(Penance-PingPong ...)(Via WPR) The border has been a main entryway for takfiri extremists into Iraq, andSaudis represent (.pdf) a high proportion of those foreign fighters. While infiltration has decreased with the improvements in security, increased coordination and joint planning would improve the effectiveness of border patrols and further stem the flow. That, in turn, would help to blunt the dangers posed to Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab world by the return of seasoned and radicalized fighters.
Saudi Arabia was by far the most common nationality of the fighters’ in this sample; 41% (244) of the 595 records that included the fighter’s nationality indicated they were of Saudi Arabian origin. (Report from West Point)
1 comment:
I wonder at what local/tribal level these foreign fighters were encouraged to go to Iraq. A lot has been made of Syria's role in the flood of fighters but the Syrian regime never approved of this underground trade into Iraq.
Saudi Arabia on the other hand has got a lot of tribal connections with Iraq's Sunni tribes and the Saudi regime certainly had an interest in defending there Sunni brothers against attacks by the supposed Shiite Crescent.
I think in 10 years a lot will come out about Saudi Arabia's role in financing and supplying the Sunni resistance during 2004 - 2006. Probably Iran's role as well on the Shiite side.
Post a Comment