US Intel thinks they might have just hooked up Al-Zawahiri with his 72 virgins

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

http://counterterror.typepad.com/the_counterterrorism_blog/2006/01/cia_strikes_aga.html


CIA got "good reporting" on al-Zawahiri's presence in a building and it ordered the Predator airstrike - could be visual confirmation soon but weeks before confirmation through DNA tests.

[1369]

Reap the whirlwind bitch....

Reminds me of a quote I read about what US snipers think about killing Al Queda folks

"Recoil"

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Wow that's kick ass, where'd you read that (about the snipers)?

[SA210]

Reap the whirlwind Sherrif Brady
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/livindeadboi/JB/YoungGuns.jpg

[JoeChalupa]

DAMADOLA, Pakistan - Al-Qaida's second-in-command was the target of a U.S. airstrike near the Afghan border but he was not at the site of the attack, two senior Pakistani officials said Saturday. At least 17 people were killed.

:cuss Close.

[ChumpDumper]

Strange. Is it such a good idea to lob bombs into our ally's lands like that? Isn't there some other way to coordinate a capture/assassination?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I think that if they know this quickly that we didn't get him that they know where he really is. That pisses me off.

Chump - Pakistan is steadfast against US troops being on the ground in the border region, and if they actually helped us catch someone like Zawahiri or bin Laden they'd probably have a coup d'etat on their hands. Lots of folks in Pakistani intelligence are linked to the Taliban and Osama.

[Vashner]

Interesting to see how this plays out. Looks like Dubya didn't take a golf pass like Clinton when he got the call. Unless he pre-authorized a hit on him if located.

[ChumpDumper]

So Pakistan is with us and against us?
they'd probably have a coup d'etat on their hands.Well, that's how Musharraf got into power in the first place. One has to wonder if free elections there would work out for the US.

[xrayzebra]

I think that if they know this quickly that we didn't get him that they know where he really is. That pisses me off.

Chump - Pakistan is steadfast against US troops being on the ground in the border region, and if they actually helped us catch someone like Zawahiri or bin Laden they'd probably have a coup d'etat on their hands. Lots of folks in Pakistani intelligence are linked to the Taliban and Osama.

No doubt in my mind the hit was coordinated with Pakistan. Also no doubt
that we knew they were going to "view" this with grave concern and call
in our ambassador. We make no moves without their knowledge. I can
only hope that the coordination is with someone we can trust. I can
assure you that the people of Pakistan are reading about how their
government does not like us doing what we did in their newspaper's
today. The Pakistan government has many reasons for wanting OBL
and his group gotten rid of. But not in a obvious fashion.

[Vashner]

What I would of done is given them there f16's a while back with some JDAMS...

Heck you could uploade the target GPS coords in flight all the pak pilot would have to do is press the fire button 20,000 feet above the target.

Could be some fallout from this...

BTW This does not look like A bomb strike..
Maybe it was a drone but it was not a 500+ lb guided bomb. Would of been more signs of outward explosion markings and debris. Almost just looks like a house collapsed. I don't see a single thing burnt. Maybe artillery or morter?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/south_asia_enl_1137258187/img/1.jpg

[exstatic]

Why do they continually announce "We think we got so and so!" ? Why not wait until it's confirmed so they don't look like such jackasses?

[xrayzebra]

Why do they continually announce "We think we got so and so!" ? Why not wait until it's confirmed so they don't look like such jackasses?

Why does our media pick-up on it so fast. Another old saying:
Don't believe anything you read or half of what you see. Really seems
to fit the bill these days. :lol

[gtownspur]

So Pakistan is with us and against us?Well, that's how Musharraf got into power in the first place. One has to wonder if free elections there would work out for the US.


THe areas where alqueda are seeking refuge are not under the soveriegn control of Musharraf. The history channel did an exclusive about the tribes there whose sole existance is based purely to wage war with each other. They abide by a strict code in which they will not tolerate turncoats from either side, and they will band together if a foreign army will attack one of the tribes. To conduct a capture mission is not like a Tom Clancy Rainbow SIx game,(kinda like asking for classified war strategies will not occur in the real world unless one is playing "Call of Duty" on Xbox). BUt enough with my childish condescension, i figure you'll find an even better solution.

....maybe we could set a big giant mouse trap baited with shwarmas to catch them ragheads... :rolleyes

[ChumpDumper]

To conduct a capture mission is not like a Tom Clancy Rainbow SIx gameReally, what's it like? Is it like watching the History Channel?
kinda like asking for classified war strategies will not occur in the real world unless one is playing "Call of Duty" on XboxI'm not the one who called it PLAN for Victory in Iraq, douche. Had he named it Fuzzy Outline for Withdrawl from Iraq, I'd have been less disappointed.

