Osama bin Ladin documents released

Ali_Syed · May 3, 2012, 2:12pm

BBC News - Osama Bin Laden documents released

A few documents from the 6000 or so captured from OBL’s residence have been released. Some important points to note from them are:

No institutional support from Pakistan to him has been proven.

He was worried that Muslims are getting Alienated from the concept of jihad.

He was helpless in controlling his followers, and lastly he wanted his followers to stop attacking Muslim countries and instead focus on US.

Ali_Syed · May 3, 2012, 2:43pm

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

This is the link of the site where the documents have been published.

http://www.ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/CTC_LtrsFromAbottabad_WEB_v2.pdf

It seems AlQaeda was not happy with the TTP:

Al-Qa`ida Ties to Iran and Pakistan?

While not extensive, the discussions of Iran and Pakistan in the documents suggest that al-Qa`ida’s relations with both countries were fraught with difficulties.

• References to Iran show that the relationship is not one of alliance, but of indirect and unpleasant negotiations over the release of detained jihadis and their families, including members of Bin Ladin’s family. The detention of prominent al-Qaida members seems to have sparked a campaign of threats, taking hostages and indirect negotiations between al-Qaida and Iran that have been drawn out for years and may still be ongoing.

• The discussion of Pakistan is scarce and inconclusive. Although references are made about “trusted Pakistani brothers,” there are no explicit references to any institutional Pakistani support for al-Qa`ida or its operatives.

system · May 3, 2012, 2:58pm

Osama bin Ladin documents released

I think now,different terrorist orgs are termed as talibans example TTp but they’re not instead they have their own goals…

Ali_Syed · May 3, 2012, 3:14pm

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

It was only when al-Qaida lost its sanctuary following the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 that a trend of regional jihadi groups pledging allegiance to al-Qaida or acting in its name emerged.

Paradoxically, this may have been due to the fame that the 9/11 attacks generated in the jihadi world and at the same time al-Qaida’s inability to be in control of its organization after it lost its sanctuary. More precisely, it was in 2003 that the brand1ng of al-Qaida took off when Saudi militants adopted the name “al-Qa`ida on the ArabianPeninsula” (QAP).23

In 2004, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s Jamaat al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad group pledged allegiance to al-Qaida, and Usama bin Ladin publicly acknowledged the group as “al-Qaida in Mesopotamia,” or al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI). Al-Zarqawi’s group was the only regional group that Bin Ladin formally admitted into al-Qaida; others were later announced publicly by Ayman al-Zawahiri.

It is clear from the letters that the TTP was not following the AQ leadership and they were considering themselves the leaders of Islamic world.

**TTP

**
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is believed to be one of al-Qaida’s primary partners in that region. Although the TTP has not pledged allegiance to al-Qaida, it is reported that al-Qa`ida fighters active in the Waziristan region have had operational ties to factions of the TTP and have conducted joint operations in Afghanistan.159

Al-Qa`ida leaders active in the Waziristan region have also operated in the same social orbit as former TTP leader Baitullah Mahsud (and, after his death, current leader Hakimullah Mahsud) and worked together to address disputes. 160

Letters authored by Bin Ladin did not discuss at length his views of the TTP, but the few scattered references in which he mentioned the group are far from flattering.161

The documents make it clear that Bin Ladin was not informed of the TTP’s planned bombing of Times Square in New York City, a failed attack on U.S. soil attempted by Faisal Shahzad in May 2010. Bin Ladin was following Shahzad’s trial in the news and was disappointed by his performance, which he thought distorted the image of jihadis:

