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Just a Tiny Minority of Extremists traversing what has become known as the "Al Qaeda Pipeline" between Pakistan and Britain. "The Regathering Storm," by Sami Yousafzai, Ron Moreau And Mark Hosenball for Newsweek:
Dec. 25, 2006 - Jan. 1, 2007 issue - For the past year, a secret has been slowly spreading among Taliban commanders in Afghanistan: a 12-man team of Westerners was being trained by Al Qaeda in Pakistan for a special mission. Most of the Afghan fighters could rely only on hearsay, but some told of seeing the "English brothers" (as the foreign recruits were nicknamed for their shared language) in person. One eyewitness, a former Guantánamo detainee with close Taliban and Qaeda ties, spoke to NEWSWEEK recently in southern Afghanistan, demanding anonymity because he doesn't want the Americans looking for him. He says he met the 12 recruits in November 2005, at a mud-brick compound near the North Waziristan town of Mir Ali. That was as much as the tight-lipped former detainee would divulge, except to mention that Adam Yahiye Gadahn, the notorious fugitive "American Al Qaeda," was with the brothers, presumably as an interpreter.
Another Afghan had more to say on the subject. Omar Farooqi is the nom de guerre of a former provincial intelligence chief for the Taliban; he now serves as the Taliban's chief Qaeda liaison for Ghazni province, in eastern Afghanistan. He says he spent roughly five weeks this past year helping to indoctrinate and train a class of foreign recruits near the Afghan border in tribal Waziristan, and among his students were the English brothers. The 12 included two Norwegian Muslims and an Australian, along with nine British subjects, says Farooqi. Their mission, Farooqi told NEWSWEEK, will be to act as underground organizers and operatives for Al Qaeda in their home countries—and their yearlong training course is just about finished.
U.S. and British security agencies have known this threat would come sooner or later. While saying he could not confirm the English brothers' case specifically, a spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office (unnamed as a matter of standard policy) calls it "common knowledge" that jihadist recruits have been traveling from Britain to Pakistan for indoctrination and training. The existence of a Qaeda pipeline between those two countries has grown harder to deny with every new terrorism story that has broken since the suicide bombings in London that killed 52 subway and bus passengers on July 7, 2005. Each new case that emerges features at least one or two suspects with ties to Pakistan—such as an alleged plot that began before 9/11 to bomb financial buildings in New York, Newark, N.J., and Washington, and this past summer's alleged plot to blow up airline flights from Britain to the United States.
[...]
American intelligence officials tell NEWSWEEK that their people are definitely concerned about terror suspects and operatives shuttling back and forth between Britain and Pakistan. One particular worry is that under current practice, British visitors to the States are not required to apply in advance for temporary visas, which are routinely granted to any British passport holder who is not on a watch list. In other words, the door is wide open for Britain's growing ranks of young jihadists, even those who have attended Qaeda training camps, if they are unknown to intelligence agencies. U.S. officials are discussing how the visa system could be tightened. "For the most effective background checks on passengers, the United States needs information and assistance from the country where the traveler resides," says Homeland Security Department spokesman Russ Knocke, adding that such help should be "routine."
While the Americans talk, Al Qaeda is pressing on with its training plans, Farooqi says. He confidently described those plans to a NEWSWEEK correspondent at a mud-brick house in Paktia province, not far from the Pakistan border, mentioning the English brothers almost in passing as an example of the jihad's recent successes. The specifics of his story could not be independently corroborated. But one gunman among the dozen or so guarding the house, with most of his face hidden by a black-and-white kaffiyeh, appeared to be a European with light -colored eyes; Farooqi later confirmed that the guard was one of the brothers. An open notebook lay on the carpet where Farooqi sat, and the NEWSWEEK correspondent caught a fleeting glimpse of scrawled names and phone numbers, including several that were preceded by the United Kingdom's country code: 44.
