Top al-Qaida in Iraq Figure Captured

Of course, it will be downplayed or dismissed, and the timing questioned by those currently employing the fullcourt press to cut and run. Still, a sliver of good news in a ocean of negativity.

BAGHDAD - The U.S. command said Wednesday the highest-ranking Iraqi in the leadership of al-Qaida in Iraq has been arrested, adding that information from him indicates the group's foreign-based leadership wields considerable influence over the Iraqi chapter.

Khaled Abdul-Fattah Dawoud Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, also known as Abu Shahid, was captured in Mosul on July 4, said Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a military spokesman.

"Al-Mashhadani is believed to be the most senior Iraqi in the al-Qaida in Iraq network," Bergner said. He said al-Mashhadani was a close associate of Abu Ayub al-Masri, the Egyptian-born head of al-Qaida in Iraq.

Bergner said al-Mashhadani served as an intermediary between al-Masri and Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri.

"In fact, communication between the senior al-Qaida leadership and al-Masri frequently went through al-Mashhadani," Bergner said.

"Along with al-Masri, al-Mashhadani co-founded a virtual organization in cyberspace called the Islamic State of Iraq in 2006," Bergner said. "The Islamic State of Iraq is the latest efforts by al-Qaida to market itself and its goal of imposing a Taliban-like state on the Iraqi people."

More at Captain's Quarters, Hot Air, Weasel Zippers, Pat Dollard.

Michael Yon's latest is not for the faint of heart

Michael Yon's latest dispatch is up. It is named Bless the Beast and the Children.

This dispatch is not for the faint of heart. In words and photos Michael once again brings us the reality of the enemy we are fighting. It is not pretty and they are brutal. I have to wonder why Michael's dispatch is not the lead item on every newscast. It is horrific and have we in genteel society simply become unwilling to face the evil in our midst? Are we so adverse to confrontation that simply ignoring or wishing away the Islamic fascists we can magically make this terror go away? Do we think that because it is happening half a world away that it can't come here?

We go through our day to day lives and never give a second thought to what could be. If we joined in one voice and screamed from the rooftops as loudly as we do about Abu Gharib and Gitmo about the atrocities being committed in the name of a most unholy god could we knock it down and diminish it? This dispatch from Michael shows the true face of barbarism and if you read it and see the pictures and are not moved to throw everything you have in the effort to purge this evil from the face of the world I would then question your humanity.

Those are harsh words but unless we awake from our slumber and quit providing cover for these animals they will continue to ravage the countryside, wherever they are.

Here are words from the Carpenters' song of the same title.

Bless the beasts and the children
for in this world they have no voice
they have no choice
Bless the beasts and the children
for the world can never be, the world they see
Light their way when the darkness surrounds them
give them love, let it shine all around them
Bless the beasts and the children
give them shelter from a storm, keep them safe, keep them warm
Light their way when the darkness surrounds them
give them love, let it shine all around them
Bless the beasts and the children
give them shelter from a storm, keep them safe, keep them warm

UPDATE: Why haven't you heard about this in your newspaper or on the network news? Michael Yon wants to know too. He is giving them permission to use his story as long as he gets the credit, which is just right.

On this question of media selectivity, the blogosphere has become incensed that big media mostly ignored the murders, especially given that there are reporters currently in Baqubah. Newsbusters and countless others are on it. More disturbing to many bloggers is that major mainstream players were busted (again) by Pajamas Media just days ago for reporting outright fabrications of a “massacre” that never occurred.
Although I can’t answer to the cause of the problem, I humbly offer permission to media outlets to republish excerpts of the dispatch or the dispatch in its entirety, including my photographs from the story (if used as they are in the dispatch) at no cost during the month of July 2007. I only ask that the site receive proper attribution and that any publication taking me up on the offer email the website with the details.

Mass Grave Uncovered in Anbar

No doubt the left will dismiss this as a result of our "occupation" of Iraq, after conveniently overlooking Saddam Hussein's mass graves over the years.

US finds 35 bodies in mass grave in Iraq's Anbar

The U.S. military said on Saturday it had uncovered 35 to 40 bodies in a mass grave south of Falluja, in Iraq's Sunni dominated Anbar province.

