Abdul Hameed Bakier

Abdul Hameed Bakier is an expert on internet media monitoring and analysis. He is based in Jordan.

Contact Abdul Hameed Bakier

Articles by Abdul Hameed Bakier

IS Spokesman Issues Appeal to End the Inter-Jihadist Rivalry

On September 29, jihadist media outlet al-Furqan published a message by Abu Muhammad al-Adnani al-Shami, the so-called spokesman of the Islamic State (formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

Jihadi Views on General McChrystal’s Resignation

Jihadists are quick to take heed of any strategic or policy changes taking place in the United States or any state with forces fighting terrorism. Recently, the resignation of the

Taliban Spokesman Discusses Relations with al-Qaeda and Opium Production in Afghanistan

Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf Ahmadi recently gave an interview to the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat in which he discussed the Taliban’s relations with al-Qaeda, the sources of opium production in

Al-Qaeda Infiltration of the Western Sahara’s Polisario Movement

Jihadi forum participants were excited about a posting entitled: "Al-Qaeda penetrates the Polisario army and the Mauritanian army is in danger" (atahadi.com, April 20). Endeavors to penetrate the Polisario Front

Commander of Iraq’s Hizbullah Brigades Insists on Resistance to U.S. Occupation

While most of Iraq’s armed Shi’a resistance has entered the political process, some independent Shi’a resistance groups remain in the field, determined to expel the American occupation by force of

Taliban Spokesman Discusses U.S. Media and Military Strategies in Afghanistan

Many jihadi internet forums have circulated a recent special interview with the official spokesman of the so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Qari Muhammad Yusuf al-Ahmadi. The interview was conducted for

Taliban Issue Interview with the Jihad Leader of Sar-i-Pul Province

Every month, the so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan releases al-Somod Islamic e-magazine, a main Taliban propaganda publication. The e-magazine contains religious, political and military articles on the Taliban’s activities. Often,

Jihadis Debate Growing Rift Between al-Qaeda and the Taliban

Taliban leader Mullah Omar’s statement on the occasion of the end of Ramadan festivities, published in al-Somod Islamic e-magazine, was seen by many Salafi-Jihadi forum participants as a retreat from

Interview with Amir of Jihad in Afghanistan’s Balkh Province

The recently released 41st issue of the Afghan Jihadi e-magazine al-Somod carried an interview with the Amir of Jihad of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, Mullah Raz Mohammad bin Sayd

Jihadis Debate Methods of Financing the Mujahideen Network in Iraq

The main objective of jihadi Websites and forums is to garner support for the Mujahideen on various levels, the most important of which is fundraising and transferring money to the

Jihadis Speculate on al-Qaeda’s Nuclear Strategy

Jihadi forums occasionally discuss whether al-Qaeda possesses nuclear bombs and the strategies involved in their deployment. The latest discussion on this topic was triggered by a posting on a jihadi

Jihadis Search for Intelligence Penetration on Jihadi Website Forums

Periodically jihadi internet gatherings raise concerns about scrutiny of their forums by security services. Investigations into the identity of forum members and their promotion and initiation of sensitive jihadi issues

Jihadis Ask How the Mujahideen Will Control an Islamic State of Iraq

Jihadi internet forum members are engaged in a continuing debate on the obstacles hindering the application of Islamic law in Iraq after the U.S. withdrawal and suggest certain approaches to

Jihadis Offer Training in Evasion of Police and Security Forces

The July issue of Sada al-Jihad (Echo of Jihad), a jihadi e-magazine published by the Global Islamic Media Front, contains religious research, analytical articles on ongoing jihadi operations and an

Jihadis Identify U.S. Plots against China in Xinjiang and Africa

In light of the ethnic violence in China’s Xinjiang province, various jihadi internet forums focused on the handling of the turmoil by China’s security forces. A vast region comprising nearly

Jihadis Debate Attacks on Western Interests and U.N. Peacekeepers

Jihadi internet forums recently discussed the religious permissibility of attacking Western interests in the Islamic world. Many jihadi forum members gave their opinions on a posting entitled “Do you endorse

