Must be a high failure rate at homicide bomber school.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Two mentally disabled women were strapped with explosives Friday and sent into busy Baghdad markets, where they were blown up by remote control, a top Iraqi government official said.
The bombs killed at least 98 people and wounded more than 200 at two popular pet markets on the holiest day of the week for Muslims, authorities said.
In both bombings, the attackers were mentally disabled women whose explosive belts were remotely detonated, Gen. Qasim Atta, spokesman for Baghdad's security plan, told state television.
An aide to Atta said that people referred to the bomber at central Baghdad's al-Ghazl market as the "crazy woman" and that the bomber at a second market had an unspecified birth disability

Promise them more virgins (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/iraq.main/index.html)


:hitout:

No, just new techniques. The women bombers are not as prone to "premature detonation" as the men are.

Just when you think these guys have reached a new low, they somehow manage to go even lower.

Imagine the scene, Friday morning market, people going around their daily lives, a new sense of normality in the air, a disabled woman makes her way thru the market, stopping at this stall, stopping at that stall, in the distance at the edge of the market, a young man is watching her progress, as she nears the center of the market the young man crouches as if to tie his shoe lace-BANG.

The disabled woman, who had been placed in a suicide jacket explodes.
The exact same thing happens at another market not far away.

This is a new depth of depravity Al Qaeda in Iraq has stooped to.

A Bad Day in Baghdad.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7221639.stm

es Im not sure how or why, but you deleted my thread and started your own on the same subject.

Putting my opener down as #4 in your thread-Id like an explanation.

Es wouldn't be able to do that, paul. Only one of the mods could.

One of them could have merged the two threads.

es Im not sure how or why, but you deleted my thread and started your own on the same subject.

Putting my opener down as #4 in your thread-Id like an explanation.

The threads were merged as they were covering the same story. When that is done, the posts are arranged in chronological order, just as if it were begun as one thread.

I'm no longer a mod - it's been at least a year now - and no longer have editing privileges. It's just a bit of administrative "housekeeping".

Have another beer. I'm going to.

:drinktoth

Just when you think these guys have reached a new low, they somehow manage to go even lower.


:(
for sure......these women probably had no idea this was an explosive device strapped to them

This is a first regarding my threads.
Maybe the Administrator who deleted my thread and turned it into a post here could give an explanition then.

Paul,

This only happens every now and then.
Two allforums members post a new thread on the identical topic.
To keep things clean, one of us mods will then click on a button entitled, "Merge Threads".

No slight was intended, mate.

:hug:

ok-spose.

Paul - Since your thread was begun afterwards, it became a later post in the merged thread. When threads are merged the posts are put in the order in which they were posted.

How can you know that ?

Here's how I know:

The threads were merged as they were covering the same story. When that is done, the posts are arranged in chronological order, just as if it were begun as one thread.

Es used to be a mod, so he would know how it works. Also, look at the time stamps on the posts... they are indeed in order.

Ok

But we've been assured that recruits are flocking to AQ.

But we've been assured that recruits are flocking to AQ.
Despite the incident in Baghdad, I'm sure the vast majority of AQ is still made up of mentally competent volunteers.

Despite the incident in Baghdad, I'm sure the vast majority of AQ is still made up of mentally competent volunteers.

Their numbers seem to be shrinking, not expanding.

Their numbers seem to be shrinking, not expanding.
Theres no evidence to suggest their numbers are shrinking. More like their tactics are changing.

Their numbers seem to be shrinking, not expanding.
That might be the case in Iraq, mostly because they've got almost every armed force and militia in the country fighting against them. Elsewhere though, they don't seem to be short on volunteers.

they are not short on volunteers where they get to sitaround and talk the talk, but when it comes to walking the walk, well that's a different story.

And that statement would mean absolutly nothing to those people.
They wouldnt even know what it means.

It wasn't meant for them, it was meant for those who say we are creating more terrorists. Like in some vat somewhere we are just cooking them up and releasing them on the streets of Baghdad.

