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Egypt deports son of Chechen leader to Moscow

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:45:15 GMT

Egypt forcibly deported the son of a Chechen leader to Moscow on Friday despite warnings the 22-year-old student who could face torture if returned to Russia, Amnesty International said. The deportation of Maskhud Abdullayev comes ahead of a visit to Cairo on Tuesday by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, whose country has occupied Muslim Chechnya. Rights group Amnesty International said Abdullayev, son of leader Supyan Abdullayev, was deported on a flight to Moscow along with another fellow Chechen, both arrested in May. Egypt had deported four other Chechens on Thursday to Moscow. "The Egyptian authorities are again returning people to countries where they would be at risk of torture in total disregard to the principle of non-refoulement," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa programme of Amnesty International. "We fear more students might be detained in Egypt and face the same risk of deportation," she added in a statement sent to Reuters. "Hostage" Maskhud's uncle, Ruslan Abdullayev, told Reuters in Cairo said he feared his nephew would be held hostage to put pressure on his relatives among Chechen fighters to surrender. "If a father, brother or cousin is in the (Chechen) resistance, the Russian authorities take a relative, a young man, a father, they take him and order the (fighter): 'Hand yourself over, or I'll kill (him),'" Ruslan said. He added that Maskhud left Chechnya as a child and had nothing to do with the conflict there. "He never broke the law, in Russia, Chechnya or Egypt. He has nothing to do with those things. He's just a young man studying here," Ruslan said. The Chechens Egypt is deporting were students at Cairo's al-Azhar University and all claimed refugee status in Azerbaijan before moving to Egypt to study, according to Amnesty. They have not been allowed to fly to Azerbaijan. Amnesty said about 35 Muslim students, mainly from the provinces of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan, were arrested in May during a wave of detentions of foreign students at al-Azhar. A spokeswoman for the U.N. refugee agency said it had asked the Egyptian government grant it access to the men. Amnesty says it regularly receives reports of detainees being tortured in Russia, while in Chechnya detainees are at risk of torture, extrajudicial execution and enforced disappearance. Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

Egypt deported 4 Chechen students

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:38:23 GMT

Egypt on Thursday forcibly deported four Chechen students to Russia, where Amnesty International says they risk being tortured, but a traffic jam prevented police from getting a Chechen commander's son to the airport in time to join them. Four students among dozens rounded up by security services on May 27 were put on a flight to Moscow. But police transporting Maskhud Abdullayev, were caught up in a traffic jam and the youth did not reach the airport, a friend told AFP. The rights group expressed concern on Wednesday that 22-year-old Maskhud Abdullayev would be tortured if sent back to Russia. He is the son of Supyan Abdullayev, the leader of an armed Chechen group opposed to Moscow's control of the region. "A police officer took him to the airport but they were delayed on the way by a traffic jam and the plane had already taken off," said Ruslan Mussayev. "He doesn't want to go to Russia; there's a problem for him there," Mussayev said of Abdullayev, who he said is now due to fly on Friday. Maskhud's uncle, Ruslan Abdullayev, told Reuters in Cairo Maskhud and another student, identified by Amnesty as Akhmad Azimov, missed their flight to Moscow because the police transporting him were caught up in a traffic jam and the youth did not reach the airport on time. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is due in Egypt for talks on Tuesday, but Ruslan said he did not believe his nephew's deportation was linked to the visit. The two students had been asked to buy new tickets for a later flight to Moscow, but did not have enough money, Ruslan said, adding they would probably be deported on Friday. Speaking via a translator, Ruslan said he feared his nephew would be held hostage to put pressure on his relatives among Chechen rebels to surrender. "If a father, brother or cousin is in the (Chechen) resistance, the Russian authorities take a relative, a young man, a father, they take him and order the (rebel): 'Hand yourself over, or I'll kill (him),'" Ruslan said. He added that Maskhud left Chechnya as a child and had nothing to do with the conflict there. "He never broke the law, in Russia, Chechnya or Egypt. He has nothing to do with those things. He's just a young man studying here," Ruslan said. The Chechens Egypt is deporting were students at Cairo's al-Azhar University and all claimed refugee status in Azerbaijan before moving to Egypt to study, according to Amnesty. They have not been allowed to fly to Azerbaijan. Amnesty said about 35 Russian students, mainly from the provinces of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan, were arrested in May during a wave of detentions of foreign students at al-Azhar. A spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency said it had asked the Egyptian government grant it access to the men. The students had been rounded up for suspected links to an alleged Al-Qaeda cell responsible for a February 22 bombing in Cairo's tourist district which killed a French teenager. Abdullayev, who had been studying at Cairo's renowned Al-Azhar Islamic University since 2006, was initially held incommunicado at Egypt's notorious Tora prison, London-based Amnesty said. The students all claim to have refugee status in Azerbaijan but the Egyptian authorities insisted they return instead to Russia where they face torture or other ill-treatment, Amnesty said. It added that four other students arrested at the same time were deported to Russia on June 9, where Russian and Chechen security forces handcuffed them and took them away on arrival. One of the four has since disappeared and is believed to have been moved to Chechnya. Amnesty says it regularly receives reports of detainees being tortured in Russia, while in Chechnya detainees are at risk of torture, extrajudicial execution and enforced disappearance. Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

