Al Qaeda Flag Hoisted After 25 Iraqi Police Killed in Shooting Spree
- Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:35pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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BAGHDAD (The Blaze/AP) — Assailants waving the battle flag of al-Qaida gunned down 25 policemen Monday in a brazen and well-orchestrated challenge to government control over a strategic town fraught with Iraq war symbolism.
The attack replicated tactics used by Sunni insurgents during the war and appeared aimed at reasserting al-Qaida’s grip now that the Iraqis can no longer rely on American help.
The attackers drove through the town of Haditha claiming to be government officials and methodically executed guards and commanders. After half an hour they escaped into the desert, leaving a terrified populace demanding protection. Local authorities imposed a curfew and deployed troops.
Mohammed Owda al-Kubaisi, a relative of one of the slain policemen, spoke of his four children, “now orphans because their father was assassinated by the cold blood of insurgency while our government keeps watching and denouncing.”
The choice of target was significant in several ways.
Haditha is just 65 miles (105 kilometers) from the border with Syria, where rebels fighting the regime are allegedly gaining recruits from Iraq. During the Iraq war the town of 85,000 was a critical pawn in the battle, and was overrun and held by al-Qaida insurgents for months until U.S. forces ousted them. It was also the home of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, as well as the scene of a U.S. massacre of civilians.
Iraqi officials described Monday’s attack as a systematic plot to kill policemen. The attackers came at 2 a.m. in cars painted as Iraqi Interior Ministry vehicles and brandished false arrest warrants for city police officials. At the first checkpoint they confiscated cell phones and shot nine guards, said Mohammed Fathi, spokesman for the governor of Iraq’s western Anbar province, where Haditha is located.
The convoy then stopped at the homes of two Haditha police commanders, including the colonel who served as the city’s SWAT team leader. They were killed less than a quarter of a mile (400 meters) away, Fathi said.
He said the attackers had false arrest warrants for 15 police officials. At a checkpoint near the main market a gun battle broke out, with the gang raising the al-Qaida flag, according to a police lieutenant in Haditha who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.
Six policemen were killed in that skirmish, and another eight were killed as security forces chased the gang
through the city, Fathi said.
The police lieutenant said most of the gang escaped north, but one of the insurgents’ cars was shot up and found to contain an al-Qaida flag, black with a Quranic inscription, and al-Qaida propaganda. Fathi said at least one of the insurgents was killed. Local police said three were killed.
The attack exposed the vulnerability of the Iraqi public who had already lost tens of thousands of lives and now, with the Americans gone, faces a fresh wave of bombings and assassinations with only a reconstituted and relatively untested Iraqi security force for protection.
Haditha people have little faith in the protections promised by the government in Baghdad, 220 kilometers (140 miles) to the southeast.
Mohammed Hussein said his cousin, one of Monday’s victims, joined the police force three years ago to serve his country and to feed his family. “We demand the government launch an immediate investigation,” he said. “This is very painful.”
“We consider this attack as a serious security breach and we believe that al-Qaida or groups linked to it are behind this,” Fathi said. The Haditha lieutenant described Monday’s killing spree as “the first bold attack” on the city in years.
Attacks by al-Qaida affiliates in Iraq as well as Yemen show a resilience that has survived the weakening of the central leadership by U.S. drone attacks on its Pakistan bases and the deaths of Osama bin Laden and other key figures.
Al-Qaida in Iraq reached the height of its strength during the 2005-2007 insurgency against U.S. troops. The Iraqi wing of the terror network still launches deadly attacks every few weeks, seeking to undermine the government and local security forces.
In Africa, terror groups affiliated with al-Qaida have managed to pull off devastating bombings from Nigeria to Kenya and Somalia over the last year – most of them targeting local populations and security forces.
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mooshoo
Posted on March 6, 2012 at 11:43amJust curious:
Report Post »Are the victims Sunni?
Anybody knows?
Its4you
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:27pmOnce again the evil in this world shows its self for those willing to see it and define it by its actions.
