Fears of al–Qaida return in Iraq as US–backed fighters defect

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

Martin Chulov in Baghdad -

Al-Qaida is attempting to make a comeback in Iraq by enticing scores of former Sunni allies to rejoin the terrorist group by paying them more than the monthly salary they currently receive from the government, two key US-backed militia leaders have told the Guardian.

They said al-Qaida leaders were exploiting the imminent departure of US fighting troops to ramp up a membership drive, in an attempt to show that they are still a powerful force in the country after seven years of war.

Al-Qaida is also thought to be moving to take advantage of a power vacuum created by continuing political instability in Iraq, which remains without a functional government more than five months after a general election.

Sheikh Sabah al-Janabi, a leader of the Awakening Council – also known as the Sons of Iraq – based in Hila, 60 miles south of Baghdad, told the Guardian that 100 out of 1,800 rank-and-file members had not collected their salaries for the last two months: a clear sign, he believes, that they are now taking money from their former enemies.

"Al-Qaida has made a big comeback here," he said. "This is my neighbourhood and I know every single person living here. And I know where their allegiances lie now."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/10/al-qaida-sons-of-iraq

---

Long article worth reading in full.

[Donnachaidh]

1. translation -- we ain't leaving anytime soon

Convenient, considering that huge American Embassy that's bigger than Vatican City.

What was that about *empire-building* again? :sarcasm:

[Booster]

2. Anybody surprised? No matter how long we stay, how many

good Americans lose their lives, how much money we throw at this useless war, after we leave it will be worse than when we invaded Iraq. How stupid can we be?

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. Apparently pretty fucking stupid.

:cry:

[boomerbust]

4. Its only a matter of time

Before another dictator takes over. i.e. Saddam

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. I find it ironic that --

prior to our invasion, "al-Qaida" all but didn't even exist in that country -- Saddam made sure about that.

[kirby]

6. No matter when we left/leave, this wil be the outcome...

We could have been out years ago, saving numerous lives and treasure, with the same outcome.

[Owl]

7. Jeepers! We'd better up to a Trillion $ a month, and stay forever!

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Wait a minute here.

Less than 6% ( 100 out of 1800 members) have not collected their salaries for TWO months?
100 people and this is the "resurgence of Al-quada"?
So at the end of the first month when they did not collect their salary, would that not have been suspicious?
then they work for another month and refuse their salary?


Sounds more to me like " al-quada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
throw me money, I am being invaded"

[Turborama]

9. I did suggest reading the full article for a reason...

I don't want to go over the paragraph limit but here's the link for easy access: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/10/al-qaida-sons-of-iraq

The neglect of the Sons of Iraq has been documented for the past 2 years, this is not a new thing. The fact that Al Qaeda are possibly trying to take advantage of their dissafection is relatively new.

[Javaman]

10. "two key US-backed militia leaders"

Why do I think this is bullshit?

Why don't I believe they are leaving to join al-qaida?

why do I think that private security corps are telling them how to extort money from the US?

Why is the timing of this seem odd?

While all, part, some or none of this may or may not be true or factual, it still doesn't pass the smell test to me.

[Winterblues]

11. Saddam would never have tolerated it

He never would have tolerated Religious interference either...He may hve used some brutal tactics but he kept his country Secular and Westernized where women were treated as equal and Universities were thought well of..In many ways Iraq is much worse off now...

[Turborama]

12. And they had universal healthcare n/t