Iraq, the greatest blow terrorism EVER suffered

Here and elsewhere ^ | June 23, 2004 | Bob Hyneman

[Bob Hyneman]

[b]The fall of Saddam Hussein was the single most devestating blow terrorism EVER suffered.[/b]

Who do you think the "resistance fighters" are anyway?

Saddam Hussein openly sponsored the (George Habash's)Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). during the 70's and early eighties it was one of the most violent and prolific terrorist groups specializing in such things as hostage taking, hijacking airplanes and "going columbine" in airports. At the time of saddam's fall it was much reduced in Size but still had an estimated 800 members SOURCE: GlobalSecurity.org http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/pflp.htm

Saddam Hussein openly sponsored the Palestinian Liberation Front and continue to harbor and fund wanted PLF terrorists including Abu Abbas, responsible for, among other attacks the Achille Lauro hijacking and murder of Leon Klinghofer. At the time of Saddam's fall it had about 50 members. SOURCE: GlobalSecurity.org http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/plf.htm

Saddam Hussein founded and openly sponsored the Arab Liberation Front(ALF). From what I gather the US State department considers this a lebanese paramiltary group prone to war crimes (as opposed to an outright terrorist group).

It commited numerous attacks against israeli targets but proved itself most proficient as a fundraiser for other terrorist groups. It was THE method by which Saddam sent his $25,000 reward checks to the families of suicide bombers. At the time of Saddam's fall it had 300-400 members. SOURCE: International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism http://www.ict.org.il/articles/articledet.cfm?articleid=472 Defense Update News http://www.defense-update.com/2003_11_16_defense-update_archive.html

Saddam Hussein openly sponsored the Abu Nidal Organization. Major attacks included the Rome and Vienna airports in December 1985, the Neve Shalom synagogue in Istanbul and the Pan Am Flight 73 hijacking in Karachi in September 1986, and the City of Poros day-excursion ship attack in Greece in July 1988. At the time of Saddam's fall it had 500 plus members. SOURCE: GlobalSecurity.org http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/abunidal.htm

Saddam Hussein openly sponsored the PKK. (formerly known as the Kurdistan Worker's party or PKK) Conducted attacks on Turkish diplomatic and commercial facilities in dozens of West European cities in 1993 and again in spring 1995. In an attempt to damage Turkey’s tourist industry, the then PKK bombed tourist sites and hotels and kidnapped foreign tourists in the early-to-mid 1990s. At the time of Saddam's Fall it had and estimated 4,000-5,000 members. SOURCE: US State Department http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/pgtrpt/2003/31711.htm

Saddam Hussein openly sponsored the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO). The MEK’s history is filled with anti-Western attacks as well as terrorist attacks on the interests of the clerical regime in Iran and abroad. During the 1970s, the MEK killed US military personnel and US civilians working on defense projects in Tehran and supported the takeover in 1979 of the US Embassy in Tehran.

Some 3,800 members are confined to Camp Ashraf, the MEK’s main compound near Baghdad, where they remain under Coalition control.

SOURCE: US State Department http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/pgtrpt/2003/31711.htm GlobalSecurity.org http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/mek.htm

Taking out Saddam Hussein left (at least) 5,650 terrorist without a sponsor-state and locked up 3,800 more. (a total of 9,450 terrorists in all) It also made sure that those 9,450 terrorists would never get their hands on his "not an imminent threat" uranium enrichment centrifuges, dirty bomb material stockpiles, and bioweapons reference strains .

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED _________________ "It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated."

- Pres. Bush Sept. 20, 2001