Thread by @abdsayedd

Without naming AQ, TTP issued a statement rejecting the latest UNSC committee on AQ/ISIL report and claims that neither a "global [jihadist] organization" nor any state helped mergers of various anti-state Pakistani jihadist groups into TTP last year. 1/n

https://twitter.com/abdsayedd/status/1357523376512897025

The UNCS report published on 3rd Feb claimed that AQ moderated the TTP mergers process. The TTP statement could be surprising for many observers, but there seem two strategic aims for TTP behind releasing this statement. 2/n

First, TTP remains a natural ally of the Afghan Taliban, both having historical roots. TTP is sheltered in the controlled areas in Afghanistan. Thus, TTP will want the AT soon to reach power, for which the AQ's presence in Afghanistan remains a major obstacle. 3/n

Secondly, there are rumors of the ongoing negotiation between TTP and the Pakistan government, facilitated by Sirajuddin Haqqani. Therefore, TTP needs to portray its war with Pakistan only shaped by domestic problems and not directed by the global jihadist agenda of AQ. 4/n

TTP history shows that the group has remained an AQ ally in AfPak. AQ not only founded TTP but played instrumental roles in its expansion and rise. There has never been any confrontation between the two groups. 5/n

AQ has always supported the TTP, and its latest evidence is the Zawahiri eulogy released on the killing of TTP emir Maulana Fazlullah in Aug 2018. 6/n
ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/aq-…

*Afghan Taliban controlled areas