[boutons_]

"Why do they continually announce...."

afaics, the US hasn't announced anything:

"A Defense Department official said last night that there were "no coalition military aircraft in the area of the reported explosion in a Pakistani village." "

The announcing "jackasses" are the "sources" and the Pakistanis.

[gtownspur]

Really, what's it like? Is it like watching the History Channel?I'm not the one who called it PLAN for Victory in Iraq, douche. Had he named it Fuzzy Outline for Withdrawl from Iraq, I'd have been less disappointed.

Um, nothing like watching the history channel i bet. BUt sure beats drawing conclusions from my own ass like you do in order to score debate points.

and um, as far as history goes, (and not the CHannel), no fucking president has shared his war plans in detail to the public. Get over it and fuck a small animal so that you can wake up tommorow morning smoke a virginia slims, and feel smarter than the rest of us who stick to logic.

[ChumpDumper]

no fucking president has shared his war plans in detail to the public.Take it up with Bushie, he should have called it What We Have Done in Iraq and Trust Us the Rest of the Way, M'kay? Or Else You Hate America.

[gtownspur]

Well i'm sure He's sorry. I'm sure he missed the memo of how War Plans are alternatively dubbed "Way to go Douchebags, here's the classified War Strategie for you to read, defeats the purpose, but hey you deserve to know because you all are 5* armchair generals in my book."

[ChumpDumper]

Well i'm sure He's sorry.Nah, he isn't. Just wanted to get the word "Victory" on all the backdrops where he was speaking for a week. Good propoganda.

[gtownspur]

I guess he didn't satisfy your "Defeat" phrase qouta, but i guess he was wrong all along. I mean, gosh.. when will those national elections they promised take place.

[ChumpDumper]

I mean, gosh.. when will those national elections they promised take place.You mean the ones they created artificial timetables for?

[gtownspur]

I guess by now you've recieved the Strategic War Plans from Karl Rove through the mail all for the low price of 19.99, rush delivery.

Again, enlighten me of the facts of when this administration has ever alluded to using time tables.

I thought they said they would measure the progress first and commit withdrawals based on progress reports done by the ground generals.

Hey, but in War, everyone uses time tables seeing how there are no other variables that might upset those plans.

[ChumpDumper]

Again, enlighten me of the facts of when this administration has ever alluded to using time tables. When scheduling elections.

You're welcome.

I never asked for a timetable, so put away the straw man.

[gtownspur]

^ Straw man?

What straw man? That qoute you used didn't imply that you did ask for time tables.

No thanks, back at ya.

[ChumpDumper]

^ Straw man?

What straw man?

Hey, but in War, everyone uses time tables seeing how there are no other variables that might upset those plans.

[gtownspur]

Take it up with Bushie, he should have called it What We Have Done in Iraq and Trust Us the Rest of the Way, M'kay? Or Else You Hate America.
^ I guess this statement was what caused me to refer you that way. But I guess if you were not implying the need to specify war plans, Which was the crux of my argument, then what were you implying?

And it wasn't long ago that you were asking about withdrawals and timetables and then when you were cornered denied that you weren't for time tables. But I guess being ambigous can give you alot of room to BS.

[gtownspur]

Chump,

Quit being a tool.

It's the same as one saying "Geesh you should of told me to turn left."

followed later by "Hey, i didn't ask for help."

[Nbadan]

Looks like the attacks in Pakistan intended to kill Ayman Al-Zawahiri have led to massive street protests in Karachi and other cities...


ISLAMABAD, JANUARY 15: Islamic groups across Pakistan staged massive protests on Sunday condemning President Pervez Musharraf and the US for the deadly air strikes in a remote border village that were intended to target Al-Qaeda No 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Thousands of people chanting anti-US slogans took part in rallies in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar. The country’s main Islamist alliance, Muttahida Majlis Amal, took out protest rallies in the port city of Karachi condemning the missile attack.

Significantly, pro-Musharraf party and ally, the MQM, also took part in the rally. The marches were held in the backdrop of Musharraf’s appeal to his countrymen not to harbour foreign militants. “If we kept sheltering foreign terrorists here, our future will not be good,” Musharraf said in an address broadcast by state-run PTV.

“We want Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to cancel his visit to the US as a protest,” deputy chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Senator Prof Ghafoor told the rally. Aziz is scheduled to pay a week-long visit to the US from January 17.

Indian Express (http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=86021)

[Nbadan]

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/rids/20060115/i/r13681561.jpg
Protesters hold their party flags as they take part in an anti-U.S. rally in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. Islamic groups staged nationwide protests Sunday against a purported CIA airstrike that Pakistan says killed innocent civilians instead of the apparent target, top al-Qaida lieutenant Ayman al-Zawahri.

