Post Osama Bin Laden, various groups affiliated with al-Qaeda are still adapting their tactics and seeking new targets, while retaining the ability to conduct deadly strikes
The United Nations (UN) in a report said, although Osama Bin Laden’s successor as the leader of al-Qaeda has struggled to unite its various factions, the terrorist group remains an evolving threat.
The report, delivered to the UN Security Council by a group of experts, said al-Qaeda’s Egyptian leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri had failed to rebuild the group’s core leadership in Pakistan.
However, it said various groups affiliated with al-Qaeda are still adapting their tactics and seeking new targets, while retaining the ability to conduct deadly strikes.
Moreover, while the French-led military operation in Mali and an African Union campaign in Somalia have pushed back al-Qaeda militants, the Syrian civil war has seen hundreds of foreign volunteers join the cause there.
“Al-Qaeda and its affiliates are more diverse and differentiated than before, united only by a loose ideology and a commitment to terrorist violence,” the report said.
“A fragmented and weakened al-Qaeda has not been extinguished,” it said, adding, “the reality of al-Qaeda’s diminished capabilities and limited appeal does not mean that the threat of al-Qaeda attacks has passed.
“Individuals and cells associated with al-Qaeda and its affiliates continue to innovate with regard to targets, tactics and technology.”
The UN report tallies with claims made by US officials, including President Barack Obama, that so-called “core al-Qaeda” has been weakened since Bin Laden’s death in May 2011, while its regional wings continue to fight.
However, it also flies in the face of reports that a security alert declared for US missions in West Asia was triggered when Zawahiri contacted al-Qaeda’s regional commanders and ordered an attack.
Inside story of the National Stock Exchange’s amazing success, leading to hubris, regulatory capture and algo scam
Fiercely independent and pro-consumer information on personal finance.
1-year online access to the magazine articles published during the subscription period.
Access is given for all articles published during the week (starting Monday) your subscription starts. For example, if you subscribe on Wednesday, you will have access to articles uploaded from Monday of that week.
This means access to other articles (outside the subscription period) are not included.
Articles outside the subscription period can be bought separately for a small price per article.
Fiercely independent and pro-consumer information on personal finance.
30-day online access to the magazine articles published during the subscription period.
Access is given for all articles published during the week (starting Monday) your subscription starts. For example, if you subscribe on Wednesday, you will have access to articles uploaded from Monday of that week.
This means access to other articles (outside the subscription period) are not included.
Articles outside the subscription period can be bought separately for a small price per article.
Fiercely independent and pro-consumer information on personal finance.
Complete access to Moneylife archives since inception ( till the date of your subscription )