Sleeper Cells and Shi’a Secessionists in Saudi Arabia: A Salafist Perspective

Salafi-Jihadi internet forums continue to warn of Shi’a plots to control the Sunni Arab regions of the Middle East, most recently in a posting entitled “The Sleeper Cells of the

Jihadis Discuss Plans to Seize Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal

Urged by a senior al-Qaeda ideologue to take over Pakistan, members of jihadi internet forums have begun to examine the possibility of controlling Pakistan’s nuclear weapons (al-faloja1.com, April 24). At

Taliban Leader Mullah Nazir Defends Jihad in South Waziristan

Jihadi internet forums carried a recent interview with the Amir of the Taliban mujahideen in South Waziristan, Mullah Nazir Ahmad. Mullah Nazir answered questions about the past and current situation

Countering the Counter-Terrorists: Senior Jihadis Offer Advice on Security Techniques

In a quest to spread security and military knowledge that is vital for successful Salafi-Jihadi terror operations, jihadi internet forums intermittently release training lessons in all kinds of subjects. This

Islamic State of Iraq Brings Internet Propaganda to the Streets

The Jihadi Media Support Battalion (JMSB), an internet-based jihadi propaganda group, has announced the launch of a new propaganda campaign entitled “ISI: The Gate to Liberate Extorted Palestine.” The goal

Palestinians Skeptical of Osama bin Laden’s Plans for Gaza

Osama bin Laden’s March 14, 2009 audio message on the war in Gaza was anticipated and covered by Arab and Islamic news agencies, as well as all kinds of Islamist

Militants Ask Whether Jihad is Defeated in Iraq

Prompted by a question posted in a jihadi internet forum, members discussed the current and future prospects of jihad and jihadi factions in Iraq. Special attention was given to the

Jihadis Question al-Qaeda’s Relationship with Israel

Since Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh announced the arrest of an al-Qaeda cell connected with Israel on October 6, 2008, many Islamist forum members have continued to speculate on al-Qaeda’s

Jihadis Speculate on Secret Cooperation between Iran and al-Qaeda

A discussion in jihadi internet forums triggered by a posting entitled "Is there a secret cooperation between Iran and al-Qaeda?" raised suspicions over possible clandestine connections between Shiite Iran and

Jihadis Debate the Poor Response to Bin Laden’s Call for Jihad in Gaza

In response to a complaint by a jihadi internet forum member describing al-Qaeda's declining popularity, entitled "Why did nobody listen to Osama?", forum participants refuted the claim while revealing the

Leader of Yemen’s Mujahideen Claims al-Qaeda has a Nuclear Weapon

In a recent interview posted to jihadi websites, al-Qaeda's leader in Yemen claims the organization possesses nuclear weapons and vows to attack U.S. and Western interests to compel them to

Al-Qaeda Leaders in the Arabian Peninsula Speak Out

Al-Qaeda Leaders in the Arabian Peninsula Speak Out Jihadi forum members hailed a series of statements by leaders of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), gathered under the title “From

Gaza’s “Ghost” Suicide Bombers – More Rhetoric than Threat?

Recently, Islamic and jihadi internet forums circulated an article entitled “The Ghost suicide bombers. Who are they? And how do they spend their day?” (hanein.info, January13). The posting, written by

Jihadis Urge Formation of a New Mujahideen Council to Avenge Israel’s Assault on Gaza

The mujahideen in Gaza have called upon the Iraqi mujahideen to support them by uniting their ranks and intensifying attacks on the U.S. occupiers in Iraq (hanein.org, January 2). Although

Jihadis React to Mumbai Attacks

Jihadi forum members have been eager to learn anything about the Mumbai terror attacks, hoping for clues that al-Qaeda has perpetrated, in a jihadi perspective, these “great and admirable attacks.”

