Murder, rape, torture, destruction of world heritage, and atrocities against minorities and whoever refuses to adhere to their ideologies are hallmarks of all terror groups who have emerged in the last few decades. There is good evidence that Al Qaeda and Taliban in the Af-Pak region have been cut to size. There are still remnants of these groups creating problems here and there; like the attack in Kabul and Peshawar recently, where many innocent civilians were killed along with military personnel.
It is hard to say what drives theses groups and their followers, but the one thing that is clear is that no religion ever condones their evil agenda and vicious actions. We have seen poll after poll where people of the regions where these groups operate openly have rejected them and their ideologies. Some will argue as to why we still see people from all over the world trying to join groups like ISIL. All I can do is speculate as to why? The reason that comes to mind is that they are misled or attracted by violence; especially the young, this is all like video games for them. It cannot be religious teachings as no religion supports the kind of atrocities perpetrated by these groups.
Terrorists have been put on notice. It is an encouraging sign that over forty countries including the major Middle Eastern players have joined in the coalition against ISIL, one of the most brutally violent groups that has emerged recently. Yesterday, President Obama addressed the United Nations seeking to bolster a global coalition that he said would train and equip troops to fight the group, known as ISIL, starve it of financial resources, and halt the flow of foreign recruits to its ranks. “Those who have joined ISIL should leave the battlefield while they can,” President Obama said, foreshadowing the blows to come. “For we will not succumb to threats, and we will demonstrate that the future belongs to those who build, not those who destroy.” The brutality of the militants, he said, “forces us to look into the heart of darkness.” Even so, President Obama said, the threat from the Islamic State was only the most urgent of an onslaught of global challenges that have given the United States no choice but to take the lead.
The writing is on the wall; terrorism has no place on planet earth. Majority of its resident have already shown that they stand against atrocities and would not let a handful of define how to live their lives. Freedom and peace is the call of the time anyone who rejects it, stands no chance.
Abdul Quddus
DET - U.S. Central Command
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