Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog

“Martydom” poster showing brothers Said Kouachi (top) and Cherif Kouachi (middle) and associate Amedy Coulibaly (bottom)

In the interests of Freedom of Speech, I have decided to run the response from Sheikh Harith Al Nithari (Al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsular, AQAP) to the Charlie Hebdo Paris attacks. An attack was carried out on the offices of Charlie Hebdo a magazine which published satirical images of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) on Wednesday 8th January. Two brothers, Said Kouachi (34) and Cherif (32) Kouachi of Algerian heritage fired at police and staff leaving 12 dead and 10 wounded. See my earlier article,

“France: Charlie Hebdo attack and hypocrisy on freedom of expression”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/07/france-charlie-hebdo-attack-and-hypocrisy-on-freedom-of-expression/

Over the next two days, two further incidents occurred. The first was a siege at the warehouse of a printing firm, Création Tendance Découverte (CDT) in Dammartin-en-Goele, 35km (22 miles) north of Paris. A huge security operation and manhunt ensued. After several hours a hostage held by the Kouchi brothers was freed. At different times the brothers had claimed not to kill women or civilians. The siege ended when the two came out of the building allegedly firing at police and were killed.

They had previously said they were prepared to die as “martyrs”. Cherif Kouachi claimed to have been sent “by al-Qaida Yemen”. He spoke to French news network BFM by phone stating, “we are just telling you that we are the defenders of Prophet Mohammed. I was sent, me, Cherif Kouachi, by al Qaeda in Yemen. I went there and Sheikh Anwar Al-Awlaki financed my trip… before he was killed.”

 Alleged phone call from Cherif Kouachi on the following link,

Transcript of call…

Cherif Kouachi’s phone conversation this morning with BFM TV. Notice that he seems unaware of the hostage taking operation of Amedy Coulibaly:

CK: We simply say that we are defenders of the Prophet (sa), and that me, Cherif Kouachi, was sent by al-Qaeda in Yemen. I went there and it is Sheikh Anwar al-Awlaqi who financed me.”
BFM: “And now is it just you and your brother?”
CK: “This is not your problem.”
BFM: Are there other people with you?
CK: This is not your problem
BFM: Ok and you intend to kill again in the name of Allah or no?
CK: Kill who? Have we killed any civilians in the last two days that you’ve been tracking us?
BFM: You killed journalists
CK: But we haven’t killed anyone else
BFM: one second, have you killed anyone THIS MORNING?
CK: We are not killers. We are defenders of the Prophet. We don’t kill women. We don’t kill innocents. We are not like you. You’re the ones who kill innocents in Iraq, in Syria, in Afghanistan. You do that. We don’t. We have a code of honor in Islam.
BFM: But you have killed and taken revenge.
CK: Well said, yes we took revenge. Exactly. You said it yourself.

The second incident was another seige at the Kosher supermarket near Porte de Vincennes, Paris where shoppers were held by a contact of the Kouachi brothers named Amedy Coulibaly (32). He was accompanied by a female, Hayat Boumeddiene (26) believed to be his wife who escaped. Couilibaly was said to be responsible for the earlier shooting of a policewoman. Four hostages were killed during the siege, Coulibaly also died and another gunman may have escaped.

See following link for timeline and details of the sieges,

“Charlie Hebdo hunt: Bloody end to sieges”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30752239

Sheikh Harith Al Nithari (Al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsular, AQAP)

‘THE FACES HAVE BEEN BRIGHTENED’

A SPEECH REGARDING THE BLESSED RAID IN PARIS

PRESENTED BY: SHEIKH HARITH AL NITHARI (MAY ALLAH PROTECT HIM)

Praise be to Allah, once more Praise be to Allah. Oh Allah for you is the Praise, you have sufficed your Prophet from those that mocked him, verily for You is Praise. And you have granted victory to your servants the Mujahideen, verily for You is Praise. Oh Allah send Peace and Blessings upon the one who You have sent ahead of the Hour with the sword until You are worshipped alone, he who You have elevated his status, expounded his heart and gave him protection from the people and have made his enemy the one cut off (from prosperity and every good thing in this world and the Hereafter). Oh Allah send Peace and Blessings upon Your servant and Prophet Muhammed the son of Abdullah, the son of Abdul Mutalib, the son of Hashim. He who You have sent as a witness, a bringer of glad tidings and a warner, a caller to Allah by His permission and an illuminating lamp, Peace and blessings be upon him and his family.

Henceforth, the enemies of the Messenger of Allah thought, those that have disbelieved, belied and abused him, the filths from the sons of France; they thought that Allah will not come to the aide of His Messenger. And they thought they were safe from the Power of Allah over them. So they waited, and stayed in wait, thus (the decree of) Allah came upon them from where they had not expected. And Allah empowered (the believers) over them, and punished them through the hands of the believers. ‘Say, “Do you await for us except one of the two best things while we wait for you that Allah will afflict you with punishment from Himself or at our hands? So wait; indeed we, along with you, are waiting.’

Some of the sons of France have displayed evil conduct towards the Anbiyaa (Prophets) of Allah. A group of the army of Allah rose against them, and taught them (what is) good conduct and the limits of freedom of speech. An army came to you that loves Allah and His Messenger; they do not fear death and are desirous of Martyrdom in the Path of Allah.

POETRY

For Allah there are men after the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet), that avenge and give victory to Allah and His Messenger. Indeed by Allah we shall compete with the Sahabah in the defense of Rasoolullah (S.A.W), and we shall follow their example in defending him. And for us in Muhammed Ibn Maslamah (R.A) is a good example, and if the history of Aus and Khazraj is known, then for Allah is another Aus and Khazraj.

