The world of jihadism

The Marawi siege was originally perceived by most Filipinos as a purely local terrorist act. The entry of American and Australian assistance, however, is evidence that this blatant act of terrorism must have some international character. It would seem that there is an attempt by the Maute  and other terrorist groups to become part of a worldwide jihadist movement.

While the jihadist movement would seem to be still globally fragmented, there is a growing similarity in the end goal of the different groups. According to one geopolitical expert, Scott Stewart:  “The jihadists’ plan is to establish a state called an emirate that they can rule, under jihadist principles, and then use the state as a launching pad for further conquests, creating a larger empire they refer to as the caliphate. Many jihadist ideologues believe that the caliphate should be a transnational entity that includes all Muslim lands, stretching from Spain ( Al-Andalus) in the west to the Philippines in the east. The caliphate would then be extended globally, bringing the world into submission.” 

However, Stewart and other experts point out there are some jihadists who are just focused on the overthrow of the regime in their own country and establishing Shariah law as the governance framework. There are also jihadists who believe that there cannot be one global caliphate due to differences among Muslims. 

Jihadism

The use of the term “jihadism” as a reference for terrorist movements begun only in the 1990s. It  became popular only after the September 11, 2001 attacks against the World Trade Center in New York City.  Many Muslim groups contend that the word “ jihad’ is often inaccurately used especially by Western media and politicians. In Arabic, the word “jihad’ means “effort” or “struggle.” According to a BBC article, in Islam this word could mean an individual’s internal struggle against baser instincts, the struggle to build a good Muslim society, or a war for the faith against unbelievers.

Academicians use the term “jihadist” mainly to distinguish between violent and non-violent islamists. Jihadists see violent struggle as necessary to eradicate obstacles to restoring “god’s rule on earth and defending the Muslim community, or umna, against infidels and apostates.” Islamists aim to change government and society in accordance with Islamic law or Sharia.

 “Jihadism” has all the attributes of an ideology. While jihadists clearly use terrorist tactics, the ideological jihadist apparently sees the use of violence as a rational and logical weapon. But it also true that there are some psychotic and sociopathic personalities who have joined the movement. 

Because media usually broadcasts every single terrorist act in detail, there is an impression that the jihadist movement may have a global goal but no long term strategy. There is at least one group – Al Qaeda – that has tried to formulate a form of strategic plan. 

In 2005, the US government released a letter from Al Qaeda’s leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of an affiliated group. In the letter, al-Zawahiri stated that “...the victory of the Islamic world will never take place until a Muslim state is established...in the heart of the Islamic world.” The first step in the plan was to expel the Americans from Iraq. The second stage was to establish an emirate and expand it to a caliphate. The third stage was then to attack the secular countries surrounding Iraq – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan – and bring them into the caliphate. The fourth stage was to use the power of the combined caliphate to attack Israel.

From terrorism to insurgency

There is a big difference between insurgency and terrorism; and the jihadist movements are in different stages in different countries. Terrorism is the “weapon of choice” when the movement is still weak. It is used when the government forces are still much stronger militarily and, therefore, insurgent or conventional warfare is not viable. 

Terrorists might sometimes use insurgent tactics in order to keep government forces off balance and to score major propaganda victories necessary for recruiting purposes. Normally, this tactic results in attacks against civilian targets like the Marawi attack. This is also a favorite tactic of the Taliban in Afghanistan. These attacks require government security forces to allocate costly resources, in terms of manpower and material which is absolutely necessary if the government wants to prevent the targeted population from being terrorized. 

Insurgency, or guerrilla warfare, is the next step for terrorist organizations who have gained sufficient strength. Aside from the jihadists, there have been many modern examples of insurgency leaders, ranging from Lenin, Mao, Che Guevarra and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. The usual plan is to start with small-scale attacks, then move up to hit-and-run raids, and finally to conventional combat. The goal is to seek military parity and then superiority with the government forces so they can conquer and hold territory. 

The jihadist movement has apparently moved up to the level of insurgency and rebellion in places like Afghanistan, Syria and  Yemen. 

Jihadism and the future

Globally, the jihadist movement remains only as a terrorist or insurgent threat and not a strategic or geopolitical threat. Unlike Hitler or Mussolini or Stalin, jihadist groups have not  been able to gain total control of a major nation state that will allow them to start a Third World War.

Military forces alone, however,  cannot defeat any form of insurgency as the Americans discovered in Vietnam. Mao Zedong once said the guerrilla force can only be effective if it can “...move among the people as a fish swims in the sea.” Unless the fundamental political and economic development issues are dealt with, the jihadists will always find enough water to swim.

Creative writing classes for kids and teens

Young Writers’ Hangout for Kids & Teens on July 1 and July 22 (1:30-3pm/independent sessions). All sessions are at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.  For registration and fee details text 0917-6240196 or email [email protected].

*      *     *

Email: [email protected]