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Al Qaeda and the #Taliban
Al-Qaeda Praises Afghan Taliban ‘Victory’ over U.S. https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/06/16/al-qaeda-praises-afghan-taliban-victory-over-u-s/
The Taliban's leadership is providing safe havens and resources to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups targeting India, a report produced by a United Nations expert group has revealed. https://www.firstpost.com/india/even-as-it-talks-peace-taliban-provides-safe-haven-to-lashkar-e-taiba-al-qaeda-in-afghanistan-says-new-un-report-6858611.html
"Foreign fighters continue to operate under the authority of the Taliban in multiple Afghan provinces at undiminished levels," the United Nations' Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team's report states.
Pompeo said the two sides are nearly ready to conclude a draft text outlining the Taliban's commitment to join fellow Afghans in ensuring that Afghan soil never again becomes a safe haven for "terrorists". https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1TQ20X?__twitter_impression=true
Op-Ed: Terrorist ‘safe havens’ are a myth — and no reason for continuing the war in #Afghanistan https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-08-16/terrorist-safe-havens-war-afghanistan
"The #Taliban extended hospitality, but insisted on guarantees that Bin Laden refrain from issuing incendiary messages and from engaging in terrorist activities while in the country. He repeatedly agreed and broke his pledge just as frequently."
According to Vahid Brown of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, relations between the #Taliban and #AlQaeda during this period were “deeply contentious, and threatened by mutual distrust and divergent ambitions.” https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-08-16/terrorist-safe-havens-war-afghanistan?_amp=true&__twitter_impression=true
"The last thing #Taliban would want, should it take over Afghanistan, is an active terrorist group continually drawing fire from the outside. Moreover, unlike #AlQaeda, Taliban has an extremely localized perspective and would be primarily concerned with governing #Afghanistan"
. @CBSNews reports that #Taliban spox @suhailshaheen1 refused to accept that #alQaeda was behind the September 11th attacks.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taliban-say-ending-the-war-in-afghanistan-is-very-necessary/
However, @suhailshaheen1 rejects this claim and says his words "are taken out of context" https://twitter.com/suhailshaheen1/status/1164630577716350976?s=19
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taliban-say-ending-the-war-in-afghanistan-is-very-necessary/
However, @suhailshaheen1 rejects this claim and says his words "are taken out of context" https://twitter.com/suhailshaheen1/status/1164630577716350976?s=19
Well, this is confusing.
It's good for CT efforts against the #ISIS, at the same time not good for the #Taliban assurances against #AlQaeda in #DohaTalks.. Also, it means #Haqqani N is still too effective in Taliban-Qaeda relations. This isn't good either https://twitter.com/thomasjoscelyn/status/1166866562348933122?s=19
It's good for CT efforts against the #ISIS, at the same time not good for the #Taliban assurances against #AlQaeda in #DohaTalks.. Also, it means #Haqqani N is still too effective in Taliban-Qaeda relations. This isn't good either https://twitter.com/thomasjoscelyn/status/1166866562348933122?s=19
. @TOLOnews : Khalilzad says the US came to #Afghanistan because of the attack on the United States by #alQaeda and that the US wants to make sure groups like this are no longer operative on Afghan soil.
"Let there be no mistake: if the #Taliban is stupid enough to allow #AlQaeda or the #ISIS to plan terrorist attacks against the U.S. homeland or U.S. interests overseas, they can expect a tenfold military response." https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/why-america-doesnt-want-admit-it-failed-afghanistan-77731
"There's nothing in the agreement that prohibits Washington from exercising the right of self-defense, and Taliban should be under no illusions about the willingness of Trump—or any future US president—to authorize the full weight of the US military if the situation requires it."
