Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups

[Sally]

Interesting piece about the head of ISIS.

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups

Abu Bakr Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains a mystery even to his followersISIS leader is threatening to rewrite map of the Middle EastHe is regarded as one of the most powerful militants in the world, a former Islamist preacher who evolved into a global jihad warrior now threatening to rewrite the map of the Middle East.
Yet Abu Bakr Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains largely a mystery, even to his followers.

Unlike with such iconic figures as Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri, only two photos are known to exist of Baghdadi, showing a trim-bearded man with thick eyebrows. Baghdadi, whose fighters have seized large swaths of territory in both Syria and Iraq, releases only audio messages. Even when he meets with ISIS commanders, Baghdadi is said not to reveal himself.

Continue reading at:

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups*-*Los Angeles Times

 

[SmedlyButler]

Interesting piece about the head of ISIS.

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups

Abu Bakr Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains a mystery even to his followersISIS leader is threatening to rewrite map of the Middle EastHe is regarded as one of the most powerful militants in the world, a former Islamist preacher who evolved into a global jihad warrior now threatening to rewrite the map of the Middle East.
Yet Abu Bakr Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains largely a mystery, even to his followers.

Unlike with such iconic figures as Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri, only two photos are known to exist of Baghdadi, showing a trim-bearded man with thick eyebrows. Baghdadi, whose fighters have seized large swaths of territory in both Syria and Iraq, releases only audio messages. Even when he meets with ISIS commanders, Baghdadi is said not to reveal himself.

Continue reading at:

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups*-*Los Angeles Times

I thought Obama released the Leader of Isis from Guantanamo in 2009. I heard that on USMB. And you're telling us that he didn't get one photo of the guy? Or did he get the two you mentioned? It get's confusing here on USMB, I can't keep up with all of Obama's misdeeds.

 

[Sally]

Interesting piece about the head of ISIS.

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups

Abu Bakr Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains a mystery even to his followersISIS leader is threatening to rewrite map of the Middle EastHe is regarded as one of the most powerful militants in the world, a former Islamist preacher who evolved into a global jihad warrior now threatening to rewrite the map of the Middle East.
Yet Abu Bakr Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains largely a mystery, even to his followers.

Unlike with such iconic figures as Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri, only two photos are known to exist of Baghdadi, showing a trim-bearded man with thick eyebrows. Baghdadi, whose fighters have seized large swaths of territory in both Syria and Iraq, releases only audio messages. Even when he meets with ISIS commanders, Baghdadi is said not to reveal himself.

Continue reading at:

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups*-*Los Angeles Times

I thought Obama released the Leader of Isis from Guantanamo in 2009. I heard that on USMB. And you're telling us that he didn't get one photo of the guy? Or did he get the two you mentioned? It get's confusing here on USMB, I can't keep up with all of Obama's misdeeds.

Strange, isn't it? Wonder if the guy ever had a driver's license in some Middle East country which can be pulled up. Do they have high school yearsbooks over there with pictures?

 

[SmedlyButler]

He wields Terror at the apogee of its power. Good article here

It starts with this;

The video, set to sweetly lilting religious hymns, is chilling. Islamic militants are shown knocking on the door of a Sunni police major in the dead of night in an Iraqi city. When he answers, they blindfold and cuff him. Then they carve off his head with a knife in his own bedroom.

And ends with this.

In another horrifying scene, fighters abduct a Sahwa commander along with his two sons. They are forced to dig their own graves in the desert before their throats are slit.

"I advise whoever is with the Sahwa to repent and quit," the commander says to the camera. "Here I am digging my grave with my own hands ... They can get to anyone."

Application of this kind of Terror by a few can weaken, demoralize, paralize whole populations. It is, put simply, the most brutal form of propaganda imaginable. In this social media age it sometimes broadcast live to the whole world. Hopefully the World, especially the rest of the Islamic world will not sit back in apathy and fear and let this cauldren of terror boil over. The Iraqi State, Turkey, the Kurds, and (curses) Iran should be able to obliterate ISIS. And we should say "go ahead". And offer lots of moral support and maybe a few drones and cruise missiles. If worst comes to worst though what the hell are "we" going to do about the Green Zone with it's 17,000+/- people?

 

[SmedlyButler]

Interesting piece about the head of ISIS.