[Nbadan]

Meanwhile, back at the farm...

Zawahri missed dinner that prompted U.S. strike


ISLAMABAD, Jan 15 (Reuters) - A dinner invitation to al Qaeda's second-in-command triggered a U.S. airstrike in Pakistan but Ayman al-Zawahri failed to show up, Pakistani intelligence officials said on Sunday.

Pakistan condemned Friday's strike, which killed at least 18 people, including women and children, and summoned U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker to protest.

There were anti-American demonstrations in several towns and cities on Sunday, and supporters of Islamist and secular parties mustered close to 10,000 people for a rally in the southern city of Karachi.

The Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that foreigners had been near the village of Damadola in the Bajaur region bordering Afghanistan and were the probable target.

ALERTNET (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15784948.htm)

See what can happen if you fail to include RSVP in your invitations!

:hat

[Nbadan]

Friends...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/plastic_turkeys/1mills650.jpg
He's not going for Dubya's wallet


SENIOR US senator John McCain has lamented the loss of innocent life during a US bombing raid in Pakistan, but said such casualties were unavoidable as Washington robustly pursued its "war on terror".

"It's terrible when innocent people are killed, he said. " We regret that. But we have to do what we think is necessary to take out Al-Qaeda, particularly the top operatives."

"We regret it. We understand the anger that people feel, but the United States' priorities are to get rid of al-Qaeda, and this was an effort to do so," the Republican lawmaker said.

"We apologize, but I can't tell you that we wouldn't do the same thing again."

NEWS (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17835401-1702,00.html?from=rss)

On one hand, he's the president, but on the other hand, he's soft and warm and smells like reeking perspiration. So what are ya gonna do? If you're John McCain, you HUG him for spreading false rumors about your illegitimate black daughter who is neither "illegitimate" nor "black."

It's a filthy job, but McCain's more than happy to do it.

[Ocotillo]

I sure hope Musharraf has an iron grip on power. If he is overthrown and Pakistan falls into less friendly (read Islamic nutjobs) hands, the terrorists won't have to wait for Iran to develop a bomb.

[xrayzebra]

I sure hope Musharraf has an iron grip on power. If he is overthrown and Pakistan falls into less friendly (read Islamic nutjobs) hands, the terrorists won't have to wait for Iran to develop a bomb.

A very valid point. But I suspect some of these demonstrations are
directed by the governments to let people blow off steam and show
they (the Government) is not involved.

[Ocotillo]

A very valid point. But I suspect some of these demonstrations are
directed by the governments to let people blow off steam and show
they (the Government) is not involved.

I hope you're right.

[boutons_]

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/printer_friendly/news_logo.gif
Musharraf's al-Qaeda hunt crisis

By Zaffar Abbas
BBC correspondent, Islamabad

The American missile strike that killed many civilians in a Pakistani border village is the latest in a series of failed attempts by the US intelligence and military to eliminate al-Qaeda's top two men. The attack destroyed three houses in Bajaur agency near the Afghan border - with or without the knowledge of Islamabad.

It has strengthened the widely-held view in Pakistan that in their sheer desperation to hunt down Osama Bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri the Americans have decided not to care about collateral damage.

It's a marked departure from the policy of a few years ago when the fear of civilian deaths discouraged the Americans from bombing suspected Bin Laden hideouts in and around the tribal region.

And the new policy certainly means more trouble for Pakistan's military ruler, Gen Pervez Musharraf, who is already perceived by many to be surviving mainly on American life-support.

Taleban sympathy

The first indication of trouble came when a couple of pro-government groups joined protest demonstrations to condemn the missile attack on the village of Damadola.

The missile attack raises new questions, both about US tactics and possible al-Qaeda related activity

Countrywide rallies were as vociferous in their condemnation of the American action as they were of the failure of the Pakistani authorities to prevent it.

And, as expected, the criticism of Pakistan's military ruler was not restricted just to the single issue of Friday's missile attack.

He was accused of everything under the sun. In some cases there were also demands for him to step down.

Much of the fuel for this latest wave of protests was provided by the lack of official details, the friction the incident caused between the American and Pakistani authorities and the mystery that surrounds the place and the people that came under attack.

Although the Bajaur tribal agency doesn't have much history of al-Qaeda-linked activities, it has long been regarded as an area where pro-Taleban elements dominate local politics.

Hundreds of local tribesmen joined a force to fight a so-called jihad (holy war) to defend Afghanistan's Islamic status after the US-led military invasion in 2001.

Damadola first attracted the media's attention early last year when the Pakistani security forces raided the house of a firebrand cleric, Maulana Faqir Mohammed, and arrested an Uzbek militant hiding there.

