CNN's exclusively airing Islamic Army of Iraq sniper video

[John Kettler]

Working through intermediaries, CNN obtained and aired a remarkable insurgent ten shot sniping sequence, which a former Marine sniper with 60 kills ably analyzed. Unfortunately, I caught only the tail end of the segment.

He concluded that one shot, aimed at a Hummer gunner in an intermediate pattern weapon station (not the latest steel and armor glass qua turret), in fact hit the hatch behind him, but suppressed him immediately. The former Marine sniper's view was that the sniping was carefully coordinated with the camera work, with the camera crew in close and off firing axis, while the well trained sniper team, likely 3 men, was as far away as 500 meters, based on interval between the sound of firing and bullet impact.

He noted several instances, too, in which the

camera elevation angle differed from that of the angle of strike, indicating to him that at least some of the shots were from rooftops and the like, which he said was exactly how we handle things with our own snipers. He noted the value of American body armor, but wasn't sure what kind of rifle was being used. Had a lot of respect for the insurgent snipers, though. When asked about

the best counter to such a threat, he said "another sniper." CNN's military advisor, a retired Army general, thought two of the shots missed and said that in his view, some of those shots came from vehicles. He did concede, though, that he wasn't a trained sniper.

There was a second exclusive, in the form of an intervew with the supposed leader of the Islamic Army of Iraq. His face was blotted out, but his message was intriguing. For one, he drew a clear distinction between his group and al Qaeda. When asked what the difference was, he said that his group was only concerned with local matters, whereas AQ operated globally. He said he was willing to negotiate with the Americans, but only if they were serious about leaving. He also said that he fully supported the right of other Muslim sects in Iraq to worship as they felt called to do.

Am posting this here because it seems germane to some of the issues likely to be encountered in CM:SF world, especially since the Islamic Army of Iraq is at its core composed of pro Saddam Ba'athist hardliners. I believe it would be reasonable to expect something similar in Syria/ qua Syria.

Regards,

John Kettler

[Thomm]

"When asked about the best counter to such a threat, he said "another sniper."

Ha! This I learned from playing "Enemy Territory"!

Never was aware of that hidden educational value!

Best regards,

Thomm