Meet the Haqqani network. They are sophisticated, with immense political influence and allied with the Taliban. Meaning, they are eager to destabilize the Afghan government.
They have tried (unsuccessfully) to assassinate president Hamid Karzai. They bombed the Indian Embassy, killing 41, and attacked a luxury hotel in 2008. This year, they stormed government buildings in southeast Afghanistan. From The Christian Science Monitor:
The group is active in Afghanistan’s southeastern provinces – Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Logar, and Ghazni. In parts of Paktika, Khost, and Paktia, they have established parallel governments and control the countryside of many districts. “In Khost, government officials need letters from Haqqani just to move about on the roads in the districts,” says Hanif Shah Husseini, a parliamentarian from Khost.
The kicker? The leader of this insurgent group, Jalaluddin Haqqani, was financed by Charlie Wilson (yes, that Charlie Wilson) and the CIA during the Afghan-Soviet war in the 80’s.
By default, the Taliban and the founding members of al-Qaeda were supported by the US in order to fend off communist Russia. Once the war was over, the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, al-Qaeda had money and training to build their network, and Haqqani split from the Taliban due to political differences and created his own mini-army. Haqqani did not want to take sides after the US began fighting in Afghanistan in 2001, but because he was protecting and transporting al-Qaeda fighters out of the country, the US didn’t see him as neutral.
His son, Siraj, is now in command. He has taken credit for the assassination attempt on Karzai and the innovative use of suicide bombers. His ties are those of his father: Pakistani Taliban, Afghan Taliban, foreign fighters, and the respect of many of Pakistan’s top officials.
The Haqqani network has two major advantages over other insurgent groups: the often-rumored support of Pakistan’s intelligence (ISI) when coordinating elaborate attacks, and the youth of their members. Their will is not favorable to Americans, either.
“The majority of Haqqani fighters are young,” says the former Haqqani commander, “and their fathers had fought for Haqqani during the Russian jihad.” Many joined after the Afghan government and the Americans failed to live up to their promises, he adds.
The seeds sowed in the 80’s are just blooming. One can only wonder what the seeds of today will bring in another 20 years.
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Tags: afghanistan · al qaeda · haqqani · pakistan · terrorismNo Comments
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