As The New York Times put it this morning, "He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen." At least, he's back and with Al Qaeda - according to a website used by terrorists. They may be right.
Al-Shihri was in Gitmo, because he was probably involved in a lethal bombing of the American Embassy in Yemen's capital, Sana. After he was released and went home to Saudi Arabia, he went through the desert kingdom's jihad rehab program. And released, as a successful graduate.
Well, more-or-less successful. Looks to me like Yemen is on the Arabian Peninsula, and graduates from Saudi Arabia's jihad rehabilitation program are supposed to lay off acts of terrorism - on the Arabian Peninsula. The rest of us, it seems, are fair game.
Yemen is setting up its own jihad rehab program, according to Arab News. Yemen is getting ready for the 100 or so Yemenis expected to be sprung from Gitmo, now that America has a new administration.
As Arab News put it, "The move triggered outrage among rights activists who said the government’s plan to keep the returnees in a rehabilitation center in their home country only means re-jailing them."
Judging from the Saudi example, I'd say that the 'rights activists' don't have much to worry about. Not about the Gitmo prisoners being re-jailed.
The case of al-Shihri, the jihad rehab programs, and the prisoners at Gitmo brings up an interesting point: Isn't it customary to wait until after a war is over, to release prisoners of war?
As Clive Davis said in the Spectator: "Well, let's hope this has all been thought through."
Related posts:
- "Indonesian Deradicalization Program Working: In Indonesia, at Least"
(January 15, 2008) - "Saudi Breakthrough! Jihadists Reformed!! Al Qaeda Members Promise No More Jihad*!!!"
(November 27, 2007)
*on the Arabian Peninsula, that is. - "Jihad Rehab"
(August 22, 2007)
- "Report: Ex-Gitmo detainee joins al-Qaida in Yemen"
The Associated Press (January 23, 2009) - "Report: Ex-Gitmo detainee joins al-Qaida in Yemen"
(January 23, 2009) - "Yemen sets up rehab center for Guantanamo returnees"
Arab News (January 23, 2009) - "Guantanamo & rendition"
Spectator.co.uk (January 23, 2009) - "Freed by U.S., Saudi Becomes a Qaeda Chief "
The New York Times (January 23, 2009)
3 comments:
Seeing a story like this scares me. I have to wonder why Obama was so pressed on making this move. I thought his main goals in office were to work on financial stuff, housing, and something he said about wireless internet (don't get me started on that one). If he wants to get into foreign matters, why not focus on the war, not those who are already detained.
ecrunner,
I'd have to look this up to be sure, but as I recall, one of Obama's promises was to shut down Gitmo. The facility is not well-liked among many Obama supporters, and others.
Actually, I think this is part of President Obama's way of focusing on the war. One of the recurring themes over the last few years, in the more liberal facets of America, has been the way that America has acted unilaterally, and ignored "the international community." Which, at times, has seemed to consist mainly of select portions of the French government.
My guess is that Obama is trying to show how nice, or open-minded, or global, or something, America is now.
But that's just a guess. The Spectator op-ed, linked in this post, has an interesting thought or two on the subject.
I am in no way in favor of this act.
1. It is a disgrace to the war on terror by letting these prisoners out of US control possibly.
2. This prison is a crime fighting one, and it needs to stay open and willing to house any terrorist.
3. The war on terror is won by making sure that the terrorist are captured and held for life.
to read more go to wwww.politicsandthefuture.blogger.com
or click my username
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