Destructive Twin Visions of ISIS & Al-Qaeda: Also featuring Suicide Bombing, Informal Banking System (HAWALA) exploitation by Al-Shabaab & Cyber Warfare

By Richard Miriti

The accurate description of terrorism is a complex phenomenon to conceptualize primarily due to the ideological interpretations. The best approach to undertake is starting by the point that the main objective of terrorism is to terrorize. This is a role that is often assumed by various regimes, a state (especially for despotic regimes), organize

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Vine Press
• Release date: Nov 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781956896046

Richard Miriti

Richard is the author of various books including The Threat of Terrorism in East Africa (2008), The Power of a Dream (2011), and Publisher of Youth for Christ Christian magazine which he did as a teenager (1999-2001). Ritchie received his education from Limkokwing University for his bachelors in business, Masters in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security from Keiser University in Florida and Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy National Security from Liberty University in Virginia. Richard is a researcher, trainer, analyst and a national security practitioner.

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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

APT Advanced Persistent Threat

AQAP Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

AQIM Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb

AQIY Al-Qaeda in Yemen

AQSA Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia

BKI Barbar Khalsa International of India

CIA Central Intelligence Agency

DDoS Distributed denial-of-service

EIJ Egyptian Islamic Jihad

GIA Armed Islamic Group of Algeria

ICT Information Communication Technology

IIRO International Islamic Relief Organization

LTTE Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

NGOs Non-profit organizations

PIJ Palestinian Islamic Jihad

UAE United Arab Emirates

CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

THE HISTORY OF TERRORISM

THE ISLAMIC STATE

Formation of the ISIS

Government Structure

Affiliates all Over the World

Use of Online Tools

Recruitment Strategies

Sources of Funding

Major Attacks

Conclusion

AL-QAEDA TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

Introduction

The Birth of the Organization

Leadership Structure

Governing Structure

Recruitment and Training

Funding

Channeling Money

Major Attacks

Affiliated Groups

Conclusion

AFFILIATES OF AL-QAEDA

The Boko Haram

History Jihadism in Nigeria

The foundation of the Boko Haram

The Boko Haram and the Global Jihadist movement

The Boko Haram Command Structure

Boko Haram Doctrine

The Al-Shabaab

History of Terrorism in Somalia

Al-Shabaab Strategy of Recruiting Kenyans

Funding and use of Hawala

Exploiting Hawala System to Fund Al-Shabaab

Al-Shabaab in Real Estate in Nairobi and Mogadishu

The Highlight of Al-Shabaab Attacks

Rising Threat of Terrorism in Other Countries

Mali

Chad

Niger

SUICIDE ATTACKS

Introduction

Suicide Attacks

History and Series of Suicide Attacks

Forms of Suicide Attacks

Groups that Highly Rely on Suicide Attacks

Suicide Attack Targets

Why Terrorist Organizations Prefer Suicide Attacks

Aims of Suicide Terrorism

Recruitment of Suicide Attackers

Training and Indoctrination

Planning Suicide Attacks

Role of the Media

Role of Women in Suicide Attacks

Factors Facilitating Suicide Attacks

Conclusion

CYBER THREAT ANALYSIS AND COUNTERMEASURES OF THE 21 ST CENTURY

Introduction

The History of Cyber Attacks

Cyber-Attacks Strategies and Countermeasures

The Cost of Cyber-Attacks

Cyber Security Measures

The E-learning Platforms

Conclusion

REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

THE HISTORY OF TERRORISM

The accurate description of terrorism is a complex phenomenon to conceptualize primarily due to the ideological interpretations. The best approach to undertake is starting by the point that the main objective of terrorism is to terrorize. This is a role that is often assumed by various regimes, a state (especially for despotic regimes), organized force, or state. Terror has been legitimized, especially in times of war, even though it is orchestrated among innocent civilians and members of the public.¹

In history, terror is linked with religion, which has been a recurring phenomenon. One of the best examples is in the first century, especially concerning the Jewish Zealots known as the Sicarii. The Zealots were considered as a murderous clique that worked towards inciting an uprising against the Romans. This was instigated by the fact that the Romans had destroyed the second temple in 70. c.c. Another example is the Ismaili sect, which comprised assassins who eliminated Muslim dignitaries between 1090 and 1272, with the blade being its main trademark.²

There is evidence of Christian sects being linked with the occurrence of terrorism. The Taborites of Bohemia and Anabaptists in the 15th century and 16th century respectively conducted their forms of terror. Similarly, the first crusade, which was active in 1095, also caused significant terror during exploits. Additionally, the messianic movements are also fueled and thrive on terror in that, in the distant future, the world will be transformed through an event that would mark the end of the world. Therefore, this end would signify the second coming of Christ, who will destroy the evil and restore the good in a new heaven. This apocalypse has close relations with the teachings, commonly conducted in the messianic schools of thought.

The messianic spirit was also carried on to Judaism in the 17th century, especially to the Sabbatai Zevi movement. After Israel’s victory during the Six-Day war, which initiated their return to the promised land, this provoked the Gush Emunim, which purposed to colonize both Samaria and Judea. Messianism also had ties to some of the modern religions in the world, such as the Protestants, who have roots in the 19th century. The Messianic movements are of the idea that Israel’s victors would be a precondition of the Parousia or the second coming of Christ.