Al-Qaeda’s Continuing Challenge to the United States
by @asfandyarmir http://www.lawfareblog.com/al-qaedas-continuing-challenge-united-states
by @asfandyarmir http://www.lawfareblog.com/al-qaedas-continuing-challenge-united-states
Here come good resources: https://twitter.com/asfandyarmir/status/1171130846616707072
“There is no discernible evidence of a break or disjuncture between al-Qaida and the Taliban,” @asfandyarmir says: “Instead, at least parts of the Afghan #Taliban, such as the #Haqqani Network, and #AlQaida continue to actively collaborate.” https://apnews.com/868aa4bf2ec64b80b7ee625d6f0ff602
“Groups like #alQaeda were relying on protection afforded by the #Taliban, but with the Taliban [having been] negotiating peace with the #US, they have doubts. Now #ISIS seems to be the only credible option to retain some safe haven in #Afghanistan.” https://amp.ft.com/content/ae7cd2c2-ce26-11e9-99a4-b5ded7a7fe3f?__twitter_impression=true
A senior #Balochistan govt official said there were reports of meetings between #ISIS & #alQaeda: “Al-Qaeda is down but not out. It still poses a significant risk. At the very least, they seem 2B working towards launching a common front against #Taliban” https://amp.ft.com/content/ae7cd2c2-ce26-11e9-99a4-b5ded7a7fe3f?__twitter_impression=true
The provincial government released several photos taken in the aftermath of a raid against a hideout of the #AlQaeda terrorist network in southern #Helmand province. https://www.khaama.com/in-photos-al-qaeda-operatives-pakistanis-and-bangladeshis-among-22-killed-in-helmand-raid-04115/
On the discussions about current #Taliban ties with #AlQaeda: https://twitter.com/BRRubin/status/1176928374402498560?s=19
I don't get the point of such articles. Breaking the ties with the Al Qaeda is one of the promises that the Taliban would make with the peace agreement. As there is no agreement yet, there's also no promise.
"The #Taliban still hasn’t broken with #alQaeda" https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/10/07/taliban-still-hasnt-broken-with-al-qaeda/
"The #Taliban still hasn’t broken with #alQaeda" https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/10/07/taliban-still-hasnt-broken-with-al-qaeda/
. @BRRubin says "If #Taliban abandon AQ, it will be because they want int legitimacy and all that comes with it. They have experienced the result of avoiding that choice. It's essential to reinforce the lesson" and @suhailshaheen1 likes this.
Worth noting https://twitter.com/BRRubin/status/1181468161234919424?s=19
Worth noting https://twitter.com/BRRubin/status/1181468161234919424?s=19
#NDS says Afghan forces killed Asim Omar, #AlQaeda leader for the Indian subcontinent, in Musa Qala, Helmand "around two weeks ago". https://www.khaama.com/al-qaeda-leader-for-the-indian-subcontinent-killed-in-south-of-afghanistan-04201/
Omar, a #Pakistani citizen, was #killed along with six other AQIS members, most of them Pakistani. Among them was Raihan, Omar’s courier to Ayman #Al_Zawahiri. They had been embedded inside the Taliban compound in the #Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala, #NDS added. @AfghanistanTime
#Taliban spokesman @Zabehulah_M33 rejected #NDS claim that the #AlQaeda leader for the Indian subcontinent is killed in Musa Qala, saying that "such claims are used to conceal the crime (of civilian killings) the NDS perpetrated." https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1181620219342655489?s=19
best clarification on the issue of the #Taliban - #AlQaeda relations and the peace negotiations ( #thread): https://twitter.com/BRRubin/status/1181543475294199808?s=19
Afghan #Taliban Continue to Work Closely With #AlQaida in #Afghanistan https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/afghan-taliban-continue-work-closely-al-qaida-afghanistan
"Despite assurances,... the insurgent group seemingly is linked to the al-Qaida terror group on both operational and strategic levels."
"Despite assurances,... the insurgent group seemingly is linked to the al-Qaida terror group on both operational and strategic levels."
A “key #alQaeda member” has been arrested during a night raid in southern #Helmand province, the provincial governor’s media office reported on Thursday.
15 #Pakistan'i ID cards were found on the arrested man, according to a local official. #Afghanistan https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/key-al-qaeda-member-arrested-helmand-night-raid
15 #Pakistan'i ID cards were found on the arrested man, according to a local official. #Afghanistan https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/key-al-qaeda-member-arrested-helmand-night-raid
The Turkistan Islamic Party ( #TIP), a largely Uighur jihadist group that is affiliated with #alQaeda and also operates in Syria, released a new video showcasing it’s men fighting in #Afghanistan.
