ZIMBABWE: 'NEW ALQAEDA HUB'

Zimdaiily.com ^ | Nov 19 04 | Zimdaily

[Cutterjohnmhb]

HARARE- - Zimbabwe has become al-Qaeda’s newest hub amid reports that the embattled country has now become a sanctuary harboring militant Islamist groups and a territorial medium to smuggle people, arms, material and contraband, Zimdaily exclusively reveals today.

Zimbabwe, which borders South Africa to the south, Mozambique to the East and lies close to the neighboring territory of Angola to the west has been offering an attractive operational theater on account of its modern and largely western character.

An intelligence document leaked to Zimdaily and authorerd by Andrew Holt, an independent, US-based terrorism and security agent states that Zimbabwe had become a major hub for al-Qaeda through the relaxed entry requirements into South Africa from Zimbabwe. The existence of major road transportation networks connecting the two countries and the lack of concerted border controls, even at major crossings such as Beitbridge, was clearly a feature that attracted militant groups into the country, the top US security agent said.

[Cutterjohnmhb]

We should send teams to Africa and eliminate as many al-Qaeda leaders as we can..

[GOP Jedi]

Anyone for another round of "Liberia"? George? Donald? Condi?

[ReeseKev27]

Drop some Rangers in there and let them clean them out before the get setup.

[Josh in PA]

I've been saying for 2 years that bin Laden is either in Algeria, Uganda, or Zimbabwe.

Nobody listens.

[RWRbestbyfar]

Target acquired in 5, 4, 3........

[Ptarmigan]

What do you expect out of Robert Mugabe.

[Clive]

Quaere.

This one comes out of left field. Mugabe is a tyrant and his cadre are thugs but I have seen no signs leading up to this.

The muslim population of Zim is insignificant compared to many other African countries.

[msnimje]

MOABABWE

[mysto]

We should send teams to Africa and eliminate as many al-Qaeda leaders as we can..

...and they should take out Mugabe too, while they're at it.

[MattinNJ]

I recommend the book "Shadow War:How Bush is winning the war on Terror". (sorry-don't know the author offhand-book is in my gym bag) Excellent jaw dropping read. He goes into great detail on how Northern Africa is becoming the new base for AQ. Fascinating description of the lawless, desolate, and VAST terrain.

[Billthedrill]

This may be one of those "the enemy of my enemy" things. Al-Q's been the beneficiary of quite a lot of that. If we had to burn Mugabe to get to the terrorists I wouldn't waste a single tear.

[Cage Rattler]

No local newspapers or politicans (government or opposition) down here have even remotely alluded to this at all. Seems all rather odd considering the virtually non-existant Muslim population in Zimbabwe and begs the question behind the true motive for such a story. Just my two cents...

[Freebird Forever]

Let me be the first to say it.

NUKE ZIMBABWE

[manic4organic]

How about we drop some MOABs and rename it ZimBOOMwe?

[cripplecreek]

This has to be one of the dumbest moves Mugabe has ever made. It just goes to show that the worlds dictators and thugs know that the UN has given them the go ahead by their inaction.

I haven't forgotten that while france was trying to prevent us from going to war with their pal in Iraq, they invited Mugabe for a visit in disregard of the EU travel ban.

[Trident/Delta]

Actually, it isn't as crazy (on either side) as it may appear. Mugabe, with a mooselimb population of around 200K probably thnks he can keep a lid on it, in the meantime, he could potentially get $$ into his coffers from "tribute" from al Qaeda. With an indig population of only 200K, the al Qaeda operatives have the cover of not having to recruit "hearts and minds" on the part of the indig mooselimbs. If Mugabe is willing to cast his blind eye on the AQ opertions, I think that he is going to be very surprised when he finds out that for every 1 he sees, there will be 10 he doesn't. It is also attractive that although secular, the Mugabe reign has been somewhat Islamic in nature. Maybe someone converted the idiot to Islam. Mugabe is as unpredictable as "Lil' Kim". However, this does NOT bode well for the US. IF AQ gets a foothold and starts active recruiting of jihadi's it will prove difficult to detect any potential "Tango" (terrorist) by visual. (Yes, I KNOW it is profiling, but, it works) Methinks that the war on terror may have just taken an interesting turn.

It would show some interesting strategic thinking n the part of the AQ's.

Semper Fi

[winodog]

Wont the native population soon turn on the arabs? I am sure they will welcome the money at first but unless they keep paying them well I think the people of Zimbabwe will soon throw off the yoke.

[livius]

It's not an easy yoke to throw off. Arab Muslims are attacking many parts of Africa - as they have always done, but now they seem to be doing it in a reinvigorated fashion, and further south. Many of the disturbances currently taking place in Africa are because of Muslim "rebels" or attackers.

[Born to Conserve]

This smacks of "the Mouse that Roared" syndrome.

[maestro]

......Zimbabwe, which borders South Africa to the south, Mozambique to the East and lies close to the neighboring territory of Angola to the west has been offering an attractive operational theater on account of its modern and largely western character.

....................AQ and Tribes expanding their local action against the 'far' (U.S.A.) West?

(weakest links to help 9-11 war?)

The AQ 'command' to attack U.S. institutions is worldwide, no?