Al Qaeda Expanding Recruitment Of Children

Security Officials Tell CBS News Militant Group Reaching Into Former Soviet Central Asian Republics

(CBS)  Written for CBSNews.com by Farhan Bokhari, reporting from Islamabad.

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Al Qaeda has successfully established a network for recruiting boys as young as 12 from across central Asia as it seeks new volunteers to enlarge its team of prospective suicide bombers and militants fighters, senior security officials from the Middle East have revealed to CBS News.

News of al Qaeda venturing into the former Soviet central Asian republics with a population that has a largely Muslim heritage marks a significant addition to reports earlier this year that the hardline group had recruited young boys in the Pak-Afghan border region.

Last May, a senior Pakistani security official showed a rare video clip to CBS News documenting a boy, barely 12 years old, using a machete to severe the head of a middle-aged man whom militants probably suspected as being a spy for the U.S.

In an execution which typified the Taliban brand of quick justice, that boy severed the head of his victim who was completely tied up and thrown on the ground as a crowd of hundreds of spectators cheered.

The mountains visible in the background of the video suggest that it was carried out in the rugged terrain somewhere in the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“The effort to recruit young boys for the cause has been extended to central Asia. We have reports that this effort may now be up to two years old,” said one senior Middle Eastern security official who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity.

He said al Qaeda appears to have had more success in central Asian countries such as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - the two states at the center of Islamic militancy - compared to other central Asian republics.

Though impossible to document the scale on which al Qaeda has successfully recruited young boys, the security official said, "You are looking at maybe a few hundred such cases."

While confirming the report of al Qaeda recruiting boys in central Asia, another Middle East security official said the militant group was eager to build its ranks in the former Soviet republics, which are seen as an emerging important frontier.

“There is too much pressure on al Qaeda in the Pak-Afghan region, so they are looking at others areas to spread their wings,” said the second official who also spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity.

“They (al Qaeda) probably believe that heading out to central Asia would be good for their cause. One big advantage is that, unlike the Pak-Afghan region, there is less focus by the U.S. in central Asia" - a reference to the large presence of U.S. military forces on the ground in Afghanistan.

News of this recruitment pattern comes as Pakistani authorities on Friday braced for the first anniversary of last year’s military attack on the "Lal" (red) mosque in the center of Islamabad, once a nerve centre of Islamic militants.

The late Abdul Rasheed Ghazi, a firebrand Islamic preacher from the mosque, had vowed to establish an Islamic system of justice, and last summer ordered his followers to enforce strict Islamic interpretations. The edict included attacking shops selling music CDs.

The stand-off surrounding the mosque revealed that a number of armed militants who fought the military last year had joined hardline groups when they were still teenagers. The fighting culminated with the killing of Ghazi and his co-militants.

Islamic hardliners have now promised to commemorate the anniversary on Sunday, when many who sympathized with Ghazi’s cause are expected to visit the mosque and pay their respects.

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Farhan Bokhari has been covering Southeast Asia for several large European news organizations for 16 years. Based in Islamabad, he focuses his coverage on politics and security issues surrounding the war against terrorism.

[Marie Zarankevich]

Time to keep a much closer eye on your kids, folks. -- Not all the kids that disappear here actually STAY here. -- Some, I am sure, find themselves across the water. -- I''m glad all mine are grown. -- Good luck, all.

[whiskyrocker]

This is not anything new. These kid''s are brainwashed from child birth to believe it is a great honor to blow themselves up. What a bunch of twisted *****es!

[nssherlock1]

Soooo, that''s their version of ''No Child Left Behind''.

[edward1975-2009]

Funny how these cleric leaders of these extremist groups can tell everyone else how to die, women children, anyone willing. Don''t see too many of them dying for the cause.

[fetuskarate]

A bullet from a 14 year old is just as effective as one from a 40 year old.

[caliengineer]

Two points from a former translator for the Marines and the army:

1. Hizbollah has been doing this for many years. When the child shows up to accept the ''mission'' he knew would come when he began accepting favors... He is strapped into a bomb vest and told where to go. He usually only has less than a minute to think.
2. They are recruiting in Asia? Makes sense. In the middle east, they prize their children. BUT, their is a caste system... different laws for foreigners, and different pay scales depending on your nation of origin. They won''t mind so much to blow up asians. They consider them lower on the scale of life. (God, contrarily, does not favor men based on wealth or birth.)

Islam is an evil tree and produces evil fruit.

[yongamerica]

In some warped way this reminds me of the Boy Scouts of America. This organization was established to train basic military and leadership skills to children that will be applicable to their upcoming military career.

[skyk-2009]

Islam is an evil tree and produces evil fruit.

