The terrorists need to give us a better breakdown of their numbers because I was wondering how many of these deaths were self-inflicted:
The new leader of al-Qaida in Iraq said in an audio message posted on a Web site Thursday that more than 4,000 foreign insurgent fighters have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. It was believed to be the first major statement from insurgents in Iraq about their losses.
“The blood has been spilled in Iraq of more than 4,000 foreigners who came to fight,” said the man, who identified himself as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir – also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri – the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq. The voice could not be independently identified.
Oh, and as an added bonus, this brilliant military strategist said this:
“The field of jihad (holy war) can satisfy your scientific ambitions, and the large American bases (in Iraq) are good places to test your unconventional weapons, whether biological or dirty, as they call them,” said the speaker.
Why in the world would they want to make the Middle East unlivable by contaminating it with nuclear fallout? And why would they want to run the risk of a slow, painful death for their fighters? Does he actually think that the fallout would be contained?
(Link via Drudge Report)
And here is more from the religion of peace:
Al-Muhajir also called on jihadists to take foreigners hostage during Ramadan so they can be used as bargaining tools to win the release of Egyptian cleric Omar Abdel Rahman, who is jailed in the United States on charges linked to the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Violence during their “holy” month? Why yes, here is how they celebrate it in Brussels:
Youths threw stones at passing people and cars, windows of parked cars were smashed, bus shelters were demolished, cars were set ablaze, a youth club was arsoned and a shop was looted. Two molotov cocktails were thrown into St.Peter’s hospital, one of the main hospitals of central Brussels.
(Links via Michelle Malkin)
And in Iraq:
The bodies of 40 men who been tortured were found in the capital in a span of 24 hours, police said Thursday. Bombings and shootings killed at least 21 people in and around Baghdad, including five people who died from a car-bomb explosion near a restaurant.
Thirty-four people were wounded in the bombing. Many of them had serious burns, and some were not expected to survive, police Lt. Ali Mohsen said at the Kindi Hospital.
Although the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan is under way, some Iraqis – including Christians – are not abstaining from eating meals during daytime hours.
Hey Rosie, how many stories of kidnapping and rioting do you hear about at Christmas time? How about Easter?
Updated to add: I decided to look up on the Internet how this month is supposed to be observed and found this:
Eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and smoking are not allowed between dawn (fajr), and sunset (maghrib). During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, angry and sarcastic retorts, refrain from gambling and betting and gossip. Sexual intercourse during fasting in the day is not allowed but is permissable after the fast. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast brings on a comfortable feeling of peace and calm.
I know that this is Wikipedia and therefore suspect, but how do you observe Ramadan and kill people at the same time? How does that bring you closer to God? Where are the Muslims who respect their religion and are outraged that a time of reflection and putting aside the things of the world is being perverted? They have effectively been silenced, who would want to risk attack?