Our troops are winning this battle. Major props go out to them. http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/05/03/iraq.main/index.html U.S.: Possible letter to al-Zarqawi cites low morale New Iraqi government sworn in, but Cabinet vacancies remain Tuesday, May 3, 2005 Posted: 12:41 PM EDT (1641 GMT) BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The U.S. military said Tuesday it has seized a letter from Iraqi insurgents believed to be intended for Jordanian-born militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi complaining about low morale among followers and weakening support for the insurgency. The authenticity of the letter -- which the military said American troops found Thursday in a raid in Baghdad -- could not be independently verified. The letter -- which never refers to al-Zarqawi by name -- is written to Sheik Abu Ahmad, a name not known to be used by the militant leader or his followers. But supporters often call al-Zarqawi the Sheik or Sheik Abu Musab in letters and on Web sites. "What has happened to myself and my brothers is an unforgivable crime, but God will punish the oppressor," the letter reads. "I swear by God that you will be asked about what happened to us because you have not asked about the situation of the migrants. Morale is down and there is fatigue among mujahedeen ranks. "There is discrimination by some of the brethren emirs. God would not accept such actions, and a simple mistake delays victory, so what about big mistakes and gross guilts? Many underestimate them and are lenient toward them." The letter is dated April 27, the military said. The author of the letter also "admonishes 'the Sheik' for abandoning his followers" after last year's U.S. siege on Falluja, west of Baghdad. U.S. forces led an assault then on the Sunni Triangle city's terrorist network believed to be run by al-Zarqawi. Because of the "continuous pressure by Iraqi and [U.S.-led] coalition forces," a military statement said, al-Zarqawi has relied on his cell leaders to conduct operations while he is forced to evade being killed or captured. Pentagon officials said last week that U.S. troops nearly caught al-Zarqawi in February after receiving a tip that he might be traveling to Ramadi, west of Falluja. (Full story) The author of the letter, the military said, is a member of the terrorist group known as al Qaeda in Iraq. The author's name is Abu Asim al-Qusaymi al-Yemeni, the military statement said. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the letter reflects "a certain amount of proof that [al-Zarqawi's] influence and effectiveness is deteriorating."
Very interesting letter texxx. Thanks! The pentagon intercepts a "possible" letter and it just so happens to be a letter about insurgent misery during a week where insurgent attacks have been stepped up and 130 people killed over the weekend including 11 Americans. What a cowinkadink!
Page 34 of the propaganda handbook: When guerrilla operations are increasing beyond your military ability to control the attacks, manufacture evidence that indicates the strength and morale of your enemy is waning.
Threads like this are so awful - war supporters are expected to chime in and say "This is GREAT news!" and war opponents must chime in as well and say "NO WAY I SEE YOUR GREAT AND RAISE YOU TO MAKE IT REALLY REALLY GREAT NEWS" lest they be trampled by the high horses of the jackasses of the previous group. The whole exercise is a farce and is devoid of substance of any kind. If not, what type of discussion did you intend to provoke with this thread - a possible discussion of the rationale behind the recent spike in attacks during the bloody past week? A discussion of the challenges of coalition builidng in the new government? A discussion of Kurdish nationalism and whether or not it could coexist in a Republic of Iraq? Or a giant waste of space?
Perhaps I missed it, but I didnt see you ask that question in any of the threads that rip apart our troops and condemn our actions.
Because I hate the troops, and puppies. You're still an idiot though even though you tricked me into saying that.
Obviously, the discussion is over whether it was, indeed, a letter. Maybe it was a note or a memo. All we know is that it is possible that it was a letter but that is not assured. If it is a letter, clearly that is good news. If it is a note or a grocery list that happens to mention the insurgency, then that is bad news for the US. If it is a memo or a printed email then that is clearly good for North Korea.
Sam, where did this come from? Your panties appear to be in quite a wad! It may be time for you to resort to the old 420 tonight, my friend. You know, I took many psychology courses back in my school days. I have keen insights into this arena. You appear to be upset by my post. Are you upset because I would like to draw attention to the excellent work that our brave troops are doing in Iraq? Are you upset because of the pricinple of consistency, in which you, as a staunch anti-war man, feel as though you are proven "wrong" when the US accomplishes good things in Iraq? Sam, this is clearly a valid topic of interest in the D&D, and not something that is "devoid of substance", as you claim. It's the lead story on CNN right now, for crying out loud. It's ok, you can be happy when the troops do good.
Yeah I would like to see the whole piece myself. If it is a grocery list perhaps we can find out what Zarqawis favorite snack is and cut off his supply. Then he'll have to turn himself in when he can't get anymore Hohos, Cool Ranch Dorritos and Dr. Pepper. If its an email was there an add for Herbal Viagra on the bottom?
I, too, find it interesting that such a letter would surface after a weekend that saw the front page of the Chronicle citing stepped up violence and signs that the insurgency is gaining strength.
As the link says, it's easy to kill innocents. This in my view is not a sign of the insurgency gaining strength.
How many soldiers were killed over the weekend? Does this number indicate a waning or waxing insurgency? If the article in the Chronicle is to be taken at face value, then there are no signs the insurgency is losing strength. I suppose you will just call it a "liberal rag" and disparage the author, but some of us don't see the Houston Chronicle as a bastion of liberalism.
Amazing that this thread was posted during a period of increased insurgent violence. So were we able to get al-Zarqawi's mailing address from this 'letter'?
