Did Iraqi Police Truly Kill 85 Resistance Fighters in a Camp? 

By Hassan El-Najjar

Al-Jazeerah, March 24, 2005

The following is an amazing news report that even the news agency of Reuters, which reported it, is not buying it. The emphasis is added by Al-Jazeerah editor showing the points of criticism of the report.

11 Resistance Fighters, 9 Policemen, 4 Civilians Killed, US Convoy Attacked by a Suicide Car Bomb in Mosul, Scores of Iraqis Detained

It seems that the US-installed Iraqi government is desperate to show any success in facing the Iraqi resistance that US forces could not crush. The story of killing 85 Iraqi resistance fighters does not stand a moment of scrutiny.

First, it is illogical to accept the low casualties (only seven policemen) in a battle that allegedly lasted several hours, and in which 85 resistance fighters were killed.

Second, it is hard to believe that resistance fighters are so naive to gather in one place. This would attract the attention of the government agents and informers.

Third, how can a remote place near a lake 160 km northwest of Baghdad have electricity, as indicated by finding computers?

Fourth, the government did not air or distribute any video footage showing these alleged 85 people killed.

Fifth, It is hard to believe that from this large number of fighters all what the US-led forces could arrest was only one Algerian fighter.

Sixth, Usually there should be three times as many wounded fighters as killed ones in a battle. It is beyond comprehension that no injuries were reported, all were killed. The only left explanation is using chemical weapons or other weapons of mass destruction. 

Seventh, it is unlikely that Arab volunteers fighting with the Iraqi resistance would be carrying identity cards which show their countries of origin, particularly because they know it is a goal of the US-installed Iraqi government to exaggerate the presence of Arab fighters in the Iraqi resistance movement.

Eighth, the government claimed that the resistance training camp was in a remote location west of Tikrit and Samarra, where U.S. troops have had a presence for nearly two years. As the Reuters report exclaimed, it was not clear how such a large camp could have been established without earlier detection by the US or Iraqi intelligence or informers.

Finally, how can a car suicide bomb exploding in a US patrol in Mosul not result in US deaths or injuries?

This is an example of daily reports from Iraq. Most of the Iraqi resistance attacks are not reported and activities of US-led forces are exaggerated. In deed, the first casualty of war is the truth.