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IRA link to PLO examined in hunt for deadly sniper
Sunday Telegraph ^ | 3/10/2002 | Sean Rayment

Posted on 03/10/2002 9:27:32 AM PST by l33t

BRITISH security officials are looking into suspicions that a crack sniper who killed 10 Israeli soldiers and civilians on the West Bank a week ago might be an IRA gunman.

Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, has asked European and American security agencies if they can help to identify the killer, who shot dead seven soldiers and three civilians in 25 minutes using 25 bullets from a bolt-action rifle.

The sniper was hidden in trees on a hill overlooking an army checkpoint near the Jewish settlement of Ofra. When he fled, he left behind his weapon, which is standard IRA practice.

The attack last Sunday shocked the Israeli Defence Force. Mossad believes that the sniper could be an IRA agent or special forces-trained contract killer.

The Sunday Telegraph understands that British security officials have been checking whether any known IRA members capable of carrying out the shootings or training others to do so have gone abroad in recent weeks.

One security official said: "To be able to get 10 kills in 25 minutes using 25 rounds without being spotted means this guy is good. He could be a former member of the IRA; he could be a former member of a special forces unit. He is clearly well trained."

The IRA is known to have links with the Palestine Liberation Organisation and other Middle East armed groups, and at least one member of the IRA's army council is known to speak Arabic. The security official added: "Many IRA men and women have been trained in camps in the Middle East and north Africa."

Training and tactical exchanges between the IRA and other terrorist groups is not unusual. Last year, four alleged IRA members were arrested in Columbia and charged with terrorist offences after allegedly training members of the Revolutionary Forces of Columbia (Farc) guerrillas.

Last October, a European security conference in France concluded that new links had been created and old ones regenerated between the IRA, Basque separatists and Farc.

British security forces are well aware of the IRA's sniping skills. During the 1990s, nine soldiers and policemen were murdered by snipers in South Armagh.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: britishfriends; eta; farc; ira; michaeldobbs; plo; terrorwar
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To: l33t
It does appear that the sniper was a mercenary and pretty professional.

Follow the money. Who paid this guy? Dollars to doughnuts it is the Saudi's.

21 posted on 03/10/2002 3:34:50 PM PST by Alouette
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To: BlackVeil
You raised a lot of questions. I'm curious how bad the Israelis want these questions answered. The smart thing for them to do is to report that it was only a fluke and pretend to ignore it while turning over every rock in the Pal areas. If they find the guy, they should never admit it.
22 posted on 03/10/2002 8:04:31 PM PST by Shooter 2.5
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To: l33t
The Marc Rich link to the worldwide terrorist organization (arms and info dealing) needs to be uncovered, too. There must be a hub to this wheel - and it probably spins in the vicinity of Swiss banks.
23 posted on 03/10/2002 8:08:02 PM PST by ValerieUSA
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To: right_to_defend
Great post- thanks.
24 posted on 03/10/2002 8:22:53 PM PST by Prodigal Son
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To: JamesWilson
LOL! Yeah, good for him! If it were me, I'd have to change my underwear.

Hey- maybe that's what he dived off in the bushes to do ;-)

25 posted on 03/10/2002 8:23:47 PM PST by Prodigal Son
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Comment #26 Removed by Moderator

To: RANGERAIRBORNE; tony cavanagh
What you think gents.
27 posted on 03/20/2002 4:38:31 AM PST by dennybabyboy-fitzy
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To: BushMeister,SMEDLEYBUTLER
re : Well, once the first guy loses his head, the others don't exactly stand around waiting to be shot, so the guy was obviously very good with his weapon.

I agree, this is not aiming at some target, but at moving personal who will be firing back and who will be calling on support.

Tony

28 posted on 03/20/2002 5:16:54 AM PST by tonycavanagh
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To: dennybabyboy-fitzy
IRA or not, this attack is worth hundreds of those self defeating suicide attacks. If was in charge of the PLO this would be the type of tactics I would favour.

During the 80s the IRA made a few contacts in the Middle East, and I guess with the Para militaries concentrating more on punishment beatings there would be a number of the more expert types looking for work.

It could also be a Balkan veteran after all a large part of that was a snipers war.

Tony

29 posted on 03/20/2002 5:22:23 AM PST by tonycavanagh
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To: tonycavanagh
If I remember, the IRA had a few camps set up in the Bekaa valley, and probably still do. And were funded a lot by Gaddafi, as well as NORAID.

As i'm an avid reader, and like to get aquainted with the enemy, I read the republican 'An Phoblacht'. Interesting reading what the IRA said about the 9/11 attacks - 'the US has reaped what it has sown with its foreign policy in the middle east'. Still the IRA supporters here, will continue to support them.

My reaction to the report was - IRA. I found the Croats and the Serbs were the best snipers in the Balkans, and the muslims left a lot to be desired, but they made up for it at close quarters.

I've always felt that the IRA had debts to pay in the middle east. The muslims terrorists are now calling in there debts, perhaps this is the start of many more such attacks.

Den.

30 posted on 03/21/2002 4:19:41 AM PST by dennybabyboy-fitzy
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To: dennybabyboy-fitzy
Although my grandmother came straight from Ireland, and I belong to a large Irish Catholic family, I have never contributed anything to any of these IRA "Front" organizations. I didn't believe in terrorism, even before 9/11. They do have some great songs, though!
31 posted on 03/21/2002 1:58:23 PM PST by RANGERAIRBORNE
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To: phildragoo
interesting read.
32 posted on 03/25/2002 4:30:45 AM PST by dennybabyboy-fitzy
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To: dennybabyboy-fitzy


33 posted on 06/18/2004 10:40:56 PM PDT by Robaird
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To: dennybabyboy-fitzy


34 posted on 06/19/2004 12:03:01 AM PDT by Robaird
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