(* main stream media)
Posted on 12/14/2004 7:40:43 PM PST by Critical Bill
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2004 — There appears to be an almost endless supply of fighters willing to die for their cause in Iraq. Suicide bombers have routinely struck U.N. buildings, hotels, and checkpoints since the end of major combat in the country.
The weapon of choice is usually an explosive-packed automobile, but explosive vests have been used as well. U.S. intelligence officials say the majority of the bombers are not foreign fighters, as many believe. "The big myth is that there's an endless supply of suicide bombers, that the foreign fighters are everywhere. That's the story everybody wants to hear, and Iraqis don't want to admit that some of [the suicide bombers] might be Iraqis," said Brig. Gen. John Custer, director of intelligence for U.S. Central Command.
Just today, a suicide car bomber killed seven people at a Green Zone checkpoint early today in Baghdad, Iraq. It was the second attack in two days near the same gate into the district that houses Iraq's interim government and the U.S. Embassy, officials said.
Unwilling Martyrs
The recent assault on the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah, U.S. military-led raids on private Iraqi homes, and military bombings that have killed Iraqi civilians have radicalized young Iraqis.
"The deaths of their own families, the destruction of their homes — all these are leading to frustration and anger and hopelessness, and they want the enemy to feel the same frustration and hopelessness, so they are resorting to this violence," said Muqtedar Khan, visiting fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution and an expert in political Islam.
But it also appears that not all of the bombers are willing participants. U.S. military officials have found body parts in vehicles used in suicide bombings — left by the frantic people who were trapped inside, unable to flee.
"What we've found in a number of places are hands chained to a steering wheel," Custer said. "We found a foot roped into the car unable to escape."
He said in some cases, it appeared that men were forced to carry out suicide bombers because their families were being held hostage.
"We've seen a number of incidents where — wives [and] children kidnapped — [the] fathers forced to drive a car, even so far as to have a car following it with a remote," Custer said.
And U.S. commanders say they are seeing a new tactic in the field — insurgents sending two suicide bombers to launch an attack, in case the first one backs out.
I really wish I hadn't read this. My son is deploying to the green zone Sunday....
I'm very suprised that they bothered to clarify that the Iraqi citizens were targeted and killed by the insurgents as opposed to everything being the Coalition's fault.
I'm a Mom, I worry when he's home safe and sound in Mo. He and 41 of his buddies volunteered to go to send a few of the troops home for Christmas, So while I will worry and him and all our troops, we all couldn't be prouder of them all. Their deployment date was changed to a few days earlier, so we've been scrambling to get packages sent and buying him calling cards. Been a busy week and it's only Tuesday!
The great victory by the US in the VC Tet offensive was reported as a U.S. disaster by the likes of Walter Cronkite, for instance. The U.S. left Vietnam from the Saigon embassy rooftop, and the dominos really did fall after that. I don't say we should have gone in the first place to pick up the French pieces, but Kennedy and Johnson kept building up our presence there.
MSM have their agenda, but the times are different and their news reporting is much more easily monitored.
My sister ( LIBERAL) started having a fit when I told her...mind you her son has been active AF 10 years-reserves 4 years.....called Bush a rotten SOB, blah, blah...... Then I told her they WANTED to go. ( I had left that part out because I knew what was coming ;) Her own boy told her this is what they do when called upon. She loves the money & benefits her kid gets from being in the service but would have a fit if he had to go overseas.
I take my hat off to you reamaining friends with her, sister or not,lol.
I cringe whenever I see or hear Bush as well but it's not a personalty contest eh. Imagine Kerry trying to please everyone, a right mess the country would have ended up in.
I thank both you, and your son for the sacrifice you both have made for this nation! People like you have saved the world, and have made this country what it is today!
My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
I thank both you, and your son for the sacrifice you both have made for this nation! People like you have saved the world, and have made this country what it is today!
My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
G-D bless your son and keep him safe until he gets back home to you.
My son has been doing checkpoint duty in the West Bank since last summer.
Bless your son as well and a prayer to keep him safe.
It's the new disguise they have of "I support the troops" (cough cough) "but I hate the mission". It just doesn't wash.
Bless both your sons and thankyou and them for me/us.
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