Al Qaeda in Iraq in "Dire Straits"

[BPSCG]

"It is true that we have lost several cities and have been forced to withdraw from others, after a large number of [Sunni] tribal leaders betrayed Islam and when their tribe members joined forces against us.

However, we are still fighting, and the 'paralysis' mentioned by the Crusaders is true only for some of the regions. it is common knowledge that any war always involves advance and retreat, so that [even] in those regions I wouldn't call our position 'paralysis,' but rather 'the [changing] conditions of the war.'"

Al-Jaza'iri added: "…I do not want to paint a false picture: Our position is very difficult, but we are fighting, and will continue to do so…"

[B]Reasons for the Decrease in Al-Qaeda's Popularity

Asked about possible reasons for the decrease in Al-Qaeda's popularity, Al-Jaza'iri said that indiscriminately murdering civilians had been a mistake that had "harmed the organization's reputation."

He stated: "In the Al-Anbar [district], for example, Sunni Iraqis voluntarily enlisted for jihad activity not because [they believed in] it, but because they hated the Americans and [wished] to take revenge on them and on the betrayers of Islam. Some were motivated by financial considerations, and got carried away with murdering and executing futile attacks, which killed a lot of unfortunate individuals.

Link (http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD186608).
"Indiscriminately murdering civilians" is bad PR. Who knew?

[kosai]

That sucks, I loved that band!


...ah hoo-ooo...

[Lothian]

That sucks, I loved that band!
I am afraid it is true. I have done my own private investigations. All this effort sending our brothers in arms, so far away has been money for nothing.

[mrbaracuda]

Interesting read. I didn't know al-Qaeda supposedly is predominantly Sunni / Salafi.

[Beerina]

Well, the Sunnis were the minority sect, but they were Saddam's sect, so they were the ones who lost power. It's natural many would gravitate to whatever "resistance" existed.

[WildCat]

Michel Yon's latest dispatch is an interesting read for those wondering how the US is killing al Qaeda: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/guitar-heros.htm

[mrbaracuda]

Michel Yon's latest dispatch is an interesting read for those wondering how the US is killing al Qaeda: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/guitar-heros.htm

But there were “squirters” trying to get away. The Predator, whose pilot was back in America flying the UAV remotely, saw the squirters, and Boise pushed into the attack, swooping down low into the target area, launching three 2.75” flechette rockets and four HE rockets

No wonder the war costs you so much! :p

[Garrette]

All this effort sending our brothers in arms, so far away has been money for nothing.At least the check's [sic] for free (http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/02/06/paying_the_iraq_bill.php).

...the expenditures have been debt financed...

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...The Bush administration once claimed that the Iraq war would be good for the economy, with one spokesperson even suggesting that it was the best way to ensure low oil prices...