Oh heroic Mujahideen, the faces have been brightened, and the hands have been freed, oh how I wish I was among you. Oh Muslims, verily in Jihad against the Kufaar (disbeliever s) is honor in this world and bliss in the Hereafter. How can we not fight those that have wronged the Nabi, have criticized the Religion, and have fought the Believers? Allah says: ‘And if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and attack your religion with disapproval and criticism, then fight (you) the leaders of disbelief for surely their oaths are nothing to them –so that they may stop (evil actions).’

France today are among the leaders of disbelief, they insult the Anbiyaa (Prophets), defame the Religion and are fighting the Believers. There is no deterrent for them except that which Allah has decreed; ‘Smite (their) necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them i.e. take them as captives) …’

Oh people of France, until when will you continue to fight Allah and His Messenger, if you submit it shall be better for you. ‘Oh mankind! Verily, there has come to you the Messenger (Muhammed S.A.W) with the truth from your Lord. So believe in him, it is better for you. But if you disbelieve, then certainly to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.’

Oh people of France, it is better for you that you cease your aggression against the Muslims, perhaps you may then live in safety. But if you refuse except to be at war, then take glad tidings, for By Allah you will never have the pleasure of safety for as long as you wage war against Allah and His Messenger and continue fighting the Believers. ‘Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), there past will be forgiven. But if they return (thereto), then the examples of those (punished) before them have already preceded (as a warning).

And All Praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

End

Links

“Charlie Hebdo attack: Suspect’s profiles” (BBC)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30722038

“Al Qaeda source: AQAP directed Paris attack” (The Intercept)

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/01/09/alwaki-paris/

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”.

“There is no such thing as freedom of speech, unless it suits certain people and an agenda”    (image blazingcatfur)

Guest blog from Abdul Hamid Faruki

Why should I be asked to keep apologising, protesting and condemning every act done by terrorists who share my faith? Why is faith constantly linked with terrorism when it has no basis for it? Why does the media keep on stirring Islamophobia? I know who I am, proud of it and know what my religion teaches.

The question is, have you apologised or condemned the criminal acts carried out by those that share your race, faith, colour or nationality? Has the White/Christian man apologised for the genocide of the Native Americans, the enslavement of the Black people and the continuous racism and killings of non-whites today? Have the Buddhists apologised for the continuous killings and oppression of the Rohingya people in Burma by Buddhists extremists? Did the Hindus apologies for the mass murders of Muslims by Hindu extremists in the early 1990’s in India?

Did the Atheists apologies for the Holocaust committed by Hitler, or the genocide of tens of millions of people under the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin, or the killings of millions of Christians because of their religion by the Atheist Communist Russia? Did the Jews apologies for the mass murder of 29 Palestinians by a Jew, Baruch Goldstein, in 1994 or the killings of over 500 children in Gaza by the Israeli Army in the summer of 2014? Did the American public hold vigils or observe a day of mourning for the 200 innocent Pakistani children that have been killed in the last five years by American military drones?

Did the Western media hype the religion of Anders Breivik (a Christian) who killed 69 people in Norway in 2011? Where was the condemnation and vigils for the Muslim French women who have been attacked due to their faith and wearing Islamic clothing? Where was the vigil for a 21 year old pregnant French woman who lost her baby in an attack because she was a Muslim? Where is the media storm on the Mosque attacks in France in response to the Paris shootings?

It’s funny how in France everyone is jumping on the bandwagon for freedom of speech and expressing oneself whilst living in a democratic country, yet Muslim women in France are banned from wearing the Burka in public, and they have also forgot the ban imposed on Nicolas Anelka for the ‘quenelle’ gesture. There is no such thing as freedom of speech, unless it suits certain people and an agenda.

The answer is that I don’t expects Jews, Christians, Hindus, White, Black, etc to keep apologising for a crime committed by someone who shares the same background as them, and nor should these people be attacked for not doing so. Just like they never committed those crimes, I wasn’t involved in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the July London bombings, the murder of Lee Rigby or the shooting in Paris. If you looking for answers and solutions, then look closer to home and yourselves.

“We observe a day of mourning and a moment of silence for selected loss of innocent lives. If only humanity did that for every loss, then the world would be silent. For their deaths would deserve us to never speak again.”

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”.

TTP JA spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan

Tehreek -e-Taliban Jamaat -ul-Ahrar (TTP JA) statement (9th January 2015)

“We claim the responsibility of the remote control bomb which took place on Napak army in Mohmand agency, district Baiyzai in Sooran during a search operation, in which 2 soldiers were killed and several other were injured. While in other remote control bomb carried out on Napak army in Mohmand agency, in Alingar several apostate soldiers were injured. This is the fourth attack taking place in this week. We claim the responsibility of the attacks.”

Central Spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan (TTP JA)

Translated by Haidari Khorasani

TTP JA sent the following comment on hearing of the attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo,

Attackers taking “revenge” for caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

“Ashraf gharbi (western ideology) is going to condemn the attack on cartoon maker on our Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Ashraf gharbi was happy when he was alive and making cartoon on our dearest and holy Prophet (PBUH). Now when he is killed by the brave Mujahidin and Fidayeen, ashraf gharbi is condemning the attack in harsh words and expressing condolences with their families that why were they killed because they were making cartoons on our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and it was good.
Very good Ashraf!”

