AAKROSH
ASIAN JOURNAL ON
TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS
April 2018 Volume 21 Number 79
Islamic State is growing in strength in Afghanistan
Jai Kumar Verma
The Islamic State(IS), which lost ground in Iraq and Syria because of
attacks by multiple forces, is trying to get established in Afghanistan and
Pakistan as both these countries are thoroughly radicalized. The formation of Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISK-P) was a master stroke which attracted a
large number of Muslim fanatics. Initially ,the idea of establishing an Islamic
Caliphate beseeched the imprudent, the
semi-literate and the madrassas- educated Muslim youths, but soon, educated but
disenchanted Muslims also joined the outfit. The leaders of IS met the
influential persons of various terrorist outfits of Afghanistan. The IS made alliances with few groups while encouraged other
organisations and fighters to join the outfit. The rebels of diverse outfits,
including Tehrik-i-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP), Afghan Taliban, Pakistan Taliban, Al
Qaeda, terrorists of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and fighters from
foreign countries, also joined ISK-P. The ideology of Islamic is based on
Salafi Jihadism and Wahhabism. The outfit declared that it would establish
Islamic Caliphate of the early days of Islam hence all Muslims must pledge
allegiance to the IS. Jihadi Salafism is supported not only by terrorist
outfits but also by a large number of scholars, media houses and websites. The Afghan
Taliban and other terrorist outfits are giving onerous resistance to the IS as
these outfits have family, ethnic and tribal ties while the IS is considered a
foreign entity. The influence of the IS and other terrorist outfits cannot be
mitigated unless US led forces destroy safe heavens of terrorists in Pakistan. The
Afghan government should also take drastic actions to reform the present corrupt
and sluggish bureaucracy , especially The Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF). The intelligence organisations must be
galvanised so that they collect actionable intelligence.
The Islamic State (IS), which was once the most powerful, dreadful and
financially strong terrorist outfit, was devastated by multiple forces,
including United States- led coalition forces. US-supported Iraqi forces, Syrian
forces assisted by Russia and Iran, Iran-aided Popular Mobilization Forces and
Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces. The outfit, in its glorious days, was
controlling about 78,000 sq KMs of land where 10 million people were residing but
now lost all the territory, and its chief, Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi is either
killed or on the run and in no position to command the outfit. (1)
The IS grew rapidly and became a
potent threat to numerous countries of the world ,including Afghanistan,
Pakistan, The United States, Russia and Iran, just to name few. The IS, after
having been routed out from Syria and Iraq, is trying to establish itself in Afghanistan
and Pakistan as both these countries are thoroughly radicalised and it is easy
to get foothold in these countries. Iran and Russia, which have sizable Sunni populations
were scared because of rising IS influence in the region. The United States and
other Western countries wanted to obliterate the IS as these countries have
also disgruntled Muslim populations and few out of them had gone to Syria and
Iraq to join the IS and with passage of time, these hardened terrorists would
incite several other countrymen to join the outfit. Not only this, as the IS is
vanquished in Iraq and Syria, the nationals of Western world who had gone to Iraq
and Syria to fight from the side of the IS would return back to their
motherland. These cynical terrorists would bring fundamentalism and extremism
with them and will create a problem for the security agencies. Countries whose
nationals had gone to fight in favour of the IS must chalk out a comprehensive
plan to handle these Jihadists when they return back from Iraq and Syria.
The IS has put lot of anti-west and
pro-Islamic literature on the internet, which radicalise the crestfallen Muslim
youths, and few of them became ‘lone wolves’ and killed several innocent
citizens. The problem of lone wolves is very grave as it is difficult to spot
them before they perform as they carryout terrorist acts alone and do not take
assistance from others.
Formation of Islamic State-Khorasan Province
The formation of (ISK-P) in January
2015 by the Islamic State, which was previously known as The Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), was a master stroke which attracted large number of
Muslim fanatics. Initially, the idea of establishing an Islamic Caliphate
appealed to the imprudent, semi-literate, Madrassa-educated Muslim youths who
thought that once Islamic Caliphate comes into existence, all their all
tribulations would be over and Muslims would rule the Caliphate according to
Shariat, which is an Islamic law and mentions how to behave in every aspect of
life. The IS is also strengthening itself in Afghanistan so that it can attack
Russia as well as US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops in
Afghanistan. (2)
The Islamic State propagated the
formation of ISK-P in Afghanistan as well as in contiguous areas in Pakistan.
Not only this, leaders of the IS met the influential persons of various
terrorist outfits of Afghanistan and stressed that the terrorist outfits should
join the ISK-P. The IS continuously changed its strategy and adopted pragmatic
policies ; consequently its influence increased rapidly and, at several places
it surpassed the Taliban. The IS with few groups made the alliances, while
encouraged other groups and fighters to join the outfit. The rebels of diverse
outfits including Tehrik-i-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP),the Afghan Taliban, the
Pakistan Taliban, Al Qaeda, terrorists of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)
and fighters from foreign countries also joined ISK-P. Terrorists of Al Tawhid
Brigade, Ansar ul-Khilafat Wal-Jihad, Jundullah, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Alami and
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar also started supporting the IS. Mangal Bagh Afridi, of
Lashkar-e-Islam (LeI) also established cordial relations withthe IS. Haji Daud
Mehsud, previous chief of TTP, also joined the IS, which enhanced its following
and influence. A faction of the Afghan
Taliban, led by Mullah Rasool ,also declared its allegiance to the IS, which
made the group more powerful. Although
the alliances from different terrorists’ factions in Pakistan were woolly , these
alliances have grave impact on ISK-P in Afghanistan also, as the Durrand line
does not obstruct the linkage between both countries. Secondly, the IS also got
hold of the weaponry of these terrorist outfits. (3)
Hafiz Saed Khan, former TTP leader,
was appointed as its president, while Mullah Abdul Rauf Aliza, who was an
Afghan Taliban leader, became the deputy leader of the outfit. In this way, the
IS leadership appointed Chief from Pakistan’s most powerful terrorist
organisation while the deputy chief was from an Afghan terrorist outfit. Hence,
the organisation could increase its influence on terrorist organisations of
both countries. Nevertheless, Aliza was killed in 2015, while Saeed was eliminated
in an air strike in July 2016. (4)
Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, a well-known
Salafi of Kunar province enhanced the influence of the IS in Kunar and Nuristan
provinces of Afghanistan. Saeed Khan took advantage of the ground prepared by
Abdul Rahim in Kunar and Nangarhar and a recruited large number of Afghans and
Pakistanis who took shelter in these areas , as Pakistan Army had launched an
operation in North Waziristan. In the Same way, Mullah Abdul Rauf recruited
Afghans from Southern provinces. As the IS had money power at that time, they
recruited Jihadists from more than 11 states, including Logar ,which is near
capital city of Kabul.
Ideology of the IS
The ideology of ‘The Islamic State of Iraq and the
Levant’ or ‘the Islamic State’ ,which is also known as Daesh, is based on
Salafi Jihadism and Wahhabism. The outfit declared that it would establish the
Islamic Caliphate of early days of Islam hence all Muslims must pledge
allegiance to the IS. Jihadi-Salafism is supported not only by terrorist
outfits but large number of scholars, media houses and websites. Numerous
persons propagated Salafism in social media, and it was the reason that the
outfit gained popularity all over the world in a short time.