Islam also has its ideologies, which are similar to that of the Christians in society. This is about Mahdi, which is the counterpart of the Christian messiah, central to the Twelver Shiism of Iran in anticipation of the twelfth imam. The Islam ideology is more of a violent clash between radical Islam and the United States, is often associated with immorality and oppression. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict also has a messianic dimension that has little involvement in the civilization clashes. These forms of animosity are common in various societies, such as the Great Mosque attack in Mecca in 1979, which was deemed to be orchestrated by the radical Sunnis.³

Terrorism ties with religion are mostly deemed a transcendental act, and various religious authorities justify it. Therefore, the perpetrators of terror are considered to be instruments of the divine, and the number or identity of the victims does not have any importance. Similarly, there is no form of judgment or higher cause that can affect an individual who has chosen to sacrifice themselves. Terrorism concerning religion mostly has linkages to Islam, which has political and theological issues closely intertwined. Over time, a political apparatus developed from the religious and legal realms through the Qur’an, which embodied din wa dawla (religion and state). Religious movements have almost always broken up into sects that claim to be the faithful interpreters of the sacred text. These sects abandoned guerrilla warfare in favor of terrorism, which was mainly linked to radical Islam. They are motivated by religious ideologies and to further some form of political movements.

In history, there is a variety of information related to generalized terror created by various civilizations. This is associated with the Mongols and their emergence in the 13th century, which can be correlated with the Nazism and Stalinist terror during the 20thcentury. Others include the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire during the 1915-16 period and the genocide that occurred in Rwanda in 1994. Similarly, the massacre committed against the Jews and gypsies between 1942 and 1945which will be remembered for their massacres, especially for the select groups of people. Another religious sect is legion, which spread significant terror when it was still active until it was eliminated in the 19th century.

Similarly, Thugee is another sect composed of stranglers who were initiated at an early age. These trends were passed from generation to generation, often from father to son. This group also kidnapped young children, and the young recruits were required to accompany the group of killers to watch from a distance and learn how to conduct their heinous activities under the tutor’s guidance. They eventually became fully initiated once they were in puberty.⁴ This sect worshiped a Hindu goddess of death, Kali, who they believed had created men from her armpits to help to battle demons, and she instructed them to kill without remorse so long as such acts did not involve the spilling of blood. This sect abducted and killed thousands of travelers in the 19th century until the British intervened and dismantled the group. One concept that can be grasped from such groups is that terrorism can be used as a technique simply to be associated as a tool or a means to a particular end.

Most definitions of terrorism revolve around two perspectives, including the ideologies and the implementation of the doctrines. This is similar to the association of terrorism with war, especially with the French revolution. Over three decades, terrorism was mostly linked with the Marxist ideologies, which reined through the 1970s and the1980s. These historical movements significantly shaped up the political contexts.

The context of terrorism is a phenomenon that is continuously changing over time and constantly reinventing itself. Terrorism in today’s world is primarily linked to religion, contrary to political ideologies. A majority of the religious movements are the ones expressing their demands, such as Al-Qaeda and Hamas, which combine political and other aspirations (such as the destructions of Israel and the United States) which serve as a practical approach towards recruitment which is also adopted by other movements such as the Boko Haram and the Al-Shabaab. It is imperative to note that Palestinian terrorism was primarily linked to political issues in the early stages. Still, it later transitioned to religiosity in the 1980s, especially after the Iranian revolution. In this phase, terrorist organizations were mostly described as being in opposition to the state. However, terrorism is also associated with bending an adversary’s capacity to respond or to resist.⁵

Another type of terrorism is state terrorism, supported by individual governments (such as Libya and Iran) to terrorist groups. This type of terrorism is commonly known as state-sponsored terrorism. This approach is usually shared among totalitarian regimes that express their dislike for a particular foreign country. This form of terrorism is common with Iran support in destabilizing Yemen. Iran has continuously funded and armed Houthi rebels in fighting Yemeni legitimate government. It is an approach that is most commonly used to cause terror to civilians and to force the government to comply with terrorist demands.

Additionally, the distinction between the top-bottom and bottom-up forms of terrorism is often blurred as some terrorist leaders have taken up key government positions such as Lenin, who took power in Russia.⁶ Violence is often considered to be legitimate only if the state practices it. There is usually little consideration of individuals who resort to such approaches as a last measure against the oppressive. The legitimacy of terrorism is generally dependent on the objectives of the terrorists or the cause behind such activities. The liberation that occurred in the 1950s and 1960s is usually considered positive terrorist activities towards liberating oppressed individuals. This is primarily attributed to the fact that the agents of terrorism bear no regrets as their actions are deemed justified or a just war.

Political terrorism also evolved as a result of the enlightenment that occurred in the 19th century. This can mainly be captured in the case of the Russian populists who renowned for using this approach. This form of terrorism usually involves using the political structures and the mass media to terrorize the public. This is one of the main reasons why terrorism is more effective in democratic countries than in dictatorial governments. This is because dictators can suppress the influence of the mass media and effectively capture and punish terrorists. However, this does not necessarily mean that modern terrorism is attributed to the adoption of democracy.

Tyrannicide is another form of terrorism that emerged after the premodern era, primarily associated with assassin sects active principally in the 13th and 14th centuries. Terrorism around the world occurs in different forms, and they have left their mark in society. The Middle East had to deal with the problem of Zealots, and the Assassins, the state of Israel, followed through by the use of terrorist tactics after World War II. The Palestinians later followed on with their attack on Israel. Russia has also encountered a significant number of numerous acts of state terrorism over the decades. The armies in Europe in the period of 1618-1648 even resorted to the use of terrorism. It has been hit by various forms of Irish terrorism, anarchists, and the Red German army.

The United States has also recorded several anarchist attacks, especially in the late 19th century. Additionally, there have been several assassinations of political figures such as President Lincoln and President J. F. Kennedy. There are also the Ku Klux Klan activities, which directed their terror towards the black people.⁷ One of the biggest concerns in the U.S is the September 1, 2001 attack, which was perpetrated by Al-Qaeda and resulted in the death of 2977 individuals and at least 25,000 injuries. Two hijacked planes were intentionally crashed onto the world trade center towers located in New York, and the next plane was