Our Muslim Friends Suffer, Too
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Published: 29 September 2010
Terrorism knows no bounds. This atrocity happened in Iraq and the sadness still lingers in many hearts.
I republish these two emails with permission of CSM Jeffrey Mellinger.
Mohemmed's name has been changed to protect his family. May God cherish his brave Soul.
From: Mellinger Jeffrey J CSM MNF-I CSM
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 10:20 AM
To: SPC Jason Clark (MNF-I CSM Gunner); SFC Caprecia A Miller; CSM Frank Graham (1st Bde 1 AD); IT3 Joshua D Carter (ITSN Naval Subase NLON,Communications); SGT Ben Harless; IT1 Robert Parker (MNF-I CSM Commo); PFC David Belfiore (MNF-I CSM PSD); SGT Carson Rowe (MNF-I CSM PSD); SGT Christopher Hathaway (MNF-I CSM PSD); SGT Nicholas McManus (MNF-I CSM PSD Medic); SGT Nicholas Stirrett (MNF-I CSM PSD); SPC David MacDonald (MNF-I CSM Driver); SPC Jeremy Worthy (MNF-I CSM Driver); SPC Joshua Wathen (MNF-I CSM PSD); SPC Marc Paugh (MNF-I CSM PSD); SPC Michael Clark (MNF-I CSM Driver); SPC Nolan Lovett (MNF-I CSM PSD); SPC Richard Cabeceiras (MNF-I CSM PSD); SSG Kim N Robinson (MNF-I CSM Patrol Leader); SSG Lanretta L. Covington (MNF-I CSM EAA)
Subject: [U] RIP: SGM Mohemmed al-Ahbab, ICTF
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
I am sorry to tell you that Sergeant Major Mohemmed al-Ahbab, of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Force (ICTF) was killed during a mission.
He was a warrior, a patriot, a friend and a frequent traveler with the Lion 7 crew. I will miss him, as I know you will. Please pass this to all those whose life he touched, but keep it from others as he still has family here.
The fight continues.
CSM M-----Original Message-----
From: Far North Mellingers
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 7:56 AM
To: Mellinger, Jeffrey J CSM MIL USA AMC
Subject: RIP SGM Mohemmed al-Ahbab, ICTF
SGM Mohemmed al-Ahbab was a member of the ICTF and Iraqi Special Forces (ISF). He rode many miles with me and my crew, and was right in the middle of any fray we had, moving quickly to the sounds of the guns. The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Force (ICTF) was on everyone's hit list, as they were fighting for Iraq, and against all who were not for Iraq first. The ICFT killed plenty of Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF) and Al Qaeda - Iraq (AQI), and I was privileged to go on many raids and operations with them. I was never afraid of them - they were patriots and fierce fighters.
To soften the blow to the Lion 7 team, the above email reflects what I told them.
The truth is, he was captured leaving his Sadr City (Tharwa) home. His brothers had been captured, tortured and killed while refusing to disclose his location. His father suffered the same fate. Finally, Mohammed himself was captured coming back from leave.
For the next four days, sadistic Shi’a bastards (and he was himself Shi’a) beat him to the point of opening tissue and breaking major bones, used electric drills to drill every major joint (elbows, knees, ankles, shoulders), several locations in his skull, and every rib. Not to leave a single nerve unexposed, they used a Sawz-all to cut a notch from his bottom jaw, four teeth wide, and to the jut of his chin. Still, he lived.
Still alive after four days of this, he was shot twice in the head. He was bruised and swollen almost beyond recognition, but a tattoo revealed his identity.
A couple of weeks later, I was called by the CSM of the USSF element at the Radwaniyah Palace Complex (RPC) in Baghdad, and asked if I wanted to come along on the raid to kill/capture the rat bastards that had tortured and killed Mohemmed. Well, of course!
CSM Mellinger, SGM Mohemmed's friend, tells me that those who killed Mohemmed were killed in the raid.
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Comments
I appreciate your extensive reporting. I'm a Marine vet of 25 years and though I don't support the current president, I wholeheartedly support our troops.
I must disagree with you on this one. There is NO such thing as a peaceful Muslim. If they are, they AREN'T Muslim. I've done extensive studies on this religion of hate. I would encourage you to check out this former PLO terrorist and now Christian. He shares exactly whats going on with the biggest threat to our county. Check out www.shoebat.com By their own koran, those who are NOT Muslim are to either convert or die. We must learn more about islam and stop this infiltration immediately!
