Is it possible that one day we will wake up to a new announcement by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Daesh’s leader, declaring a new terrorist entity in a new region?
The Washington Post recently reported that the US intelligence agency is convinced that al-Baghdadi is alive and is working on a new long-term strategy for the organization.
The newspaper quoted US intelligence officials as saying that al-Baghdadi was seeking a long-term strategy that would allow his organization to survive, despite his military defeat in Syria and Iraq.
According to intelligence sources, al-Baghdadi has focused his efforts in recent months on laying down solid ideological foundations to protect Daesh from total collapse. There was a destruction of the alleged caliphate in Syria and Iraq. But he is likely to be behind a series of messages aimed at settling controversies within Daesh.
Intelligence officials warned of a tactical withdrawal of the organization from the scene. They also warned of a strategic shift in organizational action from succession to a secret war under a new global terrorist network.
The Washington Post contacted a member of Daesh organization. The newspaper reported him as saying that the organization’s leaders have decided from the beginning to rely on the ideological indoctrination of children and young people. The importance of these efforts has grown after the organization’s recurrent defeats in the Middle East, he said. He also expressed the organization’s conviction that the idea of succession will remain even if Daesh collapses.
US intelligence indicated that al-Baghdadi is still alive and coordinates the organization’s work from one of the last areas under his control in Syria. Other experts believe that the disappearance of al-Baghdadi since late September does not mean his death but his efforts to have Daesh get rid of relying on specific leaders.
The report raises many questions. First, did all the international intelligence agencies, active in Syria and Iraq in recent years, fail to track al-Baghdadi? Is there any kind of understanding to keep him alive until the end of the plan of sharing interests and influence in Syria? Did the intelligence services learned from the killing of bin Laden? Al-Qaeda disintegrated and collapsed after the death of its spiritual leader from the arena.
Daesh has been defeated after claiming establishing its alleged caliphate. There were agreements between the Syrian regime and the organization on allowing the movement of its elements from areas surrounding Damascus to other areas. Previously, agreements were reached with Turkish forces, Iranian militias and Lebanese Hezbollah to smuggle Daesh’s elements.
Many militias and forces claimed making efforts to eradicate terrorism to justify their presence in Syria. All these facts raise questions about what is happening. There, parties claiming combating terrorism have mysterious and suspicious relations with terrorist organizations.
It is naive to exclude organizational links between terrorism and the intelligence services in many countries and regions. These terrorists do not seek to defend Islam and Muslims. History and international relations throughout the ages make it clear that these organizations are only tools to achieve the strategic interests of States. These interests must be carried out under the slogans of a brilliant ideology such as the Islamic State, the defence of Islam, the support of Muslims and the liberation of sanctities. This propaganda is used to deceive the laymen, semi-educated and seekers of fame, money and alleged glory.
Al-Baghdadi is likely to come out declaring a new plot targeting a new country. The Arab and Islamic world must get rid of the extremist ideology that is employed to destroy States. This is the way to combat terrorism once and for all.
