Ayman al-Zawahiri: the new leader of Al-Qaeda in old robes

23 years after its inception, today Al-Qaeda has two distinct options. The first one is to be a phoenix, to rise from its ashes. The second one, no doubt, is to surrender into anonymity.

Strenuously making an impact against the later, Al- Qaeda has selected a new leader, after the over hyped and demanded encounter of Osama bin Laden. An egyptian surgeon turned miliant Ayman al-Zawahiri is the new leader. He turns 60 this sunday.

Its indeed interesting how his name has suddenly become a hot debate in the international news. The US dismiss his appointment as ‘nowhere near to scary.’ Perhaps, they once again have forgotten that Al-Qaeda is not represented by one protagonist but the ideology behind it. Hence, the selection of a new successor or the interim governance leading it, hardly makes a different.

Secondly, Zawahiri has his own wounds to lick. His entire family, including a wife and two children, were destroyed in the December 2001 in US attack in his own residence in Afghanistann. Hence, there is no chance that he would not take a revenge out of it.

Thirdly, not many know that Zawahiri was the mastermind behind what Osama bin Laden did. One of them is the usage of suicide attackers inspite of Osama not being ready for using them. He called these suicide bombers as ‘marytrs of freedom’. A man who harbours this mindset should be scrtunised beyond what he speaks and what he avoids to speak.

Zawahiri’s journey’

During his initital days, Zawahiri was exposed to radical Islam through the teachings of Islamist Sayyid Qutb. 
In 1981, he was involved in the assasination of Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat. After being involved in mass arrests, he was released in
 1984. Soon he fled to Pakistan and joined the Afghanistan Mujahideen. In 1986 he met Osama bin Laden and after two years, he played a pivotal 
role in the setting up of Al-Qaida in Pakistan. Known for his argumentative and out-spoken language, Zawahiri is considered to be 'less charismatic' 
than Osama bin Laden. 

'Challenges infront of Zawahiri'
Especially after several key documents being raided by the US special forces during the encounter of Osama bin Laden, the task of Zawahiri to once 
again maintain the secrecy of the group is quite difficult. He also needs to work on uniting the Al-Qaeda chambers in the Middle East and the Saudi. 
Evading the American pursuers would be another herculean task. 

Since he is not the founder of Al-Qaeda, it is believed that Zawahiri has the challenging task to establish the second tier relationship with the group. 
Also, the group is going through a financial crunch right now. The strategic policies towarda countries such as Yemen, Egypt and Libya also need to 
be changed. Inspite of the fact that Zawahiri still used to call the shots even during the time of Osama bin Laden, he needs to prove that Al-Qaeada still exists, 
especially as 2011 marks 'ten decades' to the September 2001 terror attacks.

Though, age and seniority are at his side, the previous role of 'micr0-managing' al-Qaeda would demand a lot of immediate pursuits. 
He also needs to work on bringing together the cultural, sociological, geographic and ideological differences present in the militant group and 
unite them.

What he does and does not, will be revealed only by time and technology.

Terrorism is back: Osama’s death meant nothing

Perhaps, the world was awaiting this.  With UK and US tightening their security, perhaps, no one expected the target to be Pakistan, itself. On second thoughts, it seems like a reason to empathise with Pakistan. But is it a deliberate attempt to gain innocent sympathy or has the bombing really been targeted to take the revenge?

Well, the Pakistani Taliban Tehrik-e-Taliban carried out two bomb attacks in the Frontier Constabulary located in Charsadda district, killing at least 80 people. Around 120 have been injured, police said.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, the spokesperson from the militant group has stated that this is the first attack avenging the death of Osama bin Laden. He also warned about ‘bigger attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.’

The police have stated that both the attacks have been cases of suicide bombing. Most of the dead were the young recruits, undergoing training. Currently, they were boarding the bus early in the morning, ready to return to their families following intensive nine month training.

Even in the past, there have been repeated Al- Qaeda and Taliban attacks against the government forces in Shabqadar, which is located 30 kilometres away from Peshawar.

The Police Chief at Charsadda, Nisar Sarwat has confirmed that it was an incident of suicide bombing.

Ahmad Ali, one of the injured paramilitary policeman stated how happy he was for the hope of returning home when suddenly he heard ‘Allah Akbar’, following the immediate bomb explosion.

