Bungled Europe Bombings Linked to Iraq Al-Qaeda

Men accused of trying to send weapons, money to al-Qaeda

(AP) - Two Iraqis living in Kentucky have been arrested on charges that they tried to send sniper rifles, stinger missiles, and money to al-Qaeda operatives in their home country, according to court documents unsealed today. Thirty-year-old Waad Ramadan Alwan and 23-year-old Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, who both have lived in Bowling Green since 2009, were charged in a 23-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury Thursday. Neither is charged with plotting attacks within the US, and authorities say their weapons and money didn't make it to Iraq because of a tightly controlled undercover investigation. More»

(NEWSER) - As the US military prepares to withdraw from Iraq's cities, security officials in both countries have observed that a smaller but more lethal insurgency seems to be gaining ground. Several recent bombings, believed to be orchestrated by al-Qaeda in Iraq, have killed 123 people in Baghdad and elsewhere, while members of the Sunni Awakening Movement have faced assassination attempts. As the New York Times reports, the attacks are a reminder of instability in a country that has been relatively peaceful of late. More»

Death of insurgents leaves female relatives feeling suicide is their only option

(NEWSER) - Female suicide bombings are on the rise in Iraq's restive Diyala province, the New York Times reports, and success in combating al-Qaeda may be the cause. Many local insurgents have been killed or detained, leaving their surviving female relatives with little hope for the future. They often come under great pressure to give their own lives for the cause. More»

Leader of Sunni Awakening killed in separate suicide attack

(NEWSER) - Five American troops are dead after a suicide bomber struck today in the Mansour district of Baghdad, the BBC reports. The soldiers were patrolling a busy shopping center when a young man wearing an explosive vest engaged them in conversation shortly before detonating, said a military spokesman. Three other service members and an Iraqi interpreter were wounded in the blast. More»

Brother of alleged attacker faces charges in botched airport attack

(NEWSER) - A man who cops say crashed a Jeep full of explosives into a Glasgow airport a month ago has died of his injuries, the AP reports. Kafeel Ahmed suffered critical burns during the attack and died without emerging from a subsequent coma at a local hospital. Police say he attacked the airport on June 30, the morning after two unsuccessful car bombings in London. More»