Informants Guide U.S. Troops In Baqouba

Exclusive: U.S. And Iraqi Forces Use New Tactic To Hunt Al Qaeda In Former Stronghold

(CBS)  This is what can happen to you when you try and help U.S. soldiers in Iraq: You may be led away blindfolded with your hands bound, as one man was.

But it was for his own protection.

He is an informant. Only minutes before he was working with the U.S. soldiers, pointing out al Qaeda's houses, CBS News chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan reports exclusively.

Why is he taking this chance? Because, he says, al Qaeda burnt down his house and killed his brother.

"They blew up houses and arrested people for no reason. They want to make the Americans leave so they can occupy Iraq," he said through a translator.

Al Qaeda was in charge here until 10 days ago, when U.S. and Iraqi soldiers came to liberate the city. If you smoked in public, if you mixed the wrong kind of vegetables on your vegetable cart, you got beaten, tortured or worse.

Col. Steve Townsend says locals told them it was in this square that al Qaeda publicly executed well over 100 people.

"We found an al Qaeda torture house with torture implements in it. We found three al Qaeda aid stations equipped to varying degrees, one pretty sophisticated with oxygen and defibrillators and stuff like that," he said. "So I don't think we've had a lack of contact; what we have had is a heavy lack of fighting."

That has not meant a lack of danger for Townsend's soldiers. One controlled detonation failed to blow up an IED buried deep underground. So they tried again.

With more explosives, the earth erupted, shattering glass and knocking out power. It was one of 15 roadside bombs the soldiers found in an area the size of one U.S. city block.

Finding the culprits is not easy. Wires were traced to this empty house from which IEDs could be triggered across the city. But the family just across the road insisted they knew nothing about the men living there — a familiar tale.

Townsend's Iraqi counterpart compelled the father to swear on the Quran as he grew more and more distressed during the interrogation.

In the end, the soldiers believed him and keep moving through the city. Desperate families approached to find out if it's safe to return to their homes. But that still depends on how long U.S. soldiers are there to keep al Qaeda out.

[feelfree1]

More unsubstantiated 'al-Qaeda-in-Iraq' hype from Ms. Logan. She seems to have a one-track mind, and a strong appetite for fiction.

It is the people of Iraq that our forces are killing and attacking, and the people of Iraq have every right to defend themselves, period.

[fredgrad2000]

"More unsubstantiated 'al-Qaeda-in-Iraq' hype from Ms. Logan. She seems to have a one-track mind, and a strong appetite for fiction.

It is the people of Iraq that our forces are killing and attacking, and the people of Iraq have every right to defend themselves, period."
Posted by FeelFree1

Yep....all an illusion - you're a genius!!! Thank you for cutting through all the smoke and bringing us the "truth". Only an idiot doesn't realize that both Iran and Al Qaeda have strong strategic reasons (based on their own warped ideologies) for being in Iraq, killing our troops, and ensuring this regime change does not succeed in replacing a tyranny with a strong Muslim (and worse for Iran, Shiite Muslim) democracy. To ignite and foment a civil war that prevents any American victory long enough to ensure we write our won defeat in the halls of Congress and in the media was their strategy - Al Qaeda wants the propaganda victory and the ability to maintain safe havens in the Sunni areas, especially near the Syrian border; Iran wants to ensure its people don't have a REAL Shiite Muslim democracy next door to inspire it to throw out the terrorist mullahs; and even more important they don't want a victorious, battle-hardened US force next door; free to end its actions as the Central Bank of Terror in the World and its pursuit of nukes. To not KNOW they'd of course be in Iraq trying to make things rough is to not understand those two groups at all and to be unbelievably naive.