God bless,
Randy
I get asked why don't they stand up to terrorists in their own country. Fear. The same reason folks don't come forward in Chicago or Detroit or Juarez or Cali.
Those who say there is no such thing as a good Muslim have obviously not met any Muslims and from what I see a lot of people who regard all Muslims as evil are mainly hardcore Christians, very sad.
Your kind comments about SGM Mohemmed al-Ahbab and your personal vision on Muslims is very enlightning. If you have ever travelled and worked in Muslims countries you will find as Micheal said a few bad and a lot of good people, most are very good. That's my experience as well. I know Michael has seen many bad things and atrocities in his travels as a war reporter yet he still manages to keep a clear head, his humanity and understands the source of the evil is not to be applied across to board to all Muslims. Keep up the good work Michael. Good to see there is a very human person behind the pen.
Randy - My wife and I have been friends with a family of Muslims for 25 years. They are all wonderful and kind people who are generous beyond measure and devoted to this nation. We would place our lives in their hands without hesitation - something that I can't say readily about many people we know. They have been saddened by the blowback from the actions of the radical Muslims and their reign of terror around the globe...just like any other rational people.
I get incredibly angry when I hear people say "kill all the Muslims, they're all terrorists." This people believe that Islam is a monolithic entity, and have only studied the interpretations of Islam that suit them. They are unaware of all of the various sects and opinions. There are over 1 billion Muslims in the world. Killing them all is genocide, not counter-terrorism.
I have many Muslims friends, and usually the first conversation went something like this: "Hi, what is your name?" "My name is Amy, what's yours?" "My name is ___." "It's nice to meet you, ____." "You know, I'm Muslim. But I'm not a terrorist!"
I think the biggest problem that some have is they actually don't know any Muslims. Once you meet a few, you realize most of them are just like other people-- they want to raise their families, practice their religion freely, and have hopes, dreams, fears, and hopes that have nothing to do with Usama bin Laden's version of jihad. And they are individuals, with beliefs that differ accordingly.
If you're just looking at numbers, more Muslims have been victims of terrorism than Americans. And for most of the homegrown terrorists, it has been American Muslims who have first come to law enforcement, such as with the Fort Dix group.
I am a long time supporter of yours, and I respect your opinion. I am sure there are brave and honorable muslims, however the religion has been hijacked by the radical element, and the problem is their holy book supports killing non Muslims. How do you resolve that issue?
Since Sept 11th, my world was rocked and now I am very suspicious of EVERY Muslim.
It doesn't make me feel good to be that way, but it's there and I cannot apologize.
BUT I will say this....what those savages did to that man is beyond comprehension and if I could have been there to save him, I would have. I value human life but I would have shot those murderers in a split second.
He looked like a real nice guy and it pains me GREATLY to imagine what he went through in those last hours of his life...it's thoroughly disgusting, heart-breaking and makes me mad as heck.
May God bring comfort to his family......and may everyone who is just like those savages, be caught and eradicated.
It seems you're now seeing what I've noticed from the comments made by your "fans" on facebook--I don't know if it's a loud-mouthed minority or a majority, but the posters are so often extreme-right-wing, jingoistic, hateful people who attack you any time you seem to imply anything regarding moderation or acceptance (even tolerance) of the "other". They're full of a little bit of knowledge (which is always dangerous). I've often been amazed at how liberal some of the greatest warriors I know are (from Stan McCrystal to the several SF guys and one ex-Delta guy I know) seeing as how the word itself has been so successfully demonized in our society (and especially our military--which has sometimes been more progressive than society (e.g., desegregation, etc.). Anyway. It's unfortunate that you've so many ignorant "followers"--but until Fox News gets embeds to do more reporting from outside the green zone hotels, you're one of the few sources they can follow. I'm sure most of these hateful people are doubly taken aback by the fact that you're not as hateful as them (I see lots of them rebuking you and/or pledging to stop reading your facebook posts whenever you show any hint of compassion or understanding concerning the "ragheads"). Blue Skies SGM Mohemmed "al-Ahbab".
--jOE f
Shoebat is just a braying jackass profiting off of the current situation... The bank he says he attacked says they were never attacked. But hey, everyone do their own research...
If all muslims are are enemy, who are the muslims we fight alongside we are dieing for?
