IRAQ AND AL QAEDA

James Joyner · Tuesday, January 13, 2004 · 4 Comments

As U.S. forces in Iraq faced hostile fire in the air and on the ground, raids in northern Iraq yielded several members of the Al Qaeda terror network, military sources told Fox News.

Military officials could not immediately say how many suspected terrorists were detained but they said the Al Qaeda members were seized during raids by the 101st Airborne division in Mosul.

The obvious question is whether they were in Iraq before the war started or were drawn there by it.

(Hat tip: Michele at Command Post)

FILED UNDER: Iraq Conflict

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About James Joyner
James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. Follow James on Twitter.

Comments

BigFire says:

Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at 11:51

Most likely drawn there. Though we did do a number on an al Quaeda affiliated group in Northern Iraq during and after the major conflict period.

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James Joyner says:

Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at 11:52

My guess as well.

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Jem says:

Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at 13:06

Either way, I’d rather we face them there than do it here…and the fact that we’re nabbing these guys suggests we’re having at least some success in getting Iraqis to see helping us as preferable to helping the Islamists.

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melvin toast says:

Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at 23:47

Pardon me for my lack of intelligence but what difference does it make? They’re Al Qaeda and we nabbed em. If they were there before, then invasion was necessary to get em. If they weren’t there before, then by invading we created a roach motel that attracts Al Qaeda.

Help me out here!

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