Editorial on A Savage New World of Terrorism

The Islamist terror network has grown into a hydra-headed phenomenon. This has consequences far beyond the current arc of terrorist violence, which for the moment is confined to the regions of Asia and North Africa. But countries like India are already feeling the heat. Hence, counterterrorism agencies should not be lulled into complacency by assertions that India and Indian Muslims are insulated from, and therefore unlikely to be affected by, the new virus.

Like other viruses, this one too has several variants. The core theology remains the Saudi theologian, Abdul Wahab’s doctrinaire teachings, combined with the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood icon, Syed Qutub’s nihilistic fanaticism. Previously, a liberal dose of Salafism had contributed to the lethal violence that characterised 20th century terrorism. Now, it is the advent of a new radical Islamist breed that is committed to the supremacy of faith, and a belief in exclusionist Islamic puritanism, that is likely to result in 21st century terrorism being remembered for the savagery it practices.

Newer and older outfits

The current levels of violence should not be regarded as a transient phenomenon. It might be recalled that in late 2013, American embassies in West Asia had to close down due to a realistic terror threat from the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Russia had to face terror attacks in quick succession in the run-up to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Ever since the “Caucasian Caliphate” came into existence some years ago, Russia has witnessed multiple attacks including 50 suicide attacks. Today, there are increasing numbers of ethnic jihadi outfits, — consisting mainly of recent converts to Islam, who are in a position to supply “more and more fighters” for the cause.

The situation is getting more complicated by the day. Even as newer outfits such as the Islamic State (IS) and the Jabhat-al-Nusra in Syria/Iraq are gaining ground by adopting more violent methods and techniques, older outfits are reinventing themselves and becoming more sanguinary; 18th century ideologies not only drive the IS/al-Nusra, but also the different affiliates of the al-Qaeda such as the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab. For example, in terms of lethality, the AQAP has eclipsed the original al-Qaeda. Atrocities committed by the IS are described by the United Nations as “beyond inhumane”. Earlier distinctions between “infidels” and “believers” (including those belonging to other Abrahamic religions are becoming blurred. Nearer home, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan is reportedly preparing for another devastating attack on Indian targets. In Afghanistan, the Haqqani network continues to plan attacks on Indian missions.

Mindless violence

The recent series of barbaric attacks, from Pakistan to Australia to Europe to North Africa, confirm that “mindless” violence remains the staple of most groups. In November 2014, a suicide bomber belonging to the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) killed 60 Pakistanis on the Wagah border. In December, TTP was behind the killing of over 140 people which included 132 children at an army school in Peshawar. Three persons were killed in a terrorist attack in Sydney in mid-December 2014. And in January 2015, a group of terrorists in Paris massacred 12 people at the office of the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo; in this case, each of the targets was identified by name.

Africa too has not been spared and is witnessing a resurgence in jihadi-linked violence. In September 2013, the Somali-based Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the killing of 67 people in a shopping mall in Nairobi. In January this year, the Boko Haram carried out the “deadliest massacre” in its history, reportedly killing over 2,000 people in attacks on Baga and surrounding towns, in Nigeria. In April, in Kenya, al-Shabaab gunmen killed 147 students (mainly Christians) following a siege at the Garisa University College campus.

Yemen has become a major staging post for many al-Qaeda programmed actions. The intense Shia-Sunni conflict in Yemen provides many opportunities for unbridled savagery. For example, on March 21, in Sana'a, four suicide bombers blew themselves up during Friday prayers at two Shia mosques, killing at least 137 people and injuring 350 others. Southern Yemen has emerged as a key centre for the AQAP, from where it has planned several attacks on Western targets, and is said to be planning several more. Yemen today is an embodiment of a “failed State”, which provides facilities for terrorist outfits of different persuasions to engage in terrorist violence.

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