Israel trains US assassination squads in Iraq

[farmgirl]

Julian Borger in Washington
Tuesday December 9, 2003
The Guardian

Israeli advisers are helping train US special forces in aggressive counter-insurgency operations in Iraq, including the use of assassination squads against guerrilla leaders, US intelligence and military sources said yesterday.
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has sent urban warfare specialists to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, the home of US special forces, and according to two sources, Israeli military "consultants" have also visited Iraq.

US forces in Iraq's Sunni triangle have already begun to use tactics that echo Israeli operations in the occupied territories, sealing off centres of resistance with razor wire and razing buildings from where attacks have been launched against US troops.

But the secret war in Iraq is about to get much tougher, in the hope of suppressing the Ba'athist-led insurgency ahead of next November's presidential elections.

US special forces teams are already behind the lines inside Syria attempting to kill foreign jihadists before they cross the border, and a group focused on the "neutralisation" of guerrilla leaders is being set up, according to sources familiar with the operations.

"This is basically an assassination programme. That is what is being conceptualised here. This is a hunter-killer team," said a former senior US intelligence official, who added that he feared the new tactics and enhanced cooperation with Israel would only inflame a volatile situation in the Middle East.

"It is bonkers, insane. Here we are - we're already being compared to Sharon in the Arab world, and we've just confirmed it by bringing in the Israelis and setting up assassination teams."

"They are being trained by Israelis in Fort Bragg," a well-informed intelligence source in Washington said.

"Some Israelis went to Iraq as well, not to do training, but for providing consultations."

The consultants' visit to Iraq was confirmed by another US source who was in contact with American officials there.

The Pentagon did not return calls seeking comment, but a military planner, Brigadier General Michael Vane, mentioned the cooperation with Israel in a letter to Army magazine in July about the Iraq counter-insurgency campaign.

"We recently travelled to Israel to glean lessons learned from their counterterrorist operations in urban areas," wrote General Vane, deputy chief of staff at the army's training and doctrine command.

An Israeli official said the IDF regularly shared its experience in the West Bank and Gaza with the US armed forces, but said he could not comment about cooperation in Iraq.

"When we do activities, the US military attaches in Tel Aviv are interested. I assume it's the same as the British. That's the way allies work. The special forces come to our people and say, do debrief on an operation we have done," the official said.

"Does it affect Iraq? It's not in our interest or the American interest or in anyone's interest to go into that. It would just fit in with jihadist prejudices."

Colonel Ralph Peters, a former army intelligence officer and a critic of Pentagon policy in Iraq, said yesterday there was nothing wrong with learning lessons wherever possible.

"When we turn to anyone for insights, it doesn't mean we blindly accept it," Col Peters said. "But I think what you're seeing is a new realism. The American tendency is to try to win all the hearts and minds. In Iraq, there are just some hearts and minds you can't win. Within the bounds of human rights, if you do make an example of certain villages it gets the attention of the others, and attacks have gone down in the area."

The new counter-insurgency unit made up of elite troops being put together in the Pentagon is called Task Force 121, New Yorker magazine reported in yesterday's edition.

One of the planners behind the offensive is a highly controversial figure, whose role is likely to inflame Muslim opinion: Lieutenant General William "Jerry" Boykin.

In October, there were calls for his resignation after he told a church congregation in Oregon that the US was at war with Satan, who "wants to destroy us as a Christian army".

"He's been promoted a rank above his abilities," he said. "Some generals are pretty good on battlefield but are disastrous nearer the source of power."

[mocking_loudly_died]

Those wacky yanks, what can you do? (rhetorical question). :D

[IDFM203]

From todays jerusalem post......................

US forces in Iraq adopt IDF strategy


The IDF Spokesman declined to comment on reports that US generals had recently visited Israel to study at firsthand tactics used by the IDF in the guerrilla and urban warfare it wages against Palestinian terror in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

A report in Saturday's New York Times said that since the beginning of November, US forces fighting in Iraq have adopted a "get-tough" strategy that includes demolishing the homes of those suspected of launching and perpetrating attacks against US forces.

