A Study of "Martyrs in a Time of Alienation" (XV)

A Study of "Martyrs in a Time of Alienation"
Part XV

In January 2008, Al-Fajr Media Center, an al-Qaida affiliated media group, released an extensive issue in its series, "Biographies of the Martyrs in the Land of Khorasan."  The book -- in the summary translation used here -- consists of 120 brief biographies of men who died in the insurgency against Coalition forces and regional governments.  The following is a brief analysis (in green) of the book's content based on a summary translation available through WNC (Dialog), see the "Introduction" post for record information.

Previous posts can be found here.  This is Part XV.

Abu−Abd−al−Rahman Bin al−Masri: His name was Sami Bin−Muhammad Bin−Fahmi Tufankashi from Egypt. He traveled to Afghanistan from Saudi Arabia to support the Afghan mujahidin against the Soviet invasion. He began his journey in Jalalabad and was described as "one of the twelve founders of what became known later as Al−Qa'ida Organization." Sami Tufankashi left Afghanistan after the civil war broke out and returned again after the Taliban took power. Like most the Taliban and Al−Qa'ida fighters, he fled to the tribal areas after the US invasion. He died when his BM rocket exploded prematurely.

After a long, distinguished career, it’s interesting that this AQ “founding father” was still performing the grunt work of firing rockets.  It suggests that the group was under severe strain during this time.

Abd−al−Rahman al−Uzbiki al−Khawarizmi: His name was Ulughbik Asta from Uzbekistan. He fled a government crack down on the Islamists to end up in Afghanistan where he joined pro−Taliban fighters. He fled to the eastern region of Afghanistan after the US invasion and was later killed in Shahi−Kot in an air bombing.

An interesting bio, because it shows the fluid character of the jihadi identity.  Members of regional jihadi groups will often be absorbed into AQ, giving persistence to the regional ones, and opening AQ to a new region of influence.

Abd−al−Rahman al−Najdi: His name was Abd−al−Ilah al−Musa from Saudi Arabia. He traveled to Kandahar, Afghanistan where he received his military training and fought in support of the Taliban in Kabul. He fled to the eastern part of Afghanistan after the US invasion and was allegedly killed in a suicide operation against a German convoy.

Another Saudi, this one chose to be a suicide bomber.

Abd−al−Rahman al−Masri: His name was Iyyad al−Sayyid from Egypt. He traveled to Afghanistan during the Taliban rule. He fled to Khost after the US invasion where he was later killed by a landmine.

Nothing to add here.

Abd−al−Rahim al−Uzbiki: His name was Qawandiq Suji from Uzbekistan. He fought alongside the Taliban forces until the US invaded Afghanistan. He fled to eastern Afghanistan where he was later killed in an air bombing.

The number of Uzbeks involved in both AQ and Taliban operations is a curiosity, and would be interesting to study.  There are staggering implications for future jihad in the region from this large a cadre of Uzbeks.  Even if NATO takes control of the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan the jihad may just migrate into other regions of Central Asia.

Abd−al−Salam al−Turki: His name was Umar (last name not provided) from Turkey. He traveled to Afghanistan where he died in an ambush against a US convoy.

Turkey has contributed a sizeable number of AQ recruits.  This cadre could pose future problems for the EU, and may act as a conduit between the EU and Central Asia in any future AQ expansionism.