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Al-Qaeda Militants Leaving Pakistan for Yemen, Somalia

Dozens have left, US officials say

By Sarah Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2009 7:48 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Al-Qaeda fighters from Pakistan have started leaving isolated tribal areas and moving far afield to Somalia and Yemen, the New York Times reports. Some US officials point to stepped up drone attacks against militants in Pakistan for the development, which involves relatively small numbers so far. But the growth of jihadist campaigns in  Somalia and Yemen—both countries where the government is weak—is another explanation. "I am very worried about growing safe havens," said the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The movement is good and bad for the US. Right now, the fight against al-Qaeda focuses on Afghanistan and Pakistan, and it would be hard to change direction quickly. And there are reports of militants helping each other. “They’re asking, ‘What do you need? Financing? Fighters?’ ” a US official said. But if fighters leave protected Pashtun tribal areas or start communicating with those who have, the US could have a better chance of picking up intelligence.

Supporters of a Pakistani religious group chant slogans during a rally in in Lahore, Pakistan, against the Taliban and condemn suspected US drone attacks in the tribal areas on May 3, 2009.
Supporters of a Pakistani religious group chant slogans during a rally in in Lahore, Pakistan, against the Taliban and condemn suspected US drone attacks in the tribal areas on May 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Pakistani troops patrol during curfew in Bannu, Pakistan, on June 10, 2009. Authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in Bannu, which is near two major strongholds for al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Pakistani troops patrol during curfew in Bannu, Pakistan, on June 10, 2009. Authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in Bannu, which is near two major strongholds for al-Qaeda and the Taliban.   (AP Photo/Ijaz Muhammad)
In this 1998 image, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden talks during a television interview.
In this 1998 image, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden talks during a television interview.   (AP Photo, File)
A Pakistani tank advances toward militant positions in the Bajur tribal region on the border with Afghanistan on Nov. 28, 2008.
A Pakistani tank advances toward militant positions in the Bajur tribal region on the border with Afghanistan on Nov. 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
emptycalm
Jun 12, 2009 5:11 AM CDT
It's ok to commit mass murder as long as it's for money...
Robert_Dada
Jun 12, 2009 2:33 AM CDT
Advocating genocide now are we?
Observer
Jun 12, 2009 1:11 AM CDT
Couldn't we kill everybody in Yemen with a few well placed nukes? Yemen and Somalia are two of the worst places on Earth. Let the idiot Jihaddists all go there then torch the place. The Saudis would pay us for doing it. You might throw the Sudanese in for good measure.

Bin Laden in Pakistan, CIA chief says
Reuters

 
Somalia • War on Terror • Barack Obama • Pakistan • Joint Chiefs of Staff • Pashtun • Yemen • militant • al-Qaeda

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