Score: Imad Mughniyeh killed by car bomb; Update: Revenge for Hariri? Update: Israeli M.O.?
posted at 8:34 am on February 13, 2008 by Allahpundit
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
His rap sheet, which includes the 1983 Marine barracks bombing and the 1985 TWA hijacking, speaks for itself. So legendary a figure is he that the CIA was worried last year about him organizing a Shiite jihadi offensive against U.S. troops in Iraq in case we bombed Iran. Newsweek’s Iranian source laughed that off by claiming he was old news and hadn’t been involved in any major Hezbollah operations in a decade, which is plausible given the CIA’s level of competence but not so plausible given Mossad’s, which also wanted him dead.
The site of the bombing: Damascus. Did the Israelis finally get him or did he outlive his usefulness to Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah? Stand by for updates.
Update: The problem with weighing a fish this big and mysterious is that you can plausibly link him to anything. He’s been pulling off major operations and avoiding the world’s best intelligence services for years. The JPost article names him as Hezbollah’s number two, and why not? Another JPost article says he co-founded the group and ties him to Al Qaeda:
He also apparently had strong ties with Al Qaida and according to the testimony of Ali Mohammed, a senior Al Qaida operative who was arrested for involvement in the attacks on American embassies in Africa, Mughniyeh met with Bin Laden in Sudan in 1993. Hizbullah, Mohammed said, provided explosives training for Al-Qaida fighters. This relationship and the fact that Mughniyeh was Hizbullah’s liaison to Al Qaida, has led western intelligence agencies to raise the possibility that he was also involved in the 9/11 attacks.
Reminds me of Khaled Sheikh Mohammed’s Gitmo confession, where he confessed to everything under the sun. How do you tell true from false about a guy who has been involved in almost everything under the sun?
Update: More from that JPost piece. Big fish: “In January 2006, Mughniyeh is believed to have traveled with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Damascus for a meeting with Nasrallah, Hamas leader Khaled Mashal and Islamic Jihad chief Ramadan Salah.”
Update: Former Mossad chief Danny Yatom celebrates:
Yatom called Mughniyah’s death a serious blow to Hezbollah, both in terms of morale and in terms of its operational capabilities, saying the assassination could only have been made possible by penetrating deep into the organization.
“Whoever can take him out can take out anyone in Hezbollah,” he said. “It will take Hezbollah a long time to find an heir.”
Update: Former CIA agent Robert Baer calls him the most capable operative chased by the agency during his time there, KGB included.
Update: For what little it’s worth, Debka says Mughniyeh was the liaison between Bin Laden and, er, Ayatollah Khamenei. And here’s the inside job theory:
While America and Israel come first to mind as responsible for Mughniyeh’s death, DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources note that a possible inside job is worth considering. Dissatisfied with his performance in the 2006 Lebanon War against Israel, Tehran deposed Hizballah’s secretary-general Hassan Nasralah as its supreme commander and replaced him with Mughniyeh.
Nasrallah was confined to political functions, while his successor was assigned the task of rehabilitating Hizballah militia forces and preparing them for the next war on Israel.
The dead terrorist may have set up his headquarters in Damascus under the protection of Syrian and Iranian security services because he did not feel safe in Lebanon. Penetrating these two security belts to slay the wanted man was undoubtedly an exceptional intelligence feat.
Update: Asharq al-Awsat is a Saudi paper so sprinkle any salt left over from the Debka piece on this. But if Mughniyeh was as operationally important as he appears to have been and if Iran is in fact using Hezbollah to train the Mahdi Army or its, ahem, “rogue members,” then needless to say this helps us out in Iraq, too.
In 2005, he was tasked with organizing relations between the different Shiaa armed factions in southern Iraq. Mughniyeh then became the field supervisor of the revolutionary guard’s intelligence bureau in the region. That same year, he traveled to Lebanon through Syria, accompanied by Iranian officials, under the name of Sayyid Mehdi Hashemi, an Iranian national with a diplomatic passport.
In early 2006, reports indicated Mughniyeh had been seen in the city of Basra, where he is alleged to have been facilitating the entry of Mehdi army fighters into Iran, to take part in military training. In April, Mughniyeh was said to have returned to Lebanon where he held senior positions in Hezbollah’s intelligence services and, according to Israeli sources, planned the operation to kidnap Israeli soldiers, based on orders from Iran’s revolutionary guards.