Report Post »Freedom and Liberty are desired by many, taken for granted by some, defended by the brave, and feared
by evil most of all.
Tri-ox
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:26pmWell, this should make obama happy; the al-Qaida flag is one of his favorites.
Report Post »db321
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:18pmThe Blood of the Innocent is on your hands Obama – you cant blame this on Bush, America or Seal Team 6. This one you and Hilary did on your own when you left the Iraq people to defend for themselves.
This was your Resolve – not Americas resolve
This was your Rock Solid Support – Not America’s Rock Solid Resolve
Your using the same words toward Israel – this one is all yours.
What Obama has done to Iraq – he will do to the Welfare, Food Stamp, and BC recipients – After the election we will see a different side of Obama – Evil beyond belief.
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:08pmmuslums killing muslums a peacefull religion.??.. yeah rrrrrright.. its a man made CULT they will kill for NO reason more proof of.. thier in a MAN AMDE cult not a religion.. where a man made god tells them to KILL no MAN tells them to MASS MURDER ALL who are n arent converts. they are ina cult of hate n death worse tna jonestown… muslum killing other muslums.. whats new there???…. they nave no pitty no mercy n it shows YET they expect US to say sorry for buringa FAKE book suppose to be HOLY n yet they havent said SORRY for beheading OUR men n women for killing our troops or the damages theyve caused.. … what a crock.. told you muslums murder.. theyll kill even thier own kind…
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:52pmThere is no al-Queda. That may be the flag of the al-Queda in Iraq organization but I believe that is actually the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:30pmPredictable !!!! I’m as patriotic as they come & know sometimes we have to get into a war in order to protect our country – like WWII. But think Vietnam and these wars should not have been done – Eisenhower was against going into Vietnam and worried about the military industrial complex – that other Presidents wouldn’t have the wisdom to say “no” to the commanders/Pentagon when needed. He was right – after he left, JFK got us into Vietnam.
Report Post »It was probably prudent that we took Saddam out since you couldn’t take the risk of the WMD problem. But – we should have left afterwards – NO nation building in these Islamic countries!!! or even sending drones in to “save” all the people being killed in these Muslim uprisings. They ALL hate us & will scheme to take us out whenever they unite for jihad. Let them alone.
We do the wrong things to fight the “war on terror”. We need to concentrate on getting our country strong again, borders sealed, etc. where they won’t attack us b/c they’ll know they lose. That’s the only thing they will fear. But we also have another little problem – and that’s all the Muslims that are entrenched HERE & have nothing but bad things planned for us when they can.
That may be the reason the politicians try to push the idea of them being “peaceful” b/c they don‘t have the answer how to handle it and they don’t want thousands of riots/murders re Muslims.
If anyone thinks we don’t need Divine intervention…think again.
PATRIOT802
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:25pmCouldnt have happened to a more Civilized Race of People……Way to go….KILL YOUR OWN PEOPLE……..BRILLIANT !
Report Post »Sure glad we got the hell out of there with our tails between our legs……
Thanks BHO ! …….. YOU IDIOT !
martinez012577
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:42pmSo you think we should still be there? We went there to stop WMD that either got shipped away under our noses or never really existed in any dangerous level. Hence we shouldnt have been there. If we were there we should have declared war.
What is funny is the Constitution makes so much sense. Its sad people like Glenn, Bill, Sean, and Rush claim to defend it so much yet completely ignore it right now when picking a president.
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:26pm“History Will Teach Us Nothing”
If we seek solace in the prisons of the distant past
Security in human systems we’re told will always always last
Emotions are the sail and blind faith is the mast
Without a breath of real freedom we’re getting nowhere fast
If God is dead and an actor plays his part
His words of fear will find their way to a place in your heart
Without the voice of reason every faith is its own curse
Without freedom from the past things can only get worse
Sooner or later just like the world first day
Sooner or later we learn to throw the past away
Sooner or later just like the world first day
Sooner or later we learn to throw the past away
Sooner or later we learn to throw the past away
History will teach us nothing
History will teach us nothing
Our written history is a catalogue of crime
The sordid and the powerful, the architects of time
The mother of invention, the oppression of the mild
The constant fear of scarcity, aggression as its child
Convince an enemy, convince him that he’s wrong
to win a bloodless battle where victory is long
A simple act of faith of reason over might
To blow up his children will only prove him right
History will teach us nothing
Report Post »str8blues
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:24pmObama has blood on his hands and our American soldiers sacraficed life and limb in vain.
