Friday, November 12, 2004
Night of Power
Yikes.
That reminds me of a book (can't remember its name right now) I read about the Soviet-Afghan War, written by a Russian reporter, who said the Soviets ruled Kabul all day, but once night fell, the mosques loudspeakers would call for attacks, and otherwise just taunt the Soviets, putting the fear of god into them.
On another note, if that is what is coming from the mosques, wouldn't that make the mosques a military target? We're also finding weapons in every mosque that's been raided.
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Thursday night, forces braced for a significant counteroffensive by Iraqi insurgents - an effort coinciding with the "Night of Power," an annual Islamic holy day marked by intense spiritual devotion, which is said to cleanse sins and determine destiny.
Loudspeakers from at least one mosque began what US Marine officers said was a "revving up" of militants by chants that resembled the "martyr's last rites."
"We expect an increase of suicide attacks, by cars, motorcycles, and people wearing explosive vests," said Lt. Col. Michael Ramos, commander of the 1st Battalion 3rd Marines, from Dallas.
"It's going to get a lot worse tonight," Capt. Gil Juarez, commander of the Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) company told his platoon chiefs, as marines loaded their vehicles at dusk with extra ammunition
That reminds me of a book (can't remember its name right now) I read about the Soviet-Afghan War, written by a Russian reporter, who said the Soviets ruled Kabul all day, but once night fell, the mosques loudspeakers would call for attacks, and otherwise just taunt the Soviets, putting the fear of god into them.
On another note, if that is what is coming from the mosques, wouldn't that make the mosques a military target? We're also finding weapons in every mosque that's been raided.
