4 Threat Matrix: Al Qaeda releases Pakistani Taliban propaganda tape

Written by Bill Roggio on October 24, 2009 11:48 AM to 4 Threat Matrix

Available online at: http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2009/10/al_qaeda_releases_pakistani_ta.php

On Oct. 22, As Sahab, al Qaeda's media production company, released a videotape of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakeemullah Mehsud and South Waziristan commander Waliur Rehman Mehsud to Al Fajr Media Center, al Qaeda's distribution network. The video was published on the Islamic Al Fallujah Forums and then distributed to the network of other jihadi web forums [the banner is above].

Al Qaeda is increasingly tending to distribute Taliban propaganda through As Sahab. And not just from the Pakistani Taliban. For example, As Sahab released an interview with Mullah Sangeen Zadran, Siraj Haqqani's right hand man. The interview was conducted at a training camp in Paktika.

This is a clear sign that the groups are working closely together, and not operating towards different goals, as many analysts would have you believe.