Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog

Abu Talha al-Amani (Denis Cusper) releases new IS terror rap

(image BZ -Berlin)

Earlier this week, Islamic State jihadist Denis Cuspert previously known as rapper Deso Dogg now known as Abu Talha al-Amani released a chilling rap attack video via al-Hayat media containing threats to his home country of Germany. There were also images of a man in western clothing, strapped with suicide belt pulling the pin in New York City’s Times Square followed by screaming.

Listeners would no doubt recognize the soundtrack having been featured before with Arabic chants to graphic videos of executions including that of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh as he was burnt alive. This time the the voice is in German with English subtitles as the “Joseph Goebbels of IS” (a reference to the Nazi propaganda specialist) warns of horrors to come.

“We want your blood”

After references to western soldiers returning limbless from the battlefield, al-Amani warns of sleeper cells in Germany ready to terrorize the kuffar (non-believers). Images of guns and explosives appear on screen with followers urged to take a big knife and give the neighbour “what he deserves”. AL-Amani who reverted to Islam in prison is no stranger to using a knife himself as a graphic video showed last year with him slitting a man’s throat and displaying a severed head to camera.

The lyrics are fast paced, with some “blink and you may miss it shots” perhaps meant to mimic adrenaline coursing through the veins, fight or flight depending where you stand. There are images of past IS killings, a reminder of what may be in store with the message, “war has just begun. We have smelled blood. … We want your blood, it tastes so wonderful!”

In a powerful reminder of the impact such videos can have, I refer back to an article in the Telegraph in February 2014 that stated, more Muslims are now fighting for the Islamic State than in the British army.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Image from latest IS media statement

Islamic State (IS) has released its latest video via Al Furqan, a 29 minute feature focusing on choices for Christians under their rule and the consequences for those alleged to have transgressed.

The video entitled “Until there came to them clear evidence” featured a number of references to “crusaders” oppressing Muslims and also showed IS fighters destroying crosses on the outside of churches and others symbols of Christianity.

IS quoted Qur’an on treatment of Christians and Jews and highlighted the jizya tax imposed on non-Muslims (Dhimmis) who live under Muslim rule according to the Qur’an and hadith. This can be paid in money or equivalent in gold or silver depending on wealth to those not wishing to revert to Islam. In return they are granted permission to practice their faith and entitled to Muslim protection.

The video also shows two grizly massacres, one of beheadings on a beach, the other appears to be new footage in a scrubland area showing mass shootings. This features the Libyan version of “Jihadi John” delivering a speech on jizya before the slaughter of what is purported to be members of the Ethiopian Church taken in Libya by militants linked to IS.

However Ethiopian government spokesperson Redwan Hussein told Reuters news agency,

“we have seen the video but our embassy in Cairo has not been able to confirm that the victims are Ethiopian nationals…. Nonetheless, the Ethiopian government condemns the atrocious act.”

5 boys from same family killed in Jalalabad attacks

(via journalist Abdulhaq Omeri)

This week also saw the first alleged attacks by IS on Afghan soil in Jalalabad after a number of Taliban commanders defected at the back-end of last year (2014). Attacks were carried out near banks where government employees and security forces were gathered to receive their paychecks and another was near to a shrine. The assaults left 35 persons dead including 5 young boys belonging to the same family and 125 wounded The active presence of IS will be a great concern for the government as the Spring Offensive starts, see following link for more details,

“Afghanistan: Islamic State allegedly claim Jalalabad attacks leaving 35 dead and 125 wounded”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/04/18/afghanistan-islamic-state-allegedly-claim-jalalabad-attacks-leaving-35-dead-and-125-wounded/

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Tariq Mehboob… what was the cause of his death in state custody?

Something is seriously wrong with the way Pakistan treats its detainees in custody. Its a frightening fact that so many apparently healthy men can enter the care of the state and within a week fall foul of a “heart attack” …and some very young men at that. Then families are often contacted to quietly collect bodies for burial, which appear to have strange marks resembling torture. They are then told not to make a fuss or file any First Investigation Report (FIR) or there will be further problems for the family.

“Heart attack” deaths are particularly common in young men from Waziristan and Balochistan that end up in the hands of State agencies.

