Suspect Identified in Ohio State Attack as Abdul Razaq Ali Artan

[Hamartia Antidote]

Palestinian Intifada car ramming tactic comes to Ohio State
Posted by William A. Jacobson Monday, November 28, 2016 at 8:30pm
When it comes to terrorist tactics, what happens in Israel doesn’t stay in Israel.

I was off the grid traveling much of the day, so I didn’t follow in live time the apparent terror incident at Ohio State University where a Somali legal immigrant rammed his car into pedestrians on the sidewalk, then attacked with what is variously described as a butcher knife or machete.

As in many such incidents, initial reports were confused and inaccurate. As Mary detailed in her live coverage, the story started as a shooter on the loose, until the facts sorted themselves out in the media.

Here is the latest from NBC News, Suspect Identified in Ohio State Attack as Abdul Razak Ali Artan:

An Ohio State University student posted a rant shortly before he plowed a car into a campus crowd and stabbed people with a butcher knife in an ambush that ended when a police officer shot him dead, a law enforcement official said.

Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, wrote on what appears to be his Facebook page that he had reached a “boiling point,” made a reference to “lone wolf attacks” and cited radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

“America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially Muslim Ummah [community]. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that,” the post said….

A police officer was on the scene within a minute and killed the assailant, likely saving lives, university officials said. “He engaged the suspect and eliminated the threat,” OSU Police Chief Craig Stone said.

Law enforcement officials told NBC News that Artan was a Somali refugee who left his homeland with his family in 2007, lived in Pakistan and then came to the United States in 2014 as a legal permanent resident.​

When I heard the story of the car ramming and knife attack, my mind immediately went back to the recent so-called Knife Intifada in Israel, in which car rammings played a prominent role, as I documented in The long list of Palestinian car rammings.

In that post I listed dozens of car rammings from early October 2015, generally considered the start of the current wave of terror, through July 11, 2016, including videos.

The Ohio State attacked reminded me in particular of this attack where a Palestinian terrorist in Jerusalem rammed a bus stop with his car then got out with a meat cleaver and started slashing a man. It took several shots from a passerby to stop the attack:


Apparently the police have a video of the entire Ohio State attack, but it has not been released yet. I expect it will look much like the Jerusalem attack above.

It will be interesting to see the reaction to the shooting of the perp. When Israeli police shoot Palestinians in the act of car ramming or stabbing, there is an outcry from Palestinians and international “human rights” groups accusing Israel of “extrajudicial executions” and threats to take Israel to the Hague for war crimes.

Unfortunately, when it comes to terrorist tactics, what happens in Israel doesn’t stay in Israel.

Witnesses say that luckily (oddly enough) there were many people in the area when he struck, So instead of getting out of the car and focusing on one person repeatedly he sort of started chasing multiple people around.

 

[Falcon29]

Palestinian Intifada car ramming tactic comes to Ohio State
.

Hit and run, car ramming, shootings, baseball bat killings, all existed before Palestinians, there is no point with your article. It won't achieve anything besides some little praise from insignificant numbers of people who already share disdain towards Palestinians. Palestinians ramming illegally deployed troops that are actively carrying out land theft are doing so in a legal manner, there's no controversy in it. The only controversy is they can use more effective methods if they had access to weapons to force these Israeli brigades out of the West Bank. None of this has to do with the topic though, you are a low person trying to score brownie points, which is not surprising coming from most selfish people on planet.

 

[Jacob Martin]

His point is RAW, CIA and Mossad

I don't know why Pakistanis even bother trying to deflect the issue. Not that there will be any repercussions. The threads of most terror attacks in the West have come together in Pakistan, and everyone knows it. Yet, nothing will be done about it, as many members on PDF proudly point out every now and then. For some reason the West has given them a free pass on the matter, and they can all relax about it instead of trying to point fingers.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

I don't know why Pakistanis even bother trying to deflect the issue. Not that there will be any repercussions. The threads of most terror attacks in the West have come together in Pakistan, and everyone knows it. Yet, nothing will be done about it, as many members on PDF proudly point out every now and then. For some reason the West has given them a free pass on the matter, and they can all relax about it instead of trying to point fingers.