Report Post »Mr.Fitnah
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:13pmIslam, its everywhere you dont want it to be.
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:52pmYep, a religion founded by a mass murdering, misogynistic pedophile, what could possibly go wrong?
Jesus never harmed a soul. Nor did he compel his followers to do so either.
I see no reason to stop muslims from killing other muslims.
Get out of all muslim nations now! let their self inflicted culling continue unabated.
Arm Israel to the teeth, let them pull the trigger, push the button.
Drill here, drill now, Nuclear power, natural gas infrastructure, no exportation of domestic oil!
Never buy another drop of islamic oil. They will sell it to china and India, let them defend the mohammedans.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:09pmSecretary of State Clinton has admitted being on the same side as Al-Qaeda in Syria. Perhaps we left Iraq too soon? Or is part of Clinton’s master plan? ‘Make it up as you go’ foreign policy has its drawbacks.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:26pmIt’s hard to predict the current events that have occured or the future events. They just play on what has occured to their benefit. That’s my answer to your statements.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:05pmI thought we pulled out troops out, but still had drones. Did I miss that memo?
Report Post »BlackCrow
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:00pmSurprised?
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:14pmI’m not surprised, but they were. This little incident can/will make them better prepared. I feel sorrow for the innocent people. nufsaid.
Report Post »omgfolks
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:58pmWell it does not appear that our efforts there were good enough to make to get the job done. Now with all that has gone on since we are not welcome there nor shoud we be there anylonger. I say let them fight it out. if Alquada wins out them NUKE THE PLACE. Just turn it to gravel and take IRAN with it. Then take the damn oil Bush was after to begin with as spoils. ARG MATTY.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:53pmAnyone remember when Madeline Albright said, “We think the price is worth it.” refering to the half million Iraqi CHILDREN who starved to death as a result of the 91 sanctions? Well, after another decade, and seeing Al Queda flag hoisted, trillions of dollars in debt, and all the American casualties, does anyone agree with her? Of course you do!! You want more kids to die while you scream about the evils of abortions. Forget that whole love thy enemy crap. They aren’t even people. Hey when‘s GB’s “Restore Love” event again?
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:09pmCan Jesus cleanse the blood from my hands? From your hands? Do you think we’ll have to account for our actions when we die? Will Jesus forgive me/us if we vote for more of the senseless killing? Glad I lost my religion after that stupid war, otherwise, I don’t think I could live with myself.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:12pmJUST – take a pill don’t want you offing yourself
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:17pmHmmmmm JUST. You’re starting to sound like Lesley Stahl, 60 Minutes or the U.N. (our buds, lol)
Not that I could care what Madeline Albright says or thinks…
Report Post »DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:18pm@JUSTANGRY Madeleine Albright does not speak for the majority of Americans. Albright was the Secretary of State under Bill Clinton and his on the Council of Foreign Relation aka NWO organization. Enuff said.
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:37pm@just
Blessed are the peacemakers. Jesus wouldnt be invading countries. Our army should be a defensive weapon not a assault weapon. Ron Paul‘s plan for the army is straight from Jesus’s teachings.
To all of the people that think we should be attacking other countries for our defense, is that what you think Jesus would say to do? Sanctions are acts of war. Starving kids is not what Christians do. We have no business in these countries with our military.
Here is a question to none Ron Paul supporters wanting to sanction and attack other countries.
What would your mind set be if your child starved to death or was blown up for what seems to be a pointless war now. The Iraqi’s lost hundreds of thousands of people, we lost thousands, and trillions in money for what? The place is no more safe, hell maybe even less safe now that the death of their people has created more hate towards us.
