The Matrix of Threat Indicators for Enemy Combatants document, one of hundreds released by WikiLeaks, described the intelligence agencies of Pakistan, Iran, and Yemen as “associated forces” that support al Qaeda.
Judging detainees’ risk, often with flawed evidence
WikiLeaks: Guantanamo Bay terrorist secrets revealed
Guantanamo documents name Pakistan ISI as al Qaeda associate
A detainee assessment claimed that two al Qaeda operatives had knowledge of the 2001 anthrax attacks in the US, but the report cannot be confirmed.
WikiLeaks discloses new details on whereabouts of al-Qaeda leaders on 9/11
Classified files offer new insights into detainees
Guantanamo Bay: Why Obama hasn’t fulfilled his promise to close the facility
The DC Circuit Court affirmed a district court’s decision to deny Guantanamo detainee Yasein Khasem Mohammad Esmail’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Esmail was trained at a notorious al Qaeda camp, studied at an al Qaeda-run school for martyrs, and fought at Tora Bora.
Raids on ex-Taliban threaten Afghan peace process, diplomats warn
Ex-mujahedeen help lead Libyan rebels
A former Guantanamo detainee named Sufyan Ben Qumu is training Derna’s rebels. Declassified memos prepared at Gitmo note that Qumu was a member of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group’s military committee, trained at Osama bin Laden’s camps, worked for al Qaeda front companies, and was a known “extremist” with “no qualms about committing terrorist acts.”
A three-judge DC Circuit Court panel overturned a lower court’s ruling that would have granted freedom to Guantanamo detainee Uthman Abdul Rahim Mohammed Uthman.
But Abdul Hakim al Hasadi has a jihadist pedigree.
The Afghan High Peace Council, set up by President Hamid Karzai in 2010, reportedly wants to speak with four top Taliban commanders held at Guantanamo. All four allegedly had significant ties to al Qaeda prior to their detention.
Upheaval in Mideast sets back terror war
In an opinion released on Feb. 18, a DC district judge denied the habeas corpus petition of Guantanamo detainee Mashour Abdullah Muqbel al Sabri; the decision contradicts earlier district court rulings in important ways. Al Sabri’s career demonstrates that there was extensive overlap between Taliban and al Qaeda operations prior to Sept. 11, 2001.
Afghanistan peace council seeks release of Guantanamo Bay prisoners
Gates: Prospects for closing Guantanamo ‘very, very low’
Inside the Predator drone killing machine
CIA: If caught, bin Laden would be sent to Gitmo
An al Qaeda trainer agreed to a plea deal at Gitmo on Tuesday. The terms of the deal remain undisclosed. The trainer, Noor Uthman Mohammed, was captured alongside top al Qaeda leader Abu Zubaydah in March 2002 and was allegedly involved in Zubaydah’s plot against Israel.
Former senior Taliban member visits Britain
A former Gitmo detainee convicted of terrorism-related charges was freed from an Italian jail on Monday. Adel Ben Mabrouk, a Tunisian who lived in Italy for much of the 1990s, was a member of a known al Qaeda network in Italy prior to his detention at Guantanamo. Mabrouk was captured after fleeing the Tora Bora Mountains in late 2001.
Berkeley considers inviting Guantanamo detainees
Anwar ul Haq Mujahid, who had formerly been detained and released by Pakistan, spoke at Awar Gul’s funeral in Nangarhar province. An official Taliban statement was read, praising Gul as “the renowned commander.” In addition, Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for the release of a top Taliban official from Guantanamo.
The Afghan High Peace Council has requested the release of Khairullah Khairkhwa, a top Taliban official, from Guantanamo. Khairkhwa, who was detained in early 2002, was the governor of Herat province during the Taliban’s reign. He was also allegedly involved in drug trafficking, had ties to senior al Qaeda leaders, and admittedly set up security for meetings between the Taliban and Iran.
In a piece last week, I noted that a former Taliban commander, Awal Gul, died of an apparent heart attack at Guantanamo on Tuesday, Feb. 1. The Taliban have now released a statement online concerning Gul’s death, calling him “the prominent Jihadi commander of Nangarhar province” and lamenting the “martyrdom of the eminent commander.” Much […]
Awal Gul, a former Taliban commander, died of an apparent heart attack at Guantanamo on Tuesday. According to the US military’s declassified files, Osama bin Laden allegedly gave Gul $100,000 to help al Qaeda members escape Afghanistan after 9/11.
An Italian court convicted a former Guantanamo detainee named Mohamed Ben Riadh Nasri of terrorsm-related charges on Monday. At Gitmo, Nasri was identified as “one of the most dangerous Tunisian operatives,” as well as the emir of the Tunisian Combat Group, a known al Qaeda affiliate.