It notes that in order to monitor the movements of Iraqi citizens, American troops have set up checkpoints enclosed in barbed wire where civilians line up and present identity cards written in English to US soldiers who inspect them before allowing them to pass through, and also use sniffer dogs to detect explosives. US forces also arrest the relatives of suspected terrorists in an attempt to coerce information from them regarding suspects.

Since adopting the new strategy US officials have noticed a sharp decrease in the number of attacks against US forces deployed in Iraq. The report quoted Lt.-Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top military commander in Iraq, who recently said that attacks on allied forces or gunfights with adversaries across Iraq had dropped to under 20 a day compared to 40 two weeks earlier.

Before the coalition forces launched the war on Iraq bent on toppling Saddam Hussein's regime, Israeli defense and military experts briefed US military commanders in urban warfare. According to the newspaper report there are no Israeli advisers assisting the US forces deployed in Iraq.

However, the report cited a US brigadier-general who in the July issue of the army magazine was quoted as saying that US military officers had traveled to Israel to learn the tactics employed by the IDF in fighting Palestinian terror.


http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1070775782233&p=1006688055060

Shalom :D

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

If it works why not use it. Be sneaky like this lil dude-----> :-*$

[hahaha]

whoa........ things are going to get interesting now.

[ArmedPacifist]

I would like to see pictures of them in action.

[ShotOver]

Pheonix program anyone?

haha

[16 OBr SpN]

I think it's pretty normal to share knowledge and experience between allies. But...

But why would they state it openly in the media?? I mean SF is always SF. What they do is 99% very low profile, at least at the time of execution of operations. Besides, secrecy is a very important factor of success. Here we have people stating about operations behind Syrian borders, and their possible tactics! Well, they might as well point their location on the maps! :)

And of course the whole Israeli-Arab factor wouldn't do any good. Even if they do co-operate with Israelis, admitting it openly during "liberation" of an openly anti-semitic nation seems very unlogical.

Or maybe it's another case of PsyOps or desinformation??
At least that's my personal opinion...

Regards,
16 OBr SpN

[SOG]

"The consultants' visit to Iraq was confirmed by another US source who was in contact with American officials there."

"consultants" LOL, i gotta remember that one.

good for them, enough of this ****. its time we wrapped up saddams goat rapers.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Copying Israeli methods from the occupied territories is a recipe for failure in Iraq.

[UoUo]

Copying Israeli methods from the occupied territories is a recipe for failure in Iraq.

Exsplain yourself please.

[He219]

Israel said training U.S. troops to hunt Iraqi insurgents (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=369834&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y)

By Nathan Guttman, Haaretz Correspondent

Israel is helping the United States to train a special commando force to find the remnants of Ba'ath Party activists and Saddam Hussein loyalists behind some of the attacks on American soldiers in Iraq, the latest issue of New Yorker magazine reports.
Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh writes that when the Pentagon decided to fight back against the insurgents, it consulted Israel because of its experience dealing with terrorist attackers.

The report says Israeli advisors in commando warfare and intelligence gathering worked with Americans at a training facility at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, as well as in Israel. American and Israeli officials refused to confirm the report.

One of the main tactics promoted by the Israeli experts, says Hersh, is an assassination program against Iraqis believed to be behind the anti-American campaign. The Pentagon has already decided to target hostile Ba'athists and is now trying to implement this.

The main difficulty is getting information about Saddam loyalists, so the Americans are trying to win over former Iraqi intelligence officers to collect information on suspects for the commando unit to target.

Hersh says the Americans could form units like the camouflaged IDF and Border Patrol units that move in Arab neighborhoods dressed as Arabs.

Another report in the New York Times says the U.S. has started using Israeli methods like demolishing the homes of those suspected of attacking Americans and imposing closures on hostile areas.