Iraq’s Islamic Mujahideen Profiled by Jihadi Websites: Part Two

In the last issue of Terrorism Focus, we examined the profiles of three Iraqi jihadi groups based on information compiled by al-Haq, an Islamic news website and later distributed through

Iraq’s Islamic Mujahideen Profiled by Jihadi Websites: Part One

The profiles of a number of Iraqi jihadi groups were prepared and released by al-Haq news agency (haqnews.net August 7). According to al-Haq, the material was collected through interviews with

Iraq’s Jaysh al-Muslimin – Nationalists in an Islamist Resistance Movement

A recent interview with the spokesman of the Jaysh al-Muslimin in Iraq elicited mixed reactions from jihadi forum participants, many of whom commented on the issue of nationalism vs. Islamism

Baghdad’s Saad bin Abi Waqas Army – Former Iraqi Soldiers Fight to Restore the Caliphate

In late 2007, al-Qaeda’s second man, Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, conducted an open dialogue through the internet in which he answered questions posed by members of jihadi internet forums. Since then,

Jihadis Criticize Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and the Islamic State of Iraq

Recent statements from the leadership of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) have generated negative reactions from members of jihadi internet forums. Statements entitled “The Divine Promise” and “The

Jihadis Recommend Internet Guerrilla Warfare in Response to Hacking of Islamist Websites

The recent hacking and shutting down of some jihadi websites has raised concerns among jihadi forum members seeking alternatives in case all jihadi forums go down. These forums have, in

Al-Qaeda Outlines Its Strategy Seven Years After 9/11

On the seventh anniversary of 9/11, jihadi internet forum members posted a variety of messages recalling and celebrating al-Qaeda’s terrorist attacks in the United States, or, as the jihadis refer

Jihadis Publish Online Recruitment Manual

To become a full fledged jihadi, volunteers must go through gradual ideological reform and build a sense of security and vigilance needed for clandestine activities. To further their preparation, one

Watching the Watchers: A Jihadi View of Terrorism Analysis Websites

Once in a while jihadi internet forums draw their members’ attention to Western tracking of such websites by posting messages analyzing terrorism monitoring agencies, often with comments on some of

Jihadis Discuss Means of Poisoning the Water Supply of Denmark and Great Britain

A major jihadi internet forum has posted a terrorist plot to use chemical and biological agents to contaminate water resources in Europe in general and Great Britain and Denmark in

Jihadis Dispute Role of Iraq’s Female Suicide Bombers

Lately, jihadi forum participants have been inquiring about the women’s suicide battalion in Iraq and the religious jurisprudence regarding female jihad. A response to the inquiries was posted by Dr.

Jihadis React to Indictment of Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir

Reacting to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) indictment of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, several jihadi internet forums discussed Sudan’s situation in response to a posting entitled “Goodbye Omar al-Bashir and

Lebanese Jihadis Accuse Sunni Shaykhs of Acting as Agents for Shiite Hezbollah

A Lebanese jihadi forum member posted a letter addressed to Osama Bin Laden entitled “An Open message from Beirut to Osama Bin Laden,” supposedly on behalf of Lebanese Sunnis. The

Islamic Front for Iraq Resistance Brigadier Refutes al-Qaeda’s Approach to Combating U.S. Occupation

A jihadi forum has posted an interview with a spokesman for the Islamic Front for Iraqi Resistance (al-Jabha al-Islamiya lil-Moqawama al-Iraqiya - JAMI), an Iraqi Sunni jihadi group (al-Boraq, July

Jihadis Analyze the Coalition Plan for Law Enforcement

In an attempt to anticipate and counter the tactics of Coalition forces, jihadis in Iraq are constantly posting their observations on the forces’ activities to internet forums. The jihadis believe

Ex-Baathists Turn to Naqshbandi Sufis to Legitimize Insurgency

The “Men of the Army of al-Naqshbandia Way” (Jaysh Rajal al-Tariqah al-Naqshbandia, or JRTN) is a Sunni jihadi group that first announced insurgency operations against the Coalition in Iraq in

Jihadi Tutorial in Urban Terrorism and the Kidnapping of Americans

Recent postings in a jihadi internet forum give instructions on how to kidnap Americans and conduct urban terror operations. A posting entitled “The preferred rules of the art of kidnapping

Invisible Mujahideen Training Camps and the New Resistance Strategy in Iraq

Reacting to the latest decline in jihadi operations in Iraq in particular and in the world in general, a jihadi forum has discussed the need to reevaluate mujahideen tactics. The

An al-Qaeda Threat in the United Arab Emirates?

