Iraq recruits suicide army from neighboring states (al-Qaeda alert)

World Tribune ^ | 3/19/03 | World Tribune

[Angelus Errare]

Iraq recruits suicide army from neighboring states

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM Wednesday, March 19, 2003 LONDON — Iraq has mobilized thousands of Islamic volunteers from nearby countries for suicide missions in defense of the Saddam Hussein regime..

Iraqi opposition and Western diplomatic sources said the Islamic volunteers were recruited by Iraqi intelligence agents in Jordan and inspired by Al Qaida and its war against the United States. They said the volunteers have been given a range of duties by Iraqi security forces. They include digging trenches in and around Baghdad and filling them with oil to block the path of advancing U.S. troops. So far, about 100 trenches have been reported.

Other volunteers have been trained in suicide operations. The Islamic combatants have also been instructed in how to kidnap U.S. soldiers.

Many of the foreign volunteers are said to have come from Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Middle East Newsline reported. The sources said the volunteers have arrived from a range of Arab countries and Pakistan. The volunteers were wooed by the prospect of killing American soldiers as well as attractive salaries and incentives pledged by the Saddam regime.

"We are talking about thousands of people and they could play a major role in Saddam's defense as the military collapses in the first wave of U.S. bombings," a diplomatic source who is monitoring the Islamic aid to Saddam said.

On Tuesday, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz acknowledged that Saudi nationals might have crossed the border into Jordan and made their way to Iraq to fight against the United States.

"We have no information about this," Prince Nayef said. "At the same time we cannot deny it totally. Saudis travel abroad as they wish and I see no point in their participation [in the Iraqi war]."

The sources said a main training ground is located at the Saad military camp northeast of Baghdad. The training is being given by the Special Security unit, or Amn Khass. The unit is headed by Saddam's son, Qusay, who is responsible for defense of the Baghdad area.

The London-based Al Hayat reported on Tuesday that the Islamic volunteers are also being trained in urban warfare. Al Hayat quoted what it termed reliable Iraqi sources that reported that 130 foreign volunteers have arrived in Saad for training.

[aristeides]

The Nazis' plans in 1944-5 to conduct guerrilla resistance through the Werwolf organization turned out to be a big bust.

[Grampa Dave]

Absolutely, every al Qaeda and other Islamic terrorist goat humpers are welcome to Iraq.

We can kill all of them there and make future cleanups a lot easier.

[truth_seeker]

"Iraq has mobilized thousands of Islamic volunteers from nearby countries for suicide missions in defense of the Saddam Hussein regime."

It is good to get them to bunch together, and announce where they are.

[Coop]

I look forward to Mr. Zarqawi's name being crossed off my charts soon. If he was stupid enough to remain in Iraq, great. If not, him moving makes him easier to track.

Concerning these suicide bombers, I really hope the stories are true. Abdul and Mustafa will soon discover blowing up armored vehicles and aircraft at 10,000 feet are much more challenging than passenger buses or daycare centers. That means less recruits for Al Qaeda later on.

[Angelus Errare]

I believe Zarqawi returned to Iran back in December to consult with the large chunk of the al-Qaeda's leadership that appears have sanctuary there with the ayatollahs' blessings. However, it's never a matter of if, only a matter of when, as to when he suffers the fate of his predecessor, Mr. Zubaydah.

[Coop]

I'm pretty sure I saw (what I deemed) a credible news report of him in Iraq within the past month or so. But whether Feb or Dec, I agree with you that he probably fled Iraq like the little coward he is.

[Angelus Errare]

Don't get me wrong, I look forward to seeing Zarqawi's head nailed to a pike. He, al-Adel, and a couple of others are the largest threats to the US now that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's been knocked off. If he still is in Iraq, look for him to assume command of this outfit at some point in the near future.

[Tamar1973]

Of course Saddam has to recruit from outside Iraq! The Iraqi army is surrendering as we speak and the war hasn't even started yet.

[joesnuffy]

Funny but given the nature of peacefull benevolent kind Islam...
Real Muslims would consider this murdering bassturd apostate
And would help us kill him...given his failure as a true Muslim
wazzup wit dat?

[wildbill]

What a wonderful opportunity to rid the world of a lot of fanatics. I hope every Al Queda fanatic in the world rallies to Baghdad. It would be dangerous and messy--but it would be worth it in the long run.

[Jacob Kell]

Not really. More Wahhabis for the barbie.

[tessalu]

Saddam has killed more Muslims than any man on earth. These suicide bombers just can't be too smart.

[fire_eye]

Our troops will be happy to assist their suicide.

One of my (very few) concerns about "our troops" is their ability or willingness to kill without hesitation. Most soldiers have to learn that in combat... It's not a question of willingness to kill someone - most American soldiers are perfectly well-ordered in that regard. It's that hair-trigger reflex to shoot the instant you see a 12-year old kid coming at you holding a sack, and worry about the consequences later.

And it's for *that* reason that I'm worried about us taking casualties from Islamikazis, a lot more than I'm worried about the Iwaqi military...