[toolmangler-2009]

Ok CBS. You blabbed your yap and got a bunch of Sheiks killed for 'helping' us. Keep it up and you'll tell Al Qeada where they can find all of our informants. And you wonder why we can't win anything, look in the mirror,
sssshhhheeeeeeeeeeessssshhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

[toolmangler-2009]

It is the people of Iraq that our forces are killing and attacking, and the people of Iraq have every right to defend themselves, period.
Posted by FeelFree1 at 08:36 PM : Jun 28, 2007

If We stay, the world comdemns us, jihaddist attack us Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and others kill Iraqis (in the guise of freeing them from the grip of foreign invaders.) If we leave, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and others will massacre the Iraqis (in the guise of stopping the civil war) and take control of the nation while the world condemns US for having left the country defensless with so many enemies nearby. So with that in mind since we are going to be blamed in any situation, maybe we should move our troops to the borders, send every B52 we have to carpet bomb the entire country that our troops won't be in danger any more and take over everything and seal the borders like we should have sealed our own. Then the oil is ours, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and others will not want to try us on any more... (sounds good to me.... any takers?) ;)

[toldyouso21]

Could be he is really helping or could be... he strings them along with a few minor victories then allows them to be ambushed in a trap. Probably what happened to that early morning convoy where the 5 were killed and the 3 were taken, with one never found. Nobody could blame the informant for that one since he also was killed...but who is to say he was not a suicide informant who knew he would die that morning but also knew the Americans would trust him and follow him into a trap. We better tread carefully here. These people play games that the average American may not decipher or see the ramifications or cards for --for years. We should never forget the the Fremen in Frank Herbert's "Dune" series were based on these people and others in the region.

Games within games, and Americans do not even know who is on their side, because though Al Qaeda may have indeed killed this informant's brother--Iraqis know that it was America's invasion that allowed Al Qaeda to be there in the first place. They do believe in root cause analysis--which is why they say things like "the friend of my enemy is my enemy" Don't be a sucker, America--peel that onion and see the layers--don't always think because of what you are shown on top--that is what IS.

[toldyouso21]

Then the oil is ours, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and others will not want to try us on any more... (sounds good to me.... any takers?) ;)
Posted by ToolMangler at 10:51 PM : Jun 28, 2007


Sounds like mass murder of a people who initially had done nothing to us. Forget it. We don't need to add genocide to our torture, illegal invasion, occupation, money wasting, WP bombing and concentration camp portfolio. We also don't need to confirm that all we were there for was the oil and everything else was just a lie and a scam.

[cbs_oliver]

I still don't buy it. Previous reports indicated that Al Qaeda was not a significant factor in Iraq.

After a long period of Lara Logan and other journalists going stone cold silent about US soldiers killing anyone, suddenly they are killing people all over the place and all the people they kill everywhere are Al Qaeda.

Furthermore Lara has an "exclusive" from a informer who testifies that Al Qaeda is ruling the area and that his reading of their minds tells him "They want to make the Americans leave so they can occupy Iraq."

Somehow this track record does not seem like journalism.

Something else maybe.

[pwrslm]

Those folks over there doing this want you to "not believe it".....thats why they are a success by manipulating our minds into believing lies and rhetoric.

[cbs_oliver]

I see that mind reading is also a talent here in America.

I never trust any report or opinion that includes mind reading.

[cbs_oliver]

I remember that some of the head guys in Al Qaeda have been reported to say that they want America to stay engaged in Iraq not to leave Iraq.

The informant seems uninformed. :)

[feelfree1]

ToolMangler,

If you are looking for a flower-throwing, street-dancing finish to the criminal Bush League debacle in Iraq, I think that you are in for a major disappointment.

How much more blood-treasure-dignity shall we donate to the effort?

[feelfree1]

CBS_Oliver,

Informative, yet amusing.

Well done!

[mh4cbs1]

More CBS garbage journalism. Sounds like it was written by a third grader.

There was no Al Qaeda in Iraq 5 years ago. Now CBS and Lara Logan want us to believe that they are the main enemy - pure propaganda spoon fed from the White House. Listen to Bush rant and rave:

"Al Qaida is the main enemy for Shia, Sunni and Kurds alike," Bush asserted. In a major speech at the Naval War College he referred to al Qaida at least 27 times, calculated to use lingering outrage over the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

U.S. military and intelligence officials, however, say that Iraqis with ties to al Qaida are only a small fraction of the threat to American troops. The group known as al Qaida in Iraq didn't exist before the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, didn't pledge its loyalty to al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden until October 2004 and isn't controlled by bin Laden or his top aides.

