Iraq Attacks Blamed on Islamic Extremists (not Hussein loyalists)

[kskiska]

U.S. Says Hussein Loyalists No Longer Dominate

Friday, March 19, 2004; Page A01

BAGHDAD, March 18 -- U.S. military commanders across Iraq say that a combination of foreign and indigenous Islamic extremists have eclipsed loyalists of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party as the dominant organizers and financiers of attacks on American and Iraqi security forces and civilians.

The Islamic radicals have been deemed by the commanders to be largely responsible for not just a series of high-profile suicide car bombings that have killed more than 1,000 people, but also a spate of recent attacks on U.S. troops, foreign civilians and Iraqis working with American forces. In many cases, the commanders said, religious extremists have begun to exercise leadership over cells of low-level Baathist fighters whose superiors have been captured or killed, by offering money and weapons to conduct mortar strikes, drive-by shootings and assassinations.

On the eve of the Iraq invasion's first anniversary, Islamic extremists have emerged as "the principal threat" to security in Baghdad, said Brig. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, commander of the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, which controls the capital. Officers based in restive areas outside Baghdad, including the commander of an Army battalion in Fallujah and the commander of a brigade in Baqubah, said the same trend has emerged in their areas.

In the intelligence operations room at the 1st Armored Division's headquarters, wall-mounted charts identifying and linking insurgents depict the changing battlefield. Last fall, the organizational chart of Baathist fighters and leaders stretched for 10 feet, while charts listing known Islamic radicals took up a few pieces of paper. Now, the chart of Iraqi religious extremists dominates the room, while the poster depicting Baathist activity has shrunk to half of its previous size. Smaller diagrams identify what is known about foreign Islamic extremists who have set up operations in the capital.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5997-2004Mar18.html

[NNN0LHI]

1. Hussein found it near impossible to keep the Islamic Extremists in check

And he understood the indigenous people of Iraq very well. I sure would like to know how the Chimp plans on doing it?

Don

[tlcandie]

2. Looks like listing them on bits of paper and tacking them up around

the wall might just do the trick!! Maybe then they can play pin the tail on the donkey; however, isn't that the US? :shrug:

[lastknowngood]

3. I wonder if the Iraqis are calling us Christin Extremist?

Just a little something to think about.