Posted on 11/20/2005 4:28:32 PM PST by Anti-Bubba182
There are rumors circulating in the Middle East concerning the possible death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The rumors originated with the Elaph Arabic-language Web site, were picked up by the Jerusalem Post and now are alive in several venues.
What is known is that the United States attacked a location in Mosul in which eight individuals were reported killed and burned beyond recognition.[snip...
That al-Zarqawi would be in Mosul, far to the north of Baghdad, is plausible -- an almost constant series of U.S.-led offensives against insurgents in Anbar province have made places like Ar Ramadi, Al Fallujah, and Al Hadithah dangerous for high-value targets like the jihadist network leader. In addition, a fierce and desperate firefight would be characteristic of efforts by his entourage to defend al-Zarqawi. As it became apparent that capture was imminent, it is plausible that al-Zarqawi would choose suicide as an alternative.[snip]...
....[snip] ...[snip]. The last thing the United States is going to do at this point is claim al-Zarqawi's head, only to have to withdraw the claim when a tape by him surfaces. U.S. President George W. Bush can't afford that. Therefore we would not expect confirmation for a while.
The intelligence therefore is this: There are unconfirmed rumors from multiple sources in the Middle East that al-Zarqawi was killed in a raid by U.S. forces in Mosul. This report cannot be verified but it is not, in our view, quite as fantastic as some of the other rumors that have surfaced about his death and those of other jihadists in recent years. Given the timing, it is an intriguing report and we will be watching for other evidence.
(Excerpt) Read more at stratfor.com ...
If you're being hunted, it's best to be where you are least expected...
Semper Fi
Points well taken, and you guys know a heck of alot more than I do! I guess I'd make a lousy terrorist, huh?
Won't they be able to tell if he's dead by tracking the response of his organization as it tries to sort out who will take his place? I would think that their communications network would be showing some unusual activity about now.
Of course, we won't know about this angle for a while (if ever).
(steely)
Maybe, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. ;-)
Probably it would, be we wouldn't necessarily be able to see it. I doubt if they are using a lot of electronic communications or we would have caught him earlier. They probably use couriers and intermediaries. It would take time.
I notice that we have no reporters on the scene in Mosul. They are all in Aruba, I guess.
Agreed -
I would suspect those warriors (and Intel Spooks)that are part of TF-6*6 whom took the lead on this take-down are by now aware if we bagged him (Zarqawi) or not - With say 90% probability
If it is him, it will leak within the next 12-24 hours most likely (48 hours max).
al Qeade might leak it themselves for various reasons too. They may leak/spin regardless of what the truth turns out to be (in the short run). If it wasn't him, they may still assert that he has been killed in order to try and confuse the continued chase.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1525828/posts
Family publicly severs ties with al-Qaeda leader in Iraq
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=2272942005 ^ | JAMAL HALABY
Posted on 11/20/2005 7:15:52 PM CST by mdittmar
RELATIVES of Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda leader in Iraq, have renounced the terrorist, telling King Abdullah II yesterday that they would "sever links with him until doomsday".
Al-Zarqawi - whose real name is Ahmed Fadheel Nazzal al-Khalayleh - claimed responsibility for the deadly 9 November attacks on three Amman hotels, which killed 60 people.
In half-page advertisements in Jordan's three main newspapers, 57 members of the Khalayleh family, including Zarqawi's brother and cousin, reiterated their strong allegiance to the king. Zarqawi had threatened in an audiotape on Friday to kill the king.
"As we pledge to maintain homage to your throne and to our precious Jordan ... we denounce in the clearest terms all the terrorist actions claimed by Ahmed Fadheel Nazzal al-Khalayleh, who calls himself Abu Musab al-Zarqawi," the family members said.
"We announce, and all the people are our witnesses, that we - the sons of the al-Khalayleh tribe - are innocent of him and all that emanates from him, whether action, assertion or decision."
snip
sad, but likely true. where the hell is steve harrigan when you need him?
If it is him the president should be ready to give a Prime Time speech to the nation tomorrow or Tuesday. A really effective speech could buy us another 6 to 8 months in Iraq (at least when it comes to the media and US public support).
"The statement is a serious blow to Zarqawi, who will no longer enjoy the protection of his tribe and whose family members may seek to kill him. The statement said anyone who carried out such [terrorist] violence in the kingdom did not enjoy its protection."
The best part ;)
The democrats want murder charges brought against our troops who may be responsible.
If he is not already dead he has lost the support of the people who knew him best of all.
It's not officially over until Newsmax, Dick Morris and Geraldo weigh in.
If this is true, then 'ol Congressman Murtha has got to be the winner of the "Worst timing ever!" award for public speeches...
The Libs and Dems will hold a candlelight virgil Monday night.
I agree. I read 11 US injuries? I think this was a SERIOUS fight.
Can we show off the body like they did Queasy and Kweisi? Perhaps surrounded by pig entrails?
is there information missing here, these 7 killed 4 iraqis and injured all these iraqi and US forces? or were there additional forces guarding these 7, who also battled the US/iraqi assault team.
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