Abu Al-Walid - Allegations of Involvement in Terrorism

Allegations of Involvement in Terrorism

Like Khattab and many of the other Arabs fighting in Chechnya, al-Walid has often been accused of involvement in terrorism by the Russian authorities. According to the FSB, Al-Walid was responsible for several terrorist attacks, including the 1999 apartment bombings, the 2002 Kaspiysk bombing, and planned but never executed bacteriological attacks on Russia. He and Shamil Basayev were also accused of organizing the suicide-bombing of the Chechen Republic's Government headquarters in Grozny on 27 December 2002. Although only Basayev claimed responsibility for the attack, Russian officials asserted that the “Arab methods” used in the attack pointed to “Arab militants trained in Afghanistan”. He has also at various times been accused of being an agent of al-Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood and Saudi Intelligence. Al-Walid himself has never responded to the allegations, but he never claimed responsibility for any of the terrorist attacks he was reported to be involved in, nor did he ever admit to being a member of al-Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood or Saudi Intelligence.

There are however several instances known when al-Walid commented on or even announced acts of terrorism. On 11 June 2003, the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported on a statement al-Walid had released through the al-Qoqaz News Agency, in which he encouraged the Iraqi insurgents to carry out suicide operations. He was quoted as saying; “According to experience in the Caucasus, such operations will have an effect on American and British troops.”

On 19 November of the same year, the Qatar-based Arabic television network Al-Jazeera broadcast a video statement in which al-Walid commented on suicide bombings carried out by Chechen women, claiming that the attacks had been motivated by fear of rape and brutality by Russian soldiers. A translation of this statement is available on BBC Monitoring and in a copy of this translation published by KavkazCenter he was quoted as saying;

“These women, particularly the wives of the Mujahideen who were martyred, are being threatened in their homes, their honour and everything are being threatened. They do not accept being humiliated and living under occupation. They say that they want to serve the cause of Almighty God and avenge the death of their husbands and persecuted people.” On 13 March 2004, one day before the Russian presidential election, al-Walid released another video statement which was broadcast by Al-Jazeera. In the interview he commented on the Russian strategy of dropping mines in the forested areas from which the Chechen insurgents are carrying out their guerrilla war against the Federal Armed Forces and their Chechen collaborators. He was quoted as following;

“The enemies of God drop mines in the forests and God willing, we will return them to the Russians and they will find them on their land and in the midst of their families. (…) But perhaps we may wait a little to see the upcoming elections. If they elect someone who declares war on Chechnya, then the Russians are declaring war against the Chechens and by God we will send them these ... Not only these but also things that did not cross their minds. (…) We will return these to you … You will, God willing, see hundreds of people crippled.”

It is not known whether or not these threats have ever been carried out.

Although it is known that the Amirs of the Arab mujahideen in Chechnya have been instrumental in the acquisition and distribution of funds provided by wealthy, Salafist charities like al-Haramein, there has never been any solid proof of links to al-Qaeda or other international terrorist organizations, nor did any of them ever claim responsibility for the terrorist attacks they had been accused of ordering. While his predecessor Khattab often responded to accusations of terrorism in the media, denying any involvement, the more reclusive al-Walid never did. Whether or not he has ever had any ties with terrorist organizations, or if he has ever been involved in the planning and execution of terrorist attacks, remains unknown.