Follow the link for plenty more on his alleged Bin Laden connection.
Update: Rusty e-mails with a reminder that former Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri was killed by a car bomb three years ago tomorrow, making this a possible act of revenge. Could anti-Syrian elements pull off a hit this big, though? Everyone suspects Mossad mainly because they’re possibly the only ones with the skills and balls to do it.
Update: If not a friend of Osama, an inspiration:
Mughniyeh was not suspected of involvement in 9/11, but he was a role model for bin Laden, who used the 1983 Marine barracks bombing as a standard, CNN terrorism analyst Peter Bergen said.
“Because if you think about the attack, pretty much immediately afterward President Reagan ordered the United States out of Lebanon, and so that’s the model bin Laden wanted to implement everywhere — attack the United States in places like Yemen or in Kenya, or in Tanzania, or even the United States itself, and it will pull out of the Middle East,” Bergen said.
Update: Ynet has a photo of what was left of the car.
Update: Two nice catches by Roggio: The method here matches the Israeli method in taking out a Hamas operative in 2004, and the links between Hezbollah and AQ aren’t quite as tenuous as I suggested. They were mentioned in the 9/11 Commission Report, in fact.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: [1] 2 »
Another one bites the dust!
bloggless on February 13, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Dammit. They are dropping like flies before the Obamassiah can meet with them to dialog through their difficulties and soothe their anger.
funky chicken on February 13, 2008 at 8:55 AM
Show me the body parts.
Limerick on February 13, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Poor lil’ shaver. NOT!
HerrMorgenholz on February 13, 2008 at 8:57 AM
What’s weird is that no one is claiming responsibility for the assassination. Which makes me think that it was the CIA, or the CIA in conjunction with Mossad. Imagine the media bedlam and criticism it would garner the Bush Admin. and the CIA since they killed him rather than arrested him, brought him to the U.S. and had a trial in our courts…
Luckedout on February 13, 2008 at 8:57 AM
A terrorist killed by a car bomb. Gotta love the irony.
Bigfoot on February 13, 2008 at 9:01 AM
That song will be going through my head all day now, blogless!
NEXT…
Zorro on February 13, 2008 at 9:01 AM
I believe the ancients said “bring me his head”. Powerful proof of expiration.
Jaibones on February 13, 2008 at 9:06 AM
FYI, reports immediately after 911 pointed to Imad-NOT to Osama Bin Laden and AQ. Mossad stuck to that idea for a long time. Don’t know if they still think he was involved (perhaps in training musclemen or facilitating them?). Even if he wasn’t, the point is that he was so bad that they thought it was him.
scottm on February 13, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Good. Fuck him.
Its Tommy on February 13, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Imad? You won’t be seeing him no more.
BrianBoru on February 13, 2008 at 9:15 AM
This is huge. I just saw this on TV, and jumped for joy. We’ve been after this guy for years. Robert Stethem’s family must be feeling good today.
juliesa on February 13, 2008 at 9:18 AM
I’m crying Hillary tears for Mughniyeh
Mike Honcho on February 13, 2008 at 9:20 AM
If Hizbullah gave explosives training to Al-Quaeda, and Hizbullah is under the direct supply of Iran, doesn’t that mean that Iran has been an accessory to Al-Quaeda and should be pummled to dust?
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 13, 2008 at 9:29 AM
So long, asshole.
MT
Mistahtibbs on February 13, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Isreal doesn’t use car bombs for assasination. Not their thing unless they were intending for this episode to appear to be muslim of muslim violence.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 13, 2008 at 9:35 AM
What’s the weather? Room temperature, beyach!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 13, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Praise Allah, another one bites the dust. Surely they are running out of virgins?
nick on February 13, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Yeah. Lots of sloppy seconds. It’s not pretty….
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 13, 2008 at 9:41 AM
The Imad is Apple’s new version of a terrorist…they made it thinner by forcably removing optical devices and internal speakers, and separating all peripherals so you can take only as much Imad with you as you need.
