Article

2005-08-19 Iraq-Jordan

New Jordan AQ Branch Launches Rocket Attack

A group claiming links to al Qaeda said on Friday it had fired rockets at a U.S. Navy ships in Jordan and an Israeli port, according to an Internet statement. The statement, which could not be authenticated, was signed by the Abdullah al-Azzam Brigades of the al Qaeda Organization in the Levant and Egypt. It was carried on an Islamist Web site not often used by other groups which say they are linked to Osama bin Laden's network. "A group of our mujahideen have targeted U.S. vessels in Jordan and (Israel's) Eilat port with three Katyusha rockets before safely returning to their base,
as fast as our feet could carry us"
the statement said. "Zionists are a legitimate target and we warn the Americans, who are spreading their corruption throughout the world and who have stolen
$64 a barrel is stealing? What's your government doing with all that moola, bub?
the wealth of the Muslim nation, to expect even more stinging attacks.
We sting like bee, but float like fairy - errr - butterfly.
"This is our debut operation in Jordan," it added. "And as we have begun to destroy the throne of the Egyptian tyrant, we warn the Jordanian tyrant to release our jailed brothers and voluntarily abdicate before we force you to go."

Earlier this month, the group was one of several organizations that said it was behind the bomb attacks on a market and hotels in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. It has also claimed the October 2004 bombings at another Egyptian Red Sea resort. Three rockets were fired at two U.S. Navy ships in Jordan's Aqaba port on Friday. They missed their targets and instead hit a warehouse and a hospital, killing a Jordanian soldier, and struck the Israeli port of Eilat. A Jordanian security source said authorities were searching for three men after the attack, which was launched from an industrial warehouse area near the entrance to the city.

Posted by Bobby 2005-08-19 07:31|| || Front Page|| [11130 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 According to a different Rooters report, the rockets "narrowly" missed their targets. Hitting a warehouse, a hospital and a neighboring port. Yep, sounds pretty near to me.

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-08-19 11:03|| 2005-08-19 11:03|| Front Page Top

#2 Got 'em in the right county, anyway. Most of them...

Posted by Fred 2005-08-19 12:22|| 2005-08-19 12:22|| Front Page Top

#3 Most of them...

Heh. That gets my vote for Todays' Most Scathing Remark in the Fewest Words.

As I understand it, the Katyusha is basically a big-ass bottle rocket, normally fired in a barrage as an area weapon. These mooks did well to hit something besides the ground in their 'debut operation'.

Posted by SteveS 2005-08-19 15:25|| 2005-08-19 15:25|| Front Page Top

#4 Well they didn't do much damage but give al-Q credit for being able to smuggle a bunch of Katyusha rockets to southern Jordan. It shows they have willing assistants among the bedouins and the Jordan Navy who are willing to take bribes for helping (the former) and looking away (the latter).

If they can do this, they can do other things that are

Posted by mhw 2005-08-19 16:13|| 2005-08-19 16:13|| Front Page Top

#5 This is not good news despite the "gang that couldn't shoot straight" nature of today's attack.

Prior to the USS Cole attack, there had been a failed, indeed bumbling attempt to attack I believe the USS The Sullivans. So the AQ boyz went draw to the ole drawing board and about a year or so later nearly sank the one billion dollar USS Cole and did indeed kill 17 sailors.

Jordanian Navy? They actually have one?

Posted by The Angry Fliegerabwehrkanonen 2005-08-19 16:34|| http://www.calderonswirbelwind.blogspot.com]">[http://www.calderonswirbelwind.blogspot.com] 2005-08-19 16:34|| Front Page Top

#6 Angry Fliegerabwehrkanonen : You beat me...

Posted by BigEd 2005-08-19 17:20|| 2005-08-19 17:20|| Front Page Top

#7 Jordan has repeatedly shown the capability to ~~kill~~ make things uncomfortable for those who damage the countries' security/prestige. Expect ~~painful beatings~~ roundups woth occasional disappearances, far outweighing any PR benefit this "attack" made. If Abdullah learned anything from Dad, it was that a fist works when deployed - see "Black September"

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2005-08-19 19:02|| 2005-08-19 19:02|| Front Page Top

13:12 Regular joe
13:12 mossomo
13:11 swksvolFF
13:08 Abu Uluque
13:00 swksvolFF
12:59 Regular joe
12:55 Skidmark
12:53 Skidmark
12:52 Abu Uluque
12:50 Abu Uluque
12:49 Skidmark
12:48 NN2N1
12:46 Skidmark
12:44 Bobby
12:43 Abu Uluque
12:41 Bobby
12:38 Skidmark
12:31 swksvolFF
12:30 Skidmark
12:22 Abu Uluque
12:19 Abu Uluque
12:17 Abu Uluque
12:17 Skidmark
12:15 Abu Uluque