İmkan-Der: Free Chechen refugees

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:33:35 GMT

Egyptian Government Still Committing Crime of Collaborating! �� Free Chechens Immediately! Prior the visit of Barack Obama, President of USA to Egypt within the framework of new Middle eastern plan, Egyptian Government arrested 198 people on a pretext of "precaution", the majority of whom being Caucasian origin, of 4 of whom were deported to Russia on June 9, quite and retiring. A Chechen citizen among those who deported was handed in by the intelligent service personnel, backed by Russia, waiting at the Russian Airport. Egyptian Government has also decided to deport further 6 Chechens, among those Caucasian Refugees to Russia, 2 of whom are women. Zena Mustapaeva and Zalina Tarzaeva, the spouses of two Chechen martyrs of Chechen Independent war, along with Muhammad Amin Adihajiyev, Usam Ahmedov, Ahmed Azimov and Maskhud Abdullayev, the students in Egypt, whose families took part in the war against Russian invasion in Chechnya, are kept in prison in one of the military prison in Egypt to be deported to Russia. Contrary to all International Conventions and Practices, Egypt Government intends to deport Chechen refugees to intruder Russian Government, who are asylum of Egypt. Mubarak management declines to provide any statement on the ground of the deportation of those Chechens to Russia, who are innocent and thus enjoying the permission to reside in Egypt. We are concerned about the health conditions of the refugees who are deprived of visit by their families and attorneys. Human Right Organizations have already announced that the refugees deported by Azerbaijan to Russia were maltreated and one of hem was killed by the torture in the prison. Considering the criminal past of Kadyrov management backed by Russia on the torture, the treatment to be deserved for the Chechen Refugees is quite evident, if they are deported to Russia. In his statement to the state television, Chechnya President Ramazan Kadyrov, a Russian collaborator bluntly said: "In no case the family members of Islamic resisters will be excused and they will be buried 3 m underground." Now Egyptian Government is willing to deport the relatives of the resisters to such a sadist person! Mubarak Management's collaboration has already been observed when the border gates were closed during Israel's attack to Gaza. Now the same management follows the similar collaborating attitude toward to Chechen Refugees. Given such a disgusting behavior, we call our people to be careful about Egyptian management and request Egyptian and Turkish people to back their Chechen brothers! All members of media and our people are invited to the press release to be delivered to remind Egyptian Arab Republic and Foreign Ministry of Republic of Turkey their responsibilities to prevent deportations. �� Location: In Front of Fatih Post Office. �� Date: June 18, Thursday�� Time: 11:00 am İmran Abdulazimov Board of Trustee, İmkan-Der (Defend Human and Brothership Association)� İMKANDER Ertuğrul Gazi Cad. Uğur İş Merkezi No:23/35 Başakşehir İstanbul TURKEY Tel&Fax:+90 212 488 6606, +90 535 964 5736 Web: www.imkander.org Kavkaz Center