James on February 13, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Clearly the Iranians topped him because he was working for Soros and McCain to murder Nahoul the Bee [pollen be upon him] using Polonium and so bring down the Islamic Republic.
andycanuck on February 13, 2008 at 9:46 AM
What is good for the goose must be good for the gander.
saiga on February 13, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
I need to laugh, and when the sun is out
I’ve got something I can laugh about
I feel good, in a special way
Mughniyeh went BOOM and it’s a sunny day
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Pablo on February 13, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Of course, The Mossad uses car bombs. They used a car bomb on Salameh. They poisoned chocolates. They blew up an end table in France. They shot someone outside an elevator in Germany. They invaded Beirut in a rubber dinghy and had two commandos dressed as women. If there is a way to get rid of someone, I suspect Mossad has used it….
And in about 10 to 15 years, the Mossad might actually admit to doing it.
mjk on February 13, 2008 at 10:22 AM
This is great news to start off the day. That’s a big hit.
Next!
CP on February 13, 2008 at 10:23 AM
“Munich” wasn’t entirely untrue. The methods used by Mossad are pretty well publicized. Too bad terrorists can’t predict which one will be used on them.
mjk on February 13, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Haha Pablo. Good one and great tune. Last time I was this happy over a terrorist death was when Al-Zarqawi was blown up! It’s a great day already!
Renwaa on February 13, 2008 at 10:26 AM
yes! we got him! GO IDF!!!
sko17 on February 13, 2008 at 10:28 AM
This one is one of my favorites. Can you hear me now?
Pablo on February 13, 2008 at 10:28 AM
What was the last thing that went through his mind? His a$$!!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 13, 2008 at 10:28 AM
It’s a good thing the US has representatives on the spot in Syria who can convey their condolences.
Shy Guy on February 13, 2008 at 10:30 AM
See ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya!
mattyj86 on February 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Burn baby, burn.
Geronimo on February 13, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I would like to think the our current administration sees what this country’s election is becoming and decided they had to act. Perhaps we hired someone to take him out. I just don’t know if we have the gut’s to actually kill our enemies anymore.
boomer on February 13, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I hope he did not have a real high deductible on the car.
AndrewsDad on February 13, 2008 at 10:50 AM
See 5th cartoon, down, to find out where he was spotted recently, very recently.
Entelechy on February 13, 2008 at 10:54 AM
We have been racking these turds up over the past few weeks.
Enjoy hell!
patriot2001 on February 13, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Mughniyeh - CHECK
Fadallah - PENDING
Nasrallah - PENDING
And this is just Hizbullah…
infidelpride on February 13, 2008 at 10:56 AM
mjk on February 13, 2008 at 10:22 AM
If Israel knows where you are to send a car bomb, why not use an airstrike which guarantees death? Hmmm
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 13, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Good link, and Debbie’s Carl in Jerusalem links are devastating. Wow!
RushBaby on February 13, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Minimal damage, THE CHOSEN ONE. They occasionally use surgical IAF strikes, but if they want to lessen the collateral damage, they send in a car bomb or poisoned chocolates or rigged cell phones or rigged end tables. Because contrary to popular belief, Israelis are not a bunch of gun wielding maniacs.
mjk on February 13, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Because he was in Damascus.
Pablo on February 13, 2008 at 11:12 AM
He was also indicted by the Argentinians for his role in the Jewish center bombings in 1994:
http://eastkurd.blog.co.uk/2006/11/10/argentina_calls_for_arrest_of_top_iran_o~1316955
Golden Boy on February 13, 2008 at 11:13 AM
That is one of the things that I think Reagan messed up on. We, imo, should not have pulled out of Lebanon… we should have bombed the #$%$ out of them.
Nineball on February 13, 2008 at 11:21 AM
I’m wondering if his funeral Thursday might provide some additional “targets of opportunity”, though they may all be in hiding now.
CP on February 13, 2008 at 11:22 AM
mjk on February 13, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Like I said, this was an attempt by Isreal to make it appear that this was a internal battle between factions.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 13, 2008 at 11:30 AM
mjk on February 13, 2008 at 11:11 AM
In today’s world of ordinance, you can fire a much more responsible weapon that a car bomb which is known for collateral damage. What are you talking about?
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 13, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Israel has a long history of using covert means to kill wanted terrorists. In the West Bank the most wanted bomb maker ever was killed by a miniature bomb implanted in his cell phone that went off when he answered the phone.
