Israel Matzav

Great news: 'Dozens' of Frenchmen being trained for jihad in Northwest Pakistan

Al-Arabiya reports that 'dozens' of Frenchmen are being trained for jihad by the Taliban in Northwest Pakistan (according to the caption, the photo above is of Lashkar tribesmen who are actually fighting the Taliban in the region) (Hat Tip: Jihad Watch).

Approximately 85 Frenchmen have been training with the Pakistani Taliban in the North Waziristan tribal area for the past three years, according to the intelligence officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. Most of the men have dual nationality with France and North African countries.

The Frenchmen operate under the name Jihad-e-Islami and are being trained to use explosives and other weapons at camps near the town of Miran Shah and in the Datta Khel area, the officials said. They are led by a French commander who goes by the name Abu Tarek. Five of the men returned to France in January 2011 to find new recruits, according to the officials. It's unclear whether Merah was among that group.

A senior French official close to the investigation into the shootings told The Associated Press on Friday that despite Merah's claims of al-Qaedalinks, there was no sign he had “trained or been in contact with organized groups or jihadists.”

A militant commander, Ahmed Marwat, claimed in a phone call with the AP on Saturday that Merah was affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban in Waziristan, but provided no details. Marwat said he was part of the Jundullah wing of the Pakistani Taliban.

The claim could not be independently verified.

Jews... leave. This is why there is a State of Israel.

What could go wrong?

Labels: France, Islamic terrorism, Pakistan

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:36 AM