Counterterrorism Blog

At his press conference this morning (continuing as I write), the President is addressing the deteoriating security situation in Baghdad on the heels of a terrorist attack on an American arms depot there. Another indication of that the slide downhill there will continue comes from a jihadist website message translated by Laura Mansfield calling for Baghdad residents to prepare for an upcoming "Big Battle of Baghdad." Here's an excerpt of the message thanks to Laura:

With the approach of Baghdad's big liberating battle, the Baghdad of al-Mansur, al-Rashid, and the lawful president, the father of martyrs, Saddam Husayn, announced earlier by the brave Iraqi Army and the heroic resistance groups, we call upon the people of Baghdad and all our people in the provinces to prepare for this blessed battle and follow the next steps to minimize losses as much as possible:

--form national committees in districts, particularly first aid committees with all necessary medical equipment, and plan secretly the battle strategies;

--each family must store food, including dry food, and water as much as possible;

--form smaller committees to support poor families in spreading the spirit of passion, assistance, and cooperation known of Iraqis;

--prevent anyone from taking any kind of revenge on those who are objecting to the Al-Tahrir (liberating) government, God willing; and

--form local resistance committees to support Al-Tahrir Army, preferring officers of the Iraqi Army who could be trusted after background checks and confirming that they are not working for the occupation and agents.