Qaeda controls town in wake of U.S. troops withdrawal

[sabra]

Source: Azzaman

Members of al-Qaeda group have retaken a strategic town, some 70 kilometers south of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, members of parliament said.

The MPs said Tuz Khormato, a predominantly Shiite town, was now in the hands of ‘al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia’, the group’s official appellation.

...

But they said the departure of U.S. troops has led to “a dangerous upsurge in insecurity” with bandits and fighters attacking travelers and vehicles on the highway to Kirkuk.

...

Turkmen MPs have sent a statement to Prime Minister Noori al-Maliki’s government urging him to send troop to guard the city and the highway.

...

The statement said kidnappings had increased and the scene of headless bodies dumped on roads and the highway has returned once again.

“The tragic and horrific events in Tuz Khormato only a few days following the withdrawal of the multi-national forces (U.S. troops) is a clear indication of how ill-prepared and weak the army and security forces are,” the statement said.


Read more: http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news/2008-01-31/kurd1.htm

[ixion]

1. al Qaida wasn't in Iraq before we illegally invaded

but they sure seem to be now.

BushCo has given the 'terrorists' more than they could ever have hoped for.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. An illegal invasion and an occupation has done wonders for al Qaeda's recruitment

On the flip side it's led the US military to lower the requirements to join and raise the ages in an attempt to get enough warm bodies, and still they keep falling short.

[lyonn]

2. But the surge is still working, right? nt

[sabra]

3. whack a mole n/t

[lyonn]

10. Notice this story does not get covered in Our Press

Must be because this wouldn't fit well with the "surge is working" story. Not much is covered concerning Iraq now days. Wouldn't help McCain and all the repub war lovers in the coming election.

[smiley_glad_hands]

4. Fuck it. I say give it all to the Turks.

Just keep the oil flowing long enough for a Democratic President's alternative energy plan to come to fruition.

[Roland99]

5. Qaeda?? *cough*bullshit*cough*

More like criminals and militia elements.

[sabra]

7. indeed. their statment describes them as "with bandits and fighters attacking travelers"

[pauldg0]

6. George Bush is a Crud....

..sorry, but true.

[fascisthunter]

9. Breaking: Qaeda Controls White House!!!

certainly looks that way. When Queda says, "Boo", the White House just gives away our freedoms just like Queda wants us to. And is helping to recruit for Al Queda by being extemist in reaction to extremism.... torture, rape, threaten, terrorize, etc. anybody? All what? To win the hearts and minds of folks in the Middle East?