Al-Qaeda

Question 1

History of Al Qaeda

Answer 1

• established in 1988/9
• ‘The base’
• Global militant Sunni Islamic organization
• operates as a multi-national network
• recognized as a terrorist group by UN Security Council, NATO, EU and others
• was an organiser and involved facilitators as well
• after 2001 it has become an inspiration
• most important factor (for the change): US ‘war on terror’

Question 2

Main Ideas

Answer 2

The Western influence in the ME is bad

Fight against infidels

defend Islamic culture and values

create a new caliphate

Al-Qaeda x Taleban: has more ambition → expansion internationally

Question 3

Typical tecniques

Answer 3

• suicide attacks
• bombing to different targets

Question 4

War on Terror

Answer 4

• immediate answer of the USA after 9/11 2001
• military troops in Afghanistan (2001), Iraq (2003), Syria and Pakistan
• Damaged the structure, communication and the transportation of Al-Qaeda
• Caused fragmentation and decentralisation of Al-Qaeda (many leaders..)

Question 5

Al-Qaeda: Structure

Answer 5

• Military Committee
• Money/business Committee
• Law Committee
• Islamist study/Fatwa Committee (Fatwa: guidance from mufti or imam of what is illegal)
• Media Committee - As-Sahab
• Individual groups

Question 6

Structure: Finance

Answer 6

Hawala system

trade with: diamonds, gold, oil, drugs

donation from supporters

Question 7

Important Activities

Answer 7

1992: Yemen
1993: USA
1996: Saudi Arabia
1998: Kenya, Tanzania
* usual targets US troops or embassies, hotel resorts….*
2001: Afghanistan, USA
2002: Afghanistan, Indonesia
2003: Morocco, Indonesia
2004: Russia, Philippines, Spain
2005: Egypt

*Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, US -the highest number of attacks

Question 8

Conclusion

Answer 8

• Established as a reaction on the Western influence in the ME (1980s)
• many attacks around the world
• after the loss of the most important leaders it has became mainly the inspiration for other terrorist groups