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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Syrians, Jihadis pushing for a united Sunni resistance |
| 2004-08-09 |
| Intense fighting broke out last week between U.S. troops, backed by Iraqi forces, and fighters loyal to the radical Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. But while al-Sadr's Mahdi militia represents a serious threat to Iraq's stability, an equally vexing challenge to Iraqi order is taking shape in the Sunni Muslim — dominated area northwest of Baghdad, where Sunni terrorists, Baathists and nationalists are thriving. These resistance groups have so far cooperated only erratically, when it suits their needs. But insurgent sources tell TIME that elements in the resistance, especially jihadis who have ties to al-Qaeda, are pushing to unite the area's disparate militants under a single command. The insurgents are working through a loose assembly of leaders known as Mujahedin Shura, often translated as "supreme council of the mujahedin." This informal group, which meets occasionally to share intelligence and tactical tips, already has a defense minister, an army chief and an operations commander of sorts. At recent meetings, insurgent leaders — including Iraqi nationalists, Baathists and sundry Sunni extremists — have debated streamlining their activities under a single leader. According to several sources involved in the movement, Syrian intelligence agents in the area, who have helped arm the groups and aided their propaganda campaigns, have also been participating in the debate. But the resistance has its divisions — at least in part because jihadist leaders allied to al-Qaeda — linked Jordanian terrorist Abu Mousab alZarqawi, a proponent of the unified command, seem to be trying to take control. Militant sources tell TIME that their rise has alienated some insurgents, especially the Baathists and nationalists, who resent the influence of foreigners. Whoever wins, the more disturbing development is that some Iraqi jihadis, hoping to take their fight beyond Iraq's borders, are threatening to launch a terrorist campaign in the U.S. "If America continues to shield its people from the truth," says an al-Zarqawi loyalist, "we shall transport the battle to where their public cannot but see it." |
| Posted by:Paul Moloney |
| #4 The Syrians really like uniting, like their former ruler France... at one point they were united with Egypt (United Arab Republic, 1958-61 R.I.P.), but that didn't work very well, either, because the Egyptians didn't understand why everything had to benefit Syria. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2004-08-09 20:11 |
| #3 The more they centralize the easier it becomes to whack them. The timing is good as well with the Iraqi leadership seemingly intent on using the required force to crush the terrs. Najaf today, Fallujah tomorrow. |
| Posted by: remote man 2004-08-09 12:44:32 PM |
| #2 Isnât if funny that Time fails to mention a word about Taterâs militia getting mashed? Then TIME tells us about a âvexing problemâ that sounds move vexing for AQ than it does for us, but then, of course, Time "would" see it that way. The way I read this article is: jihadis who have ties to Al-Qaeda are trying to unite the areas disparate militants, who have conflicting goals, under a single Zarqawi command. But the Iraqiâs âalready has[ve] a defense minister, an army chief and an operations commander of sortsâ and âtheir rise has alienated some insurgents, especially the Baathists and nationalists, who resent the influence of foreignersâ. Sooo what Time seems to be REALLY saying, (if you read between the lines), is that despite efforts and cash from Al-Qaeda and the Syrian intelligence agents, the Iraqiâs Baathists and nationalists donât like them much and thus the effort to unite them under Zarqawi is going poorly. Doesn't sound like good news for AQ to me. Funny how TIME manages to make lemonade out of lemons. |
| Posted by: B 2004-08-09 9:54:55 AM |
| #1 Whoever wins, the more disturbing development is that some Iraqi jihadis, hoping to take their fight beyond Iraqâs borders, are threatening to launch a terrorist campaign in the U.S. "If America continues to shield its people from the truth," says an al-Zarqawi loyalist, "we shall transport the battle to where their public cannot but see it." Gee, TIME finally figured out that we're really, really, REALLY in a war with Islamofascist terrorists. Wow. How do you think Kerry's supporters will take this astonishing bit of news. And here, we thought that Bushitler was just making all of this up! |
| Posted by: RMcLeod 2004-08-09 4:45:40 AM |