Al-Qaida numbers at 18,000

[BEER980]

Just a reminder that they are out there. I would guess that 18,000 is a low number.

May 25, 2004

Al-Qaida has more than 18,000 potential fighters at large, think tank warns

By BARRY RENFREW

LONDON (AP) - Despite losses around the world, al-Qaida has more than 18,000 potential terrorists, and its ranks are growing because of the conflict in Iraq, a think tank warned Tuesday. Al-Qaida still has a functioning leadership despite the death or capture of key figures, and estimates suggest al-Qaida operates in more than 60 countries around the world, the International Institute of Strategic Studies said in its Strategic Survey 2003-4.

The terrorist group poses a growing threat to western interests and attacks are likely to increase, the institute said. "Al-Qaida must be expected to keep trying to develop more promising plans for terrorist operations in North America and Europe, potentially involving weapons of mass destruction," institute director John Chipman told a news conference to launch the annual survey. At the same time, it will continue carrying out attacks on "soft targets encompassing Americans, Europeans and Israelis and aiding the insurgency in Iraq," he added.

The estimate of 18,000 fighters was based on intelligence estimates that al-Qaida trained at least 20,000 fighters in its training camps in Afghanistan before the United States and its allies ousted the Taliban administration. In the ensuing war on terror, some 2,000 al-Qaida fighters have been killed or captured, the study said. The United States remains al-Qaida's prime target, the report said. An al-Qaida leader has said four million Americans will have to be killed "as a prerequisite to any Islamic victory," it added.

Iraq has become the new magnet of al-Qaida's war against the United States and up to 1,000 foreign Islamic fighters have infiltrated Iraqi territory, where they are co-operating with Iraqi forces, the institute claimed. Al-Qaida appears to have successfully reconstituted its operations in dispersed groups and through local allies since being driven out of Afghanistan, it added.

"The Madrid bombings in March 2004 suggested that al-Qaida had fully reconstituted, set its sights firmly on the U.S. and its closest western allies in Europe, and established a new and effective modus operandi," it said. Meanwhile, the U.S.-led war in Iraq has increased the risk to western interests in Arab countries. The West and its allies must continue to mount a major offensive against al-Qaida and progress will be incremental, the report said.

And any security offensive against al-Qaida must be accompanied with political developments, such as the democratization of Iraq and the resolution of conflict in Israel, it said. Progress against al-Qaida "is likely to accelerate only with currently elusive political developments that would broadly depress recruitment and motivation," the report said.

Source

[streetsoldier]

For every active terrorist, there have to be several others who house and feed him, provide transport, clothing, bogus papers, alibis, etc.

Add these "fellow travelers", or simply sympathizers, into the total, and the number increases dramatically.

If anyone is having a problem with my characterization of this as "World War III", think again.

[azsnowman]

For every active terrorist, there have to be several others who house and feed him, provide transport, clothing, bogus papers, alibis, etc.

Add these "fellow travelers", or simply sympathizers, into the total, and the number increases dramatically.

If anyone is having a problem with my characterization of this as "World War III", think again.

You musta read this months Good News Magazine huh? Indeed, this IS the beginning of WWIII, don't believe us? Read your bible


Yeah, I'm SURE there are more than 18,000 bassturds out there waiting to attack at a moments notice but ya know what? Why worry, there's NUTHIN' we can do about it......well, there is too, make sure your "Ticket is PUNCHED and don't be late, the train departs on TIME!"

Dennis

[BEER980]

I don't think they seem to grasp the 4G warfare situation let alone WWIII. China and Russia behind the scenes so they say.

[streetsoldier]

I don't get it, BEER980...I can perceive it plainly, and not from Scriptural warnings (although they do seem to have some validity).

I CAN see how Russia and China might have a "hand in it", under the international radar...with North Korea acting as their "front" state.

It is clear that the Muslim Wahhabi terrorists don't have the hardware or technical expertise, but Russia and China DO...and are more than willing to sell or donate such things to gain a certain degree of satisfaction.

I.E., THEY couldn't topple the West, so they are more than willing to let Muslim "proxies" do the dirty work FOR them, while on the surface appearing "blameless".

[stormchazer]

Okay they have 18000 terrorist and their numbers are swelling, but later in the article it states they were thought to have 20000 before the Afghan War. It goes on to state we have killed or captured 2000. By my calculations, 18000 is smaller then 20000. So how are their ranks swelling?

[CaluWxBill]

This is one of the oddest issues for me to combat is how the scriptures can predict the future, and if they can what does it mean. What I am confused about is that the scriptures which are so widely known, and quite strongly followed can have its own self-fulfilling prophecies on the actions and outcomes of the present and future, but then when such a revelation may come true, were the scriptures right, or were they self-fulfilled by those who believe. I know I am just rambling but it is a wierd circumstance. I guess if the outcomes have already been decided then one must live as always would have, but knowledge itself of the revelations seems to damage its credibily.

Just another confused poster.

[BEER980]

stormchazer they get new members all the time. They are also trying to bring in more western looking members to blend in. They have a growing training camp presence in South and Central America as well as Africa. There is still plenty of will and money on their side. Also some other terrorist organizations have merged with AQ or pledged to fight against us using their own methods. There are plenty of cells here in the CONUS.