Pakistani Taliban set up base in Syria, BBC reports

Published July 13, 2013
Taliban fighters.  — File Photo
Taliban fighters. — File Photo

KARACHI: The Pakistan Taliban militants set up a cell in Syria six months ago to monitor "the jihad" in the region, the BBC Urdu website reported on Friday.

The militants had visited Syria to set up a base with the assistance of ex-Afghan fighter from the Middle East who had recently moved to the region and to assess the "needs of jihad", Mohammad Amin, a Taliban operative told BBC.

Amin was further quoted as saying that the cell, approved by militant factions both within and outside of the TTP, sends "information and feedback" on the conflict in Syria back to Pakistan.

Their job is to "assess the needs of the Jihad in Syria, and to work out joint operations with our Syrian friends", the senior Taliban member added.

The presence of the Taliban in Syria is perceived to have a sectarian motive as some factions of the militant organisation feel that Sunni Muslims, who constitute a majority in Syria, are being oppressed by Syria's predominantly Shia rulers.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...