Al-Qaeda gunmen kidnap 22 persons in Diala (Iraq)

[sabra]

Source: Voice of Iraq

Baaquba, Dec 27, (VOI)- A group of gunmen, suspected of being al-Qaeda members, on Thursday kidnapped 22 persons at a fake checkpoint between Kanaan and Baladruz districts in Diala, a security source said.

"Unknown gunmen, believed to be members of al-Qaeda, positioned a fake checkpoint on the road between Kanaan and Baladruz districts and kidnapped 22 civilians after intercepted their two cars," the source, who wished to remain anonymous, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

"They took them to unknown place," the source noted.


Read more: http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=64188&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1

[Teaser]

1. I've always said

that the media is too quick to label atrocities in Iraq as "Al Qaeda."

It is to the advantage of Sunni insurgents to pin the blame on Al Qaeda, because then they look blameless. And it is too the advantage of the Shiite gov't to pin the blame on AQ, because AQ is hated by the shiite populace and acts to strengthen govt control. And it is in our interest to blame AQ, because it perpetuate the war on terra nonsense.

When it is in everyone's interest to blame a particular party, it makes me suspicious that that party is involved at all.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Yep--what you said.

[Bucky]

3. Keep in mind that Al-Qaeda in Iraq and Al-Qaeda are two different organizations

AQI is a more organized and geographically focused group while al-Qaeda is a loose network of barely affiliated independent operators who just ask for monetary support and occasionaly organizational guidance from Saudi-backed nutcases. As you note, though, any news story failing to make that distinction is by definition from a noncredible source. That said, AQI operatives should be among the top suspects in any act of terrorism in Iraq. They're mean, nihilistic bastards. They're the main ones making it easier for Bush to keep our troops shackled to Iraqi oil reserves.

[Parche]

4. Are They Like Al-Kida Crawford?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :hi:

[Teaser]

5. Kept in mind

If I'm referring to AQ whilst discussing an Iraq post, I'm usually referring to AQI.