LA Times: Few Foreign Fighters In Iraq; Most Are From Saudi Arabia
Los Angeles Times Correspondent Ned Parker, writing from U.S.-occupied Baghdad, Iraq, has a report in the July 15, 2007, edition of Latimes.com that says:
Although Bush administration officials have frequently lashed out at Syria and Iran, accusing it of helping insurgents and militias here, the largest number of foreign fighters and suicide bombers in Iraq come from a third neighbor, Saudi Arabia, according to a senior U.S. military officer and Iraqi lawmakers.Parker, whose article is sure to add to the growing call in the U.S. and the public to pull out of Iraq, added:About 45% of all foreign militants targeting U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians and security forces are from Saudi Arabia; 15% are from Syria and Lebanon; and 10% are from North Africa, according to official U.S. military figures made available to The Times by the senior officer. Nearly half of the 135 foreigners in U.S. detention facilities in Iraq are Saudis, he said.
Fighters from Saudi Arabia are thought to have carried out more suicide bombings than those of any other nationality, said the senior U.S. officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the subject's sensitivity. It is apparently the first time a U.S. official has given such a breakdown on the role played by Saudi nationals in Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgency.The U.S. does not keep figures on the number Iraqis its troops have killed or injured since the country was invaded and occupied in 2003. However, Iraq Body Count does, to the best of its ability. AntiWar.com tracks U.S. casualties.He said 50% of all Saudi fighters in Iraq come here as suicide bombers. In the last six months, such bombings have killed or injured 4,000 Iraqis."
To read Mr. Parker's entire report, please see "Saudis' role in Iraq insurgency outlined." Also see "Few Foreign Fighters in Iraq; Many are Saudi' Al-Maliki Says Iraqi Troops ready,"
Informed Comment editor Juan Cole's commentary on The Times reports.
