Baghdad church hostage drama ends in bloodbath

It seems as some have said, this may have been a heist that had gone terribly wrong? Or it could have been an attack with a clear notion of assaulting the Christian minority?

Survivors describe deadly attack on Baghdad church

Witnesses and authorities provided the following account of the attack:

The gunmen drove up to the church by way of a quiet street where, according to residents, authorities in recent days had removed cement barriers to open the way to traffic. The assailants, dressed in khaki pants and armed with AK-47 assault rifles, grenades and suicide vests, parked a gray Dodge sport-utility vehicle near the rear of the church.

When they began tossing bags across a seven-foot wall that rings the church, guards at a nearby branch of the Baghdad stock exchange became alarmed. A gunfight broke out, leaving two exchange guards dead.

The attackers detonated explosives that were in the vehicle, making nearby windows crack.

A second blast thundered near the rear door of the church, ramming it open. Some officials said a grenade caused the explosion, while others suggested the trigger was a suicide vest.

Moreover, it is known that insurgent elements gain the necessary funds to carry out their reign of terror, through thefts, heists, kidnapping, and extortion. Former US Commander in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, spoke last July about a perceived funding crunch affecting the insurgency and how they resort to criminality to fill the gap.

General Odierno: Al Qaeda in Iraq faces serious financial crunch

I think bank robberies and other things are a sign that the funding has been cut,” he said. Odierno, in some of the first detailed comments on AQI's operations, said extortion fees from truck drivers and other parts of the oil distribution network had provided a major part of the organization's revenue, along with payments from major companies such as cellphone carriers.

Articles have mentioned that the assailants were near a branch of the Iraqi Stock Exchange before finding and barricading themselves in the church. This attack may of had the origins of being one for financial gain? After the botch robbery attempt, the group found the church as the only place available for safe-haven as authorities pursued. That is only speculation of one possible motive for the initial attack.

Moreover, it seems that this attack may have conducted by insurgents of foreign origin?

Survivors describe deadly attack on Baghdad church

investigators had found at the scene three Yemeni and two Egyptian passports thought to have belonged to the suicide bombers. If confirmed, the finding would be alarming to U.S. and Iraqi officials because they say al-Qaeda in Iraq has struggled to recruit foreign fighters in recent years.

What we can be sure of is that a massacre indeed took place. The Iraqi Security Forces tried to dislodge the pocket of resistance, and ultimately in the chaos that ensued; scores of hostages were killed as US military helicopters circled overhead. What is unclear, is if this was an attack for monetary gain first and foremost, or if it was an attack to kill members of the Christian minority? It was a massacre, people killed, families destroyed, and another reason why a culture with a long and vibrant history in Iraq can either tough it out or emigrate elsewhere. The Jews have long been gone, and now the Christian culture of Iraq may soon be departing as well? A group of people can only take so much persecution and death, before the only option is to raise stakes and move on.

Originally posted by Jakes51
This attack may of had the origins of being one for financial gain? After the botch robbery attempt,

The articles I read, concerning the assault on the stock exchange building, led me to believe it to be an assault on a symbol of Iraq's struggling free society, rather than a robbery. This version seems to be more aligned with Al-Qaeda tactics and goals, historically.

reply to post by WTFover


Yeah, you are probably correct. More dueling religions, and ratcheting up sectarian paranoia. It seems akin to Al Qaeda in Iraq's previous marching orders. Still, with that being said and this latest attack being so close to the stock exchange, I mentioned that article about Al Qaeda facing a funding shortfall and how the insurgent group may be resorting to organized crime to keep itself going as possible motive or angle to this attack? Keep in mind, the article is from July and was an analysis of the situation at the time by recently departed US General, Ray Odierno. The situation is constantly changing, and is on its way to becoming the pressure cooker of old. Thanks for the analysis and clarification.

Originally posted by Jakes51
reply to post by WTFover

 

I mentioned that article about Al Qaeda facing a funding shortfall and how the insurgent group may be resorting to organized crime to keep itself going as possible motive or angle to this attack?

That makes perfect sense, especially if we are to believe their funding from the opium trade is being hampered in Afghanistan.

It seems, though, the discrepancies in this story will probably not be sorted out.

Originally posted by WTFover

Originally posted by Jakes51
reply to post by WTFover

 

I mentioned that article about Al Qaeda facing a funding shortfall and how the insurgent group may be resorting to organized crime to keep itself going as possible motive or angle to this attack?

That makes perfect sense, especially if we are to believe their funding from the opium trade is being hampered in Afghanistan.

It seems, though, the discrepancies in this story will probably not be sorted out.

The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan might as well be the dark side of the moon or an episode of the Twilight Zone. Nothing seems to make sense in both conflicts. Mysteries abound and there is intrigue around every corner. As for discrepancies this story and others are fraught with them. Chances are this story will fall by the wayside as so many have since the US withdrawal of combat troops. Trillions of dollars flushed down the rat hole, scores of service members and civilians killed, third world conditions persist, and both countries are being run by corrupt governments. Perhaps, people are like mushrooms, feed them crap and keep them in the dark?