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Pakistan: US Strikes Boost Local Qaeda Threat

But attacks are cutting fighters' global abilities

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 25, 2009 12:26 PM CST
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(Newser) – US drone strikes are heightening al-Qaeda’s threat to Pakistan, even as the attacks hurt the organization's ability to coordinate on a global scale, Pakistani officials say. The strikes have helped decentralize the group, but pockets focused on local jihad are fighting back. The officials also worry that an upcoming US troop surge in Afghanistan could drive more Qaeda fighters into Pakistan, the New York Times reports.

As al-Qaeda leaders are killed, younger recruits keen to attack nearby targets replace them, the intelligence officials noted. Meanwhile, Qaeda members are channeling more funds to the Taliban, a group they see as key to the protection of their strongholds. US officials backed the strikes. “There’s real value in keeping them off balance in the tribal areas. They come to doubt their security, their hosts, even each other,” said one.

Pakistani tribal people pray next to the coffins of people allegedly killed by a suspected U.S. missile attack, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009.
Pakistani tribal people pray next to the coffins of people allegedly killed by a suspected U.S. missile attack, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hasbanullah Khan)
Pakistani tribesmen show pieces of a missile in a house damaged by a suspected U.S. missile strike near Miran Shah, the main town of Pakistan's tribal area along Afghanistan border, Jan. 24, 2009.
Pakistani tribesmen show pieces of a missile in a house damaged by a suspected U.S. missile strike near Miran Shah, the main town of Pakistan's tribal area along Afghanistan border, Jan. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hasbunallah Khan)
Pakistani tribesmen shout slogans against the military operations in tribal areas and drone attacks during a demonstration near the federal parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Jan. 23, 2009.
Pakistani tribesmen shout slogans against the military operations in tribal areas and drone attacks during a demonstration near the federal parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Jan. 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
AmericaPrevails
Feb 26, 2009 6:57 AM CST
Well done rednip! Hell yeah! To quote a scholar on the muslim religion: "some muslims are moderate, the religion is not." If you have studied the religion even a little but you will get the point of the quote.
Guest
Feb 25, 2009 12:35 AM CST
Can we please get out of this 12th century area and back to the 21st century? Just let them kill each other, as they want to. The only thing WE need to do is to stop giving them money to acquire 20th century weapons to go with their 12th century sensibilities.
Guest
Feb 25, 2009 12:31 AM CST
No way! Killing civilians with impunity is motivating locals to fight back? Who woulda thunk it? Glad our official government policy is to try and destabilize a huge country full of people who hate our policies and have nuclear weapons to boot.

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