Posted on 01/29/2004 8:44:18 AM PST by NormsRevenge
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Osama bin Laden's terror network is seeking a foothold in Iraq as evidenced by the recent arrest of a top al-Qaida operative trying to enter northern Iraq, the commander of coalition forces said Thursday.
Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez cited the capture of Hassan Ghul by U.S.-allied Kurdish forces as evidence of al-Qaida's interest in establishing operations in this country.
Officials in Washington reported Ghul's arrest Saturday, describing him as a senior recruiter and facilitator for al-Qaida who reported directly to Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, one of the architects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks who was captured in March near Islamabad, Pakistan.
"The capture of Ghul is pretty strong proof that al-Qaida is trying to gain a foothold here to continue their murderous campaigns," Sanchez said. "Ghul's capture is great news for both the Iraqis, the coalition and the international community's war against terrorism."
Sanchez refused to say whether U.S. intelligence has identified active al-Qaida cells in Baghdad or elsewhere in Iraq, saying it would be "inappropriate" for him to comment.
U.S. military officials here have said most of the attacks against U.S. and coalition forces are carried out by remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime and have generally played down the role of foreign or al-Qaida fighters.
However, military officials have noted the use of "al-Qaida-like tactics," notably suicide attacks, in recent weeks. On Wednesday, a suicide bomber exploded a van disguised as an ambulance in a front of a Baghdad hotel, killing himself and three other people, including a South African.
Sanchez said U.S. authorities believe religious extremists may be linking up with pro-Saddam elements "and we believe there are some efforts to strengthen those linkages."
He said U.S. intelligence has been unable to identify the nationalities of suicide bombers. However, one Yemeni was arrested Oct. 27 after his vehicle failed to explode near a Baghdad police station.
Many of the victims of recent attacks have been Iraqis seen as collaborating with the U.S.-led occupation.
On Thursday, a bomb exploded in a cart in Baqouba northwest of the capital, injuring 11 people, including nine members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps. The bomb, which was placed on a road near a sports stadium, exploded during the morning rush hour, police Capt. Mohammed Saleh said.
Leaflets distributed Thursday in Ramadi, a Sunni Triangle city west of Baghdad, warned Iraqis who work with Americans to quit their jobs in 10 days or "face the consequences." The leaflet specified police, translators, tribal chiefs and local officials by name.
The statement was signed by the heretofore unknown "Anbar Mujahedeen Brigade." Anbar is the province that includes Ramadi. Shopkeepers said they found the leaflets under their doors Thursday, and witnesses told of four masked men distributing them.
A United Nations team arrived this week in Baghdad to determine whether it was safe for other U.N. officials to come to Iraq to study prospects for an early legislative elections as demanded by the leading Shiite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini.
U.S. officials fear that early elections could lead to greater violence. Instead they want members of a new legislature to be named in regional caucuses. The legislature would in turn choose a new government to take power by July 1, formally ending the U.S.-led occupation.
20 years ago, Al-Qaida didn't exist, it was created by a few maniacal Islamic activists that seek a return to the Dark Ages.
It had it's ass thumped in Afghanistan(even though its adherents and allies fight on today), so the fact that they are now seeking to gain footholds in places like Iraq is not that unusual. The same can be said for the Philippines and all of the rebel activity.
By the time they make General, military officers are adept at guessing what their bosses want to hear and saying it. That's probably the explanation here; if one rationale isn't selling, provide another and hope The Man smiles on you.
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