Ayman al-Zawahiri, Psychiatrist, the leader of the Jihad Organization

DEFENSE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS STRATEGIC POLICY January 1998

US Trade: Mubarak for S-FOR Safety?  (source)

by Yossef Bodansky

If very senior Islamist terrorist leaders are to be believed - and todate they have proven highly reliable and forthcoming - the Clinton Administration is willing to tolerate the overthrow of the Mubarak Government in Egypt and see the establishment of an Islamist state in its stead as an acceptable price for reducing the terrorist threat to the US component of S-FOR (the NATO Stabilisation Force) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. This trade-off was recently raised in discussions bet ween the Egyptian terrorist leader Dr Avman aI-Zawahiri and an Arab-American known to have been an emissary of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the US Government as a whole.

In the first half of November 1997, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of the Jihad Organisation and the Vanguard of Conquest, met a man called Abu-Umar al-Amriki [al-Amriki means the American] at a camp near Peshawar, on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. High-level Islamist leaders insist that in this meeting al-Amriki made al-Zawahiri an offer: The US will not interfere with, or intervene to prevent, the Islamists'' rise to power in Egypt if the Islamist Mujahedin currently in Bosnia-Herzegovina (B-H) refrain from attacking the US forces. Moreover, Abu-Umar al-Amriki promised a donation of $50 million (from undefined source,) to Islamist charities in Egypt and elsewhere.

This was not the first meeting between Abu-Umar al-Amriki and al-Zawahiri. Back in the 1980s, al-Amriki was openly acting as a go-between for the CIA with various Arab Islamist militant/terrorist movements then operating under the wings of the Afghan Jihad. In the late 1980s, in one of his meetings with al-Zawahiri, al-Amriki suggested that al-Zawahiri would "need $50-million to rule Egypt" At the time, al-Zawahiri interpreted this as a hint that Washington would tolerate his rise to power if he could raise this money. Thus, the mention of the magic figure of $50-million by Abu-Umar al-Amriki in the November 1997 meeting has been interpreted by al-Zawahiri and the entire Islamist leadership, including Sheikh Usamah bin Ladin, as a reaffirmation of the discussions with the CIA in the late 1980s. The Islamist leaders are convinced that in November 1997, al-Amriki was speaking for the CIA; that is the uppermost echelons of the Clinton Administration.

Meanwhile, the US has reasons to worry about al-Zawahiri's plans and intentions. While the Clinton Administration is making a strenuous effort to convince Congress and the US people of the need to keep US forces in Bosnia beyond the July 1998 deadline, a drastic reversal of a position explicitly promised to Congress, the US-sponsored government in Sarajevo is actively preparing for a military confrontation in order to regain control of the Republika Srpska by force, using US-provided weapons and training. [For details see Defense & Foreign Affairs. Strategic Policy November-December 1997.] One of the scenarios contemplated by, Sarajevo since the Autumn of 1997 envisions the use of Islamist terrorism against US citizens in order to expedite the withdrawal of the US forces in case the Clinton Administration refuses to support the Bosnian Muslim military surge.

Terrorist forces answering to Ayman al-Zawahiri are among the best prepared and trained for this mission. In the Spring of 1996, al-Zawahiri's people already constituted the most credible threat of spectacular and highly lethal terrorist strikes against the US components of what was then I-FOR. A warning issued at the time specified suicide bombing as the likely form of attack.

The warning was issued by an Egyptian Islamist using the nom de guerre Salim al-Kurshani: a veteran of the Mujahedin units who married a Bosnian woman and who now legally lives in B-H. AI-Kurshani introduces himself as the commander of a Jihadist Organisation called the "Islamic Group Military Branch in Bosnia" However, he issued the warning in the name of a new group called the Bosnian Islamic Jihad. The all Islamic version of both names are also used by Ayman al-Zawahiri.

AI-Kurshani stressed the centrality of martyrdom to his forces, and stressed his strikes would be most effective because IFOR had no defence against such operations. "I have a message for NATO forces in Bosnia," he warned. "We shall send suicide bombers to punish the United States and I-FOR for their occupation of an Islamic land!' In his statement, al-Kurshani clarified his own, and his organisations, affiliation with the Egyptian Islamist terrorist elite, particularly the forward headquarters in Sofia, Bulgaria, under the command of Ayman al-Zawahiri. Indeed, the Islamist terrorist force under al-Zawahiri's command were activated throughout the Balkans in early April 1996. Back in early 1996, confident in his ability to maintain secure and solid lines of communications to the Islamist terrorist forces in B-H, al-Zawahiri ordered the deployment of key experts capable of planning, overseeing and leading major spectacular terrorist strikes against such objectives as US/IFOR facilities. The arrival of 40 Egyptian terrorists was the first major forward deployment for this purpose. This terrorist deployment, and the Iranian shield and command support, are still in place. Meanwhile, in late October 1997, the Vanguard of Conquest and the Jihad Group issued a major communiqué which declared a forthcoming terrorist Jihad. "The Islamic Jihad against the US' world dominance, the international influence of the Jews, and the US occupation of Muslim lands will continue," the communiqué declared. This was not an idle warning for on November 17, 1997, Zawahiri's forces enacted the carnage in Luxor.

