Taliban Commanders Discuss Jihad Against America And The ‘Crusader-Zionist Alliance’

In New Video, Taliban Commanders Discuss Jihad Against America And The ‘Crusader-Zionist Alliance’; Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Described As International Organization

In a new video, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud and Waliur Rehman reject Pakistani media reports that there are disagreements between them. In the video, Waliur Rehman also warns that the TTP will wage a struggle for implementation of Islamic shari’a rule in Kashmir and India, as it is currently doing in Pakistan.

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The 45:52-minute video is produced by Umar Media, the broadcasting arm of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in Pashtu language and with Urdu subtitles, and is meant for audiences across Pakistan.[1] It was released on a jihadi internet forum. The video is titled “The False Propaganda of the Dajjali Media Revealed.” In the Muslim world, Dajjal is understood as the one-eyed anti-Christ, blood-thirsty and often a Jew, out to destroy the values and systems of the Islamic world through multi-faceted means of deception, such as the media.

In the video, Hakimullah Mehsud and his deputy Maulana Waliur Rehman appear together. Waliur Rehman is the Emir of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for the Mehsud region of Waziristan, a post whose holder usually succeeds as the TTP chief.

The video begins with a background song in Urdu language, stating that “we are united,” as footage is shown of Waliur Rehman hugging slain TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud and meeting with Hakimullah Mehsud.

Waliur Rehman: “The Practical Struggle For A Shari’a System That We Are Carrying Out In Pakistan, The Same Way We Will Continue It In Kashmir, And The Same Way We Will Implement The Shari’a System In India Too”

As the video opens, Hakimullah Mehsud, the current TTP chief, sits beside Waliur Rehman, and speaks in Pashtu, saying: “Our war is against the current system [of governance in Pakistan], which is the kufri [infidel] system, and our war will continue, Allah willing.” The video has been released in the context of recent Pakistani media reports that Waliur Rehman is maneuvering to replace Hakimullah Mehsud as the TTP emir.

Rejecting any dissension in the ranks of the TTP, Waliur Rehman states: “We are one, will remain united, of the same organization.” Waliur Rehman, who was recently rumored to have dislodged Hakimullah Mehsud as TTP chief, assures viewers: “History will prove that, and our sitting together proves, that we were one earlier, and even now we are one, and Allah willing in the future too we will be united.”

Reiterating support for Hakimullah Mehsud as the TTP emir, Waliur Rehman states: “All praise be to Allah, by consensus, we put our trust in the emir [Hakimullah Mehsud]; and the trust we put in him was as the head of the [TTP] movement. And this journey is continuing as such and will, Allah willing, continue as such in the future too.”

Waliur Rehman, speaking in Pashtu, says: “The practical struggle for a shari’a system that we are carrying out in Pakistan, the same way we will continue it in Kashmir, and the same way we will implement the shari’a system in India too. And this is the only solution for people’s problems.”

For Perhaps The First Time, TTP Spokesman Ehsanullah Ihsan Is Shown On Video

For perhaps the first time, TTP’s official spokesman Ehsanullah Ihsan is shown in the video. Soon thereafter, Ehsanullah Ihsan appears on the video shaking hands with Waliur Rehman and Hakimullah Mehsud.

The TTP emir, Hakimullah Mehsud, introduces him by saying: “Ehsanullah Ihsan is present here with us. And in response to this question [being run as propaganda in media], what should I say, that Ehsanullah Ihsan is our spokesman or not.”

Then Hakimullah Mehsud turns to Waliur Rehman and says: “Maulvi sahib, what will you say [about the propaganda that Ehsanullah Ihsan is not a real person and TTP spokesman]?” Waliur Rehman says: “This is a fact [that Ihsan is the spokesman]. There is no need to present evidence for it because his presence here itself is evidence.”

Hakimullah Mehsud Rejects Division In TTP Leadership, Says: “Time And History Have Proved That … [Waliur Rehman] And I Are One Soul; And Allah Willing, We Will Be One Soul ‘Til Our Death”

Thereafter, Hakimullah Mehsud is asked by a reporter about Pakistani media reports that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is divided into two groups at the level of leadership. The man who asks the question is not shown. Hakimullah Mehsud responds:

“The propaganda that is being carried out that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has become divided into two groups; in reality this propaganda is meant against me and Maulana Waliur Rehman. The propaganda being carried out in the media is baseless and there is no truth in it. And its proof is I and Maulvi sahib [Waliur Rehman] sitting together here. Earlier too, media had carried out such propaganda, but time and history have proved that Maulvi sahib and I are one soul. And Allah willing, we will be one soul ’til our death.”