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/12/turkistan-islamic-party-touts-captured-equipment-training-camp-in-afghanistan.php
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/12/turkistan-islamic-party-touts-captured-equipment-training-camp-in-afghanistan.php
However, #Taliban spokesman @Zabehulah_M33 claims that reports published about #AlQaeda affiliated #Uighur fighters presence in #Afghanistan are "untrue" https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1202901265774186496?s=19
. @LongWarJournal: #Taliban continues to lie about presence of foreign fighters in #Afghanistan https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/12/analysis-taliban-continues-to-lie-about-presence-of-foreign-fighters-in-afghanistan.php
#MoD confirms presence of #TIP
“This group is activated in #Afghanistan; it cannot be a security threat for us. The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have inflicted heavy casualties on the group’s fighters." http://www.afghanistantimes.af/?p=34946
“This group is activated in #Afghanistan; it cannot be a security threat for us. The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have inflicted heavy casualties on the group’s fighters." http://www.afghanistantimes.af/?p=34946
. @BRRubin in an interview in 2015: "A major mistake we made was treating the #Taliban the same as #alQaeda. Key Taliban leaders were interested in giving the new system a chance, but we didn't give them a chance."
#AfghanPeaceProcess
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/documents-database/?document=background_ll_03_xx_nyc_08272015
#AfghanPeaceProcess
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/documents-database/?document=background_ll_03_xx_nyc_08272015
. @BRRubin in the same interview: " #Taliban had no incentive to move away from #AlQaeda, after we said you are #AlQaeda."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/documents-database/?document=background_ll_03_xx_nyc_08272015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/documents-database/?document=background_ll_03_xx_nyc_08272015
Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Adela Raz talked about the presence of #Alqaeda and #ISIS in #Afghanistan and accused the #Taliban of facilitating terrorist groups to remain active in the country.
https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/12/17/taliban-facilitating-daesh-al-qaeda-afghanistan-raz
https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/12/17/taliban-facilitating-daesh-al-qaeda-afghanistan-raz
"The latest findings of the #UN Sanctions Committee show that #alQaida continues its cooperation with the #Taliban, providing them with religious and military training, whilst the Taliban are amid peace talks with the US." https://ariananews.af/?p=376843
According to the Jan 20 #UN report, relations between #alQaeda and the #Taliban "continue to be close and mutually beneficial, with Al-Qaida supplying resources and training in exchange for protection." https://undocs.org/S/2020/53 https://daccess-ods.un.org/TMP/5765289.66426849.html
" #AlQaida is concerned about the current focus of #Taliban leadership on #peacetalks. AQ reps undertook shuttle diplomacy,persuading various factions of Taliban&field commanders not to support negotiations with govt&promising 2increase financial support" https://daccess-ods.un.org/TMP/5765289.66426849.html
" #CentralAsia'n groups, experiencing financial problems, tend to support #AlQaida. If a #peaceagreement is reached, Al-Qaida intends to develop a new narrative to justify continuing the armed conflict in #Afghanistan.": #UN report https://daccess-ods.un.org/TMP/5765289.66426849.html
"We are aware of concerns about the potential of #AFG being used by disruptive groups to threaten regional&world security. But these concerns are inflated: Reports about foreign groups are politically motivated exaggerations by the warmongering players" https://nyti.ms/2HF6mkH
"It is not in the interest of any Afghan to allow such groups to hijack our country&turn it into a battleground. We will take all measures in partnership w/other Afghans 2make sure new AFG is a bastion of stability&that nobody feels threatened on our soil" https://nyti.ms/2HF6mkH
“Bush & Obama administrations both tried to get the words that were on the paper yesterday that #Taliban would break from #alQaida publicly. We got that. That's important. Now,time will tell if they'll live up to that commitment is our expectation”: Pompeo https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/us-taliban-deal-has-secret-elements-pompeo
McKenzie said that he was not optimistic about #Taliban severing ties with #alQaida:
“We need to observe what they do and we have the capability to do that … That has not yet been demonstrated" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/10/us-taliban-deal-frank-mckenzie-afghanistan
“We need to observe what they do and we have the capability to do that … That has not yet been demonstrated" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/10/us-taliban-deal-frank-mckenzie-afghanistan
“We have reached an agreement about how they ( #Taliban)will deal w/such issues ( #AlQaeda). We have joint channels in Doha..At the same time,we are dealing w/this from an intelligence perspective to find out whether these commitments are implemented or not” https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/khalilzad-hopes-intra-afghan-talks-conclude-100-days
" #AlQaeda's senior leadership has released a statement celebrating the #Taliban's 'victory' in #Afghanistan, after the U.S. agreed to a withdrawal deal on Feb. 29."
