Islamic State of Iraq Gives Advice on Infiltration Routes into Iraq

From the Jamestown Foundation.

In the last issue of Terrorism Focus (February 20), we examined the attempt by Iraq’s Islamist insurgents to recruit trained professionals for jihad in Iraq. In this follow-up, we examine the use of jihadist internet forums to present would-be jihadis with safe routes to infiltrate into Iraq (al-ekhlaas.net, January 28). Maps, orthophotos and other materials are included on the website. The orthophotos are aerial photographs that have had normal photographic distortions removed while being geometrically corrected for use as highly accurate maps.

A few items are interesting about these route postings:

1. All three routes end in Mosul. This jihadist forum supports the contention that Al Qaeda has been flushed out of all other areas and Mosul is their the last safe haven.

2. The forum discusses expenses incurred by jihadists coming to Iraq. I find this situation interesting in that Al Qaeda is not paying for jihadist to come to Iraq. Does this show that Al Qaeda in Iraq is short of funding?

3. Finally, the fact that Al Qaeda in Iraq is posting transit routes on an open internet forum may show how needy they are for recruits in Iraq.

All these facts taken together show just how desperate the situation in Iraq has become for Al Qaeda.

For a full read, click here.