OPINION Vol.1, No.1 June 2013 - National Defence University

Attacks in mainland USA – 09 Sep 2001
Bali bombing - 2002
London bombings on trains and bus service – 09 Jul 2005
Attacks by Pakistani Affiliates
Two attacks on ex-President Pervez Musharraf - 2003
Spate of attacks in Pakistan (post 2003) against military and civilian targets resulting into
over 40,000 deaths, including ex PM Benazir Bhutto and senior Military / Police Officers.
Attacks on,
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Police Training Centres
GHQ
Mehran Naval Base
Kamra Air Base
Malala Yousafzai
IMPACT OF AL QAEDA ON MUSLIM WORLD
Al Qaeda’s Footprints in Muslim World
In two decades Al Qaeda tried to infiltrate in as many Muslim countries as possible by exploiting
various fault lines. Generally, Al Qaeda had been successful in initial acceptance; however, in most of the
countries as soon as its devastations and actual agenda became obvious, it started losing public support. At
present, most of the bases of Al Qaeda are destroyed, many leaders either captured or killed, assets frozen
and has severely degraded their ability to conduct large scale 9/11 type attacks. Al Qaeda is relegated to
producing propaganda for guidance and inspiration for other extremist elements through media and
internet. More emphasis is now on small scale operations by self-indoctrinated operators or through
affiliates and associate groups. However, the core group could re-emerge if the international pressure is
eased.
Current Hot Spots
Yemen. Yemen was selected as an alternate base for Sudan and Afghanistan by Osama bin Laden
due to its extremely strategic location. In wake of 2011 Yemeni revolution, Ansar al-Sharia
(insurgent wing of AQAP) began to seize control of areas in Jaar, Abyan and surrounding
governorates and declaring them an Islamic Emirate. There was heavy fighting with the Yemeni
security forces and Ansar al-Sharia was driven out of most of their territory with assistance from
local tribes and US military advisers/ drones 10 . However, AQAP’s ability to launch asymmetric
attacks still remains.
Somalia. In Somalia Al Qaeda enjoys strong ties with Harkat al Shabab al Mujahideen (Al
Shabab) which in February 2012 officially pledged loyalty (Moktar Ali Zubeyr "Godane") to Al
Qaeda. In Somalia strong counter terrorism operations duly supported by external forces are in
progress including cutting financial resources of Al Shabab by blocking and disrupting financial
hub of Kismayo.
Mali. AQIM emerged in 2006 from the remnants of Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat
(GSPC). In 2007, Ayman al-Zawahri announced a "blessed union" between various Al Qaeda
affiliated groups in declaring France and US an enemy 11 . With the overthrow of Mali government
in a military coup in March 2012 and takeover of northern Mali by Tuareg rebels the situation in
Mali became worse. Tuareg led group, later, lost political and military ground to Ansar al Din led
by Iyad al Ghaly. Ansar al Din is considered to be in coalition with AQIM and Movement for
Unity/ Tauheed and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA). The current Malian government, in the
aftermath of the March overthrow, is unlikely to have the ability to force a military solution to the
problem 12 .
Afghanistan. In South Asia Al Qaeda aimed at drawing US to fight in Afghanistan where
people lived in stone-age where hi-tech meant nothing. Afghanistan was selected as a base to win
OPINION Vol.1 No.1 13 June 2013