Farooqi says he first met the brothers, all of them in their 20s, soon after they reached Waziristan in October 2005. He recalls one of them, known as Musa, telling him that the 7/7 bombings in London "were just a rehearsal of bigger acts to come." A few, he couldn't say how many, had arrived in Pakistan by air, but most had taken a clandestine overland route across Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, escorted by a network of professional smugglers. As NEWSWEEK has reported previously, Al Qaeda uses the same underground railroad to transport Iraqi bombmakers and insurgent trainers to share their skills with Taliban fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
According to Farooqi, the brothers' travel arrangements were made by Abdul Hadi al-Iraqi, one of Al Qaeda's top operations men and a liaison with insurgents in Iraq. (His name has also cropped up in an ongoing British criminal trial in which seven London-area defendants of Pakistani descent are accused of conspiring to bomb British targets with homemade explosives. Prosecutors have alleged that Abdul Hadi's deputy even visited Britain and prayed at a mosque near London with one of the suspects.) The transcontinental journey took a month to complete, but Farooqi claims the brothers left no official traces of their passage, slipping past every border-control post without showing any travel documents. Once they get home, there may be no record that they ever visited Pakistan.
[...]
Farooqi says the recruits were taught a wide variety of subjects, from religious and ideological doctrine to the art of molding, assembling and detonating state-of-the-art Iraqi-style shaped-charge IEDs. They learned how to make and use suicide-bomb vests, how to rig car bombs, how to motivate other men to sacrifice their lives for the jihad and how to maintain communications with Al Qaeda on the Afghan-Pakistani frontier. They're not meant to be suicide bombers themselves, Farooqi says; they are far too valuable to waste. The recruits that M.I.5 was tracking also seemed bound for bigger things than cannon fodder.
The English brothers completed their Waziristan stay in October, Farooqi says, but before going home, they had one final assignment. Their Arab handlers separated them into several smaller groups and sent them into Afghanistan to see the jihad firsthand, embedded with Taliban units in Khowst and Paktia provinces. The unit commanders were warned to avoid putting them in any danger. After that, the brothers were supposed to return to Britain the same way they got to Pakistan. That means most of them could be getting home any day now—if they aren't there already.
Posted by Marisol at December 18, 2006 7:51 AM
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And Christians are taught to pray for salvation, care for the sick and elderly, aid the poor, and abide by the Ten Commandments (excellant rules for life).
Heyyy Mr Musliman, never forget Christians can fight too.
Not only are terror tactics taught in Afghanistan, undercover activities have proven such tactics are also taught in Mosques worldwide.
Mosques are but a den of snakes and deserve to be watched closely.
Posted by: exsgtbrown![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 18, 2006 8:18 AM
Until members of the West, and especially the United States, have the moral fortitude to condemn Islam on the scale that we have and do Communism, we shall never be able to stop the threat of mass destruction from traitors that will grow right in our midst. Islamists put their loyalties first and foremost with their "religion" and not with their own nations -- least of all with Western, predominantly Judeo-Christian nations.
It is nothing short of cultural and national suicide for our countries to continue down this road of complacency, apathy, appeasement, cowardice and historical ignorance.
Posted by: Foehammer at December 18, 2006 8:19 AM
For perfect terrorists, one must find a perfect solution:
Assassination.
(as long as it's not just a perfect story, kinda like an urban legend, like man-created global warming)
Posted by: dgene at December 18, 2006 8:50 AM
Wonderful how "the brothers" get to go to and fro unhindered. Even more wonderful is the fact that a former Gitmo guy is somewhat involved in all this.
Does anyone in London and Washington have a damn clue anymore? Isn't there such a crime as treason anymore? This so called war on terror is little more than a farce-never has any war been fought in such an incredibly stupid, self defeating way.
500 years from now people will be astounded at all this-assuming there are any people left by then.
at December 18, 2006 9:26 AM
And just where would you prefer the Gitmo prisoners to be, In Gitmo? or just released as they are "wrongfully imprisoned". More than on of the many released Gitmo alumni have returned to fight (not on our side,nonetheless).
There are amongst us who argue that Imprisoning Islamic terrorists is just wrong.