Haidari Khorasani (TTP JA)

Link

“France: Charlie Hebdo attack and hypocrisy on freedom of expression”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/07/france-charlie-hebdo-attack-and-hypocrisy-on-freedom-of-expression/

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”.

One of several child victims of alleged bombardment on Tirah Valley

Tehreek- e-Taliban (TTP) spokesperson Muhammad Khorasani released videos to the media which showed injured and dead bodies of young children in the Tirah Valley area of Khyber Agency, Pakistan. They had allegedly been the victims of a recent bombardment on the 3rd January 2015 as part of military operations which began in June with Zarb-e-Asb and continues with Khyber operations 1 and 2.

The distressing images which showed small skulls crushed, leaving infants with gaping cavities, appeared to fly in the face of ISPR (Inter Services Public Relations) that have repeatedly played down any civilian casualties. According to a Pakistani journalist (who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals) ISPR claimed to have killed 31 terrorists in these latest strikes including suicide bombers and four hideouts of the militants but no mention of civilians being hit.

TTP Chief Mullah Fazlullah who appears in the video issued a warning ordering TTP and those in affiliation to “target” political party PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz). Fazlullah now has a 10 million rupees (US$100,000) bounty on his head following his claim of responsibility for the attack on Peshawar Army School on 16th December 2014.

Repeated warnings to stop torture of detainees in custody and cease extra-judicial killings were ignored by government and security services in the weeks leading up to the Peshawar massacre. Since the attack which left 150 people, mostly children, dead and around 100 injured, the government has embarked on a “revenge” spree stating 500 prisoners will be hung in the near future. Hangings are already in progress. Fazlullah responded to this action in the video, saying, “the announcement of hanging made by you (government) is for the detained prisoners but just telling you that whatever barbarism you can do, in the end noose will come to your neck.”

Journalists in Pakistan must now take extra care when writing on the War on Terror as the Nawaz Sharif government is clamping down on reporting on insurgency in Pakistan and aims to silence the voice of militants in the media. However as terrorism theorist Max Abrahms of North Eastern University, US, pointed out, “when terrorists express an interest in attacking a particular target, they often do. That’s why it’s so important to study their statements.”

Mullah Fazlullah, Chief of TTP

Links to the TTP videos (which could not be independently verified due to extremely limited access for media) can be seen here,

https://archive.org/details/BachhonKiShahadatPerAmeerSBKaPaigham2

https://ia802709.us.archive.org/18/items/BachhonKiShahadatPerAmeerSBKaPaigham2/bachhon%20ki%20shahadat%20per%20Ameer%20SB%20ka%20paigham%202.mp4

Following is the translation of Fazlullah video:

“Tehreek- e -Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Maulvi Fazlullah Khurasani video message along with chilling images of the kids killing in bombing to Journalists, masses, Nawaz Sharif and Taliban:

I am elaborating to common Muslim that these are properties of Muslim and their houses, these are destroyed with immense cruelty that we can’t find example of such nastiness in the world history. Women, children and cattle, all were targeted during this attack on Muslim economy. This is part of planned conspiracy to subjugate the Muslim into the hands of infidels but with the Blessing of Almighty Allah these Muslim have faith in one God and believe in Jihad and here mothers give birth to sons who will take revenge for all this. Our enemy must keep in mind whoever will destroy our huts we will destroy their cottages.

If there are hearts in your chests and of meat, then see the situation. Are they not children of someone? Do they have sisters and relatives? Do they have blood in their veins?

Must listen to the crying of this injured child!

We see these scenes and when we take revenge then infidels, enemies of religion, devil forces unanimously started to speak against Jihad and Mujahideens.

With the blessing of Almighty Allah whoever make our sisters weep, we will make their sisters weep in revenge.

I am giving message to the Mujahid brothers that devil media might demoralize your aims, this devil media only enters into the spots where blood is oozing but they don’t have heart to explain the truth and work with justice. Media is also at war with us, Media is playing its part on a full scale against us in this war. Media must wait for the warning and threat from the Almighty Allah.

I am asking you people that what has happened to you that you are not feeling mercy on the condition of this Ummah? Will you not consider the weeping and hurt of these sisters and mothers? Will you not take care of your martyrs and prisoners?

If you don’t forgive each other and didn’t follow the path of unity and Shariah then must keep in your memory that you will never be pardoned. Allah will bring such people who will be pious as compare to we all and they will be blessed with good characters. Today we have a chance to invite people to Jihad and play our role in Jihad with honesty and become the protectors of the properties of the masses. Try to avoid and keep away from immoral activities and the activities against Islam and Shariah.

As you know that in everywhere operations against the Muslims, Pakistani army is playing its full role, it the contract of this army and till the time we didn’t inflict damage on this army, Shariah can’t be functional in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Hindustan. Emancipate your Quran and your brothers and have mercy on the honor and dignity of your sisters and mothers, Your enemy is being defeated, till to date no one got success against Jihad.

I am telling this to Nawaz Sharif that till now our target was Awami National Party (ANP), from today onward I am tasking all the mujahideens either in affiliation with the TTP or not, and believe in the Jihad of Pakistan that “Muslim League-Nawaz is our target.”

“Hit them with immense force that either they subjugate to the writ of Almighty Allah or either send them to hell.”

The announcement of hanging made by you is for the detained prisoners but just telling you that whatever barbarism you can do in the end noose will come to your neck.

