Saudi Arabia caught in Iraqi jihad

[donsu]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HE04Ak02.html


It is widely recognized that Saudi nationals are participating in the Iraqi insurgency and have been involved in operations that have targeted the US-led coalition force, aspects of the nascent Iraqi security forces, and segments of Iraq's majority Shi'ite population.

The presence of Saudis in Iraq is deeply troubling not just for the viability of Iraq, but also for the future security of Saudi Arabia and the smaller Persian Gulf monarchies.

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raq is also emblematic of a larger jihadist project, the successes of which many in the movement seek to export back to their home countries. Iraq, therefore, is unlike Afghanistan, which as a non-Arab country never quite carried the urgency and fervor of those currently active in Iraq.

The Saudi government is extremely concerned by the presence of jihadist Saudi nationals in Iraq. It is feared that the return of Saudi jihadis to Saudi Arabia will revitalize what has become a waning domestic insurgency. These fighters not only have learned new techniques, but may also alter the insurgent landscape in Saudi Arabia by introducing techniques, methods and operations that heretofore have not existed in the kingdom.
-snip-
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the ruling family is nervous

[ECH1969]

1. The major clerics of Saudi Arabia told followers

to go to Iraq to fight for Zarqawi in order to get rid of them.

They won't be happy when they return.