Mullah Omar's Eid al Fitr Message
On the occasion of the end of Ramadan (known as Ramazan here in Afghanistan), Mullah Omar, self-proclaimed leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan released a seven page mini-festo which neatly capsulizes the current insurgent IO campaign. His COIN TTP seem to be identified below, however fictional/factual one may deem them to be, he seems convicted that his side is winning and that ultimate victory is inevitable (paragraph 30). General Allen's rebuttal (USFOR-A and ISAF Commanding General) is here.
Quote:
Mujahideen Brothers:
24. My Respected and beloved Mujahideen Brothers!
It is a matter of pleasure that the Almighty Allah has selected us for the service of the religion and privileged us to be engaged in the grand worship of Jihad. Your determination in the cause of defense of your religion, the people and the country and your willingness to render any sacrifice at any time, speak of your strong belief, lofty spirit, unwavering determination, love of honor and free conscious. In fact, you are a cause of pride for all the world, particularly, for the Islamic Ummah and your honor-loving people. You are the pioneers of freedom and liberation in the 21st century and eminent heroes of valor and courage.
Dear brothers:
Our Jihad and sacrifice will bear fruitful results if we wage jihad in the manner the holy prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) have waged it.
25. Pay close attention to the protection of life, property and honor of your miserable people. Behave with them with a behavior, being full of sympathy, love, respect and compassion in the footstep of the lofty characteristics and morals of the holy prophet (peace be upon him). Obtain the hearts of the people by the power of noble morals; strictly desist from the harassment of people and inform your chiefs about those who harass common people.
26. During Jihadic operations, employ tactics that do not cause harm to life and property of the common countrymen. The instructions given to you for the protection of civilian losses are, on you, a religious obligation to observe. Any violation readily incurs loss in this world and in the world to come. Therefore, I urge you emphatically to be careful about the civilian losses and take this on yourselves as an explicit responsibility, disregard of what the enemy may be doing to flare up civilian casualties during battles.
Does the Taliban follow Mullah Omar's orders?
After this incident last week one wonders if Mullah Omar's orders on treating civilians are followed? I fully accept this is an IO contest.
From the BBC:
Quote:
Seventeen civilians have been killed by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, reportedly for attending a party.
The bodies of two women and 15 men were found by the side of a road in the Kajaki district. They were either beheaded or had had their throats cut. Some showed signs of beatings or had gunshot wounds.
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19388869
Hat tip to Circling the Lion's Den for finding that the Taliban has put forward a different explanation on its website. Spokesman Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi writes:
Quote:
A secret music party was organised inside a remote house close to the wells in the desert between Roshanabad and Shah Karez areas of Musa Kala district, Helmand province because no-one can dare to do such a vile thing openly. Around 20 corrupt individuals participated in this event and boys dressed in women clothing were forced to dance. According to information gathered, the said group turned their guns on each other and killed each other around midnight after getting heavily drunk, becoming both the killers and the killed. The government spokesman of Helmand Province promptly and brazenly blamed Mujahideen for this infamous incident which Karzai and others blindly accepted. We once again call on all media outlets to refrain from attributing such reports to the Mujahideen.
Afghan boys being dressed up as girls to dance in front of drunken, gun-toting tribesmen? Makes perfect sense to me. File this one under black propaganda ops.
Link:http://circlingthelionsden.blogspot....n-helmand.html