A Falluja hospital source said 35 bodies had been retrieved and were being finger-printed to establish their identity.

The military said the killings were relatively recent and the bodies had been bound and bore gunshot wounds.

The mass grave was found late on Friday near a place called Ferris, roughly 35 km (22 miles) south of the city of Falluja, after a tip-off from a local, it said.

Meanwhile, a fierce shootout in Sadr City reduced the terrorist supply by over two dozen, though since we're creating more terrorists, surely there will be more where they came from.

U.S. troops killed about 26 suspected militants in Baghdad's Sadr City on Saturday in one of the fiercest clashes in the Shi'ite stronghold since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Residents of the east Baghdad slum district, a bastion of fiery Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and his Mehdi Army militia, said the fighting lasted six hours and involved helicopter-fired missile strikes.

The U.S. military said American forces staged two separate raids into Sadr City targeting militants suspected of close ties to "Iranian terror networks" and who were responsible for bringing Iranian weapons into Iraq.

"Coalition Forces killed an estimated 26 terrorists and detained 17 suspected secret cell terrorists during the two operations," a U.S. military statement said. There were no civilian casualties, the U.S. military said separately.

.

UPDATE: More from Bill Roggio.

Hello? Hello? Is This Thing On???

Presumably, someone somewhere knows what the hell they're doing.

Pentagon arms its enemy's enemies in Iraq

The US military has embarked on a new and risky strategy in Iraq by arming Sunni insurgents in the hope that they will tackle al-Qaida operatives in Iraq.

The US high command this month gave permission to its officers on the ground to negotiate arms deals with tribal elders and other local leaders. Arms, ammunition, body armour and other equipment, as well as cash, pickup trucks and fuel, have already been handed over in return for promises to turn on al-Qaida and not attack US troops.

Read it all.

British Company Tried Selling Uranium to Iran

As if the Brits didn't have enough problems on their hands, now it appears some are attempting to sell uranium to Iran.

A British company has been closed down after being caught in an apparent attempt to sell black-market weapons-grade uranium to Iran and Sudan, The Observer can reveal.

Anti-terrorist officers and MI6 are now investigating a wider British-based plot allegedly to supply Iran with material for use in a nuclear weapons programme. One person has already been charged with attempting to proliferate 'weapons of mass destruction'.

During the 20-month investigation, which also involved MI5 and Customs and Excise, a group of Britons was tracked as they obtained weapons-grade uranium from the black market in Russia. Investigators believe it was intended for export to Sudan and on to Iran.

A number of Britons, who are understood to have links with Islamic terrorists abroad, remain under surveillance. Investigators believe they have uncovered the first proof that al-Qaeda supporters have been actively engaged in developing an atomic capability. The British company, whose identity is known to The Observer but cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, has been wound up.

Read the rest.

Al-Zawahiri Urges Exporting Jihad

Brave jihadi warrior Ayman Al-Zawahiri, in hiding for the past five years, speaks out and urges his fellow maniacs to widen their terror war around the Middle East. Yet another reason for Democrats to wave the white flag and run for cover.

THE deputy leader of Al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has urged supporters in Iraq to extend their “holy war” to other Middle Eastern countries.

In a letter sent to the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq in the past few weeks, Zawahiri claims that it is defeating US forces and urges followers to expand their campaign of terror.

He conjures a vision of an Islamic state comprising Lebanon, Palestine and Syria, where Al-Qaeda has already gained its first footholds.

The goal of an Islamic “greater Syria”, first outlined by Zawahiri two years ago, is detailed in the letter amid growing concern about the activities of new groups under Al-Qaeda’s influence in the countries concerned.

Noted in this report is some the mutants currently fighting Lebanese forces were trained in Iraq.

In Lebanon yesterday, Islamist militants of various nationalities from Fatah al-Islam were holding out under renewed army bombardment in Nahr al-Bared camp near Tripoli. Many fought and trained in Iraq.

The little-known Jaish al-Islam claims to be holding Alan John-ston, the BBC journalist, in Gaza, where militants disillusioned with Hamas are said to be drifting to Al-Qaeda.