Whenever Pharoah got angry then he used to saying that I will hang you… You (Nawaz) the Pharoah of Pakistan he was Pharoah of Egypt, You followed Pharoah and repeated his words but keep firm with your words. With the Blessing of Almighty Allah we will be firm with our words. We have accepted the writ of Almighty Allah and you will also have to accept the writ of Allah.”

Thanks

End

Young children allegedly killed by Pakistani F16 jets on 3rd January 2015 (Khyber Agency, TTP video)

Links

“Mullah Fazlullah video states attack on Peshawar School was planned to take hostages for exchange but army firing altered scario”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/mullah-fazlullah-video-states-attack-on-peshawar-school-was-planned-to-take-hostages-for-exchange/

“Peshawar Review: Bombing civilians, torture and extra-judicial killings, major factors leading to army school massacre”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2014/12/23/peshawar-review-bombing-civilians-torture-and-extra-judicial-killings-major-factors-leading-to-army-school-massacre/

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”.

Alleged gunmen that attacked staff at offices of Charlie Hebdo, Paris

(Le Monde, Elise Barthet, Twitter)

Word of an attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a weekly satirical magazine in Paris came in a tweet which read, “the Prophet (Muhammad) has been avenged!”

At least 12 people were killed and 10 wounded when 3 gunmen, carrying kalashnikovs and a rocket-propelled grenade and dressed in black military-style clothing, one shouting Allahu Akbar (God is Great) approached the premises of the publication. Charlie Hebdo cartoonist Corinne “Coco” Rey told a French newspaper that two men forced him to enter a door code. He was told, “you say to the media that it was al Qaeda in Yemen”

Charlie Hebdo was controversial for its mocking of political and religious leaders which included the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in 2011 and most recently Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of Islamic State, (parts of Iraq and Syria). The caricatures were viewed as offensive and blasphemous by many of France’s 5 million Muslims and the offices had been firebombed in the past.

An editorial meeting had been taking place when the attackers were said by witnesses to have called out victims’ surnames before executing members of staff. Those killed include cartoonists Charb, Wolinksi, Cabu and Tignous and also two policemen.

Cartoonists killed at offices of Charlie Hebdo ( Independent)

Footage appeared on social media showing one attacker outside the building appearing to fire at a wounded man on the ground who pleaded not to be shot. The attackers escaped in a black vehicle that was later found abandoned.

Policeman pleading for his life

Footage of gunman shooting wounded man

http://www.geenstijl.nl/mt/archieven/2015/01/video_schutters_parijs_schiete.html

Tweeter Abu Hamza said, “the newspaper defended the cartoons, saying, “we do caricatures of everyone, we do it with the Prophet, it’s called provocation.” Hamza later tweeted the words, they declare: ‘we were only talking idly and joking.” [al-Tawbah 9:64 with the following image,

We were only joking (via Abu Hamza, Twitter) 

Concerns were raised that the assailants might have had combat training abroad. Max Abrahms, terrorist theorist and Professor at North Eastern University, US, pointed out that “the attack comes as 1,000 French citizens have gone or planned to join jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria.” Pieter Nanninga, Assistant Professor Middle Eastern Studies, University of Groningen | (jihadism, media and violence) tweeted, “in March 2013 this group (al Qaeda, Yemen) published most-wanted list in Inspire magazine with Charlie Hebdo editor Charbonnier on it.”

Most wanted list (Inspire)

A video appeared on social media of the gunmen, one can be heard to shout “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).

Politicians rushed to condemn the attack with those responsible for the incineration and decapitation of children by drone around the globe such as British Prime Minister David Cameron attempting to take the moral high ground.

President Francois Hollande called the attack, “an act of indescribable barbarity” warning that, “measures have been taken to find those responsible, they will be hunted for as long as it takes to catch them and bring them to justice.”

Many were vocal in their defence of democracy and the right to freedom of speech for those at the offices of Charlie Hebdo however the same freedom of expression was not applied in France to wearing of the burqa.

In July 2014, the Guardian reported that,

“judges at the European court of human rights (ECHR) have upheld France’s burqa ban, accepting Paris’s argument that it encouraged citizens to “live together”.

The law introduced in 2010 makes it illegal for anyone to cover their face in a public place. While it also covers balaclavas and hoods, the ban has been criticised as targeting Muslim women.”

Back in 2010 cartoonist Latuff pointed out another hypocrisy regarding different communities with the following images,

John Kerry, US Secretary of State, declared that, “freedom of expression is not able to be killed by this kind of act of terror.” Double standards were evident once again however given America’s efforts to stifle peaceful voices of dissent and gag whistleblowers, making their lives a misery as can be seen in documentary from director James Spione entitled “Silenced”

http://nakededgefilms.com/films/silenced/

Moazzam Begg former Guantanamo detainee tweeted the following inevitable follow -on from the Charlie Hebdo incident “condemn, grieve, avenge. Ideology, faith, ethnicity. Target, vilify, radicalise. More laws. Chain is greased, cycle begins.”

As night fell a series of vigils were taking place in France and other countries with “Je suis Charlie” (I am Charlie) Twitter theme.

“Je suis Charlie” (Guardian)

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”.

Colorado Springs (image, Daniels Team)

On 6th January 2015 Reuters reported that a “homemade bomb exploded outside the offices of the Colorado Springs chapter of the NAACP civil rights group on Tuesday”. Fortunately, Amy Sanders, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Denver informed the media that although a gasoline can had been placed near the device it failed to ignite so no one was hurt and there was only minor damage to nearby buildings.

So could this incident be described as an attempted terrorist attack? Was there any indication as to who had carried out this act of aggression?