Posted by caliengineer at 03:13 PM : Jul 04, 2008

We have NO business, especially with OUR Language in OUR constitution, getting involved in any religious war, especially one that has been going on THIS long. We needed to do what this nation has CONSISTENTLY done now for over 200 years... GO after those who attacked us and bring them to justice. I has kept us safe and strong for a long time. Now that we have allowed those who seek to make us NO BETTER than the Taliban, we have become weaker and grow MORE so with each passing day. The strength of this nation comes from the People and our UNITY. Those on the Right do not nor have they EVER understood that.

[fixhist]

That was pretty good image building remark by CBS_Oliver , great team work to support farhan in his career building.

Basic ingredients of the story are invariably the same,as were used to boost image of Al-CIA-da (aka. Alqaida),stories & documentaries of Alqaida from cold war erra,were used to create fear among commies, same tapes, possibly 20 Year old are often re-rolled to muster support for coalition forces & NATO.

Media business as usual,but perhaps it will get enough boost for new $200 Billion sales of air-born unmanned gadgets.

I wonder,if the civilians beneith will be requested not to use FM radio or Micro wave ovens.
As a second though ITU frequency band allocations might not be challenged,as most likely civilians will be under forced load shedding.

Very informative recycled article, I''m 100% positive it is just speculative,and author wouldn''t be able to verify his resources even to confirm to the subject alone, to as current as within last 5-Years "Al Qaeda Expanding Recruitment Of Children".

[lemonskink]

The USA military is recruiting children all the time. What gives?

[deacon20081]

The picture in this story reminds me of the picture from Iraq, of the terrorist standing on a box, shrouded and holding wires. Totally staged as we have learned.
Not that children are not being inducted to fight, look at Africa, it is common practice. Islam teaches hate and glorifies death..but what''s a child to do with all of those virgins?

[deacon20081]

In some warped way this reminds me of the Boy Scouts of America. This organization was established to train basic military and leadership skills to children that will be applicable to their upcoming military career.
----------------------------------------------------
As a former Scout Master I can assure you that Scouting does not teach kids to prepare for Military Service. That concept is so very off target. We teach kids to camp, hunt and explore their world, we teach them to have respect for others and to love themselves and to own their accomplishments.
A majority of my troop came from single parent homes where Dad was not around. The leaders became role models and confidants to these kids, which changed their lives. Future preparation for Military Service is really off base. We prepare them for life.

[ponco seno]

They recruit children to be terrorist and we recruit children to be porno stars. which one is more F^# - up?

[billpl-2009]

looks like an Al Qaeda version of the ROTC

...copy cats

[downsteamjim]

To lemonskink: U.S. trained children are flying the black helicopters over your house and putting drugs in your water supply.

[beehive21-2009]

The children of robots, more robots.Killer robots,image that,hum, what are we to do ? hum.
News flash, they say the reason behind using children, older people are not as stupid as they once were,all that BS ,lots of virgins waiting for you in heaven, whats wrong with the virgins on Earth ?

[downsteamjim]

To beehive: You need to do the math. If you can get young men to kill themselves and other young men, that leaves more virgins on earth for the old imams. The old imams believe 3 virgins on earth are better than 70 in the after life.

[downsteamjim]

To curse 914: Don''t forget Mao''s Cultural Revolution. Obama is also focused on younger people, but hopefully not so drastically.

[guadalcanal3]

one_texan...That is probably a good indicater of "the beginning of the end" for Al Qaeda (or as Winston Churchill once said:"The end of the beginning")....remember Hitler''s germany in 1945...all they had left were the young ones.

[guadalcanal3]

deacon20081...As a former "Eagle Scout"....and....U.S.Navy veteran....Thank you for clarifying what "The Boy Scouts Of America" are all about...to those who are ignorant of it...The U.S. miltary is a totally different concept.

[oneamerican-]

Child abuse, al Qaeda style.

Remarkably similar to Hamas'' recruitment of children for "jihad" against the people of Israel.

It''s beginning to look like the terrorist can only recruit the young, uneducated, and the highly impressionable.

Be careful, liberals, they will want you to join next.

[petro49l]

The Saudis pay bribes to George W. Bush to remain silent on the issue of high-priced gasoline. Bush maintains Iraqi oil fields that are secretly controlled by them. There is no reason to buy petroleum from the Middle East. American Oil Companies could remove and tanker petroleum from Central and South America. Why not purchase reasonable leases and leave the war behind?

[sociald63]

take these d-a-mn young terrorists to a local mall in america and let ''em hang out w/ other regular kids - this will change them

[kretos-2009]

Al Ciada again wohoooo

[minnick8-2009]

BSA? That would be the Mormons. They''''re nearly as bad as al qaeda...(less the human body bombs and killing and stuff...)

Posted by billpl

That is b u l l s h i t!