BUSH LIES and LIES and LIES and LIES... It never stops. JAIL the SOB for LYING us into this DISASTER WAR.

[smirk5]

So Cons, Republicans are slowly distancing themselves from Bush's Iraq policy. When the rats jump off the ship en masse out of fear of the 2008 elections, will you admit they never really had the stomach to face Al-Qaeda to begin with? After all, if one can't stand on principle up to the 2008 elections, how can they stand firm to defeat Al-Qaeda?

[smirk5]

pwrslm,

How do you find all the time to post while fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq?

[rhs648]

So Cons, Republicans are slowly distancing themselves from Bush's Iraq policy. When the rats jump off the ship en masse out of fear of the 2008 elections, will you admit they never really had the stomach to face Al-Qaeda to begin with? After all, if one can't stand on principle up to the 2008 elections, how can they stand firm to defeat Al-Qaeda?

Posted by Smirk5

They are politicians. Politicians stick-up their finger to see which way the wind is blowing. The democrats found that opposing the war in Irag is popular with many people. Many of those politicians who voted to support the war are now against it. Why should republican politicians be any different?

[smirk5]

Actually, more Democrats were against the war when it was unpopular than the Republicans. Nearly all of the Republicans were for it before they were against it. It looks like the Repubs depended more on the political winds than the Democrats.

[smirk5]

In the house, 126 Democrats voted against the war.
Only 6 Republicans voted against it.

In the Senate, 21 Democrats voted against the war.
Only 1 Republican voted against it.

Who's starting to do the most flip-flopping here?

Obviously, it's the Republicans.

If the Republicans can't stand on their convictions, how can they stand against Al-Qaeda?

[rhs648]

Sounds like mass murder of a people who initially had done nothing to us. Forget it. We don't need to add genocide to our torture, illegal invasion, occupation, money wasting, WP bombing and concentration camp portfolio. We also don't need to confirm that all we were there for was the oil and everything else was just a lie and a scam.

Posted by toldyouso21

Let Al Qaeda, the Iranians, and other terrorist groups have Iraq. That way, genocide, torture, and murder will be acceptable. Many people see these people as the underdog thus justifying their actions. Some of us may not care what happens to the Iraqis, therfore it may be in our interest to let the chips fall where they may. To many people, Arabs shedding Arab blood or Muslims shedding Muslim blood is ok as long as Americans are not involved.

[smirk5]

It is sad that Bush didn't stick hard to Afghanistan to finish that job properly and to go after Bin Laden. Putting Bin Laden's head on a stick would have done much more to fight terror than creating and training thousands of extra terrorists in Iraq. Instead, Bush pursued the "create more enemies" strategy in Iraq and we see the results every day.

[rhs648]

Actually, more Democrats were against the war when it was unpopular than the Republicans. Nearly all of the Republicans were for it before they were against it. It looks like the Repubs depended more on the political winds than the Democrats.

Posted by Smirk5

They are all politicians. Holding onto their power is more important than "doing the peoples work." Why give the democrats more credit when both democrats and republicans put themselves before the people first and foremost?

[smirk5]

Excuse me.
Look at the facts I posted. More Dems were against the war when the war was POPULAR with the people.

The Repubs supported it when it was popular.

Now that the war is unpopular, who's doing most of the switching?

The Republicans.

[smirk5]

BAGHDAD - Five U.S. soldiers were killed and seven wounded in an attack on their combat patrol in southern Baghdad, the U.S. military said Friday.

The complex attack Thursday began with a roadside bomb, the military said in a statement. Small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades followed shortly after the blast, it said.

All seven wounded soldiers were evacuated to a military hospital, and one has since returned to duty, the military said.