The latest “heart attack” victim as reported by DAWN media is Anjuman Naujwanan-i-Islam (ANI) chief and member of Sunni Ittehad Council Tariq Mehboob who died in custody on Saturday. It is not clear whether his death took place in Central Jail Karachi or Rangers’ custody, DAWN states,

“last week, Mehboob and seven others were picked up by paramilitary force personnel near Yousuf Plaza in Block 16 of Federal B area, and shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

The ANI chief was accused of providing refuge to target killers which is punishable under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.”

The family of the deceased man alleges that he was tortured in detention and that his death was an “extra-judicial killing”. Kamran Haider tweeted the following,

“this (torture) is a common practice in Karachi. Muhajir Urdu speaking & MQM workers’s brutally tortured bodies were found on streets”

“his post-mortem examination results are expected to be received in one week”

“hopefully they will release report but they have all power to hide or change results too”

JAAG TV tweeted,

“UPDATE: Post Mortem of Tariq Mehboob completed, Doctor says no mark of torture found, report reserved, Karachi”

Tariq Mehboob in a Facebook profile picture (via Dawn)

Whatever the allegations made against Mehboob whether he was or wasn’t involved in “facilitating and providing financial support to target killers” the state itself has a “duty of care” to those in detention that must be provided WITHIN the law and not include any form of torture.

PTI official account on Twitter stated PTI member, Ali Haider Zaidi “wants an inquiry into Tariq Mehboob’s death in ranger’s custody” which is all well and good. However PTI must not forget to also call for an investigation into the spate of deaths in custody and extra-judicial killings that incited the Peshawar Army School (PAS) attack by Pakistan Tehreek -e-Taliban (TTP) on 16th December 2014 which led to over 140 deaths with many injured. All warnings to stop torture in custody in the weeks BEFORE the attack were ignored including my own.

As I wrote also just after the PAS attack,

“it is shocking to see large numbers of Pakistanis justifying and indeed celebrating torture, time after time despite this being against the law. In her article, The Poisoned Orchard of Torture, Professor Danielle Celermajer (University of Sydney) argues that ‘torture does not occur because of depraved people, but because of pathological situations – or as one social scientist put it, poisoned orchards not bad apples.’ The poisoned orchards of Pakistan (detention centres) have been bearing fruit at an alarming rate.”

Sadly torture is Pakistan has become so widespread many now collaborate to hide the practice when it suits. A fact that is often missed is that torture cases in custody also lead to retaliation attacks and some of those tortured (if they were linked to terrorism before) have gone on to join insurgent groups BECAUSE of abuse in custody, see following link,

“Pakistan, terrorism and torture, how I was radicalized by the state”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/pakistan-terrorism-and-torture-how-i-was-radicalized-by-the-state/

There have been calls for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate Mehboob’s death however there is a need for much wider research and investigation into the systems that allow such behaviour and the consequences for the country which are often far-reaching as the PAS attack demonstrated.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Devastation in Jalalabad (tweeted by Harbib Rahmanzai, Medical Doctor | Working for United Afghanistan, UN, Kabul)

The situation in Afghanistan appears more unstable by the day as the city of Jalalabad suffered a series of attacks from suicide bombers leaving 35 people dead and 125 wounded. Two attacks were close to banks where government employees and security forces were gathered to receive their paychecks and another was near to a shrine. Children were also caught up in the attack condemned by the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonović who happened to be in the area for a visit. Afghanistan media Tolo quoted Simonovic stating,

“the use of suicide bombs and other devices in such an indiscriminate way by insurgent groups clearly constitutes a war crime, and those responsible for organising or perpetrating such attacks must be brought to justice.”

President Ashraf Ghani’s office said, “carrying out terrorist attacks in cities and public places are the most cowardly acts of terror by terrorists targeting innocent civilians” The Islamic Emirate (Afghan Taliban) were quick to condemn the crime tweeting, “2 blasts hit civilians this morning at a shrine and front of Bank in Jalalabad, we condemn/deny involvement in both”. Zabiullah Mujahid spokesperson for the Taliban said, “it is a sad incident. The mujahideen had no role in it.”

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (TTP JA) spokesperson, Ehsanullah Ehsan also issued a press release condemning the bombings stating, “they can’t be Muslims who attack civilians”.

Shaykh Maqbool addressing those giving bayah to IS in AfPak region

(video still) 

There was confusion as to who was responsible as according to the BBC, the attacks were allegedly claimed by Shahidullah Shahid of the Islamic State who was said to have named the bomber however this could not be independently verified and was later denied. It now appears someone else may have been using his name.

