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| Iraq-Jordan |
| U.S. Official: Some Iraqi Suicide Bombers May Have Been Forced |
| 2004-07-24 |
| It is one of the most frightening forms of violence in Iraq today — dozens of human bombers willing to die for their cause. But Brig. Gen. John Custer, the director of intelligence for Central Command, told ABC News he believes many of the bombers are forced to carry out the attacks. Custer said there was evidence some bombers were physically chained inside the vehicles used in the attacks. While possible, it sounds a bit strange. If you have to chain the person in, how will they be persuaded to steer correctly? I can see this as a way to prevent them from jumping out at the last minute. I suppose that if there is remote detonation this might make some sense. "What we've found in a number of places are hands chained to a steering wheel," he said. "Up in Irbil, we found a foot roped into the car, unable to escape. Their children were kidnapped and held — they were forced. We've seen faces blown off and been able to identify the perpetrator." Officials are not certain who is forcing people to do this, but he says the idea that Iraq is being badly infiltrated by outsiders is wrong. Again, debatable. "The big myth is that the foreign fighters are everywhere, that there are thousands," Custer said. "My feeling is that that's largely that Arab street [spreading the myth]. That's the story everybody wants to hear, and Iraqis don't want to admit that some of [the bombers] might be Iraqis." There are serious concerns that violence will increase in the next few months with the approach of the Iraq elections. They primary concern: Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Zarqawi has been blamed for much of the violence in Iraq. Today U.S. warplanes attacked what the military said was a gathering site for his followers in Fallujah. "Zarqawi has certainly become the rock star terrorist in the past two months," Custer said. "Not to the degree most people can claim and not to the degree they want to be seen." Custer said he sees possible links between Zarqawi and al Qaeda, but beyond that, he said, "I don't see a lot of evidence in Iraq of al Qaeda." Custer insisted progress has been made in going after the insurgents in Iraq, but he acknowledged the extremist networks are proving very difficult to crack. |
| Posted by:Zenster |
| #7 Holding hostages has always been a staple of islamic jihad. It works really well for them. A real feather in the cap. |
| Posted by: Lucky 2004-07-24 11:50:56 PM |
| #6 #5 2. If they are reffering to cars sitting alongside the road, then it is likely they are placing men inside so as not to bring attention to it being a bomb, then remotely detinate Good point about roadside bombs, Dragon Fly, which is precisely why I mentioned remote detonation. The article already mentioned holding the "drivers'" family hostage. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-07-24 5:46:45 PM |
| #5 Zenster I disagree. Sort of. It is possible. 1. They may be forced to drive the car while as bomb-arama said becuase "family members are being threatened...." 2. If they are reffering to cars sitting alongside the road, then it is likely they are placing men inside so as not to bring attention to it being a bomb, then remotely detinate 3. This could be psy-ops to work up the Iraqi people |
| Posted by: Dragon Fly 2004-07-24 7:40:09 AM |
| #4 Didn't some of the Viet Kong on suicide missions chain themselves to trees? |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-07-24 3:07:57 AM |
| #3 If you have to chain the person in, how will they be persuaded to steer correctly? It's always possible that family members are being threatened in addition to this "encouraged" fealty. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-07-24 3:02:39 AM |
| #2 No, but there is a Little Fallujah that may tie the good General Custer in knots. This guy is bucking for one of those TV armchair general spots after retirement. P.S. If I read/heard this "rock star" analogy again I'll loose my lunch. |
| Posted by: Capt America 2004-07-24 2:19:06 AM |
| #1 General CUSTER? Sorry, but that doesnt exactly inspire confidence. I hope there is no place called Little Bighorn in Iraq near this guy. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-07-24 12:53:16 AM |