The Islamic State believes in
stringent application of Islamic law and emphasizes that all Muslims must
follow the Quran and Sunnah in letter and spirit. The outfit is totally against
Shias and believes that all non-Muslims and persons oppose to the ideology of
the IS must be executed. IS ideologues claim that a large number of Muslims,
predominantly Shias, are not following Islam truthfully and hence they must be
punished. There are several cases, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan,
where the IS killed Shias mercilessly. The IS, which believes in the
extermination of all non- Muslims through Jihad, is against democracy, freedom
of speech and equal rights to women. The outfit claims that by establishing the
Islamic Caliphate all over the world, it would stop the affliction of Muslims
in several countries including Afghanistan, China, Somalia, Myanmar, Russia,
India, and Sri Lanka.
The IS advocates mass killings,
brutality, beheadings, shootings and burning of caged prisoners with ulterior
motive to instill fear among fence-sitters and rivals. It also gave a feeling
of revenge to its followers who had perceived feelings of injustices done
towards Muslims by persons of other religions. It has also generated fear among
its followers so that they dare not work against the outfit. (5)
Recruitment By the ISK-P
Afghanistan
is one of the poorest countries of the world and there is widespread poverty in
rural as well as urban areas. However, the condition of rural areas is
precarious and according to estimates, 42 percent population of Afghanistan
lives below poverty line. The unemployment rate is escalating and it is 40
percent at present. The IS took advantage of the situation and recruited large
number of unemployed Afghan youths. The IS is against cultivation and smuggling of poppy in the areas
it controls, and this has further enhanced the unemployment. The IS is paying
about three times of the government salary, and hence there are numerous cases
when soldiers of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) deserted the force and joined
the IS along with weapons. (6).
The ISK-P has distributed leaflets
and pamphlets written in Dari and Pashto languages explaining the ideology of ISK-P
and eulogizing the terrorist acts carried out by the outfit. The IS literature
also contained the photographs of IS
terrorists carrying black flags and wearing local Afghani and Pakistani
attires. The IS extensively uses the internet to propogate its ideology. It
also distributed audios and videos in which it has appealed that all Muslims
should join the outfit and strengthen the hands of Baghdadi, who is fighting
for the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate. The literature also appealed to
oppose Taliban and support ISK-P.
After capturing the area, the IS also
compels the Imams of the mosques to spread the ideology of the outfit and
persuade the youths of the area to join the IS. The outfit propagates against
Al Qaeda and Afghan Taliban and discredits those small outfits which refuse to
align with it . The IS also involved in the smuggling of timber, and it
extracts protection money from businessmen of the area. (7)
The IS , eager to establish itself in
Afghanistan spent lot of money in purchase and distribution of foreign arms,
laptops, vehicles ,etc. the IS also paid remuneration to its cadres as well as
to their family members. Analysts mention that large number of volunteers
joined the IS not because of ideology but as it paid handsome money to
unemployed youths. Foreign warriors also came to Afghanistan and joined IS with
their families as they were overwhelmed with the ideology of the IS and about
establishment of the ISK-P.
The IS, after making a stronghold in
Jowzjan province of Northern Afghanistan, is now settling its warriors ,with
their families, in the areas it controls. Fighters from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan
and Chechnya and African countries , including Sudan have also settled there.
There are also reports that IS fighters from Western countries, including
France, United Kingdom are also residing in this remote area. The outfit has
taken control of the area and also recruiting local Afghans there. The outfit
is propagating that it is the only force which can stand against Western powers,
especially US, and can defend Sunni Muslims from the onslaught of Shias
assisted by Iran. The IS has defeated
Taliban at several places in Afghanistan and evicted them from their areas of
influence.
Prominent Taliban leaders, including
Mullah Sufu Qayum, Maulavi Assadullah and Mullah Nemat Mufti, joined the IS along
with their followers which enhanced the strength of the IS and reduced the
influence of the Taliban.
Besides Afghanistan and Pakistan ,
the IS is also strengthening itself in Libya, the Sahara and Nigeria. But
analysts mention that it is easy for the IS to establish its base in
Afghanistan and remote areas of Pakistan because of rampant poverty, lack of
education and total radicalisation of the area.
Afghanistan officials claim that the
outfit has more than 3000 foreign terrorists also; nonetheless most of the
foreign terrorists are from Pakistan and Uzbekistan. They further assert that
the number of IS fighters would increase after the complete fall of Iraq and
Syria as most of the fighters instead of going back to their home countries may
reorganize in Afghanistan to continue their fight for the establishment of an Islamic
Caliphate. Besides foreign fighters, several disgruntled, criminals and
unemployed fanatic Afghans and Pakistanis have also joined the outfit. (8)
In 2017, Ghulam Ghous Kumar was
arrested, who recruited more than 130 persons for the Islamic State in Punjab
province especially in Lahore area. He was recruiting on behest of Nabeel Ahmed
,of Afghanistan. The ISK-P launched recruitment drive in educational
institutions and also recruited through mosques.
According to reports, 300 Afghans
were recruited by the ISK-P from Darzab district and were trained by the outfit
in carrying out terrorist activities. Umar Mohajir, an ISK-P commander, recruited several young
Afghans from Jowzjan and Sar-i-Pul provinces.
Islamic State Influence is increasing in Afghanistan
The influence of the IS is escalating
in different parts of Afghanistan and neighbouring areas of Pakistan, and the
terrorist outfit successfully carried out terrorist acts in capital city of
Kabul, Jalalabad, Ghor and Qushtipa, just to name a few. In these terrorist
attacks, more than 10000 Afghan security personnel were killed while about 16,000
were injured in 2017 alone. A United Nations survey mentioned that in the first
nine months of 2017 , about 10 Afghans lost their lives every day. The IS also
carried out terrorist actions in Pakistan mainly at Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi,
Khuzdar, Sehwan, Charsada etc.
Afghan security forces are failed to
curb the growing clout of the IS in the country because of unbridled corruption,
outdated weapons, inadequate training and lack of conviction to fight the
ideologically committed IS fighters. Besides these problems, Afghan society is a
tribal society and tribes have age-old differences, may be because of traditions
and land and water disputes. Besides tribal disputes, the IS was also able to augment Shia-Sunni
differences. IS suicide bombers blasted Shia mosques and also not spared the Dargahs’
(religious places) of Sufi saints. The outfit has destroyed churches. In
December 2017, ISKP suicide bombers
killed nine Christians and injured many more when they attacked Bethel Memorial
Methodist Church in Quetta. On 28th December 2017, the ISK-P suicide
bombers attacked the Shia Cultural Centre in Kabul and killed more than 40
persons and injured even much more. Again in October 2017, ISK-P terrorists
killed more than 30 Shias after attacking a Shia mosque in Dashte-e-Barchi,
near Kabul. Attacks on Shia mosques has increased animosity between Shias and
Sunnis, and terrorists of few anti Shia terrorist outfits like Sipah-i-Sahaba and its offshoots,
Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, Jundawalah etc. have joined the IS. People have no faith in the deteriorated
judicial system, and the tribal Chiefs who occupied powerful posts in the administration
had only helped their families or to their tribes. (9)
The Iranian Intelligence Minister
rightly pointed out that although the IS is vanquished in Iraq and Syria and
lost the areas it controlled , it did not surrender the weapons it possessed.
