Splits emerging in Pakistani Taliban
James Forsyth 2:51pm
Splits appear to be emerging in the Pakistani Taliban after a US drone-strike reportedly killed its leader. The New York Times says that a ‘Pakistani government official and an intelligence official said Hakimullah Mehsud, a young and aggressive aide to the former Taliban leader, had been shot dead in a fight with Waliur Rehman, another commander who was seeking to become the leader.’
As a US official tells the paper, splits within the group can be exploited by the US and the Pakistanis. Also anything that limits the Pakistani Taliban’s effectiveness is to be welcomed—the Pakistani state fully collapsing under jihadi pressure is the nightmare scenario. However, a split within the movement could give more power and influence to al Qaeda.
Interestingly, al Qaeda’s Arab fighters y prefer to be accompanied by Punjabis because they can move around central Pakistan unnoticed unlike the Taliban who are Pashtuns. The emergence of an alliance between al Qaeda and Punjabi militants would be a very alarming development.
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rmh
August 9th, 2009 5:37pm Report this commentBritain is currently run by an unelected person, unelected as in no election for them to be in charge or to be in parliament.
Al Mandelstan it is then
Fearless Frank
August 9th, 2009 6:50pm Report this commentI like the idea of rival would-be religious leaders having a shoot-out.
It would make the business of selecting the next Archbishop of Canterbury a bit more exciting.
Verity
August 10th, 2009 12:13am Report this commentThe Gunfight at the Oq'ay Khar'al.
Sounds like a plan to me ...
logdon
August 10th, 2009 9:37pm Report this commentSplits emerging in Pakistani Taliban?
Sounds like a job for Vaz al-In
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