Egypt plans to deport son of Chechen rebel leader

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:24:22 GMT

Egypt plans to deport the son of a Chechen rebel leader and five other Chechens to Russia, Amnesty International said on Wednesday, expressing concern they may be tortured on their return. The rights group said Egypt intends to forcibly return 22 year-old Maskhud Abdullaev to Moscow on Friday, along with five other Chechen students who attended Cairo's al-Azhar University. The Egyptian Interior Ministry directed inquiries to the Office for Emigration and Passports, which confirmed six Russian nationals were being held there and would be deported on Friday. Amnesty said all claimed refugee status in Azerbaijan before moving to Egypt to study. Their requests to be flown to Azerbaijan have been denied, Amnesty said. Amnesty said around 35 Russian students, mainly from Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan, were arrested in late May during a wave of detentions of foreign students at Al Azhar. The group said four other Russian nationals arrested in the blitz aimed at foreign students suspected of links to a bomb attack in February were deported last week, and the location of one remains unknown. Abdullaev is the son of Supyan Abdullaev, the leader of an armed Chechen group opposing to Moscow's control of the region. In addition to calling for the students to not be forcibly returned, Amnesty said Egypt should grant them access to lawyers of their choice and representatives from the U.N. refugee agency. Egypt has this year deported up to 1,200 African migrants, including at least 64 Eritreans despite concerns they could face torture at home. Egyptian police have shot and killed 28 African migrants in 2009, mostly on the border with Israel. Source: Reuters Kavkaz Center

David Patraeus: situation in Afghan is worsening

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:47:27 GMT

Attacks of Mujahideen in Afghanistan have spiked to its highest levels since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the general in charge of US forces in the Middle East and Central Asia says. General David Patraeus, the head of US Central Command, said the number of attacks in the country spiked to its highest point last week, and he predicted that the trend was very likely to continue. "The past week was the highest level of security incidents in Afghanistan's history, at least that post-liberation history," Petraeus told a forum in Washington DC on Thursday. "There are some tough months ahead. Some of this [violence] will go up because we are going to go after their sanctuaries and their safe havens as we must," he said. Attacks soared by 59 per cent to 5,222 incidents from January to May, compared with 3,283 attacks in the first five months of 2008, according to US military officials and excerpts of a report by Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf). There were 1,450 attacks in May, according to Isaf, surpassing the 1,400-mark for only the second time since January 2007. The last time monthly attacks topped 1,400 was last August. More troops, more attacks The spike has corresponded with the arrival of more US troops as part of Barack Obama's strategy on Afghanistan. The US president is pouring thousands more troops into Afghanistan as part of a larger strategy to roll back Taliban influence and stabilise the war-torn nation. Petraeus, who formerly commanded US troops in Iraq, is overseeing the military portion of the Obama strategy. The US has already increased its military presence in Afghanistan to 56,000 troops, from about 32,000 in late 2008, and Petraeus said he expects to see a total 68,000 troops in the war zone in the second half of this year. Analysts have warned that the Obama strategy could lead to sharply higher US casualty rates, potentially diminishing support for the war at home as members of congress head into mid-term elections in 2010. Military officials blame the increase partly on a mild winter, which allowed Taliban and other fighters to cross freely into Afghanistan from havens in Pakistan. But rising violence was also driven by heightened Nato and Afghan military operations, which increased by about one-third from January to May, Isaf said. Civilian deaths Meanwhile, the US military has launched an investigation into claims that civilians were killed in an air raid in Afghanistan's western Ghor province. An Afghan official said 10 civilians, including five children, were killed in the attack in the Shahrak district on Tuesday, along with 12 Taliban fighters. The US military said the attack was aimed at Mullah Mustafa, an alleged Taliban commander. It initially claimed to have killed him, but said in a statement on Thursday that "credible reports surfaced that Mustafa survived the attack". "A thorough review of intelligence and surveillance supports initial reports that all killed in the strikes were legitimate enemy targets," the statement said. "In addition, we are working closely with Afghan partners to investigate unconfirmed reports of civilians among Mustafa's party." Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

