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| India-Pakistan |
| Zawahri missed dinner that prompted US strike |
| 2006-01-15 |
| A dinner invitation to al Qaeda's second-in-command triggered a U.S. airstrike in Pakistan's tribal region but Ayman al-Zawahri failed to show up, Pakistani intelligence officials said on Sunday. Pakistan condemned Friday's strike, which killed at least 18 people, including women and children, and summoned U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker to protest. Thousands of local tribesmen also rallied near the scene, chanting anti-American slogans. The Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that foreigners had been near the village of Damadola in the Bajaur region bordering Afghanistan and were the probable target. Pakistani intelligence officials said they were checking reports up to seven foreign militants had been killed and their bodies removed by local supporters. But they said there were no indications Osama bin Laden's deputy, Zawahri, was there. "He was invited for the dinner, but we have no evidence he was present," a senior intelligence official told Reuters. Al Arabiya television quoted a source it said had contact with al Qaeda saying Zawahri was alive. The U.S. government has not commented, but U.S. sources familiar with the operation said it was too early to determine his fate and the remains of the dead would have to be examined to determine whether Zawahri was among them. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitive nature, said the airstrike was carried out on the basis of "very good" intelligence indicating Zawahri was at the targeted location. Another Pakistani intelligence official said two local Islamist clerics, known for harbouring al Qaeda militants, had attended the dinner but left hours before the airstrike at 3.00 a.m. (2200 GMT). Rest at link. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #20 Obviously tipped off by PAK |
| Posted by: Cheper Unavise7761 2006-01-15 23:32 |
| #19 I s'pose then that our Special Forces guys are expert at cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. I do hope someone has hot cocoa waiting for them when they get back. ;-) |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-01-15 19:44 |
| #18 A strike of this magnitude would have called for eyes on target and boots on the ground nearby...they want to make sure of what they are hitting. |
| Posted by: Grins Sluper5274 2006-01-15 19:16 |
| #17 I would be curious to what our military is saying not much word from them yet. Wether preadators (I think doubtfull three block buildings leveled by a few hellfire only has a 200lb warhead / 2missles per plane) pulled the trigger or strike craft I am sure thier was a predator on scene for targeting and damage assesment, those guys know. Of course the military wont release this and better not but even so they may know AQ was thier but face recognition in infrared not going to happen so with the 5bodies hauled off again no recognition how are you to know who you killed you know 5 AQ but not which ones just rumors. so back to Wait and see. 20+yrs from now when alot of stuff gets declassified the WOT will and our actions will make for some amazing TV. |
| Posted by: C-Low 2006-01-15 17:51 |
| #16 Dinner is served. Oh, you're too full? How about a carry bag? |
| Posted by: Captain America 2006-01-15 15:49 |
| #15 :> Of course sleeping indoors cures all types of insomina too. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-01-15 14:23 |
| #14 except for SFOR's with nightvision goggles and heat-register vision, eh? heh heh |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-01-15 14:21 |
| #13 Sleeping outside cures all forms of insomnia. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-01-15 14:14 |
| #12 .....mhw. Jeebus. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-01-15 14:13 |
| #11 got it mhr, and agreed. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-01-15 14:12 |
| #10 Yknow, sometimes it's just nice to sleep outside. Can be good for your health. |
| Posted by: M. Qaddafi 2006-01-15 12:07 |
| #9 We knew about a specific dinner engagement? Thank you for getting out that information -- you've been a great help to our side (you know who you are). ;-) |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-01-15 12:03 |
| #8 ... but Ayman al-Zawahri failed to show up ... If true, you'd almost think he was tipped off. |
| Posted by: xbalanke 2006-01-15 11:55 |
| #7 I think he's dead and the ISI is pissed we struck him without their permission. I suspect both UBL and Zawahiri are (were) being protected by the ISI to be used as bargaining chips with the US. "Maybe if we got a few more F-16s we could find him" "and maybe some F-15s" "and maybe some Raptors" F*ck 'em Al |
| Posted by: Frozen Al 2006-01-15 11:52 |
| #6 OK more static; easier to strike |
| Posted by: mhw 2006-01-15 11:38 |
| #5 makes the terrorist logistics more stable ? More static? |
| Posted by: 6 2006-01-15 10:47 |
| #4 The headline in my paper (page 3) is US Strikes prompt anti-war protests. I managed to read the opening paragraph, it only mentioned we had violated Pakistani air space. |
| Posted by: 2b 2006-01-15 10:35 |
| #3 Zawahiri deserves death but his continued life is a drain on the terrorists in several ways. 1. he needs continual care, feeding and stroking which requires resources 2. his existance makes the terrorist logistics more stable and more easy to attack He is a good fundraiser for the terrorist cause but they have other guys who do this - maybe just as well. |
| Posted by: mhw 2006-01-15 10:18 |
| #2 And a check on the date stamp. |
| Posted by: Hupomoger Clans9827 2006-01-15 09:29 |
| #1 I'm still waiting for the video or tape of Zarwahiri's next announcment. |
| Posted by: C-Low 2006-01-15 09:02 |