Well to be fair they say he was stranded in a refugee camp in Pakistan for most of those 7 years. So that would mess up anybody. Plus I'm sure there was no shortage of people in those camps who ended up having extreme views of the world.

 

[Jacob Martin]

Well to be fair they say he was stranded in a refugee camp in Pakistan for most of those 7 years. So that would mess up anybody. Plus I'm sure there was no shortage of people in those camps who ended up having extreme views of the world.

Darul Uloom Haqqania (AKA the University of Jihad) is just one of the seminaries in the area that create a fertile environment for extreme views. The infrastructure put in place to supply Mujahedeen for the Afghan War was never dismantled, and instead simply grew much bigger.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Darul Uloom Haqqania (AKA the University of Jihad) is just one of the seminaries in the area that create a fertile environment for extreme views. The infrastructure put in place to supply Mujahedeen for the Afghan War was never dismantled, and instead simply grew much bigger.

I'm sure there are many places with extremist views...but does it actually mention he was in one of them or was he just simmering in some refugee squalor somewhere wondering why the world has dealt him a bad hand.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I don't know why Pakistanis even bother trying to deflect the issue. Not that there will be any repercussions. The threads of most terror attacks in the West have come together in Pakistan, and everyone knows it. Yet, nothing will be done about it, as many members on PDF proudly point out every now and then. For some reason the West has given them a free pass on the matter, and they can all relax about it instead of trying to point fingers.

Nothing the West can do about it that wouldn't compound the problem.

Shutting down some XYZ complex isn't going to resolve the problem - the individuals involved will merely shift to other locations and/or means of disseminating and indoctrinating individuals.

Refugee camps (anywhere) are essentially centers of squalor, poverty and chaos. Pakistan can't even control crime and illegal economic activity (that impacts Pakistani society) emanating from those camps, and somehow you expect some kind of magical bureaucratic and institutional competence that will be capable of targeting extremism in these areas?

 

[Solomon2]

There are many shootings in USA. It happens all the time. Mostly done by white American boneheads. The problem lies in America and its gun laws.

The suspect attacked with a car and a machete. The gunfire was from the cop who killed him. So are gun laws the problem here?

 

[Jacob Martin]

I'm sure there are many places with extremist views...but does it actually mention he was in one of them or was he just simmering in some refugee squalor somewhere wondering why the world has dealt him a bad hand.

I am not aware of refugee camps in Pakistan meant specifically for Somalis. Maybe some Pakistani member could inform us about it.

As for the schools of terror - the alumni of these seminaries make it a point to discuss and propagate their beliefs. Unlike the kinds of formal education that we know of, this form of indoctrination can be easily done in the course of informal discussions. And yes, the feeling of victimhood surely plays its part.

Nothing the West can do about it that wouldn't compound the problem.

Shutting down some XYZ complex isn't going to resolve the problem - the individuals involved will merely shift to other locations and/or means of disseminating and indoctrinating individuals.

Refugee camps (anywhere) are essentially centers of squalor, poverty and chaos. Pakistan can't even control crime and illegal economic activity (that impacts Pakistani society) emanating from those camps, and somehow you expect some kind of magical bureaucratic and institutional competence that will be capable of targeting extremism in these areas?

So what is the solution?

It's not that I am unsympathetic towards Pakistan's refugee predicament. Hosting millions of Afghans from the 80s onward has undoubtedly been a massive strain on the State's resources, as well as significant socio-economic consequences. These refugees should not be Pakistan's problem alone, just as Syrian refugees should not be Turkey's problem to deal with.

And yet, can it be denied that the State has been far more focused in playing geo-strategic games than on the plight of refugees? Shouldn't right-minded Pakistani citizens try and pressure the government, which in turn should make this refugee crisis a global issue? The rest of the world should be faced with the prospect of taking in these refugees or ensuring that lasting peace is achieved so that at least some of them can return home.

Instead, precious diplomatic capital is wasted raising bygone issues from the middle of the last century.

