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 ...
Ping.
This probably explains the article you posted earlier today.
The fact that its in the news means their little plan is known to those who need to know.
Our media and liberals seem to be holding their breath for just such a "Big Bang".
I never would've guessed.
Amazing how the Muslims rant and rave about the defacing of mosques, but think nothing about destroying them if it serves their purpose.
Same thought. TROP is FUBAR.
That sounds more plausible explanation than my earlier guess. Thanks for the info.
3 or 4 car bombs one day each week isn't going to win Iraq.
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.
Why, oh why, would Zarqawi need any spectacular attack if Iraq was already "in flames"?
Isn't "The Big Bang" just a theory?
U.S. officials telling CBS ANYTHING anymore appears ominous to say the least.
Because of poor reporting why else?
Of course not when the good news via balanced reporting isn't conveyed also.
Its kind of funny CBS is using a picture of Zarqawi from the time he was fighting the Soviets.
"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.
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