Clashes in Uzbek's Andijan town

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:34:38 GMT

A group of armed men attacked a police station and exchanged gunfire with security forces in a small eastern Uzbekistan town near the Kyrgyzstan border, witnesses and Kyrgyz border officials have said. Circumstances of the shooting in the town of Khanabad were unclear and there was no word on casualties. Authorities in Uzbekistan, Central Asia's most populous country, could not be reached for comment. A Kyrgyz border guards spokesman said the attack occurred in the early hours of May 26. "We registered an explosion in Khanabad around 2 a.m.," the spokesman said. "A group of unknown assailants attacked a police station." One Khanabad resident told Reuters he had heard an explosion in the town center overnight. He said security had been tightened but there were no signs of unrest on May 26. Russia's Interfax news agency quoted an Uzbek security source as saying the attack was organized by members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), which is classified as an "Islamist terrorist group" in Central Asia. "Unfortunately they managed to escape," the source said. The news agency also quoted an unnamed representative of the Uzbek Prosecutor-General's Office as saying no one was injured in the attack. The West is concerned about stability in Uzbekistan, a reclusive nation which lies on a new route for U.S. supplies bound for troops fighting in neighboring Afghanistan. Western security analysts say the IMU was largely wiped out during U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan, but some have pointed to a possible rise in its activity in recent months alongside a parallel resurgence in Taliban operations. Three residents of Andijon, a city 70 kilometers to the west of Khanabad, said on May 26 tanks had appeared on the streets and police manned most city corners. Andijon was the scene of a bloody 2005 uprising that earned Uzbekistan international condemnation. Uzbek officials say 187 people died, while independent witnesses said hundreds of unarmed civilians were killed during the uprising. Khanabad and Andijon lie in the heart of the Ferghana Valley, Central Asia's most densely populated area, where the economic crisis and falling remittances from migrant workers have sharpened divisions among its ethnically divided people. Uzbekistan has been ruled by President Islam Karimov with an iron fist since 1989. Karimov is criticized in the West for not tolerating dissent and jailing political opponents. The Uzbek leader left for Brazil on a visit on May 26 and there was no mention of the attack in state media. Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

Somalia: Sheikh Aweys takes over chairmanship of Mujahideen

Tue, 26 May 2009 14:47:15 GMT

The leader of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has taken over the leadership of Hisbul Islam Mujahideen group on Tuesday. Dr. Omar Iman (left) said he handed over the chairmanship of the group to Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys (right) and added the group agreed the issue. Sheikh Aweys, who spoke to the reporters, said he accepted the leadership of Hisbul Islam and welcomed it. It is not known the reason behind the decision of why Dr. Omar Iman handed over the power of the Mujahideen group. Hisbul Islam comprises four Mujahideen groups and it was formed after the Somali puppet parliament elected Sheikh Sharif Sheik Ahmed as the puppet president of Somalia. Hisbul Islam is allied with al-Shabaab and they are jointly fighting against the Somali fragile government. Meanwhile, Sheikh Ali Dheere is appointed the official spokesman of Shabaab al Mujahideen On Thursday, May 21, 2009, the Supreme Council of Shabaab al Mujahidin appointed Sheikh Ali Mahmud Ragi known as Sheikh Ali Dheere, formerly the ruler of the Islamic State in the central regions of Somalia, as the official spokesman for Shabaab al Mujahideen - the Asra Army of Somalia. Sheikh Ali Dheere succeeds Shaykh Mukhtar Ribow Ali Abu Mansur - may Allah protect him. Sheikh Abu Mansur - may Allah protect him - held the position for more than two years and worked very well. For this he enjoys the respect and love of Muslims around the world. Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

Dozens of Afghan civilians killed in US air strikes

Wed, 06 May 2009 08:31:14 GMT

Dozens of Afghan people, including women and children, were killed in the latest US air strike in the war-torn country, a leading independent humanitarian organization affirmed on Wednesday, May 6, a day after the killer raid the US pledged a probe into. "Dozens of people were killed, including women and children," Jessica Barry, spokeswoman of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told Agence France Presse (AFP). American warplanes waged deadly strikes in a battle with the Taliban on Tuesday that destroyed many houses in the western province of Farah. But while the US occupation army said it was unable to confirm civilians' deaths, the ICRC became the latest among regional and local sources to affirm that scores of afghani civilians have been killed in the raid while huddled in their houses. "We can absolutely confirm that there are civilian casualties," Barry said. The Red Cross sent a team to investigate after they were contacted by locals asking for help. "Their impression was that there were dozens of dead." One of the dead was a community volunteer for the Afghan Red Crescent Society, who was killed with 13 members of his family, the ICRC spokeswoman added. Villagers brought truckloads of bodies to the province's capital on Tuesday to prove that scores of civilians had been killed by the strikes. Estimates of the deadly attacks' overall toll, however, varied widely since yesterday. The governor of Farah Province, Rohul Amin, said about 30 bodies had been trucked to his office, most of them women and children. Other local and regional officials said the death toll may have been much higher, from 70 to well over 100 civilians. Ghulan Farooq, a member of parliament from the province, said her information, based on talking to locals in the Bala Boluk district where the fighting took place, was that as many as 150 people were killed. He added US strikes destroyed 17 houses in which people huddled fearing the fight. Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