The point of the post is that if we have created so many why do they have to resort to strapping bombs onto the mentally retarded? There should be lines of zealous young men ready to kill blow up innocent Iraqis in order to get the US out of Iraq, which in itself makes zero sense.

It wasn't meant for them, it was meant for those who say we are creating more terrorists. Like in some vat somewhere we are just cooking them up and releasing them on the streets of Baghdad.

The point of the post is that if we have created so many why do they have to resort to strapping bombs onto the mentally retarded? There should be lines of zealous young men ready to kill blow up innocent Iraqis in order to get the US out of Iraq, which in itself makes zero sense.

Hmm-well, for a start, I think the market blast was purposely done to incite anger and create turmoil, as much as it was to kill civilians, hoping for a reprisal Id say.

As for creating terrorists, not sure what you mean by that.
Its all very well someone sitting in DC stating that US forces are there to make Iraq a better place for Iraqi, but Id say the view is somewhat different on the ground there.

It wasn't meant for them, it was meant for those who say we are creating more terrorists. Like in some vat somewhere we are just cooking them up and releasing them on the streets of Baghdad.

The point of the post is that if we have created so many why do they have to resort to strapping bombs onto the mentally retarded? There should be lines of zealous young men ready to kill blow up innocent Iraqis in order to get the US out of Iraq, which in itself makes zero sense.

It's always been hard to estimate AQ's numbers due to the nature of the organization. What we can see for sure though is their level of activity, which has gone down in many parts of Iraq. But like I said before, that's probably because of their being routed in Baghdad and Anbar, rather than an inability to get recruits.

We'll probably never know why they used mentally retarded people in this particular attack. We do know, though, that there still are AQ members that are willing to blow themselves up or carry out other suicide attacks (we've had a bunch of them here in Mosul lately). There are also a lot more who wouldn't go to that extreme but still carry out attacks.

That might be the case in Iraq, mostly because they've got almost every armed force and militia in the country fighting against them. Elsewhere though, they don't seem to be short on volunteers.

We're not talking about elsewhere. The bomb went off in iraq.

I can't wait until someone mentions how we're losing the hearts and minds battle.

Theres no evidence to suggest their numbers are shrinking. More like their tactics are changing.

The fact that they can only get retards for human bombs says otherwise.

The problem as I see it is that AQ can play the long war scenario.
As your well aware, Iraq is a very divided country, and it dosent take
much to antagonise either or both sides.

I would imagine that recruiting Iraqi security personnel who are genuine about wanting a free democratic nation must be a nightmare.

Keep safe man.

We're not talking about elsewhere. The bomb went off in iraq.

I can't wait until someone mentions how we're losing the hearts and minds battle.
Maybe your losing the hearts and minds battle.

We're not talking about elsewhere. The bomb went off in iraq.

Ok. Now how is this one incident indicative of the state of the entire Al Qaeda in Iraq organization?

I can't wait until someone mentions how we're losing the hearts and minds battle.The hearts and minds battle hasn't gone anywhere. There aren't any more or less Iraqis that like us now than there were a year ago. What we have been winning though is the military battle against AQ, and if AQ is hurting then that's the reason for it.

The problem as I see it is that AQ can play the long war scenario.
As your well aware, Iraq is a very divided country, and it dosent take
much to antagonise either or both sides.

I would imagine that recruiting Iraqi security personnel who are genuine about wanting a free democratic nation must be a nightmare.
Part of the solution would be to take that division and tribalism and implement a form of government that's compatible with it. The present government just isn't going to work with Iraq's current situation.

Keep safe man.Thank you, I will.

The fact that they can only get retards for human bombs says otherwise.
Could you refrain from using that word please? It could offend some of our posters.

Also, I'd be a little more prudent about what I said to Jester if I were you. He's actually in Iraq right now, and therefore I would surmise that he knows more about it than you do.

Ok. Now how is this one incident indicative of the state of the entire Al Qaeda in Iraq organization?

In the same way abu graith was indicative.

The hearts and minds battle hasn't gone anywhere. There aren't any more or less Iraqis that like us now than there were a year ago. What we have been winning though is the military battle against AQ, and if AQ is hurting then that's the reason for it.