Worth noting that Israel has attempted to hit Imad previously, his brother was killed in Lebanon by such an attempt. Whomever did it, has my admiration!
But there’s little doubt in my mind that an air strike into Syria - Damascus yet.. at this time would probably have led to a war, even now the hezbollah response may result in a regional war - Israel’s northen borders are on the highest alert.
saus on February 13, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I suggest you read “Striking Back” by Aharon Klein or “Israel’s Secret Wars”. Any targeted bombs by the Mossad are freaking amazing. When they got Salameh with the car bomb in Beirut, I believe it only killed him and one of his bodyguards. When they blew up the end table, it only rattled the window glass and destroyed nothing else in the apartment in question. When they killed the people in Beirut in Operation Spring of Youth, that’s the only people they killed.
We are talking about the Mossad, my friend. Arguably the best intelligence agency in the world. They have pulled off some pretty crazy crap. I can guarantee that if they only want to kill one person, that is the only person who will die….
mjk on February 13, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Yeah.
In a Karma Ghia
drjohn on February 13, 2008 at 11:36 AM
saus on February 13, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Exactly, the Mossad doesn’t use these means unless they are trying to cause confusion and dissent amongst these different groups and factions.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 13, 2008 at 11:36 AM
This must be what Nancy meant by the road to Damascus is a road to peace
/sarc
It will need to be turned into a parking lot to bring peace.
clghitis on February 13, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Mmm. Poisoned chocolates. Doh!
/imam homer
andycanuck on February 13, 2008 at 11:47 AM
The nice thing about explosions are that they are the fast track for rendering useless Muslim jihadis into useful compost.
I hope their graves are being well marked, I’d like to go on a spitting tour some day.
BL@KBIRD on February 13, 2008 at 11:53 AM
BTW I think this is Imam here in this famous photo
TWA 847
William Amos on February 13, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Yes ABC confirms it was imad
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4282992&page=1
William Amos on February 13, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Imad can’t get back to you right now.
He’s SPREAD a little thin.
Karma, baby, Karma.
melkor on February 13, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Feed him to some pigs.
SouthernGent on February 13, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I love the smell of fried Jihadi in the morning. It smells like……JUSTICE.
Guardian on February 13, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I remember waking to the news of the Marine barracks in Lebanon.. without a shot being fired.. the loss of so many fine young men.
For that alone, who ever clocked him out .. Well Done!
Semper Fi
normsrevenge on February 13, 2008 at 12:46 PM
scottm on February 13, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Boo-yah!
Hope whoever pulled this off has a big cigar in their mouth
Defector01 on February 13, 2008 at 12:57 PM
My he and his mama sleep with the fleas of 1000 camels…
areseaoh on February 13, 2008 at 1:13 PM
The NY Times reports that in the 1990s, the US intelligence agencies located Mughineyah on an airplane on the tarmac in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government was asked to take him into custody but instead quickly spirited him out of Saudi Arabia. Interesting that James Baker, the first Bush’s secretary of state, was essentially a water boy for Saudi Arabia. When he became Secretary of State, Baker passed the word down the food chain at State that no criticism of Saudi Arabia would ever be allowed. Clinton followed the same pattern. The US military want to increase its perimeter at Khobar Towers to prevent an Al Quada suicide attack. A Saudi colonel said that would be an insult to Saudi sovereignty and the Clintons backed down. They were willing to lose about 20 US soldiers if it was the price of not having a disagreement with the Saudi royal family.
Larraby on February 13, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Thanks AP. I now know more about terrorism in the ME than any amount of MSM consumption has taught. I love all you bloggers out there!
Biffstir on February 13, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Allah,
Maybe this was already mentioned but I believe the 9/11 Commission said there was evidence Mugniyeh traveled with some of the 9/11 highjackers on the same plane into Iran?
Golden Boy on February 13, 2008 at 1:30 PM
But, but, he can’t be linked to Al-Qaeda! Al-Qaeda is just a myth created by the CIA! It’s true, I saw it on Youtube!
/idiot conspiracy whackjob
But seriously, good riddance to another terrorist scumbag. Long overdue.
ReubenJCogburn on February 13, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Yeah!!
