The clash between terror organisations – Hafiza Nur Adeen

Source http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/the-clash-between-terror-organisations-hafiza-nur-adeen

In February 2014, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the current leader of terror group al-Qaeda, announced publicly that it has cut off ties with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) due to differences in the ideological banner of takfirism.

Isis reincarnated the version of takfirism into “takfir muayyan”, which is to brand the dissidents and critics as infidels and thus deserving of death as a punishment.

This is in contrast to “takfir am”, the counter-doctrine that rejects collective punishment and requires the examination of individual sins which is more acceptable in the eyes of al-Qaeda.

Zawahiri has pursued the first Isis founder, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, after the so-called “caliph” of Isis pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda.

It is indeed tempting for al-Qaeda to ignore the success of Isis when it captured the main cities of Iraq – Ramadi, Baghdad, Kirkuk, Fallujah, Mosul, Tal Afar, Tikrit, Hawija, Haditha Ram, Qaim – and Syria's Raqqa and Aleppo.

With the oil smuggling activities and the capture of Mosul in 2014, Isis has managed to raise cash and fund assets worth US$2 billion (RM8.6 billion), making it the richest terror organisation in the world.

Just a few months before the capture of Mosul, al-Qaeda's decision to denounce Isis has caused spark and division among the militant groups worldwide. This article argues that this is the best moment to pursue the soft counter-insurgency since the rift in these two factions makes them more vulnerable.

Although the jihadist splinter groups have begun as early as 2012 with Jabhat an-Nusra, another one of the influential militia wing in Syria, pledged their allegiance towards al-Qaeda, the other militant organisations across the world has to pick their side.

Being rich does not mean that you can win in everything although you have the leverage to control the game.

In Southeast Asia, Abu Bakar Bashir, the leader of Jemaah Anshorul Tauhid (JAT), wing of Jemaah Islamiyyah (JI) though initially was reluctant to recognise Isis finally swore his “bai'ah” towards Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi, the new Isis caliph following the fall of Mosul and the installation of Shariah laws in its territory.

He had thought that his people would follow suit. But it caused another splinter and most of his members left and set up a new camp under al-Qaeda's affiliation, Jama'ah Anshorul Shariah (JAS).

Contrary to the militias in southern Philippines, the black flag movement seemed popular. The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Abu Sayyaf group, the Pawas group and the newest wing, Jemaah Islamiyyah Philippines (Ansar Khalifah Sarangani) has pledged their allegiance towards Isis.

Another splinter, Rajah Soleiman Movement (RSM) swore their “ba'iah” towards al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsular (Aqap) based in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Although the relations between al-Qaeda and Isis have been counter-productive, the official split between two of the largest terrorist movement would lead to two predicaments.

First, in terms of mobilisation, network and funding, both groups are competing their influence over networking. With the debate on the concept of “takfir” becomes the mantra of the day, al-Qaeda is likely to win the heart of the militias network.

Those who are chasing the access for money and strong credentials support will most likely to join Isis.

Second, if the counter-terrorism strategy is still swimming under the old ocean, both groups could revolutionise and grow even stronger.

This is 2015 – and we're no longer in the days of 9/11 where the images of terror are singular. The clash of the terrorist and militias network should be a hint to the policymakers on the potential of strategic opportunities to control the threat of the current phenomenon.

Counter-terrorism strategies need to be redefined to incorporate these changes as a leverage for policymakers to defeat both of major groups, al-Qaeda and Isis. – November 1, 2015.

* Hafiza Nur Adeen is a lecturer at University Malaysia Sabah.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.