Lashkar al-Zil

The Lashkar al-Zil or Shadow Army (also known as Jaish al Usrah, or the Army of the Protective Shield[1]) is a paramilitary organization linked to al-Qaeda and descended from the 055 Brigade.[2] According to Syed Saleem Shahzad, it "comprises the Pakistani Taliban, 313 Brigade, the Afghan Taliban, Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan and former Iraqi Republican Guards".[3] Lashkar al-Zil has reportedly been led by Khalid Habib al Shami (killed October 2008),[2] Abdullah Said al Libi (killed December 2009), and Ilyas Kashmiri (killed June 3, 2011).[4][3]

The Lashkar al-Zil has been involved in attacks in Afghanistan's eastern and southern provinces.[5] News reports have linked it to several specific attacks, including the Camp Chapman attack (December 30, 2009)[3] and the Sudhnati suicide bombing (January 6, 2010).[6]

References

  1. ^ Bill Roggio. Al Qaeda Brigade 313 website goes online. Long War Journal, August 2, 2010
  2. ^ a b Roggio, Bill (2009-02-09). "Al Qaeda's paramilitary 'Shadow Army'". The Long War Journal. http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/al_qaedas_paramilita.php. Retrieved 2010-01-07. 
  3. ^ a b c Shahzad, Syed Saleem (2010-01-05). "US spies walked into al-Qaeda's trap". Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LA05Df01.html. Retrieved 2010-01-07. 
  4. ^ Roggio, Bill (2010-01-07). "US killed al Qaeda’s Lashkar al Zil commander in airstrike". The Long War Journal. http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/01/us_killed_al_qaedas.php. Retrieved 2010-01-07. 
  5. ^ Reid, Robert H.; Gannon, Kathy; Farrar, Jennifer (2009-10-06). "Al-Qaida Showing Smaller Presence In Afghanistan". Associated Press. Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/07/al-qaida-showing-smaller_n_311985.html. Retrieved 2010-01-08. ""In my opinion al-Qaida fighters from the Lashkar al-Zil are actively involved in all Taliban fronts, from Nuristan in the north to Helmand in the south," [University of Massachusetts associate professor Bryan Glyn] Williams said." 
  6. ^ Mir, Amir (2010-01-11). "Lashkar-e-Zil behind Azad Kashmir suicide hits". The News International. http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=217998. Retrieved 2010-01-31. "there are clear indications that the January 6, 2010 attack targeting a military installation in the Sudhnoti district of Azad Kashmir, which killed four Pakistani soldiers...[was] masterminded by the Lashkar-e-Zil."