They fail to see the truth as to the true nature of the enemy. And to make matters worse they demand we give these prisoners "rights". Perhaps these people have never seen what happens to those unfortunate to be "captured" by Muslims.
I find it disturbing that non Muslim westerners would be willing participants in terror.
Somewhere we have failed to educate.
Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 18, 2006 9:58 AM
for some practical reasons.
Who has joined the 910group? I have.
For people who haven't and want to contribute something to fight the threats please join.
Something big is in the making for mankinds sake.
http://civoc.com/society/?p=35
at December 18, 2006 10:07 AM
I am part of 910 Group, but even on those forums there are plenty that would prefer to walk the politically correct line. I'm tired of political correctness.
No problem though: I'll be unveiling a new, far more powerful version of my own website right around the New Year. The fight is on as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by: Foehammer at December 18, 2006 10:14 AM
Is it not time that we in the Western World admit to ourselves that we are at war with Islam? Why do our politicians speak in terms of a "hijacked religion of peace?" I attended a conference right here in my hometown of Nashville, TN which included a panel of Christians, Jews, and Muslims. One of the Christian Ministers told of his fifteen years in prison at the hands of Islamists in several countries. An Iranian cleric told us that it was the duty of Muslims to kill persons of the book and others that malign the Prophet of Allah, (peas be upon him).
When your "prophet" is nothing more than a killer and slave trader, as was Mohomed (sp?) What else can we expect of his followers. Islam is a religion of evil, which does not respect life or liberty. One need only read history, do a bit of research on this site or watch the daily news to find more than enough examples to convince any rational person.
Yes, they have and continue to infiltrate our western societies to spread their hate and message of the inferiority of "The People of the Book." Islam is a religion and political ideology of the irrational. Where does one go to meet with those that are moderately irrational? You will not find them, because there is no such animal.
That is my take, anyway. To Muslims, I implore you to reject your religion and learn the true path to peace.
Posted by: Dispeller at December 18, 2006 10:19 AM
Well said, Dispeller.
Posted by: Foehammer at December 18, 2006 10:22 AM
And just where would you prefer the Gitmo prisoners to be, In Gitmo?
Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 18, 2006 09:58 AM
I'd prefer a few to be buried in an unmarked grave.
Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at December 18, 2006 10:31 AM
Is it not time that we in the Western World admit to ourselves that we are at war with Islam?
Posted by: Dispeller at December 18, 2006 10:19 AM
... and it's not a war by our choice, it's a war started by the quran hundreds of years ago.
Posted by: Arnie at December 18, 2006 11:16 AM
I am part of 910 Group, but even on those forums there are plenty that would prefer to walk the politically correct line. I'm tired of political correctness.
No problem though: I'll be unveiling a new, far more powerful version of my own website right around the New Year. The fight is on as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by: Foehammer at December 18, 2006 10:14 AM
I believe that it will be working well soon. It's just to fast growing with to much expectation of everyone. It's in a process of orientation.
Step by step.
Official registration process is completed.
at December 18, 2006 11:27 AM
Eye for an eye should be the policy now. They bomb our subways , coffe shops etc.. we bomb their's, and so on and so forth. It's irrelevant (IMO) now that it's not the average man on the Muslim street doing the killing. We know the average man won't and is not doing or saying
( and words are not enough anymore )anything about Jihadis and in fact most good Muslims support it, so they are no longer innocent bystanders.
If the fabled moderates won't act in the name of their (alleged Peaceful)Religion then we have to do what we must.
They will only understand force, and we have to match them in that respect. either they are going to break our will or we have to break theirs.
at December 18, 2006 12:20 PM
One eyewitness, a former Guantánamo detainee with close Taliban and al Qaeda ties, spoke to NEWSWEEK recently in southern Afghanistan, demanding anonymity because he doesn't want the Americans looking for him.”
Nice to know that Newsweek is accommodating terrorist activity for the sake of their content (they would call it journalism, but it is really just the stuff that keeps the advertisements from bumping into each other on the pages of their magazine).
