Binnys White CAVE

30/08/2007


Mshari Al-Zaydi
A Saudi journalist and expert on Islamic movements and Islamic fundamentalism as well as Saudi affairs. Mshari is Asharq Al-Awsat's opinion page Editor, where he also contributes a weekly column. Has worked for the local Saudi press occupying several posts at Al -Madina newspaper amongst others. He has been a guest on numerous news and current affairs programs as an expert on Islamic extremism.

The latest news on 'Sheikh' Osama Bin Laden is that he is currently seeking refuge in a huge white cave in the Tora Bora Mountains. The cave is said to be connected to a series of caves and protected by some armored cars and a group of ever-loyal suicide bombers.

Last June the Saudi daily 'Al-Watan' stated that US intelligence detected "al Qaeda messages sent during the night urging Afghans to fight against the foreign forces." Meanwhile, investigations on the 'Tora Bora front' led to the arrest of Bin Laden's doctor and another person whose task was to protect him. Both of them confessed that they were a part of the 500-member al Qaeda organization which had fled Waziristan to the Tora Bora region.

Tora Bora and Waziristan; the first is Afghan territory while the latter is Pakistani. However, they are neighbors that share the same borders. The two cities are inhabited by the Pashto tribes, which are extremely rigid and volatile, in addition to the prevalent tribal culture that is not governed by the state and in which powerful tribesmen exhibit their clout, impose levies and recruit new combatants.

The Tora Bora region lies south of Waziristan by approximately 1,500 kilometers. These two locations have witnessed the movements of al Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden and his followers since the American war on Afghanistan. Today, Tora Bora has reemerged onto the scene following the story about the big white cave.

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