Hence the outfit remains a big threat to
world peace. The outfit is trying to establish itself in Afghanistan and
Pakistan as both the countries are radicalized and the IS has already lot of sway
in the area. (10)
The IS, which is anti Shia, will also
establish itself in the region where Sunni extremist organisations like Sipah-i-Sahaba,
Lashkar-i-Jhangvi and Jundawalah, have
influence as these organisations are anti Shia and claim that Shias are not
true Muslims and they should be exterminated. These terrorist outfits carried
out several terrorist activities in which Shias were slaughtered.
The IS would also try to augment its
influence in Russia and Iran as both these countries have sizable disgruntled
Sunni Muslim Populations and they will like to join the IS. Not only this, the
Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province are fighting to break away from China would
also welcome the IS in their area. Islamic terrorists from Pakistan are
assisting Uyghur secessionists but they were suppressed mercilessly by China.
If the IS occupies Afghanistan and some portion of Pakistan the Islamic
fanatics would certainly render more assistance to Uyghur Muslims in their
freedom struggle. Hence a large area will come under the influence of the IS
which may be detrimental for the world peace.
The death of powerful Taliban leader
Mullah Omar in Pakistan also helped the ISK-P to strengthen itself in
Afghanistan. Mullah Omar, who had a bounty of USD 10 million on his head,
worked as an adhesive between various Taliban factions , and his orders were
obeyed ;religiously’ by the Taliban. The Deobandi seminaries ,which always
propagated against Shias , also helped the ISK-P in its recruitment drive as
both Deobandi and ISK-P profess to eliminate the Shias. the ISK-P vigorously
used social media to propagate its ideology in recruitment drive. (11)
Foreign terrorists joining the ISK-P
The idea of the ISK-P lured not only to
young uneducated Muslims of Afghanistan and Pakistan buteven educated but
disenchanted Muslims of foreign countries ,especially of France and Algeria
came to Afghanistan and joined the outfit. Several foreigners who were fighting
in Iraq and Syria had to escape from there after the weakening of the IS and now
settled in Darzab and Qosh Tepa districts of Jowzjan province. According to
reports more than 40 foreigners of the Islamic State were recruiting local
Afghans for ISK-P while more than 200 foreign terrorists were staying in Bibi
Mariam village in District Darzeb.
Problems faced by the IS in Afghanistan
The IS, which is trying hard to
establish in Afghanistan is facing onerous resistance from the Afghan Taliban
as they have local family and ethnic
ties and also get support from their tribes while the IS is considered a
foreign entity and in several areas locals gave tough resistance to the IS in
its recruitment drive. (12)
Its lack of local roots, waning
recruitment, and consistent losses on the battlefield have created numerous
obstacles to the IS’s ascent in the region. The Islamic State has so far failed
to recreate its success in Syria and Iraq and could not establish a stronghold
in Afghanistan. Its attempts to expand into a country that has hosted both the Taliban
and al-Qaeda strongholds for decades were rebuffed, confining its current
presence to sparse pockets in eastern Afghanistan. The group’s brutality and
inflexible ideology alienated most local Afghans and caused defections within
its own ranks. It is losing ground from a combination of Taliban pushback,
Afghan security force operations, and U.S.-targeted airstrikes. In March 2016,
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani declared that Afghanistan would be a ‘graveyard’
for the Islamic State. The ultimate demise of the IS in Afghanistan may still
be too early to predict.
The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI)
which wants to attain strategic depth in Afghanistan, is also assisting diverse
terrorist outfits, including Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network. The ISI not
only provide financial assistance but also give safe sanctuaries in Pakistan
after the Taliban and Haqqani network carryout terrorist activity in
Afghanistan. Both these outfits are working against the IS.
Analysts declare that Iranian intelligence
agencies also assist Shia terrorist outfits so that the influence of IS can be
restrained as establishment of the ISK-P is dangerous for Iran.
Way Forward
The rising influence of the IS in
Afghanistan and Pakistan is precarious for world peace; hence US led NATO forces should
not leave the country unless they vanquish the Islamic State; otherwise the IS
will propagate it, as their victory and will enhance its influence in nearby
countries especially Pakistan, Bangladesh and, will create problems in India
too.
The world community cannot leave this
region on the mercy of terrorists because very soon, they will occupy large
part of Afghanistan and also restive province of Balochistan, Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Waziristan and Karachi and even some portion
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The US, the lone super power as well
as forces of several other countries have not managed to wipe out terrorist
outfits from Afghanistan although efforts were made from last about 17 years to
annihilate terrorist outfits. These countries have not succeed as all of them
are working with different agendas and no joint operations have ever been launched. If forces of all countries including
the US, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and China work together, terrorist organisations
can be wiped-out from Afghanistan.
US-led NATO troops killed Abdul Hasib,
Chief of the outfit in July 2017, after a gunfight in Nangarhar province. The US
also dropped largest and most powerful non-nuclear bomb, on Achin district of
Nangarhar province, in April and killed more than 90 combatants of the IS. In
February & March 2017, US led NATO troops carried out more than 400 air
raids on the hideouts of the IS in Afghanistan but the influence of the IS is
not decreasing. (13)
Nevertheless, terrorism and the
influence of diverse terrorist organisations in Afghanistan cannot be
eradicated unless the US and other forces do not control Pakistan, which has
emerged as epicenter of terrorism. Pakistan , which has waged a low-intensity
war against India and wants to achieve strategic depth in Afghanistan has
constituted several terrorist outfits in the country. The sinister ISI has also
created a big terrorist infrastructure where the terrorists are trained in
weapon handling, assembling of improvised explosive devices (IEDs),
selection and reconnaissance of the target and carrying of terrorist activities.
The US administration, which has lost
several American soldiers and already spent billions of dollars in Afghanistan,
has understood that they cannot overcome terrorist outfits unless Pakistan
stops providing them safe-havens. At present, terrorist outfits after
committing terrorist acts in Afghanistan, return back to their hiding places,
which are located in Pakistan. Washington has shelved the $ 1 billion in
assistance for military purchases and $900 million aid for counter terrorism to
Pakistan. Nonetheless, suspension of aid is too little and too late and
Pakistan will not discontinue assistance or stop harbouring of terrorists.
China, which claims it to be all
weather friend of Pakistan, has already offered financial and other types of
assistance to Pakistan as the latter is fulfilling its objectives. Islamabad-assisted
terrorists are attacking US-led NATO forces hence USA is bleeding in
Afghanistan while the economic progress of India is hampered because diverse
ISI-assisted diverse terrorist outfits are carrying out terrorist activities in
India, especially in Jammu & Kashmir. The analysts also mention that China
does not give financial assistance but it gives loan and that too at high
interest rates to the smaller countries and when these countries fail to repay
the loan, China occupies strategic projects in the country.
