South Asia Security Monitor: No. 230

February 21:

Taliban fighters in Afghanistan are being aided in the struggle against the Coalition by the unlikeliest of sources: sympathetic British Muslims. The London Telegraph reports that Taliban insurgents are remotely detonating roadside bombs using a type of improvised explosive device (IED) constructed using British electronic components. These devices are believed to be sent from Britain to Taliban sympathizers in Pakistan and smuggled across the border into Afghanistan.


February 23:

The longest running civil war in Asia may finally be drawing to a close, as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) call for a ceasefire. According to Reuters, however, although the Tamil Tigers have signaled for military pause with Sri Lankan forces, a full capitulation is not necessarily in the cards. The Tigers were asked to lay down their weapons, but countered by requesting that the international community force the Sri Lankan government to stop “the genocide attacks on Tamil people.” LTTE members claim that Sri Lanka’s forces are to blame for the high civilian casualties in the conflict, which total more than 2,000 to date.


February 26:

Newly-appointed CIA director Leon Panetta has backed existing U.S. efforts to combat al-Qaeda militants in the tribal regions of Pakistan. The New York Times reports Mr. Panetta as saying that the now infamous Predator drones flown in Pakistan are the “most effective weapon” the U.S. has to dismantle al-Qaeda’s leadership - a view that, according to Mr. Panetta, is shared by the President and Vice President. This puts the Obama administration at odds with Pakistani officials, who have said they believe the unmanned air strikes exacerbate the country’s problems - particularly because of civilian unrest due to collateral damage resulting from the missile attacks.


February 27:

Although Washington and Manila once believed the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf to be defunct, the celebration may have been premature. According to the Washington Times, the al-Qaeda-linked group is back on the rise. The Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf has been connected with a series of recent kidnappings, including that of a Sri Lankan peace worker, and is estimated to have raised over $1.5 million from kidnapping ransoms during 2008 alone. Additionally, the terrorist group has provided regional foreign militants, such as members of Jemaah Islamiyah, a place to take refuge.


February 28:

Pakistan’s effort to combat insurgents in its tribal regions has met success in at least one area: Bajaur. Channel News Asia reports that Pakistani forces have cleared Taliban insurgents from the region and called the Taliban-declared ceasefire there a “face-saving statement.” Bajaur is one of the seven federally administered tribal areas (FATA) situated along the Afghan border and formerly home to Taliban militants. Pakistani officials claim this victory as proof of their commitment to fighting the Taliban alongside the Coalition.