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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS): The Nucleus of Jihad in South Asia

As the so-called Islamic State (IS) suffers devastating setbacks in Syria and Iraq, al-Qaeda continues to pose a formidable threat, principally through its regional affiliates in North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Seventeen years after the September 11 attacks, al-Qaeda has survived due in large part to a deliberate strategy focused on gaining the support of the masses by “going local.” This strategy also means that al-Qaeda has avoided the brunt of United States and Western counterterrorism efforts for several years, allowing it to resuscitate once dormant networks of allies while building broad-based support and a robust logistics infrastructure.

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), the youngest affiliate of al-Qaeda, is in many ways the realization of that strategy. Believed to be operating in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, the AQIS affiliate presents an ideal blueprint for core al-Qaeda to use as a litmus test for current and future franchise groups and affiliates. In many ways, AQIS is a throwback to core al-Qaeda in the 1990s, a patchwork of militant groups with a shared ideology and common enemies. Given the potential it has already demonstrated, AQIS could very well lead al-Qaeda into its next decade.

Between 2014 and 2015, AQIS’ leadership suffered heavy losses at the hands of Pakistani and U.S counterterrorism operations. After a string of defeats, many observers believed that AQIS would eventually fade into oblivion. However, like core al-Qaeda, its South Asian progeny demonstrated remarkable resilience and now seems to be on course for a comeback, not just in South Asia, but perhaps beyond the region.

Read the report at The Soufan Center

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS): The Nucleus of Jihad in South Asia Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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