Posted on 05/15/2005 9:37:18 AM PDT by Dog
BAGHDAD - Insurgents have freed the governor of Iraqs rebellious Anbar province after kidnapping him last week, an Interior Ministry official said on Sunday.
Raja Nawaf had been abducted with four bodyguards on the road from the town of Qaim near the Syrian border to the rebel stronghold of Ramadi by followers of Al Qaeda leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, after a dispute with the governors tribe, relatives had said.
Anbar province is the heartland of Iraqs insurgency.
On Saturday, American troops ended Operation Matador, a week -long offensive in northwest Anbar aimed at rooting out guerrillas and foreign militants.
The US military said it lost nine troops and killed 125 guerrillas.
Saudis return home unwilling to carry out suicide bombings, and could not get arms or grenades:
"Two Saudis returned disappointed to their home in Riyadh after they entered Iraq via Syria to fight against the Americans. After they arrived in Iraq from Syria the boss of their group told them that the only available operation for them is to do suicidal operation but they were expected to fight and kill the Americans and not to do suicidal attacks straight away. They decided to return back because they were unable to get arms or grenades to fight the Americans there however there are at least 2500 Saudis fighting there, most of them came via Syria and supported financially from their own country.
http://hammorabi.blogspot.com/
"sorry guys! all that is left is the suicide bomber positions. were out of ammo."
Right on, Unc---and remember Condi is there RIGHT NOW. Her recommendation is what will happen from here. If she agrees with the Marines, look for cleanup type ops to accelerate. I expect the entire Marine Corp would just as soon clean the place up once and forever.
Early on there was a story about the Marines first posting a "blocking force" . I'm betting there was very little escaping back to Syria going on. What a perfect mission for counter snipers to keep the M40's warm!
A Marine's view of nighttime Iraq from above
Valley Press | on Sunday, May 15, 2005. | LT. COL. BERNARD "BULL" KRUEGER Commander, USMC Detachment Bravo
Yikes!!!
Wasnt there a story recently where we pursued some terrorists across the Syrian border and wasted them?
If Syria doesnt want that to happen (and they dont) then they had better get control of their border, soon.
" Your positive attitude and logical posts on the Iraq war and an encouragement to me. And if we can by any means have Iraqi groups, tribes, or any any other element fight their terrorists in the place of our troops thats great. I wouldnt even think it bad if the CIA paid some of my tax money to help that happen if it saves an American."
I knew that, I did not have to say I was aware, I better be careful, pride to easily can get in the way of our mostly positive contributions at this site.
As you indicated, you simply enhanced the points some of us have tried to make. I thank you as you thank me.
And is is nice to see how our CIA and military Intel are working hand in hand with the Iraqis, yea their earning their paychecks thats for sure.
Semper Fi
Good news ping!
I do agree that there is something a bit suspicious about this. Certainly the authorities who matter realize that, too.
"Early on there was a story about the Marines first posting a "blocking force" . I'm betting there was very little escaping back to Syria going on. What a perfect mission for counter snipers to keep the M40's warm!"
Yes, the 3/2 has units outside the town of Qaam, north of it, and on the eastern side of the river, at same approx. latitude, who where/are static, waiting to pick off snakes as they run either due north on the river road or across the river then north into Syria, and or towards Mosul area. At least that is what I got from the rash of links Ernest shared at sites such as Chester's, Fourth Rail, Belmont Club, etc..
Perhaps now main action is over, many of us will not get follow up action reports. The media are back in camp eating and drinking up our Marines food.
Good call.
Could these bodies be those of Mujahadeen or other terrorist scumbags taken out by Iraqis who are tired of seeing their people get blown to pieces?
The article doesnt really say who they were.
Probably not, but its possbile.
"The men were wearing civilian clothes but had no identifying documents. They appeared to be in their 20s."
Don't know......
"however there are at least 2500 Saudis fighting there, most of them came via Syria and supported financially from their own country. Yikes!!!"
And perhaps stripes. I admit to not knowing how many where in this region, but surely we all should have expected it. How many articles in the past six months have eluded to the fact or Mil Intel have placed a 10K number or more for in country foriegn terrorists. It comes as no surprise. The Saudis, may have a higher percent of goons in country then any other mid-east and Afgan,Paki,Morrocan etc.. groups.
Lots of snakes to still tread on. Or hit with sufficiently powerful bombs to have their electrons stripped from their protons in the blast.
What an absolute murderin' cuthroat Islamofascist BUZZKILL! You sneak into Iraq to fight for the Clown Prince and find out there's no grenades. A few more stories like this in the Middle East and the whole Syrian tourist industry will shut down. Assuming there's any truth at all in the story my first conclusion is our guys are doing a lotta right stuff. Why wouldn't the other 2500 Saudis share a little ordnance with their suicidal cousins? That's no way to treat an inbred royal family islamofreak brother!! bummer! I'm gonna flush my coocooran.
Australian's kidnappers lift ultimatum: mediator
BAGHDAD (AFP) - "An Australian cleric in Iraq to negotiate the release of a kidnapped contractor told AFP that an ultimatum hanging over Sydney to withdraw its troops had been lifted to allow further talks.
Nothing has been heard of 63-year-old Australian contractor Douglas Wood since his kidnappers released a DVD which was broadcast on May 6 and set a 72-hour deadline for Sydney to pull out its troops from Iraq."
Yet another blink? Could be, Backing down from ultimatums doesnt exactly exude confidence or a strong bargaining position. I hope this guy gets free too.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050515/wl_mideast_afp/iraqaustraliahostage_050515184215
"Wasnt there a story recently where we pursued some terrorists across the Syrian border and wasted them? If Syria doesnt want that to happen (and they dont) then they had better get control of their border, soon."
Yes during this operation and previous short term ops in this area. Based on recent links Ernest had published in this posts and two other authored by me and another. Belmont Club, Fourth Rail, Chester's site etc.. Contain many links elsewhere. And that is one source of knowing we have entered Syria in pursuit of snakes trying to make it to the town of Abu Kamal located on the main river road on the west bank of the Euphrates river.
And I will bet you a dime more then once our Marine units toward the Jordanian border have reached over the n/s road leading into Syria that goes slightly north of Damascus.
Lots of stuff we shall never read/hear in the news.
Don't want to get ahead of what we actually know but I expect the Condi/Syria/BeadyEye conversation has already happened. Remember Gen. Conway's crack about "uniforms" ?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.