READER COMMENTS

The terrorist al-Qaeda is behind the failing robbery operations which are conducted from time to time against Iraqi banks. After the videotaped confessions of the leaders who were arrested lately, al-Qaeda is suffering a big financial problem, which is leading to its collapse and its inability to carry out any terrorist act or recruit new members. Indeed, the lack of funds is a major problem that is facing al-Qaeda nowadays, after the security forces have prevented any foreign support from reaching this organization, by taking control of the Iraqi borders. Indeed, the confessions have made it clear that directives came from the organization’s leadership in Afghanistan, which stated that the members of al-Qaeda in Iraq must rely on themselves to provide funds, through attacks and robbing banks and jewelry shops. As far as I am concerned, the security forces must increase the guards at Iraqi banks and gold markets, so as to prevent terrorists from obtaining any profits from these operations.

We have witnessed many times terrorists dressed in Iraqi military uniforms attacking several areas for several reasons. First, it facilitates their task to conduct their crimes easily, as this will give them a “laissez-passer” at checkpoints. Since they are disguised in military uniforms, the Security Forces mistake them for their colleagues. Today, however, the Security Forces have started to investigate every suspected person, despite his putting on a military uniform. Second, it facilitates their moving from one city to another. Moreover, terrorists aim to sow dissension between people and the Security Forces. Formerly, terrorists used to kidnap officers at the Ministries’ gates, as they were putting on military uniforms and driving police-like cars.

Terrorist operations have become doomed to fail, thanks to God and to the Iraqi police forces, which are adequately deployed everywhere. Terrorists failed in reaching and targeting the Central Bank. Unfortunately, every terrorist operation claims the lives of innocent people. The bank operation left over eighteen martyrs, including innocent ordinary persons and bank clerks who had committed no sin for which they should be killed, in addition to wounded persons. This is the price of freedom, this is the cost of change in Iraq, so that Iraqis can later enjoy freedom and democracy.

It's another shameful terrorist crime. Of late, terrorists tried to storm the Central Bank to get money. That was certainly their objective. As is well known, terrorism is in a critical period, as it is suffering from an implosion among its members and from a financial crisis. Therefore, it has recently planned and carried out operations aimed to get money in any way. In fact, terrorists want to get money, whatever the cost. First, they targeted merchants; then they turned to gold stores where they conducted many planned holdups. The recent operation targeted the Central Bank, because they were in dire need of money, as Iraq has stopped all their financing that they used to get.