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| Terror Networks |
| Zarqawi Dilutes Iraq Network, Leads New Al Qaeda Offensive in Europe and Middle East |
| 2005-07-25 |
| DEBKAfile’s terrorism sources note Al Qaeda struck in Sharm al Sheikh Friday night, July 22, just 24 hours after US secretary of state Rice landed in the Middle East. At least 59 people were killed, 200 wounded in a series of al Qaeda car bomb attacks minutes apart. Britons, Dutch, Spaniards, Qataris, Kuwaitis and Egyptians were among the casualties. One Israeli was initially reported with minor injuries. Egyptian police say there were 4 to 7 car bombs – starting at the Old Market area and following in Naama Bay near the Ghazala Gardens and Moevenpick hotels. The bars and market were packed. People fleeing from one explosion were trapped in another. Last October, al Qaeda struck resorts in northern Sinai resorts including Taba Hilton killing 34, among them 13 Israelis. On July 15, DEBKA-Net-Weekly 214 reported that al Qaeda was diluting its Iraq force for a major terror offensive in Europe and Middle East engineered by Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and on its recommendation. The countries targeted were named as Britain, Italy, France, Denmark, Russia – with the UK and Italy at the top of the list; and, In the Middle East, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Zarqawi in one recent release: Israel is in our sights – and very soon. Al Qaeda’s ability to carry out tightly coordinated strings of attacks very close together in different parts of the world has shocked many terrorism experts. According to our sources, the organization’s networks are now operating across the Middle East, Europe and West Africa from a headquarters established by Zarqawi in Iraq’s western province of Anbar. This large area bordering Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia has passed under his control. To relay operatives, instructions, explosives and funds to the bomber teams on the ground, the Jordanian terrorist is working with Middle East criminal smuggling rings linked to European and African mafias. |
| Posted by:Grush Shomogum2379 |
| #8 Hi Verlaine! Thanks for your comment. Can you talk about where you're stationed in Iraq, and what you're doing, or is that going to have to wait for your memoirs? Regarding Al-Anbar Province: I was under the impression that while it was big, the population itself was pretty much concentrated along the Euphrates and the road to Damascus. For practical purposes, is that correct? It also seems strange that the media is now talking about Al-Anbar as if it's the source of everything, and ignoring the problems faced in pacifying Al-Anbar thanks to infiltration from Syria. (And as an aside, I'm not Phil_b. I used to joke that I had dibs on being the "evil Phil," but I'm beginning to wonder if maybe he's the "Plan B" Phil, ready to step in at a moment's notice should I get hit by a truck...) |
| Posted by: Phil Fraering 2005-07-25 13:44 |
| #7 33,000 square miles. So what state IS that closest to? http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/area.shtml has is at between Maine and South Carolina, ranked 39 and 40th. Fine states indeed, but not Texas at all. |
| Posted by: Dave 2005-07-25 11:57 |
| #6 Oh, well, yeah, VAI, but that's because you don't know what the MSM does! They know the Iraq war is breeding little Jihadis by the zillions, training then in urban warfare and subway booming, and making the whole world less safe. That's their story, and they're sticking to it! Now you know. Oh, my son was there (Anbar) last winter. Nobody has a grip on it! |
| Posted by: Bobby 2005-07-25 10:17 |
| #5 phil_b, yes I'm around ..... I think I commented briefly on a similar item in the last few days .... I can't add to or dispute most of this, but the idea of a "grip on Anbar" doesn't sound right .... Zarqawi and his merry band have had their hands full for a long time trying to survive and operate in Iraq, and hardly have a "grip" on any sizeable territory .... the untold story this item touches on is the key role played by criminal networks in ostensibly religious/ideological/political terrorism, especially in Iraq .... that's worth a look, but I find the idea that AQ-Iraq can "spare" resources to attack Europe implausible |
| Posted by: Verlaine in Iraq 2005-07-25 09:44 |
| #4 Well, waddya want? He thinks "a long way" is Wall Street to the mid-80s. It's bigger than Rhode Island, so it's the size of one of those states you fly over. |
| Posted by: Jackal 2005-07-25 09:36 |
| #3 Well, this particular item is from Debka. I forget, are we believing Debka this week? |
| Posted by: Phil Fraering 2005-07-25 09:23 |
| #2 NAGCJ* for sure, Phil. *Numerically And Geographically Challenged Journalist |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2005-07-25 09:16 |
#1
Checking the net, Al-Anbar has a surface area of 33,000 square miles, and Texas has a surface area of 268,601 square miles. This is a size difference of a factor of eight. Is "Verlaine in Iraq" around? | |
| Posted by: Phil Fraering 2005-07-25 08:51 |