Many scholars have sought to understand the difference between terrorism and insurgency. Insurgents use a variety of violent and violent methods, they seek support from the people and usually seek to gain and control territory (O'Neill, 10). They also tend to have an ample supply of manpower a large accumulation of resources. Terrorist groups, on the other hand, are usually small, extremely violent, conspiratorial and with little or no public support. Terrorist groups have no regard for civilian casualties and due to their secret nature, they do not hold territories. They do not control or govern any regions due to the lack of logistics and membership numbers. Scholars suggest that it is possible for a group to be both an insurgent and a terrorist group based on their violent tactics and their ability to hold a territory. Furthermore, they suggest that the differences between insurgencies and terrorist groups may not be by design, but rather due to disparities in the availability of resources.
AL Qaeda, meaning the base in English is an international alliance of jihadist organizations whose primary aim is to establish an Islamic state, eliminate international influence on their governance and eliminate Israel. Due to its increased use of a variety of tactics Al Qaeda has been classified as a terrorist group. It has claimed responsibility for various terrorist attacks its wide networks across continents, and the used of different tactics can qualify it as an insurgent. Some al Qaeda affiliate groups have been known to hold and govern territories. It has continued to carry out various isolated terrorist attacks, but it would seem that terrorism is no longer a priority on its agenda, it has focused on increasing its support and spreading Islamic domination in the world.
O'Neil describes insurgency as the struggle between the governing body and non-ruling groups for authority and leadership where the non-ruling group uses violence and other tactics to undermine the ruling authority (O’Neill, 13). The strategies employed by insurgent groups are usually multidimensional and more complex compared to those of terrorist groups and armed militia (O'Neill, 14). Al Qaeda has demonstrated its use of different tactics to instill fear and propagate its agenda using terrorist attacks and internet broadcasted messages as well as the recruitment of American youth into being is an agenda on the promise of trying to make the world a better place.
Insurgencies usually take a long time well over the decades (O'Neill, 15). Osama in his statement stated that al-Qaida had been in existence for seven years, a period where they had been trying to rid the world of Americans for their insolence and interference in matters involving Islamic states. Insurgencies seek to upset the balance of power, and the legitimacy of governments as is evident is bin Laden’s statement (O'Neill, 16). He claims that the United States have long interfered in matters of Iraq and other countries thus they should all die. He adds that the world should be rid of all that refuse on embrace Islam; he believes that the world should be based on Islamic law and culture. He aims at restructuring the social order ad political leadership based on Islamic law.
Insurgent groups are usually based on following their leader’s values and directives even with a broad membership they have similar objectives (O'Neill, 17). Groups affiliated with al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden are based on the need to turn the world into a Muslim state. Although some are less extremist, they discriminate non-Muslims.
In conclusion, based bail o’ Neil’s insurgent strategy al Qaeda has the characteristics qualifying it as an insurgent group. It has political elements; it has been in existence for more than a decade and its influence spans over many countries (O’Neill, 18). It has an iconic leader whose charisma has attracted many followers and groups to arise. In his statements Osama has propagated the message of Muslim superiority and the need to plow out westernization and on particular American influence in the world. He advocates for loss of life as the cost of purging American arrogance in the world which, although morally and legally wrong has inspired the emergence of many terrorist cells.
Work Cited
O'Neill, Bard E. Insurgency & Terrorism. Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books, 2005. Print.