The November 1997 meeting between Ayman al-Zawahiri and Abu-Umar al-Amriki took place before the Luxor slaughter. Washington did not need a reminder to be convinced of al-Zawahiri's resolve.

Yet, even though the Islamist leadership, including both al-Zawahiri and bin Ladin, are convinced that the offer made by Abu-Umar al-Amriki was genuine and legitimate that is, on behalf of the Clinton Administration - the Islamists continue their preparations for a confrontation with the US.

In early December 1997, the Jihad group, led by al-Zawahiri, determined in a special bulletin that a battle between the US and militant Islam, in which the Jihad intends to "offer martyrs", is both inevitable and imminent. "A conflict between the Muslim Ummah [nation] and the United States is unavoidable; in fact we have no other option but to confront atheism and its ringleader, the United States, which is confronting us everywhere. With Allah's help, we know the United States well," the Jihad bulletin notes. "We also know its weaknesses." The bulletin stresses that "the United States and Israel are most vulnerable to receiving the dead bodies of their sons Therefore, the Jihad declares, "we should throw in their faces the flesh of their sons, minced and grilled. The United States must pay the price; it must pay dearly."

The bulletin stresses that al-Zawahiri's Jihad has no doubt about the ultimate objective of the forthcoming confrontation. "The Americans themselves admitted half of the truth when they said that the US' first enemy is Islamic extremism, but they hid the other half, namely that the US' destruction will InshAllah - be at the hands of Muslims." Thus, by late December 1997, it was not clear how convincing Abu-Umar al-Amriki will prove to have been. The Islamist leadership, particularly al-Zawahiri and bin Ladin, is convinced that Abu-Umar al-Amriki effectively delivered the Clinton Administration's acquiescence to the rise of an Islamist administration in Cairo and, for that matter, elsewhere in the Middle East. Yet, the latest Jihad bulletin seems to suggest that the US request for al-Zawahiri not to strike out is not being heeded. But then, Abu-Umar al-Amriki was talking only about al-Zawahiri's not striking out against the US forces in B-H. Nothing was said about transferring the Islamist Jihad to other "fronts": the heart of the US, for example.

Jihad Group

From: Patterns of Global Terrorism. United States Department of State Publication 10321

Other Names

al-Jihad Islamic Jihad NewJihad Group Vanguards of Conquest Talaa'al-Fateh [Tala'i' al Fath]

Description

An Egyptian Islamic extremist group active since the late 1970s; appears to be divided into at least two separate factions: remnants of the original Jihad led by Abbud al-Zumar, currently imprisoned in Egypt, and a new faction calling itself Vanguards of Conquest (Talaa'al al-Fateh [Tala'i' al Fath] or the New Jihad Group). The Vanguards of Conquest appears to be led by Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, who is currently outside Egypt, specific whereabouts unknown. In addition to the Islamic Group, the Jihad factions regard Shaykh Omar Abdel Rahman [Sheikh Umar Abd-al Rahman] as their spiritual leader. The goal of all Jihad factions is to overthrow the government of President Hosni Mubarak and replace it with an Islamic state.

Activities

The Jihad groups specialize in armed attacks against high-level Egyptian Government officials. The original iihad was responsible for the 1981 assassination of President Sadat. More recently, the newer jihad group led by Zawahiri claimed responsibility for the 18 August 1993 bomb attack in Cairo, which wounded Egyptian Interior Minister Hassan al-Alfi and killed five others, and the 25 November 1993 car-bomb attack in Cairo on Prime Minister Sidqi; although Sidqi was unhurt, a teenage girl was killed and 18 others were injured. Unlike the Islamic Group, [al-Gama'at al-Islamiyya] --which mainly targets mid-and lower-level security personnel, Coptic Christians, and Western tourists -- the Jihad group appears to concentrate primarily on high-level, high-profile Egyptian Government officials, including Cabinet Ministers. It also seems more technically sophisticated in its attacks than the al-Gama'at al- Islamiyya--notably in its use of car bombs.

Strength

Not known, but probably several thousand hardcore members and another several thousand sympathizers among the various factions.

Location/Area of Operation

Operates mainly in the Cairo area. Also appears to have members outside Egypt, probably in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan.

External Aid

Not known. The Egyptian Government claims that Iran, Sudan, and militant Islamic groups in Afghanistan support the Jihad factions.

Targets 12 Organizations and 18 Individuals

We have just received the following information from the White House Press Office concerning Clinton's executive order signed on Monday 1/23/95 targetting Muslim Fund Raising for organizations.

