trends and drivers retrieved from
www.fema.gov/pdf/about/programs/oppa/evolving_terrorisim
8. Gary,La Free and Laura (2007). Introducing The Global Terrorism Database,’’Political violence and Terrorism.19:181-204
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