http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=7181
 
 Tuesday 26th July 2005 (06h58) : 
Let's Go Terror. Jihad Travel Guide 
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http://service.spiegel.de/cache/int...
<http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,366723,00.html>  

Let's Go Terror Jihad Travel Guide Yassin Musharbash July 25, 2005

The terror in Iraq seems to be getting worse by the day. Now, a new guide
has appeared on the Internet advising would-be terrorists on the best way
into the country. It isn't easy, but a disguise of jeans and a Walkman may
be just the ticket.

Warning that entering Iraq is a journey fraught with peril, the author of
the four-page pamphlet tells his readers, "It's a long and difficult route.
It's no bed of roses." But by taking certain precautions, the chances of the
dangerous tour ending in success are tremendous. Best of all, by following
the author's tips, martyrdom, honor and paradise await.

Found recently on the Internet, the brochure is a travel guide for the
jihad, a how-to for the mujahedeen. Entitled "This is the Way to Iraq: To
All Who Want to Join the Mujahedeen in the Land of Two Rivers," the pamphlet
was written by "The Islam Doctor." It's goal: to help would-be terrorists
overcome the difficult task of sneaking into the country. It was posted on a
Web site affiliated with al-Qaida.

At this point, experts and analysts have little reason to dispute its
authenticity, especially since it confirms many of the assumptions about how
foreign terrorists sneak into Iraq. In other words, it is another piece in
the puzzle of the strategy followed by terrorists in their mission to turn
the country into a living hell for the United States military, its allies
and, above all, for Iraqi civilians. Indeed, dozens of the suicide bombers
have been identified as having come from foreign countries -- most of them
from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria -- and the number of foreign
fighters in Iraq may number in the thousands. How they got there, despite
all the attempts to prevent their entry, is at least partially explained by
the new "travel guide."

Secrecy Is Paramount

The introduction, for example, explains that jihad wannabes -- following the
appropriate physical and spiritual preparation, of course -- should turn to
the middlemen who are present "in many Arabic countries" and who have "good
connections to the jihad groups" in Iraq. Who those people are is also
explained: preachers and prayer leaders in radical mosques -- or, in
terrorist-speak, "Muslims who follow the example of our ancestors." The
document, however, urges caution and the utmost secrecy when approaching the
travel agents of terror. But it is also encouraging: "hundreds, even
thousands" have followed this route into Iraq.

Another option for contacting potential go-betweens is the Internet, the
guide explains further. "I impart to thee, brother: many of them can be
found on the Internet!" Generally they aren't the "stars of the forums,"
preferring to stay in the background, because they are being pursued by the
authorities and are very busy, the author continues. For that reason, the
faithful need to be especially careful of impostors who claim to be
collecting money for the jihad. One should only hand over money when
absolute trust has been established.

Only after the soon-to-be-terrorist is in possession of the name and address
of a contact person should the journey begin. And the document is clear
about where to start: Syria. "Enter the country through Turkey," the
recruits are advised -- the need for medical treatment is a possible excuse.
A disguise as a tradesman also works. The author imparts important advice to
ease the border crossing: "bring jeans and a Walkman ... playing whatever
music." In other words, pop instead of prayers -- jazz before jihad jingles.

Go In Groups

It is important to remain inconspicuous, the recruits are told, because the
Syrian border guards are paying closer attention now than ever before to who
travels in and out of the country. For this reason, it's better not to try
traveling on to Iraq on one's own. After all, it is almost exclusively the
lone wolfs that get caught, the document claims, while groups are often
ignored.

>From Syria, the journey leads into Iraq. Intermediaries escort in only
"small groups of fighters" at a time, meaning it could take awhile before
one's turn comes. And once in Iraq, obedience is paramount. "Don't ever say
'I will never carry out a suicide attack' or 'due to special circumstances I
can only undertake this work' ... !" From the get go, recruits must be
prepared for anything.

Most mujahedeens are assimilated by the al-Qaida cells operating in Iraq,
the guide explains further. They have connections to other al-Qaida groups
"in Arab countries and in non-Arab countries abroad." Other groups, however,
expect terrorists to find their own path to the front.

Who Wrote The Guide?

It's unclear who is hiding behind the pseudonym "The Islam Doctor," although
he doesn't conceal his extensive experience in the jihad business. He also
makes it clear that one doesn't necessarily have to travel to Iraq to become
a mujahedeen. It doesn't matter whether one heads to "Chechnya, Afghanistan,
Iraq or your own country, which may be ruled by unjust tyrants." Such an
internationalist viewpoint seems to point towards an author with connections
to al-Qaida, as does a reference to a speech by Osama bin Laden. In
contrast, the Iraqi resistance, made up of former Baathists and ex-Saddam
soldiers, is focused more on Iraq itself. While the author avoided
mentioning Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the al-Qaida man in Iraq, his missive
appears to be a how to guide for the jihad.

Interestingly, the paper confirms two conflicting assumptions about the role
played by Syria. On the one hand, it warns that the Syrian authorities are
attempting to chase down potential terrorists as they travel into Iraq, but
on the other, it says the border guards look away on occasion. Indeed,
Syrian president Bashar Assad, has come under pressure from the United
States recently for allegedly not working hard enough to tighten up the
country's border with Iraq.

But whatever the importance of the document, it probably isn't the only one
of its kind. It is, however, an explosive find. After all, one of the most
often-asked questions in Islamist discussion forums is how to get to the
"battlefield of the jihad." Now, there is an easy-to-find answer to that
question.



by : Yassin Musharbash
Tuesday 26th July 2005 


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