Twenty years after 9/11, Al-Qaeda is defeated but jihadism is here to stay
3 years, 3 months ago

Twenty years after 9/11, Al-Qaeda is defeated but jihadism is here to stay

Firstpost  

The highly publicised creation of al-Qaida “franchises” in Iraq and elsewhere including Egypt, North Africa and Yemen, among others, seemed to indicate the revival of al-Qaida. For ten years, until he was killed by US special forces on May 2, 2011, bin Laden tried but failed to revive al-Qaida and influence its legacy. This is evident in terrorism researcher Nelly Lahoud’s careful reading of the “Abottabad letters”, files of internal communications recovered by US special operations forces during their raid on bin Laden’s compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad. Upon bin Laden’s death in 2011, senior members of al-Qaida vowed to continue the global jihad, promising the worst attacks the world had ever seen.

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History of this topic

How al-Qaeda have found a foothold again in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan
4 months, 3 weeks ago

How al-Qaeda have found a foothold again in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Their own world.” A recent report posits that Osama …

New US intelligence suggests al Qaeda unlikely to revive in Afghanistan, but officials warn ISIS threat remains
1 year, 4 months ago

New US intelligence suggests al Qaeda unlikely to revive in Afghanistan, but officials warn ISIS threat remains

CNN  

CNN — New US intelligence assessments suggest that is “unlikely” al Qaeda will revive in Afghanistan and Pakistan and that counterterrorism operations by the Taliban in Afghanistan have degraded the Islamic State’s presence there, two senior US officials said on Friday. “But it’s a fundamentally different kind of threat than what we saw from al Qaeda on 9/11.” The officials …

Why neutralisation of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan raises more questions than answers
2 years, 4 months ago

Why neutralisation of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan raises more questions than answers

Firstpost  

The elimination of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan has led to fears that Al Qaeda might have got a new sanctuary in the country At sunrise on 31 July nearly 20 years after the infamous date of 9/11, eleven years after the elimination of Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad Pakistan and nearly a year after the pull out of US troops …

Op-Ed: Al Qaeda lost its leader, but are Americans any safer?
2 years, 5 months ago

Op-Ed: Al Qaeda lost its leader, but are Americans any safer?

LA Times  

The U.S. drone strike that killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman Zawahiri in Kabul last weekend jolted Americans, reminding them that Islamic extremists are still active. A new leader might revive its fortunes somewhat, but Al Qaeda’s threat to the U.S. homeland will remain limited. 2 could claim one gain during his tenure, the group’s expansion, often through converting terrorist groups …

Al Qaeda's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in an upscale Kabul neighbourhood. Now other terror leaders are fleeing
2 years, 5 months ago

Al Qaeda's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in an upscale Kabul neighbourhood. Now other terror leaders are fleeing

ABC  

Terrorist leaders are reportedly evacuating Kabul after Al Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by the US in the centre of the city, leaders of the former Afghan government say. "Following al-Zawahiri's death, supporters of Al Qaeda or its affiliated terrorist organizations may seek to attack US facilities, personnel, or citizens," the State Department said in an updated travel advisory. From …

Al Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahiri was a master of disguise who eluded capture for decades until a fateful walk on a balcony put a target on his back
2 years, 5 months ago

Al Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahiri was a master of disguise who eluded capture for decades until a fateful walk on a balcony put a target on his back

ABC  

As the sun rose on what promised to be a sweltering day in Kabul, the most wanted man in the world stepped onto his balcony to enjoy the crisp dawn breeze. The death of Al Qaeda's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike in Afghanistan is widely considered to be the biggest blow to the terrorist group since the death …

The end of Al Qaeda?
2 years, 5 months ago

The end of Al Qaeda?

Live Mint  

Eleven years after Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was killed, his close aide who took over the terrorist organization’s leadership after his death, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was also eliminated by American forces through a drone strike on his safe house in Kabul, Afghanistan, over the weekend. With him at the helm of Al Qaeda, the group still held some sway …

What the killing of al-Zawahiri reveals
2 years, 5 months ago

What the killing of al-Zawahiri reveals

Hindustan Times  

The killing of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawah-iri in a United States drone strike in a Kabul neighbourhood long favoured by warlords underscores the Taliban regime’s failure to deliver on counter-terrorism commitments. The Taliban confirmed the drone strike shortly before US President Joe Biden announced the killing of Zawahiri, but was silent on the target of the attack and only spoke …

Ayman al-Zawahiri | From Cairo physician to al-Qaeda leader
2 years, 5 months ago

Ayman al-Zawahiri | From Cairo physician to al-Qaeda leader

The Hindu  

Ayman al-Zawahiri succeeded Osama bin Laden as al-Qaeda leader after years as its main organiser and strategist, but his lack of charisma and competition from rival militants Islamic State hobbled his ability to inspire sizeable attacks on the West. In the years following bin Laden's death in 2011, U.S. air strikes killed a succession of al-Zawahiri's deputies, weakening the veteran …

Al Qaeda leader and former second-in-command to Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, killed in CIA drone strike in Afghanistan
2 years, 5 months ago

