Dubbed the "Shi'ite Zarqawi" by some media who compare his taste for violence to that of the late Sunni al Qaeda leader in Iraq, Abu Deraa said such labels did not bother him: "We all know that the media who call me this name themselves created Zarqawi and the media are a mouthpiece for the occupation."
"Have you ever seen me slaughter people like the criminals? Have you ever seen me make car bombs and place them in markets?" he said. "Have you ever seen me forcing families from their homes..? You have seen me resisting the occupier.
"If someone who resists the occupation is a terrorist, then use whatever name you like -- God is watching from on high."
Thursday November 16,2005
http://today.reuters.com
Abu Deraa "Father Shield" from fish market worker to Public Enemy Number One. Surrounded by death, three of his sons captured, another lost his hand in a raid.
The reason I call attention to this particular article is because of the undertone.
In fact, the US presence on the ground is the ONLY cause for such a broad insurgency. Here we have a local fishmonger joining the fray.
Certainly, Al Anbar will be a hotbed for foreign fighters who will clash with what ever remnants the US decides to leave by in its so called "non-permanent" bases.
In Baghdad, I believe and I ask you Kos folks to weigh in, that by leaving we reduce the tension in the neighborhoods and we force the Iraqi's to deal with internal strife. While for at least an interim period we maintain 3-5 launching points for rapid reaction force support.
We need a plan. I look forward to THE plan.