IRAQ: The Mystery Sniper of Najaf

StrategyPage.com ^ | April 28, 2004

[John Jorsett]

Fighting increased in Fallujah (west of Baghdad) and outside Najaf in the south. In both cases, gangs of gunmen, who have been tormenting local Iraqis, but convincing many foreign journalists that they are fighting to Iraqi independent from American oppression, are facing extermination by American troops. Because the gunmen use civilians as human shields, and use mosques and public buildings (especially schools and hospitals) as bases, local Iraqi leaders have urged coalition military commanders to try negotiations. But the Sunni gangs in and around Fallujah, and the radical Shia gunmen in the south, have no intention of surrendering or compromise. The Shia religious leadership is upset about being bullied by the radical al Sadr gunmen, but have been unable to organize an armed force that can deal with the problem. Well, maybe not entirely. There is apparently an Iraqi sniper operating in Najaf, killing al Sadr gunmen one by one. This, not surprisingly, has unnerved the al Sadr gangs, and caused them to act brutally towards Iraqis in attempts to find the mysterious sniper. Meanwhile, American military commanders are developing plans that will enable them to use their considerable combat power to work with whatever force the Shia religious leadership can come up with, to defeat the al Sadr gangs, while using as little American military force as possible. In Fallujah, the marines are moving into position for a final assault on the gangs.

[2banana]

Sometimes all it takes is one man with courage (and a good gun) to change the course of a battle...

Imagine how a company of good men would change these cities...

[lugsoul]

An "Iraqi" sniper. Sure.

[Trust but Verify]

I saw a report last night on one of the cable channels that alluded to this. It's very interesting. Seems there is an Iraqi counter-insurgency going on, but nobody, including the US, seems to know who they are.

[george wythe]

Seems there is an Iraqi counter-insurgency going on, but nobody, including the US, seems to know who they are.

This is great news. Iraqis will appreciate their freedom much more if they fight for it. A local counter-insugent hero can wreak havoc on Sadr and his men.

[lugsoul]

Seems that way, doesn't it. I'm guessing it is intended to seem that way.

[BillyCrockett]

I love it!!!! Snipers taking out the badguys one by one. Drip, drip, drip... Those on the lib side can't even complain that it might hurt the badguys feelings. No feelings after the bang!

[Joe Boucher]

I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss this thought.

There are as we all know an enormous amount of various weapons in and about Iraq. There has to have been some adaquat rifle training. Weapons, stealth, tactics taught.
Fact is I think I remember soldiers from various mid-east countries training at courses I went through in the Army.
Hopefully some one in that country is fighting for us.

[End Times Sentinel]

Is it just me or would that make on HELL of a movie?

 

'Course if Hollywood made it, he'd have to be shooting at American Troops brutalizing the Iraqi people.

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

Is it just me or would that make on HELL of a movie?

'Course if Hollywood made it, he'd have to be shooting at American Troops brutalizing the Iraqi people.

[smith288]

Im sure there is some spcial forces that arent dressed up in fatigues and outwardly trying to "win the hearts and minds" as he hides in the shadows and slowly picks off fighters one by one and then joins the Najaf crowd 2 minutes later looking for his next position.

[Reborn]

Well, I would really HOPE that this is true. One thing that really saddens me about the majority of the Iraqis over there is that they seem to be really apathetic about their "Freedom". I could understand some fears while Saddamned was around, but he is out of the picture now. I know that there are "some" Iraqis helping us, but if there are "many" helping us, the word isn't getting out, or I'm just not hearing about it. True Freedom always has a HUGE PriceTag! I wish more Iraqis would arise and take this Chance for freedom into their hearts. I dunno......maybe they are too afraid of displeasing allah....?????

[No Blue States]

Ive heard the same, some group on the inside is taking out some of the bad guys.

Probably someone who suffered under Saddam and dont want it again. May more rise up, this has to mess with the bad guys heads big time.

[Centurion2000]

There is apparently an Iraqi sniper operating in Najaf, killing al Sadr gunmen one by one. This, not surprisingly, has unnerved the al Sadr gangs, and caused them to act brutally towards Iraqis in attempts to find the mysterious sniper.

Men like these scare radical muslims and liberal wannabe-tyrants to death.

One man, one rifle and the courage to use it can change the world.

[lugsoul]

Oh, I don't dismiss it. It just seems too, well, perfect for it not to be our idea - and our guy. They are bottled up, the clerics are not supporting them, we need to turn the locals against the army, and one person starts picking them off, showing their vulnerablility, etc. It would be great if it was an Iraqi. I just don't think so.

[Truth Table]

The sniper is probably special forces (seal or delta).

[Adder]

'Course if Hollywood made it, he'd have to be shooting at American Troops brutalizing the Iraqi people.

Not if we let Mel Gibson shoot it....

[AngryJawa]

I love how this article assumes that it's a native Iraqi sniper.

[No Blue States]

Probably. But even if it is their mission might be to remain undercover and make it appear like someone on the inside.

If its believed to be an Iraqi by the terrorists, thats great sysops.

[KellyAdmirer]

If they can't find him, how do they know he's Iraqi? Maybe's he's American. Or French. Or, as Blondie would put it, the Man from Mars who eats Guitars.

[R. Scott]

An "Iraqi" sniper - a US Marine of Iraqi descent?