Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Terrorism – A Global Threat

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Terrorism – A Global Threat

The militant ubiquitous elements have undermined the global security and the entire world is left at the mercy of terrorism. Non-combatants suffer the brunt of insurgency – especially in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Syria. The emergence of the self-styled Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which is the product of ideological fundamentalism as Taliban, has posed greater threat to the world. The recent terrorist attack in Paris shows that ISIL seeks to extend its realm of power around the universe.

Currently, combating terrorism has changed into an international issue. The world has found out that only a military deal and approving strict law regarding those involved in militancy will tackle the security crisis. In the wake of terrorist attack – which led to the death of 141 people including 132 schoolchildren – on the Army Public School in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on December 16, 2014, Pakistan embarked on strong military operation against the insurgents. The attack, which was said to be the deadliest terrorist attack ever to occur in Pakistan, was carried out by members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). 

Similarly, under the previous government led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), no one except a soldier convicted by court martial was put to death since 2008. The Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), which came to power in the May 11th general elections, ended the moratorium imposed by President Asif Ali Zardari in 2008.

The PML-N led government in July had announced there would no longer be any general amnesty for the convicts awaiting execution, raising concerns from human rights activists and opponents of capital punishment. The terrorists will also be executed, if sentenced to death, following a prosecution in the Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC).

Moreover, France approved strict law, following the attack at Charlie Hebdo, regarding the individuals affiliated with insurgent groups. Likewise, the France President Francois Hollande will suggest changes to the constitution after the deadly attacks in Paris on various locations such as bars, restaurants, a concert hall and a stadium in which 130 people lost their lives and the ISIL claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying it was in retaliation for the French airstrikes on ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq.

Speaking during a joint session of both houses of parliament, Mr. Hollande said the constitution needed to be amended as “we need an appropriate tool we can use without having to resort to the state of emergency”. Other measures he said would be pursued included:

•                     5,000 extra police posts in the next two years and no new cuts in the defense budget.

•                     Making it easier to strip dual nationals of their French citizenship if they are convicted of a terrorist offence, as long as this did not render them stateless.

•                     Speeding up the deportation of foreigners who pose “a particularly grave threat to the security of the nation”.

•                     Pushing for greater European action against arms trafficking and greater penalties for it in France.

In addition, France is committed to “destroying” the ISIL and bombarded Raqqa, IS’s stronghold in Syria, heavily as a backlash against the recent terrorist attack. Despite harsh rule concerning the terrorism, France hardens its law and plans further preventive measures to counter insurgency effectively and secure the citizens.

The 9/11 attack at the Twin Tower in America led to the downfall of the Taliban’s regime in Afghanistan and prompted NATO to embark on “war on terror” as the Bush administration reacted against the terrorist attack. It is hoped that the 13/11 terrorist attack in Paris will lead to the collapse of Baghdadi’s caliphate and ISIL’s terrorist network in Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also said he wanted global cooperation to combat terrorism in the wake of an Islamist militant attack on a luxury hotel in Mali that killed 19 people including six Russians.  Less than a week after the Paris gun and suicide bomb attacks, a group of heavily armed and seemingly well-trained gunmen stormed the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako. Jihadist groups Al Mourabitoun and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack. Offering condolence to President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Putin said that “the widest international cooperation” was needed to confront global terrorism.  Moreover, the US President Barack Obama said, “The terrorists began ruthlessly killing people and taking hostages [at the Bamako hotel]. On behalf of the American people I want to extend our deepest condolences to the people of Mali and the victims’ families, including at least one American.”

The ruthless killing of civilians ushered in by terrorist groups, mainly ISIL, has prompted the world leaders to initiate a global anti-terrorist campaign.

As ISIL seeks to pursue its terrorist attacks in different parts of the world, Afghanistan is no exception. Our nation falls prey to its acts of violence to a great extent. The ISIL’s influence is salient in restive parts of the country, especially in Nangarhar province. Afghans suffer from escalated militancy carried out not only by members of ISIL but also by the Taliban insurgents. The insecurity has led to exodus of Afghan youths to foreign countries and caused mistrust between state and nation. However, no effective strategy is adopted by the National Unity Government (NUG) to counter insurgency or tackle the security crisis in the country. The government has to garner the international support and launch an intensive operation against both the ISIL and Taliban militants.

Hujjattullah Zia is the permanent writer of the Daily Outlook Afghanistan. He can be reached at zia_hujjat@yahoo.com

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