Iraqi security forces round up homeless to thwart new terror tactic
posted at 2:32 pm on February 19, 2008 by Bryan
Apparently using mentally impaired women to unwittingly carry bombs wasn’t quite low enough for the terrorists in Iraq. Iraqi security forces are now trying to head off the next gambit: Homeless bombers.
The Iraqi Interior Ministry has ordered police to round up beggars, vagabonds and mentally disabled people from the streets of Baghdad to prevent them from being used by insurgents as suicide bombers, a spokesman said Tuesday.
The decision came after a series of suicide attacks, including two female bombers who struck pet markets in Baghdad on Feb. 1, killing nearly 100 people. Iraqi and U.S. officials have said the women were mentally disabled and apparently unwitting bombers.
The people detained in the Baghdad sweep will be handed over to governmental institutions that can provide shelter and care for them, Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf said.
“This will be implemented nationwide starting today,” Khalaf told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.
“Militant groups, like al-Qaeda in Iraq, have started exploiting these people in a very bad manner to kill innocents because they do not raise suspicions,” Khalaf said. “These groups are either luring those who are desperate for money to help them in their attacks or making use of their poor mental condition to use them as suicide bombers.”
There are a lot of homeless and displaced people in Baghdad. Most of them aren’t vagabonds as we think of them; they have been displaced by pre-war economics or strife, or by factors associated with the war itself. The displaced population has long made for a potential tenderbox that the Iraqi government hasn’t done enough to take care of.
That al Qaeda would come up with this strategy of using mentally impaired people and street beggars speaks both to the group’s total depravity and to its desperation. Martyrdom operations are supposed to be a quick, sure ticket to paradise stocked with virgins. It must be hard out there for a suicide bomber recruiter if they can’t find any more willing killers.
Blowback
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I noticed that Al Qaeda’s leadership has never been quick to get its virgins.
Funny before they were offering money. Now they are snatching people. I read that they are also kidnapping young Children to raise as Jihadist or eventually to be bomb victims sadly.
William Amos on February 19, 2008 at 2:35 PM
I am sure US homeless activists will express outrage…NOT
RobCon on February 19, 2008 at 2:38 PM
That is why this threat needs to be eliminated from the face of the planet. It is also why we should be discussing about the expansion of operations instead of surrender like messiah or Glacier. You know, the Democrats really are a death cult, right?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 19, 2008 at 2:39 PM
So with two bombs Al qaeda has caused a massive upheaval in the social order of Iraq. What is going to happen when this mass roundup starts? Choas. For those liberals that think Al qaeda’s is not a threat this should send alarm bells off. how long until al Qaeda recruits someone with BDS or a Truther? How long until someone like OBH’s wife who has never bee proud of her country is pulled from the herd by the wolves of Al Qaeda and used to commit mass mayhem in the USA?
And then what do we do? round up the homeless? Yeah the ACLU will have a field day.
unseen on February 19, 2008 at 2:43 PM
If the bombing leads to virgins and paradise, why don’t the recruiters go themselves? The homeless people end up with the virgins, while Ahmed spends his time looking for toilet paper down here?
With any luck, something will start to smell funny a while (no pun intended) for their supporters.
amerpundit on February 19, 2008 at 2:43 PM
They already do which is why we see them snatching people who cant fight back
William Amos on February 19, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Does Silky know about this? And he thought we mistreated OUR homeless…
Tim Zank on February 19, 2008 at 2:45 PM
I personally have no use for people who make decisions on “feeling” instead of FACTS. They are dangerous to themselves and everyone around them!
abinitioadinfinitum on February 19, 2008 at 2:45 PM
AQI’s last gasp?
labrat on February 19, 2008 at 2:45 PM
My (only slightly related) question is: Why did we stop this policy in America? Mental institutions used to have thousands of patients. Now they only have a few hundred. Where did the rest go? Out on the streets, presumed to be cured by a society that thinks these problems are killed, not exacerbated, by pills.
Imagine if our NIU culprit and Cho Seung Hui were in the institutions where they should have been and being cared for instead of out on college campuses where negligent administrators let them slip through the cracks.
BKennedy on February 19, 2008 at 2:46 PM
No Dr. The Democrats are not a death cult, Islam is a death cult, the Democrats are just plain insane. The Democrats insanity can be cured all that is required is the correct therapy (and possibly a daily dose of clozapine), Islam on the other hand needs something far more intrusive than therapy, something on the order of aggressive radiation and or chemotherapy.
doriangrey on February 19, 2008 at 2:46 PM
I think it’s time to reassess a strike on Mecca.
Anyone?
emailnuevo on February 19, 2008 at 2:46 PM
abinitioadinfinitum on February 19, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Yes but the dems have seen to it that FACTS and FEELINGS are no longer clear cut and easy to tell which is which.
unseen on February 19, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I really hope someone is going to be monitoring what is done with the people swept up. We’ve seen this sorta thing before, and it doesn’t always turn out very well for “beggars, vagabonds and mentally disabled people”.
