Saudi Extremists Said to be Fighting in Iraq

(AP/Salon.com) Faiza Saleh Ambah - Despite official denials, there have been signs for months that Saudi Muslim extremists have traveled to Iraq to take on U.S.-led forces. Internet memorials to those who died fighting the Americans have popped up and Saudis are quietly swapping tales said to be from the front lines. Many of the men going to Iraq had previously fought in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Bosnia and were experts on guerrilla warfare, said Abdullah Bjad al-Otaibi, who writes about the extremists for Saudi newspapers. "Nothing inflames their emotions like the presence of U.S. troops in a Muslim country," al-Otaibi said. He said he doesn't believe there are more than 200 Saudis fighting in Iraq, but devotion to their cause could make them a potent force.


2003-09-03 00:00:00

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