Hakeemullah Mehsud Threatens More Attacks in Pakistan

The leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan vowed to carry out more attacks on the Pakistani state and reiterated his pledge of fealty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar.

Hakeemullah Mehsud, the emir of the Pakistani Taliban, addressed the people of Pakistan in an Eid al Adha message that was released on jihadist forums today. “The message was released in Arabic, English, Pashto, and Urdu,” according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which provided a copy of the message.

In the statement, Hakeemullah accused the Pakistani military and the state of “handing over Arab, Uzbek, and other Mujahideen to the kuffar [unbeliever of infidel] only so that you may please their leaders.” The Arabs to whom he refers are members of al Qaeda, and the Uzbeks are members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and other affiliated groups.

In retribution for Pakistan's turning over terrorists and waging war against the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan in the tribal areas and the northwest, Hakeemullah said that war with the state will continue.

“Our war with you will continue and soon you will be humiliated and disgraced in this very life, and Kufr too will turn its back on you. For they have used you and can no longer see any strength remaining in you.”

Hakeemullah blamed “the oppression and injustices committed against us and our state of humiliation” on “our selfish rulers whose loyalties lie with the Jews and the Christians,” and said that uniting under the leadership of Mullah Omar and waging jihad was the solution.

“I urge all Muslims to rise up against these agents of the kuffar [infidels] who have sold their consciences; to rise above their differences and unite under the banner of Amir-ul-Mu'mineen [leader of the faithful] Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid and work towards the revival of the Caliphate – a dream awaiting fulfillment,” Hakeemullah said.

Later in the statement, Hakeemullah rejected the Durand Line, the border that divides Afghanistan and Pakistan, and said the bond with the Afghan Taliban will “continue to strengthen.”

“There is no doubt that the Muslim Ummah is one body, and as Muslims we do not accept the divisions of the Durand Line or any borders,” Hakeemullah said. “We are all loyal soldiers of Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid. He is our leader, guide and Amir. The services and sacrifices made by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have been proven over time and our association with them will only continue to strengthen.”

Hakeemullah urged Muslims to “display utmost unity” as the US and NATO prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan.

“The armies of the kuffar are well on their way to defeat, and as an exit strategy will make all last ditch efforts to create rifts amongst the Ummah [Mulsim community],” Hakeemullah said. “The Ummah should be cautious of such traps and make sure that the kuffar do not succeed in their attempts.”

President Obama announced last month that the 33,000 additional US “surge” forces that were primarily used to fight the Taliban in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar would be withdrawn by September 2012. The Obama administration is also exploring plans to rapidly draw down additional combat forces as early as next year, well before the previously announced date of 2014.