Pakistan Taliban Leader Dead: Karin von Hippel in the News

As you probably know, Baitullah Mehsud was killed by a U.S. drone last week. Karin von Hippel discussed the repercussions with Reuters:

"It would have better to arrest him and bring him to trial to see if he really did kill Benazir Bhutto.

"There are 40-plus militia leaders that comprise the Pakistani Taliban alone.

"I'm not sure we have a very good understanding of how all these militia groups operate within Pakistan and with the networks across the border in Afghanistan.

"What happens when you kill one person, is another comes in and takes their place pretty quickly."

The struggle to take Baitullah's place has already begun: According to The News International, a fight broke out Wednesday morning to gain control Tehkret-e-Taliban Pakistan, including 1 billion Pakistan rupees in cast, and 2 billion in weapons. The fight broke out after an emergency shurta to discuss actions following Baitullah's death, when three top leaders each claimed the right to lead.

Hakimullah Mehsud, Waliur Rehman and Qari Hussain were claimant to the ‘Emarat’ of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, that comes with a grip on funds of billions of rupees, huge cache of weapons and thousands of trained fighters and a close affinity with al-Qaeda and its leader Dr Ayman al-Zawahiri, who had chosen Baitullah Mehsud to lead the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.

This article claims that Hakimullah Mehsud was killed, but he has contacted reporters and appears to be still alive. Though Hakimullah claims Baitullah lives, government officials in Pakistan and the U.S. are adament that he has been killed.

We'll have to keep an eye on the scuffles to see who becomes the next Emarat, but ask Karin says, there are several people itching to take the spot. It is unlikely that this will be a serious blow to the Pakistani Taliban.

Photo from wikimedia commons.