At a time when the Middle East is gripped by the bitter rivalry between the traditions of Sunni and Shiite Islam, the revelation that a devoted Sunni terrorist like Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was liaising with the Shiite ayatollahs of Iran to plan attacks against the West is somewhat surprising.
The links between bin Laden and Iran have been revealed by the CIA’s decision to release nearly half a million files that were found on a computer belonging to the Al Qaeda mastermind. The computer was one of those seized during the daring raid on bin Laden’s Pakistan lair in Abbottabad in May 2011 by a team of US Navy Seals.
Apart from assassinating the mastermind of the September 11 attacks in 2001, the American special forces were also ordered to retrieve as much information as possible about bin Laden’s global terror network.
Al Qaeda under bin Laden had a reputation for meticulous record-keeping, and teams of CIA analysts were, therefore, able to retrieve a treasure trove of information when the captured computers were flown from bin Laden’s hideout in Pakistan to Langley.
Consequently, they were able to make some remarkable discoveries about the extent and nature of bin Laden’s terror operation, of which one of the more startling revelations is the secret channel bin Laden maintained with Tehran from his Pakistani base.
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Read more on regional extremism
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Among the files retrieved is a 19-page document purportedly written by a senior member of the Al Qaeda hierarchy that details an arrangement between Iran and members of bin Laden’s terror network to strike American interests in “Saudi Arabia and the Gulf”.
According to the document, which was written by a senior Al Qaeda terrorist who is said to be “well-connected”, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards helped to maintain the secret channel between Tehran and Abbottabad by making the travel arrangements and providing visas. But the author says that at some point, the relationship soured after Al Qaeda committed an act that the Iranians deemed a violation of the terms of the agreement, which resulted in a number of Al Qaeda operatives being detained by the Revolutionary Guards.
On one level, the revelation about bin Laden’s links with Iran is surprising because wherever you look around the Middle East today, it appears that Shiite Iran and its supporters are locked in a deadly battle against the Sunni world. In Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, Iran is seeking to assert itself at the expense of the Sunnis, whether it is waging war against ISIL fighters in Syria or excluding the powerful Sunni tribes in Iraq from the seat of power in Bahgdad.
And yet, on another level, there have always been concerns that Tehran is actively working with extremist Sunni groups that are deemed to share similar objectives. It is a case of the old Arabic saying, my enemy’s enemy is my friend.
For example, Gulf security officials have long been alarmed by the support Tehran has been providing to some of the more extreme Sunni groups fighting in Syria. Senior Gulf intelligence officials have told me that they have identified a number of Iranian bank accounts that have direct ties to Syrian-based terror groups.
This arrangement is similar to the one Iran has established with Hamas in Gaza. Although Hamas is a Sunni extremist organisation with close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, this has not prevented Iran and radical Shiite allies in the region, like Hizbollah, from actively supporting and arming the Palestinian movement on the grounds that they all share the same goal: attacking the state of Israel.
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Read more on Iran alliances
Targeting Revolutionary Guard crucial to Trump's Iran policy
The profound ideological clash at the heart of the rift between the Gulf and Qatar
Hamas deputy leader says to continue Iran ties, armed fight
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Speculation about Iran’s links with Al Qaeda have surfaced previously, with reports that a number of senior al-Qaeda officials were given sanctuary in Iran following the US-led coalition’s initial military intervention in Afghanistan in 2001, including three of bin Laden’s sons. They were eventually released, and some of them are believed to have travelled to Yemen where they were involved in setting up the terrorist off-shoot Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
Other evidence of Iran’s collaboration with Sunni terror groups relates to the support the Revolutionary Guards have given the Taliban during their fight against US coalition forces in Afghanistan.
The CIA’s revelations about Iran’s collusion with the organisation responsible for carrying out the worst terrorist attack on American soil will be deeply embarrassing for Tehran at a time when the Trump administration has already signalled it intends to take a tough line with the ayatollahs over their continued support for global terrorism.
During a recent conference hosted by the American think tank, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, which had exclusive access to the CIA files prior to their public release this week, the CIA director Mike Pompeo said Iran and Al Qaeda has a long history of building both “secret and open” ties.
The revelations could also prove embarrassing for Qatar at a time when the sheikhdom is under intense scrutiny for its support for Islamist terror groups and its ties with Iran. One of the main charges against Qatar is that it supports the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Islamist group which promotes a similar hardline ideology to Al Qaeda. At the same time Qatar has formed a close alliance with Iran.
Washington would certainly take a dim view if any evidence emerged to suggest Qatar was helping Shiite Iran to link up with extremist Sunni groups in the Middle East.
Con Coughlin is the Daily Telegraph’s defence and foreign affairs editor
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
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THE%20SPECS
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
'O'
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
