Article

2005-07-25 Terror Networks

Zarqawi Dilutes Iraq Network, Leads New Al Qaeda Offensive in Europe and Middle East

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Posted by Grush Shomogum2379 2005-07-25 00:57|| || Front Page|| [9 views since 2007-05-07] Top

According to intelligence estimates, Zarqawi holds on to Anbar â a territory roughly the size of Texas - with a little more than 5,000 men, of whom roughly 1,000 are Saudi and Yemeni zealots, 300 Jordanian and an unknown number of Syrians, Moroccans and Palestinians. His firm grip on Anbar persuaded the al Qaeda hierarchy in Pakistan and Afghanistan that 1,000 men could be expended from other parts of Iraq and diverted to the new terror offensive outside Iraq.

Checking the net, Al-Anbar has a surface area of 33,000 square miles, and Texas has a surface area of 268,601 square miles.

This is a size difference of a factor of eight.

Is "Verlaine in Iraq" around?

Posted by Phil Fraering 2005-07-25 08:51|| http://newsfromthefridge.typepad.com]">[http://newsfromthefridge.typepad.com] 2005-07-25 08:51|| Front Page Top

#2 NAGCJ* for sure, Phil.

*Numerically And Geographically Challenged Journalist

Posted by Alaska Paul">Alaska Paul 2005-07-25 09:16|| 2005-07-25 09:16|| Front Page Top

#3 Well, this particular item is from Debka. I forget, are we believing Debka this week?

Posted by Phil Fraering 2005-07-25 09:23|| http://newsfromthefridge.typepad.com]">[http://newsfromthefridge.typepad.com] 2005-07-25 09:23|| Front Page Top

#4 Well, waddya want? He thinks "a long way" is Wall Street to the mid-80s. It's bigger than Rhode Island, so it's the size of one of those states you fly over.

Posted by Jackal">Jackal 2005-07-25 09:36|| home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html]">[home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html] 2005-07-25 09:36|| Front Page Top

#5 phil_b, yes I'm around ..... I think I commented briefly on a similar item in the last few days .... I can't add to or dispute most of this, but the idea of a "grip on Anbar" doesn't sound right .... Zarqawi and his merry band have had their hands full for a long time trying to survive and operate in Iraq, and hardly have a "grip" on any sizeable territory .... the untold story this item touches on is the key role played by criminal networks in ostensibly religious/ideological/political terrorism, especially in Iraq .... that's worth a look, but I find the idea that AQ-Iraq can "spare" resources to attack Europe implausible

Posted by Verlaine in Iraq 2005-07-25 09:44|| 2005-07-25 09:44|| Front Page Top

#6 Oh, well, yeah, VAI, but that's because you don't know what the MSM does! They know the Iraq war is breeding little Jihadis by the zillions, training then in urban warfare and subway booming, and making the whole world less safe.

That's their story, and they're sticking to it!

Now you know.

Oh, my son was there (Anbar) last winter. Nobody has a grip on it!

Posted by Bobby 2005-07-25 10:17|| 2005-07-25 10:17|| Front Page Top

#7 33,000 square miles. So what state IS that closest to?

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/area.shtml
has is at between Maine and South Carolina, ranked 39 and 40th. Fine states indeed, but not Texas at all.

Posted by Dave 2005-07-25 11:57|| 2005-07-25 11:57|| Front Page Top

#8 Hi Verlaine! Thanks for your comment.

Can you talk about where you're stationed in Iraq, and what you're doing, or is that going to have to wait for your memoirs?

Regarding Al-Anbar Province: I was under the impression that while it was big, the population itself was pretty much concentrated along the Euphrates and the road to Damascus. For practical purposes, is that correct?

It also seems strange that the media is now talking about Al-Anbar as if it's the source of everything, and ignoring the problems faced in pacifying Al-Anbar thanks to infiltration from Syria.

(And as an aside, I'm not Phil_b. I used to joke that I had dibs on being the "evil Phil," but I'm beginning to wonder if maybe he's the "Plan B" Phil, ready to step in at a moment's notice should I get hit by a truck...)

Posted by Phil Fraering 2005-07-25 13:44|| http://newsfromthefridge.typepad.com]">[http://newsfromthefridge.typepad.com] 2005-07-25 13:44|| Front Page Top

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