Like and respect are two differnt things. The fact that we've managed to turn the sunnis against AQ would indicate that we've earned more a great deal more respect than we had a year ago. That battle is being won because we've won some hearts and minds.

And godspeed to you if you're in the military in iraq.

It is amazing that you can be in a war zone and still surfing the web. Times have changed.

It is amazing that you can be in a war zone and still surfing the web. Times have changed.
I think it's really amazing how little war effects the citizens of this country (relatively). In WWII, everyone's lives revolved around the fact that we were in a war. It affected supplies of everything. Now we just go about our lives the same as we would otherwise.

I think it's really amazing how little war effects the citizens of this country (relatively). In WWII, everyone's lives revolved around the fact that we were in a war. It affected supplies of everything. Now we just go about our lives the same as we would otherwise.

This is an interesting point DF, when debating about Iraq/Afghanistan or even Torture,its been on the tip of my tongue several times to say to certin posters,just what exactly experience does the US have.

A nation which has been fortunate not to ever have been invaded.
Conquered or occupied, but its a negative stance,so I never bothered.

The fact that they can only get retards for human bombs says otherwise.

:rolleyes:

As if now suddenly, every suicide bomb that explodes in Iraq is strapped to a retarded person.

What idiocy.

:rolleyes:

As if now suddenly, every suicide bomb that explodes in Iraq is strapped to a retarded person.

What idiocy.

Apparently you missed it, so we'll do it again.

Ok. Now how is this one incident indicative of the state of the entire Al Qaeda in Iraq organization?

In the same way abu graith was indicative.

Better watch your language i'm sure, The Nag will be here shortly to correct you.:)

Fuck off, Waldo. :)

I was wondering who he was referring to.

I forgot about the poster police.

I was wondering who he was referring to.

I forgot about the poster police.
:lolhit: I believe I asked him not to use the word "retard(ed)" as an insult the other day... So he's apparently still smarting from that.

Yeah-he's very touchy.

Fuck off, Waldo. :)

Too close to home?

Retards is hardly an insult, unless you feel i'm speaking about a normal person. It's a description of more than one retarded individual. If you take it as an insult that's your issue.
And in the interest of fairness, 'cause we know your all about fairness, you should be all over ft as well. But you're not as interested in free for some reason.

I'm wondering if i should be feeling like Michael Douglas (with none of the side benefits) in Fatal Attraction.:confused:

You wanna relax a bit mac.

Paul this is all good fun as far as i'm concerned. A little razzing never hurt anyone.

If anything you seem more stressed by it.

Not at all. As long as your happy waldo-Im happy :)

:rolleyes:

As if now suddenly, every suicide bomb that explodes in Iraq is strapped to a retarded person.

What idiocy.

Perhaps not mentally retarded, but certainly bordering on insanity.

Retards is hardly an insult, unless you feel i'm speaking about a normal person. It's a description of more than one retarded individual. If you take it as an insult that's your issue.


It's an unnecessary slur against the mentally handicapped. I take it as an insult, and that makes it your issue.

We have a long standing member here who has a mentally handicapped son. Find a different expression, please. :)

It is amazing that you can be in a war zone and still surfing the web. Times have changed.
It's mostly because we've been here long enough to settle down and set all this stuff up. I'm actually surprised we don't have a Burger King here; this is probably the only major base in Iraq that doesn't have one.

I've heard stories from OIF 1 though, and living conditions were a whole lot worse back then. Reminds me of something my drill sergeant said once: "When I was in Iraq I was put on detail to burn shit. What do you think shit smells like when you burn it? Like shit!"

I am SO glad we've got flushing toilets here.

Reminds me of something my drill sergeant said once: "When I was in Iraq I was put on detail to burn shit. What do you think shit smells like when you burn it? Like shit!"

I am SO glad we've got flushing toilets here.

LOL...afraid you might get the shit-burning detail?

LOL...afraid you might get the shit-burning detail?
Nah, we've got a local company taking care of sewage and sanitation... and I'm really glad that they are. :)