Pak's military convoy attacked by Taliban

Mon, 04 May 2009 15:47:14 GMT

Taliban Mujahideen attacked an army convoy Monday in Swat's Bari Kot region, killing one Pakistani soldier. The attack took place early in the morning, said police officer Ayaz Khan. An army officer said fighters used rocket and gunfire to attack the convoy, but security forces repelled the attack. One soldier was killed and one injured, he said, requesting anonymity. Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan claimed responsibility for attack, saying it was in response to the alleged strengthening of military positions in the region in violation of the peace deal. 'Why do you think we should remain silent if they come heavy on us? ... We will attack them too,' he told The Associated Press. Also on Monday, armed Taliban defied a government curfew and were patrolling the main town in district after rejecting an Islamic appeals court set up under a peace deal, witnesses said. Authorities imposed a curfew from 6:00 pm to 9:00 am in Mingora, the main town in Swat, on Sunday for the first time since signing the February deal with Sufi Mohammad t. �We had concerns about the law and order situation, that is why the curfew was imposed,' the head of the local administration, Khushhal Khan, told AFP. Residents said they saw armed Taliban patrolling the main roads in Mingora late Sunday despite the curfew. �It is the first time that Taliban have again started armed patrolling in Mingora,' one resident told AFP, requesting anonymity. �Do not give my name because the Taliban will find me and kill me,' the frightened resident claimed. �Once again fear is gripping the entire town.' Another resident said Taliban fighters were �again taking up positions on top of buildings' in Mingora. Security officials and police declined to comment when asked whether armed Taliban were patrolling in Mingora. Kavkaz Center

Taliban storm paramilitary outpost in Dir

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:53:41 GMT

The Taliban overran a local headquarters and captured 10 troops of the Dir Levies, a paramilitary police force, as fighting continues in the district the government claimed was secured four days ago. The military also claimed the Taliban suffered heavy casualties in Buner as al Qaeda encourage Pakistanis to rebel. A company of 60 Taliban fighters attacked a Levies outpost in the town of Dir in the district of the same name, Dawn reported. The Levies are a paramilitary police force. A Subedar, one of the senior most ranks in the Levies, was among those captured during the assault. The Taliban released the Levies personnel just 13 hours after their capture. The fighting in Dir continues despite claims from senior government and military officials that Dir was secured days ago. The military claimed seven Taliban fighters were killed during clashes in the Darmal region. A curfew has been imposed in the Madain region, a Taliban stronghold, Geo News reported. The military is shelling Taliban targets in Madain as well as in the Chakdara, another Taliban stronghold. Fighting continues in Buner as peace talks are underway The Pakistani military is battling for the fourth day in an effort to dislodge the Taliban in the district of Buner. The military continues to fight to take control of the strategic passes that lead into the district. The military claimed it secured the Ambala heights yesterday, but fighting is said to be raging for control of the ridge. The military claimed another 55 to 60 Taliban fighters were killed during fighting in Buner over the past 24 hours. Previously, the military said an estimated 50 Taliban fighters were in Buner, and another 82 Taliban fighters were killed in Dir, putting the total Taliban reported killed at more than 190. Between 500 and 1,000 Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, led by Ibn Amin, are thought to be operating in Buner. No estimate is available for Taliban forces in Dir. Despite the Taliban resistance in Buner and Dir, the government is eager to restore the peace agreement, known as the Malakand Accord. The peace agreement called for the end of military operations in Swat and the imposition of sharia, or Islamic law, in the districts of Malakand, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Dir, Chitral, and Kohistan, a region that encompasses nearly one-third of the Northwest Frontier Province. The government is in active talks with Sufi Mohammed, the leader of the banned pro-Taliban Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammed [TNSM or the Movement for the Enforcement of Mohammed's Law]. Sufi is supposed to be the intermediary in negotiations but has openly sided with the Taliban, led by his son-in-law Mullah Fazlullah. Sufi is demanding that the military end operations in Dir and Buner, and insists on personally approving the judges for the Islamic courts. The TNSM has admitted in the past it can control the violence in Pakistan's northwest, and again confirmed this. "The fighting will end automatically [after the enforcement of sharia]," said Izzat Khan, a spokesman for Sufi. "We are ready for talks with the government on the appointment of judges and a ceasefire in the region." Al Qaeda leader calls for uprising As the fighting continues in the northwest, a senior al Qaeda leader has called for Pakistanis to fight the Pakistani Army and the government. "Muslims in Pakistan, and especially their clerics, should prepare themselves and rise up to perform the duty ... of fighting the Pakistani army and the rest of the apparatus that are the pillars of their tyrannical state," said Abu Yahya al Libi, a senior al Qaeda spokesman and ideologue, in a 29-page document released on the Internet. Al Libi described the Pakistani government and military as tools of the West. "The criminals in the Pakistani government and its army have not only been a cover for the occupying crusader infidels in Afghanistan, they have directly helped them in committing all their crimes in Afghanistan and elsewhere," Al Libi said, according to excerpts provided by Reuters. Al Libi was the first al Qaeda leader to urge the Pakistani people and the Army to turn against then-President Pervez Musharraf's regime after the military stormed the radical Red Mosque in the heart of Islamabad. Zawahiri and bin Laden have repeated this call to rebellion several times since then. The US put a $ 5 million bounty out for al Libi at the end of March 2009. Al Libi was a military commander in Afghanistan until his capture by the US military during 2003. He rose to prominence in al Qaeda after he escaped from Bagram Prison in Afghanistan in the summer of 2005, along with senior al Qaeda operatives Abu Nasir al Qahtani, Abu Abdallah al Shami, and Omar Farouq. Al Libi is the only member of the notorious "Bagram Four" active in al Qaeda; the others have been killed or captured. Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