Islamic State deny responsibility for Jalalabad attack

Shahidullah Shahid was the name previously used by Shaykh Maqbool when he was spokesperson for TTP. He later left and joined Wilayat Khorasan (AfPak Province) of IS. TTP released the following statement at that time,

“Shahidullah Shahid is an “imaginary” name which is used by a person who becomes Spokesman of TTP Central. Shaykh Maqbool has also been spokesman of TTP Central, therefore, he was called Shahidullah Shahid.

Long ago, another brother had replaced Shaykh Maqbool and was promoted to spokesman of TTP (Means, He became Shahidullah Shahid). We did not announce that due to our policy. But Shaykh Maqbool used this name (Shahidullah Shahid) for his individual purpose. We want to make it clear that Shaykh Maqbool is not Shahidullah Shahid (He’s not our Spokesman anymore).”

Former TTP commanders giving bayah to IS (still from video)

ISIS does however have a presence in Afghanistan/Pakistan. Back in January 2015, a 16 minute video from Khorasan Media was sent to journalists which showed a group of fighters including Shakh Maqbool pledging bayah (spiritual allegiance) to Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Qureshi al Hussaini, Islamic State (IS) see following link,

“Are IS gaining a foothold in AfPak? New video release shows some allegiance in the region”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/are-is-gaining-a-foothold-in-afpak-new-video-release-shows-some-allegiance-in-the-region/

In March the Independent reported, “it has taken a while for official recognition of the ISIS threat in Afghanistan. Last month General Ali Murad, of the Afghan army, stated that “elements of Isis, masked men, are active in Zabul [another Taliban dominated province] and Helmand and have raised black flags. Now, they are trying to spread their activities to the north.”

Please note the following article was updated to include denial from Islamic State.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Ibrahim al-Rubaish (YouTube)

Today once again we learn of the latest US drone strike casualty, this time, the US targeted killing of Ibrahim al-Rubaish the spiritual leader of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsular (AQAP) in Yemen. Al-Rubaish had a $5m bounty on his head and according to Al Jazeera was “said to be from Saudi’s ultra-conservative Qassim region” and “has spent two decades of his life in jihad, fighting America and its agents”. He was also known to have fought in Afghanistan and was a detainee in Guantanamo later joining Al Qaeda.

Alongside “suspected” terrorists and known insurgents, it is estimated that around 364 civilians including at least 84 children and 25 women have died in Yemen due to US drone strikes. A new study carried out by George Soros’ Open Society Justice Foundation entitled “Death by Drone: Civilian Harm Caused By US Targeted Killings In Yemen” looked at nine case studies in which a total of 39 civilians, including 5 children, were killed or injured by drone attacks between May 2012 and April 2014. The conclusions included the following,

“the report casts serious doubt on whether the United States’ “near-certainty” standard (referring to accuracy of drone strikes) is being met on the ground, and whether the U.S. is complying with international law. 

The U.S. has not officially acknowledged any of these strikes or the resulting civilian casualties. None of the victims are aware of any investigation into the strikes, and in most cases did not receive meaningful compensation. Many survivors argue that the strikes are counterproductive, pushing Yemenis into the arms of al-Qaeda”

See the following link for detailed report,

Click to access death-drones-report-eng-20150413.pdf

Yemenis, victims of “Eudronics” an unethical practice of selection

(National Organization for Drone Victims Yemen)

However, an important aspect of drone warfare is often overlooked. This is what I have coined “Eudronics” , the inherent belief by influential state agents that some religions such as Christianity, Judaism are superior to others with one faith in particular Islam regarded as inferior and therefore Muslims must be targeted and annhilated through drone strikes. The same applies in relation to race and colour.

Drones are actually a weapon fueling sectarianism, exploring this further, the targets of drone missiles are in fact overwhelmingly non-white Sunni Muslims. When Foreign Policy magazine stated that AQAP had announced Rubaish’s death as a “hate-filled Crusader strike” Al Qaeda were in fact absolutely correct.

This practice is reminiscent of the Nazi programme of Eugenics, the promotion of the idea of “good” and “bad” stock  (εὖ eu means “good, well” and γένος genos means “race, stock, kin”) and of improving the genetic quality of the human population if necessary by eliminating negative stock. In the Nazi case it meant preserving the “white” “pure” Aryan” race by killing off the disabled, homosexual, gypsies and Jews (εὖ eu means “good, well” and γένος genos means “race, stock, kin”).

