National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

Case Study on East African al-Qaida Cell: Kenya Embassy Bombings August 1998

Discussion of behaviors necessary to sustain a terrorist campaign over time We often think about terrorism as the violent event itself, however it is more about a system of violence Thinking about terrorism this way also changes the way we think about counter-terrorism Counter-terrorism then becomes focused on constricting the full campaign of supporting activities over time

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

Case Study on East African al-Qaida Cell: Kenya Ebassy Bombings August 1998

Abdullah Mohammad Fazul aka Haroun Fazul aka Fazul Born in the Comoros Islands

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

I = Ideology
Soidikis madrasa Age 16 Demonstrates affinity for ideology espoused at this madrasa Scholarship to travel to Pakistan

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

R = Recruitment
Travels to study abroad in Pakistan Recruited in Pakistan Almost immediately brings Fazul to a Safe Haven

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

S = Safe Haven
Where terrorist organizations or movements can: train, recruit, indoctrinate, and/or deploy operatives from Physical spaces where these activities can take place without fear of interdiction

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

S = Safe Haven
Where terrorist organizations or movements can: train, recruit, indoctrinate, and/or deploy operatives from Physical spaces where these activities can take place without fear of interdiction Afghanistan/Pakistan border Trained over a series of months

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

A = Alliances
We think of the bombing as the most important moment in this attack trajectory, however the alliances formed for al-Qaida have great importance and a lasting legacy Fazul networked into existing militant networks in Somalia His alliances and involvement in this attack impact the trajectory of all groups involved

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

Case Study on East African al-Qaida Cell: Kenya Ebassy Bombings August 1998

Fazul is only one member of the cell, individuals had different roles in coordinating attack Fazul: travel and coordination Ali Mohammad: Reconnaissance and surveillance Wadih al-Hage: communicate back with Pakistan, creating front business & funding

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

C = Communication
Communications node in United Kingdom (through front organization) Covert relay communication system Communication system is a necessary piece to sustain and coordinate activities over time

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

Case Study on East African al-Qaida Cell: Kenya Ebassy Bombings August 1998

Fazul is only one member of the cell, individuals had different roles in coordinating attack Fazul: travel and coordination Ali Mohammad: Reconnaissance and surveillance Wadih al-Hage: communicate back with Pakistan, creating front business & funding

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

C = Communication
Communications node in United Kingdom (through front organization) Covert relay communication system Communication system is a necessary piece to sustain and coordinate activities over time

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

Case Study on East African al-Qaida Cell: Kenya Ebassy Bombings August 1998 August 7, 1998 Haroun Fazul drives lead vehicle to deliver bomb to target Devastating effect, second bomb goes off at the same time in Tanzania Complex, coordinated, suicide attack

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

F = Funding Multiple entities in this life course were funded in part by a front charity of alQaida Organization funds not only Soidikis madrasa, but travel and violence in Somalia

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

I = Indoctrination R = Recruitment S = Safe Haven

A = Alliances C = Communication F = Funding