Taliban announce 'Operation Victory'

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:59:54 GMT

Afghanistan's Taliban Mujahideen Wednesday threatened a new operation against occupation troops in response to a surge of thousands of extra US soldiers due in the coming weeks. �Operation Nasrat' (Victory), to be launched on Tuesday, would also target Afghan puppet officials and international diplomats with a wave of Shahada operations and attacks, claimed a statement from the Taliban. The full statement can be read from here. The announcement was read to AFP over the telephone by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid who said it was signed by Mullah Boradar, said to be a deputy to the Taliban's leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar. �Now that America and Nato intend to send more troops to Afghanistan, the Afghans also feel the need for a more speedy and strong operation to defend themselves and the freedom of their country,' it said. About 70,000 foreign occupation troops are stationed in Afghanistan under Nato and US command in an effort to defeat the Taliban, who were in government between 1996 and 2001 and are fighting to expel the occupation troops out of the country. The United States is preparing to deploy an extra 21,000 troops as part of a sweeping new strategy to counter the Taliban and other countries, including Australia and Germany, have also pledged more soldiers. The statement warned of increased ambushes, Shaheed attacks and bombings. �Our targets will be the units of the invading forces, diplomatic stations, convoys, ranking officials of the puppet government, MPs, and employees of the defence, interior and intelligence ministries,' it said. It also called on Afghans to stop working for the Western-backed government of President Hamid Karzai and warned private sector contractors and logistics companies supplying foreign forces to halt their activities. Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

''Everyone here is happy with the Taliban''