The Los Angeles Times stated that,

“FBI Denver and the Colorado Springs Police Department are on the scene. A man aged about 40 is a person of interest in the investigation. He may be driving a 2000 or older-model dirty white pick-up truck with paneling, a dark-colored bed liner, an open tailgate and a missing or covered license plate.”

So what might have happened had this incident taken place in Pakistan or Yemen? It would probably have triggered an alert, been picked up by US intelligence agencies, labelled as a likely “terrorist attack” made into a file or added to existing files on other such incidents.

In addition, something else might have come into place, intelligence could have led to adding the “suspected” person, an “alleged insurgent” to a drone target list at some point. Keeping in mind that a person does not have to be charged or tried in court and found guilty to be on the receiving end of a drone missile… only “suspected”.

If this is such a good and accurate system, one has to surely question why it is NEVER used on US home soil. What about this person of interest, “suspected terrorist” as described by the FBI and police… if this was Pakistan and there was an established lead wouldn’t this man and whoever was in his truck be under surveillance by a drone operator by now with a view to a future missile strike?

What would happen if it was decided action should be taken? This vehicle could be targeted on a highway in Colorado Springs. Imagine this scenario, the suspected person, the driver is giving a neighbour a lift to her place of work. Just as the drone missile is launched two children that had been been playing in a nearby field run through a gate by the side of the road just as the vehicle passes. One man (the target), a woman and one of the children are incinerated, blown apart whilst the other child is decapitated. Scenarios like this are common place in other parts of the world.

Surely if drone strikes are good enough for “alleged insurgents” and locals on Pakistan and Yemen soil… they are good enough for a “suspected terrorist” and the US citizens of Colorado Springs?

Link 

“Bomb explodes outside NAACP building in Colorado Springs”

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/07/us-usa-naacp-explosion-idUSKBN0KF1WM20150107

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/WOT/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”.

Mullah Fazlullah Tehreek -e-Taliban (TTP)

Mullah Fazlullah, Emir of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban has appeared on video giving a verbal response to the attack on Peshawar Army Public School and College on the 16th December 2014 by TTP which killed over 140 schoolchildren and adults and left 122 injured. See following BBC link for story of massacre,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30507836

He alleges that students were intended for exchange with TTP prisoners but army firing altered the whole scenario.

Mullah Fazlullah video transcript of his response (translation via Pakistani source)

“First thing is about the army and the current situation. What the army has done everyone knows. We conveyed our message of peace through each and every forum to the government but—-you know that we are in war with you. If you are killing our people, those were unarmed, and then remember every action has its reaction. We are following the teaching of Allah otherwise we would teach you a lesson that how people are being killed.

Pakistan is already ruined neither the US nor the infidel Pakistani army can save it. What you (army) has done with our prisoners and women, you know what you have done. If you are killing our people then be brave and do everything with evidences and in front of people. Don’t kill them in fake encounters. We do everything with evidences. We have no lust for killing of people, bloodshed. But you have killed our people all around the country and released the dead bodies in different squares and termed them encounters. You have started torturing our women but we are not making it public or complaining but we complain to Allah.

Look the recent incident of Peshawar; it was not a school but it was a cantonment/fort of military not a school. When it is army public school it means it is cantonment and there is no question of not attacking it. If it was school what a colonel and brigadier were doing inside? We will try our best to find such attacks, such cantonments where the children of officers are reading, and those boys are mature of 18 and 20 year old they are our targets. If we found such targets in bazaars will not spare those and only we would show mercy on children and women.

The war will continue and we could not be eradicated with such killing of our men in fake encounters with jails and martyrdoms. Allah will never allow us to be ruined. We had sent our men to make the school (students and others) as hostages, to ask for the release of our men and to catch the attention of media. But the forces started firing that changed the whole scenario.

Those who were sent for the attack were human; they had blood in their veins; they were there not for any personal gain but they were there for a noble cause. They checked the identity that whether they were the children of the army personnel or not and they were mature (above 18). If we had to kill all the students then we would asked our fighters kill all. Those who were freed they were not by the army but they were allowed by our men to go. The mature were killed as tomorrow they would become army officers and would come to combat us.

When the wives of army personnel weep their husbands would realize that they had made many mothers to weep by killing their small children. Everyone says that it is inhuman but no one talks about thousands of children and women who disappeared from Swat IDPs camps. Look to Lal Masjid incident. Sabawon (a school established by army in Swat region to indoctrinate children of militants) is not school but jail. No one is objecting it but this one (army public school). I finally invite all those suicide bombers who are out of contacts and want to hit such targets should contact us.”

End

Link

“Peshawar review: Bombing civilians, torture and extra -judicial killings, major factors leading to army school massacre”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2014/12/23/peshawar-review-bombing-civilians-torture-and-extra-judicial-killings-major-factors-leading-to-army-school-massacre/

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”.

Adnan Rasheed (35) a former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) junior technician, now a senior Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) commander, delivered a strong message to the country’s security services to “Repent, Revise and Revolt” via a new 15 minute video which surfaced on 22nd December 2014. He was one of six men imprisoned for the 2003 assassination attempt on General Pervez Musharraf in Rawalpindi.

Rasheed who originates from Chota Lahor village, Swabi district was awarded a death sentence in 2005 but managed to escape after a meticulously planned break-out operation was organized by 200 heavily armed TTP militants. Uzbek mujahideen were also involved in the operation. In what was seen as a huge security lapse, the Taliban succeeded in freeing nearly 400 prisoners from Bannu Central Jail in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 15th April, 2012. As TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan remarked at the time, the main focus was to free Adnan and the two later appeared in a video together.