PLEASE READ AND DISTRIBUTE IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. "White House Office of the Press Secretary Fact Sheet - For Immediate Release"

EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TRANSACTIONS WITH TERRORISTS WHO THREATEN TO DISRUPT THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

"-Blocks property within the jurisdiction of the US od designated foreign persons or organizations that threaten to disrupt the Middle East (so called) Peace Process.

-Prohibits all transfers by US persons to the designated persons and organizations (listed below), including charitable contributions of funds, goods or services.

-12 foreign organizations are named along with 18 foreign persons. The order also provided 35 variations of the names (pseudonyms).

-These measures are meant to deny terrorist groups that threaten the peace process access to the US financial system by freezing any of their funds within US jurisdiction.

-These measures are also intended to preclude diversion of charitable contributions to fund terrorism activities by prohibiting the transfer of funds by US persons to these groups. -The president will soon send to congress a comprehensive anti-terrorism legislation which would strengthen our ability to prevent terrorist acts, identify those who perpetrate such violent acts, and bring them to justice.

The president's action which took effect at 12:01 this morning (1/24/95), provides the Administration with a new tool to combat fundraising in this country on behalf of organizations that use terror to undermine the Middle East Peace Process."

ORGANIZATIONS:

1. Abu Nidal (also called: Black September, Fatah Revolutionary Council, Arab Revolutionary Council/Brigades, Revolutionary Organization of Socialist Muslims! Based in Libya, Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan , Algeria.

2. Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiyya (The Islamic Group of Egypt)

3. Al-Jihad of Egypt (also called Vanguards of Conquest, Talaa'i Al-Fath)

4. Hizbullah of Lebanon (also called Ansar Allah, Party of God, Islamic Jihad, Revolutionary Justice, The Oppressed on Earth, Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine, Followers of the Prophet Muhammad.

5. Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Nayif Hawatmeh, (DFLP), based in Syria, Lebanon, Occupied Palestine.

6. Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement), Jordan, Occupied Palestine.

7. Islamic Jihad of Palestine. Jordan, Lebanon, occupied Palestine.

8. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), George Habash, based in Lebanon, Syria and Occupied Palestine.

9. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command, (PFLP-GC) based in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

10. Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) - Abu Abbas, based in Iraq.

11. Kakh, israeli terrorist group in occupied Palestine.

12. Kahane Chai, israeli terrorist group in occupied Palestine.

INDIVIDUALS:

1. Abu Abbas (or Muhammad Zaydan), director of PLF. Born 10 Dec 1948.

2. Sabri Khalil Abd Al Qadir Al Banna (Abu Nidal) Born May 1937 or 1940 in Haifa, Palestine.

3. Shaykh Omar Abdel Rahman, chief ideological figure of the Islamic Gama'at in Egypt. Born 3 May 1938 in Egypt.

4. Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahiri, operational and military leader of Jihad group in Egypt. Born in Giza, Egypt 19 Jun 1951, Passport No. 1084010.

5. Abbud Al-Zumar, factional leader of Jihad in Egypt (Imprisoned since 1981 in Egypt in Sadat Assasination trial).

6. Abdel Aziz Awda, Chief ideological figure for Jihad in Palestine. 7. Shaykh Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah, leading ideological figure of Hizbullah. Born 1936 or 1938 in Najaf, Iraq.

8. George Habash, Secretary general of PFLP.

9. Nayif Hawatmeh (Abu Khalid), Secretary general for DFLP. Born 1933.

10. Mohammad Shawqi Islambouli, military leader of Islamic Gama'at in Egypt. Born 15 Jan 1955, Passport No. 304555 (Imprisoned in Egypt).

11. Ahmad Jibril, secretary general of PFLP-GC. Born 1938 in Ramleh in Occupied Palestine.

12. Imad Fayiz Mughniyah, senior intelligence officer of Hizbullah. Born on 7 Dec. 1962 in Tayr, Lebanon. Lebanese Passport No. 432298.

13. Talal Muhammad Rashid Naji, principal deputy of PFLP-GC. Born in Al-Nasiria in Palestine 1930.

14. Hasan Nasrallah, Secretary general of Hizbullah, born 31 August 1960 or 1953 or 1955 or 1958 in Basuriyah, Lebanon, Passport No. 042833.

15. Talat Fouad Qasem, propaganda leader of Islamic Gama'at in Egypt. Born 2 or 3 Jun 1957 in Al-Minya, Egypt.

16. Fathi Shaqaqi, Secretary general of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

17. Subhi Tufayli, former secretary general and current senior figure of Hizbullah. Born 1947 in Biqa Valley, Lebanon.

18. Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, founder and Chief ideological figure of Hamas. Born in 1931. (Handicapped and imprisoned for life in israeli Prison).

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