Al qaeda in syria pdf

Seeking to broaden its appeal among other armed syrian opposition groups, jn formally broke ties with al qaeda core in july 2016, renaming itself jabhat fateh al sham. The is which was initially fighting the near enemy. The rise and fall of the islamic state of iraq and alsham. Seeking to broaden its appeal among other armed syrian opposition groups, jn formally broke ties with alqaeda core in july 2016, renaming itself jabhat fateh alsham. The nusra front in syria has been the most successful test of this al qaeda model. Backgrounder the threat of new alqaeda leadership the case of syrias aljoulani une 30 2015 of a caliphate on june 29, 2014. The third strategic objective that elevating joulani to. Gerges explains the shift in the is strategy from a focus on the near enemy. The jihadi threat united states institute of peace. Over the past six months, the tahrir institute for middle east policy has sponsored this integral working group of. Group type the alqaeda clandestine network is certainly a jihadist group, committed to the ideology of alqaeda and its objectives of establishing an islamic state in libya and eradicating western influence in the muslim world in general and in libya in.

Its experience fighting in syria has expanded al qaedas contacts, and, given the proliferation of jihadist groups pdf worldwide67 active groups as of 2019there will be more opportunities for al qaeda to work with likeminded terrorists from north africa to southeast asia. A similar situation occurred when aleppo was liberated from alqaedas control. Despite russia and the syrian regime saying theyre fighting al qaeda in syria, the groups presence has been shrinking. Though isis and al qaeda are now two separate organizations, isis recruiters seem to follow many of the same basic guidelines for luring people into their group and indoctrinating them. Islamic state of iraq and al sham isis currently controls vast territories in iraq and syria with estimated population up to 5 million people. Today, warnings of a major alqaida threat emanating from syria continue to be repeated, with u. I received a report this morning that european nations now recognize the threat of over 50,000 radical islamists that purposely blended in with the immigrant population and are a terrorist threat in those countries. Islamic state of iraq and alsham isis currently controls vast territories in iraq and syria with estimated population up to 5 million people. The group also assessed the threat posed by al qaeda and isis to the united states, both in the immediate and long term, and tested the probable outcomes of several potential courses of action that the united states could pursue in iraq and syria. The threat is compounded by globalization, with barriers to. Aqap and aqim eulogize zawahiri deputy abu alkhayr almasri, site intelligence group, march 2, 2017. It seems the president of the united states talks more about alqaidas goals than alqaida itself does.

Combating alqaeda in syria the tahrir institute for middle east the combating alqaeda in syria strategy group. Alqaeda, broadbased militant islamist organization founded by osama bin laden in the late 1980s. Two al qaeda affiliates, al qaeda in the arabian peninsula aqap, and al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, quickly issued a joint statement eulogizing al masri. It was also published in a special edition of the georgetown security. Heras, the bacevich fellow at the center for a new american security. Pdf even as the socalled islamic state is embarks on a new phase of global expansion, as evidenced by the recent easter attacks in sri. The group conducts formal military campaigns, assassinations, hostage missions, and lone wolf operations, including al qaeda s trademark suicide bombings. Syria, where the only official alqaeda affiliate, jabhat alnusra, has avoided governing on its own, instead typically working through establishing sharia councils in which a number of sunni opposition groups are represented. It is therefore likely a strategic consideration for both joulani and zawahiri to ensure this network adheres to alqaeda as it evolves. Baghdadi rebranded the outfit as the islamic state of iraq and levant in april 20 freemen, 2014. In contrast, al qaeda groups have focused more on local populations and local flashpoints. The resurgence of alqaeda in syria and iraq army war college.

Combating alqaeda in syria tahrir institute for middle east policy. Al qaeda and isis are not identical in either ideology or strategy. This report examines the threat posed by al qaeda affiliates in the middle east and africa as described. Daesh in iraq and syria beginning in 20 unsettled al qaedas. Syria volume of alqaeda propaganda forecasts syrian army success.

Two alqaeda affiliates, alqaeda in the arabian peninsula aqap, and alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, quickly issued a joint statement eulogizing almasri. Early tuesday morning, sheikh abu bakr alhusseini alqurashi albaghdadi the leader of the islamic state of iraq, an alqaeda branch released an audio message announcing the extension of its islamic state into alsham the levant, effectively bringing syrian jihadist rebel group jabhat al. How alqaeda survived drones, uprisings,and the islamic state. Alqaeda, the islamic state and the evolution of an insurgency. In contrast, alqaeda groups have focused more on local populations and local flashpoints. Most analysts continue to view jfs as a covert al qaeda affiliate, although key pro al qaeda ideologues are unhappy with what they see as. Most of the world thinks it is a takfiri and terrorist organization members of alqaeda have performed many acts of terrorism. Download the report with president donald trump threatening to pull out of syria, the bashar alassad regime ramping up its military campaign against rebels, and the islamic state in decline, al qaeda has attempted to resurge and reposition itself at the center of global salafijihadist activity. Washingtons neocondominated foreign policy establishment has long seen al qaedas nusra front as a strategic ally in syria and now hopes a name change will protect it through president. The nusra front is al qaeda s formal affiliate in syria and one of the most powerful rebel groups fighting assad. Had is avowedly loyal to alqaeda and its leadership is dominated by nonsyrian alqaeda veterans. In late 2010 and into 2011, as the socalled arab spring swept across north africa and the middle east, a consensus emerged in the west that the unprecedented wave of prodemocracy protests spelled the likely end of jihadist movements like alqaeda.