#AfghanPeaceDeal https://twitter.com/thomasjoscelyn/status/1238180833418149888?s=19
#AfghanPeaceDeal https://twitter.com/thomasjoscelyn/status/1238180833418149888?s=19
“I welcome #Taliban’s statement denouncing #Daesh & committing to stop any attempts by Daesh to recruit,fundraise, or train inside AFG. These mirror Taliban’s public commitments against #AlQaeda and all other groups that threaten #US or its allies" (Mar16) https://twitter.com/US4AfghanPeace/status/1239635687479169032?s=19
"Unlike #US, #Taliban wasn't in a rush to get a deal, and it could easily say no to demands it didn't like. + https://www.rferl.org/a/many-key-issues-missing-from-u-s--taliban-deal-for-afghanistan/30509592.html
"For #US, which badly needed a deal, getting #Taliban to agree to deny space to #AlQaeda,without actually compelling Taliban to sever ties with AQ, was likely the best outcome it could get": @MichaelKugelman
#AfghanPeaceProcess https://www.rferl.org/a/many-key-issues-missing-from-u-s--taliban-deal-for-afghanistan/30509592.html
#AfghanPeaceProcess https://www.rferl.org/a/many-key-issues-missing-from-u-s--taliban-deal-for-afghanistan/30509592.html
Chris Murphy, top Democrat on @SenateForeign, has reviewed the documents. He said the "security guarantees are so vague as to be effectively void."
"It's not clear how we will track whether they are indeed renouncing terrorist groups."
#afghanpeacedeal https://www.rferl.org/a/many-key-issues-missing-from-u-s--taliban-deal-for-afghanistan/30509592.html
"It's not clear how we will track whether they are indeed renouncing terrorist groups."
#afghanpeacedeal https://www.rferl.org/a/many-key-issues-missing-from-u-s--taliban-deal-for-afghanistan/30509592.html
. @SecPompeo said that #US had told #Taliban to break with #alQaeda:
"It’s not about some statement, not about some agreement. It’s about actual actions on the ground that deliver us the confidence that we have the right force posture to keep America safe"
http://www.1tvnews.af/en/news/afghanistan/41826-less-than-several-hundred-al-qaeda-in-afghanistan-pompeo
"It’s not about some statement, not about some agreement. It’s about actual actions on the ground that deliver us the confidence that we have the right force posture to keep America safe"
http://www.1tvnews.af/en/news/afghanistan/41826-less-than-several-hundred-al-qaeda-in-afghanistan-pompeo
#Taliban released a eulogy marking the 7th anniversary of Mullah Omar's death.
The statement, titled “A legendary leader,the Omar of our time,” published on April 23, is referencing Omar’s defiance in handing over Osama bin Laden, the founder of #AlQaeda https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/04/taliban-lauds-mullah-omar-for-defending-osama-bin-laden-after-9-11.php
The statement, titled “A legendary leader,the Omar of our time,” published on April 23, is referencing Omar’s defiance in handing over Osama bin Laden, the founder of #AlQaeda https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/04/taliban-lauds-mullah-omar-for-defending-osama-bin-laden-after-9-11.php
Zakaria Sawda, the governor of the northeastern province of #Badakhshan, said around 400 foreign militants, mostly from neighboring #Tajikistan and #Uzbekistan, had joined the #Taliban and were fighting Afghan security forces in the province. https://www.rferl.org/a/afghans-claim-foreign-combatants-fighting-alongside-taliban-in-violation-of-peace-deal/30583552.html