Car………….$1,000
Bomb…………..$200
The look on that bastards face when he realizes its 72 VIRGINIANS…….Priceless
kcd on February 13, 2008 at 2:07 PM
I see Iran is having a hizzy fit.
From BBC seems only ONE person was killed in that bomb
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7242383.stm
Also video of this on BBC site
William Amos on February 13, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
georgealbert on February 13, 2008 at 2:17 PM
HEH!
Not a bad start. Now keep whacking this guys.
I wonder if it was this car?
Iblis on February 13, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Only you, Pablo. Too perfect.
Jaibones on February 13, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Eat that you scumsucking snaggle-toothed weird-beard. Remember the Marine Baracks in Lebanon? oh, and Semper Fi, you b*#ch.
ColdBore76 on February 13, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Hmm… maybe it wasn’t the Mossad that knocked him off after all. I’m not saying that Al Gore was responsible, but he was driving an SUV and not carpooling…
Hollowpoint on February 13, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Here’s something to consider.
Mugniyeh was the man responsible for creating and commanding hezbollah’s overseas sleeper cells. It’s been estimated that there may be over a hundred in the US alone. These sleeper cells comprise Iran’s primary deterrence against the military option. With the Mug out of the way, along with the accompaning confusion and recriminations in Tehran and Damascus, these cells may no longer represent such a great threat. Additionally, by whacking their CO someone may be sending the message that “we have found and neutralized the head guy, we know where you are too.”
It may be time to drop a bunker buster down that damn well and send the 12th Imam to hell where he belongs.
Reactors may follow.
lonesomecharlie on February 13, 2008 at 3:30 PM
No doubt it was the Mossad and thank god for the Israelis. The US, in particular the hand wringers at foggy bottom, are too quick to write off the loss of US soldiers and civillians blown apart by these savages in favor of dialogue and civility.
manfriend on February 13, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Salud, porkchop.
*********
When I was a wee thing in 1986 and the Marine Barracks bombing was still an open wound, I had a Jesuit priest friend who was EXCOMMUNICATED for preaching to us college kids about Muslim extremism from the pulpit. DEFROCKED. BOOTED.
He was NOT BEING ANTI-MILITARY, but merely trying to warn all the young skulls full of mush at The Citadel what they would face in the “next great war”, and the Diocese canned him for speaking the truth.
One of those cadets became a Marine Officer, is still my friend, and we speak of that wise priest (Father Leo) who connected our dots for us. The Marine is on his FIFTH tour in Iraq fighting these filthy bastards and the priest died years ago, penniless and shunned by the Catholic church for daring to put a face to evil.
Such is the world we live in.
seejanemom on February 13, 2008 at 4:27 PM
BTW I went to Jazeera’s Arabic site to see what they ahd to say about this. Keep in mind the translator isnt all that great but you can get most of the message.
——————–
Al jazeera Arabic
William Amos on February 13, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Is he soup yet?
I suppose it’s too much to ask, too much to hope, that our CIA pulled this off. Just wishing, ya know.
Tantor on February 13, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Rest in pieces.
myamphibian on February 13, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Talk about a target-rich-environment.
Guardian on February 13, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Whoo Hoo!!!!
Definitely Mossad.
labrat on February 13, 2008 at 7:40 PM
I heard he suffered the wrath of R. Lee Ermey ’cause he “owed him one jelly donut.”
Let the bodies hit the floor….
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 13, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Tsva Haganah L’Ysrael!!!
Great job guys!
Mooseman on February 13, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Just thought I’d tweak that a bit.
Midas on February 13, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Israeli my ass. He was well protected. He was killed by the people that protected him.
jdun on February 13, 2008 at 10:43 PM
About fricken time.
oakpack on February 13, 2008 at 11:13 PM
I don’t know how to feel about this… BRB, I have to see what Oprah thinks.
Claypigeon on February 14, 2008 at 12:07 AM
From Debbie Schlussel:
Our friends, the Saudis.
Shy Guy on February 14, 2008 at 12:21 AM
He’s probably enjoying those 72 virgin male yaks about now……or rather they are enjoying him……
Yeah, if I were in Hezbollah I’d be thinking: 1. use mass transit and not the company car and; 2. type up the two week notice.
Bubba Redneck on February 14, 2008 at 1:36 AM
Comment pages: [1] 2 »