JIHADIST FORUM PARTICIPANTS DISCUSS 'COOPERATION' BETWEEN NORTH KOREA, AL-QA'IDA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06520063
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: March 3, 2017
• Case Number: F-2016-00910
• Publication Date: March 27, 2013

Approved for Release: 2017/02/27 C06520063
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Open Source Center
(U//FOU0) Jihadist Forum Participants Discuss 'Cooperation' Between
North Korea, Al-Qa'ida
(U//FOU0) GMP20130328061001 Ansar al-Mujahideen Network in Arabic 27 Mar 13
[OSC Summary]
On 27 March, forum participant "nosra," user number 21038, thread number 85074,
posted an undated message to the Ansar al-Mujahideen Network's website. The
message is entitled: "North Korea and Al-Qa'ida." The message says: "North Korea
and Al-Qa'ida Organization/Absent Cooperation. Everyone knows that North Korea is
very and very hostile to the United States. North Korea is a nuclear-armed state.
Therefore, where is its cooperation with Al-Qa'ida to defeat the United States?" In this
message, the forum participant defends his opinion by saying that at the beginning of
the period of Islam, Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims travelled to the Negus of
Abyssinia, seeking his help, and some Muslims "forged an alliance with some
polytheists in Mecca." The forum participant adds: "In order to eliminate and defeat the
United States, nuclear weapon needs to be obtained, smuggled, and used. Moreover,
North Korea possesses this weapon and has the same goal. This does not mean a
doctrinal alliance with North Korea; rather it means obtaining and using the weapon.
This is similar to buying weapons from the infidels, and it is not prohibited, as I know.
North Korea will not be able to reach and hit the United States as it always announces
unless it cooperates with Al-Qa'ida." This message sparks varying responses and
reactions by a number of forum participants, dated from 27-28 March 2013.
A summary of the responses follows:
On 27 March, "Mubghid al-Munafiqin," user number 39011, responded: "I have no
objection to the idea. But, in fact, I do not know the extent of the possibility of
establishing cooperative relations with North Korea. I have mulled over it. But, it has
entered my mind that the mujahideen will take into account this issue if possible."
On 27 March, "Abu-al-Faruq al-Hijazi," user number 42787, responded: "Oh! This is a
good idea. Nevertheless, we do not forget that North Korea is the ally of [Syrian
President] Bashar al-Asad and Russia, as I believe. But, we do not need all these
weapons." He confirms that the Muslims only need "rulers who fear God, patronize His
religion, and declare jihad."
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On 28 March, Forum participant "nosra," user number 21038, responded: "The
important thing is the shared goal. Al-Qa'ida is in an urgent need of obtaining the
weapons to defeat the United States. North Korea has the same goal, and it is a
nuclear-armed state."
On 28 March, "Abu-al-Bara22," user number, 24544, responded: "0 honorable brother,
Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger of God, may God's prayers and peace be upon
him, says that infidels constitute one community. This is a temporary enmity."
On 28 March, "Abu-Ma'an al-Ansari," user number 22972, responded by asking whether
North Korea "is capable of inflicting harm on" the United States and willing to cooperate
with the Muslims. He also says that even if the Muslims obtain nuclear weapon from
North Korea, "will we actually hit the United States with nuclear weapon?"
On 28 March, "Yusuf al-Tunisi," user number 36368, responded: "0 my brothers, when
it comes to Islam, the foes are reconciled. This is in order for them to confront the
Islamic preaching. Therefore, do not expect anyone to support us in applying the sharia
of God, our Lord."
On 28 March, 'Hilal Haytham," user number 28238, responded by saying that he does
not rule out the possibility that late Al-Qalida leader Usama Bin Ladin mulled over this
idea and "conducted preliminary contacts with" North Korea in this regard. This
respondent does not expect that North Korea will accept these relations "for long term
strategic reasons." He makes it clear by saying: "First of all, North Korea is a state,
and Al-Qalida is a terrorist organization. Secondly, the fate and the future of North
Korea are linked to only two states that are China and Russia. Therefore, any move
that is taken by North Korea should be blessed by both these states. This in order that
North Korea will not cause any embarrasSment to both states, something which makes
both them remove the cover over it, and therefore North Korea will become a delicious
prey to the West. Moreover, China and Japan regard Al-Qa'ida as a terrorist
organization. Thirdly, although North Korea has repeatedly talked, in fact, what
concerns North Korea is not to attack the United States, rather what concerns it is to
achieve unity between the two sections of Korea. North Koreans think that any attack
may thwart their unity project."
On "smuggling nuclear weapon," this forum participant thinks that "nuclear weapon is
somewhat a complicated issue," and it needs "a special protection."
On 28 March, "Abu-al-Qasim al-Hasani," user number 93080, responded by saying:
"We as Muslims never seek a help from an infidel who does not believe in God as the
Lord, and Muhammad as Prophet and Messenger." He corroborates this point by
referring to a number of hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad in this regard.
However, this forum participant says there is no problem with "procuring weapons" from
North Korea. He emphasizes that "the Communists hate Islam and Muslims," and
"they are willing to be allied with the Americans to war against the Muslims." He adds:
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"The trick and deception being practiced by the United States and Russia against the
people of Islam in Syria is the best proof."
The forum participant also quotes "Gharib al-lkhwan," who is being engaged in the
jihadist media, as saying: "The Al-Nusrah Front is filling missile warheads with weapons
of mass destruction." The forum participant concludes by supplicating to God to help
apply His sharia and restore the state of caliphate.
To view the vernacular, click here.
[Description of Source: Ansar al-Mujahideen Network in Arabic -- Prominent Salafi-
jihadist web forum whose discussions focus on global jihad while also being supportive
of Sunni insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan; online since 2008, site correspondents
reliably post Al-Qa'ida and affiliate propaganda messaging copied from Al-Qalida
accredited forums; URL: www.as-ansar.com/vb]
Source Metadata (U)
Source Name: Ansar al-Mujahideen Network
Source Type(s): Internet
Source-Date: (U) 03/27/2013
Source End Date: 03/27/2013
Language(s): Arabic
Article Metadata (U)
Document ID: GMP20130328061001
Entry Date: 03/28/2013
Approved for Release: 2017/02/27 C06520063