A senior American ground forces officer is quoted as saying he visited Israel last summer to study counter-terrorism in urban areas.

[duck]

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?031215fa_fact

A loong article, so did not copy-paste.

[duck]

Well, let's have one part:

"One step the Pentagon took was to seek active and secret help in the war against the Iraqi insurgency from Israel, America’s closest ally in the Middle East. According to American and Israeli military and intelligence officials, Israeli commandos and intelligence units have been working closely with their American counterparts at the Special Forces training base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and in Israel to help them prepare for operations in Iraq. Israeli commandos are expected to serve as ad-hoc advisers—again, in secret—when full-field operations begin. (Neither the Pentagon nor Israeli diplomats would comment. “No one wants to talk about this,” an Israeli official told me. “It’s incendiary. Both governments have decided at the highest level that it is in their interests to keep a low profile on U.S.-Israeli coöperation” on Iraq.) The critical issue, American and Israeli officials agree, is intelligence. There is much debate about whether targeting a large number of individuals is a practical—or politically effective—way to bring about stability in Iraq, especially given the frequent failure of American forces to obtain consistent and reliable information there."

[duck]

And another, 'cause of the familiar figure.

"One of the key planners of the Special Forces offensive is Lieutenant General William (Jerry) Boykin, Cambone’s military assistant. After a meeting with Rumsfeld early last summer—they got along “like two old warriors,” the Pentagon consultant said—Boykin postponed his retirement, which had been planned for June, and took the Pentagon job, which brought him a third star. In that post, the Pentagon adviser told me, Boykin has been “an important piece” of the planned escalation. In October, the Los Angeles Times reported that Boykin, while giving Sunday-morning talks in uniform to church groups, had repeatedly equated the Muslim world with Satan. Last June, according to the paper, he told a congregation in Oregon that “Satan wants to destroy this nation, he wants to destroy us as a nation, and he wants to destroy us as a Christian army.” Boykin praised President Bush as a “man who prays in the Oval Office,” and declared that Bush was “not elected” President but “appointed by God.” The Muslim world hates America, he said, “because we are a nation of believers.”"

[Haiw]

:cantbeli:
That general needs some serious re-education.

[duck]

Wow, it gets more and more interesting...

"Task Force 121’s next major problem may prove to be Iran. There is a debate going on inside the Administration about American and Israeli intelligence that suggests that the Shiite-dominated Iranian government may be actively aiding the Sunni-led insurgency in Iraq—“pulling the strings on the puppet,” as one former intelligence official put it. Many in the intelligence community are skeptical of this analysis—the Pentagon adviser compared it to “the Chalabi stuff,” referring to now discredited prewar intelligence on W.M.D. supplied by Iraqi defectors. But I was told by several officials that the intelligence was considered to be highly reliable by civilians in the Defense Department. A former intelligence official said that one possible response under consideration was for the United States to train and equip an Iraqi force capable of staging cross-border raids. The American goal, he said, would be to “make the cost of supporting the Baathists so dear that the Iranians would back off,” adding, “If it begins to look like another Iran-Iraq war, that’s another story.”"

[NcDeuce]

I would like to see pictures of them in action.

Doubt it

[Haiw]

There is a debate going on inside the Administration about American and Israeli intelligence that suggests that the Shiite-dominated Iranian government may be actively aiding the Sunni-led insurgency in Iraq—“pulling the strings on the puppet,” as one former intelligence official put it.
That's like the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Anyone with a proper high school education knows that Shiite's and Sunni's can't stand each other...

