Al Qaeda Leader's Diary Reveals Organization's Decline

American Forces Press Service ^ | Seaman William Selby, USN

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2008 – U.S. troops found a diary belonging to an al Qaeda in Iraq leader that has Coalition forces believing the terrorist organization is “on its heels,” a senior military official in Baghdad said this morning.

Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team on Nov. 3, 2007, captured a diary belonging to Abu Tariq, an al Qaeda emir in control of five battalions within two sectors, U.S. Air Force Col. Donald J. Bacon, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told online journalists and “bloggers” during a conference call.

The soldiers found the diary during a patrol conducted about 15 kilometers south of Balad. Bacon said the 16-page diary contains records about man power, operations, weapons, and finances, and it shows that al Qaeda is hurting badly in the belts of Baghdad.

“There were 600 al-Qaeda members in this sector, now there (are) 20 or less,” said Bacon.

In the diary, Tariq describes each battalion’s number decline and goes on to describe the 4th battalion as “scoundrels, sectarians and nonbelievers.” Tariq attributes his terrorist organization’s decline in large part to groups of concerned local citizens, who are also known as the Sons of Iraq.

Many high-ranking al Qaeda members, including Osama Bin Laden, have spoken out about the negative impact that the concerned local citizens groups have had on their organization. As a result, the concerned local citizens are being attacked more frequently by the terrorists, Bacon said.

Nevertheless, Bacon said the numbers of concerned local citizens are growing, which indicates that they are less afraid of al-Qaeda.

“Right now there (are) approximately 77,500 CLC’s with 135 different initiatives, and more and more are being hired,” Bacon said.

Bacon said he believes the diary is also in part a will of sorts, in case anything was to happen to Tariq.

“He wanted to keep a clear record,” Bacon said.

Bacon said he believes the diary is indicative of some other areas in Iraq but not all of Iraq. He cautioned that al Qaeda is still a dangerous enemy.

“We still believe they are our number one threat,” said Bacon.

“There is a 90 percent decline of violence in Anbar but we are still fighting them in Diala,” he added. “They still have the capacity and the will but we have the momentum.”

Bacon noted, however, that “overall levels of violence in Iraq are down, and we are seeing positive trends.”

(U.S. Navy Seaman William Selby works for the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)

Related Sites:
Translation of Abu Tariq's al Qaeda Diary
Original Copy of Abu Tariq's al Qaeda Diary

[attiladhun2]

We are winning, yet all we hear from Jezebel and the Crypto Muslim is surrender. Can any doubt they despise their own country, or is it they hate Bush more than they love their own country?

[river rat]

Not to worry...

As soon as the Democrats learn how desperate the bastards are - they will demand our withdrawal and once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory...

Been there, have seen that.....

No question they will do it again — GLADLY!

[SandRat]

YEP!

[Marine_Uncle]

Things really have been quiet as a church when empty in most of Iraq.
As the levels of security increase and social and economic projects effect more Iraqi in a positive way, the last breath of AQIR will be extinguished.
Of course they still need a bit of persuasion up north to go back to Pakistan's rat nests to then get targeted by drone with hell fire missiles aboard.
Sure would be nice to hear UBL and Zawahiri get knocked off soon.

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

“We are winning, yet all we hear from Jezebel and the Crypto Muslim is surrender. Can any doubt they despise their own country, or is it they hate Bush more than they love their own country?”

Do you have any evidence that they love their own country at all?????

[zot]

Thanks for the ping. This is good news!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the ping to more good stuff...

[elhombrelibre]

That would be beyond nice.

[SunkenCiv]

I’m sure there are a few more about this. :’D I promise, this is the last ping to any of ‘em.

[wgflyer]

Muslims are their own worst enemy...and liberals are ours. McCain is a liberal. Bush is a liberal. Conservatives are an apparent minority, or our front runners would be Hunter and Thompson. So, don’t blame conservatives. Blame liberal Republicans and Democrats. By voting for a lib who you “think can win” you compromise conservative principle. All I can say is good luck.

[attiladhun2]

None at all, I am giving them the benefit of the doubt, though the history of both BO and Jezebel would indicate an abiding hatred of everything that has made this country great.

[dervish]

Thanks for the good news ping. Still not enough to convince Pelosi. Nothing will.

[Camel Joe]

I really can’t imagine what you’re talking about, I never said the Iraqi’s didn’t, wouldn’t, or shouldn’t step up. I simply said that “some” in the new Progressive Lite Party, formerly known as the GOP chose to include liberals over conservatives and now must learn to live with that decision. I’m sorry that this decision has consequences that are to say the least inconvenient to both of us, but there you have it. I was always told that if I laid down with dogs I just might get up with fleas. It’s a bitch to itch ain’t it?