Walid Shoebat is an outright liar, and I would be happy to tell him that to his phony, lying face
CPL Khan, a Muslim, joined the Army after 9-11 because he felt a call to duty. RIP, comrade. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/krkhan.htm
This comment is for Randy, who seems to think Muslims are incapable of being peaceful. You may have "extensively" studied the Muslim religion, but that is spoken like someone who has never spent real time in the Middle East interacting with them. I've spoken to countless Muslims, and I've sent my fair share to meet Allah, and I can speak from experience that many are peaceful. I have known Iraqi interpreters shot numerous times in combat while rescuing wounded Americans. Another interpreter that died with six of my platoon members in 2007. He was 15 and lied about his age so he could assist American Soldiers to stop the violence in his country.
It is not true, and it is entirely closed minded, to believe that those that are muslim are by definition violent. Continue to study the religion, but on site, real life experience always trumps book reading.
Why is it so hard to see that another religion can have extremists that are so fundamentally opposed to the actual teachings?
Let all without sin cast the first stone
I was saddened to learn of the loss of your friend. He sounded like a good man and a patriot. No doubt there are many Iraqis (Muslims) who are good people. Those who killed him are barbaric and have nothing to offer those who want thei8r owhn frredom and liberty for their country. Ours and their enemy is vicious and needs to be taken out! Thank you Michael for your continued work and service to our country and the world who truly wants a better way... Thank you sincere for reporting the truth as you see it. Please take special care of yourself. You are an American treasure. We shall never forget our service members and those who fight along side them. Tracy September 29, 2010
http://www.olivetreeviews.org/cart/product.php?productid=88&cat=4&page=4
Your wonderful site is being undermined by racist and bigoted postings. Please review the site policy on this.
Ireland
Salma.
There are endless amounts of both fans and fanatics of all religions as far as I've seen. For the most part I don't recall a person's policical, religious, or even sexual preference being the first thing coming to mind when those little "snap snap snap" sounds came our direction.
Granted it was fiction, but I've often used clips from "The 13th Warrior" in prof development classes. As a way to show examples of such different men from different cultures able to bond through situations such as combat. At this point in life I know: my brain housing group is made to be on a swivel. I can turn another way if I don't like something. With that, igoring can make you ignorant. Denial can kill you twice, and there are those who live the "if" life. Those the live the "when" life (prepared for).
I truely believe that all must be done to publicize the kind of evil that people like this Warrior endured. The world needs to know that man is capable of this as a reminder so that sight of true good is never lost. I also do think that if more (particularly women of that relgion who live in the USA) spoke out against the radical types, it would help.
With Patriotism,
Joe
-Sua Sponte-
When I was in Afghanistan I worked with quite a few in the Afghan Police that were partriots for their country. Low pay (when it came at all-most worked second jobs) and constant threats to them and their families from the same type that killed the SGM. Yet they came to work every day and did the best they could for their country. Never boasted about their religion nor denigrated mine. They thanked me for being there and we respected each other. Their pictures are on my wall at work, good men all.
I worked with Nepalese Ghurka's who were Hindu. You knew they would stand with you, or in front of you, if anything came down. It's a little different when you are in a serious environment. The measure of a man becomes apparent.
There is a scene from the movie "Gettysburg" that says it all about being inclusively judgemental. An old Irish soldier (the Irish being victims of discrimination in the antebellum US) remarks that "Any man who judges by the group is a peawit".
Thanks again, Michael, for an informative but deeply saddenning post.
If you want a holy war, come out here and put your money where your mouth is, and let me go home.
I will not fight a holy war for you.
YN2(SW) H. Lucien Gauthier III
Kandahar, Afghanistan
I have never been treated with anything but respect and offers of friendship, and respond in kind.
For you "Christians" who use selected passages of the Quran to fuel your hate for all Muslims, look to your own bible, that prescribes stoning by the whole congregation for adultery, breaking the Sabbath, insubordination by a son, blasphemy. As you do not follow those prescriptions in your life (I trust), so all the Muslims I know ignore the militant, misogynistic passages of the Quran, recognizing them to be the products of another age.
Don't take my word for it. Try, just once, having a real conversation with a Muslim and ask him what he believes. Until then, STFU !
"It is better to be silent, and thought ignorant, than to speak and remove all doubt."
Mabbe...we could use some power tools here @ home on them bastids, that sent us there for...what was that? I forgot.