[getrealnow2]

Here something the media never talks about Saddam used to pay suicide bomber families 25000 each to carry out a attack. Oh wait a minute that would make him a supporter of terrorist.

[getrealnow2]

Hearing these liberals comparing our military to al quida is sicking.Just think Obama is their hero scary

[wardoglrs]

Trust me you would do the same if your country were invaded by a world power that is corrupt as the USA.
Get out of that country and oil will drop instantly.

But America is a dumb downed nation of perverts and pedophiles of war and terror all around the world.
Your days are numbered and soon you will see the wrath of government on your door step.

Its already happening look at your nation its falling apart at the seams. All because your to stupid to see the truth and the sign''s.

It will be a great relief to the world that the US is to broke to continue this insanity. So what does a government do with no war to fund and kill innocent women and children

simple they turn on there own

[cdfoxtrot]

Maybe the kids are getting p1ssed off at getting shot at by the "brave" American pilots shooting at them from 35,000 feet up (see other story on CBS currently about 22 Afghan civilians slaughtered by US warplanes). I think all these pilots are now qualified to run for the office of US president.

[cdfoxtrot]

Here something the media never talks about Saddam used to pay suicide bomber families 25000 each to carry out a attack. Oh wait a minute that would make him a supporter of terrorist.

Posted by getrealnow2

Why don''t you tell the whole story? Saddam Hussein would make payments to Palestinian families AFTER they had a loved one who went off as a suicide bomber against the Israeli occupation. You call them "terrorists", some call them "freedom fighters". The payments began in response to the Israeli tactic of collective punishment of destroying the homes of people unconnected to the suicide bombing itself. The money was not paid to carry out attacks, but to help the surviving family members after the death of the militant. BTW, the idea of someone accepting a bribe in order to act as a suicide bomber is so ludicrous I''m always impressed at people having the neck to actually suggest it. So, good on yer, getrealnow2, you''re right up there with all the other Bush supporters.

The same thing continues. American media won''t report it, but the Israelis are seeking a demolition order to destroy the home of the Palestinian who drove the bulldozer in Jerusalem that killed 3 people, several days ago. There are 20 people living in the building in which this Palestinian lived, including women and young children and they are about to have their lives destroyed by a vengeful and compassionless Israeli government.

[rushlimbaug4]

The same thing continues. American media won''''t report it, but the Israelis are seeking a demolition order to destroy the home of the Palestinian who drove the bulldozer in Jerusalem that killed 3 people, several days ago. There are 20 people living in the building in which this Palestinian lived, including women and young children and they are about to have their lives destroyed by a vengeful and compassionless Israeli government.




Posted by cdfoxtrot at 12:47 AM : Jul 05, 2008

Al Qiyada is on the run! These children of whom you speak surely will not grow up to hate the Isrealis! 5 years old or not, if you happened to brush up on a terrorist in a crowd you should be put to death!

When we trained the Taliban to fight against the Soviets it was an incentive to fight the Red Devils! They were our allies then, now they are TERRORISTS! When Reagan sold Iran weapons, it was an incentive to release hostages, not capitulation and double dealing!!

[pete_in_az]

Maybe the kids are getting p1ssed off at getting shot at by the "brave" American pilots shooting at them from 35,000 feet up (see other story on CBS currently about 22 Afghan civilians slaughtered by US warplanes). I think all these pilots are now qualified to run for the office of US president.
Posted by cdfoxtrot at 12:38 AM : Jul 05, 2008

NO! They are not qualified! They didn''t get shot down you liberal terrorist lover (believe me I''m proud to be labeled as so.)

[pete_in_az]

The same thing continues. American media won''''t report it, but the Israelis are seeking a demolition order to destroy the home of the Palestinian who drove the bulldozer in Jerusalem that killed 3 people, several days ago. There are 20 people living in the building in which this Palestinian lived, including women and young children and they are about to have their lives destroyed by a vengeful and compassionless Israeli government.
Posted by cdfoxtrot at 12:47 AM : Jul 05, 2008

Tear down the Dome of the Rock! Rebuild the Temple. Bring the Resurrection! When god is in charge none of this will matter, we''ll be in gods hands. Our god is the only way!

Oh sorry I must have have an TIA.

Cray Christian Singing Churches are just a front for Evanagelical Christians who believe my rant is the way, the only way, and what MUST happen.

Silence these people before we all end up dead.

[soshljustic]

Any real resolution to the wars of the globe involve ending patrilocal living and moving toward matrilocal living, adopting complete egalitarian societies and putting an end to male dominated societies once and for all. Cultural historical repitition show us the most peaceful societies follow these very simple social formats with an absence of violence.In absence of this, with testosterone by far the most abundant toxin in the world,in small doses corrupting of women and children, the globe is doomed if we don''t control this hormone and its ill causing behavioral affects.

