The Haqqani terror network operates in the region between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is probably the most powerful network of its kind in the Middle East. This network was established way back during the Soviet invasion years and is well entrenched in the area. One thing that we need to keep in mind is that the United States had a lot to do with funding and supporting these networks back when they were fighting against the Soviets.
The Haqqani network is not a part of the Taliban or al-Qaeda but they are closely affiliated and work together from time to time. This network was actually established by the Pakistani government because it needed its services during the time. This network has performed many missions for the Pakistani government to date and it is believed that the Pakistani government and intelligence service still trains, and funds this networks activities to this day. The problem with this is that the Haqqani network is in active conflict with the United States and NATO forces during the present war in Afghanistan.
The Haqqanis conduct raids, ambushes, and suicide bombings on the Afghan side of the border and then retreat to the Pakistani side of the border to rest, rearm, train, and be protected. The Pakistani government has been very slow to move on them when the United States has provided credible intelligence to their locations and disposition. The leaders of the network are Maulavi Jalaluddin Haqqani, and his son Sirajuddin Haqqani. The Haqqani network run their own terror training camps which are scattered throughout Pakistan, and they are so powerful that they recruit their own soldiers, and finance their own operations. Criminal activities are a large part of the way that they get money to conduct their terror operations. They will shake down the civilian population and engage in other types of corruption as they see fit to get the money to do what they need to do.
The Haqqani network pioneered the use of suicide bombers. They mainly use foreign fighters for this task and they perform it very well.
It is estimated that they have between four to twenty thousand fighters in their network, so you can see how formidable of a force that they actually are.
This network has very close ties to Osama bin Laden, and the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). You can see then part of the reason that our forces in the region are having such a hard time in the fight against this network. If they are in fact receiving help from Pakastani Intelligence it gives them a much better chance of success at their terror missions. They are also rumored to be receiving help from the Pakastani government. Now both the Pakastani government and intelligence strongly deny helping the network, but we need to keep in mind that this network has been around for quite a few years so there are bound to be many unofficial ties with many of the intelligence and government officials who are serving in high ranking offices at this time.
It is rumored that Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been conducting secret negotiations with this network. President Karzai strongly denies this claim but if he were negotiating with them on terms of peace it certainly makes good sense. This network will never be completely destroyed. If they are not given some kind of input in the doings of the new Afghan government they can certainly continue to be a major nuisance and hindrance to any future operations that the government would try to conduct. It is better to have them on your side than fighting against you.
Military Ring Express