Jihadi internet forums have picked up on recent British and American warnings about possible al-Qaeda terror attacks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). One forum post, entitled “Is al-Qaeda overlooking

The Paradise Boys: The Internal Debate over the Use of Child Jihadis in Iraq

Concerned about the future of al-Qaeda in Iraq due to the killing and arrests of its prominent leaders, jihadi forum participants have discussed the second generation of al-Qaeda (hanein.info, June

Military Commander of the Islamic Army of Iraq Describes Rift with al-Qaeda

In an interview in the May edition of the jihadi al-Fursan magazine of the Islamic Army of Iraq (IAI), the military leader of IAI, Abu al-Abbas al-Baghdadi, discussed the group’s

Jihadis Counter “Censorship” of Islamic State of Iraq

In the context of spreading al-Qaeda’s propaganda in Iraq, pro-al-Qaeda members of jihadi internet forums and enthusiasts of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) are posting ways to break

Jihadi Website Interviews New Leader of Somalia’s Shabaab al-Mujahideen

On the eve of the fatal U.S. strike against Aden Hashi Ayro, leader of the Shabaab al-Mujahideen movement in Somalia, the electronic monthly magazine Echo of Jihad conducted an interview

Jihadis Urge Naval Terrorism in the Middle East

Islamist forums and jihadi media have been promoting and threatening to perpetrate naval terrorism as an important strategic trend in the jihadi path. Jihad Press, an e-journal affiliated with al-Qaeda,

Jihadi Website Advises Recruits on How to Join al-Qaeda

In their attempts to gather more recruits to the cause, jihadi websites are constantly posting enticing messages about the merits of the holy war against Crusaders and Zionists. A posting

Al-Qaeda’s al-Zawahiri Repudiates Dr. Fadl’s “Rationalization of Jihad”

A previous issue of Terrorism Monitor discussed a document issued by Sayed Imam Abdulaziz al-Sharif, an imprisoned founder of the Egyptian Jihad organization and a prominent jihad theoretician better known

The Jihadi Quest for Home-Made Air Transport

A previous issue of Terrorism Focus examined jihadi attempts to produce anthrax and concluded that without the proper aerosol equipment, jihadis are unlikely to launch a biological attack in the

An Online Terrorist Training Manual – Part Three: Striking U.S. Embassies

This issue of Terrorism Focus will conclude the look at the terrorist training lessons of Shamil al-Baghdadi, posted on a pro-al-Qaeda website (ek-ls.org, March 22). Episodes five and six of

An Online Terrorist Training Manual – Part Two: Assassinations and Robberies

The last issue of Terrorism Focus discussed the first two of six terrorist training lessons posted on a pro-al-Qaeda jihadi forum (Terrorism Focus, April 1). These lessons, dealing with the

An Online Terrorist Training Manual – Part One: Creating a Terrorist Cell

Jihadis continue to pursue terror training and knowledge exchange with fellow jihadis through Internet forums. Often, the jihadi forum participants post short, though significant, details pertinent to terror conduct drawn

Jihadi Forums Detail Tactical Use of Silenced Weapons in Iraq

The latest insurgency technique of using silenced handguns to kill U.S. and government forces in Iraq is discussed in two different jihadi internet forums (hanein.info, March 18; ek-ls.org, March 17).

Iraqi Turkmen Announce Formation of New Jihadi Group

A new Turkmen jihadist group calling itself “the Martyr Saighan Battalion” has released a communiqué announcing its creation and intention to join the insurgency in Iraq (iraqipa.net, February 15). The

Jihadi Website Supplies Instructions for Anthrax Production

Much has been said about al-Qaeda’s quest to acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as a means of striking at the heart of their number one enemy, the United States.

Afghanistan’s Taliban Declare War on Mobile Telephones

A previous issue of Terrorism Monitor (September 8, 2006) discussed the cellular technology know-how that jihadis exchange over the internet to help their fellow fighters evade interception by security forces.