 

[mike2000 is back]

The Civil War in Somalia has been going on since the mid-80s. And if you are referring to the period 2006-09, supporting the remnants of the TFG (ARPCT) was the only course of action left open to anyone wishing to intervene. The other option was letting Islamic Courts Union go uncontested, which would be the same as not fighting Daesh. So what exactly is your point?

blame everything on the U.S/West, are you surprised??
Even the weekly suicide bombings and terror attacks in Pakistan is carried out by American mercenaries intent on destroying Pakistan, so we cant blame those attackers.

 

[Jacob Martin]

blame everything on the U.S/West, are you surprised??
Even the weekly suicide bombings and terror attacks in Pakistan is carried out by American mercenaries intent on destroying Pakistan, so we cant blame those attackers.

I see very little writing on what conditions prevail in Third World countries that make them breeding grounds for anarchy and civil war. Where is the discussion on:

- Why so many African nations have elected leaders who simply refuse to step down and hold elections when their terms are up?
- Why have so many African/Arab nations been unable to settle the ethnic/tribal/linguistic/religious divides that characterize them and place faith in the democratic process?
- Why are sectarian relations in many Arab countries such that barring the presence of a despotic, undemocratic ruler, the only other scenario would involve genocide and cleansing?

 

[Khanate]

The sad part is that mass shootings happen so often and so regularly in America that this time around I didn't even pay much attention. In fact, I haven't paid much attention to the past few mass shootings in America. This is how normal an event like mass shooting in America has become. And it is truly a sad reflection of the state of things.

My condolences to the families of the victims. My heart goes out to them.

I see very little writing on what conditions prevail in Third World countries that make them breeding grounds for anarchy and civil war.

People who have been treated badly by the society, in turn treat the society with similar contempt. Hence, crime rates are higher in poor neighbourhoods. Developing world, or "Third World" as you call it, is grappling with enormous poverty and the cycle of violence, once it start, is difficult to control. Solutions include community outreach, community policing, community participation, etc. In short, you build resilient communities by injecting money into vulnerable communities and poor neighbourhoods. For example, giving a community better access to transportation, education, sport programs, etc. It all falls under Urban Planning or Urban Studies.

- Why so many African nations have elected leaders who simply refuse to step down and hold elections when their terms are up?

Lack of checks and balances in a system leads to such situation. When state powers and functions aren't defined clearly, it is easy to overstep your bounds. Such situations don't persist forever because people eventually rise up as it is evident by Arab spring.

- Why have so many African/Arab nations been unable to settle the ethnic/tribal/linguistic/religious divides that characterize them and place faith in the democratic process?

First, you are confusing democracy with secularism. Second, tribalism isn't a hallmark of Arabs or Africans. You can observe it in India. In fact, Mumbai has the most unusual tribal culture. You can observe it in vegetarian enclaves who create fuss over bakeries selling kebabs.

• Non-vegetarians get a raw deal in Mumbai?
• Chembur Vegans Unite, File A Case Against Kebab Outlet

Please note both sources are Indian (Indian bloggers).

Likewise, India suffers from similar linguistic tensions with the Hindi-Tamil debate. The same goes for ethnic and religious tensions in India which persists to this day. So a democratic process doesn't automatically guarantee a solution or resolve a problem. In no way, I'm blaming India here. I'm merely comparing the situation so you can relate to the problem.

- Why are sectarian relations in many Arab countries such that barring the presence of a despotic, undemocratic ruler, the only other scenario would involve genocide and cleansing?

Can you give examples of "genocides" in Arab countries so I can understand where you are coming from.

 

[Tiger Genie]

every time such an incident occurs it is tempting and in fact very difficult not to fly of the handle and indulge in bashing muslim culture and islamic religion. The culture of ghettoized communities and the fundamentalist aspect of islam do contribute to such depressed individuals and their impotent anger suddenly flairs out in such acts as in this case and in many others.

We have to help people of islam understand how they are being manipulated into a posture of hatred against all others. Just look at how so many ineffective power bases and establishments around the world manipulate skillfully their entire populations into thinking their problems are because they have enemies that hate their religion. Pakistan is just one such but not the only one.