Sri Lanka is the latest victim: it had to handover Hambantota port on a 99
years lease in December 2017, to two new Chinese companies namely Hambantota
International Port Group (HIPG) and Hambantota International Port Services
(HIPS). The holding company of both these companies is China Merchants Port
Holdings Company. Although Sri Lanka promised that it will not be used against
India, Hambantota is located at southern coast and it will give dangerous
access to China on Indian Ocean. China has signed a free trade agreement with
Maldives and also opened an overseas military base at Djibouti. Analysts claim
that China, which has already taken over control of Gwadar Port, will sooner or
later occupy some arable land in Pakistan as Chinese population is more than
the cultivable land available in China. China has emerged as the biggest
importer of food items in the world. (14)
Pakistan is radicalized up to the
extent that it is difficult for any government to take stringent actions
against the terrorist outfits as several of them were created and are assisted
by the military controlled ISI. Secondly, the roots of Madrassas culture is
very deep in the country and most of the terrorists are the product of
Madrassas. According to a report there are more than 45,000 Madrassas in
Pakistan of diverse faith and beliefs. Large number of Madrassas enhance
Islamic fundamentalism in the country.civilian or military government cannot
take action against Madrassas who are responsible for the spread of terrorism
in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Government was failed to
take actions against the terrorist outfits. hence it is essential that the
world community led by the US should destroy the training centers and exterminate
leaders of terrorist outfits as well as Pakistan military personnel who are
training these enemies of mankind. the
IS or any terrorist outfit in Afghanistan cannot be ruined unless the
hideouts in Pakistan are destroyed.
The role of intelligence
organisations in curbing the terrorism cannot be over-emphasised. The
intelligence organisations must provide actionable intelligence so that ANSF
can plan and exterminate terrorists. Hence it is essential that Afghan
government galvanize intelligence organisations and only well trained and
dedicated officers and staff are deployed in collection of intelligence. First
few batches of intelligence officers can be sent to India for training and
later, some Indian trained intelligence officers can be sent to Afghanistan for
training their personnel. After sometime foreign trained Afghan intelligence
officers can train their officers and staff. In intelligence, only collection
is not enough; it must be disseminated within shortest time so that requisite
action can be taken. (15)
The political parties must broaden
its base and their leaders should mingle with electorates. The election
procedure should be more transparent so that the faith of public is restored.
Government should try to provide basic amenities to public even in remote areas
,and land reforms should be implemented.
The Afghan government should also
take drastic actions to reform the present corrupt and sluggish bureaucracy. It
must generate employment and there should be overall economic development of
the country. The literacy rate of Afghanistan is one of the poorest in the
world and sincere efforts should be made to enhance the job-oriented education.
The Government should make genuine efforts to redress legitimate grievances of
the public. It is important that the
masses inculcate faith in capability of the government. Only then would they
relinquish terrorist outfits and will join the main stream. At present, the public
feel that although the IS is atrocious, primitive and a foreign organisation
but still it is better than the dishonest government.
Notes and Reference
(1) BBC News. Islamic State and the crisis in Iraq and
Syria in maps Middle East Section 28 April, 2017
(2) Ronald Tiersky ‘Defeating the Islamic State: Advice
from Sun Tsu’ Huffpost The World Post
(3) Lauren McNally, Marvin G.
Weinbaum, Antoun Issa and Alex Amiral
‘Examining the Islamic State’s Threat in
Afghanistan’ Middle East Institute
May 25, 2016
(4) Wikipedia “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant –
Khorasan Province”
(5) Jai Kumar Verma Islamic State loosing in Syria and Iraq but
increasing its influence worldwide
(6) Wikipedia Poverty in Afghanistan
(7) Op cit, n. 3
(8)
Jeff Seldin ‘Afghan
Officials: Islamic State Fighters Finding Sanctuary in Afghanistan
Voice Of America 18, November 2017
(9) Jai Kumar Verma ‘Islamic State strengthening in Afghanistan’ Aviation &
Defence Universe 02 February 2018
(10)
Ibid
(11)
BBC
News “Mullah Omar: Taliban leader “died in Pakistan in 201329 July 2015
(12)
Op cit, n. 7
(13)
Op cit, n. 5
(14)
Ankit Panda ‘Sri Lanka Formally Hands over Hambantota Port to Chinese firms
on 99-year lease’Diplomat,
11 December, 2017 https://thediplomat.com/2017/12/sri-lanka-formally-hands-over-hambantota-port-to-chinese-firms-on-99-year-lease/
(15)
Anant
Mishra.’ Strengthening Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security: Is it
equipped to Counter “ Emerging Threats?’ Small Wars Journal.1 March, 2018
ISLAMIC STATE
AAKROSH JULY 2017 VOLUME 20 NUMBER 76
Islamic State loosing in
Syria and Iraq but increasing influence worldwide
The Islamic State (IS),
the most powerful terrorist organisation, is loosing ground; and several
powerful countries of the world are bombarding the areas controlled by the IS,
albeit for diverse reasons. Islamic State took advantage of turmoil and made full use of historical
hostility between Shias and Sunnis and spread the idea of Sunni caliphate. In
June 2014, Baghdadi declared the creation of the Caliphate and changed its name
to Islamic State. The IS believes in radical form of Islam and proclaims to
establish the Islamic Caliphate of early days of Islam through violence. The
Salafi-Jihadis consider that majority of the
Muslims are not true Muslims and these ‘pretend Muslims,’ especially the Shias,
must be treated with disdain; hence they attack Shias. Islamic State was considered as a wealthiest terrorist organisation and
had multiple sources of revenue; nevertheless, the primary source of revenue
was sale of oil and gas in the black market. The IS took responsibility of several terrorist activities that occurred
outside Iraq and Syria. The terrorist
outfit has placed enormous Jihadist and venomous anti-Western literature on the
internet, through which disillusioned Muslims becomes self-radicalized and work
as lone wolves. India, which has second-largest Muslim population, should be
careful about impact of the IS. Although, so far, its effect is insignificant, a
few disenchanted Muslims have joined the outfit. All world powers should work
together to eliminate the IS. Only airstrikes are not enough; strong military
actions are required, and the IS must be defeated conclusively and all the
territory under its command should be liberated.
The Islamic State (IS), the most
powerful terrorist organisation of the present era, is loosing ground rapidly
in Syria and Iraq as several countries of the world, including the United
States and Russia, are bombing the areas controlled by the terrorist outfit.
According to the IHS Conflict Monitor, it lost 14 percent of its territory in 2015
while in 2016 the IS lost about one-fourth of its territory. The outfit was
controlling about 78,000 sq. KMs in January 2016, which was reduced to 60,400
Sq. KMs in December the same year. When the IS was at its zenith, it was
controlling the areas inhabited by more than 10 million people, but now the area
and population are reduced considerably. Slowly but steadily, the Iraqi and
Syrian forces are recapturing the cities and towns one by one and the IS area
is dwindling both in Iraq and Syria. (Sl.No.1)
Most of the powerful countries of the
world want to crush the IS, albeit for different reasons. Iran and Russia are
afraid that if the IS is not eliminated, it will soon engulf them. The IS,
which follows the Salafi ideology, considers Shias as non-Muslims; hence Iran
is the primary target of the IS. Russia is also worried as according to
analysts, a large number of Russians had gone to Syria and Iraq and joined the IS.