Osama bin Laden said that he was declaring war on the United States in 1998 for us killing children and occupying their holy lands Saudi Arabia. We have been in Iraq for almost a decade and have the bodies are still stacking up. How many Iraqi will be in the next big terrorist attack on the United States.
WAKE UP!!! Your dumb foreign policy was the blame and will be the blame for attacks on the United States.
Report Post »aChameleon
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:52pmAnd that’s why Ron Paul is doing as bad as he is.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:54pm“Ron Paul‘s plan for the army is straight from Jesus’s teachings.”
Dude… you’re starting to Jump the Shark for Ron Paul. Not that Ron Paul doesn’t Jump the Shark 3/4 of the time himself.
Next you’ll be telling us that Ron Paul really wants to be POTUS.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:34pm@ Justangry- we Ref. to Madeleine Albright as Madeleine Not So Bright she screwed up so much.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 6, 2012 at 6:19am@Divine, Almost everyone who has any power in this country is in the CFR. ALL of the media is owned by a few people who are in the CFR. Everything you hear about Iran comes from the UN and is filtered through the CFR. George Soros, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Harvard, Newt Gingrich, etc… CFR. If you’re worried about the CFR and NWO vote for the candidate that talks unfavorably about it. The one who tried passing a bill to defund and get the U.S. out of the UN while in congress. The bottom line is everything you know is propaganda spewed by the CFR. Enuf said.
Report Post »psycodad36
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:51pmenough! destroy y\them all before they destroy us.vaporize and evacuate!
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:50pmthey wanted USA out, obama pulled down his prayer robe, and we got out.. so let them deal with the consequences and they can blame obama all they want. this is all on him.
Report Post »islamhater
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:06pmMuslems are EVIL people did you really think it was going to be a peaceful country? Should have never been there in the first place. Screw these evil minded people. Bring all the troops home let them kill each other their doing very well as you can see. We have our own problems. Do not doubt for one second that Israel can’t defend themselves.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:44pmAs Officer Barbrady says on South Park “Nothing to see her, move along, move along”.
Report Post »chameleonx
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:41pmWhat are your thoughts and opinion on the War on Terror? From 9/11 to the killing of Osama Bin Laden and other high ranking terrorist. Even though you support the troops do you feel both Afghanistan and Iraq are a lost cause? I support the efforts to take out responsible for 9/11 and other terror attacks but I feel the governments in Afghanistan and Iraq were failures from the start.
Report Post »MEANS2RESIST
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:14pmOne of the only reasons we are still in the stan & that they are thumping their chests for another war is that many in congress and the admin have special interests in Pentagon budget #’s/$$ and with that I mean they are getting very very rich off of defense, weapons, gear, equipment & munitions contracts. All @ the expense of our troops lives.
Now that douchebag McLame wants to start dropping bombs into Syria. I can’t believe I voted for that turd, but I had no choice as I damn sure wan’t going to vote for a muslim communist that had never so much as operated a lemonade stand, now look @ the situation we’re in…..McLame must have some heavy stocks in the missile & weapons systems corporations.
I’ll bet the fraudulent poser in chief and Hilary are jumping with joy that this happend in Haditha. It’s their plan to have alqada to take over as much of the mideast as possible along with the muslime bruthahood. Barry wants his buddies to be a major player on the world stage. He is one EVIL manipulating bastard, time to remove him from office!!
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:41pmget the last of any [real] Americans out of there and nuke it back to the 600s AD … and make sure every single terrorist mosque in America is blown back to Baghdad at the same instant.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:50pmAnd after we do that, we can all go have lunch.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:58pmSounds good to me BURNTHILLS. Let’s turn it to glass. I know folks over there by choice. They know the risks. They are in it for the benefits. We need to leave the Arabs alone. The Arabs do respect a show of force, tho.
Report Post »Baja
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:10pmAnd in 10,000 years, build a Starbucks and everything else good will follow.
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