Al Qaeda leader and former second-in-command to Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, killed in CIA drone strike in Afghanistan

ABC  

President Joe Biden says the death of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a US drone strike will bring "one more measure of closure" for the families of terrorist victims. Key points: Zawahiri had been the leader of al-Qaeda since 2011, following the death of Osama bin Laden The White House says there were no civilian casualties during the operation …

Al Qaeda leader’s death raises concerns over Taliban links, Afghanistan’s future
2 years, 5 months ago

Al Qaeda leader’s death raises concerns over Taliban links, Afghanistan’s future

LA Times  

By the time two U.S. Hellfire missiles slammed into the balcony of a house in downtown Kabul early Sunday morning and killed Ayman Zawahiri, the 71-year-old Al Qaeda leader had become increasingly irrelevant to the organization he had once helped shape into one of the world’s most dangerous jihadi groups. President Biden said Zawahiri’s killing delivered justice to “a vicious …

\'Terrorist groups\' enjoy freedom in Afghanistan: UN experts
2 years, 11 months ago

\'Terrorist groups\' enjoy freedom in Afghanistan: UN experts

Deccan Chronicle  

United Nations: Al-Qaida's past ties to the recently empowered Taliban have the potential of making Afghanistan a safe haven for extremists, and “terrorist groups enjoy greater freedom there than at any time in recent history,” U.N. experts said in a report circulated Monday. But the panel of experts said “there are no recent signs that the Taliban has taken steps …

Few will mourn al-Qurayshi, but the war on terror is not over and US power remains under pressure
2 years, 11 months ago

Few will mourn al-Qurayshi, but the war on terror is not over and US power remains under pressure

ABC  

Obama got bin Laden, Trump got Baghdadi and Qassem Suleimani, now Biden has got al-Qurayshi. Using satellite imagery, reporting from the ground and content posted to social media, we've pieced together the dying days of Islamic State territorial control in Syria. Inside the mind of a ruthless ruler driven by revenge Photo shows Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles As the …

Al-Qaeda could regroup within 2 years in Afghanistan, fears US Intelligence
3 years, 3 months ago

Al-Qaeda could regroup within 2 years in Afghanistan, fears US Intelligence

Op India  

Two weeks after the US forces left Afghanistan at the hands of the Taliban, a top Intelligence official has now expressed fear over the resurgence of the terror outfit Al-Qaeda in the country, reported The New York Times. US seeks to gain back access to Afghanistan CIA Deputy Director David Cohen stated that the US would rebuild informant networks, strengthen …

Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahri appears in new video marking 9/11 anniversary
3 years, 3 months ago

Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahri appears in new video marking 9/11 anniversary

The Hindu  

Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri appeared in a new video marking the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, attacks, months after rumours spread that he was dead. In it, al-Zawahri said that “Jerusalem Will Never be Judaized,” and praised al-Qaeda attacks including one that targeted Russian troops in Syria in January. SITE said al-Zawahri also noted the U.S. mil\itary's withdrawal from …

The Threat of Islamic Terrorism Has Only Increased In 20 Years After 9/11
3 years, 3 months ago

The Threat of Islamic Terrorism Has Only Increased In 20 Years After 9/11

News 18  

This year marks 20 years since the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington D.C. that changed global geopolitics in a matter of hours. The terror strikes against the US marked the beginning of a new era, led by a political ideation now known as the ‘War against Terror’, which saw the largest mobilisation of Western military strength, arguably since …

9/11 Twenty Years On: Al-Qaida is Defeated but Jihadism is Here to Stay
3 years, 3 months ago

9/11 Twenty Years On: Al-Qaida is Defeated but Jihadism is Here to Stay

News 18  

Twenty years ago, the terrorist group al-Qaida carried out the deadliest attack on US soil the world had ever seen. In October 2001, when a US-led coalition went into Afghanistan to hunt down al-Qaida and oust the Taliban, who had allowed the organisation to operate in the country since 1996, bin Laden was caught off-guard. For ten years, until he …

It’s been 20 years since 9/11, but the accused mastermind of the attacks has yet to stand trial
3 years, 4 months ago

It’s been 20 years since 9/11, but the accused mastermind of the attacks has yet to stand trial

LA Times  

On a bright California morning 20 years ago, I was driving my middle daughter to meet her high school carpool when I heard a report on the radio that an airplane had crashed into the north tower of New York’s World Trade Center. The world press had stormed through Cairo, Atta’s hometown, and Hamburg, Germany, where he went to graduate …

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says Al Qaeda may seek a comeback in Afghanistan
3 years, 4 months ago

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says Al Qaeda may seek a comeback in Afghanistan

LA Times  

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said Thursday that Al Qaeda, which used Afghanistan as a staging base to attack the U.S. 20 years ago, might attempt to regroup there following the withdrawal of Western forces. “We put the Taliban on notice that we expect them to not allow that to happen,” Austin said, referring to the possibility of …

EXPLAINER: What was, and is, al-Qaida?
3 years, 4 months ago

EXPLAINER: What was, and is, al-Qaida?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Born out of the 1980s …

EXPLAINER: What was, and is, al-Qaida?
3 years, 4 months ago

EXPLAINER: What was, and is, al-Qaida?

