Despite an attack yesterday that killed 16 policemen in Xianjing--a Muslim region in China's far West--jihadist message boards close to Al-Qaeda are urging that the group leave well enough alone in regards to the Chinese. And with good reason: Al Qaeda is already being pursued at every turn by the U.S. and other powerful Western nations. Why make an additional enemy of the world's most populous country, China (which is, not to mention, an emerging military and economic superpower)? And why unite the U.S. and China--strategic competitors--in a common goal of crushing Al-Qaeda? Especially when China lies not too far from the group's base in the tribal regions of Pakistan. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time Al-Qaeda has overplayed its hand. from AKI:
Jihadist websites close to al-Qaeda have said that China is not the enemy at the moment.
"Let China be. We now have other priorities that are not China," said a message posted posted by 'Kasir al-Asnam' meaning 'destroyer of idols' in Arabic.
These and other comments came in response to the attack on Monday in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang, which killed 16 policemen.
The attack came four days ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games due to begin in the Chinese capital, Beijing later this week.
"At this moment, China is not a country at war with us. If there are attacks against Muslims, these hit the dispossessed that must leave those lands and move to Islamic countries."
"Bothersome actions like these are not foreseen by (Islamic) Sharia law or good sense."
"What interest do we have in turning China against Muslims at the moment?" al-Asnam asked.
None of the messages posted to jihadist websites contained any open support for the attacks in Xinjiang. However, some pointed out that al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri have never mentioned China in their speeches.
"At this moment, holy warriors (mujahadeen) do not need to open a new front with China," said al-Asif al-Harashi in a comment discussing Monday's attack in Xinjiang
Especially when Al Qaeda still has egg on it's face from the thumping it's taken in Iraq.