Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, April 18th, 2024

Underestimation of bin Ladenism is a Mistake

Since months ago, everybody engaged in Afghanistan's issue have been talking about growing violence after winter meltdown due to commencement of spring-offensive assaults of militants. And recently such warnings doubled due to assassination of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

In meantime, insurgents also have never come short of power-maneuvering and approved holding deadly attacks on Afghan government and its foreign allies.
After approval of Osama's death by insurgents, they renewed warnings and called for revenge. But revenge seems to be nowhere other than Afghanistan where giant numbers of US armies along with Afghan security forces are carrying out operation to weaken insurgency and provide situation for military withdrawal. During past two days, Saturday and Sunday, Taliban militants clashed in Kandahar Province with Afghan security forces backed by foreign troops has left 25 people dead and 46 injured. The assault was recognized significant as, reportedly, more then 40 insurgents were involved which included recent Kandahar jail escapees. Initially, armed militants started firing on Kandahar's governor office and, later on, targeted police station and traffic police building.

The significant characteristic of the assault was the heavily usage of Al-Qaeda tactics—suicidal attacks. Eight suicidal attacks made during past two days along with several cars loaded with explosive devices, which were destroyed by Afghan forces before hitting targets.
Ostensibly, insurgents are trying to convey the message that however Osama bin Laden is dead but his Al-Qaedic teachings would not be graved. Viewing Osama as a key player behind terror activities and assuming him as the only mastermind behind his entire terror network activities, his death can be assumed as ideological HIV into the body of terrorism that will diminish its strength and eventually end its life. But the problem arises if bin Ladenism is strong enough to regenerate and create "bin Landens". This is something should be noticed by international community in order not to change today's festivity into sorrow and regret of tomorrow.

Though the concept of spread of bin Ladenism is currently pushed into marginal issues because of Arabian democratic civil uprising, but states like Pakistan, Afghanistan and some weak states remain prey to global terrorist networks. The world should never forget that Al-Qaeda, according to credential reports, have had only 200 members in 2001, and with two hundred members it was potentially dangerous to threaten the global security. Counter-terror and counterinsurgency struggle should not be laid down and should be continued by any forms.