World Awaits Al-Qaida's Response
Posted on: Tuesday, 22 January 2008, 09:00 CST
People submitted hundreds of questions to al-Qaida deputy leader Ayman al- Zawahri's "online interview" before a recent deadline. Among them: Why hasn't al-Qaida attacked the United States again; why isn't it attacking the Israelis; and when will it be more active in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria?
So far, there have been no answers.
Al-Qaida's media arm, Al-Sahab, announced in December that al- Zawahri would take questions from the public posted on Islamic militant Web sites and would respond "as soon as possible."
More than 900 entries - many with multiple questions - were posted on the main Islamist Web site until the cutoff date of last Wednesday. After the deadline, the questions disappeared from the site, and no answers have yet appeared.
Some of those posting questions sound worried: Does al-Qaida have a long-term strategy?
One, said to be from a former Arab al-Qaida fighter in Iraq, complained about Iraqi fighters discriminating against non-Iraqi mujahedeen.
Others wanted advice: Should followers be focusing their jihad, often meaning holy war, against Arab governments or against Americans?
T he questioners appear uncertain whether al-Qaida's central leadership directly controls the multiple, small militant groups around the Mideast that work in its name, or whether those groups operate on their own.
Journalists also were invited to send questions, and a few of the entries are labeled with the names of European and Asian newspapers. Diaa Rashwan, an Egyptian security expert in Cairo, also suggested that some questions were probably submitted by intelligence agents looking for clues to al-Qaida's thinking.
The majority of questioners, identified only by their computer user names, appear to be supporters of al-Qaida or the jihadi cause, often expressing praise for "our beloved sheik" and "the lion of jihad, Sheik Osama."
Many appear frustrated that al-Qaida is not doing more.
"When will we see the men of al-Qaida waging holy war in Palestine?" writes one, with the username "Seeking the Path."
Another, signed "Osama the Lion," asks: "Why doesn't al-Qaida open a front in Egypt, where there are wide opportunities and fertile ground for drawing in mujahedeen?"
In 2005, al-Zawahri announced the formation of a branch in Egypt, his homeland, but nothing more has been heard of it.
Another questioner, called "Knight of Islam," says, "We are awaiting a strike against American soil. Why has that not been done? Why are the Jews in the world not struck?"
In his videos over the past years, al-Zawahri depicts al- Qaida as moving steadily toward victory - something none of the questioners directly challenges. But they press for more specifics about al-Qaida's plans than al-Zawahri normally gives.
Jeremy Binnie of Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Center said he thinks al-Qaida leaders were aware that "everyone was no longer buying into the propaganda about how great they are."
"This was put forward," he said, "as a propaganda exercise and to make it look like they are responding to these concerns."
A few who write in say they are active fighters in militant groups. One, with the username "Phenixshadow," says he is a member of the al- Qaida branch in North Africa that has been blamed for attacks in Algeria.
"What do you expect from us? Should we follow the instruction of the mother organization to target the 'far enemy' - the Zionist- Crusader (America) - or do we focus our efforts on the apostate regime (Algeria)? Or do you advise a middle path of striking both enemies?" he asks.
It is impossible to confirm independently whether any of the questioners are really active fighters, nor is it possible to verify that the interview offer really came from al-Zawahri, although it was posted with the logo of Al-Sahab, which issues his videotapes.
The questions focus on the same issues that Western terrorism experts have long debated, including how much direct support and command al-Zawahri and bin Laden give to militants.
"We hear a lot about the non-centralization of al-Qaida," one supporter writes. "Is the loss of direct control by al-Qaida's leadership over the jihadi cells harmful to al-Qaida?"
Others want to make sure al-Qaida has a long-term strategy. "Does it just go from event to event as some claim?" asks "Raji al- Quboul."
Many ask about the health of bin Laden, who rarely appears on video. Others ask for advice on how and where to join jihad. One man says he is a 23-year-old living with his divorced mother.
"I want to travel to join jihad and I sought my mother's permission, but she would not give it to me," he says. "Can I go without her permission?"
details
Al-Qaida announced in December that the public could post questions for its deputy leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, on an Islamic militant Web site until last Wednesday.
The majority of questioners, identified only by their computer user names, appear to be supporters of al-Qaida or the jihadi cause.
Source: Virginian - Pilot
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