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:11:46 GMT

"My name is Khalil. I am a Talib and I am from Swat. I have come to Buner to fulfill my duty towards Islam." So began CBS News' interview with the man in charge of the Pakistani Taliban's latest territorial expansion. Swat Valley is a picturesque region surrounded by high mountains in northern Pakistan. The government gave up the area to the Taliban (video) two weeks ago, in a peace-deal which a foreign ministry official on Thursday called "a local solution to a local problem". That local problem, however, is growing. Fighters from Swat moved into the neighboring district of Buner this week. In response, Pakistani leaders moved six paramilitary platoons into the district. "The orders to the military units are to seize control of Buner at any cost," one Pakistani official told CBS News' Farhan Bokhari. Pakistani officials wouldn't say exactly how many troops were sent to Buner, but a platoon typically consists of between 30 and 50. So, a generous estimate puts 300 additional security personnel in the district, which covers 720 square miles of rugged terrain � Los Angeles, by comparison, covers about 500 square miles. Khalil-ur-Rehman (seen at top shaking hands with locals), the chief Taliban commander in Buner, didn't seem concerned by the government's move to stem the spread of his fundamentalist Islamic movement in Pakistan. "By the grace of God, the Taliban are now in control of Buner," he told CBS News. He said most of the fighters who came to the district from Swat had returned, because their work was done. "Only a few remain here to preach true Islam." "True Islam," according to the Taliban, means strict adherence to Shariah, or Islamic law. Shariah is an ancient and extensive set of rules, derived predominantly from Islam's holy book, the Quran, which govern every aspect of society � from financial transactions to spousal rights and duties. Many Westerners are repulsed at rules which can condemn a woman to a brutal public flogging if she's "convicted" by a local cleric or Shariah official of committing adultery. "We preach Prophet Mohammad's Shariah the way it is supposed to be, and if someone thinks it's not okay then he or she is not a Muslim, and yes, lashing is a part of Islamic punishment," said Rehman. But in Buner, like many other parts of Pakistan, the federal government has never held enough sway to maintain law and order, leaving the populace susceptible to crime. The politicians have also done little to bolster the infrastructure or provide social services in remote areas like Buner. Into that vacuum, the Taliban stepped very easily. Rehman said "a few locals" tried to band together to fight the group's advance, "but they all ran away." By many others, the Taliban have been welcomed in Buner, as they were in Swat. "Everyone here is happy with the Taliban," one local man in Buner told CBS News. "The only people who are unhappy are the thieves, murderers and criminals. There is no Muslim in the world who would be unhappy with the Islamic way of life." The man, who asked not to be named, said he doubted the government would take serious action against Taliban rule in Buner. "In case they do, we have the right to defend ourselves." His use of the word "we" in the interview was telling. Another man echoed the sentiment. "The Taliban are our brothers and we are very happy that they are here," said Omer Khitab. "Taliban came from Swat and they went back, and now only a few remain who are Aalims (preachers), all the rest of the Taliban are locals from Buner." The fundamentalist movement's ability to win hearts and minds in this country is the biggest problem facing Pakistan's leaders, and their hesitant backers in Washington. In Iraq, the U.S. was able to win over many local Sunnis, who joined the fight against a violent al Qaeda-linked militancy seen by many Iraqis as foreign invaders happy to bomb innocents. That is not the case in Pakistan, as reflected by Khitab's statement that most of the Taliban in Buner are "locals." Dismantling a growing de-facto state within their own borders will be much more difficult for Pakistan's political leadership � if they even decide to make such an effort. The six platoons sent to Buner is not evidence of a serious change in policy from the appeasement thus far espoused by Islamabad. "It is an undeniable fact that the Pakistani government agrees and accepts that what the Taliban are demanding is right, and they have proved it by signing the bill (peace-deal in Swat), and it is there for the whole world to see," said Rehman (at left), the commander in Buner. Everything said by Taliban leaders to the media is a variable combination of propaganda, utter nonsense and bits of truth, and Rehman was undoubtedly overstating the warm welcome he and his fighters received. Pakistani government officials told the AP on Friday that fighters were starting to leave their base in Buner, as Rehman and the local residents told CBS. It's difficult to say whether they're actually leaving because they feel comfortable that local fundamentalists will carry on their work, or because of the paramamilitary forces sent to the region. But if Pakistan's leaders have begun to accept that large sections of their country are going to be ruled by Islamic fundamentalists � that presents a very difficult reality for President Obama. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said earlier this week that Pakistan's leaders were "basically abdicating to the Taliban and to the extremists." She urged Pakistanis to "speak out forcefully against a policy that is ceding more and more territory." The Pakistanis we spoke to in Buner, at least, make that seem an unlikely solution. Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

Swat's Taliban expand operations

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:25:15 GMT

Taliban fighters from Pakistan's district of Swat have expanded operations into nearby regions after a peace deal with the government. Dozens of fighters have been streaming into bordering Buner district to take over mosques and government offices. Buner is part of the Malakand region which has just seen the implementation of Islamic Sharia law. This is part of a peace deal with the Taliban who had been fighting security forces since August 2007. Mian Iftikhar Hussain, information minister for North West Frontier Province, said he had received reports of the Taliban expansion. Recent reports said the Taliban had ransacked the offices of international aid and development agencies working in Buner. Some employees of the agencies were also briefly taken hostage before being released on Monday. Patrols The Taliban have banned the playing of music in cars and are also using mosques to invite local youth to join them. The Taliban have also started regular patrols in the district. Buner's police chief, Rashid Khan, said the police had lodged an official complaint over the matter. But the Taliban are not mentioned in the reports, which only names "unknown persons" as the culprits. Mian Iftikhar Hussain maintains that the Taliban must disarm as agreed under the peace deal. "Even Sufi Mohammad has said that there is no reason for the Taliban not to disarm," he said. He was referring to the head of a local religious group who has been acting as the government's chief negotiator with the Taliban. "We initially adopted the path of dialogue and reconciliation, but this is as far as we can go," Mr Hussain said. "We implemented Sharia law as it was a demand of the people, not just the Taliban. "If they continue with their activities, they will not have the support of the people. "The majority of the people are now with the government. The government will not stand by and tolerate [the violation of] the peace deal." Meanwhile, the Taliban say they will continue to operate in the valley and will not lay down their arms until Sharia is fully implemented. "We told [non-governmental organisations] to stay away from Malakand division", Muslim Khan, a spokesman for the Swat Taliban, said. On Monday, he said there was "no question" of the Taliban laying down their arms. He said his movement's aim was the enforcement of Sharia law in all of Pakistan. Source: Agencies Kavkaz Center