Rasheed who has two wives and is the father of a girl and boy is believed to be currently occupied fighting against the military who launched operation Zarb -Asb in North Waziristan in June 2014 and later operations Khyber 1 and 2. The commander also heads Ansarul Aseer (Helpers of the Prisoners) set up to free imprisoned jihadis and masterminded a jailbreak operation in Dera Ismail Khan on July 29 2013 in which 275 prisoners escaped into the night. In addition he is known to provide support services to widows and their children in the form of food and other necessities.

In the latest video from Rasheed, he gives a history of the role of Pakistan’s military going back prior to the formation of the “land of the pure” in 1947 during partition, it was formerly part of India and under British colonial rule. He highlights what he sees as the shortcomings of regiments from 1759 to present day armed forces and advises that they repent and join the ranks of the TTP.

Photos of Adnan Rasheed (Facebook)

Video link

http://www.unewstv.com/34263/ttp-commander-adnan-rasheed-s-strict-message-to-security-forces-of-pakistan

Transcript of video

And they shall say: Oh our Lord! Surely we obeyed our leaders and our great men so they led us astray from the path.

A message from TTP’S senior commander Adnan Rasheed (HA)

“Former PAF Officer”

To

The Security Forces of Pakistan

“All credit due to Allah and may peace and blessing be upon His messenger Muhammad, His family and His companions. Peace be upon those who follow the guidance.

To the Pakistan Armed Forces I say, do you remember the time when you were regarded as soldiers of Islam and Pakistan. You may remember when the people of Tribal Areas fought for you in the war of 1948 and liberated for you the Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Do you remember the 1965 war when the civilians of peace in West Pakistan stood by your side. I hope you remember when you lost half of the country to India and killed many of your Bengali brothers, this nation said to you “welcome home” and deliberately forgot your war crimes.

Do you remember when thousands of Pakistani youth fought your proxy war in Afghanistan and in Indian Kashmir. Do you remember the times of peace when you were roaming in the streets and towns of this country without any fear. These were all the bounties bestowed on you by the Muslim citizens of Pakistan, but what did you give in return? Let me remind you of your ungratefulness.

Your air force bombarded the Muslims of North Waziristan for two consecutive months in 1948 as a punishment for demanding Shari’ah (law). Then you massacred 600 Pashtun Muslims in Charsadda for the same crime. I remind you that these two operations happened in the governorship of Jinnah. In 1953 you implemented martial law in Lahore and killed hundreds of devout Muslims whose only demand was legislation for the protection of the honor of Rasulullah (Peace Be Upon Him).

Afterwards you tried to plant the dirty tree of democracy in this country and brought to you the fruit of Bangladesh. Then you turned your guns and bayonets to your own Bengali brothers. You killed millions who were backbone of Pakistani movement and real founders. You raped your own sisters and you disgraced your own elders and you surrendered to the most timid nation of the world, shamelessly. Rather you had learned some lessons from Bangladesh.

You launched operations in Baluchistan and killed thousands of your Baluch brothers and made them hostile forever. Then your greed led you into the dollar game and you earned millions from proxy war in Afghanistan and you deceived the nation in the name of jihad.

We Muslims have not forgot the blood game you played in Indian Kashmir exploiting youth in the name of so called freedom. When Bush declared Crusades, your very general said, “it is wise to protect heads from hurricane.” You took a U-turn and termed jihad as “terrorism” and mujahideen as “terrorists”.

In the name of War on Terror, you gave a bloodbath to Red Mosque and whole Tribal belt from Swat to South Waziristan. A non-stop series of barbaric operations, disappearances, mutilated bodies and record number of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Ironically you thought that despite of your evil actions and betrayals you will never incur the wrath of Allah Almighty.

How many of you were slaughtered like a lamb? How many of you were killed worse than a mad dog? The number of you killed and handicapped by Taliban is more than what you have lost in wars with India. This is the earning of your own hands that today your name has been disgraced to such an extent that you are hiding your identity as a soldier when you are in civvies (civilian clothing). You are hiding the military number plate of  vehicles in your own country.

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).

Oh persons of Pakistan armed forces let me fulfill my duty to call you to the righteous path because I know you well than any other Taliban. I know that most of you love Islam and want Sharia’ah (law) in this country. I know most of you don’t want to be the fuel of this war against Islam. I know most of you still feel sorry for the martyrs of Red Mosque.

Your officers always exploit you in the name of Pakistan and Islam. Imams you have in your mosques are not Godly but worldly men, they are just up to their pay and pensions. Don’t ever listen or believe them.

For man and woman in the Armed Forces of Pakistan, pay heed to me. let me remind you of something from your past. You can see the medals, shields, honors and names of British commanders hanging on your unit walls with great respect. The Punjab Regiment was raised in 1759 and then Baluch and Alpha Piper Regiment soon after. They fought the war of Palashi against Siraj-ud-Daulah. They martryed Tipu Sultan in Mysore and occupied Delhi and brutally suppressed the War of Independence in 1857. They fought Shaheed and they fought Anglo Afghan Wars.

Now comes the most heinous crime in the history of these regiments that is to fight for Great Britain against the Ottoman Islamic Caliphate. When Tribal people raise in favour of Ottoman Islamic Caliphate these regiments launch operation from Bajaur to South Waziristan to quell the supporters of Islamic Empire. These notorious operations were called the Waziristan and Tribal Expedition in the military history of Pakistan army.

