Article

2003-08-27 Iraq

Al Qaeda Mobilizes All Its Forces for Iraq

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Posted by Steve 2003-08-27 10:07:52 AM|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan the Saudi's convinced many of the hard-core Islamists to jihad. I wonder if any of that is going on now regarding Syria and Saudi Arabia. It's easier to prop up your unpopular dictatorship if the really wacked guys leave. They end up looking like good Islamists while strengthening their own position.

Of course with Iran the reasons are certainly darker.

Posted by Yank 2003-8-27 11:10:45 AM|| 2003-8-27 11:10:45 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 I found an e-mail from in-country and blogged it here Can't authenticate but so many e-mails are saying the same thing. Here is the key paragraphs:

TO ALL: Most interesting. This is a response to a message that said rules of engagement (ROE) were causing Army deaths and did not apply to the Marines.

No it's not true. The ROE are dictated by CJTF-7, not individual commanders. They are the same for Army and Marines, not to mention the Navy and Coast Guard. We're required to be armed at all times.

The two magazine rule is that you must have at least two magazines on your person at all times, this helps when you're engaging the enemy. Most people carry at least three pistol mags and seven rifle mags respectively. Both Army and Marine units openly display their weapons.

They both shoot when threatened also. Several attacks have been thwarted by Army and Marine personnel shooting first. We're also much better shots than the enemy. They tend to spray and pray, while we tend to just shoot them.

The Army has more attacks because their AOR encompasses Baghdad and the surrounding areas where the bulk of the attacks have taken place. I've noticed the press does a poor job in reporting our response to these ambushes. To put it plainly, we kick butt! The usual 'real' report reads: "Five IZ (Iraqis) fired AK-47s and RPGs at patrol (or convoy), soldiers (or marines) returned fire resulting in 3 KIA, and 1 WIA, 1 escaped. RPGs missed, AK fire ineffective, no US casualties."

We do take some casualties, and that is not a good thing, but we are very effective at counter-firing at the ambushes. Aggressiveness has proven very effective.

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2003-8-27 11:21:51 AM|| [http://blog.simmins.org] 2003-8-27 11:21:51 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 I read someplace that cockroach corpses emit a stink that other cockroaches use as a hint to avoid the area in question. By suppressing the enemy dead list, but publishing ours, the turbans are convinced it's a turkey shoot. And so they all flock there, not realizing that THEY are the turkeys.

Posted by Ptah 2003-8-27 11:28:08 AM|| [http://www.crusaderwarcollege.org] 2003-8-27 11:28:08 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 The way this is progressing there are going to be a lot of women in the Middle East without prospects for a husband and a lot of guys in China without prospects for a wife. Sounds like there ought to be an arbitrage opportunity here somewhere.

Posted by Mr. Davis 2003-8-27 12:54:48 PM|| 2003-8-27 12:54:48 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Are you sayung that Al Qaeda is sending a lot of ?manpower? into Iraq? Sounds like we can end the WOT a lot sooner. A quick primer on Arab math. If they say 1000 they mean 10 (including two children). With us killing them in both Iraq and Afghan they will run out of faithful.

Posted by Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-8-27 5:24:36 PM|| 2003-8-27 5:24:36 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 The way this is progressing there are going to be a lot of women in the Middle East without prospects for a husband and a lot of guys in China without prospects for a wife. Sounds like there ought to be an arbitrage opportunity here somewhere.

Given the prevailing attitude toward wimminfolk amongst the true believers, I suspect this is more of a plus than a minus.

Posted by snellenr 2003-8-27 5:32:45 PM|| 2003-8-27 5:32:45 PM|| Front Page Top

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