Russian planners are aware that once these hardened terrorists return to their
homeland they would spread Islamic fundamentalism/extremism in the country.
Therefore, Russia is bombarding IS, controlled territories mercilessly. Russian
President Vladimir Putin, while speaking at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO) summit at Astana on June 9, cautioned the world leaders that Islamic
State is escalating its terror network in Central Asian countries as well as in
southern Russia. Hence all SCO countries, especially intelligence organisations,
should increase cooperation and should jointly fight the terrorist outfit. Analysts claim that US-led forces carried out
more than 11,500 air strikes in Iraq between August 2014 and April 2017 while 8,000
air-strikes were conducted in Syria in the same period. The airstrikes and attacks
by forces opposed to the IS have ruined both Iraq and Syria, and the population
living in IS- controlled areas are facing scarcity of most of the articles of
daily use. (Sl. No.1,2 &31)
A large number of innocent civilians and
security personnel have been killed. Although it is not feasible to give any
authentic figures, according to a UK- based Human Rights Organisation, more
than 300,000 persons were killed between March 2011 and September 2016. About 5
million Syrians left the country and took refuge in several countries of the
world, especially in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. According to the United Nations,
more than three million Iraqis were displaced within the country. (Sl.No.1)
The United States also dropped the biggest
conventional bomb, weighing 11 ton, on April 13, in Achin district of Nangarhar
province in Afghanistan, in which more than 90 Islamic State terrorists,
including middle-level terrorists, were killed. In February and March, the US conducted
more than 400 air raids in Afghanistan against the Islamic State and not
against the Taliban although the Taliban were responsible for most of the
terrorist activities in the country. But the US is interested in eliminating
the IS and not the Taliban as the US faces danger from the IS and the Taliban
are assisted by its friend Pakistan. (Sl. No. 2)
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ISLAMIC STATE
The Islamic State took advantage of the turmoil
and dissection of the society in Syria and Iraq, and also Sunni terrorists of
al-Qaeda in Iraq joined the IS. The outfit made full use of the historical
hostility between Shias and Sunnis and spread the idea of Sunni caliphate. The Sunnis,
who ruled Iraq under Saddam Hussein, were also unhappy with the Shia-dominated
government and strengthened the IS in Iraq. Baghdadi, who was a low-level
al-Qaida, operative grabbed the opportunity created because of chaos in Iraq, the
civil war in Syria, the sectarian divide between Shias and Sunnis, and the
hostility between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), or
al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), also accepted Baghdadi as its leader in 2010. The ISI
carried out several terrorist activities in Iraq under the instructions of
Baghdadi. (Sl. No.3, 22&23)
In 2013, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi expanded
in Syria and declared the formation of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL), but after sometime, when the outfit occupied large areas in Iraq,
Baghdadi pronounced the creation of the Caliphate in June 2014 and changed the
outfit’s name to the Islamic State. In June 2014, he was elected as the Caliph
by majlis al-shura (consultative council) of the Islamic State. In July 2014, the
IS started an online magazine namely, Dabiq. The United Nations and several
countries of the world declared the IS as a terrorist organisation.
Several Muslim clerics raised doubt
about the legitimacy of the Caliphate and its chief, Baghdadi. A few Sunni
Muslim scholars as well as Jihadist outfits stated that the declaration of Caliphate
is against Sharia and it is null and void, but Baghdadi remained undeterred.
Once the outfit changed its name and
declared the Caliphate quite a few Islamic terrorist organisations in the world
declared their allegiance to the IS. According to various assessments,
terrorist outfits operatives in more than 20 countries, including Afghanistan,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mali, Egypt, Somalia, and Philippines,
declared their loyalty to the IS. Analysts claim that more than 30,000 foreign
terrorists from about 86 countries went to Syria and Iraq to join the IS. A few
misguided Indian Muslim youths went from India as well as from Middle Eastern
countries and joined the IS. (Sl. No. 3).
IDEOLOGY OF THE ISLAMIC STATE
The Islamic State is a Salafist Jihadi
outfit based on the Salafi ideology. It believes in radical form of Islam and
proclaims to establish the Islamic Caliphate of the early days of Islam through
violence. The IS believes that the time of Prophet Muhammad was supreme and the
first Caliphs were the role models. Sayyid Qutb, who was an Egyptian thinker,
played a pivotal role in formulating the ideology of Islamic terrorist outfits
including the IS.
The IS believes in an ultra-orthodox
interpretation of Islamic Law and considers that a true Muslim should follow the
Quran and Sunnah (the teachings, deeds and practices of Prophet Muhammad) in
all walks of life. The IS treats all non-Muslims and Muslims opposed to the
ideology of the IS as infidels and believes in their extermination.
The IS discards all changes in Islam and desires to impose the original
Salafi form of Islam. The outfit believes that the first step should be to
purify the Islamic societies and then the struggle should be with non-Muslim
countries. It proclaims that after Baghdadi, there will only be four more
Caliphs. The IS has linked Baghdadi with Prophet Muhammad and claimed that all
dedicated Muslims of the world should owe allegiance to him. Most of the Gulf
countries close to the United States proclaim to follow Wahhabism, Salafism, or
Salafi-Jihadis. . (Sl.No.4).
Salafis, and particularly Salafi-Jihadis,
consider that the majority of Muslims are not true Muslims and these ‘pretend
Muslims’ especially Shias, must be treated with disdain and this is the reason
that the Sunni terrorist organisations in several countries attack Shias.
The IS is against the US, Israel, and
other Western countries; it is also antagonistic about democracy, freedom of the
individual, religious freedom, or equal rights to women, and desires to establish the Caliphate all over
the world. It does not believe in change, and either the democratic world has
to defeat the IS or it will conquer whole world and establish a primitive form
of Islamic Caliphate.
Baghdadi appealed to all Muslims for Jihad and claimed that the Jihadists
would go to heaven. The IS also claim that Muslims are suffering in several
countries, including Syria, Egypt, Myanmar, Iraq, Palestine, Tunisia, Libya,
Algeria, Morocco, China, India, Somalia, the Arabian Peninsula, Afghanistan,
Pakistan, and Philippines, and hence Muslims should fight for their rights and
establishment of Islamic Caliphate. (Sl.No.5)
REPORTS ABOUT KILLING OF BAGHDADI
There was heavy bombardment by forces
led by the United States as well as by Russian troops in the areas controlled
by the Islamic State. Besides bombardment, the intelligence forces of the US,
Russia, and several other countries hostile to the IS have launched secret
operations to exterminate Baghdadi. The US also announced a reward of USD 10
million in 2011, which was increased to USD 25 million in 2016, for information
pertaining to capture or death of Baghdadi. Hence rumors cropped up several
times about the killing of Baghdadi. In 2016, several newspapers reported that
Baghdadi was killed on June 12 at Raqqa in air strikes, again the media reported
that Baghdadi, along with three IS leaders, were poisoned in October 2016. But
these reports could not be verified. The possibility that Baghdadi is
exterminated and the IS is hiding this information cannot be ruled out.