DMeNTe on February 19, 2008 at 2:48 PM
DMeNTe on February 19, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Just another reason to not become a democrat. then you have less chance of becoming a beggar,vagabond, or mentally disabled.
unseen on February 19, 2008 at 2:49 PM
The War on Terror, especially in Iraq, should be the Democrats’ number one cause – Muslims hate abortion, women’s rights, gays, prey on the feeble and mentally retarded, and now apparently want to kill the homeless.
But they refuse!
P.S. Make sure that Dead Kennedys CDs don’t ship to Iraq. Lord knows they don’t need any more ideas.
emailnuevo on February 19, 2008 at 2:49 PM
That suggestion is a very fast ticket to bansville here at HotAir. Show a little caution in future posts if you would like to continue to post here.
doriangrey on February 19, 2008 at 2:50 PM
doriangrey on February 19, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Yeah that and revolution from within are two topics that beta males refuse to allow on the board.
unseen on February 19, 2008 at 2:51 PM
I think they have a name for that, it’s called Political Correctness or liberal fascism or just plain old stupidity. :)
abinitioadinfinitum on February 19, 2008 at 2:52 PM
abinitioadinfinitum on February 19, 2008 at 2:52 PM
I call it being full on beta. I think if Bush would have got up on 9/12/01 and told the islamic world that one more attack on the USA homeland would be met with the total destruction of Mecca and Medina we would never had to worry about Islamists terrorist hitting our shores again. But that is just my view.
unseen on February 19, 2008 at 2:55 PM
I only advocated a strike on Mecca if the US is nuked by Islamic radicals. A WARNING is another thing however.
But no reason to talk about this while Al Qaeda is running and dying and losing the WOT.
William Amos on February 19, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Maybe it’s because I’m somewhat ignorant of the HotAir hierarchy, but can you do that? It wasn’t intended to make HotAir posters look like fascists, it was an actual military proposal. If I’d gotten complaints from Bryan/AP/Robert Spencer/Michelle Malkin (does she comment?), I’d understand, but since I didn’t, I don’t know on what grounds you can threaten me with a ban. [This is where people who know HA rules should say "yeah, he can do that," or "no, he can't do that."]
P.S. To abinitioadinfinitum – Greta Garbo’s incredible.
emailnuevo on February 19, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Islam has been attacking the west since before Thomas Jefferson had the first Koran translated into English and I’m afraid they will continue to do so as long as there is one copy of the Koran on this earth.
abinitioadinfinitum on February 19, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Yes she is but did you scroll down to see Grace Kelly?
abinitioadinfinitum on February 19, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Not really, these people in America are rounded up and paid to vote for the demacrats every 2 years. Just cause the demacrats use the same recruiting tactics as Al Qaeda doesn’t make them ……………
saiga on February 19, 2008 at 3:04 PM
As I am all for Mental Health for anyone… chemical or otherwise. The institutes coming back scare me.
There are losts of reasons I do and do not like Institutes such as this: Likes: 1. They protect the innocent 2. they do help the more violent type of people 3. those who are more prone to outbursts can and in some case medicated properly, can be functioning Humans in society.
Dislikes: 1. Tossing out those after insurance runs out 2. mistreatment of innocent ill people by the caretakers 3. more damage to those who really don’t understand, which costs more money.
Also there was some serious “problems” in institutes around the Nation, as I am sure you are aware. As I am also aware due to family members dieing in an institue due to misdiagnoses (which was common in the early to mid 20th century). Can you weigh the bad and the good here? And how do you help those in other countries not repeat the same problems?
upinak on February 19, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Michelle has posted a few times here. However she doesnt want her site taken out of context and used to slander her.
The Daily Kos and Huffpuf and other sites regularly have really vile offensive posts that are done by the moderators. Yet let one commentor say something bad on this site and Michelle and others here are painted as racist hate filled biggots by the left.
Its a game they play and the MSM enables. So we try not to let the left abuse the game by keeping things civil here.
William Amos on February 19, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Dorian wasn’t threatening…just giving you a heads up that some subjects can get touchy
Limerick on February 19, 2008 at 3:06 PM
abinitioadinfinitum on February 19, 2008 at 3:02 PM
they have been at war with jews and christians since their prophet rode out of the dessert and I’m sure they will continue. It is the way of life. But if they did continue at least if Bush made the threat when they went on their yearly pilgramage they would have picked up alittle radiation to take home.
unseen on February 19, 2008 at 3:06 PM
PS emailnuevo That was the fist warning I got from AP when He let me in. He said NO NUKE Mecca comments. No kidding.
abinitioadinfinitum on February 19, 2008 at 3:07 PM
BTw here is an example. Glen Greenwald is using a commentor on another site to smear Michelle.