The next question put before Waliur Rehman is about reports that he is prioritizing the jihad in Afghanistan against U.S. and NATO forces, and is not paying attention to the jihad in Pakistan. Waliur Rehman is asked how he sees the jihad in Pakistan. He responds:

“The question you have put, before answering that question, I would like to say that, the talk you just had with respected emir [Hakimullah Mehsud]…. [the] media time and again released [false] news stories that there are differences between the two [i.e. between Waliur Rehman and Hakimullah Mehsud], that there is a war between them, they are out to kill each other, but time has proved that, as the respected emir said, these were baseless propaganda. The same way, history will prove that, and our sitting here together proves that we were one and even now we are one, and Allah willing in future too, we will be one, one soul and one organization…

“And why should we not be one soul? [And we are one] because this thief military and intelligence institutions, thief politicians and bureaucrats are united in looting Pakistan, are united in destroying Pakistan. Then why should we not remain united for the implementation of the word of Allah….

“The shari’a system for which Allah has ordered us, we are waging the struggle for the same shari’a, and the same shari’a teaches us to keep holding the rope of Allah; and the Prophet [Muhammad] also teaches that we keep the organization [i.e. Islam] united and follow it essentially. And one who left the organization [i.e. Islam], he separate for the fire…. Praise be to Allah that by consensus we put our trust on the respected emir [Hakimullah Mehsud] and we have trusted him as the head of the movement [i.e. TTP].”

Waliur Rehman: “Whether It Be Against Pakistan Or Against Afghanistan, We Consider Both As The War Against America And Are Fighting Against The Crusader-Zionist Alliance”

Waliur Rehman further states: “With regard to your second question, I would like to say that for seven, eight, or 10 years, especially since 2003, the jihad against Pakistan, or with regard to the jihad in Pakistan, look at our practical life, our sacrifices, and our friends’ steadfastness. Regarding this, I would like to say that to release such news stories that [I] am interested in the jihad in Afghanistan or jihad in Pakistan, then I would like to clarify that these two are our battlefronts.

“America is directly ruling over Afghanistan, has installed a puppet [government] there, and in the same way has installed a puppet [government]. By paying salaries to the army [of Pakistan], makes them fight [against the Taliban]. Therefore, this [Afghanistan-Pakistan] is a single battlefront, whether it be against Pakistan or against Afghanistan, we consider both as the war against America and are fighting against the Crusader-Zionist alliance which they have formed. Our fight is against them, Allah willing.

“Through the sacrifices and martyrdoms of our martyrs, we have proved that whether it be the soil of Afghanistan or the soil of Pakistan, we have irrigated them with our blood. And this is all purely for the sake of Islamic system.”

Waliur Rehman – “[Jihad] Is An Ideological Journey”; Hakimullah Mehsud – “We Consider… Serious Negotiations; If This Is So, We Can Hold Negotiations”

Waliur Rehman is also asked about Pakistani media rumors that he or Maulana Fazlullah, the emir of TTP’s Swat district branch, now hiding somewhere in Afghanistan, is being made the emir of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He rejects these rumors as baseless, stating: “There is no post or position in jihad in which one will be interested. Three are no positions in the monstrous system in Pakistan to which one will get attracted….Here in jihad, the higher status one has, he is more on the target of the enemy…. [Jihad] is an ideological journey.”

The interviewer asks Hakimullah Mehsud whether he would seriously consider an offer of some sort from the Pakistani government. Mehsud says: “The question you have put forward with regard to negotiations [with the Pakistani government], we have never refused to hold negotiations. But we consider those negotiations which are serious negotiations. If this is so, we can hold negotiations with them.

“But if the negotiations are not serious… [if they ask that we] surrender weapons, surrender the gun, [and only] then we [i.e. the Pakistani government] will hold negotiations, these are not serious talks. For nearly sixty years… weapons have been in existence among the tribes; weapons are the jewelry of a tribesman; therefore it is an unserious talk [to demand] surrender of weapons…. We do not accept conditional negotiations…. We have not refused serious negotiations….”

Hakimullah Mehsud accuses the Pakistani government and military of breaking peace agreements in the past, especially those that were signed his predecessor Baitullah Mehsud. He goes on to say that Pakistan has no capability to hold negotiations with the Taliban, stating: “Pakistan has no authority of its own because Pakistan is a slave nation [of America]. It is a follower of Americans, a slave of Americans. And a slave is never autonomous…. If Pakistan is really autonomous, then it should boycott Americans. And on its own authority should hold negotiations with us…. not like the previous negotiations, which were broken at the pressures from American, and [Pakistan] shed the blood of its tribes and people [by launching security operations against the Taliban].”