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups

Abu Bakr Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains a mystery even to his followersISIS leader is threatening to rewrite map of the Middle EastHe is regarded as one of the most powerful militants in the world, a former Islamist preacher who evolved into a global jihad warrior now threatening to rewrite the map of the Middle East.
Yet Abu Bakr Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains largely a mystery, even to his followers.

Unlike with such iconic figures as Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri, only two photos are known to exist of Baghdadi, showing a trim-bearded man with thick eyebrows. Baghdadi, whose fighters have seized large swaths of territory in both Syria and Iraq, releases only audio messages. Even when he meets with ISIS commanders, Baghdadi is said not to reveal himself.

Continue reading at:

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups*-*Los Angeles Times

I thought Obama released the Leader of Isis from Guantanamo in 2009. I heard that on USMB. And you're telling us that he didn't get one photo of the guy? Or did he get the two you mentioned? It get's confusing here on USMB, I can't keep up with all of Obama's misdeeds.

Strange, isn't it? Wonder if the guy ever had a driver's license in some Middle East country which can be pulled up. Do they have high school yearsbooks over there with pictures?

His mom kept a scrapbook? Sheesh. Now I'm not sure who's kidding who. See what I mean about USMB confusion?

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Interesting piece about the head of ISIS.

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups

Abu Bakr Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains a mystery even to his followersISIS leader is threatening to rewrite map of the Middle EastHe is regarded as one of the most powerful militants in the world, a former Islamist preacher who evolved into a global jihad warrior now threatening to rewrite the map of the Middle East.
Yet Abu Bakr Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains largely a mystery, even to his followers.

Unlike with such iconic figures as Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri, only two photos are known to exist of Baghdadi, showing a trim-bearded man with thick eyebrows. Baghdadi, whose fighters have seized large swaths of territory in both Syria and Iraq, releases only audio messages. Even when he meets with ISIS commanders, Baghdadi is said not to reveal himself.

Continue reading at:

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups*-*Los Angeles Times

I thought Obama released the Leader of Isis from Guantanamo in 2009. I heard that on USMB. And you're telling us that he didn't get one photo of the guy? Or did he get the two you mentioned? It get's confusing here on USMB, I can't keep up with all of Obama's misdeeds.

right because you're too busy wearing out your Obama Kneepads

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[Sally]

I thought Obama released the Leader of Isis from Guantanamo in 2009. I heard that on USMB. And you're telling us that he didn't get one photo of the guy? Or did he get the two you mentioned? It get's confusing here on USMB, I can't keep up with all of Obama's misdeeds.

Strange, isn't it? Wonder if the guy ever had a driver's license in some Middle East country which can be pulled up. Do they have high school yearsbooks over there with pictures?

His mom kept a scrapbook? Sheesh. Now I'm not sure who's kidding who. See what I mean about USMB confusion?

Sorry for the confusion. I was just kidding.

 

[Sally]

He wields Terror at the apogee of its power. Good article here

It starts with this;

The video, set to sweetly lilting religious hymns, is chilling. Islamic militants are shown knocking on the door of a Sunni police major in the dead of night in an Iraqi city. When he answers, they blindfold and cuff him. Then they carve off his head with a knife in his own bedroom.

And ends with this.

In another horrifying scene, fighters abduct a Sahwa commander along with his two sons. They are forced to dig their own graves in the desert before their throats are slit.

"I advise whoever is with the Sahwa to repent and quit," the commander says to the camera. "Here I am digging my grave with my own hands ... They can get to anyone."

Application of this kind of Terror by a few can weaken, demoralize, paralize whole populations. It is, put simply, the most brutal form of propaganda imaginable. In this social media age it sometimes broadcast live to the whole world. Hopefully the World, especially the rest of the Islamic world will not sit back in apathy and fear and let this cauldren of terror boil over. The Iraqi State, Turkey, the Kurds, and (curses) Iran should be able to obliterate ISIS. And we should say "go ahead". And offer lots of moral support and maybe a few drones and cruise missiles. If worst comes to worst though what the hell are "we" going to do about the Green Zone with it's 17,000+/- people?

We know these videos are meant to terrorize the people. Isn't there some way to stop them from appearing on the Internet? Meanwhile, I was just reading this article...

