The Osama killing: A classic whodunit

With several conspiracy theories already in circulation and new ones cropping up in quick intervals, the killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has taken the shape of a classic whodunit. Now, it emerges that his elimination could be linked to the intense power struggle within the Al Qaeda. The other central character in this theory involves Osama’s deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri, who has been a constant in the Qaeda narrative since 1988 but had fallen out with his boss somewhere along the line. [caption id=“attachment_5458” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption="(File) Osama bin Laden (L) with his adviser Ayman al-Zawahiri. The Egyptian is now touted to be the next Al Qaeda boss after Osama’s death. Hamid Mir/Reuters"]  [/caption] “They parted ways six years ago,’’ a senior Pakistani official has told The Wall Street Journal. According to his version, Osama was sidelined in the organisation since he could not arrange funds for its operations and his popularity in the terror network had taken a beating. Eased out of actual operations, he was no more a force who commanded respect within the ranks. Sacrificing him for tactical gains was not a difficult option for his challengers. He could have been betrayed by his own men, particularly Zawahiri, this theory suggests. It was the Zawahiri faction which persuaded Osama to leave tribal areas along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and take shelter in Abbottabad, where he was killed by US Seals. Moreover, the courier who led US forces to the 9/11 mastermind had more loyalties for Zawahiri, said al Watan newspaper quoting Arab sources a few days ago. The courier knew he was being followed by the US intelligence, but disguised the fact. The growing chasm between Osama and Egyptian surgeon Zawahiri could be traced to 2005, the aftermath of the US-led invasion of Iraq. The Qaeda faction in Iraq was put in charge of a ruthless Jordanian named Abu Musab al Zarqawi, an appointee of Zawahiri. Zarqawi let loose a brutal campaign against Shiites in Iraq. His actions alienated the locals and obstructed the Al Qaeda’s bid to win then over. It was a big strategic blunder. But Osama was in no position to intervene. The Egyptian faction had gradually taken over the operations of the organisations and he was effectively out of the picture. His deteriorating health rendered him inactive at this juncture. The new theory in circulation has some credence. That the most wanted terrorist in the world, who evaded the international intelligence radar for so long, would ultimately be a sitting duck for the US Seals raises serious questions. It is possible he was betrayed.