[one4gipper]

Winston Churchill once said, the best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter. After reading some of the posts on this thread, I know this to be true.

[patriot12436]

onlytheral
It is sad to think of celebrating when our troops are facing grave danger daily. I also do not like the sound of fireworks as it reminds me of the horrors of war.I will celebrate when we pull out of Iraq and our troops are home safely.

[patriot12436]

I agree with skyk.

[juwboy]

Al-Quaeda is not only recruiting children, but also the mentally-deficient.

Here are some recent examples:

Two young women with Downs'' Syndrome (Mongolism) simultaneously set off bombs in a crowded Baghdad street market killing themselves and scores of others.

A feeble-minded 12-year-old was fitted with an explosive belt that could be detonated remotely via a cell phone and was instructed to walk towards a Gaza border crossing. Fortunately, Israeli soldiers figured out what was happening and were able to disarm him before anyone was harmed.

A mentally-retarded 20-year-old detonated a bomb in a crowded restaurant in the city of Exeter, England. Fortunately, the device was defective and he injured only himself.

How much additional evidence for the inhumanity of Islam do we need?

[juwboy]

cdfoxtrot said:

20 people.....are about to have their lives destroyed by a vengeful and compassionless Israeli government.

WRONG!

20 people are about to have their lives DISRUPTED by the Israeli government.

But ..... since you bring up the subject of lives being destroyed:

In the 1970s, Yasir Arafat and his PLO attempted a coup in Jordan from their base at a Palestinian refugee settlement near the capital, Amman.

The JORDANIAN response was swift and devastating.

The Jordanian Army and Air Force shelled and bombed the Palestinians continuously, relentlessly and mercilessly until no-one fired back.

After 3 days, 20,000 Palestinian men, women and children were dead.

That''s right. Over a 3-day period, 20,000 Palestinian lives were DESTROYED by the vengeful and compassionless government of JORDAN.

Nothing the Israeli government''s done even comes close to such a mass slaughter by JORDAN.

You are complaining about 20 lives being DISRUPTED.

I''ve just told you about 20,000 Palestinian lives DESTROYED by their brother Arabs.

[swwils]

What else do we expect at this point out of these idiots.They are preparing for the future destruction of the USA.I say" Kill them all ,let God sort them out"So all you cry babies out there sympathize with them kids that would just as soon chop off your head as too eat breakfast.We need to seek and destroy before they are here doing us in!

[babooph]

If we can keep up a 10/1 kill ratio,there will be no people left in the States to die & pay taxes.Of course when it came down to only the rich left,the war would of course end.

[amberfoxfour]

Wow, can you blame them. the US Sock Puppets kill anything that moves so children shouldnt be a problem. Way to go Dictator Bush! Way to go!

JT
www.FireMe.To/udi

[j_flood]

Wouldn''t some think the same of JROTC?

[tootall10142]

Here is a real group of soldiers with the heart of s lion the cunning of a cougar and killers of thier children.In the u.s we do this before the children are born so they never see war or birds or the faces of thier killers.we baby our killers and kill our babies, for the good of the mothers or the child they say.

[tootall10142]

TOUGH WORLD AINT IT?

[barbaraf4]

They have setup a recruiting network seeking to expand their volunteer network. Targetting children. How do you recruit children? How do you make them an offer they cannot refuse?

[hotpaulie]

Thanks President Bush. There are more "terrorists" now than ever. Its too bad so many American tax dollars were pissed away.

[formrusmcsgt]

Al Qaeda has successfully established a network for recruiting boys as young as 12 from across central Asia....
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Al Qaeda, just like religions, knows that children can be fed any kind of drivel and take it as the truth......

[fixhist]

45 international troops - including at least 27 U.S. forces and 13 British - died in Afghanistan in June 2008, the deadliest month since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban.

I think there is a great demand of Stickers coming up.
Two most in demand are 1)Alqaida / Terroris, 2)Fallen Solder.
As usual contract will go to Haliburton.

Your wisdom might Say, it will be more Quantity of type-1 Stickers. I''m sure, by the end of printing contract,you will be surprised to know that type-2 stickers surpassed the type-1.

40,000 Invaders under retreat from Afghanistan get reduced to one Solder & limping a limping Horse.

Lesson to have already been learnt was, it will always be easy to get to Afghanistan, It needs more courage & sacrifices to Leave Afghanistan.

I leave the question of "number of Terrorist before invasion & After retreat from Afghanistan" for your brain storm.

[formrusmcsgt]

There are more "terrorists" now than ever. Its too bad so many American tax dollars were pissed away.

Posted by hotpaulie at 10:15 AM : Jul 05, 2008

dubya claims to be on our side in the WOT but, considering his policies creat more terrorists rather than diminish the number of terrorists, one has to wonder who''s side he''s really on....