You have perhaps followed the media trial of brother Faisal Shahzad, may God release him, during which the brother was asked to explain his attack [against the United States] in view of having taken an oath [not to harm it] when he was awarded his American citizenship. He responded that he lied [when he took the oath]. It does not escape you [Shaykh `Atiyya] that [Shahzad’s lie] amounts to betrayal (ghadr) and does not fall under permissible lying to [evade] the enemy [during times of war]…please request from our Pakistani Taliban brothers to
redress this matter…also draw their attention to the fact that brother Faisal Shahzad appeared in a photograph alongside Commander Mahsud. I would like to verify whether Mahsud knew that when a person acquires an American citizenship, this involves taking an oath, swearing not to harm America. If he is unaware of this matter, he should be informed of it. Unless this matter is addressed, its negative consequences are known to you. [We must therefore act swiftly] to remove the suspicion that jihadis violate their oath and engage in
ghadr.162

This is not the only instance that Bin Ladin worried about jihadis violating their oaths. The letter addressed to Abu Basir in which he is asked to focus on operations inside the United States (instead of Yemen) alerted him to focus on Yemenis “who hold either visas or U.S. citizenships to carry out operations inside America as long as they did not take an oath not to harm America.”163

Underlying Bin Ladin’s thinking is a distinction between a visa (ishara), acquired citizenship — which involves taking an oath (ahd) — and citizenship by birth — which does not entail taking an oath. From an Islamic law perspective, it is not lawful to violate one’s oath (naqd al-ahd or naqd al-mithaq). Accordingly, Bin Ladin wanted to promote the image that jihadis are disciplined and conform to Islamic Law. Faisal Shahzad’s boasting that he lied during his oath not to harm the United States, therefore, is antithetical to the image of jihadis that Bin Ladin wanted the world to see.164

It is not just the lapses in the public statements of TTP that worried Bin Ladin. The group’s indiscriminate attacks against Muslims are also a subject of concern that he raised with `Atiyya. In particular, he drew his attention to an operation the TTP carried out against one of the tribes on the basis that the tribe was against the Taliban. “Even if this were to be proven, it does not justify the operation in view of the non-combatants who died, for that would contradict the [Islamic] legal basis of our politics,” Bin Ladin wrote. “I therefore urge you to continue advising TTP [to reform their ways].”165

This TTP attack was not an isolated incident; their indiscriminate attacks, including targeting Muslims in mosques, is the subject of a long list of serious concerns that Adam Gadahn enumerated in his letter.166

It was left to Atiyya and Abu Yahya al-Libi to write a letter addressed to the “respected brother” Hakimullah Mahsud, the leader of the TTP. Its content hardly reflected any respect for Mahsud. The authors did not mince words, explicitly stating their dissatisfaction with the TTP’s “ideology, methods and behavior.” These, they stated, are marred with “clear legal errors and dangerous lapses,” and unless the group changes its ways, its errors would be a “cause of great corruption of the jihadi movement in Pakistan.” News had reached Atiyya and al-Libi that Mahsud had declared himself to be “the singular leader to whom everyone must pledge allegiance and declaring anyone
who rebels against him (kharij `alyhi) or is not in his Tehrik to be a rebel (baghi).”167

In classical Islamic political parlance, dissenters (khawarij) and rebels (bughat) who renounce the authority of the legitimate imam are subject to jihad and liable to be killed. Thus, Mahsud’s announcement amounted to declaring himself to be the great imam with political authority over all Muslims, so `Atiyya and al-Libi found it necessary to point out to him that there is a difference “between the [minor] position of leader of jihad and that of great imam,” a distinction with which Mahsud should familiarize himself.168

It also seems that Mahsud or members of his group had referred to al-Qaida as “guests.” In response, Atiyya and al-Libi explained to Mahsud that “we in al-Qaida (Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad) are an international Islamic-jihadi organization, we are not bound by country or race. In Afghanistan, we pledged allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful Mullah Muhammad `Umar, [we recognize him to be] a mujahid and the commander of the faithful of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. From his side, it is permitted for us to be involved in general jihadi work…we would like to make clear to you that this description [of ‘guests’] lacks a legal basis, and that Muslims are brothers
in religion.”169