Eudronics is the promotion of “good” “white” “Christian” and “Jewish” stock by eliminating the “bad” “Islamic” stock focusing on killing the Muslims of the Middle-East, Africa and Asia predominately non-white, (in this case meaning drones are keeping “good” stock through the use of drones, targeted killing).

This is in fact an extension of the racism and Islamophobia we see for example in America with public policy discriminating against Muslims and cops killing blacks. It is similar in Israel where discrimination is against Palestinians and immigrant workers often from African states. Israel produces a high percentage of the world’s drones in an arms industry which grew out of Zionism.

As I have frequently said on social media, name me one white, non-Muslim drone victim and people are usually stumped.

In Pakistan, this selection of victims will now be carried out in a slightly different way using the Burraq (a home developed drone) targeting the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Tribal people, often Pashtuns have long been regarded as “second class citizens” controlled by a colonial black law known as FCR (Frontier Control Regulations) introduced by the British. I believe from years of observation and talking to drone victims, research would show that the vast majority of those killed are Sunni Muslims.

The Pakistan government have recently stated that they are reluctant to get involved on the ground to support Saudi Arabia in the current conflict in Yemen for fear of becoming involved in sectarian violence. The irony they have colluded with the use of Israeli designed Preadator drones from America, a weapon of selection inciting sectarianism for years.

The UN which is supposed to be examining the ethics around the use of armed drones has done nothing to address this issue. It is essential that research on drone victims includes details of race, ethnicity and religion. The world is in fact colluding with unethical selection procedures which are an extension of foreign policies as practiced by the US and allies during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dividing communities and inciting sectarian violence. What is ironic is that the west is now accusing others of sectarian violence when their own practices have for years been built on division and sectarianism including Eudronics.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

The family of a hunger-striking Pakistani man detained in Guantanamo Bay has today filed an emergency application with the Islamabad High Court, demanding that the Pakistani government intervene immediately in his case.

Ahmad Rabbani has been on hunger strike for more than two years in protest at his detention without charge or trial in Guantanamo, where he has been held since 2004. An affidavit submitted to the court by human rights organization Reprieve, whose staff recently visited Mr Rabbani, describes the damaging effect on his health of his brutal treatment at the prison – including daily force-feedings and ‘forced cell extractions’ (FCEs).

Mr Rabbani has told his lawyers at Reprieve that his weight has dropped to approximately 40kg, and that he regularly vomits and experiences numbness in his limbs, dizziness and fainting. Mr Rabbani described how his thigh has wasted away to the width of his calf. His lawyers describe him as looking “emaciated” during their latest visit.

The urgent court application demands that the Pakistani government intervene immediately with the U.S. authorities to arrange for the release and repatriation of Mr Rabbani before he either dies or suffers permanent damage to his health. Filed today, the petition is likely to be heard tomorrow (Thurs) in the Court.

The court has previously heard how Mr Rabbani’s constitutional rights to legal defence, fair trial, and humane treatment have all been gravely abused by his detention without charge or trial by the United States – violations which, Mr Rabbani’s lawyers argue, oblige the Pakistani government to take up his case.

Mr Rabbani’s lawyers have also submitted to the court a copy of the US Senate’s recent report into CIA torture, which reveals that his 2002 arrest was a case of mistaken identity. The 2014 report also confirms that Mr Rabbani was initially detained for 540 days in secret CIA jails before his transfer to Guantanamo, and was subjected to a number of violent interrogation methods that have been condemned as torture.

Commenting, Mr Rabbani’s lawyer Alka Pradhan, US Counsel at Reprieve, said: “The US Senate report confirmed that Ahmed Rabbani was the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time 13 years ago – and that he was horribly tortured in US secret prisons. But he remains in Guantanamo – and after years of abuse, he is now dangerously ill. Ahmad’s hunger strike is a last desperate cry for help from the Pakistani government. They must now intervene in his case and bring him home.”

ENDS

Link 

Reprieve website

http://www.reprieve.org.uk/topic/guantanamo-bay/

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Adnan Rasheed set his sights on the military

Former Pakistan Air Force technician, Adnan Rasheed (35) now a Senior Taliban Commander has allegedly risen from the dead (if you believe the many accounts of his death) just in time for Tehreek -e-Taliban (TTP) Spring offensive. Photos of the militant leader who is now in charge of Taliban Special Group (TSG) were circulating on social media on Monday evening.