More U.S. soldiers dead on Bush's losing gamble.

[iceman_1960]

"Informants Guide U.S. Troops In Baqouba. Exclusive: U.S. And Iraqi Forces Use New Tactic To Hunt Al Qaeda In Former Stronghold"

Well, so much for the favorite BIG LIE of the radical right, that "the media never reports positive developments in Iraq."

[smirk5]

Things you don't hear Bush saying anymore:

"Freedom's on the march"

"Victory"

[drummer94]

Well, that's one brave soul. If Iraqi's really want to save their country from the big bad wol, er, Alkida, they need a million brave souls. And the guy who lived across the street from where the wires led? Yea, he's innocent alright. NOT!

[panhandlpete]

I question how the US soldiers and the Iraquis could determine IF this informant was being truthful or just wanted someone to kill those who had hurt him. This would have been a perfect time to put a gun in his hand and see if he was "macho" enough to do his own revenge. We have wasted 19 BILLION DOLLARS trying to train the untrainable, and the ones who did learn must have taken up with the insurgency(no longer used) or Al Qaeda.

THIS IS A CIVIL WAR. It is not the fight of the American soldiers....how long will these degenerate leaders prolong it and how many more young men and women must die FOR OIL, EGOS, and MONEY?

[gigantus2]

Seems like you simpletons have what you wanted...a U.S. loss. Yes, you rooted for our failure and you have it. Now, ya'll clean it up, as you contributed to it. Your hatred is unprecedented. Puzzling. Sad. Catastrophic for all of us.

[gigantus2]

The truth hurts, doesn't it?

[drummer94]

The "truth" is loony-toon fvcked up and now all his support is crumbling down around him like a house of cards. Meanwhile 3600 have paid the ultimate price and thousands more will never be the same. If you still want to win (what will you win again giant?) blouse-up your boots and ship out.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 12:46 AM : Jun 29, 2007



Sounds like mass murder of a people who initially had done nothing to us
Posted by toldyouso21 at 11:09 PM : Jun 28, 2007

You still don't get it do you feely1? or you either toldyouso21. That is the same thing that is happening right now except it's not the US thats doing it. We kill as defense, they kill as offense. Look around and think with the mind of a fanatic (unless thats what you are already doing). It will be clear just as soon as we leave.
besides both of you know me better than that.

[dfv21102]

June29, 2007-06-30
Dear Ms. Logan:

I really hope you get to read this. It's a thousand-to-one chance, but here it is:

You are a journalist. You are doing exactly what you are supposed to do. If war, poverty, child abuse are dirty, so be it. You are there to capture the things that you see, not things the way you see them. Yes, people are tired of war scenes and atrocities, only because they are afraid of becoming immune to the dark side of humanity. Perspective...perspective is probably the only thing that matters in this world. Without it, we cannot function with others. With it, we can change things. It is sometimes necessary for people to scream out repeatedly to people who have been numbed with bloodshed. It doesn't help to "balance" the news with "feel good" stories. I know. Read the below link about my brush with becoming a "Duplessis Orphan", undoubtedly THE biggest child abuse scandal in history, involving not 24, but 7000 orphans.

I wish you well, Ms. Logan. You're there, I'm here.

And I depend upon you.

Thank you so much.

Dan Vojir
http://thedevilanddanvojir.blogspot.com

[prinzowhales]

Nice way to reward an informant--keep his face uncovered in an area where he could be under observation by opposing forces and blow his cover in a CBS story...of course, 'al Qaeda' doesn't read CBS...they release much of their news releases from their London offices...probably somewhere in the Ministry of Defense.

Its just like 'al Qaeda' being stumped by Bush's 13 miles of border fence on our southern border..."we cannot penetrate the defenses of the Great Satan...let us be content to wage jihad so as to regulate the vegetables in the Baqouba market," one high-ranking 'al Qaeda' was reported to have said by an informant. Just another sorry chapter in the Stupid People's War.