Iraqi leader threatens deserters with execution amid militant blitz

Iraqi leader threatens deserters with execution amid militant blitz*-*Los Angeles Times

 

[SmedlyButler]

Strange, isn't it? Wonder if the guy ever had a driver's license in some Middle East country which can be pulled up. Do they have high school yearsbooks over there with pictures?

His mom kept a scrapbook? Sheesh. Now I'm not sure who's kidding who. See what I mean about USMB confusion?

Sorry for the confusion. I was just kidding.

I was hoping I wouldn't have to put you on the list.

 

[SmedlyButler]

He wields Terror at the apogee of its power. Good article here

It starts with this;

The video, set to sweetly lilting religious hymns, is chilling. Islamic militants are shown knocking on the door of a Sunni police major in the dead of night in an Iraqi city. When he answers, they blindfold and cuff him. Then they carve off his head with a knife in his own bedroom.

And ends with this.

In another horrifying scene, fighters abduct a Sahwa commander along with his two sons. They are forced to dig their own graves in the desert before their throats are slit.

"I advise whoever is with the Sahwa to repent and quit," the commander says to the camera. "Here I am digging my grave with my own hands ... They can get to anyone."

Application of this kind of Terror by a few can weaken, demoralize, paralize whole populations. It is, put simply, the most brutal form of propaganda imaginable. In this social media age it sometimes broadcast live to the whole world. Hopefully the World, especially the rest of the Islamic world will not sit back in apathy and fear and let this cauldren of terror boil over. The Iraqi State, Turkey, the Kurds, and (curses) Iran should be able to obliterate ISIS. And we should say "go ahead". And offer lots of moral support and maybe a few drones and cruise missiles. If worst comes to worst though what the hell are "we" going to do about the Green Zone with it's 17,000+/- people?

We know these videos are meant to terrorize the people. Isn't there some way to stop them from appearing on the Internet? Meanwhile, I was just reading this article...

Iraqi leader threatens deserters with execution amid militant blitz

Iraqi leader threatens deserters with execution amid militant blitz*-*Los Angeles Times

Maliki will have to shoot some Generals too. Apparently they were the first to high-tail.
And while he's at it he should shoot himself, the corrupt bastard is a big part of the problem.

 

[SmedlyButler]

Interesting piece about the head of ISIS.

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups

Abu Bakr Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains a mystery even to his followersISIS leader is threatening to rewrite map of the Middle EastHe is regarded as one of the most powerful militants in the world, a former Islamist preacher who evolved into a global jihad warrior now threatening to rewrite the map of the Middle East.
Yet Abu Bakr Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, remains largely a mystery, even to his followers.

Unlike with such iconic figures as Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri, only two photos are known to exist of Baghdadi, showing a trim-bearded man with thick eyebrows. Baghdadi, whose fighters have seized large swaths of territory in both Syria and Iraq, releases only audio messages. Even when he meets with ISIS commanders, Baghdadi is said not to reveal himself.

Continue reading at:

Abu Bakr Baghdadi's reach shows power of regional militant groups*-*Los Angeles Times

I thought Obama released the Leader of Isis from Guantanamo in 2009. I heard that on USMB. And you're telling us that he didn't get one photo of the guy? Or did he get the two you mentioned? It get's confusing here on USMB, I can't keep up with all of Obama's misdeeds.

right because you're too busy wearing out your Obama Kneepads

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

That line is getting old Frank, try a little originality sometime.

 

[waltky]

Granny says, "Dat's right - it's dey's country, is `bout time dey fight dey's own war...

THOUSANDS OF IRAQI MEN ANSWER URGENT CALL TO ARMS
Jun 14,`14 -- Thousands of Shiites from Baghdad and across southern Iraq answered an urgent call to arms Saturday, joining security forces to fight the Islamic militants who have captured large swaths of territory north of the capital and now imperil a city with a much-revered religious shrine.

The mobilization, urged by the nation's top Shiite cleric, took on a sectarian dimension that threatened to intensify Sunni-Shiite strife in a nation already ripped by religious fervor after the militants' battlefield successes. In Baghdad, fallout from the stunning advance in the north was beginning to affect daily life for the city's 7 million inhabitants. Some food prices rose dramatically. Army troops went house-to-house searching for militants and weapons in neighborhoods close to vital government installations. The streets of the capital were quieter than usual, and military and police checkpoints made extra efforts to check cars and passenger IDs.

