Despite decreasing numbers, Al Qaida remains a major factor in the Sunni insurgency in Iraq.
U.S. military intelligence has determined that Al Qaida's presence has been reduced during the last half of 2005, officials said. They said many of the foreigners in Al Qaida have been replaced by Iraqi nationals.
"The influence of terrorists and foreign fighters is much greater than their numbers," an official said.
The officials said military intelligence estimates that no more than 1,000 foreign operatives remain active in the Sunni insurgency. But they said the contingent of foreign fighters caused a high percentage of casualties.
"Today most of the foreign fighters are suicide bombers and their job is to kill as many people as possible, whether civilians or soldiers," the official said. |