Islamic State of Iraq Gives Advice on Infiltration Routes into Iraq

In the last issue of Terrorism Focus (February 20), we examined the attempt by Iraq’s Islamist insurgents to recruit trained professionals for jihad in Iraq. In this follow-up, we examine

Jihad Wants You: al-Qaeda Seeks Skilled Recruits in Iraq

In another example of jihadist media use, internet forum participants posted instructions for Muslims craving a role in the Iraqi insurgency. Iraqi jihadis issued a call for skilled assistance in

Al-Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq Absorbing Fighters from Other Jihadist Groups

Members of Iraq’s Islamist internet forums have been delighted lately to report a possible alliance between al-Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) and the Ansar al-Islam group of Kurdish Sunni

Iraqi Jihadi Offers Online Lessons on Ambush Techniques

As part of the military, intelligence and religious information exchanged through Iraqi jihadist internet forums, one jihadi recently posted a training lesson for militants in the battlefield entitled “Allurement is

Jihadis Analyze U.S. Plans to Evacuate Forces from Iraq

Since the beginning of the year, jihadi internet forums have carried many postings concerning the future of U.S. forces in Iraq and American plans to change the current military/political status

Al-Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq Turns to YouTube

In the last few years radical Islamist jihadis have exerted substantial efforts to boost their propaganda capabilities by encouraging their followers to exploit all means at their disposal, such as

The “Lone Wolf” and al-Qaeda Sleeper Cells in the United States

Since 9/11, the security and intelligence echelons of the United States have been preoccupied with the possibility of domestic al-Qaeda sleeper cells being activated to perpetrate additional terror attacks. In

Al-Qaeda Adapts its Methods in Iraq as Part of a Global Strategy

For the last few months, reports from Iraq have been indicating a tangible decline in insurgency and terrorist operations. For the first time since 2003, the Iraqi people are enjoying

Imprisoned Leader of Egypt’s Islamic Jihad Challenges al-Qaeda

The Salafi-Jihadi ideology, the doctrine and constitution of al-Qaeda’s terrorists, is being re-evaluated by prominent Salafi-Jihadi ideologues. The same ideologues that previously sanctioned terrorist operations are now having second thoughts

Jihadi Forum Users Look for Codes in Bin Laden’s September Video

After a relatively long video absence since October 2004, Osama bin Laden resurfaced on September 8. In the wake of his speech, jihadi forum users continue to discuss his statement

GIMF Develops Defensive and Offensive Software for Jihadi Operations

In July 2007, jihadi forums announced the creation of a new computer program called the Secrets of the Mujahideen, version 1.0. The objective of the program—which was published and distributed

Forum Users Improve Electronic Jihad Technology

A previous issue of Terrorism Focus exposed a jihadi website dedicated solely to cyber attacks against websites deemed anti-Islamic (Terrorism Focus, October 3, 2006). The members of al-jinan.org have targeted

Islamist Forum Debates the Fate of Bin Laden

In response to an article posted in an Islamist internet forum entitled "Bin Laden...The Puzzling Disappearance," forum users spent a week discussing the possible reasons behind the disappearance of Osama

Jihadis Post Scenario for the Defeat of the United States

On May 14, jihadi forum users Abu Kandahar and Roslan al-Shami posted a five-point scenario for the collapse of the United States and the rise of the Islamic ummah, entitled,

Jihadis Encourage Lone Acts of Terrorism

A new article posted on the jihadi forum alhanein.com on May 4, entitled "Supporting the Islamic State by Single-Handed Terrorism," instructs Islamist fighters to conduct lone acts of terrorism against

Jihadi Forums Respond to Saudi Arrests

The latest al-Qaeda arrests in Saudi Arabia have triggered angry responses on jihadi websites. On April 27, the Saudi Interior Ministry announced its security forces had arrested 172 al-Qaeda terrorists

The 14th Issue of Sada al-Jihad Released

The Global Islamic Media Front, a jihadi propaganda media outlet, published the 14th issue of the monthly magazine Sada al-Jihad (The Echo of Jihad) in March. Sada al-Jihad is one

New Issue of the Martyrs’ Biographies Released

On March 12, a jihadi website posted links to the 29th issue of Martyrs' Biographies. The latest issue, which is part of a series of biographies released by al-Furqan Media

The New Issue of Technical Mujahid, a Training Manual for Jihadis

The al-Fajr Information Center, a jihadi organization, recently published the February 2007 issue of Technical Mujahid, a magazine released once every two months that is available online. The release marks

