Countering terrorism: Al Qaeda core diminished, ‘but threat remains’

US State Dept’s Bureau of Counterterrorism briefs South Asian journalists on TTP, the new threat and global CT efforts

WASHINGTON:

As the Pakistani government struggles to revive nascent peace efforts with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the US State Department claims that, while the decision to hold talks is an internal matter, the organisation is “a dangerous and a significant threat”.

Justin Siberell, the deputy coordinator of Regional Affairs and Programmes in State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, while briefing South Asian journalists said, “The TTP is viewed as a significant threat by the US. It has targeted both Pakistani civilians and security personnel.”



He explained that while there has been great success over the past decade in debasing the core group of al Qaeda, now the threat is diffused and more difficult to trounce. “We are now faced with the decentralisation and diffusion of the threat, forcing us to focus on areas beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Claiming to have severed communication between these ‘diffused’ threats, Siberell believes the outcome has generated greater operational autonomy for these groups. “So while we have degraded the core group, the remaining carries the ability to further inspire others. The capabilities have been diminished but the threats exist”, he said.



According to the Bureau of Counterterrorism, affiliates and like-minded groups of al Qaeda have now emerged in countries including Syria, Yemen and Somalia. In South Asia, the bureau identifies several such groups, including the Haqqani Network, the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the TTP. “We are concerned about the capability these groups have to ignite regional instability,” he explained.

With Pakistan having increasingly suffered in its engagement in the war on terror, he said the country had been a victim to countless terrorist attacks over the years. Terming Pakistan an ally, he said the two countries were working in close partnership, adding that Pakistan was a strong partner to the US.

Commenting on the bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of CT, he said the US had realised the need for international cooperation prior to the 9/11 attacks. In terms of capacity building and engaging with international partners, Siberell said programmes, including the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Programme, Border Security programmes and other CT assistance on a global stage.

With the assistance of the US State Department, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) was also established in 2011 that, according to Siberell, aims at providing a platform to strengthen governments and institutions in addressing key CT challenges.

Besides the European Union, the GCTF has 29 founding countries, with Pakistan being one of them.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, he stressed again that while it was for Pakistan to decide on its internal matters, the two countries were in communication regarding its talks with the TTP. “The matter on talks is not one for the US to comment on, it is for the Pakistani government to decide.”

When questioned on the subject, Siberell refrained from commenting on any consensus between Pakistan and the US regarding their perception of the TTP.

According to the US Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism 2012, released in May 2013, over 2,000 civilians and 680 security personnel have been killed in terror-related incidents in Pakistan in 2012.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2014.