These regiments fought in Iraq, Syria and Palestine and in World War 1. Palestine was under Islamic Caliphate but they brought it under British Control and Britain who ordered it to present day Israel. In other words these regiments fought for the creation of Israel. Can you tell me, what are the sacrifices of these regiments in the creation of Pakistan?

These regiments were used as a suppression tool to quell the Pakistan momin (one who believes in Allah) baton charging the momin workers and sending them to jails. You can find Mutiny 1857, Palestine and Waziristan generals medal in your unit as a jewel. I ask you a question, is this the history we’re proud of? The history full of crimes against Islam and Muslims? Brother, feeling embarrassed, you are proud of your traitor full past.

The truth is this army has always been used as a tool for foreign occupation of Muslim lands, in the past against Mughal and Ottoman empire and recently against Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. In present day it is serving under the new version of Imperialism, the peacekeeping force of United Nations. United Nations is backing war against Islam unanimously to what you call War Against Terrorism and Pakistan is the biggest contributor.

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.

Sufi Muhammad is still behind the bars and Abdul Rashid under the earth. All credit goes to you. I know how your commanders drive you. They drive you in the name of Islam. They turn this civil war against Islam as jihad to you. They label you as a true mujahid instead of mercenary. They call you shaheed (martyr) when you are being killed fighting for kuffars. Do their claims and terms really satisfy you?

I put you a question… Can you call a non-Muslim, a true shaheed. In your forces, there is a list of Christians and Qadiani who are officially acknowledged as shaheed. A non-Muslim cannot command a Muslim soldier but there are hundreds of Christian, Qadiani and Shia commanders over you. Equality is the foremost principle of Islam. Do you see equality in your forces?

I found here a great difference between officers and sepoys. Sepoys are the ones who suffer most in the war on peace but they and their families are treated like Shudras (lowest caste, social class in India) and officers and their families like Brahmins (highest caste, social status). The toilets of officers are luxurious than barracks of sepoys. Don’t you have two files collating in your offices, discipline of sepoys and welfare of officers?

The Pakistani sepoys are the most foolish creatures on earth who lose this war and hearafter for nothing. A sepoy, a sailor, an airman is always in inferiority complex, depressed and dejected. They suffered the most and rewarded the least. Persons of armed forces, these institutions tell you, that you are nothing without uniform. Put your trust in Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala (The Most Glorified, The Most High).

My officers used to tell me, you will be nothing without uniform. I used to say to them 93% of population is civilian, if they can survive, I would also. Now you can see, Allah has given me everything without uniform Alhamdulillah (All Praise And Thanks To God).

To the generals and air marshals of this country, I say, that the day is coming when nobody will safe you from the the wraith of Allah. There was nobody to defend Hitler, Sadam Hussein and Gaddafi, is the vengeance of Allah. And to the ISI, I say, that Gestapo, SAVAK and KGB disappeared millions in the name of state integrity but all failed and you would too.

At the end I would like to remind you the blessed Tehreek -e-Taliban Pakistan under the leadership of respected Emir, seeker of the truth, Mullah Fazlullah, may Allah preserve him. That we seek to apply the rule of Quran and Sunnah. God Willing we will strive to achieve these goals with all that we possess and we will fight to the last man against whoever stands in our way. We will win this war Insha Allah because there is a difference between us and you.

We are fighting for Allah and you are fighting for taghut (to transgress all limits). We are fighting to implement Shari’ah and you are fighting for New World Order. We are fighting for liberation of Muslim lands and you are fighting for dominance of kuffar. We are paving the way for global Caliphate and you are paving the way for global dajjalik regime. I advise the ranks JSUs and officers to repent before it is too late unless you would be standing in the armies of Dajjal.

Revise and revolt if my speech appeals to you. Let’s make this Pakistan a true citizen of Islam. Let’s make it a safe haven for Muslims. Break bones with kuffar, stop fighting for kuffar and become a true mujahid. I open my arms to you, I will love you all, if you repent, I promise you that there will be a ministry for you from TTP and we will be more than happy to see you amongst our ranks.

Surah Ya-Seen وَمَا عَلَيۡنَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ our duty is but plain conveyance (of the message). (17)

Remember us in your prayers.

End

Rasheed came to the attention of the west after he penned a letter revealing his shock regarding schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai who was shot by the Taliban whilst he was in prison and offering advice on her future education, 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/

He has appeared in several earlier videos, one of Bannu jail break and a Taliban video with the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan focusing on welfare of prisoners and their families and a movement to free inmates. Rasheed was also filmed in a further video training militants and threatening the life of Pervez Musharraf. He was seen surrounded by his “death squad” which was comprised of “fedayeen, sniper team, special assault team, and close combat team.”

There have been numerous false reports of Rasheed’s capture but it seems he remains a free man. Niaz Mohammad (40) also a former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) junior technician and a co-conspirator in the 2003 Musharraf assault was not so fortunate and was hanged this week. He was hung as part of a sweep of “revenge” killings by the Nawaz Sharif government in retaliation for an attack by TTP on Peshawar Army School and College on 16th December 2014 which left 150 people, mostly children dead and around 100 injured. Mohammad was in jail on death row at the time of the Peshawar assault.

Links

“Pakistan Taliban announce ceasefire and TTP commander Adnan Rasheed writes on Mir Ali”

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2014/03/02/pakistan-taliban-announce-ceasefire-and-ttp-commander-adnan-rashid-writes-on-mir-ali-attack/

“Pakistan revenge hangings creating martyrs and a call to bring Musharraf to the noose!

https://activist1.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/pakistan-revenge-hangings-creating-martyrs-and-a-call-to-bring-musharraf-to-the-noose/

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”.