Rasheed with his Taliban Special Group (TSG)

Rasheed who originates from Chota Lahor village, Swabi district was sentenced to death for the attack on former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in 2004. The militant leader (who seems to have more lives than his former prison cat) was incarcerated at Bannu prison and later freed along with 400 inmates when militants stormed the complex in 2012. He was also the mastermind of the 2013 Dera Ismail Khan jailbreak in which over 170 prisoners escaped. Rasheed became known to the west after penning a letter to schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai shot by the Taliban whilst he was incarcerated, see

Letter to Malala from TTP militant Adnan Rasheed

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2013/07/17/letter-to-malala-from-ttp-militant-adnan-rasheed-3/

The military have made several unsuccessful attempts on his life. Rasheed wrote an article stating,

“the Pakistan Air Force claimed that they targeted my house on January 20, 2014. By the Grace of Allah, I and my family are safe. However, the bombing killed four innocent civilians. They were Maryam (4 years old), her mother Ayesha (24 years old), her grandmother (80 years old) and her uncle Bakhtullah (17 years old). A young boy Shahzeb (7 years old) and his sister (14 years old) were taken to Peshawar for treatment; they had sustained burns and broken bones. The symbol of shame, Pakistan Air Force, killed innocent civilians of the Mehsud tribe in an attempt to kill me along with my wife, two year old daughter and infant son.”

On 16th July 2014, DAWN media reported that Rasheed had been captured during military operation Zarb-e-Asb, claiming,

“highly placed intelligence sources told Dawn.com on Tuesday that the firebrand Taliban commander was arrested by the forces in Shakai valley of South Waziristan four days ago in injured condition after he tried to escape from North Waziristan’s cordoned off area due to the military operation.

He has been shifted to an undisclosed location by a helicopter, they added.”

This turned out to be yet another false alarm.

This week, April 13th, 2015, leaflets were allegedly being distributed in Gomal D.I. Khan in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan warning Pakistanis to take notice of the following,

“stay away from Central jail vicinities, army posts, civilians living inside cantt (cantonment) areas should move off!!”

On Twitter, “Mahsudee Witness” who has a photo of Rasheed as his profile picture tweeted the following,

“Large number of TTP troops arrived at Gomal area, circumstances are tense. Adnan Rasheed new media footages along with strict message!!!

Local sources claims the Pakistan military forces has withdrawn from key positions in Khyber agency in past two days. FATA

I do not expect surprises from TTP in near future bt yeah thy r utmost furious over 36+ extrajudicially killing in a week”

Rasheed has released a series of videos. The content includes threatening the life of Musharraf, discussing the welfare of prisoners and most recently delivering a message to the Armed Forces, criticising Pakistan’s military history and subservience under colonialism when part of India and more recently doing the bidding of America, a slave to US dollars. He encouraged members of the military to “Repent Revise and Revolt” and take up arms with TTP to fight for an Islamic State implementing sharia law for the people of Pakistan. Rasheed stated,

“regretfully, regretfully, I was one of you. I joined the air force with a great zeal to serve the citizens of Islam but soon realized this military is out of ethics… What to talk about religion. I found there no Iman ( belief, faith in Allah) no taqwa (piety, being enlightened) and no jihad fisabilillah (struggle, striving in the way of Allah).”

He went on to say,

“in the past you fought for kuffars (non -believers). In the present you are fighting for kuffars and in the future, you will be in front line armies of Dajjal (false Messiah) if you would not repent. You invoke the anger of this nation by implementing martial law many times in this country. I wish you had ever implemented Shari’ah but rather than implementing Shari’ah you proved to be the biggest hurdle.”

Link

“Pakistan’s new most wanted: A short sketch of Adnan Rasheed”

http://mlm.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=39441&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=539#.VNlqnfmsWH4

“Taliban commander Adnan Rasheed advises Pakistan’s Armed Forces to “Repent, Revise and Revolt”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/taliban-commander-adnan-rasheed-advises-pakistans-armed-forces-to-repent-revise-and-revolt/

“Adnan Rasheed responds to Defence Pk video, criticizes armed services for allegedly deviating from Islam”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/taliban-adnan-rasheed-responds-to-defence-pk-video-criticizes-armed-services-for-allegedly-deviating-from-islam/

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Pak politics a winner

Prioritized in life

Ambassador role on offer

For a politician’s wife.