The TTP emir also charges Pakistan with capturing Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and handing her over to the Americans. Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist, is imprisoned in the United States for trying to kill U.S. forces in Afghanistan. “How can we trust such a slave government?” Mehsud asks.

At this point in the interview, Waliur Rehman is asked to give his reaction to the viewpoint articulated by Hakimullah Mehsud. Waliur Rehman expresses “100 percent” support for the views expressed by Mehsud, stating: “As I have said earlier, it is an ideological journey. It is a journey of faith. In our notion and conception, there is no possibility that we accept slavery of anyone or we accept the slavery of a system of our enemy. However, if serious negotiations were held, if the path was paved for serious negotiations, and if we feel that the government is really serious for negotiations, then negotiations can be considered and a decision taken….”

Asked if the manpower strength of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has weakened and whether he can give a picture of its strength, Waliur Rehman says that since the TTP was formed by Baitullah Mehsud, and that every year has proved that the region of the Taliban’s manpower and influence have been expanding, not receding. He notes that the December 16, 2012 attack on the Peshawar airport has proved that the Taliban have strength and manpower. The TTP commander also rejects the distinction between “foreigners” and “locals” among militants, saying that such a conception does not exist in Islam and all Muslims of the world are brothers. “When the need emerges, the locals and foreigners will be with us,” he adds.

Hakimullah Mehsud Expresses Support For Arab Revolutions: “If They Need Our Blood, Our Life; If They Need Our People, We Are Ready For Every Type Of Assistance”; “Allah Willing, The Shari’a System Will Be Established Only Through Jihad”

Hakimullah Mehsud, the TTP chief, is also asked to give his opinion about the recent people’s uprisings in Arab countries. Mehsud says that these countries and their rulers were under the patronage of America and people there were victims of cruelty of their rulers who ran systems of infidels. He states:

“Kufri [infidel] system was prevalent in the Arab nations. All praise be to Allah, the revolutions that came, the movements that arose, these movements are brought about for the implementation of a shari’a system. We believe in them, and it is our hope from them, that because of these revolutions, an Islamic system will be ushered in and the infidel system will be eliminated from the Gulf. Therefore, we support them and we will aid them. If they need our blood, our life; if they need our people, we are ready for every type of assistance so that the democratic and secular system [in Arab nations] comes to an end; the kufri system ends, and an Islamic system is established….”

Urging that people should not opt for democracy and secularism, Hakimullah Mehsud states: “Do not trust secular democratic systems. It should not be that once again the secular democratic system is imposed on you. Do not be misled that your well-being is in a secular democratic system. There is no good for Muslims in a secular democratic system because Muslims have always been mistreated in it and it is a kufri system, it is kufr [unbelief]….Allah willing, the shari’a system will be established only through jihad. And it has been proved by history.”

Asked about the forthcoming general elections in Pakistan, Hakimullah Mehsud rejects the elections, saying that democracy is kufr. He accuses all Pakistani political parties of supporting America in the war on terror for the sake of American dollars. He says the Taliban’s war is not against any party but against the system itself.

In the video, Waliur Rehman justifies the recent assassination of Pakistani provincial minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour, saying that he claimed to be a preacher of non-violence but actually followed violence by supporting the Pakistani military operations. He vows to continue to work for the revival of Islamic caliphate at practical level.

Hakimullah Mehsud: “Emir-ul-Momineen [Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid] Is Our Emir Too, Is Emir Of Afghan Taliban And Is Emir Of Al-Qaeda Too”

Hakimullah Mehsud is asked what will be the Taliban strategy after the U.S. forces withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. He says: “In short, I will like to say that in 2014 when the American forces withdraw from Afghanistan, after that, Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid, who is our emir, who is our emir today and [will take over Afghanistan and] will be our emir in future too… [i.e. after presumably coming to power in 2014 in Afghanistan. Editorial note: Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid is considered emir by both the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban].

“Whatever will be the policy of Emir-ul-Momineen [leader of the faithful] Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid, we will pursue that policy. Even today, we support his policies, and even after that [i.e. after 2014] his policy will be our policy….”

Hakimullah Mehsud is also asked to clarify the distinction between the Afghan Taliban and Al-Qaeda. He says: “As regards the Afghani Taliban, Emir-ul-Momineen [Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid] is our emir too, is emir of the Afghan Taliban, and is emir of Al-Qaeda too. All praise be to Allah. He is emir of all Muslims. And all praise be to Allah, we have accepted him as emir with a true heart. There is no question of relations regarding this.