[Javehn]

Interesting point , where have i been ?
This colonel guy saying interesting things , but he misses a couple of things - Us wants to win hearts and minds , yes . Us want's to restore Iraq to more or less normal condition , yes . I really don't understand why to keep soldiers there in that case - everything will see on Soldiers "occupying force" (Arab mentality , something you don't even trying to understand ). Why to build Us army bases there ?? Bring people like policemans , why to keep army ? The presence of any millitary force , no matter what are the meanings - will always be considerred as occupying force . In that cases , no matter what tactic they will use , they will be considered as occupying force by some people . U.S. just doesn't know the mentality of eastern people , and if they want to win hearts and minds - they should get the army out of there .
As long as U.S army will stays there , even if they will bring roses to every people on Iraq on every day basis , they still be attacked . And in that case , they should fight on the best tactic available - yes , this tactic is harsh , but this tactic have proofen itself .
I would personally love to put this colonel guy on some convoy heading to Tikrit , to see how his balls getting smaller and smaller ... This tactic have proofen as most life saving - and i say this from personal experience.

To 16 obr spn , not only the special forces get trained . Mostly it's just Tanker units , and regular troops .

[16 OBr SpN]

To 16 obr spn , not only the special forces get trained . Mostly it's just Tanker units , and regular troops .

I understand, but mission descriptions in the article mostly fall under a category of SpecOps. Because again, the key to battle the insurgents is the "mirror effect", i.e. highly mobile units with autonomous decision-making, and own intelligence sources. These things wouldn't usually go for tank platoon or regular infantry. Armored and air support will play a vital, but still, a supportive role.

Regards,
16 OBr SpN

[alexjulian]

The Israelis have been training Americans for years....whats new?

[budanski]

The Israelis have been successful in taking out leaderships of the palestinian militants. I say, why not take some tips from them?

The Israeli involvement is actually of secondary importance. What this tells me is that the U.S. has the Phoenix Program reactivated in all its glory.

[duck]

Well, having "license to kill" paramilitary troops roaming the Syrian and Iranian deserts with possible Israeli army/intelligence advisors sounds just a little bit adventurous to me. Who determines the targets, the Israelis?

[IDFM203]

I’ll say this is a rather interesting issue.. This obviously works big time with regards to Israel’s security. Remember that before Israel went in the middle of 2002 with its own get tuff policy; there was a homicide attack almost daily…now a year and half later. It has been dramatically reduced (big understatement!!) and it has indeed been very successful. Also it’s important to remember that the Israeli campaign is a controlled get tuff policy and it’s very surgical with the least amount of civilians as possible to be killed. (Remember in all the worlds harping about Israel, in this whole conflict, only 3000 Palestinians have been killed and much more then half were people that had Israeli blood on their hands and the rest were tragic but was not intentional for Israel never intentionally targets civilians)

Now with that said the problem is that it is not a hearts and minds campaign. In Israel’s case they already tried that big time in the whole Oslo process when Israel gave them 95 percent control over their own lives and the “occupation” was much reduced and it was leading to Israel pulling out BUT they rejected all that and the killings never stopped and then after Barak offered much more land, they responded by starting a war. So in Israel’s case we are passed pure hearts and minds and or in the territory of personal defence from what was constant shooting attacks and constant homicide bombers blowing themselves up in Israeli cities.

ALL THAT NOW HAS BEEN DRAMTICLY REDUCED DUE TO THE IDF OPERATIONS AND INTELIGENCE SERVICES, THAT HAVE SUCCESFULLY STOPPED THE CONSTANT ATTACKS!!


Now Israel nor anyone cant be a 100 percent for that’s almost impossible and there will be more homicide attacks in Israel but it has been dramatically reduced!!.

Now as for the U.S. and hearts and minds…. well ill concede that perhaps its not the best for that BUT the U.S. needs to counter this growing outside terrorist influence or from the bathsists (SP?) that is spreading its claws in that country and needs to defeat it or radically reduce it so it can work freely in their good work of hearts and minds and helping the Iraqi people. Right now the U.S. is being greatly hindered from doing that due to this terrorism.


P.S. what’s the Phoenix Program??