So, now...support our troops, support our war machine, who are making Amerikwa safe from some local patriots some thousand miles and a few oceans away, while leaving our borders wide open...'cos it sooo hard and costly to defend against the invasion, while little israhell, who we support by a minimum of 10 million dollars cash every day, gets to build NOT only settlements, but also a SECURITY wall, on our buck...
This whole mindfudge would be funny, if it weren't tragic. Hey, did Ya catch the news about Ricky Sanches getting the boot from the Communist News Network?
Eyes wide shut.
I am ashamed. I am deeply ashamed for my people.
Just as there are Muslim extremist that use religion as an excuse for power there are also Christians that use religion as their excuse for power. That’s right.. the goal is really Power not religious dominance. All throughout history innocent people have been murdered by those that have used religion as an excuse to justify their actions.
Not too long ago, before the Muslim extremist became very active, members of the Irish Republican Army were bombing England on a daily basis killing innocent people, but today no one claims that all Irish people are a threat to everyone else.
Unfortunately, today, Muslim extremist are the dominant brainwashed terrorist around the world and they are having fun getting away with their murderous activity. Have you ever wondered why we never hear a loud out-cry from Muslim leaders over the many innocent Muslim people that have been murdered by the Muslim extremist? They fear being murdered themselves for speaking out. Not many of them are brave enough to stand up to the terrorist and say enough-is-enough. Also, there are enough hard-line Muslims within each community that would soon take care of any Muslim religious leader that did speak out.
The extremist lie about non-Muslims and they leverage many of the old out-dated passages of their holy book which was written by one person who claimed divine revelation. How many times have we also heard that among Christians? The Muslim holy book was written during a time of great turmoil among the many religions and peoples in the region by a man that desired to bring cohesion and control over the many disenfranchised people of that time. Unfortunately, he never provided a methodology for modernizing many of the out-dated methods of control as the people grew and matured intellectually.
I’ve had this discussion many times over the years with my Muslim friends and none of them have desired to kill me for it, but I have had former Christian friends threaten me because of my views that included the history of Christians who have murdered innocent people for Power.
Have a nice day!
The story breaks my heart. I am reminded of the words of Dr. Victor Frankl, a holocaust survivor who was asked if he hated Germans. His response was one that we should all remember - he said there are only two races, the decent and the indecent.
Those that tortured and murdered the SGM deserve our hatred I am glad to here they were killed, sadly more like them remain. Decent people like SGM Mohemmed "al-Ahbab" deserve our support, love and recognition as good people regardless of ethnicity or religion. We mourn him.
I do call for the members of the "decent" race who happen to be Muslim to stand up and loudly and publicly declare that those that perpetrate evil in the name of their religion are not welcome. Sadly the only scenes of mass protest of Muslims we do see is when they come to protest some action they find offensive (like the Danish cartoons). Decent Muslims, you are the same race as every other decent person on earth, please make your voices heard, and honor publicly the memory of one of your best, SGM Mohemmed.
The difference is that Western culture underwent enlightenment and secularization in the 18th and 19th centuries. We have laws that prohibit this kind of behavior and prevent religious organizations from influencing politics directly (not that they don't do all the time in the US). The Muslim world (with the exception of Turkey to some extent) never underwent that development. Religion, politics and everyday life are so intertwined that they are basically inseparable. If radical Christians could act in the same without legal repercussions, they would. So they just find more subtle and less outright violent ways to express their beliefs, subjugate society under their faith and fight everyone who isn't exactly like them.
At issue here is the goodness of one individual man. His uncommon quality, honor and humanity should be celebrated not denigrated. There are men and women of honor in every nation. Let's recognize SGM Mohemmed al-Ahbab for the fine human he was and pray that many more like him rise up and defend freedom and liberty. R.I.P.
I bet it was the fire that you really wanted to kill the bastard in front of you that kept you alive for so long.
You'll be remembered by us Americans civilians and the men and women you've served with from the American military, trust me, I'll remember your story.
If you were a practicing Muslim than may Allah bless you and those of your family that were killed and curse those that killed you.
And for you Christians...I'm sure Jesus would welcome him in his arms for the man was a protector of the innocent.
And for agnostics like me...well I hope there is something else better...and I hope he is there.
I'm pretty sure this keyboard warrior won't die in the way he did nor give service in the way he did.
That is what I think we should remember.
You are so right. He was kind, gentle, deadly and serious about ridding his country of terrorists of any flavor, and a hero. Those who knew him will keep him in their hearts along with all our other fallen in this war.
L7
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