Insurgency in the Shadows
BY Herschel Smith
17 years, 9 months ago
There are shadowy operations going on in the Anbar Province conducted by AQI and other militant groups, these operations being directed against each other and spilling over into the broader population in an attempt to gain support. As we have pointed out in Hope and Brutality in Anbar (and prior), although AQI has used persuasion in the form of money for some support (such as paying children to spy on U.S. snipers), their primary tactic has been intimidation, torment, torture and houses of horror to keep the population in submission and thus ensure safe haven for their terrorist activities. However, the intimidation has taken a turn for the secretive, as we saw in Samarra.
The letter from Al Qaeda in Iraq to the members of the local police was clear.
Come to the mosque and swear allegiance on the Koran to Al Qaeda, the letter warned, or you will die and your family will be slaughtered. Also, bring $1,200.
It had the desired effect on American efforts to build an Iraqi security force here.
Nearly a third of the local police force went to the mosque, paid the money and pledged their allegiance. Another third was killed. By late October, only 34 local police officers were left to try to maintain order in this city of 100,000.
Secrecy is being used as a force multiplier, and this tactic is being repeated in Fallujah in a slightly different form but with the same general theme and intent.
A shadowy new militia apparently emerged in Falluja over the weekend, Slogger sources report.
Residents awoke to discover flyers and banners around the city bearing the name of a new militia, the “Chosen Soldiers of God.
On March 15, 2007 at 3:54 am, Michael said:
Hello,
Nice write up. I’ve read Kazimi’s work at the Sun and his Blog… good stuff.
This may seem like a silly idea. But maybe they can Sting’EM. Set up letters like this with fake Shieks and fake AAS, AQ’s, etc., and run sting operations like the FBI, Police, etc. This will help identify sympathizers who pledge and get them out of the forces. Maybe this goes into CIA, Special OPs territory. But I think its worth a try to in helping MNF-I uncover some of the scum.
Plus, it will make everyone think twice about any more shadow letters of darkness.
Play the enemies on trick against them. Send out letters from the Coalition forces they’ll be at the end of town 12 noon for a head to head meeting. Last man standing wins. State they can beat any of these losers claims. They’d be humiliated in defeat if they show up, or perhaps even worse, more humiliated for not showing up at all. The people will understand who has strength, is protecting them and who is not full of lies and deception.
GodSpeed to your son, prayers for all our soldiers safe return and for good Iraqis to stand up and lead, govern their people.
God Bless