Shalom :D

[duck]

I think there are several flaws with this approach: Operations within Iraq should be OK by any standards, force protection is an issue as is overall security. Once the operations extend to neighbouring countries, however, the question asked will be if the USA is not just doing the dirty work for the Israeli right-wing and religious parties. Iran and Syria are both pariah states, no question about that, but a one-sided US intervention on behalf of Israel is playing into Bin Laden's hands.

What about the Pakistani nuclear weapons officer following the news, or the Saudi air force fighter-bomber pilot, or Indonesian special forces colonel. How will their determination to fight fundamentalist terrorism change? Will they be tempted to seek contact with the enemy of the "Zionists"? Should we risk a "holy war" of religions and civilisations?

[StarvingStudent47]

I think there are several flaws with this approach: Operations within Iraq should be OK by any standards, force protection is an issue as is overall security. Once the operations extend to neighbouring countries, however, the question asked will be if the USA is not just doing the dirty work for the Israeli right-wing and religious parties. Iran and Syria are both pariah states, no question about that, but a one-sided US intervention on behalf of Israel is playing into Bin Laden's hands.

What about the Pakistani nuclear weapons officer following the news, or the Saudi air force fighter-bomber pilot, or Indonesian special forces colonel. How will their determination to fight fundamentalist terrorism change? Will they be tempted to seek contact with the enemy of the "Zionists"? Should we risk a "holy war" of religions and civilisations?

Whoever said that America/the Coalition couldn't be kicking the **** out of insurgents operating from Syria and Iran for AMERICA'S sake? For the COALITION'S sake? You want a good reason for the USA/UK/Australia/other Coaltion members to want to hunt the heads of this insurgency, wherever they hide? I can think of 519 good reasons.

I don't see why learning tactics from the IDF means that we'd be operating for the sole interest of Israel. There's just no link between those two ideas.

[Uncle Sam]

Where do I sign up...!!!

[ogukuo72]

I'm sure that if the policy succeeds in reducing Coalition casualties and stabilising Iraq, the American people will understand its necessity.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Are there any proofs to these stories about syrian and iranian involvement with the insurgents in Iraq?

Is it the same source that claimed that the syrians smugled night vision googles and Kornet missiles into iraq during the war?

[Mr. Nielsen]

Following Israel's example from the occupied west bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza will lead to failure.

Collective punishment etc. is not only immoral and illegal but also counterproductive as the Israeli experience shows.

Every time the Israeli military escalated its get-tough policy, they also escalated the Palestinian response. Being it the numbers of killed Israelis or the number of Palestinians joining the fight. Actually it reached an all time high with the "defensive shield" rampage.

As an example at the start of the Intifada the few suicide bombers were religious people intensely "prepared" (brainwashed) for weeks before their mission. Now the number of volunteers has sky rocked, coming from all parts of society, their families never having a clue until they watch the news.

Now imagine the same thing happening in Iraq. The area is much larger, much bigger populations and lots of weapons left over. So it should be obvious that turning the population into hostiles will backfire.

Also the US has a chance with winning a hearts and mind campaign contrary to the Israelis who had lost that from the beginning.

[S'13]

Following Israel's example from the occupied west bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza will lead to failure.

There hasn't been a major terror attack in a long time *touch wood* I think that indicates something.


Collective punishment etc. is not only immoral and illegal but also counterproductive as the Israeli experience shows.

What collective punishment?


Every time the Israeli military escalated its get-tough policy, they also escalated the Palestinian response. Being it the numbers of killed Israelis or the number of Palestinians joining the fight. Actually it reached an all time high with the "defensive shield" rampage.

And the situation was geting better before then? At least now we don't have a suicied bombing every week.


As an example at the start of the Intifada the few suicide bombers were religious people intensely "prepared" (brainwashed) for weeks before their mission. Now the number of volunteers has sky rocked, coming from all parts of society, their families never having a clue until they watch the news.

PA has been brainwashing there people since there establishment.