.Ransom kidnappings fund Iraq insurgents
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Nearly half the money funding insurgents comes from outside the country, according to a senior Iraqi official. But officials suggest old sources are drying up and the radical groups are turning to ransom kidnappings - up to 10 a day in Baghdad alone - to finance their guerrilla attacks.
Other sources of funding include extortion, attacks on fuel tankers and other types of banditry, and possibly even government money earmarked for securing infrastructure and battling the insurgency - either directly or through corrupt officials.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that "our awareness of corruption is increasing," but he did not say there was evidence that it was aiding the insurgents. Rumsfeld said it was "critically important" for the Iraqis to combat corruption and that "the new leadership in that country be measured against their commitment."
A senior Iraqi Interior Ministry official, Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Khafaji, said this week that at least half the insurgency's funds are believed to come from outside the country. Much of the rest comes from ransoms or donations - either voluntary or through extortion - by wealthy merchants and prominent figures.
It is unclear how much income is generated, but the potential offered by ransom kidnapping is considerable. Although detailed figures are unavailable, Iraqi officials estimated three to 10 kidnappings a day in the Baghdad area alone.
Most victims are Iraqis, whose families pay between $3,000 and $50,000 for their release. Virtually none of the kidnappings is reported to the police.
Most media attention falls on the 268 foreigners known to have been abducted since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Forty-four have been killed and 135 released, according to the Washington-based Brookings Institution. Three others escaped and three were rescued, it said, while the fate of the others was not known.
Unconfirmed reports outside Iraq claim ransom was paid to free some of the hostages, mainly Europeans or Middle Easterners.
SeattlePI
Other sources of funding include extortion, attacks on fuel tankers and other types of banditry, and possibly even government money earmarked for securing infrastructure and battling the insurgency - either directly or through corrupt officials.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that "our awareness of corruption is increasing," but he did not say there was evidence that it was aiding the insurgents. Rumsfeld said it was "critically important" for the Iraqis to combat corruption and that "the new leadership in that country be measured against their commitment."
A senior Iraqi Interior Ministry official, Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Khafaji, said this week that at least half the insurgency's funds are believed to come from outside the country. Much of the rest comes from ransoms or donations - either voluntary or through extortion - by wealthy merchants and prominent figures.
It is unclear how much income is generated, but the potential offered by ransom kidnapping is considerable. Although detailed figures are unavailable, Iraqi officials estimated three to 10 kidnappings a day in the Baghdad area alone.
Most victims are Iraqis, whose families pay between $3,000 and $50,000 for their release. Virtually none of the kidnappings is reported to the police.
Most media attention falls on the 268 foreigners known to have been abducted since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Forty-four have been killed and 135 released, according to the Washington-based Brookings Institution. Three others escaped and three were rescued, it said, while the fate of the others was not known.
Unconfirmed reports outside Iraq claim ransom was paid to free some of the hostages, mainly Europeans or Middle Easterners.
SeattlePI
posted by madtom at 6:04 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home