Inside Al-Qaeda

Have you ever wondered how a terrorist group, such as Al-Qaeda, operates? How does such a chaotic organization remain under the radar? Today, I hope to provide some insight on how Al-Qaeda operates. The topics to be included in this analysis of Al-Qaeda are: leadership, cell types, financial information, and the modes and methods of attacks utilized by Al-Qaeda (CTU, 2006).

The Al-Qaeda, "The Foundation" in English, was founded by Osama Bin Laden in the late 1980's. Al-Qaeda was the first established as the base for what would become a global Islamic army (Global Security, n.d.). Al-Qaeda has cells in over 65 countries that include: Jordan, Iraq, United States, Saudi Arabia, and Europe (Al-Qaeda, 2006).Al-Qaeda has about 20,000 members world-wide that are under direct orders of the network (Al-Qaeda).Al-Qaeda is very organized, yet chaotic, terrorist network. The network is organized with a council and six different committees and two subcommittees. Together, the network is the Islamic Army (Global Security). The first level of the organization is known as the "al Qaeda Shura" or Advisory Council. This level is comprised of the Emir, also known as Osama Bin Laden and other Al-Qaeda leaders, most of whom have longtime ties with the terrorist leader (Global Security). Some of the leaders who would have been found in this so-called inner circle include: Saif al-Adel; Sulaiman Abu Ghaith; Abu Hafiza; Abu Faraj al-Libbi; Abu Mohammed al-Masri; Khalid Sheikh Mohammed; Thirwat Salah Shirhata; Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (recently killed in Iraq); Ayman al-Zawahri; and Abu Zubaydah (Al-Qaeda).

The next tier in the hierarchy of the Al-Qaeda is the six committees. There is a "Sharia" and Political Committee (Global Security). This committee has the responsibility of issuing fatwas, which are edicts that are claiming to have a root in Islamic Law that direct and authorize specific actions that include the deadly terrorist attacks (Global Security). The next committee is the Military Committee. This committee is responsible for identifying targets as well as coming up with ideas for operations and supporting those operations. This committee is also responsible for managing the training camp that the network utilizes (Global Security). Under this committee there are two subcommittees: Training Subcommittee and Camp Admin Subcommittee (Global Security).

The next set of committees deal with financing, intelligence, and information. The Finance Committee is in charge of handling all of the costs and budgeting for the network. The responsibilities for this committee include organizing fundraisers for support for the training camps; housing and living expenses; travel expenses; and designating the allocation of money for operations (Global Security). The Foreign Purchases Committee has the responsibility of stocking equipment to be utilized in the operations. Among the type of purchases are weapons, explosives, and other technical equipment (Global Security). The Security Committee has a responsibility to provide physical protection for Osama Bin Laden and the leaders of Al-Qaeda. Also, this committee is responsible for gathering intelligence as well as counterintelligence (Global Security). The last committee that is found in the hierarchy would be the Information Committee. This committee is in charge of producing propaganda and solicitation for terrorist attacks (Global Security).

Al-Qaeda has a very sophisticated network for financing their organization. Contrary to what we have been led to believe, Al-Qaeda is not funded by the riches of Osama Bin Laden, instead they utilize both bogus and legitimate charities to fund their activities (Comras, 2005). While some of these legitimate charities have had their assets frozen, a large amount continues to operate. Some of the charities that have given financially supported Al-Qaeda include: the International Islamic Relief Organization; the Benevolence International Foundation; the al Haramian Islamic Foundation; Blessed Relief (Muwafaq) Foundation; and the Rabita Trust (Comras). These organizations, although based in Saudi Arabia, conduct business worldwide and continue to provide financially to the Al-Qaeda network (Comras).

The Al-Qaeda organization has launched various attacks against the United States and her allies. The organizations main method of attack would be by bombing (Global Security). Some of the bombings in which Al-Qaeda was involved include, the 1992 bombing outside of two hotels, that were a utilized by the United States military, in Aden, Yemen, the June 26, 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers apartment complex that housed United Air Force members in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center (Global Security). While these attacks utilized bombs, Al-Qaeda had other methods of attacking their targets, such as the use of rocket propelled grenades in October 1993 when two United States Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in Mogadishu, Somalia. This attack killed eighteen United States soldiers (Global Security). The Al-Qaeda network has utilized hijackings as seen in the devastating September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The members of the group have also participated in car bombings, suicide bombings, and kidnappings and murders of United States citizens, especially in Iraq (Global Security).

In conclusion, Al-Qaeda is a very organized network of terrorists. Their number one goal is to wage a "Holy War" or Jihad against the United States and her allies (Global Security). Knowing how Al-Qaeda operates and the methods of their attacks will help devise the best possible solution in combating cells within the United States.
References

Al-Qaeda. (2006).Al-Qaeda. Retrieved 08 Jun 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda .

Comras, V. (2005). Al Qaeda finances and funding to affiliated groups. Strategic Insights, IV,

Issue 1. Retrieved 08 Jun 2006 from http://ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/2005/jan/ComrasJan05.pdf .

CTU. (2006). Course Materials: Phase 2 Multimedia Printable Version. Retrieved 02 Jun 2006

from https://campus.ctuonline.edu .

Global Security. (n.d.). Overview of the Enemy: Staff Statement No. 15. Retrieved 08 Jun 2006

from http://www.globalsecurity.org/Security/library/congress/9-11_commission/040616-staff_statement_15.pdf .