Highlights
– Jund Ansar Allah first Palestinian terrorist organization claiming ties with al Qaeda
– Group appears to be have 400 well trained fighters under its command
– Group poses major threat to stability in Gaza Strip, Israel
Jund Ansar Allah (Knights of God’s Followers), created in November 2008, is an independent jihadist group operating in the Gaza Strip inspired by al Qaeda and the global jihadist movement. For the past several years, concerns of an al Qaeda presence in the Palestinian Territories have emerged, especially as al Qaeda rhetoric on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has intensified. Jund Ansar Allah is the first organization in the Territories to insist that it maintains a connection to the al Qaeda organization.
The emergence of a new group with ties to al Qaeda in the Gaza Strip would represent an increase in the threat from the Palestinian Territories to Israel. In the past, there has been speculation of the presence of groups linked to al Qaeda, but all evidence has indicated otherwise. It is likely al Qaeda has inspired this group, but it is unlikely they have direct connections with the core members of the organization, including Osama bin Laden.
Organizational Aims
Although the organization appears to be a locally organized group of individuals, with some external membership, its goals mirror those of the global jihadist movement. According to a document released on the group’s website, the goals of Jund Ansar Allah are as follows:
• “First: applying Allah’s Sharia in His land and kicking out the kuffar (nonbelievers) from the Muslims homelands…”
• “Second: defending the honor of the prophet Muhammad…and to punish every person who insults him and has prejudice against him…”
• “Third: rescue the prisoners from the prisons of the Jews, Christians and the tyrants…”
• “Fourth: unify the nation’s mujahidden; to gather their efforts and unify their lines in the face of Allah’s enemies…”
Interestingly, though Jund Ansar Allah emanating in the Gaza Strip, the group fails to mention the Palestinians in its list of organizational goals. This omission may suggest that the organization is not a genuine Palestinian movement, but rather an attempt by the core al Qaeda organization, or an al Qaeda affiliate, to infiltrate the Palestinian Territories to follow through with al Qaeda threats against Israel.
We contend that the group likely is an al Qaeda offshoot, not a grassroots Palestinian movement, intended to fulfill previous al Qaeda threats against the state of Israel. Although this might lessen the influence of the organization in the Gaza Strip, as Palestinians are fervently loyal to grassroots Palestinian organizations, we believe this will not be the case with Jund Ansar Allah. Discontent among extremist Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is on the rise given Hamas’ perceived acquiescence to Israeli demands, including the cessation of violence. Such sentiment may provide a window for Jund Ansar Allah to make inroads in Hamas’ monopoly in Gaza.
Organizational Structure
Jund Ansar Allah appears to be a relatively secretive organization when compared to other al Qaeda affiliates who attempt to capitalize on a charismatic leader – the group has yet to identify such an individual. All of the communiqués released by the organization are allegedly from a Sheikh Abdullah al-Muhajir – likely a pseudonym. In Arabic, ‘al-Muhajir’ means ‘the announcer’. This title is symbolic to the organization as they called their first communiqué “The Proclamation” and their first attempted attack on an Israeli target which they called “The Battle of Proclamation.” We believe this individual, known as al-Muhajir, is the leader of the organization.
The organization’s messages and forums on their website do not provide any information or indication of the number of individuals who have declared loyalty to the organization. From its sophisticated videos, website, and communication methods, headed by their own media wing, the ‘Janah Association for Media Production,’ we believe the organization is well trained and possesses a sizable fighting force. According to Israeli intelligence estimates, Jund Ansar Allah has approximately 400 members who come from the Gaza Strip as well as other parts of the Muslim world. This sophistication and size will increase the organization’s capacity and ability to spread, making the group a larger threat in the region.
Impact of a Self-Described al Qaeda Affiliate in the Gaza Strip
On June 8, 2009 Jund Ansar Allah attacked Israeli forces near the Karni crossing with the Gaza Strip. This intricate attack, involving at least 10 individuals and several explosive laden horses, demonstrates the organization’s unique capabilities and resources. Although Israeli security forces along the border thwarted the attack, the fact that reinforcements, including helicopters, were necessary to ward of the attack, speaks volumes about the attacks coordination and complexity.
In addition to presenting a threat to Israeli security, the organization also presents a significant threat to stability in the Gaza Strip, as Hamas is likely to perceive it as a threat. We believe it is likely this fear will be realized if Jund Ansar Allah continues to perpetrate acts against the Israelis – they will gain legitimacy over Hamas which has, since the January Israeli invasion, denounced the use of violence against Israel.
In late January, following the most recent Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, and the implementation of Hamas’ unilateral cease fire, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades continued shooting rockets into Israel. After rejecting Hamas’ calls for a ceasefire, Hamas arrested several members of Al Aqsa’s leadership and demanded the cessation of rocket fire. Hamas threatened Al Aqsa with a violent crackdown if they continued to contradict those orders. Should Jund Ansar Allah gain legitimacy in the Gaza Strip or violate Hamas’ unilaterally imposed ceasefire, we anticipate the group will encounter similar demands.
