28 February 2013

Al Qaeda List of 22 Tips for Avoiding
Drone Strikes Found in Timbuktu, Mali


Sent scrambling into hurried retreat by last month's French military intervention, Islamist rebels in Mali left behind an Al Qaeda strategy sheet on how to avoid drones which has fallen into the hands of the AP. Some are outdated or kind of silly, yet most are not. The document also shows a professional level of international coordination and betrays the fact they think they can just ride this out.

One of the tips (#10, to 'hide amongst thick trees') is said to come from OBL hisself, but as a whole it was reportedly assembled by a Yemeni AQ strategist. The info has appeared on various jihadi forums, yet this is the first time a (xeroxed) copy has been seen already translated (roughly) into English... 

1. It is possible to know the intention and mission of the drone by using the Russian-made 'Sky Grabber' device to infiltrate the drone's waves and the frequencies. The device is available in the market for $2595, and the one who operates it should be a computer know-how.

2. Use devices with frequencies (or pack of frequencies) to disconnect the contract and confuse the frequencies used to control the drone. The Mujahideen have had successful experiments using the Russian-made 'RACAL'.

3. Spreading reflective pieces of glass on a car or on the roof of the building

4. Placing a group of skilled snipers to hunt the drone, esp. the recon ones because the flow low (6 km or less)

5. Jamming of and confusing of electronic communication using the ordinary water-lifting dynamo fitted with a 30-meter copper pole

6. Jamming of and confusing of electronic communication using old equipment, and keeping them running 24-hours a day because of their strong frequencies- and it is possible using simple ideas of deception of equipment to attract the electronic waves devices similar to that used by the Yugoslav Army when they used the microwave oven in attracting and confusing NATO missiles fitted with electromagnetic searching devices.

7. Using general confusion methods and do not use permanent HQ

8. Discovering the presence of a drone through well-placed recon networks, and to warn to warn all the formations to halt any movement in the area.

9. To hide from being directly or indirectly being spotted, especially at night.

10. Hide under thick trees because they are the best cover against the planes

11. Stay in places unlit by the sun, such as the shadows of trees and buildings



12. Maintain complete silence of all wireless contacts

13. Disembark of vehicles and stay away from them, esp. when when being chased or during combat.

14. To deceive the drone by entering places of multiple entrances and exits

15. Using underground shelters because the missiles fired by these planes usually of the fragmented anti-personnel -and not anti buildings- type

16. To avoid gathering in open areas and in urgent cases using building of multiple doors or exits.

17. Form anti-spies groups to look for spies and agents

18. Formation of fake gatherings -such as using dolls and statues to be placed outside false ditches to mislead the enemy

19. When discovering that a drone is after a car, leave the car immediately and everyone should go in a different direction because the planes are unable to go after everyone

20. Using natural barricades like forests and caves when their is an urgent need for training or gathering

21. In frequently targeted areas, use smoke for cover by burning tires

22. As for the (AQ) leaders or those sought-after, they should not use communications equipment because the enemy usually keeps a voice tag through which they can identify the speaking person and then locate him

As for dealing with Afghans assisting coalition troops with targeting, the sheet spelled-out recommended treatment in gruesome detail- public hanging while marked clearly
'American spy'.

And if rallying Arab/western opinion against the drone program and the above avoidance techniques proved insufficient, the irrepressible jihadis had a Plan B up their sleeve as well: targeted kidnappings of western citizens around the world to be held for ransom until the drones are grounded.  

Could you see Obama refusing to deal with them if they took, say, a planeload of Americans and threatened to chop off all their heads live, streaming on the internet?

Me neither... complete Pdf file of AQ documents here

avoiding drone strikes al qaeda list