με γενοιτο (me genoito) that they should cooperate with law enforcement to prevent yet another atrocity when they can protect the perpetrators, and report on the carnage afterward (more and even better content).
Cheers,
at December 18, 2006 12:23 PM
Mr. Arbroath-
Protecting stories by protecting sources is far more important than protecting citizens. This is why journalism is considered such a noble profession.
Disgusting, isn't it?
Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at December 18, 2006 12:44 PM
All we need to do to gauge the threat is simply read and listen to what's being said in the Islamic world and take it seriously.
Just ask the detainees in Gitmo and other places some simple questions and take them at their word.
Willful ignorance.
at December 18, 2006 1:02 PM
for some practical reasons.
Who has joined the 910group? I have.
For people who haven't and want to contribute something to fight the threats please join.
Something big is in the making for mankinds sake.
http://civoc.com/society/?p=35
Posted by: Arnie
Thank you for the reminder. I will sign up later today. Also, to Foehammer, please let us know when you have your new site up and I will join that too. I'm taking shooting lessons and getting prepared for what is to come, since we can't depend on our government to protect us from this evil cult. I look forward to the day when we can finally strike back in full force without restraint.
Posted by: Bonniea at December 18, 2006 1:24 PM
Does anyone think that perhaps Newsweek is engaged in a bit of misdirection here? We should cluck our tongues and fret about a dozen Western Muslims living in mud huts in Pakistan while we train tens of thousands of present and future Mujihadeen "police" and "soldiers" in Iraq?
While the savages in Pakistan "train" a few Western fanatics, we are training dozens of Muslims at West Point (and no doubt at Annapolis and the AF Academy as well).
Oh well, I'm sure that there is nothing to worry about.
Allahu akbar!
at December 18, 2006 1:48 PM
Why should the West wait to be hit. We need our leadership to acknowledge that we are truly at war, not merely in pursuit of international criminals. We should reserve the right to strike first wherever our enemies are found. We should not be interested in taking prisoners, but rather in eradication. Over sixty years ago, the FBI and U.S. military intelligence snuffed out Nazi agents and saboteurs with minimal bureaucracy. After all, there was a war on. Why should the pondlife we are fighting today be accorded more consideration than these German agents received? Any combatant captured out of uniform should be tried by military tribunal,and if found guilty executed by firing squad.
Posted by: MP at December 18, 2006 2:34 PM
More dhimmitude and stupidity on parade.
This idiot proposes "hug a muslim" day.
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/article/181206/hug_a_muslim_this_christmas
at December 18, 2006 2:48 PM
I'll have to agree with Norseman, it appears that Newsweek is doing some AP style reporting. The cloak and dagger operative is a little to typecast to suit me. His story sounds phony and one way to wear down a group is to keep them on edge 24/7.
Posted by: Mike H. at December 18, 2006 3:37 PM
I love the way the press reports this as if they'rre white blue-collar joe schmoe commoners.
They're non-white...save perhaps 1 in 10,000, who either were born in the west and are citizens in name only, or scammed their way to the west and got naturalized.
Just more misleading BS by a hyper-sensitive, political-correctness-obsessed MSM who doesn't dare "racially profile".
Classic PC-philic pahblum plaguing us.
at December 18, 2006 4:24 PM
regarding Mike H's comments, i agree the truth is hard to find, but the 7/7 bombers were part of the Al Q-Pakistan connection, as was the recently convicted Borat/Barot, and so this story is chilling but not surprising.
one of the reasons we are not getting a clear picture of how bad things are is the inordinate time it takes to bring UK terror cases to court, 2 years or more, and restrictions on press coverage prior to trial mean that people lose touch with what is really going on.
the UK NEEDS to be on edge 24/7.
at December 18, 2006 5:55 PM
12 man team? I'll wager that they are going to Canada.
Posted by: Pelayo at December 18, 2006 6:20 PM
The words to "onward, Christian Soldiers.