But fortunately we are not Pakistan. While Trump will hopefully address illegal immigration issues, I hope he will also prioritize anti-ghettoization. This guy was in a college campus yet idiotically was more worried about lacking mosques. Obviously some detoxification program is required for such immigrants

 

[Jacob Martin]

People who have been treated badly by the society, in turn treat the society with similar contempt. Hence, crime rates are higher in poor neighbourhoods. Developing world, or "Third World" as you call it, is grappling with enormous poverty and the cycle of violence, once it start, is difficult to control. Solutions include community outreach, community policing, community participation, etc. In short, you build resilient communities by injecting money into vulnerable communities and poor neighbourhoods. For example, giving a community better access to transportation, education, sport programs, etc. It all falls under Urban Planning or Urban Studies.

My point was not about the dearth of material available on the subject in development studies. Rather, how all political analysis is rather conveniently slanted so as to portray the Third World as the victim and the West as the perpetrator. It discounts those states (South Korea, Malaysia) that have rejected this narrative and prospered. In other words, a conspiracy of laggards and wastrels.

The economic measures you suggests will undoubtedly work in a local context of reducing crime in poorer neighbourhoods. However, it is not the panacea for the larger issues of ever-present civil war and anarchy in the countries under discussion. To think that it is a simple matter of throwing money at the problem is as inadequate as to think that poorer countries are problematic per se. What explains as to why relatively better off countries such as Tunisia, Libya, Iraq and Syria today find themselves in a position that Bhutan or Bangladesh do not? What is it about the conditions (non-economic) prevailing in these countries that make them more prone to violence and the threat of civil war than others?

Lack of checks and balances in a system leads to such situation. When state powers and functions aren't defined clearly, it is easy to overstep your bounds. Such situations don't persist forever because people eventually rise up as it is evident by Arab spring.

Stated as it is. Yes, you are right. So what again does the West have to do with the lack of checks and balances in this part of the world?

First, you are confusing democracy with secularism. Second, tribalism isn't a hallmark of Arabs or Africans. You can observe it in India. In fact, Mumbai has the most unusual tribal culture. You can observe it in vegetarian enclaves who create fuss over bakeries selling kebabs.

• Non-vegetarians get a raw deal in Mumbai?
• Chembur Vegans Unite, File A Case Against Kebab Outlet

Please note neither source is Indian. Both are Indian bloggers.

Likewise, India suffers from similar linguistic tensions with the Hindi-Tamil debate. The same goes for ethnic and religious tensions in India which persists to this day. So a democratic process doesn't automatically guarantee a solution or resolve a problem. In no way, I'm blaming India here. I'm merely comparing the situation so you can relate to the problem.

The correct approach would be to ask me as to why I assume that the ethnic/linguistic/religious/tribal divisions in these places have derailed democracy. Let me explain. If you follow conflict in the entire region from Sahrawi to Afghanistan, you will find that lines are drawn on the basis of identity. Hutus against Tutsis, Christians against Muslims, Taureg against Arabs, Shias against Sunni, and so on. The episodic disregard for electoral results has also much to do with the belief that the interests of one particular tribe will be trampled upon by the incumbent. In other words, this identity-based understanding prevents genuine democracy. Secularism is just one aspect of the issue.

As for equating the culinary and linguistic chauvinism of Gujaratis in Mumbai and Tamils in Chennai with civil war and and daily body count running into hundreds/thousands - I am afraid it is false equivalence. It is not my case that you are wrong about these issues. My point is simply that equating things that are so outlandishly dis-proportionate prevents genuine enquiry. It is the same as saying that I am as culpable as a murderer because I punched someone in the face - rule of law would simply collapse if all things were treated as equal.

Can you give examples of "genocides" in Arab countries so I can understand where you are coming from.

Just an indicative list -

- Shias and Sunnis not being able to co-exist (Syria, Iraq, Yemen) unless placed under despotic rule (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).
- What will happen to the remaining Alawites in Syria if and when Assad goes?
- Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- Algerian Civil War.
- Inter-tribal conflict in Libya.
- Somalia
- Ethnic cleansing by Janjaweed militia in Sudan, etc.

Kindly do not take the word "genocide" literally and read me Articles II and III of the 1948 Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Genocide - good faith entails addressing the substance rather than the form.

 

[padamchen]

Somali guy lived in Pakistan for 7 years.

Sigh.

For about a day I was surprised, and impressed. Even a bit hopeful.