[Dean's World] Dave Schuler: Special Report: Iraqi bloggers react to Zarqawi's death

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Posted by Dave Schuler:
Special Report:  Iraqi bloggers react to Zarqawi's death
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1149773110.shtml


   Iraqi bloggers have begun to react to the news of the [1]death of Abu
   Musab al-Zarqawi, the leading terrorist operating in Iraq, in an
   airstrike today.

   [2]Hammorabi

     The attack was first by the US forces with an air strike to a
     selected target where they cockroaches were hiding in. On the same
     time and in the ground were the Iraqi forces making an advance
     towards the target and securing the area before and afterward.

     Zarqawi without doubts went into the bottom of the Hell with blood
     of many innocent children, women and men in his dirty hands.

     There were celebrations going on now in the holly city of Najaf and
     Kerbala. On the other hands there are sadness and shock among his
     allies in the region and abroad like Al-Jazeera Qatari TV and other
     Arab pro-terrorists thugs.

   [3]Iraq the Model

     Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has just announced the death
     of terror leader Abu Musa'ab al-Zarqawi in a joint press conference
     with Ambassador Khalil Zad.

     Al-Maliki explained that Zarqawi (and 7 of his aides) was killed in
     an air raid in the little town of Hibhib 8 km north of Baquba after
     receiving tips from residents in the area.

     General Casey says more details on the operation will be available
     in a briefing at 3 pm local time. General Casey mentioned that
     Zarqawi's identity was confirmed through his fingerprints.

     CONGRATULATIONS TO IRAQ, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WHOLE WORLD ON THIS
     VICTORY.

   Thoughts from Baghdad

     How do I feel about that? Or more importantly, how does my Iraqi
     family feel about this?
     Iraqis have been suffering for decades now, going from war to war
     to war to sanctions to war (Iraq-Iran War, Kuwaiti invasion, Gulf
     War '91, sanctions, invasion). They are tired. They want to move
     on. They are not happy that their country has been invaded, and
     much less so that the situation has only deteriorated after this
     invasion in terms of security and peace.

     Zarqawi and his operatives added to this mess. Perhaps they meant
     to fight the occupation, but their fight did not discriminate
     between Iraqi and non-Iraqi, occupier and occupied. Their roadside
     bombs, car bombs, mortars, etc killed more Iraqis than they did
     Americans. Their kidnappings and public beheadings hurt the image
     of Islam in the West.

     I can safely say that most Iraqis are happy, even ecstatic, with
     this news, but skeptical. Zarqawi was not a lone worker. He had a
     following, and they can continue their work without him. Iraqis
     will remain wary in their daily life, and aware that anything can
     happen. In fact, I would not be surprised if his followers decided
     to prove a point tomorrow and in the coming days, with some major
     bombings.

   [4]Thought Riot

     The first thing that occured to me at hearing the news was "A much
     needed victory, huh?". It is indeed a much needed victory for a
     Prime Minister who's status wasn't as he would have liked it to be.
     Also a much more needed victory for the Coalition Forces that
     haven't been achieving much since capturing Saddam Hussein which I
     believe was act IV, iv.

     For some reason, I never believed he existed, I have seen a couple
     photographs and all of that, but in the other hand, nothing is
     easier for a government than to frame some people. And to all
     governments he's been an ideal scapegoat when it comes to
     justifying failures. But the thing is, if he's for real and has got
     followers, shouldn't we be more afraid now? If he existed and had
     followers, they're most likely to be outraged and planning to make
     everybody suffer for a payback. If he doesn't exist, which is more
     like the truth to me, then his death won't make any difference for
     real. Now the our government as well as "other governments" will
     start looking pretty bad when they can't blame it all on terrorism
     and on "The Godfather of secterian killings and terror in Iraq"
     because they've announced him dead. Well it's two-way thing,
     they've announced him dead to appear good, just not for long
     enough.

   [5]Truth About Iraqis

     From what I am gathering from Iraqi news reports and western media
     sources, this was a joint Iraqi-US operation.

     In Iraq, Information was received that Zarqawi and up to eight of
     his aides/disciples were in a house in a small village just north
     of Baquba, a total of about 60kms north of Baghdad.

     A drone confirmed that Zarqawi was indeed at the location. Still no
     final confirmation if hellfire missiles were used, but US
     helicopter gunships were apparently heavily used.

     Seven of Zarqawi's aides are reported to have been killed. One is
     reported to have been captured.

     Iraqi sources are saying that Zarqawi did not die in the bombing of
     the house but succumbed to his wounds later. More information will
     come out about this for sure.

     Foreign terrorism in Iraq - or at least a part of it - can now be
     buried. I doubt other Arab infilitrators seeking to divide Shia and
     Sunni brothers will remain.

     Hunted down and killed or will flee.

   [6]Where Date Palms Grow

     Prime Minister Announces the Death of Zarqawi!!!
     999 left to go, at least its a begining, i have never been more
     happier than when they caught the Rat in the hole!

   I'll update this post as more reaction becomes available.

   Cross-posted to [7]The Glittering Eye.

References

   1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/08/AR2006060800114.html
   2. http://hammorabi.blogspot.com/2006/06/breaking-news-al-zarqawi-killed-prime.html
   3. http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/2006/06/zarqawi-killed.html
   4. http://thought-riot.blogspot.com/2006/06/legend-of-phoenix-resurrection.html
   5. http://truth-about-iraqis.blogspot.com/2006/06/fingerprints-and-facial-identification.html
   6. http://citycalledhell.blogspot.com/2006/06/bastard-is-dead.html
   7. http://theglitteringeye.com/?p=2059