West facing 'ceaseless struggle' against terrorism
The recent terrorist attacks in Morocco and Saudi Arabia demonstrate the strength of local constituent groups of the al Qaida movement, a terrorist expert said today.
Although the al Qaida leadership has been severely weakened since September 11, the West still faces “almost a ceaseless struggle” against terrorism, Dr Magnus Ranstorp said.
Dr Ranstorp, director of St Andrews University’s centre for the study of terrorism and political violence, said he believed al Qaida had a “limited repertoire” in Europe but that many countries such as Kenya continued to be relatively easy targets.
Since the 2001 atrocities in the US, anti-terrorism operations have resulted in more than 500 al Qaida-related arrests, and much has been learned about the movement’s methodology and tactics.
He added: “We have made a lot of gains, but all security officials spearheading this war on terrorism would totally agree that they have to be in this for the long-haul, not just the next year or two but for many years to come.
“It is not going to solve itself in the next couple of years. This is going to be almost a ceaseless struggle.
“People say there will be a stream of attacks, but no-one knows for sure where they will strike next.”
His comments came after reports that German intelligence officials believe al Qaida has regrouped under a new generation of leaders who can continue to draw on young recruits in several Arab countries.
A recent threat assessment drawn up by Germany’s foreign intelligence service said al-Qaida had filled key positions with new people and had the financial resources to carry out co-ordinated terror attacks, according to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.
Following the threats of an imminent attack in east Africa, one American official said intelligence indicated there would be “a stream of attacks” to come.
Analysts believe the weakened al Qaida leadership was hoping to capitalise on Monday’s attacks in Riyadh to prove it can still attack Western interests.
They said plans being detected by US and foreign intelligence agencies appeared to have been in the works for months, if not longer, but were being brought to fruition quickly.