1) Onward,christian soldiers,marching as to war,with the cross of jesus going on before.Christ,the royal master,leads against the foe;forward into battle see his banners go!
(sing the refrain,line one of verse one)
2) At the sign of triumph satan's host doth flee;on then,christian soldiers,on to victory!Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;brothers,lift your voice,loud your anthems raise.
( sing refrain)
3)Loke a mighty army moves the church of God;brothers,we are treading where the saints have trod.we are not devided,all one body we,one in hope and doctrine,one in charity.
9Repeat refrain)
4)crowns and thrones may perish,kingdomsrise and wane,but the church of jesus constant will remain.Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;we have christ's own promise,and that cannot fail.
( repeat refrain)
5)onward then,ye people ,join our happy throng,blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.Glory,laud,and honor unto christ the king,this through countless ages man and angels sing.
(repeat refrain)
Words and music can be found at http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh575.sht
Why am i posting this?Maybe it goes hand in hand with the comment in the popes speach that offended the zombie horde so much.Yes just another reminder that history repeats itself,and yes another reminder that some fail to recognize that fact.
It also ,in my opinion points to how little progress the high and mighty islam has changed.
Yes go to sleep tonight knowing that the true ending and final victor has been foretold in the True book of God ,the Bible.It is far better to feel sorry for the zombies than to hate them,satan is a powerful being over the humans and they are trapped.The foretelling of his reign on earth is told as well and perhaps the stepping up of his harvest for wicked souls is yet another example of his time running thin.
The calls come from the horde to transfer our souls from the loving God and his son to the God of death and destruction all at the point of a sword with no words other than do it or die.They cast thier own into fires of eternal flame and hatred to move themselves ever closer to a "God" that will allow them nothing but more of the same they have judged upon thier victims.
It is the duty of a christian to ask those who do not believe in God and his son to allow them into thier hearts,even if to beg so as to save thier souls from the fires that await them.
All this with the realization that we as christians will be persecuted and handed to "them" because of God and jesus his son,because satan and his followers will hate the true words so much.
Onward christian soldiers,there is nothing the horde could do to you.No amount of torture,no tactic should change your hearts away from the True God and his son for the judgement for this deed over earthly pain is far greater from the father and lasts for eternity.
Posted by: Dar al-harb at December 18, 2006 9:07 PM
I have a close family member in Afghanistan as we speak, US special forces currently engaged in highly classified "cave hunting." If this group of monsters exists -- or any other Muslim killers found, they are dead. That's the job, and the job of his fellows. There are people out there hunting these monsters down, believe me. These are people who don't care about the press, about PC morons, or the child molester these demons worship. Let's pray that he and his fellows are kept safe, and his mission is successful.
He was once quite the liberal some time ago in his years before the army; after seeing his brothers come back (some in body bags), some horribly disfigured, you'd be amazed at the transformation that coming face-to-face with the evil of Islam has had on him. These experiences, too, have impact on all of us in a slow but steady way. He tells us, tells others. Slow, but sure. Every bit helps.
Posted by: Pershing at December 18, 2006 9:15 PM
This is good news, There is nothing like a 12 rat team of anglo jihadists for dispelling the myth that it isn’t the ideology that causes violence. Is Cheney pulling their strings? How can these guys be so wrong so often?
Posted by: tgusa at December 18, 2006 9:41 PM
"The 12 included two Norwegian Muslims and an Australian, along with nine British subjects, says Farooqi. Their mission, Farooqi told NEWSWEEK, will be to act as underground organizers and operatives for Al Qaeda in their home countries—and their yearlong training course is just about finished.
Islame must have found a few, weak-minded Northern Europeans willing to do their bidding. Perhaps, a history of drug-induced paranoia or criminal convictions led these morons on the path to selling out their fellow citizens.
Perhaps, we should send them a few highly-trained MI5 and CIA opertives with the requisite blue eyes and penchant for mischief. Let's just fill their dance card.
Posted by: BurkasforHitlery at December 18, 2006 10:02 PM
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