The price hikes were partly the result of transportation disruptions on the main road linking the capital with provinces to the north, but they might also be a telltale sign of a nervous city. "We were not prepared for this sudden spike in the prices of foodstuff, vegetables and fuel," said Yasser Abbas, a government employee from Baghdad's sprawling eastern Sadr City district. "I do not know how the poor people in Baghdad will manage their life in the coming days. God be with them until this crisis is over because hunger is as dangerous as bullets."

In the meantime, dozens of men climbed into the back of army trucks at volunteer centers, chanting Shiite religious slogans, hoisting assault rifles and pledging to join the nation's beleaguered security forces to battle the Sunni militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. "By God's will, we will be victorious." said one volunteer, Ali Saleh Aziz. "We will not be stopped by the ISIL or any other terrorists." The volunteers were first taken to an assembly center in eastern Baghdad, where they were handed military uniforms, and later went to Taji, home of Iraq's largest military base north of Baghdad, to undergo basic training. State-run television aired footage of the volunteers being drilled, still in their civilian clothes.

The mobilization unfolded against a backdrop of religious and nationalist fervor. State-run television aired a constant flow of nationalist songs, clips of soldiers marching or singing, as well as interviews with troops vowing to crush the militants. Other broadcasts included archival clips of the nation's top Shiite clerics and aerial shots of Shiite shrines. Shiite cleric and political leader Ammar al-Hakim was shown on television networks donning camouflaged military fatigues as he spoke to volunteers from his party, although he still wore his clerical black turban that designates him as a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

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See also:

AP ANALYSIS: TURMOIL BLURRING MIDEAST BORDERS
Jun 14,`14 -- Working in secret, European diplomats drew up the borders that have defined the Middle East's nations for nearly a century - but now civil war, sectarian bloodshed and leadership failures threaten to rip that map apart.

In the decades since independence, Arab governments have held these constructs together, in part by imposing an autocratic hand, despite the sometimes combustible mix of peoples within their borders. But recent history - particularly the three years of Arab Spring turmoil, has unleashed old allegiances and hatreds that run deep and cross borders. The animosity between Shiites and Sunnis, the rival branches of Islam, may be deepest of all. The unrest is redefining Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Libya - nations born after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Already quasi-states are forming.

For the al-Qaida breakaway group that overran parts of Iraq this week, the border between that country and Syria, where it is also fighting, may as well not even be there. The group, known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, wants to establish a Shariah-ruled mini-state bridging both countries, in effect uniting a Sunni heartland across the center of the Mideast. Other potential de facto states are easy to see on the horizon. A Kurdish one in northern Iraq - and perhaps another in northeast Syria. A rump Syrian state based around Damascus, neighboring cities and the Mediterranean coast, the heartland of President Bashar Assad's minority Alawite sect. A Shiite-dominated Iraq truncated to Baghdad and points south.

Fawaz Gerges, a professor at the London School of Economics, sees an ongoing, violent process to reshape government systems that have been unable to address sectarian and ethnic differences and provide for their publics. "The current order is in tatters," he said. "More and more and more people are coming to realize that the system as it is organized, as it is structured, is imploding." The new frontiers, backed solely by force of arms, may never be formally recognized - it's not easy to actually create a new country - but given the weakness of central authority that may not make much of a difference. The Islamic State's campaign is helped by Sunni discontent with Assad's Alawite-dominated Syrian government and the Shiite-led government in Iraq, two states whose borders were drawn by Britain and France after World War I.

The militants' capture of Iraq's cities of Mosul and Tikrit makes their dream of a new Islamic state look more realistic. It already controlled a swath of eastern Syria along the Euphrates River, with a spottier presence extending further west nearly to Aleppo, Syria's largest city. In Raqqa, the biggest city it holds in Syria, it imposes taxes, rebuilds bridges and enforces the law - its strict version of Shariah. Historically, Raqqa and Mosul and the surrounding areas that make up Northern Mesopotamia - a region known as the Jazira - have had more in common with each other than they did with distant Southern Mesopotamia centered on Baghdad and Basra. The desert wadi routes that the Islamic State uses to smuggle its weapons, fighters and money back and forth across the border are the same trade routes established five millennia ago when the first cities arose in the Upper Tigris and Euphrates valleys. And the Islamic State is not the only group with ambitions.

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