Iraqi Calligrapher Writes Himself Into Legend as a Killer

[fornax]

An interesting article that raises several points.

Apparently, the Iraqi resistance has to rely on self-taught snipers, which means that many of the former army/guard snipers are either not interested in joining the resistance or somehow not available (maybe eliminated?). This is the first article that I saw discussing in detail the Iraqi snipers tactic.

Even accounting for the unavoidable propaganda elements in the story, it seems that our forces are suffering from significant casualties from snipers. I wonder how many of the officers killed so far have been killed by snipers. I counted approximately 70 lieutenants, 55 captains, 10 Majors and 6 colonels, and this is just the Army. There are also many CWOs of various ranks.

Link to article

 

[GreatBarracuda]

Originally posted by: fornax
unavoidable propaganda elements in the story

Does this sound familiar: "I knew that my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol."

Still, I won't dismiss the article completely.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the "insurgents' are self-taught. Of course they are self-taught because they are ordinary Iraqis who don't approve of their country being run over by foreign forces. The real soldiers of Iraq, the Ba'athists are too ashamed to show their faces in public, let alone sign up for the new Iraqi army.

 

[RabidMongoose]

The tale of how a humble calligrapher became a renowned marksman by teaching himself from websites, honing his skills with computer games and studying Hollywood films such as The Deer Hunte

Not that I'm denying the validity of this story or anything, but that is pretty funny.

 

[judasmachine]

I wouldn't dismiss that there are no regular army personnel in the resistance so quickly. I bet there are at least a few there training who they can, and actively recruiting. There are foreign fighters, regular army personnel, and average Iraqis. The point that they are fighting what they feel is an infidel invader, a crusader if you will, is what is important to most if not all of them. I think they like thier religion and no amount of western style government is going to stop that. This is going to be a very long fight with a near invisible enemy that apparently has no real core, and no real leadership. This is the worst kind of fight in which to be involved. You may be shaking hands today with the guy who is going to be shooting at you that night. He doesn't know anyone outside his cell, so even if you capture him and torture him, he can only give up a few guys. That is textbook rebellion. Remember we are the Goliath, and they are David in this one.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Not that I'm denying the validity of this story or anything, but that is pretty funny.

Likewise:

Later, the sheiks treated him to a large lunch where Pepsi flowed like water.

 

[kage69]

I can see some self-taught civilian taking down a grunt who was foolish enough to adopt a pattern the enemy could use, but I call bullsh!t on the 'sniper vs. sniper' story.

 

[fornax]

I also thought the line about the Pepsi flowing funny. Couldn't have they used Mecca Cola (or whatever the name of the local immitation was)?

 

[yllus]

I believe somewhere between 1% and 5% of that article.

 

[Beowulf]

What drives him to keep killing? "When I snipe at my target and watch him drop, I feel elated - dizzy with ecstasy. I fall on the ground, shouting to God, calling 'Allahu akbar', for God is indeed great," he said. "When their snipers kill one of us, we go to heaven as martyrs, but when we kill them they go to hell."

And this is why I don't recommend the use of crack.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: Beowulf

What drives him to keep killing? "When I snipe at my target and watch him drop, I feel elated - dizzy with ecstasy. I fall on the ground, shouting to God, calling 'Allahu akbar', for God is indeed great," he said. "When their snipers kill one of us, we go to heaven as martyrs, but when we kill them they go to hell."

And this is why I don't recommend the use of crack.

Or religion

 

[fornax]

Well, since Extasy is given to US soldiers in Iraq, why shouldn't the Iraqi snipers indulge in some crack?

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: fornax
Well, since Extasy is given to US soldiers in Iraq, why shouldn't the Iraqi snipers indulge in some crack?

It is?

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: fornax
Well, since Extasy is given to US soldiers in Iraq, why shouldn't the Iraqi snipers indulge in some crack?

Even though I don't recommend the use of Ectasy the content of MDMA was used as therapy for depression, anxiety, rape-related trauma, and even schizophrenia during 1977-1985.Now I don't know if it is being used by soldiers but if it is obviously someone in the Military medical community is seeing some use for it.

 

[SuperTool]

Is it Enemy at the Gates 2 in the making?
We should send our best sniper to hunt this guy 😉

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
Is it Enemy at the Gates 2 in the making?
We should send our best sniper to hunt this guy 😉

Too bad Carlos Hathcock is dead, he could have shown this guy a little bit of old school.