In his audio message on 8th april, he included jabhat alnusra jn as well, which is a terrorist organisation active in syria and affiliated to alqaida, as part of isis. How alqaeda and islamic state differ in pursuit of common. Front of the supporters, known as jabhat fatah alsham arabic. Although it is the most hunted terrorist group in history, the campaign of holy war unleashed by alqaeda is likely to outlive itself and the current generation of islamists.

Pdf the transformation of terrorism from alqaeda to the islamic state is has. To defeat isis, washington and its partners need to cultivate local allies calling for al qaedas ouster. Library of congress federal research division alqaeda in libya. Hurras aldin had was formed on february 27, 2018, by a merger of seven hardline syrian rebel factions. Isis islamic state of iraq and syria or sham isisk islamic state of iraq and syriakhorasan. Omar haj kadourafpgettyimages hayat tahrir al sham hts or the organization for the liberation of the levant traces its beginnings to the outset of the syrian civil war and has remained a dangerous opposition force throughout the duration of the conflict. While alqaeda conducted one major attack every year prior to 911, alqaeda and its associated groups have conducted one attack every three months since 911. A comparative analysis of alqaeda and the islamic state is 3 globally. Aqap and aqim eulogize zawahiri deputy abu al khayr al masri, site intelligence group, march 2, 2017. Yet across the us military, there is little understanding on how they differ. Since the fall of the taliban, alqaeda has established operations worldwide, including in syria, the gulf, north africa, west africa, east africa, and the indian subcontinent. Most analysts continue to view jfs as a covert alqaeda affiliate, although key proalqaeda ideologues are unhappy with what they see as. Harleen gambhir is a counterterrorism analyst at the institute for the study of war and the author of isiss global strategy.

Olsen and bruce riedel listen to audio download the audio. Nusra front hayat tahrir alsham counter extremism project. A threat assessment of isil and al qaeda in iraq, syria. Katherine zimmerman is a research fellow at the american enterprise institute aei and the lead analyst on al qaeda for aeis critical threats project. This report examines the threat posed by al qaeda affiliates in. Omar haj kadourafpgettyimages hayat tahrir alsham hts or the organization for the liberation of the levant traces its beginnings to the outset of the syrian civil war and has remained a dangerous opposition force throughout the duration of the conflict. A comparative analysis of al qaeda and the islamic state is 3 globally. Ten more minor rebel factions joined the group in the months following its formation, all with a history of ideological and leadership ties to alqaeda. It began as a logistical network to support muslims fighting against the soviet union during the afghan war and transformed into the active terrorist organization known for. However, the opportunities provided by a seemingly intractable civil conflict in syria and the growth there of a highly effective and popular alqaeda linked group, jabhat alnusra, meant. Alqaedas 911 attacks was the deadliest ever on american soil, killing nearly 3,000 people. In april 20, aqi announced that it was expanding its operations into syria, absorbing aqcbacked jabhat alnusra and rebranding itself the isis. Exiled by the saudi regime, and later stripped of his citizenship in 1994, bin laden left afghanistan and set up operations in sudan, with the united states in his sights as. Aqap, nasr alwuhayshi, was alqaedas deputy from 20 until his death in june 2015.

Rarely, if ever, do bin laden and zawahiri discuss any specific social or political policy. This is essential reading for understanding the most difficult and complex international crisis facing the world community today. In syria, alqaeda, alnusra have community ties that run deep. The syrian jihad is an insightful and comprehensive account of syrias violent descent into civil war and the rise of alqaedas offspring in that war. In 2011, abu bakr albaghdadi, the leader of the islamic state in iraq isi, formerly alqaeda in iraq, sent operatives into syria to establish a foothold. In this political framework, the group maintains a position of. Syria volume of alqaeda propaganda forecasts syrian. Download the backgrounder figure 1 fighters from hts train in idlib province, syria. Al qaeda and isis internet brainwashing manual business. Al qaeda, cia, operation cyclone, usama bin laden ultimate. The base to global database a history of strategic virtualisation73. Shia, the iraqi and syrian regimes, and secular, pro. Bashar al jaafari noted sc being turned into a platform for north atlantic treaty organization to support turkish aggression against syria.