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U.S. Intel: Qaeda Plotting 'Big Bang' [in Iraq]
CBSnews.com ^ | 3/2/06 | CBS News

Posted on 03/02/2006 4:48:12 PM PST by conservative in nyc

U.S. officials tell CBS News that intelligence has picked up reports that al Qaeda in Iraq is planning what one source calls the "Big Bang," a spectacular terrorist attack in Iraq against either a single high-profile target or multiple targets simultaneously.

Last week's mosque bombing in city of Samarra that brought Iraq to the brink of civil war was the work of terrorists, some U.S. officials have theorized. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi seems to be betting that another big bang would push the country over the brink, reports CBS News correspondent David Martin. The bomb in one of the holiest sites for Shiite Muslims set off violence all across the country that left hundreds dead.

The Iraqi government has banned all private vehicles in Baghdad during daylight hours Friday, the Muslim prayer day, just as it did last week. That kept car bombs, what the military cars vehicle-born improvised explosive devices, off the streets.

But Zarqawi just waited until the ban was lifted.

"The day the vehicle ban was lifted, all these VBIEDS that he had staged he deployed in Iraq and detonated over the last three days," said Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, a U.S. military spokesman.

This week, the ban takes effect when the overnight curfew ends at 6 a.m. Friday and will last until 4 p.m. Friday, according to a statement issued by the prime minister's office. Police and army were instructed to seal off the capital and seize any private vehicles that defy the ban.

Pentagon officials are also worried that a terrorist spectacular will undermine administration claims about progress in Iraq and therefore weaken public support for the war here at home, Martin reports.

(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; alqaedairaq; baghdad; cbs; iraq; waronterror
I guess this explains tomorrow's Baghdad curfew and the recent arrests. Hopefully, we and our Iraqi friends foil this plot.
1 posted on 03/02/2006 4:48:13 PM PST by conservative in nyc
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To: HAL9000

Ping.

This probably explains the article you posted earlier today.


2 posted on 03/02/2006 4:48:57 PM PST by conservative in nyc
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To: conservative in nyc

The fact that its in the news means their little plan is known to those who need to know.


3 posted on 03/02/2006 4:49:55 PM PST by Names Ash Housewares
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To: conservative in nyc

Our media and liberals seem to be holding their breath for just such a "Big Bang".


4 posted on 03/02/2006 4:50:01 PM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: conservative in nyc
Last week's mosque bombing in city of Samarra that brought Iraq to the brink of civil war was the work of terrorists, some U.S. officials have theorized.

I never would've guessed.

5 posted on 03/02/2006 4:52:42 PM PST by Riley ("What color is the boathouse at Hereford?")
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To: conservative in nyc

Amazing how the Muslims rant and rave about the defacing of mosques, but think nothing about destroying them if it serves their purpose.


6 posted on 03/02/2006 4:53:25 PM PST by Post-Neolithic
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To: Post-Neolithic

Same thought. TROP is FUBAR.


7 posted on 03/02/2006 4:58:11 PM PST by StAnDeliver
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To: conservative in nyc

That sounds more plausible explanation than my earlier guess. Thanks for the info.


8 posted on 03/02/2006 4:58:39 PM PST by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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To: conservative in nyc

3 or 4 car bombs one day each week isn't going to win Iraq.

9 posted on 03/02/2006 5:02:32 PM PST by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: Southack

Killing Sistani or flying a plane into a US military base would go much further though.

There are a number of eventualities that the US has to protect against. In the future we need to make sure sites like the Golden Dome are well secured. I know it shouldn't be our job, but it is as long as the Interior Ministry sucks.


10 posted on 03/02/2006 5:24:13 PM PST by jmc1969
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To: conservative in nyc
But...but...the media told me that the civil war in Iraq was already underway.

Why, oh why, would Zarqawi need any spectacular attack if Iraq was already "in flames"?

11 posted on 03/02/2006 5:26:36 PM PST by denydenydeny ("Osama... made the mistake of confusing media conventional wisdom with reality" (Mark Steyn))
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The leftist dinosaurs over at SeeBS need to update their file photo.


12 posted on 03/02/2006 5:29:43 PM PST by Milhous (Sarcasm - the last refuge of an empty mind.)
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To: conservative in nyc
U.S. officials tell CBS News that intelligence has picked up reports that al Qaeda in Iraq is planning what one source calls the "Big Bang," a spectacular terrorist attack in Iraq against either a single high-profile target or multiple targets simultaneously.

Isn't "The Big Bang" just a theory?

U.S. officials telling CBS ANYTHING anymore appears ominous to say the least.

13 posted on 03/02/2006 5:46:49 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: denydenydeny
Why, oh why, would Zarqawi need any spectacular attack if Iraq was already "in flames"?

Because of poor reporting why else?

14 posted on 03/02/2006 5:48:45 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: Southack
3 or 4 car bombs one day each week isn't going to win Iraq.

Of course not when the good news via balanced reporting isn't conveyed also.

15 posted on 03/02/2006 5:51:05 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: Milhous

Its kind of funny CBS is using a picture of Zarqawi from the time he was fighting the Soviets.


16 posted on 03/02/2006 7:22:04 PM PST by jmc1969
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To: jmc1969
Its kind of funny CBS is using a picture of Zarqawi from the time he was fighting the Soviets.

Probably a SeeBS psyop ploy to try to sympathetically style an an insane islamofascist butcher as a freedom fighter instead of a terrorist.
17 posted on 03/02/2006 9:12:21 PM PST by Milhous (Sarcasm - the last refuge of an empty mind.)
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To: conservative in nyc
Follow-up:
CBS and AP will remain neutral and non-judgemental in the dispute between al Qaeda and the civilized world.
18 posted on 03/03/2006 5:13:31 PM PST by wagglebee ("We are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." -- President Bush, 1/20/05)
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To: conservative in nyc

"U.S. officials tell CBS News.."

Maybe these "U.S. officials" should try to keep their mouths shut a little more.. why keep feeding the MSM, especially the likes of cBS.


19 posted on 03/03/2006 5:17:51 PM PST by SeaBiscuit (God Bless America and Friends, the rest can go to hell.)
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To: Riley
"Last week's mosque bombing in city of Samarra that brought Iraq to the brink of civil war was the work of terrorists, some U.S. officials have theorized."

Bear sh*#s in woods...news at 11.
20 posted on 03/03/2006 5:56:50 PM PST by SICSEMPERTYRANNUS ("Our responses to terrorist acts should make the world gasp." - When Devils Walk the Earth)
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