A photo op is waiting

In every major city

Patronize the poor

Smother them with pity

No daily walks for water

Your children taught in class

Pretend to be so pure

As you shake your skinny ass

Mock other politicians

For breaking every rule

But are you so much better

Or another western tool

Post selfie pics on Twitter

As exploited women cry

You couldn’t be much fitter

While malnourished babies die

Who cares for meritocracy

When you can use your fame

Celeb is all that matters

As the people know your name

“Hello” will seek your story

Put you on the cover

Airbrush the imperfections

Of “devoted wife and mother”

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Chimp downs a drone, puts Pakistan military to shame

For years the Pakistan government has spurted rhetoric on drones violating Pakistan airspace and killing civilians whilst doing nothing practical to change this situation. It was stated at a UN conference by a representative from Pakistan that since Zarb -e-Asb military operations were launched in June 2014, US drone strikes (using Predator designed by an Israeli) were no longer needed. Pakistan now has its own drone Burraq but only today DAWN media reported,

“at least four suspected militants were killed when a US drone fired two missiles at a hideout in South Waziristan tribal region’s Shawal area along the Pak-Afghan border on Sunday.”

and also with regard to earlier drone strikes,

“in an audio message released Sunday, Usama Mahmood identified the dead as deputy chief Ahmed Farooq and Qari Imran, in charge of the group’s Afghan affairs.

Mahmood says a Jan. 5 drone strike in North Waziristan killed Imran, while a later drone strike killed Farooq.”

Research shows that drones are counterproductive with some counter -terrorist experts now recognizing and writing on this fact. Drones incite retaliation violence and radicalize youth as was shown in a recent video of a militant camp in Pakistan where family members of drone victims were being trained to take revenge.

Anti-drone campaigners have repeatedly asked why drones that cross into national airspace are not downed by Pakistan that boasts of the competence of its Armed Forces. Pakistan is said to have the capabilities to take down a drone but appears not to have the motivation despite loud protestations of annoyance when it suits. Hypocrisy reigns supreme.

Champion chimp shows who’s boss

They government and Armed Forces could perhaps take a lesson from a chimpanzee that was not prepared to have his/her airspace violated. The chimp at Royal Burgers Zoo in the Netherlands asserted superiority over humans showing it was not about to tolerate being spied on. The fearless ape went into attack mode knocking a drone out of the air with a stick and even managed to film the incident. Chimps may be captive in an enclosure but clearly they are more liberated than their human counterparts see following video link,

As the Telegraph reported,

Perhaps Pakistan military could benefit from using this demonstration of strength and determination as a training video. The chimp was not afraid to tackle his/her masters and show who was boss whereas Pakistani military minds on the other hand appear enslaved by those who hold them captive with US dollars.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

At least 80, high, low -level court staff killed in Balkh operation

10 April 2015 02:08 Written by Zabihullah Mujahid

“BALKH, Apr. 09- As many as 80 the prosecutors, court staff, police and security forces have been killed in Thursday’s martyrdom operation, Al-Emarah News says.

According to fresh reports coming in from Balkh, a team of four Mujahideen belonging to the martyr unit of the Islamic Emirate, Ahmad Mahmoud and Ahmad Shoaib Wali hailing from Kandahar province and Najibullah Hammas and Hamidullah Hikmat from Wardak province, stormed the office of the attorney and the provincial Appeals Court of Mazar-i-Sharif city of Balkh province on April 9, 2015, 12 PM, triggering huge explosions, gunfire and direct shooting attacks that lasted about 6 hours.

At least 80 high and low-level court staff, judges, prosecutors, polices and security forces were killed in the 6-hour long operation of whom 44 belonged to the office of attorney and rest of the 36 were those of Appeal Court, police and security guards.

 Osman, the attorney general head, justice Syed Murad Sharifi, the head of Appeal court, Amir Syed Inayat Agha, the 6th police district chief, Agha Raza, the security chief and with his deputy, Maulddin, the 9th police district chief, Gen Asif and the head of Nazm-e-Ama (civil order police) and other top and low-ranking police and security are among those killed or wounded.”

End

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.