Jaish al-Islam has demanded the release of a woman who tried to blow herself up during the 2005 bombing of a wedding reception in the Jordanian capital of Amman, an operation ordered by Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

More at Gateway Pundit.

Al Qaeda Joins Clinton, Obama; Votes No on Funding Bill

Harry Reid's comrades weighed in on the latest developments in Washington. I can't wait to see who they endorse in the 2008 Democrat primaries.

CAIRO, Egypt — An Al Qaeda front group warned U.S. President George W. Bush Saturday that the Iraq war funding recently approved by Congress would not improve chances for success in the country.

After weeks of debate, the U.S. Congress passed the spending bill on Thursday, providing $95 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Don't be happy for the money allocated to your soldiers," said a statement issued by the Islamic State of Iraq. "With God's help, the money will heal no wound and change nothing at all ... the battleground will be a witness to what we say." The statement was posted on a Web site commonly used by Islamic extremists, but its authenticity could not be verified.

Bush acknowledged Thursday that Al Qaeda terrorists would likely intensify their attacks in anticipation of a September progress report by the top U.S. commander in Iraq.

"And so, yes, it could be a bloody — it could be a very difficult August," said Bush at a news conference.

Responding to these comments, the Islamic State of Iraq's statement said, "The tyrant of this era, Bush, came out to say that the coming days will be difficult on the Rafidain (Iraq) land, but we tell him that they will be tougher for the enemy than the old days."

White House Says bin Laden Ordered Zarqawi Plots

Of course, some will question the timing, for whatever reason.

Osama bin Laden ordered al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, to form a cell in 2005 to plot attacks outside of Iraq and make the United States his main target, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday.

Citing newly declassified intelligence, Fran Townsend, President George W. Bush's adviser for homeland security, said the information backs the administration's assertion that U.S. troops must stay in Iraq for now to prevent it from becoming a "terrorist sanctuary."

Mindful of its trouble selling its war strategy to the American public, the White House is trying to put the spotlight on bin Laden's connections to Zarqawi, the head of Iraq's al Qaeda wing who was killed in a U.S. air strike in June 2006.

Bush's critics accuse him of trying to de-emphasize the role of sectarian fighting in Iraq's chaos and justify an unpopular war by focusing on links to bin Laden and al Qaeda, the authors of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

Democrats Surrender on Surrender Bill

They blinked.

WASHINGTON - In grudging concessions to President Bush, Democrats intend to draft an Iraq war-funding bill without a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and shorn of billions of dollars in spending on domestic programs, officials said Monday.

The legislation would include the first federal minimum wage increase in more than a decade, a top priority for the Democrats who took control of Congress in January, the officials added.

While details remain subject to change, the measure is designed to close the books by Friday on a bruising veto fight between Bush and the Democratic-controlled Congress over the war. It would provide funds for military operations in Iraq through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.

The Kos Kidz are none too happy. Just a sample reaction, and this is tame:

Dammit! (0 / 0)

Weak-kneed, lily-livered, candy-assed, pansies afraid of the big bad Bush Boogy-Man?

Lead, follow, or get the fuck out of the way, Congress-critters.

America is tired of BushCo's Vanity War/Occupation of Iraq. We want it stopped.

What do you mean I can't kick the ceiling? I'm dancing, dummy. -8.88 -5.08

by SecondComing on Mon May 21, 2007 at 02:39:58 PM PDT

In a rare interview, Iraqi Ambassador Feisal Amin al-Istrabadi warns of dire circumstances if we cut and run.

Other reaction from Captain Ed, Hot Air, AJ Strata, Flopping Aces, The American Mind.

HuffPosters Unhinged

It's been a banner week at the Huffington Post hatesite, and they're in rare form this lovely Mother's Day. Today, they're really feeling the love for the troops reportedly captured in Iraq by Al Qaeda.

With any luck the remains of these soldiers will be found tortured to death and that this will serve as a lesson to other troops what happen when they torture civilians. HOWEVER, IF AL-QAEDA IS SMART THEY WOULD LET THE TROOPS GO AND TREAT THEM WELL AND THAT WOULD REALLY TEACH THE OTHER AMERICAN TROOPS A LESSON. Some sort of a prisoner exchange should be offered by al-qaeda which should then be rejected by the Bush administration BECAUSE IT IS THEIR POLICY NOT TO NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS, a matter of principle and we all know how principled the Bush gang is don't we.