Taliban impose Shariah, encircling Islamabad

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:20:52 GMT

Latest reports from Pakistan said that Pakistani Taliban were consolidating their hold on Buner in an attempt to encircle Islamabad. No opposition was offered to the Taliban fighters, who entered the area as security forces avoided any contact with them. Even as the Taliban began enforcing Islamic law in Bajaur region, latest reports from Pakistan said that Mujahideen were consolidating their hold on Buner in an attempt to encircle Islamabad. A senior commander said that Pakistan Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud had decided to enforce the Sharia in Bajaur and announced the same on Friday (April 10). Taliban, on Saturday (April 11), said that they would use every measure to implement the Sharia and those violating the edicts will be punished severely. The Mujahideen are also entering Buner district in large numbers and consolidating their hold in the area, which is just 100 kms from Islamabad. No opposition was offered to the Taliban fighters, who entered the area as police and security forces avoided any contact with them, locals said. Meanwhile the Aljazeeta reported that Pakistan has heightened security in Islamabad amid threats from the country's Taliban that it will take its fight to the capital. Security threats prompted schools to shut down and embassies to restrict movement of their staff on Friday. Mullah Nazeer Ahmed, a senior Pakistani Taliban commander, said: "The Mujahideen are getting stronger by the day and ... If they [the US military] continue to attack us, then our soldiers will reach Islamabad." "Pakistan and the US are losing the war against Taliban", the Mujahideen commander said. Kavkaz Center

Shari`ah Brings Speedy Justice to Swat

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:11:37 GMT

SWAT - For more than tow years, Zubeda and Pari Gul have been seeking their right in their father's property through the court system but in vain. It was only after the implementation of Shari`ah under a new agreement between the government and local Taliban that the two sisters finally got their inheritance. "We are very happy that we have got justice, though late," says a jubilant Zubeda, 25. She and her sister Pari Gul, 27, have been caught in a bitter legal dispute with their two brothers over their inheritance for nearly three years ago. They ran from pillar to post to get their right, sought every legal and bureaucratic means, including the lower court in Swat, but not to avail. "We did everything possible to get our share, but could not," says Zubeda. "We used to appear on every hearing, but every time the defense lawyer managed to get a new date for hearing on different technical and legal grounds." When the Shari`ah courts were established under an agreement between the government and local Taliban, the two sisters instantly took their case to the Qazi (judge) in Mingora, the capital of the Swat valley. "This time, we did not need even a lawyer. I wrote a simple application and submitted to the Qazi court," recalls Zubeda. "It took only four hours. This is unbelievable for me, that a case can be decided within hours." Under the newly introduced judicial system, there is Qazi courts in Swat, Dir, Chitral, Kohistan and other NWFP districts. The courts decide civil cases within six months and criminal cases within four months. Swat was an independent state governed under Shari`ah until 1970 when then military ruler General Yahya Khan scrapped its independent identity. Locals say they used to settle their issues under Shari`ah, insisting that the enforcement of British laws complicated the situation. Speedy Justice The two sisters can not believe how fast they reached justice after a long, exhausting and expensive legal wrangling. "Qazi Sahib did not go though any legal or technical procedures," says Zubeda. "He simply summoned our brothers, and inquired about details of our father's property. Later, Qazi verified the details by some of our relatives who were also present at the courtroom," she added. After the two brothers admitted they had not so far given their sisters their due share in the inheritance, the judge ordered them to pay half the amount on the spot and gave them a deadline of three months to pay the remaining amount. Zubeda and Pari Gul have already received two cheques of Rs 500,000 (7000 dollars) each. They note that even if they were to win their case at the lower court, their brothers would have moved to the high court, and then the Supreme Court, and even after that they would have had the chance to file a review petition. "It would have easily taken some 10 years," Zubeda believes. She says that not only she and her sister who appreciate the Shari`ah justice. "The people of Swat in general are happy with re-implementation of the old judicial system. "We have nothing to do with politics. Neither Qazi Sahib asked me whether I support Taliban's code or not. We simply want speedy justice". Source: IslamOnline