Qaeda in Kashmir: Al-Zawahiri's calls and signs of political propaganda

Kashmir, disputed by India and Pakistan, was overwhelmed by separatist ambitions which contributed to its emergence as an important geographical location on the map of terrorism. The conflicting factors within the area attracted the currents of extremism. The recent audio tracks broadcast by the terrorist organization "Al Qaeda" indicated the growing tension in the region.

Less than a week ago, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri appeared in a new video entitled "Do not Forget Kashmir" which lasted up to 15 minutes. Zawahiri used it to call armed elements to defend Kashmir as a land for Muslims and relied on promoting the Kashmir issue as a struggle against regional Muslims.

In his speech, Zawahiri relied on Quranic verses that he employed in accordance with his own interpretations, particularly with regard to the terrorists' beliefs about national borders. He called on all to fight in Kashmir as the land of Muslims not defined by separate political entities.

In his call to the militants to defend "Kashmir", he did not forget to strengthen the verses and talk about the virtue of unity and brotherhood among the elements, and here Zawahiri was drawn to a hidden invitation to integrate all the armed currents within the territory under the banner of Al Qaeda.

In addition, the al-Qaeda leader accused the Pakistani intelligence and its army of collaborating with the United States of America, and in a clear and frank invitation to its elements to attack India and its forces.

Kashmiri sections

Ayman al-Zawahiri's video was not the base exception in the recent period, but was preceded by other videos from the organization's regional branch. The Ansar Ghazwat al-Hind group linked to al-Qaeda launched another section to talk about the group's effectiveness in the region and its ability to liberate Kashmir.

The group appealed to the other militants in the region to join Al Qaeda and unite under its banner to liberate the region and declare an Islamic emirate.

Multiple indications

Ahmed Kamel al-Behiri, a researcher in Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, says that Al-Qaeda is trying, by broadcasting these videos, to achieve a number of results, the first of which is the exploitation of these videos. The situation of growing regional conflict in Kashmir between the Indian and Pakistani governments, providing fertile ground for the rise of the terrorist group.

He stressed in a statement to the Reference that the leader of the organization Ayman al-Zawahiri aims to give his elements a moral boost, especially after the killing of the leader of the group Zaker Moussa, as he wants to promote the media group and give a political message that the organization is still standing and being rearranged.