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Terror Networks & Islam
Dissention in the Ranks?
2005-07-14
The recent statements and arrest of Zarqawi's mentor, Isam Mohammad Taher al-Barqawi (a.k.a Sheik Abu-Mohammed al-Maqdisi) exposes dissention in the ranks of al Qaeda's leadership. Just prior to Barqawi's internment, he conducted an interview for al Jazeera, ostensibly to criticize his protégé Zarqawi, but in actuality to communicate the need to reorganize and rethink the methods being used to fight the infidel.

Walid Phares explains the context of Barqawi's interview, as well as some very real problems with al Qaeda's strategic operations.

Al Maqdisi [Barqawi] wasn't primarily convincing al Zarqawi to limit, reduce or stop suicide operations. He was - through al Jazeera - trying to inform others around the Arabic speaking world about the ultimate goal of suicide attacks.
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In Salafi strategic thinking, you are allowed to criticize the 10% of the action to legitimize its 90%. Al Maqdisi [Barqawi] indeed stated that his “brother” Abu Mus’aab is going “too far” in waging “amaliyat istishadiya” (suicide operations) without a central plan. When you follow the interview thoroughly (and it can be done by going back to the tape), you understand that the main message sent by al Maqdisi is to regroup, re-center and articulate better road maps. The bottom line of his media burst is to address all Salafis worldwide and retrace the path.

If you follow the bigger picture of the inner world of the Jihadists, through hours of tedious listening to the chat rooms and following the debates on the web, you’d understand that the masters of the movement worldwide, are perturbed. Since the democratic elections in Afghanistan and Iraq, waves of questions are fusing the Wahabi universe. “How come millions of Muslims are casting their votes, even after we show them the right path,” shouts Jihadi in the chat rooms. In response, Zarqawi sinks further in boundless Terror. But the mentors of the movement are concerned: There is a problem in the mind of the Jihadists. One of the “mentors” steps in.

In short, al Qaeda's strategy is not working very well. Particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the majorities reject al Qaeda's violence and ideology, and demonstrate this at the ballot box. Ideologues like Barqawi recognize that without clearly defined goals that have a chance of succeeding, the abject violence such as that conducted by Zarqawi is a drain on resources and support from the Muslim world.

Barqawi offers Zarqawi sound strategic advice – husband your forces and strike at a time and place where the proper impact can be achieved. But Zarqawi views his words as an effort to divide al Qaeda:

"do not follow the path of Satan that leads to your destruction. Beware, our noble sheik, of the trick of God's enemies to lure you to drive a wedge in the ranks of the mujahedeen
 why would you make for the enemy a path against you brothers?"

This statment can be interpreted as a warning to Barqawi not to interfere in the direction of his campaign to bleed Iraq dry. Barqawi should take care as Zarqawi is a ruthless operator. Killing a fellow jihadi perceived as creating divisions within jihad is certainly not out of character for Zarqawi. He sanctions the murder of Muslim children on a regular basis in Iraq.
Posted by:Bobby

#2  The civilized world can stomp these jihadis, their sponsers and enablers out like bugs. All we need is the will to do it. However, PC attitudes like those shown in Britain will cause civilization to lose the war. Our biggest enemy is within. Sad but true. We have to stop this cancer within our civilization or the best efforts of our forces will be in vain.
Posted by: Al-Aska Paul   2005-07-14 17:12  

#1  This jihadi political scene (if you want to call it that) is getting very spicy. I have never in my life seen the tenuous forces of radical islam come out of the woodwork and flock to their demise like rats to the pied piper of islam. They are going east, away from our shores and to the capable hands of our volunteer military. Where I might add they are being exterminated by the hundreds and thousands. It is a crying shame about our military and their civilian casualties, I grant you, but where better to have maybe the final showdown between radical islam, and the "west"?
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2005-07-14 14:12  

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