Nonetheless, there is also a probability that forces inimical to the IS are
spreading this fabricated information with the ulterior motive of weakening the
terrorist outfit. (Sl.Nos 6)
FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE IS
The Islamic State was considered as a
wealthiest terrorist organisation and had multiple sources of revenue. Nevertheless,
the primary source of revenue was the sale of oil and gas in the black market, as
the IS captured several oil wells in Iraq and Syria. The oil revenue swelled up
to USD 1.5 million a day, and the annual budget of IS reached to USD 1 billion in 2015. US-led
forces as well as Russians destroyed the infrastructure of oil extraction
through heavy bombardment. Secondly, the IS possess obsolete technology of oil
extraction, the equipment is old, and oil wells are depleted; hence the
quantity of oil extraction became less, which reduced the revenue.
Besides oil, the IS was also generated funds
through extortion, ransom from hostages, sale of females of conquered areas, sale
of confiscated goods, smuggling and selling of antiquities, taxes, agriculture,
contributions, and donations. The IS also controlled banks in the conquered
areas and utilized their assets. The terrorist outfit received donations from
several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, in the name of
humanitarian assistance. Foreign fighters also rendered financial assistance.
The IS also raised funds from foreign countries through communication networks.
The outfit also minted gold, silver, and copper coins as it does not believe in
paper currency. As the oil and gas production lessened, the IS faced a financial crisis and Huffington Post in July 2016 reported that IS is unable to pay for
its operations (Sl.No.7).
MASS KILLINGS BY THE IS
The IS killed mercilessly the people who
were opposed to its ideology. Hence when these areas were liberated by the
forces inimical of IS, they found approximately 100 mass graves. Associated
Press reported in a survey in August 2016 that approximately 15,000 people were
killed by the terrorist outfit. The IS carried out genocide against the
Yazidis, Kurds, Shias, or anyone raised voice against the outfit. (Sl.No.8)
TERRORIST ATTACKS OUTSIDE IRAQ AND SYRIA
The IS took responsibility for several
terrorist activities that occurred outside Iraq and Syria. The prominent
terrorist attacks include assault on a Tunisian tourist resort in June 2015, in
which 38 persons were killed and at least 39 innocent persons were injured. The
IS claimed responsibility and circulated the photograph of terrorist. Nonetheless,
analysts mention that the attacker might be inspired by IS but he had not taken
any assistance from the terrorist outfit. (Sl.no.9)
Two suicide bombers exploded 2 powerful
bombs in a pro-Kurdish rally in Ankara in October 2015, in which more than 95
persons were killed and over 246 were injured. Although the IS had not taken
the responsibility of the attack, analysts claimed that the explosions were the
handiwork of IS terrorists. (Sl.no.10)
In March 2015, two gunmen stormed a
museum in Tunisia and killed 20 persons and injured 44 others after keeping
them hostage for about three hours. The terrorist attack occurred one day after
Tunisian security forces announced the seizure of arms and ammunition from
Jihadists. Tunisian forces also arrested about 30 terrorists who returned from
Syria about a month before these blasts.(
Sl.no.11)
In March 2015, the IS claimed
responsibility for bombings in a Shia mosque in Yemen, in which about 150
persons killed and about 350 were injured. Besides these terrorist attacks, in
2015, the terrorist outfit also took responsibility for the crash of Metrojet
Flight 9268, in which 224 persons were killed, while in bombings in Beirut, 43
Shias were massacred. In November 2015, in terrorist attacks in Paris 130
civilians were obliterated. (Sl.no. 12).
In January 2016, an IS suicide bomber
killed 10 persons and injured 15 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Turkish Prime Minister mentioned that the
attack was conducted by Daesh. (Sl.no.13)
In March 2016, two brothers, Khalid and
Ibrahim El Bakraoui of Daesh, carried out bomb blasts at airport and metro
station in Brussels, in which 31 persons were killed while about 300 were
injured. (Sl.no.14)
In July 2016, a Tunisian truck driver,
Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, drove a heavy truck in a crowd in Nice, France, in
which about 84 persons were killed while more than 200 were injured. The French
President stated that France is facing ‘the threat of Islamic terrorism’. (Sl.no.15)
In July 2016, Islamic State’s news
agency, Amaq, made a press release mentioning that two IS fighters exploded two
bombs in Kabul in which minimum of 80 people were killed and about 230, mainly
Shias, were injured. It is unfortunate trend as animosity between Shias and
Sunnis is less in Afghanistan in comparison to Iraq and it appears that the IS
desires to increase abhorrence with ulterior motives. (Sl.no.16)
In December 2016, a tractor trailer ploughed
inside a jam-packed Christmas market in Berlin in which 12 people were killed
while 48 were injured. The IS has used truck as a weapon to perpetrate terror. (Sl.no.17)
The terrorist outfit targeted a
nightclub in Istanbul in January 2017, in which 39 persons, including 16
foreigners, were killed and about 69 persons were injured. The terrorist
mercilessly fired from a long-barreled weapon in the night-club.( Sl.no.18)
In February
2017 in Kabul Supreme Court, a suicide bomber killed 22 persons while more than
35 were injured. The Same month, IS suicide bomber killed
more than 100 and injured 300 Pakistanis when he exploded himself in a Sufi
Shrine in Sehwan, in Sindh. (Sl.no.17)
In March 2017, an IS terrorist killed
approximately 49 persons and injured more than 63 in an attack in a military
hospital in Kabul. In Bangladesh a suicide bomber detonated himself in an
under-construction army building in which two persons were injured. In
Westminister, an IS terrorist mowed down a car and killed about 6 and injured
more than 49 persons. In Bangladesh, 4 IS terrorists used bombs at Dakshin
Surma, Sylhet, and killed about 7 and injured more than 40 persons. (Sl.no.17)
In April 2017 IS suicide bombers bombed
two churches in Tanta and Alexandria cities of Egypt in which about 41 persons
were killed while more than 136 were injured.
In Paris a terrorist killed two persons including a policeman in a
shooting before he was shot dead by police personnel. (Sl.no.17)
In May, IS took responsibility of
bombing at Mastung, Pakistan, in which 25 people were killed and about 37 were
injured. (Sl.no.19)
On 23 May, Salman Abedi, a suicide bomber of the IS,
killed 22 persons and injured more than 59 in a blast at a concert at
Manchester Arena, in the United Kingdom. The Police have also arrested few
suspected accomplices of the terrorist. Again on 3 June, at London Bridge,
three terrorists killed 7 innocent persons and wounded 48 others, out of which
21 were critical. The terrorists shouted, “this is for Allah” and the IS took
the responsibility of the depraved attack. Out of the three terrorists, one
Khuram Butt was a Pakistani-born British national. (Sl.no.20)
IS terrorists equipped with guns and
bombs attacked simultaneously on Parliament of Iran when it was in session as
well as on the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on June 7. In these
attacks about 12 persons were killed while about 43 were injured. The terrorist
outfit claimed the responsibility of the attacks and released the video. All the attackers were exterminated. Iran,
which is a Shia country is opposing IS in Iraq and Syria. The attack would
enhance the Shia Sunni conflict all over the world. The Iranian leaders had not
given much importance to these attacks publicly and intelligence organisation
claimed that there was also a third group of terrorists, which was eliminated
by security forces before it could carry out a terrorist attack. (Sl.no.28)
Besides these terrorist attacks, the IS claimed responsibility for numerous other attacks that
have occurred all over the world. The intelligence orgnisations of different
countries are investigating about the role of IS in various terrorist
activities in the world over.
