NY Times: In New Tactic, Militants Burn Houses in Iraq ~ (Al Queda getting desperate?)

The New York Times ^ | March 12, 2007 | DAMIEN CAVE

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BAGHDAD, March 11 — Sunni militants burned homes in a mixed city northeast of Baghdad on Saturday and Sunday, forcing dozens of families to flee and raising the specter of a new intimidation tactic in Iraq’s evolving civil war, Iraqi officials and witnesses said.

Militants also continued their campaign against Shiite pilgrims on Sunday, striking as the pilgrims returned home from the southern city of Karbala after observances there for the Arbaeen holiday over the weekend. The worst attack, a car bombing, killed at least 19 people in Baghdad as they were riding home from the south in a pickup truck.

Attackers burned both Sunni and Shiite homes in a neighborhood of Muqdadiya, a city of about 200,000 in Diyala Province, about 60 miles from Baghdad. There were differing reports about how many houses were affected. A security official in Diyala said that at least 30 houses were completely burned, including occupied and abandoned buildings, while a Sunni Arab politician from the area said that only six houses were destroyed. Some witnesses said as many as 100 houses were set on fire.

Victims from both sects blamed the Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella organization for Sunni extremists that has taken over several other towns in the area. Residents said the group had recently demanded money, weapons and oaths of support from the local populace.

They said the burnings were intended to scare people into giving in or running away. Dozens of families escaped the city, either left homeless by the attacks or terrified that they would be next.

“I left everything behind because I didn’t want to contribute to harming other Iraqis,” said Abu Muhammad Khailani, a Sunni, who said he fled to a Shiite village for protection.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

“I know why they want the money and weapons,” he said. “They will kill innocent people and do whatever it takes to reach their goals.”

The attacks reignited fears that Iraq ......

[tobyhill]

I had no idea cinder block and dried mud could burn?

[P-40]

The New York Times still thinks its a civil war? No wonder their stock is heading south...

[jveritas]

Victims from both sects blamed the Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella organization for Sunni extremists that has taken over several other towns in the area. Residents said the group had recently demanded money, weapons and oaths of support from the local populace.

This is the Islamic State of Iraq declared Al Qaeda Chief in Iraq Abu Omar Al Baghdadi. If you recall the letter you posted yesterday from another Sunni Iraq terrorist called Jihad AL Ansari to Al Baghdadi were he was severely attacking the Islamic State of Iraq and telling Baghdadi that the Sunni Muslims are really angry at the evil and violence practiced by Al Qaeda against them and they are going to stand up against Al Qaeda and their Islamic State in Iraq. The above clearly indicate that not only the Shia but also the Sunnis are very angry at Al Qaeda and that AL Ansari letter is another prove of it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Hat tip to Bill Roggio who pointed this article our in his daily report carried by the Weekly Standard,,...lead in posted on FreeRepublic :

Daily Iraq Report for March 13, 2007 ~ Weekly Standard ~ Bill Roggio

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That letter is a HUGE Indicator of how much momentum is swinging away from al-Queda.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Another little Factoid:

Residents report that in some villages, the Islamic State of Iraq brazenly flies flags that declare loyalty to Abu Omar Al-Baghdadi, the group’s leader, in what appears to be both a warning and a taunt to the group’s opponents.

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Just like they did in Anbar province....from which they are being driven out....

[ryan71]

We have to keep up the pressure.

I'm worried we will end the "surge" in forces too soon.

Maintaining increased security levels in these areas will make Iraqi forces and Iraqi citizens more confident and more inclined to head in the right direction.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The letter is discussed on this thread:

Jihadist Meltdown (A Must Read Article)

See link at post #56 for Authors Blog entry on the letter.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Nancy and Harry are worried we will stay too LONG and achieve some measure of Victory and impact their drive to regain the White House in 2008.

So it is surprising that the NY Times is beginning to actually post articles that have some Factual basis on the War,....course they take every opportunity to SPIN IT....ie. ..the comment about ....Civil War...

[Frank_2001]

They're probably angry at the collapse of the subprime mortgage sector;)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Speaking of Nancy:

Pelosi hears boos at AIPAC

*************************8EXCERPT*************************************

Members of the main pro-Israel lobbying group offered scattered boos to a statement by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that the Iraq war has been a failure on several scores.

[avacado]

"Victims from both sects blamed the Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella organization for Sunni extremists..."

The NYTs cannot bring themselves to say "al-Qaeda" as it pertains to Iraq. That sentence should have read this way: "Victims from both sects blamed the Al-Qaida-led 'Islamic State of Iraq'..."