Toddler terrorist wearing explosive nappy, potential stink bomb

The Independent on Sunday (January 4th 2015) has reported that,

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nursery-staff-to-be-forced-to-report-toddlers-at-risk-of-becoming-terrorists-9956414.html

I was “inspired” (pardon to pun) to write a short poem dedicated to all those involved in this new War On Toddlers…

How to spot a toddler terrorist

When your baby wants to give bayah

Its difficult to know what to do

If you’ve spawned a radicalized rascal

Prevent will come looking for you

Terrorist toddlers are tiresome

Give ISIS a run for their money

Single minded, obstreperous, fearless

Your child is a right little sonny

His favourite film is Four Lions

Doodles look like a black flag

Growing his hair past his shoulders

Hiding strange things in a bag

He’d rather go Nusra than nursery

Is training his mates how to fight

Eats jihadi pancakes for dinner

“Kafir” is his favourite sound bite

Developed a liking for kittens

Is studying a map of Iraq

T- shirt he wears says “Al Qaeda”

Granny is starting to crack

He’s reading the Anarchist Cookbook

Trading in SIM cards with others

Making a martyrdom video

Distressing the middle-class mothers

If only this kid could be “normal”

Perhaps they should try for another

Things didn’t go quite as expected

He now has a Taliban brother!

Carol Anne Grayson  (2015)

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”.

Knee -jerk hangings are making “martyrs” of prisoners like Niaz Mohammad who do not fear death

Niaz Mohammad (40) a former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) junior technician, who was sentenced to death for making an attempt on the life of former army chief Pervez Musharraf in Rawalpindi in 2003, became the latest prisoner to hang on 31st December 2014. Mohammad was caught up in the sweep of “revenge” killings by the state in retaliation for the attack on Peshawar Army School and College on 16th December which left 150 people, mostly children, dead and around 100 injured.

Pakistan has the world’s largest death row, with over 8,000 people currently awaiting execution. Following the assault on the school, the Nawaz Sharif government decided to lift the country’s six-year moratorium on executions and hang those not related to the attack. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) group took responsibility for Peshawar incident releasing official statements and videos.

Around 500 convicts are expected to hang in the coming weeks. Seven people have been hanged so far, six were involved in the failed attempt to assassinate Musharraf in Rawalpindi in 2003 and another was connected to a 2009 attack on the Army headquarters.

Musharraf who is currently on trial for treason is a controversial figure who drew criticism for allegedly selling suspected “terrorists” to the US. Many ended up in Guantanamo Bay detention centre but were never charged or tried. In his published memoir In the Line of Fire, Musharraf states.

“we have captured 689 and handed over 369 to the United States. We have earned bounties totalling millions of dollars. Those who habitually accuse U.S. of not doing enough in the war on terror should simply ask the CIA how much prize money it has paid to the Government of Pakistan.”

A call to bring Musharraf to the noose

A movement began on Twitter this week to ” first hang Musharraf” before considering other cases. One tweeter, Nabeel Warraich alleged Musharraf to be the “founder and mastermind of terrorism in Pakistan” while Nabeel A Khan accused him of  “Baluchistan Genocide, Lal Masjid Massacre, Treason and Coup..”

With regard to the latest concerns over hangings and human rights violations in Pakistan, Maya Foa, head of the death penalty team at Reprieve, highlighted the case of Shafqat Hussain, who was sentenced in 2004 when he was just 14 years old. She said,

“Mr Hussain was charged with the kidnap and murder of another local child and convicted on the strength of one piece of evidence: a forced confession made after nine days of police torture. When his case was reviewed by the Sindh High Court his conviction for murder was quashed and replaced with a conviction for involuntary manslaughter – accidentally causing death.

Our research suggests that many of the individuals who would be first in line for execution are simply not terrorists, and that the law is being abused in a way that perverts justice and fails to keep anyone safe. The swift execution of large numbers of people, convicted in trials falling well short of basic standards, is not justice. The tragic events in Peshawar require a measured and reasoned response, not a knee-jerk reaction that could see thousands of lives wantonly put at risk.”

The recent hanging frenzy is counter-productive and helping to make “martyrs” of some prisoners who do not fear death. Funerals are well attended and pages are springing up on social media in memory of the dead. However not all are as strong minded or physically capable of withstanding such news, two prisoners have actually died on hearing of their forthcoming execution. One prisoner Nazim, a chronic heart patient died of a heart attack before he could be hung whilst death row convict Umer Rasheed suffered a “huge shock/depression” leading to a brain hemorrhage which kept him from the noose.

The move to execute convicts is also expected to result in retaliation attacks with security at prisons across the country now being put at further risk. A friend of Niaz Mohammad who did not want to be named confirmed the bribing of prison guards (which could be a security breach) and had the following to say about the deceased,

 “he was a good person, here people are so happy celebrating. He was married, he had a daughter, I saw the pic of his daughter when she was a baby. In every prison where he used to get shifted he used to find if there were cats and pet them. He used to drink green tea a lot and workout in the prison every morning. After praying he would recite the Quran and could also speak in English. He used to speak with a lot of people secretly they somehow smuggled cellphones. They used to bribe the guards. He had a cellphone and we used to send him money and then we made a Facebook account for him and he activated the internet on it.”

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”.