 

[kage69]

I'm aware of the military using stimulants to keep our guys awake during some long missions, but have never heard about drugs like "extasy" being used. I think someone is confusing headlines. The military's interest in euphoric, sedative-like drugs was primarily in regards to them being used as weapons, not as supplements for combat troops.

 

[kage69]

This self-taught sniper already has a team of Marine snipers after him (or more), there's no doubt in my mind. I give him 4 months; 6 if he's as intelligent and patient as he claims to be.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: kage69
I'm aware of the military using stimulants to keep our guys awake during some long missions, but have never heard about drugs like "extasy" being used. I think someone is confusing headlines. The military's interest in euphoric, sedative-like drugs was primarily in regards to them being used as weapons, not as supplements for combat troops.

It has been reported that Ectasy is or will be used to treat traumatic stress disorder in disable returning troops, not on the battlefield.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Beowulf

What drives him to keep killing? "When I snipe at my target and watch him drop, I feel elated - dizzy with ecstasy. I fall on the ground, shouting to God, calling 'Allahu akbar', for God is indeed great," he said. "When their snipers kill one of us, we go to heaven as martyrs, but when we kill them they go to hell."

And this is why I don't recommend the use of crack.

And responses like that is why Americans are seen as ignorant xenophobes around the world.

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: kage69
I'm aware of the military using stimulants to keep our guys awake during some long missions, but have never heard about drugs like "extasy" being used. I think someone is confusing headlines. The military's interest in euphoric, sedative-like drugs was primarily in regards to them being used as weapons, not as supplements for combat troops.

It has been reported that Ectasy is or will be used to treat traumatic stress disorder in disable returning troops, not on the battlefield.

They will not use "Ecstacy" to treat troops. Ectstacy is the designer / street drug name for MDMA and who knows what Ecstacy would be cut with. Not to mention that Ecstacy is illegal. Maybe they will use MDMA but make sure you know the difference. All Ecstacy contains MDMA but not all MDMA is Ecstacy.

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: Beowulf

What drives him to keep killing? "When I snipe at my target and watch him drop, I feel elated - dizzy with ecstasy. I fall on the ground, shouting to God, calling 'Allahu akbar', for God is indeed great," he said. "When their snipers kill one of us, we go to heaven as martyrs, but when we kill them they go to hell."

And this is why I don't recommend the use of crack.

Ok, how about this: "When I snipe at my target and watch him drop, I feel elated - dizzy with ecstacy. I fall on the ground, shouting to God and giving away my position to anybody in earshot!"

I believe this. . .NOT!

 

[fornax]

Ecstacy is not illegal (none of the drugs are), it is regulated. Which means that the government decides who gets it and who not 🙂

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Beowulf

What drives him to keep killing? "When I snipe at my target and watch him drop, I feel elated - dizzy with ecstasy. I fall on the ground, shouting to God, calling 'Allahu akbar', for God is indeed great," he said. "When their snipers kill one of us, we go to heaven as martyrs, but when we kill them they go to hell."

And this is why I don't recommend the use of crack.

And responses like that is why Americans are seen as ignorant xenophobes around the world.

So you recommend crack?😉

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: ahurtt

Originally posted by: Beowulf

What drives him to keep killing? "When I snipe at my target and watch him drop, I feel elated - dizzy with ecstasy. I fall on the ground, shouting to God, calling 'Allahu akbar', for God is indeed great," he said. "When their snipers kill one of us, we go to heaven as martyrs, but when we kill them they go to hell."

And this is why I don't recommend the use of crack.

Ok, how about this: "When I snipe at my target and watch him drop, I feel elated - dizzy with ecstacy. I fall on the ground, shouting to God and giving away my position to anybody in earshot!"

I believe this. . .NOT!

Yeah I can't believe the guy would scream and shout and not be killed..yet.Of course if he was on crack.........🙂

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: fornax
Ecstacy is not illegal (none of the drugs are), it is regulated. Which means that the government decides who gets it and who not 🙂

Ecstacy is illegal because it is the designer name for what kids buy at raves and is not pure regulated MDMA. "Ecstacy" as it is called is manufactured in illegal labs. MDMA, from which ecstacy is derived, is NOT illegal. MDMA is the "officially" controlled substance. But I think I get what you're saying 😉