The letter concluded with an unambiguous threat: “unless we see from you serious and immediate practical and clear steps towards reforming [your ways] and dissociating yourself from these vile mistakes [that violate Islamic Law], we shall be forced to take public and firm legal steps from our side.”170

Atiyya’s and al-Libi’s letter was not the first warning issued to the TTP by the leadership of al-Qaida. In light of its rebuking tone, an examination of some of `Atiyya’s and Mustafa Abu’l-Yazid’s statements a year prior to the drafting of the letter makes it clear that their
condemnation of the indiscriminate targeting of Muslims in mosques and marketplaces was an implicit criticism of the TTP.171

It is either that the TTP was too slow to understand that these public statements were implicitly criticizing their actions or simply pretended that they did not understand.

BarbieCue · May 3, 2012, 3:17pm

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

And he wasn’t worried that Muslims are getting alienated from the rest of the world as a result of his gay jihad?

Ali_Syed · May 3, 2012, 3:28pm

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

Some information about Pakistan:

**Pakistan

**
Unlike the explicit and relatively substantive references to the Iranian regime, the documents do not have such references about Pakistan. Although there are notes about “trusted Pakistani brothers,” there are no explicit references to any institutional Pakistani support. The one instance Pakistani intelligence is mentioned is not in a supporting role: in the course of giving detailed instructions about the passage his released family from Iran should take, Bin Ladin cautioned `Atiyya to be most careful about their movements lest they be followed. More precisely,** he remarked that “if the [Pakistani] intelligence commander in the region is very alert, he would assume that **
they are heading to my location and he would monitor them until they reach their destination.”203

**This reference does not suggest that Bin Ladin was on good terms with the Pakistani intelligence community. Another reference worth highlighting in this regard, is that Bin Ladin did not appear to enjoy freedom of movement with his family.
**

**In his long list of security measures to be followed by the “brothers” to evade the eyes of the authorities, he wrote to Atiyya that it is most important not to allow children to leave the house except in emergency situations. For nine years prior to his death, Usama bin Ladin proudly told Atiyya that he and his family adhered to such strict measures, precluding his children from playing outdoors without the supervision of an adult who could keep their voices down.204

**
Bin Ladin, it was said, could run but he could not hide. He seems to have done very little running and quite a lot of hiding. Rather than outright protection or assistance from states such as Iran or Pakistan, Bin Ladin’s guidance suggests that the group’s leaders survived for as long as they did due to their own caution and operational security protocols.205

While the release of new documents may necessitate a reevaluation of al-Qaida’s relations to Iran and Pakistan, the documents for now make it clear that al-Qaida’s ties to Iran were the unpleasant byproduct of necessity, fueled by mutual distrust and antagonism. The limited discussion of the Pakistani military does not lend itself to any final determination on ties between Bin Ladin and the Pakistani state or actors within it, but Bin Ladin’s emphasis on security precautions suggests that fear and suspicion dominated his calculations.

Ali_Syed · May 3, 2012, 3:53pm

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

Al Qaeda to Mehsud: Stop attacks on Pakistani mosques, markets – The Express Tribune

**Al Qaeda had written to Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) leader Hakimullah Mehsud warning him to suspend attacks on mosques and markets in Pakistan.

**
A report published on the CNN website reveals parts of almost 6,000 documents that had been recovered by United States (US) Navy Seals during a raid on a compound in Abbottabad. Bin Laden had been killed during the raid.

In a letter written to Mehsud on December 3, 2010, al Qaeda leaders had sent a list of what was acceptable and unacceptable on “kidnapping and receiving money.”

We’re sending the attached short list on what is acceptable and unacceptable on the subject of kidnapping and receiving money. We hope that you and the Mujahedeen in Pakistan will approve it.

The report states that al Qaeda had been trying to gain control of TTP tactics and stop the “counterproductive killing” of civilians in Pakistan.

Bin Laden had taken a different stance when it came to his family, as compared to his followers. He had advised his son, Hamza, to move away from Pakistan’s tribal areas for further religious training in Qatar.