By: predator3x2 on May 13, 2007 at 09:23am

. Then there's this gem, including a shout-out to Nancy Pelosi.

All Bush and Patreaus are doing is making our nation and forces appear weak by spreading them out in these thin small easily overwhelmed groups like sitting ducks for al-Qaeda and the insurgents..

Bush has made us look weak since he betrayed our troops and victims of 9/11 at Tora Bora..that was a total betrayal of us and all the victims of 9/11 and when we actually lost the War on Terror..and the bullshit began..!

Now al-Qaeda has these guys and God help them, and we will loose others as well like this because we can't trust half of the Iraqi Army and none of the Iraqi police, so who are we dying for Halliburton that's who, fucking Halliburton, KBR and Cheney's boundless fucking endless Greed..!

~Impeachment Now~

Fuck you, Nancy Pelosi.. fuck you..!

By: TJTelecaster on May 13, 2007 at 09:52am

I've seen this guy before. He's got serious issues.

Everytime you hear of '''terrorists''' in Iraq torturing a Nazi GI, I want you to remember that the USA is the invader, aggressor, killer, abuser using White Phosphorous, DU shells and other assorted WMD!!

Now, put your thinking cap on and tell us all how Americans would react if a bunch of foreigners invaded YOUR country and raped, killed and abused your citizens while trying to steal your resources.

By: PissedoffVietVet on May 13, 2007 at 10:08am

When question, the angry man reponds with:

Fake, eh?> Listen, you little pissant motherfucking worm. You would look much better with a little hole between your eyes and a large hole in the back of your head. I can make that happen if you have balls enough to get within 50 yards of me.

Didi-Mao cockbite!!

By: PissedoffVietVet on May 13, 2007 at 12:16pm

Nice bunch over there.

UPDATE: The madness is spreading. LGF notes the Diggbats are advocating Cheney's assassination, via Hot Air.

Bush Vetoes Surrender Bill

Take that and stick it, Harry Reid.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush vetoed legislation to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq Tuesday night in a historic showdown with Congress over whether the unpopular and costly war should end or escalate.

In only the second veto of his presidency, Bush rejected legislation that would require the first U.S. combat troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by Oct. 1 with a goal of a complete pullout six months later.

He vetoed the bill immediately upon his return to the White House from a visit to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., the headquarters of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, including Iraq.

He was to comment on television at 6:10 p.m. EDT.

Democrats made a last-minute plea for Bush to sign the bill, knowing their request would be ignored. "The president has put our troops in the middle of a civil war," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "Reality on the ground proves what we all know: A change of course is needed."

Lacking the votes to override the president, Democratic leaders quietly considered what might be included or kept out of their next version of the $124 billion spending bill.

Say Hello to Zarqawi

It appears al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri has possibly assumed room temperature, which surely will be terrible news for al-Qaida in Washington leader Harry Reid.

Iraqi officials have received reports that the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq was killed by Sunni tribesmen, but the chief government spokesman said Tuesday the information has not been confirmed.

The statement by spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh followed a welter of reports from other Iraqi officials that Abu Ayyub al-Masri had been killed. Iraqi officials have released similar reports in the past, only to acknowledge later they were inaccurate.

U.S. officials said they could not confirm the reported death.

Al-Dabbagh told Al-Arabiya that word of al-Masri's purported death was based on "intelligence information," adding that "DNA tests should be done and we have to bring someone to identify the body."

But he refused to say unequivocally whether Iraqi security forces have the body, citing security restrictions. Accounts were vague about when and where al-Masri supposedly died.

"We will make an official announcement when we confirm that this person is Abu Ayyub al-Masri," he said. "The Iraqi government will work to identify him."

U.S. spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Garver said the U.S. command was looking into the reports.

As always, let's wait a couple of days until we see his filthy corpse.

Also at Strata-Sphere, Weasel Zippers, Hot Air, Captain's Quarters.