Salon
William Amos on February 19, 2008 at 3:09 PM
I’m not threatening you or anyone else, I am attempting to warn you that Allahpundit frequently bans people who make that suggestion regardless of the context in which they make it. Oh and yes Michelle does post here quite often. If you haven’t heard had a complaint from Bryan Allah or Michell, that only means they haven’t seen your comment yet. (Oh and Robert Spencer is a contributor here, not administrative staff)
doriangrey on February 19, 2008 at 3:11 PM
I thought of that in the interim and, if it’s really considered all that offensive (I didn’t think it was, and still don’t), my apologies to her (and the rest) if it’s used for slanderous purposes and/or to badmouth HA.
As for civility, I didn’t think it was that bad, but I concede it could be used to paint MM/HA in a negative light, and people have gotten excited for a lot less.
Nonetheless, it’s their site, so if the rules are no comments like my previous, then it’s no comments like my previous.
emailnuevo on February 19, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Stephen Walker, why you always pickin on my daily dose of clozapine? Thats my best Med. :)
abinitioadinfinitum on February 19, 2008 at 3:21 PM
I did not find your remarks lacking in civility, nor can I honestly admit that I do not share your opinion. That aside HotAir is a moderated community and there are certain phrases that simply are not tolerated here. My warning was not intended to be critical or demeaning of you, but exactly what I said, a warning.
I very much enjoy the comments made by almost every person who comments here and would not particularly enjoy seeing anyone banned because they said something they unfortunately were unaware was unacceptable here.
In other words I am not out to get you or repress any thoughts or feeling you may wish to express, quite the contrary in fact. As shall we say an older member of the HotAir community I am attempting to help you learn the ropes here so that you can continue to be a frequently heard voice of reason.
doriangrey on February 19, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Blame it on the bullheadedness of youth, but I read the comments as demeaning and suppressive; usually, the kind of person who hangs out on HotAir is not disposed to such things, but (being bullheaded) I jumped to conclusions anyway.
Apologies for the implication of censorship, and thanks for the tip.
emailnuevo on February 19, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Hey man, I ain’t picking on clozapine, I think all democrats should be required to have a daily dose. I’m singing its praises every time I come in contact with a democrat… ;P
doriangrey on February 19, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Not a problem… :)
doriangrey on February 19, 2008 at 3:31 PM
We newer posters appreciate all the help we get!
Les in NC on February 19, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Thank God for that. Maybe, just maybe, this really does mean they are winding down. I sure hope so.
kcd on February 19, 2008 at 4:37 PM
this is a new low even for these cowards.
jdsmith0021 on February 19, 2008 at 5:20 PM
The irony behind wishes for the destruction of Islamic holy sites dove tails nicely into the current general low level insanity of the planet.
Wahhabists would like nothing better than to have Mecca turned into a public toilt as they have already done to the tomb of the alleged prophet Muhammed’s mother.
Wahhabists view any Muslim attachment to places or monuments as a blasphemy. Countless Islamic historic places in Saudi Arabia have been bulldozed or severely downgraded in the last decades.
If you really want to humiliate Islam, take the place over and sell bobble head Mo dolls made in Israel to Swedish tourists.
BL@KBIRD on February 19, 2008 at 5:48 PM
cant poop without an e in your toilet.
BL@KBIRD on February 19, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Thank god we’re going to have a Commander in Chief with a “short fuse”. The only thing these people understand is the barrel of a gun.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 19, 2008 at 6:00 PM
No. Muslims should be deported from the West en masse and isolated completely. Yes the 9/11 hijackers attacked with aeroplanes but they hijacked said aeroplanes within America.
This view is often frowned upon (its a bannable offense on a different blog which shall remain nameless). The fact that it is more frowned upon than the option of nuclear war tells you everything you need to know about the liberal ideology: inclusiveness is more important than the lives of millions of people.
aengus on February 19, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Whoops, messed up the italics.
aengus on February 19, 2008 at 6:41 PM
That’s true, I forgot that.
aengus on February 19, 2008 at 6:43 PM
Nuke Mordor?
Sure it’ll piss Sauron off but the guy had it coming.
aengus on February 19, 2008 at 6:49 PM
It’s just getting harder and harder to find homicidal maniacs these days.
Mojave Mark on February 19, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Ah, but Mohammad (the lying murdering pedophile prophet of Islam) knows where to find them, they are roasting in hell with him even as you read this.
doriangrey on February 19, 2008 at 9:27 PM
A sick as this is at least it’s a sign they’re apparently running out of willing volunteers for jihad.
Yakko77 on February 19, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Will the NYT and CNN praise al Qaeda for employing the homeless as part of bringing social reforms to
CubaIraq? Check out their editorials tomorrow to see.andycanuck on February 20, 2008 at 12:45 AM