Article

2005-11-21 Iraq

White House Doubts al-Zarqawi Among Dead

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Posted by Steve White 2005-11-21 00:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 If we didn't get him, we got close. The nature of this engagement does speak to that. Here's hopin' he's worm food.

Posted by Rex Mundi 2005-11-21 01:29|| 2005-11-21 01:29|| Front Page Top

#2 But here's props to the White House for downplaying the reports to downplay any chance of a "Hey, I'm dead despite the US 'confirmation' thereof!" videotape for AQ to cheer; also, any AQ Internet-wannabes are denied the answer unless they have their own line of info.

If he's not dead, then I don't consider Mosul a success unless there's intel which will build up for the next attempt or unless (bigger-picture) it helped screw with AQ some, disrupt them however momentarily.

Posted by Edward Yee 2005-11-21 02:06|| http://edwardyee.fanworks.net]">[http://edwardyee.fanworks.net] 2005-11-21 02:06|| Front Page Top

#3 I am still hoping he is a spot on the wall. I even hope more that his own did it to him and it leaks out through the cracks in their own organization. Talk about a double blow, that would be one.

Posted by Sock Puppet OÂ´ Doom 2005-11-21 02:45|| 2005-11-21 02:45|| Front Page Top

#4 I wouldn't discount downplaying the probability in order to maximize the value of intel gained. Don't want the rats running if we can help it.

Posted by phil_b 2005-11-21 03:53|| 2005-11-21 03:53|| Front Page Top

#5 Ed: eight bad guys out of action is still a good day at the office, even if Zarqawi wasn't one of them.

Posted by Mike 2005-11-21 06:15|| 2005-11-21 06:15|| Front Page Top

#6 Who Were the Bad Guys?

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2005-11-21 07:16|| 2005-11-21 07:16|| Front Page Top

#7 city of Mosul where eight suspected al-Qaida members died in a gunfight

Posted by trailing wife 2005-11-21 07:38|| 2005-11-21 07:38|| Front Page Top

#8 I suspect we'd sit on the news as long as we can to milk whatever intelligence value we can derive without letting the other bad guus know we're closer to them.

Posted by Spaling Crealet8768 2005-11-21 08:16|| 2005-11-21 08:16|| Front Page Top

#9 If you can spoof Zarqawi's communication, why admit he's dead? You can still use the comm link to bring others out from under their rocks at least for anohter week or even month. Like Mr. Ben himself.

Posted by Fleack Chaving8979 2005-11-21 09:22|| 2005-11-21 09:22|| Front Page Top

#10 I am still hopeful that the SOP's are to keep a lid on his death for as long as possible to see what else can be rolled up, but it is just too big a story for the Iraqi security forces, or the informants or their neighbors to keep it quiet. After all, if someone dropped the dime on where Z man was conducting business, someone has the winning lotto ticket for his reward money. You would need time to enroll them into the witness protection program.

Posted by Capsu78 2005-11-21 09:36|| 2005-11-21 09:36|| Front Page Top

#11 Check this out: Signs of Al Qaeda Desperation.

Meanwhile, Mrs. al-Rishawi is alive and apparently talking. She can certainly tell her interrogators the location of the other insurgents and perhaps Zarqawi's hiding place.

I'm starting to think they got the bastard. I think this boomerslut helped.

Posted by BH 2005-11-21 10:35|| 2005-11-21 10:35|| Front Page Top

#12 The Jordan bombings involved one of AZs top guys, being noted as a sign AZ is hurting for guys. I agree and seeing 8 more get there virgins is awesome, even if they didn't get AZ, which I think they did based of the intel from the female bomber who lived. I wonder if they tortured her to get this intel....

Posted by Ray Robison 2005-11-21 10:49|| 2005-11-21 10:49|| Front Page Top

#13 someone has the winning lotto ticket for his reward money

25mil iirc.

Posted by Fleack Chaving8979 2005-11-21 10:51|| 2005-11-21 10:51|| Front Page Top

#14 Who Were the Bad Guys?

Dunno. Supposedly the bodies were burned beyond recognition.

Posted by Bluto Blutarsky 2005-11-21 10:58|| 2005-11-21 10:58|| Front Page Top

#15 "the bodies were burned beyond recognition."

Get the DNA. With the amount of inbreeding over there, you can at least get the family group/town/area they originated from.

Posted by Dave 2005-11-21 14:09|| 2005-11-21 14:09|| Front Page Top

#16 they are doing DNA checks. Iraqi Foreign Minister says they think Zarqawi IS dead. 48 hour rule applies.

Posted by liberalhawk 2005-11-21 14:43|| 2005-11-21 14:43|| Front Page Top

#17 CNN Pentagon reporter sez one body was seperated out and moved to a different site.

Posted by Shipman 2005-11-21 15:32|| 2005-11-21 15:32|| Front Page Top

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