Posted on 06/12/2006 6:16:19 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the hero of the global jihadists in general and the Iraqi jihadists in particular, has been killed. Osama Bin Laden had labeled Zarqawi “the head of al Qaeda in the land of the two rivers " in 2004, a designation that made him a world terrorist equal in stature to Bin Laden himself, a point that the United States government recognized when it put a $25 million price on his head.
When the news was announced, the cheering could be heard in the Iraqi security ministry and police stations and in the CENTCOM corridors. U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad called the death of Zarqawi "a huge success for Iraq and the international war on terror." The Jordanian-born militant is believed to have personally beheaded at least two American hostages. In August 2004, Jordanian security foiled a chemical attack explosion planned by Zarqawi that could have resulted in almost 80 thousand deaths in Amman. On November 9, 2005, Zarqawi organized a triple suicide bombing against hotels in the city that killed 60 people. Zarqawi's tentacles were spread across the surrounding countries: Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. He was committed to turning the whole area into a Jihad battle ground.
The assassination of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a monumental point in the war on terror, not only in Iraq but throughout the Middle East. He was the most efficient organizer of massive terror attacks and commanded operational expertise as well as leadership skills. His young age appealed to many young Arab men and made him a recruiting magnet and a Jihadist idol. The psychological effects of the “you can run but you can't hide” message alongside his dead image on TV stations worldwide sends a great message to terrorists on every continent. As the United States captures or kills ever more of its most wanted terrorist enemies, jihadists worldwide know their days are numbered.
Zarqawi’s death also sends the message to the terrorists that Muslims in Iraq and in Jordan are increasingly working with the allied forces. The Iraqi tips on terrorists went from 400 per month in April 2005 to 4000 in April 2006. The Iraqis themselves are learning that they can play a part in protecting and claiming back their nation without fears. This successful operation of assassinating Iraq's number one terrorist is going to empower more Iraqis to come forward with information.
The reaction in the Arabic world to Zarqawi's death was evenly split. The mainstream newspapers, all government controlled, looked forward to a safer and more stable Iraq. It is worth mentioning that Zarqawi resented all Arab leaders and sought their demise in favor of establishing a Muslim Ummah in the Middle East. He even wanted Jordanian King Abdullah’s head. It is no wonder that Jordan cheerfully helped to eliminate him.
The Islamofascists venerated Zarqawi in radical Islamic chat rooms and websites: "We herald the martyrdom of our mujahid Sheik Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and we stress that this is an honor for our nation," a statement signed by one of Mr. Zarqawi's deputies, Abu Abdul Rahman Iraqi, said.
The press comments of President Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair and CENTCOM Commander General Casey were cautionary comments that the fight against Islamofascist insurgency in Iraq is not over by any means. There are about 16 to 17 other groups still operating in Iraq, including Jaish al-Mujahideen, Army of Ansar al-Sunnah, Brigades of Just Punishment, al Rashedeen Army, Imam Al Hussein Brigades, Islamic Army of Iraq, etc. The attacks may well intensify in vengeance. But the head of the snake is gone. These smaller groups operate independently and may well turn against each other in competing for the Jihadists leadership in Iraq.
Whether coincidental or not, eighteen hours after the Zarqawi attack, President al Maliki announced the confirmation of two vitally important positions in his cabinet. Abdul Qader Mohammed Jassin, a Sunni Arab and former general jailed for seven years in 1994 for his criticism of Saddam’s ruinous first Gulf War, was named Defense Minister and a Shia Arab, Sherwan al Waili, a former Colonel in Saddam Army, was appointed as National Security Minister. Perhaps now the al Maliki government can proceed to secure its civilians against the ravages of external and internal insurgencies.
In Iraq, we will now see whether U.S. and Iraqi security forces are successful in flattening al Qaeda insurgency now that it has lost its leader. But there’s still the daunting task of contending with Shia militia insurgencies in southern Iraq siphoning billions of dollars in oil revenues to arm and combat the central government. We are entering an interesting phase of the Iraqi war. We can all hope that we finally have enough traction to reduce our troop levels and bring some of them home. In the wake of Zarqawi death we still have a tough battle ahead, but one which we may see the first light of victory ahead of us.
"Assassination"? ... I think not.
"The assassination of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a monumental point in the war on terror..."
I thought the same thing..dangit, that raghead got blowed up real good..
Technically, it's accurate, and I think Brigitte's take on the rest of it shows she's not at all sorry to see him gone.
Brigitte Gabriel Ping
ping
Thanks for the ping and the post, good article.
I think that until he got blowed up there were a lot of wannabe jihadi who were admiring the way he thumbed his nose at the U.S., however mistaken he was as he did it. He may not have been the most strategic thinker of the bunch, but he knew how to create a mythos around himself.
Shame on me for laughing at what I thought that said the first time through...
Well, they were...
Great balls of fire!!!!
This was a great start. Now let's get some more.
There were at least 17 raids immediately after Zarqawi's safe house was bombed, and since then I have seen figures indicating over 200 raids against terrorist targets. Appearently we got Zarqawi's computer, phone, and address book, and are rolling up quite a bit of his organization.
I hereby propose that the 500-pound bombs used in this exercise be named "Slice" and "Dice."
Oh, gosh! I slightly misread this part. I thought it said something else.
My bad.
Love it!
Fantastic! Thanks for the good news.
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