09/04/2014, 00.00
INDIA - ISLAM
Send to a friend

Al-Zawahiri threat: al-Qaeda "ready to conquer" India and South Asia

In a video message, the fundamentalist leader announces the formation of a branch of the Islamist group in the Indian subcontinent and renews his allegiance to Mullah Omar. The new branch, he says, will save "Muslims in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Kashmir" from injustice and oppression.

Dubai (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The creation of a new branch of al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent, to "raise the banner of jihad" throughout South Asia, was announced last night by Ayman al-Zawahiri in a 55 minute video message. In the video, Zawahiri also renewed his allegiance to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar, a gesture interpreted as an indirect repudiation of the Islamic State (IS).

In the video, al-Zawahiri describes the formation of "al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent" as good news for the Muslims "in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Kashmir," because the new branch will save them from injustice and oppression.

Some analysts see the Qaeda leader's announcement, as well as being an indirect rejection of IS, as an challenge to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Al-Zawahiri and Abu Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi - Islamic State leader, who proclaimed himself caliph - parted ways in 2013, after the beheadings, crucifixions and mass executions carried out by IS militants in Syria.

Al-Zawahiri also calls militias to unite and criticizes "discord", echoing accusations already launched by al-Qaeda against IS during clashes with rival Islamist groups in Syria. The Islamic leader calls on the new branch not to suppress the local population, another criticism of IS and what it is doing in Iraq and Syria.

"If you said that you are doing jihad to defend the sanctities of the Muslims, - he states in the message - then you must not transgress against them or their money or honour, and not even transgress your mujahideen brothers by word and action".

The Muslims in India account for only 15% of a population of 1.2 billion people. However, that numbers a total of 175 million faithful, making India's Muslim community the third largest in the world.

 

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Muslim leader tells al-Zawahiri hands off India
04/09/2014
Pakistan: “US hasn't shared information on al Qaeda leaders”
12/01/2007
Tanks attack crowds in Syria, 3,000 detainees unaccounted for
28/07/2011
Al-Qaeda in Iraq's strategy to change under al-Masri
23/06/2006
Operation against ‘Red Mosque’ ends, 83 ‘officially’ dead
12/07/2007


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”