CONCEPT OF LONE WOLF
The concept of lone wolf is a dangerous
phenomenon, and Islamic State is encouraging it. The terrorist outfit has
placed enormous Jihadist as well as venomous anti-Western and anti-democratic literature
in the Internet through which disillusioned Muslims becomes self-radicalized.
These lone wolves do not take assistance or instructions from the terrorist
outfit, but IS immediately owns the responsibility of these attacks,
irrespective of the places of an assaults. Several times, these lone wolves
take the name of the IS before
or during the attacks just to show their abhorrence towards the society. The
terrorist organisations are glad that lone wolves are increasing in the society
and have emerged as an important tool for spreading terrorism and widening the
gulf between Jihadist Islam and other religions. (Sl.no.19)
In majority of cases lone wolves are uneducated,
jobless, and dissatisfied with family and society and they take the extreme
step to take revenge with the society. Sometimes, disenchanted Muslim youths
also become victim of fascinating idea of Caliphate and of imposition of
Nizam-e-Mustafa in whole world. The idea of Jihadists going to Jannat (heaven) if they die during Jihad
also inspires disillusioned Muslim youths. (Sl.no.19)
It is very difficult to check the
terrorist activities of lone wolves as they do not take assistance from anyone
and keep their plans to themselves. Hence it is significant that all the
security agencies of the world should make efforts to stop the spread of
extremism and should also try to de-radicalize the extremists.
Eminent Muslim scholars should also
liberalize Islam, and Middle Eastern countries should spend money so that
Muslims can receive modern technical and scientific education. At present, most
of Muslim countries spend money in furtherance of religious education, which fails
to prepare Muslim youths for the high-end jobs.
The danger of lone wolf attacks is not
only in the Western countries but also in Muslim-minority countries. Even
Muslim countries are also facing the hazard of lone wolf because of Shia Sunni
conflict. (Sl.no.19)
PRESENCE OF ISLAMIC STATE IN INDIA
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while
addressing a press conference at Delhi on 3rd June at the completion of three
years of The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) stated “India is the second
largest country as far as Muslim population in the world is concerned. I can
say with full responsibility that despite such a large population (of Muslims),
the ISIS has not been able to set foot”.
Ninty sympathisers of IS were arrested
in the country while five terrorists of Indian Mujahedeen were given capital
punishment. He further mentioned that the IS and Ansar-ul-Ummah are added to
the list of banned terrorist organisations. (Sl.no.23)
Nevertheless, India has a very large
Muslim population and the idea of the Khorasan module of Islamic Caliphate may appeal to the
misguided young Muslims. Hence Indian security forces must chalk out a
comprehensive plan to counter the rising influence of Islamic State in the
country. The intelligence organisations should constitute a special cell
consisting of officers having in-depth knowledge of Internet and social media
to curb the rising influence of IS in the country. The Internet is full of distorted ideology of
IS as well as details about Khorsan province, which would include India,
Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. (Sl.no.24)
In April 2017, Indian security forces
unearthed presence of Islamic State in six states: Delhi, Utter Pradesh, Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Bihar.
These units are involved in the recruitment of misguided Muslim youths for the IS. It is significant that all the units of IS were operating
in different states as it indicates its presence in diverse parts of India.
The security forces have also arrested
two persons from a mosque in Bijnor (UP), and there are reports that terrorists
are hiding in mosques and Imams of few mosques preach Islamic extremism and few
Madrassas are also involved in spreading terrorism. Intelligence organisations
must keep vigil on such mosques and Madrassas which are involved in spread of
Islamic extremism. (Sl.no.26 &27)
In March 2017, UP ATS killed one Saifullah of IS after an 11- hour
encounter in Lucknow. He was the architect
of a few bomb blasts and train derailments, including blast in Bhopal-Ujjain
passenger train. Besides these incidents, security forces arrested five IS men
from Madhya Pradesh and in June 2016, the National
Investigation Agency (NIA) exposed IS unit in Hyderabad. Few Muslims have gone
from India and joined IS, while several Indians travelled from Middle Eastern
countries to Syria and Iraq. (Sl.no.26 &27)
It is expected that very soon IS would
loose all territory and Indians who had joined IS would come back. At that time,
a few Pakistanis may also try to infiltrate in India after obtaining Emergency
Certificates (ECs) from Indian missions abroad. Security forces must chalk out
a strategy to deal these hardened terrorists as they can damage the country in
multifarious ways. (Sl.no.25)
IS leadership is also aware that very
soon they will have to vacate Iraq and Syria. Hence it might be planning to
shift to some other countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan or even Bangladesh. If
the IS shifts its Headquarters to some place near the Indian borders the security agencies should be more
vigilant so that the influence of the terrorist organisation does not enhances.
THE WAY FORWARD
The danger of Islamic State has
increased manifold, but the world at large is not united against the terrorist
outfit. The world leaders are aware OF how to defeat the most barbaric
terrorist organisation, but they lack the political will and they are aware
that their countrymen are not prepared for sacrifices required to annihilate
IS. Only airstrikes are not enough; strong military actions are required
against the terrorist outfit. The IS must be defeated conclusively, and for,
that it is necessary to liberate all the territory under its command. The US and its allies do not want to send ground forces; hence
the local forces should be equipped with latest weaponry so that they defeat IS
and win back all the territory which is in its control.
The world powers should work together to
eliminate IS by putting their differences aside. Syrian President Bashar Assad
is supported by Russia and Iran, but Turkey and Saudi Arabia want his removal
while the US and EU are indifferent about Assad. These
contradictions help IS to flourish. (Sl.no.26)
Everybody should stop purchasing oil
from the IS, especially Turkey and Syria, and the middlemen must
resist temptation of buying cheap oil from the
IS as this is strengthening the terrorist outfit.
President Trump made his first foreign
tour to Saudi Arabia where USA got orders of more than USD 100 billion although
analysts mention that Saudi Arabia spends large amount in propagation of Wahhabism.
The Same way, United Kingdom after leaving the European Union, also got a big contract from Saudi
Arabia. In fact all the powers of the
world should wage a war against terrorism as well as the countries which
sponsor extremism. (Sl.no.27)
Unfortunately, it is a fact that it is
not feasible for the security agencies to stop all terrorist attacks as the
terrorist organisations are recruiting young suicide bombers and it is
difficult to prevent them. Besides this, lone wolves are difficult to check as
they work alone. Hence there is need to contain radicalization and there must
be vigorous programmes to deradicalize the youths all over the world.