“Therefore, we are waging jihad under the command of only one emir. Similarly, Al-Qaeda men are our brothers. And we are ready to offer any type of sacrifice with them. They are our muhajireen [immigrants] brothers and we are their ansar [Editorial note: Ansar or “aiders” were local people in Medina who aided Prophet Muhammad when he immigrated from Mecca to establish first Islamic state]. And for them, our families and properties have been sacrificed…. When respected emir Sheikh Osama bin Laden was martyred in Pakistan, our first emotion was that we will take his revenge, and we took it and we will continue to do so in future….”

Waliur Rehman: “The Struggle That We Have Launched, The Jihad We Are Waging, We Are Doing It Considering It As Ghazwa-e-Hind [A Prophecy Attributed To Prophet Muhammad]”; “As Per Ghazwa-e-Hind, Whether It Be Pakistan, Kashmir Or India, These Are All Our Practical Battlefields”

Towards the end of the video, Waliur Rehman is asked about Pakistani media propaganda that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is supporting India and what he would like to say about atrocities against the people in Indian Kashmir. Waliur Rehman responds:

“With regard to this, I would like to urge that the people of Kashmir are our brothers, and the atrocities meted out against them and the barbarism that they are victim of, whether this atrocity be from India or whether this be from Pakistan, the game that these countries have played in the name of Kashmir, the [cross-border] trade that they have started, we are very sad about it. Our hearts are surely hurt by the atrocities being committed against them [i.e. on Kashmiris], our hearts ache. Insofar as Pakistan’s dirty policy [on Kashmir] is concerned, as per which Kashmiris have been ruined and destroyed under the pretext of Kashmir policy, their everything has been destroyed, we strongly condemn this policy too as much as we do about India’s atrocities.

“The struggle that we have launched, the jihad we are waging, we are considering it as Ghazwa-e-Hind [or the Battle of India, a prophecy attributed to Prophet Muhammad that in the end-days, an army of Muslims will rise from the land of India and join with the forces of Jesus in the present-day Israel to establish global Islamic rule]. So, as per Ghazwa-e-Hind, whether it be Pakistan, Kashmir or India, these are all our practical battlefields.

“Allah willing, the mujahideen of Tehreek-e-Taliban will arrive in Kashmir and as per the Islamic shari’a will help the Kashmiris get their rights. As our ancestors sacrificed their lives for Kashmir and liberated Kashmir by force [in 1947-48], the same way their progenies [i.e. Taliban fighters], walking in the footsteps of their forefathers, will liberate Kashmir [from India], and will help them get their rights, Allah willing.

“The practical struggle for a shari’a system that we are carrying out in Pakistan, the same way we will continue it in Kashmir, and the same way we will implement the shari’a system in India too. And this is the only solution for people’s problems.

“And that registered [i.e. government-sponsored] jihad that Pakistan had begun cannot liberate Kashmir, and even if it were to be liberated, it will be in name only, but the system will not change [in favor of Islamic shari’a rule] and their fate will not be changed, and if it were to change, only the shari’a system will change it. And it is our promise to those people [in Kashmir] that we will share their grief, Allah willing.”

Hakimullah Mehsud: All Praise Be To Allah, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Is An International Organization”

At the end of the video, both Hakimullah Mehsud and Waliur Rehman criticize the Pakistani media, accusing it of not presenting a correct analysis of the Taliban positions and accusing Pakistani journalists and political commentators of working for money. Waliur Rehman accuses journalists of opening a media front against the Taliban in their reports and articles.

Hakimullah Mehsud describes the TTP as a global organization, stating: “All praise be to Allah, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is an international organization. Its objective is not that it be present in every region. First of all, our war is a guerrilla war. And the purpose of guerrilla war is that the [location of] bases are not clear; that is, there is no specific base. Nobody knows what influence is in which region. Where the Taliban are present, and where they are not.

“When there was no war in the tribal area [of Pakistan], the Taliban were present here at that time too. Everyone knew about it. But when the war started, then no one knows whether the Taliban are present or not [in a certain geographical area]. Anyway, we are present in the tribal region. Jihad is underway. And I do not want to tell where the Taliban are present, and where they are not. And you know more than me about the situations in the tribal region.”

Speaking about the Pakistani military operations, Waliur Rehman, the TTP emir for Mehsud region, accuses the Pakistani military of destroying people’s homes and mosques and seminaries, and of killing people, women, and children. He accuses the Pakistani state of believing that it is a nuclear power state and therefore it can subjugate the tribesmen. However, Pakistan earned the enmity of the tribesmen in a bid to gain acceptance by the U.S., he says, adding that Pakistani has only lost during military operations over the past 10 years or so.

Endnote:

[1] AMAF, January 6, 2013.

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