IED Manufacturing Laboratory Discovered in Saudi Capital

Terrorist training materials are easily accessible on jihadi websites and forums and contain accurate information about military tactics, explosives, rocket technology and intelligence craftsmanship. The extent to which Islamist militants

Sawt al-Jihad Calls for Attacks on Western Energy Interests

Since Osama bin Laden first spoke about the necessity of targeting the oil industry in order to damage the U.S. economy, there has been a clear shift in al-Qaeda's operational

Baghdad Sniper Gains Legendary Status

Snipers targeting U.S. soldiers in Baghdad and in other Iraqi cities garnered attention on jihadi forums in early 2005. It was not until November 2005, however, that these shootings received

Jihadi Forum Outlines Use of Poisons for Terrorist Attacks

Jihadi attempts to procure lethal and destructive weapons are endless. It is especially disturbing when they attempt to experiment with and acquire chemical and biological weapons. One recent post on

Islamist Websites Succeed in Recruiting Muslims for Jihad

Jihadi leaders continue to establish new websites on the internet by which they spread their ideology and identify users who can be recruited for the global jihad. If preaching and

Female Shiite Assassination Groups Dispatched to Baghdad

Recent chatter on jihadi forums points to a new organized death squad in Iraq. The new group is allegedly composed of Shiite female assassination units that will target Sunnis. Sunni

Jihadi Forums Tune into History Channel for Counter-Terrorism Intelligence

Recent chatter on jihadi websites has focused on monitoring the counter-terrorism strategies of the United States and its allies in the global war on terrorism. Jihadi websites and forums are

Shifting Alliances in the Salafi Movement After the Lebanon War

The recent war in Lebanon could become a significant factor leading to a transformation within the Salafi movement in the Arab world. The conflict may also have a similar impact

Jihadis Provide Internet Training for Female Mujahideen

The use of female suicide bombers by Islamist militant groups in countries such as Iraq, Jordan, Afghanistan and Indian Kashmir has exceeded the traditional constraints that Salafi-Jihadi ideology imposes on

New Website Incites Electronic Jihad

The latest criticism of Islam being a violent religion, which was sparked by incendiary comments made by Pope Benedict XVI, has caused internet jihadis to launch a new website called

Internet Jihadis React to Alleged Nuclear Plot on the United States

Recent reports indicating al-Qaeda's preparations for a nuclear attack in the United States by al-Qaeda's alleged nuclear expert, Adnan El-Shukrijumah, has prompted conflicting reactions among Islamists in the jihadi forums

The Evolution of Jihadi Electronic Counter-Measures

After each attempted terrorist attack, whether botched or successful, government security forces worldwide are typically tasked with reviewing and analyzing the incident to draw lessons from the mistakes made in

Liquid Explosive Training Manuals Easily Attainable on Jihadi Forums

In light of the information emerging from the foiled London attack, the terrorists involved in the operation planned on destroying commercial aircraft by mixing together explosive chemical substances while aboard

Lessons from al-Qaeda’s Attack on the Khobar Compound

The terrorist attack on Khobar, Saudi Arabia—the hub of the Saudi oil industry—by four al-Qaeda operatives on May 29, 2004, provided a significant morale boost for al-Qaeda. The attack resulted

The Sunni al-Fajr Forces Fight with Hezbollah in Lebanon

Despite calls and fatwas by some Sunni groups forbidding the fight alongside Hezbollah, the Lebanese Sunni Islamic resistance has joined Hezbollah in fighting the Israeli intervention. The biggest Islamic Sunni

Jihadis Adapt to Counter-Terror Measures and Create New Intelligence Manuals

Islamist websites are filled with security manuals and training information for jihadi militants. These manuals are often posted on forums sympathetic to violent Islamists, and the visitors to the forums

A Profile of al-Qaeda’s New Leader in Iraq: Abu Ayyub al-Masri

It did not take al-Qaeda in Iraq long to name the successor to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, contrary to speculation that the killing of al-Zarqawi would disrupt al-Qaeda's operations. In a

Jordan Arrests al-Qaeda Member in Sting Operation

Jordanian authorities announced on May 23 the arrest of a suspected member of al-Qaeda in Iraq in a sting operation launched by its General Intelligence Department (GID) and the 71st