- Jan 10, 2002
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New generation of Osamas emerging
Young and violent, new leaders see themselves as first members of different Islamic vanguard, and many are drawn to cauldron of unrest in Iraq
ISLAMABAD - They are young, violent and energised by a deep hatred for the United States, its Western allies and Muslim governments seen as kowtowing to Washington.
Leaders include Abu Musam Al-Zarqawi (above) and Fazul Abdullah Muhamad (below)
From the dusty Sahara to the jungles of Indonesia and in the cauldron of unrest that is US-occupied Iraq, a new generation of Osama bin Ladens is emerging to take the place of elders who have been killed, captured or forced underground. The new class has already written a new history of terror in blood - from Istanbul to Madrid to Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
'These are the men that are the new 21st-century terrorists,' said Mr Evan Kohlmann, a US-based terror expert.
At the fore of this group is 38-year-old Abu Musab Zarqawi, a former Osama commander who has links to terror groups from North Africa to the Caucasus.
The US authorities are offering a US$10 million (S$17 million) reward for his capture, setting him apart from the other new guard.
'Zarqawi is a jihadi fixer, with access both to funds from Gulf Arab backers and a loose network of jihadi groups around the globe,' said Mr Richard Evans, the editor at Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre in London.
Zarqawi is by no means alone among the new faces taking up senior positions in the world's most feared terror groups.
In Spain, 36-year-old Moroccan Amer Azizi is believed to have supervised the bombings in Madrid and is thought to be the leader of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group.
In Indonesia, Zulkarnaen, a former biology student, stepped up last year as operations chief for the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah (JI), replacing Hambali after his August arrest.
Another JI figure is 33-year-old Dulmatin, a Malaysian electronics expert nicknamed 'Genius'.
In the Philippines, Khadaffy Janjalani is trying to bring the main faction of the Al-Qaeda-linked extremist Abu Sayyaf group back to its religious moorings.
Janjalani is reviving the group under its alternative name, Al Harakatul Al-Islamiyah - the Islamic Movement - with recruits trained in guerilla warfare and urban bombings, say ex-hostages and security officials.
Hundreds of foreign fighters are believed to have flocked to Iraq. The presence of more than 130,000 US soldiers there means extremist fighters cannot settle in for extensive training, but there are nonetheless troubling signs that militants may be using the country as a terrorist testing ground.
Iraq is by far the most troubling spot on the globe, but many analysts and intelligence officials point to Africa as another area of concern. Across that continent, terrorists have taken advantage of weak governments and vast spaces to recruit young, poor and disillusioned men as terrorists.
Many suspected terrorist groups in Algeria and Morocco have taken advantage of Europe's geographic proximity and political openness to plan, hide and recruit.
Egyptian journalist Mohammed Salah, who has focused on Al-Qaeda and extremist groups, said men like Zarqawi and other terror 'stars' are probably not behind every attack they are blamed for.
'It is important to note that it could be in Al-Qaeda's interest to propagate certain names while others work in the shadows,' he said.
Increased risk means the life expectancy of today's generation of terrorists will probably be short.
'But these guys don't care,' said Mr Evans, of Jane's. 'They consider themselves to be the first members of the new Islamic vanguard. There will be plenty more Zarqawis bubbling up to the surface.' -- AP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abu Musam Al-Zarqawi
Former commander for Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the 38-year-old Jordanian has links to terrorist groups from North Africa to the Caucasus. Allegedly maintains ties to Al-Qaeda and believed to be leading resistance to Iraq's occupation.
The CIA says Zarqawi was the black-clad militant who decapitated American Nicholas Berg. Also believed to have had hand in March 11 bombings in Madrid, failed chemical attack in Jordan and numerous attacks in Iraq.
Zulkarnaen
Indonesian native, one of few militants from South-east Asia to have trained in Afghanistan. Stepped in late last year as operations chief of Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah, replacing Hambali after his August arrest. Believed to be about 40, real name is Aris Sumarsono.
Dulmatin
Another top new Jemaah Islamiah figure, 33-year-old Malaysian is electronics expert nicknamed 'Genius'. Believed to have designed bomb used in 2002 attack that killed more than 200 people in Bali.
Amer Azizi
Leader of Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, 36-year-old Moroccan believed to have supervised March 11 bombings in Madrid that killed 191 people. Recently indicted in Spain for allegedly helping plan Sept 11 attacks on the United States.
Abdelkrim Mejjati and Saad Houssaini
Both appear to be leading Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group operatives. Wanted for 2003 attacks in Casablanca and suspects in this year's Madrid bombings.
Abdulaziz Issa Abdul-Mohsin Al-Moqrin
Saudi dropout, 30, took command of Al-Qaeda's cell in Saudi Arabia when predecessor was killed in May 2003 shootout. Believed to have been involved in 2003 attacks in Riyadh that killed 51 people.
Fazul Abdullah Mohammed
Comorian, 30, alleged leader of East Africa's Al-Qaeda cell. Charged with planning 1998 attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Kenyan police say he planned 2002 bombing of hotel and attempt to shoot down Israeli airliner. US government has US$25 million (S$42 million) bounty for his capture. Is on list of seven people just released by Justice Department in midst of new terror scare.
