ISIL’s bloody actions aim to split the Gulf

What the Arabic language media is saying about ISIL in the Gulf.

Kurds fight against ISIL in Kobani. Ahmed Deeb / AFP Photo

ISIL’s brutal terrorist attacks on mosques in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait before and during Ramadan must not be viewed only in a sectarian and political context.

Bloody actions of this calibre also have psychological and sociological dimensions that can’t be ignored, suggested the columnist Dr Shamsan bin Abdullah Al Manaaee in the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Al Awsat.

ISIL’s primary goals behind their heinous attacks are to instil terror in the secure Gulf communities that aren’t used to bloodshed.

And, more importantly, to try and shake the unwavering trust between the people and their leaderships as a prelude to sectarian conflicts and demographic redistribution – following the example of other countries like Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya.

“For these reasons, we expect the recurrence of these actions. ISIL’s main objective isn’t killing and destruction, but rather changing the demographic composition of the targeted communities,” the writer said.

“Although most Gulf communities are quasi-civic and have well-grounded state institutions and laws, they still hold on to tribal affiliations.

“With its terrorist attempts, ISIL is striving to create tribal and partisan turmoil into these Gulf states leading to their disintegration,” he added.

The terrorist organisation’s goals intersect with Iranian ambitions in the Arabian Gulf, especially in Saudi Arabia, which continues to stand as a hurdle in the way of its sectarian schemes.

Dr Al Manaaee said the situation calls for enhanced security coordination between Gulf states to protect their unity and solidarity, the writer suggested. The bond that ties these states isn’t one of economic interests, but of a common destiny and common roots.

Gulf states are certainly aware of the threat and repercussions of radicalisation within their generally peaceful communities.

Earlier this year, the UAE had a taste of the atrocities that radicalisation could cause when a radicalised Emirati woman imbued with an extremist ideology killed an unsuspecting American school teacher for no reason other than being a westerner who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The UAE’s response was clear and swift: on Monday this week, the criminal was executed as per the provisions of the new antiterrorism law.

It sends out a message to the world that the UAE will not be lenient with extremists and that it is resolved to combat it to protect its people and the peoples of the world, the writer argued.

“This is how matters are set right,” said the columnist Mashari Al Thaidi also in Asharq Al Awsat.

“Such criminals pose a threat to the community and to the state. They are the enemies of law and order, regardless of their motives,” he said.

Saudi Arabia, too, has moved into action and activated its anti-terrorist law to combat the spread and funding of terrorism in its territories.

It is an effort that needs to be supported within families and in schools to ensure the immunisation of Muslim communities against destructive ideologies, the writer concluded.

Translated by Racha Makarem