This attack has been called as the ‘deadliest’ bomb explosion after 5^th November when 68 people were killed by a suicide bomber in a mosque at Darra Adam Khel.

Apart from the FC Cadets, even the civilians and property has witnessed massive destruction, including 12 vans and 12 shops.

‘US and UK condemn the attack’

Condemning these terrorist attacks and calling them ‘cowardly’, the British Foreign Secretary William Hague has pledged to support Islamabad in this hour of need.

Meanwhile US Embassy in Pakistan has stated in a statement issued immediately after the attack that it respected the sacrifices by the Pakistani people and would work to disrupt the Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

‘Pressure on Pakistan’

After the 2^nd May killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, the pressure on Pakistan to reveal how the world’s most wanted terrorist leader was hiding in the country, has been increasing in a phenomenal manner. The Pakistani army has also witnessed dramatic increase in criticism and allegations against its role in the country.

On the other hand, the Pakistani government did not appreciate the sudden ‘intervention in their sovereignty’ by carrying out raid in their country without their previous permission.

Meanwhile, US was allowed the much demanded access to three widows of Osama bin laden who are currently in the custody of Pakistan.

Credits: Photo from Reuters

Osama’s picture: why it should/ should not be released?

On February 21, 2002, the videotape ‘The Slaughter of Spy-Journalist, the Jew Daniel Pearl’ was released. Pearl was an American journalist, who was captured and beheaded by Al-Qaida.

And the entire world saw it.

Nine years later, US President Barack Obama, chooses to silence the entire world, by not letting history repeat itself.

Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida has been killed in a raid on Sunday in Abbottabad in Pakistan by the US navy SEAL.

Along with pertinent questions that why Osama’s body was buried at the sea, the White House is being bombarded with the demand of releasing the terrorist’s pictures.

In the first ever interview at ‘60 Minutes’ of CBS, President Obama states that the pictures are ‘graphic’ and ‘gruesome’. He also said that the release of the photos would cause incitement and can be used as a propaganda.

‘Biggest Mistake’

US Senator Lindsey Graham states that this decision is the biggest mistake being committed by the White House.

He states that the entire mission of the raid was to get proof and evidence. If that was not the case, even aerial bombardment would have served the purpose.

Navanethem Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights voices that there is an immediate need to confirm full disclosure of accurate facts.

Michael Graham of Boston Herald blogs that one of the first things which Obama did after starting his presidentship was to show pictures of flag draped coffins of fallen soldeirs.

He also states that when Americans could see the pictures of innocent people dead on 9/11 attack, they deserve to see the dead body of the man who caused it.

Toby Harnden, the US Editor of Telegraph chooses to adopt a diplomatic stand in this controversy but called the current time as ‘extended amateur hour in the White House.’

‘As President likes it’

Jay Carney, the White House Spokesperson chose not to reveal the operation details during a press conference yesterday.

He said, ‘if the President says he is dead. He is dead.’

When asked if the families of 9/11 victims would be shown the pictures, at least, the spokesperson once again declined to accept the request.

‘Fake photo of Osama’

In the meanwhile, a fake photo showing Osama’s injured face has been released, turning viral online.

This photo was first printed on 29th April 2009 by the Middle East newspaper.

Also, the Pakistani media has revealed the pictures of other victims, supposedly Osama’s brother, who were also killed in the raid.

‘Is Osama’s death illegal?’

Osama’s 12 year daughter who saw the entire raid infront of her eyes has stated that her father was first captured and then killed. If that is the case, it would be a breach in international law.

Though, Geroge Little, CIA Spokesperson says that there is ‘no indication’ of such an occurence.

Andrea Prasow, spokesperson from Human Rights Watch stated that raid can not be judged lawful or unlawful until details are revealed.

‘Pakistan’s retort’

The Pakistani Government which as called the raid as ‘intrusion into their sovereignity’ has stated that US would not be allowed to talk with the family members of Osama bin laden until and unless a written request is forwarded.

Also, Salman Bashir, the Pakistan Foreign Minister has declined any relation with al-Qaida and defended the role of ISI, the country’s premiere intelligence agency.

Credits: Photo from Getty Images