Khadaffy Janjalani
Apparently trying to bring main faction of Philippines' Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group back to religious moorings. Reviving an Islamic separatist group with recruits trained in guerilla warfare. -- AP
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world/story/0,4386,253405,00.html
Young and violent, new leaders see themselves as first members of different Islamic vanguard, and many are drawn to cauldron of unrest in Iraq
ISLAMABAD - They are young, violent and energised by a deep hatred for the United States, its Western allies and Muslim governments seen as kowtowing to Washington.
Leaders include Abu Musam Al-Zarqawi (above) and Fazul Abdullah Muhamad (below)
From the dusty Sahara to the jungles of Indonesia and in the cauldron of unrest that is US-occupied Iraq, a new generation of Osama bin Ladens is emerging to take the place of elders who have been killed, captured or forced underground. The new class has already written a new history of terror in blood - from Istanbul to Madrid to Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
'These are the men that are the new 21st-century terrorists,' said Mr Evan Kohlmann, a US-based terror expert.
At the fore of this group is 38-year-old Abu Musab Zarqawi, a former Osama commander who has links to terror groups from North Africa to the Caucasus.
The US authorities are offering a US$10 million (S$17 million) reward for his capture, setting him apart from the other new guard.
'Zarqawi is a jihadi fixer, with access both to funds from Gulf Arab backers and a loose network of jihadi groups around the globe,' said Mr Richard Evans, the editor at Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre in London.
Zarqawi is by no means alone among the new faces taking up senior positions in the world's most feared terror groups.
In Spain, 36-year-old Moroccan Amer Azizi is believed to have supervised the bombings in Madrid and is thought to be the leader of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group.
In Indonesia, Zulkarnaen, a former biology student, stepped up last year as operations chief for the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah (JI), replacing Hambali after his August arrest.
Another JI figure is 33-year-old Dulmatin, a Malaysian electronics expert nicknamed 'Genius'.
In the Philippines, Khadaffy Janjalani is trying to bring the main faction of the Al-Qaeda-linked extremist Abu Sayyaf group back to its religious moorings.
Janjalani is reviving the group under its alternative name, Al Harakatul Al-Islamiyah - the Islamic Movement - with recruits trained in guerilla warfare and urban bombings, say ex-hostages and security officials.
Hundreds of foreign fighters are believed to have flocked to Iraq. The presence of more than 130,000 US soldiers there means extremist fighters cannot settle in for extensive training, but there are nonetheless troubling signs that militants may be using the country as a terrorist testing ground.
Iraq is by far the most troubling spot on the globe, but many analysts and intelligence officials point to Africa as another area of concern. Across that continent, terrorists have taken advantage of weak governments and vast spaces to recruit young, poor and disillusioned men as terrorists.
Many suspected terrorist groups in Algeria and Morocco have taken advantage of Europe's geographic proximity and political openness to plan, hide and recruit.
Egyptian journalist Mohammed Salah, who has focused on Al-Qaeda and extremist groups, said men like Zarqawi and other terror 'stars' are probably not behind every attack they are blamed for.
'It is important to note that it could be in Al-Qaeda's interest to propagate certain names while others work in the shadows,' he said.
Increased risk means the life expectancy of today's generation of terrorists will probably be short.
'But these guys don't care,' said Mr Evans, of Jane's. 'They consider themselves to be the first members of the new Islamic vanguard. There will be plenty more Zarqawis bubbling up to the surface.' -- AP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abu Musam Al-Zarqawi
Former commander for Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the 38-year-old Jordanian has links to terrorist groups from North Africa to the Caucasus. Allegedly maintains ties to Al-Qaeda and believed to be leading resistance to Iraq's occupation.
The CIA says Zarqawi was the black-clad militant who decapitated American Nicholas Berg. Also believed to have had hand in March 11 bombings in Madrid, failed chemical attack in Jordan and numerous attacks in Iraq.
Zulkarnaen
Indonesian native, one of few militants from South-east Asia to have trained in Afghanistan. Stepped in late last year as operations chief of Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah, replacing Hambali after his August arrest. Believed to be about 40, real name is Aris Sumarsono.
Dulmatin
Another top new Jemaah Islamiah figure, 33-year-old Malaysian is electronics expert nicknamed 'Genius'. Believed to have designed bomb used in 2002 attack that killed more than 200 people in Bali.
Amer Azizi
Leader of Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, 36-year-old Moroccan believed to have supervised March 11 bombings in Madrid that killed 191 people. Recently indicted in Spain for allegedly helping plan Sept 11 attacks on the United States.
Abdelkrim Mejjati and Saad Houssaini
Both appear to be leading Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group operatives. Wanted for 2003 attacks in Casablanca and suspects in this year's Madrid bombings.
Abdulaziz Issa Abdul-Mohsin Al-Moqrin
Saudi dropout, 30, took command of Al-Qaeda's cell in Saudi Arabia when predecessor was killed in May 2003 shootout. Believed to have been involved in 2003 attacks in Riyadh that killed 51 people.
Fazul Abdullah Mohammed
Comorian, 30, alleged leader of East Africa's Al-Qaeda cell. Charged with planning 1998 attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Kenyan police say he planned 2002 bombing of hotel and attempt to shoot down Israeli airliner. US government has US$25 million (S$42 million) bounty for his capture. Is on list of seven people just released by Justice Department in midst of new terror scare.
Khadaffy Janjalani
Apparently trying to bring main faction of Philippines' Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group back to religious moorings. Reviving an Islamic separatist group with recruits trained in guerilla warfare. -- AP
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world/story/0,4386,253405,00.html
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