Al-Zarqawi
Photo: CNN
A blow to Bin-Laden
Photo: Reuters
Professor Amatzia Baram
Experts: Zarqawi death tough blow - but not fatal
What to expect next? Terror experts speak to Ynet on effect al-Zarqawi’s demise will have on al-Qaeda, Islamic terrorism, and what it means for Israel
The assassination of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a greater achievement even than the capture of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, a terrorism expert told Ynet Thursday.
Dr. Yoram Kahati, a senior researcher at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya who tracks the international war on terror, said that the death of one of the most wanted terrorists is a great blow to al-Qaeda and constitutes a feeling of relief for Israel, Egypt, Jordan Lebanon and Syria.
Terrorist's Demise
News Agencies
American president hails killing of al-Qaeda leader in Iraq by US military forces Wednesday, says al-Zarqawi's death dealt severe blow to al-Qaeda and it is a significant victory in the war on terror
About a year ago al-Zarqawi was wounded in an American-planned assassination attempt, but since then he recovered since to resume activities and constitute a menace on citizens of Iraq and the region. Dr. Kahati explained that al-Zarqawi was considered a dominant figure in the terror hierarchy, at times even more so than Osama Bin-Laden, who he apparently kept in contact with over the internet. “He radiates power. He has somewhere between hundreds and thousands of supporter,” Kahati said.
A tough blow - but not fatal
According to Professor Amatzia Baram, an Iraq expert from the University of Haifa, Zarqawi’s demise “signifies the beginning of the end of the Sunni rebellion and the al-Qaeda organization in Iraq.” Baram said efforts to quash the insurgence and the terror organization will take a few more years and will take a toll of many more losses, but its end is already on the horizon.
“The blow al-Qaeda absorbed here was tough, but not fatal, because al-Zarqawi mainly constitutes a symbol. A very important symbol though, which influences insurgents morale who were inspired by him. Organizationally, al-Zarqawi was the most efficient organizer of massive terror attacks – especially against Shi’ites, using car bombs and suicide bombers. I hope this will introduce some realism into the Muslim world in their evaluation of terrorism’s success as a political tactic, but it is not certain.
Professor Baram portended that now Bin-Laden would use the death of his top assistant in Iraq as an occasion to perpetrate more terror attacks.
Katyushas in Eilat, cells in Lebanon
Al-Zarqawi’s fingerprints are well known by Israel’s security establishment as well, owing to a series of attacks in the Middle East, including a string of bombings in Amman in November 2005, which killed 67 people. The attacks were carried out by three suicide bombers hailing from Iraq. Another female bomber failed to detonate her charges.
The security establishment is concerned for al-Qaeda’s spread to Syria and Lebanon, and the distance from these countries to targets in Israel is very small. Earlier this year 13 al-Qaeda activists were captured in Lebanon, including a Jordanian and a Palestinian, on suspicion of trying to establish terror infrastructure there apparently under Zarqawi’s guidance.
“Despite the great accomplishment, we must remember that terrorism will not end today,” Dr. Kahati summarized the affair. “But there is no doubt that Zarqawi’s death will have a psychological effect on his followers. I also wouldn’t rule out the eruption of internal clashes.”