Beside the deradicalization drive, the so-called Islamic scholars who
preach extremism should be put behind bars. The human rights of preachers of
extremism should also be curtailed as they do not believe in the rights of
other people.
Pakistan which is the epic centre of
terrorism, and Pakistani army, which has created several terrorist
organisations and is running terrorist training camps with ulterior motive of
carrying out terrorist activities in its neighbouring countries, must be
punished.
According to statics, large number of
disenchanted Muslim youths from all over the world, including France, Germany,
Britain, Belgium, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, African continent and
India had gone to Syria and Iraq to join IS. These young Muslims would return
back to their countries, or they may even go to other countries and carry out
terrorist activities. It is of utmost necessary to chalk out a comprehensive
plan so that these well- trained, ill-motivated young persons are prevented
from indulging in terrorist activities. As the IS is loosing territory it will try to enhance the
terrorist attacks all over the world. Hence more and more intelligence should
be collected about the sympathizers of
the outfit.
At present, Islamic State is the main
stimulator of terrorism all over the world; hence it must be defeated
conclusively so that it stops spreading extremism and terrorism. Baghdadi claims
invincibility, which attracts the misguided fanatic Muslims. If the IS is vanquished and Baghdadi killed then even imprudent
youths would also be discouraged from wanting to the join IS. It will also belie the impact of initial success
achieved by the IS. (Sl.no.28)
Several Muslim countries of the world
propagate Wahhabism and spend millions of dollars in opening Madrassas; these
countries should spend money so that Muslims achieve best of scientific and
technical education so that the community prospers. There is not much
difference between Wahhabism and Salafism; in fact both are two sides of the
same coin.
The Kurdish population faced vicious
atrocities of IS forces. Hence Kurdish forces whole-heartedly want to destroy IS
but Turkey and Iran which have Kurdish minority populations, are not supplying
arms to Kurdish forces and on several occasion, they bombarded Kurdish areas in
Syria instead of IS controlled areas. US forces are also not supplying heavy
weaponry to Kurdish forces because of Turkish resistance.
The collection of intelligence
is most important to defeat any terrorist organisation, although it is
difficult to collect human intelligence against IS as it slaughters the suspected
moles. Hence long-term black operations, should be launched against the outfit
and under black operations, the senior or even middle leadership of IS can be
exterminated. Several intelligence officers of Saddam regime have joined IS and
these officers can be cultivated. Efforts should also be made to collect
intelligence through electronic gadgets. (Sl.no.29)
Efforts should also be made to
discourage and demoralize the IS fighters through social media and electronic
media as well as by dropping leaflets and pamphlets in the area by mentioning
that the Islamic State has lost its cause and it has given bad name to Islam.
Most of its leaders are killed, and new recruits are not joining and old
fighters are frustrated. The living conditions became worse and air strikes of
US and other forces are very effective. The IS is loosing ground rapidly, and there
is a possibility that there would be a mass suicide by IS operatives. The
negative propaganda against IS would dishearten the fresh recruits. (Sl.no.30)
Efforts can also be made to have some
negotiations with the leaders of IS. Baghdadi may not agree for negotiations,
but second- rung leaders may concur for talks and some clemency can be given to
them as it would weaken the concept of Islamic caliphate. (Sl.no.31)
Notes & References
1.
Islamic
State and the crisis in Iraq and Syria in maps BBC Middle East Section 28
April, 2017
2.
US
‘mother of all bombs’ killed 92 ISIS militants, say Afghan officials : Sune
Engel Rasmussen in Kabul The Guardian dated April 15, 2017
3.
Abu
Bakr al-Baghdadi Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
4.
Abu
Bakr al-Baghdadi, Islamic State Chief, killed in US-led airstrikes in
Syria:Reports By IANS/AKI June 14, 2016
5.
Understanding The
Ideology Behind The Islamic State: Return of Kings
6.
ISIS’s Ideology
and Vision, and their Implementation Dated May 25, 2017 Crethi Plethi
7.
Tourists flee
Tunisia after resort attack By Laura Smith, Nick Paton Walsh and Phil Black,
CNN Dated June 28, 2015
8.
Bombs kill 95 at
pro-Kurdish rally in Turkish capital By Ece Toksabay and Gulsen Solaker/ANKARA
Reuters dated October 10, 2015.
9.
Tunis museum
attack The Guardian dated March 18, 2015
10.
At least 142
Killed in ‘ISIL’ bombing of Yemen Shia mosques
The Telegraph dated 26 May 2017
11.
Turkey: ‘IS
suicide bomber’ kills 10 in Istanbul Sultanahmet district 12.01.2016 BBC News
12.
Here’s what we
know about the Brussels terror attacks By Tim Hume, Tiffany Ap and Ray Sanchez,
CNN dated March 25, 2016
13.
Bastille Day truck attack The Guardian
Saturday 16 July 2016.
14.
Islamic State
claims responsibility for Kabul attack, 80 dead By Mirwais Harooni World News
July 24, 2016 Reuters
15.
Berlin Christmas
market: 12 dead, 48 hospitalized in truck crash By Darren Simon, Ralph Ellis
and Frederik Pleitgen CNN Dated December
16, & 20, 2016
16.
39 including 16
foreigners killed in Istanbul nightclub attack: minister The Hindu Dated 01.01.2017
17.
List of terrorist
incidents linked to ISIL from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
18.
Manchester Arena
suicide bombing: 22 die at Ariana Grande concert CNBC News , 23 May 2017
19.
Lone Wolf
Attacks—a dangerous phenomenon By Jai Kumar Verma Dated 17.06.2016 in The
Indiasaga.com
20.
Bhari Padega
Aantak per Dohra Rabiya By Brahma Chellaney Dainik Jagran Dated
29.05.2017
21.
Europe constantly
at war with extremism By Hiranmay Karlekar Pioneer May 27, 2017
22.
Analysis: How to stop ISIS, the most dangerous
Movement since Nazism By Yossi Melman December 24, 2015, The Jerusalem Post
June 02, 2017.
23.
How to Stop Islamic State’s Escalation
Dominance By James Kitfiel Don December 23, 2015 Defense
24.
Defeating the
Islamic State: Advice from Sun Tsu By Ronald Tiersky Huffpost The World Post
25.
Islamic State
failed in India despite Large Muslim population: Rajnath Singh Hindustan Times
dated June 3, 2017
26.
Islamic State is
strengthening in India Lucknow encounter affirms that By J.K.Verma dated March
15, 2017 Aviation & Defence Universe
27.
India should clip
the spreading wings of Islamic State By J K Verma May 1, 2017, Aviation &
Defence Universe
28.
London Bridge
attack- ISIS claims responsibility for Borough Market terror as Video shows
Jihadis stalking pubs searching for victims By Mark Hodge, Neal Baker and Emma
Lake The Sun , 5th June, 2017
29.
London Bridge
attack latest: Terrorists named as Police say they were not under surveillance
as they posed ‘low risk’ The Telegraph June 6, 2017
30.
ISIS Storms Iran
Parliament, 12 Killed Pioneer June 8, 2017
31.
Putin warns ISIS
eyeing Central Asia, Southern Russia – Pioneer June 10
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