This was the first clear indication that some local tribesmen may have links with foreign militants, possibly with al-Qaeda.

'Serious mistake'

The missile attack raises new questions, both about US tactics and possible al-Qaeda related activity.

In fact, since the attack there have been some strange and contradictory reports emanating from the village.

The destroyed houses belonged to local jewellers, who had no history of taking part in religious or tribal politics.

Analysts of Pashtun (Pathan) society say such people are not land-owners and do not command the kind of status or respect to invite a militant leader of the stature of Ayman al-Zawahiri for dinner, as some reports have suggested.

Al-Qaeda watchers say there is a strong possibility that US intelligence made a serious mistake in trying to identify his hideout.

However, this still leaves unanswered questions about the al-Qaeda second-in-command's possible visits to this particular village, or Bajaur agency, in the past.

Empty graves

But the strangest developments surrounding the attack have been in the form of the death toll, which locals revised downwards from 18 to 13.

President Musharraf can only hope that the next American military strike from across the border results in the death of a key al-Qaeda figure, and not civilians

Eyewitnesses have confirmed that villagers initially dug 18 (at least one account says 20) graves to bury the dead.

Later on, bodies of only 13 people (eight men and five women) were brought for burial, and the rest of the empty graves were filled with mud.

The explanation given by some local tribesmen is that first they thought that all 20 occupants of the three houses had died, and so as many graves were prepared.

But later they discovered that some were not in the house at the time of the attack.

Rumours are now going round that at least five of the dead were probably foreigners, and their bodies were taken away by a group of people, before the arrival of the media.

If that's true, then no one knows who these people were, and whether they belonged to Zawahiri's band of operatives or were security personnel.

Tide of opposition

The controversy about the Pakistani authorities being aware of the attack has also not gone away.

Local Bajaur MP Maulana Haroonur Rasheed insists the Americans took Pakistani intelligence into their confidence before carrying out the missile attack.

But despite the controversy, and the street protests, most analysts are convinced that the crisis is not too big for President Musharraf to handle.
With nearly 70,000 Pakistani troops deployed to contain foreign militancy in the tribal region, his government's contribution to the so-called war on terror is too big for the Americans to ignore.

And the domestic opposition is not powerful or organised enough to launch an anti-Musharraf campaign on this single issue.

However, many believe the incident has brought to fore friction between Pakistani and US security agencies over the handling of al-Qaeda related operations in the highly sensitive tribal region.

Privately, US officials are believed to be trying to convince Pakistan that the utmost care will be taken in future to avoid civilian casualties.

But publicly they have not even admitted having carried out the attack, and are not expected to hand out any guarantees of better behaviour.

In such a situation, President Musharraf can only hope that the next American military strike from across the border results in the death of a key al-Qaeda figure, and not civilians.

Otherwise, the growing tide of domestic opposition might become quite difficult to control.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/4618476.stm

Published: 2006/01/16 19:11:21 GMT

© BBC MMVI

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

:lol, I wouldn't expect anything less from you boutons. The BBC hates America and hates Bush. Nice slant to that article.

Meanwhile, even the Pakistani government admitted today that we got 14 bad guys all told. 18 people dead, 14 people terrorists, 4 of them "high level", I'd say the intel was pretty spot on except we missed Osama's right hand dick jerker.


If he is overthrown and Pakistan falls into less friendly (read Islamic nutjobs) hands, the terrorists won't have to wait for Iran to develop a bomb.

The US has Special Forces in the region positioned specifically to go in and grab Pakistan's nukes should that regime fall, we have had them in position for two years now.

[Nbadan]

Curveball???


The knowledgeable source -- who declined to be identified more specifically -- on Tuesday was not clear how many foreigners were killed by the airstrike, but said, "certainly some of them were of Egyptian origin," and had direct ties with al-Zawahiri.

CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/01/17/pakistan.strike.foreign/index.html)

Probably the same unreliable source who said Al-Zawahiri was gonna be there in the first place.

[Ocotillo]

I can't fault us for trying to get him and OBL. If we missed him it does end up being a P.R. coup for the anti-American Islamo nutjobs. C'est la vie.

I support the war on terror.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Investigation/story?id=1517986

* AQ's top bomb maker and chemical weapons maker... DEAD.

* AQ's leader in Pakistan & Afghanistan... DEAD.

* Senior leader for the Paki/Afghanistan region... DEAD.

Damn, guess we got some bad guys after all.

[JoeChalupa]

Collateral damage is part of war.

While I support the capture of terrorists I never support the taking of innocent lives but it happens.
And as much as I support it it still sucks for any parent to have to bury their innocent child.

As a parent I know how hard that would be.