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Born out of the 1980s war against the Soviet Union’s occupation of Afghanistan, the terror group al-Qaida under Osama bin Laden grew into a generational threat to America that culminated in its Sept. 11, 2001, attack that brought down the World Trade Center in New York. It also represented a new kind of danger, a …

Al-Qaeda congratulates Taliban, says Kashmir should also be 'liberated from enemies of Islam'
3 years, 4 months ago

Al-Qaeda congratulates Taliban, says Kashmir should also be 'liberated from enemies of Islam'

India Today  

Al-Qaeda, the terror organization that masterminded the 9/11 attacks on the United States, has congratulated the Taliban and called for the "liberation of Kashmir" as well. Grant freedom to Muslim prisoners across the world.” Al-Qaeda issued a detailed statement hours after the Taliban declared that Afghanistan has gained “full independence” following the withdrawal of the US forces. While congratulating the …

Al Qaeda spectre returns to haunt US after Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
3 years, 4 months ago

Al Qaeda spectre returns to haunt US after Taliban takeover of Afghanistan

Firstpost  

Taliban, who sheltered Al Qaeda fighters before the 11 September attacks, “remain close, based on friendship, a history of shared struggle, ideological sympathy and intermarriage”, as per an UN report Washington: The lightning-fast changes in Afghanistan are forcing the Biden administration to confront the prospect of a resurgent Al Qaeda, the group that attacked America on 11 September, 2001, at …

Al-Qaeda in Yemen congratulates Taliban, vows to continue jihad
3 years, 4 months ago

Al-Qaeda in Yemen congratulates Taliban, vows to continue jihad

The Hindu  

Al-Qaeda's Yemeni branch on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, congratulated the Taliban on their takeover of Afghanistan, and vowed to continue its own military campaigns. "This victory and empowerment reveals to us that jihad and fighting represent the -based, legal, and realistic way to restore rights expel the invaders and occupiers," Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said in a statement. The …

Austin: Al-Qaida could regroup in Afghanistan in 2 years
3 years, 6 months ago

Austin: Al-Qaida could regroup in Afghanistan in 2 years

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — An extremist group like al-Qaida may be able to regenerate in Afghanistan and pose a threat to the U.S. homeland within two years of the American military’s withdrawal from the country, the Pentagon’s top leaders said Thursday. It was the most specific public forecast of the prospects for a renewed international terrorist threat from Afghanistan since President Joe …

Opinion: U.S. Faces Hard Choices To Fight Terrorism After Afghanistan Withdrawal
3 years, 8 months ago

Opinion: U.S. Faces Hard Choices To Fight Terrorism After Afghanistan Withdrawal

NPR  

Opinion: U.S. Faces Hard Choices To Fight Terrorism After Afghanistan Withdrawal Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images Colin P. Clarke is the director of policy and research at The Soufan Group and a senior research fellow at The Soufan Center. Sponsor Message According to the 2021 Annual Threat Assessment released this week by the Office …

Here is how the international media called Osama Bin Laden ‘a warrior building road to peace’ 27 years ago
4 years, 1 month ago

Here is how the international media called Osama Bin Laden ‘a warrior building road to peace’ 27 years ago

Op India  

Long before Al Qaeda terrorist Osama Bin Laden conspired and executed a nefarious attack on the twin towers in New York, thereby causing western countries to identify him as the dreaded face of the Islamic terrorism, he was hailed by the media organisations of those very countries as a “philanthropist” helping to build roads for the poor in Sudan. Exactly …

In video message on 9/11, Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri calls for attacks on West, criticises those who backtracked from jihad
5 years, 3 months ago

In video message on 9/11, Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri calls for attacks on West, criticises those who backtracked from jihad

Firstpost  

Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri urged Muslims to attack US, European, Israeli and Russian military targets during a speech on the 18th anniversary of 11 Septemeber attacks Cairo: Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri called Wednesday on Muslims to attack US, European, Israeli and Russian targets in a speech on the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. SITE Intelligence Group, which …

​Al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahri calls for attack on US, Europe, Israel and Russian targets
5 years, 3 months ago

​Al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahri calls for attack on US, Europe, Israel and Russian targets

India TV News  

Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri called Wednesday on Muslims to attack U.S., European, Israeli and Russian targets in a speech on the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks online activity of jihadist groups, reported that in a video released by the militant group, the 68-year-old al-Zawahri also criticizes “backtrackers” from jihad, referring to former jihadis …

Inside Al-Qaeda’s Indian homecoming: New Delhi must prepare for Ayman al-Zawahiri’s complex and dangerous war
5 years, 5 months ago

Inside Al-Qaeda’s Indian homecoming: New Delhi must prepare for Ayman al-Zawahiri’s complex and dangerous war

Firstpost  

The jihadist threat is likely to become infinitely more complex in the coming years. This comforting wisdom is simply wrong: Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri ’s war against India isn’t a new adventure, but a homecoming. He warned jihadists: “Without achieving this goal, our actions will mean nothing more than mere, repeated disturbances.” Almost two decades later, it’s clear events didn’t …

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