RFE's Daud Khattak looks at the recent defection of Pakistani Taliban leader Fazal Saeed and what it means for the TTP. A portion of the article is reprinted below, read the full piece on the CTC Sentinel website.
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The Significance of Fazal Saeed’s Defection from the Pakistani Taliban
Daud Khattak | Combating Terrorism Center
July 27, 2011
The Role of Fazal Saeed
Fazal Saeed, 39-years-old, is from Uchat village in Central Kurram district. He enjoys the support of hundreds of local tribesmen in Kurram Agency, which is located in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on the border with Afghanistan. Saeed joined the TTP when it was founded by Baitullah Mehsud in 2007. Since then, he played an active role in the TTP on various levels, but he has been the group’s primary asset in Kurram. He opposes Pakistan’s alliance with the United States, but is equally against attacks inside Pakistan. He supports fighting against U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan and shows allegiance to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar.... [READ MORE]
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The Significance of Fazal Saeed’s Defection from the Pakistani Taliban
Daud Khattak | Combating Terrorism Center
July 27, 2011
The Role of Fazal Saeed
Fazal Saeed, 39-years-old, is from Uchat village in Central Kurram district. He enjoys the support of hundreds of local tribesmen in Kurram Agency, which is located in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on the border with Afghanistan. Saeed joined the TTP when it was founded by Baitullah Mehsud in 2007. Since then, he played an active role in the TTP on various levels, but he has been the group’s primary asset in Kurram. He opposes Pakistan’s alliance with the United States, but is equally against attacks inside Pakistan. He supports fighting against U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan and shows allegiance to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar.... [READ MORE]