He had also advised two of his sons living in Iran to avoid Pakistan’s tribal areas if they ever leave the country.

**At the same time, the al Qaeda leader had called on his follower to move to Kunar, which borders Pakistan’s tribal regions. He had explained that “due to its rough terrain and many mountains, rivers, trees, it can accommodate hundreds of the brothers without them being spotted by the enemy.”
**

The US began publishing electronic letters and drafts totaling 175 pages from the recovered cache of documents, along with translations on Thursday.

rangoli · May 3, 2012, 11:27pm

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

this is news to me .. Al Qaeda telling TTP to stop attacking mosques.

btw, I kinda doubt the authencity of these documents!

Ali_Syed · May 4, 2012, 12:34am

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

These documents the Americans have released what they say were recovered during the raid to capture/kill him.

Amal · May 4, 2012, 1:20am

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

If Qaeda was against the TTP, why the latter announced to avenge the death of the former?

Also, did Qaeda take any practical step to stop the TTP from doing what it had been doing?

He was so Pakistani at heart Just like our leaders who never cease to lambast the US and the Europe, but send their children to study in their colleges and universities.

Ali_Syed · May 4, 2012, 1:24am

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

He had practically been sidelined from AQ since 2003 maybe because of these views which are coming to light now. As far as TTP avenging the death is concerned they already were doing that for the past many years it seems they wanted to use this as an excuse. Nothing more than that, most of us already know that the working of TTP/goals is very different as compared to AQ.

Amal · May 4, 2012, 1:52am

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

True. TTP was just trying to create some sort of synergy with AQ and use it for its own benefits. But how come they were unaware that AQ wasn’t popular among Pakistanis?

Ali_Syed · May 4, 2012, 8:32am

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

The basic reason for creation of alqaeda was to evict the Americans from Muslim lands (precisely Saudi Arabia). Many in the muslim world (extremists or not supported this point of view). AQ got a perfect environment in Afghanistan to settle in and train. From there they attacked American embassies in east Africa. 911 happened and the fame that they got as a result was phenomenal.

Jehadi outfits mushroomed through out the muslim world partly as a result of the war on terror. The figure head remained OBL but he was not in control as he was trying to evade the authorities, he couldn’t communicate with the outside world other than using trusted couriers and even that was frought with dangers.

Anyhow it seems as if the basic goal of AQ remained the same I.e. to damage American interests, and for that their synergy was to align with the afghan taleban and engage the NATO forces stationed there. In many countries some taleban/militant organizations were formed which were focused in their own countries and didn’t have any global aspirations. This is a big difference in the working of AQ and the TTP. Secondly the activities of TTP in Pakistan was alienating the people from the concept of ‘jehad’ that was another worry for him. It seems as if he wanted the taleban to stop focussing on Pakistan and target the real ‘enemy’.

His death didnt make that much of a difference to us as we were already under attack from 2007 onwards. After his killing a few attacks were carried out in Pakistan by ilyas Kashmiri’s 313 brigade like the PNS attack.

rangoli · May 4, 2012, 6:43pm

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

whts the point of releasing all these documents now? something to do with their 2014 exit?

TLK · May 4, 2012, 6:54pm

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

^ They just made it public after reviewing if in contains any more real threats.

Doppleganger · May 4, 2012, 7:25pm

Re: Osama bin Ladin documents released

In essence, the saudi inability to “defend their sovereignty” pretty much gave the excuse for AQ to gain traction in the muslim world. AQ itself has split into regional groups be it in somalia, yemen or pakistan etc, but I think the bigger threat that is giving headache to the authorities is the self-radicalized individual that has no terror history to launch attacks. The govt already spies on us and they have passed some scary “anti-terror” bills about the internet, but I doubt that they can effectively shut down the internet bar something like what they do in china. Even in china, some people have managed to avoid govt sensors using proxies etc so don’t know how this new fight would be won.