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Saudi Arabia Sends the Most Fighters to Iraq

Forget Iran: 45% of foreign fighters are Saudis; half are suicide bombers

By Caroline Miller,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 15, 2007 10:33 AM CDT
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(Newser) – While the US has accused both Syria and Iran of abetting sectarian violence in Iraq, the largest source of foreign insurgents there is Saudi Arabia, the Los Angeles Times reports. Saudi fighters constitute 45% of all foreign militants in Iraq, a US official told the Times. Almost half of them are said to be suicide bombers.

The Saudi fighters have carried out more suicide bombings than those of any other nationality, killing or injuring an estimated 4,000 Iraqis. This leaves the White House in the awkward position of  having its principal ally in the area either unable to staunch the flow of militants into Iraq or, worse, tacitly condoning the bloodshed.

People pick through the rubble left behind after a parked car bomb killed a pedestrian and wounded 5 others in the Amil neighborhood of western Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, July 14, 2007. It was unclear what the intended target was when the explosion occurred at 7
People pick through the rubble left behind after a parked car bomb killed a pedestrian and wounded 5 others in the Amil neighborhood of western Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, July 14, 2007. It was unclear what...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Army soldiers examine the wreckage from a car bomb attack that injured a woman in the Harithiyah neighborhood of western Baghdad, Iraq Monday, July 9, 2007. Attacks in Baghdad killed 13 people Monday as prominent Shiite and Sunni politicians called on Iraqi civilians to take up arms to...
U.S. Army soldiers examine the wreckage from a car bomb attack that injured a woman in the Harithiyah neighborhood of western Baghdad, Iraq Monday, July 9, 2007. Attacks in Baghdad killed 13 people Monday...   (Associated Press)
Boys inspect the remains of a vehicle left behind after a parked car bomb killed a pedestrian and wounded 5 others in the Amil neighborhood of western Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, July 14, 2007. It was unclear what the intended target was when the explosion occurred at 7
Boys inspect the remains of a vehicle left behind after a parked car bomb killed a pedestrian and wounded 5 others in the Amil neighborhood of western Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, July 14, 2007. It was unclear...   (Associated Press)
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