Kristina Reid
September 17, 2010
1:11
According to a former European intelligence official western intelligence agencies have been able to track the movement of Osama Bin Laden in the years since 9/11. The official stated that during 2003 and 2004 an informant in the Afghanistan- Pakistan border region gave up reliable information about Bin Laden’s whereabouts. However the information was not up to date enough so that intelligence agencies would be able to target Bin Laden specifically. After 9/11 Bin Laden as well as other Al Qaeda officials retreated to the caves and mountains of Tora Bora. Under pressure from U.S. military attacks Bin Laden and his council likely fled somewhere among the tribal areas of Pakistan. During this period Bin Laden was not very able to communicate with other members of Al Qaeda. Gradually they were able to resume meetings after a period of hiding. It was during this time that Bin Laden was able to meet with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, ring leader of 9/11 before his Feb. 2003 arrest. Bin Laden was also in contact with another Al Qaeda member Ayman Al-Zawahiri. Officials have tracked Bin Laden across Pakistani mountains in Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the North West Frontier Province. However after 2004 the informant was no longer able to communicate with intelligence officials for unknown reasons, but officials have still been able to track the movements of Al Qaeda’s leaders and it is suspected the Bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri are in close proximity and able to communicate. In 2008 European and American Jihadists told interrogators that few Al Qaeda followers are allowed to actually meet with Al Qaeda leaders for security reasons. The former intelligence official concluded that Bin Laden has resorted to providing strategic direction to the Al Qaeda organization rather than involving himself deeply in the daily running of the terrorist organization.
This was a very informative article I was shocked to find out that Intelligence agencies knew so much about Bin Ladens movements since 9/11. Even thought the article said that contact with the informant was lost. Its still good to know that officials are still able to track Al Qaeda members . I wish there was more up to date information on information Bin Ladens specific whereabouts, but I guess it will take a few more years for the U.S. to release any new information. I mean after all it took years for the public to learn about where he was in 2003 and 2004. but hopefully the U.S. will be able to have follow up interviews with more intelligence officials and offer new information on the whereabouts of the most want man in the world.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/09/14/pakistan.afghanistan.osama/index.html?npt=NP1
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