Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Video Archive Almanac
About Feedback Privacy Policy
About Feedback Privacy Policy
Search
Trending
Truck shooting
India rape
Execution
Justin Timberlake
Japanese antibiotics
SpaceX
Helicopter crash
Lyft
LeBron James
Smart TVs
Special Reports
July 20, 2010 / 12:26 PM

Iraq war boon for bin Laden, MI5 head says

LONDON, July 20 (UPI) -- The decision to use military force in Iraq in 2003 gave Osama bin Laden the jihad he looking for, the former head of British intelligence said Tuesday.

London is examining its role in the Iraq war from the planning stages in 2001 to the end of British combat operations in 2009.

Eliza Manningham-Buller, who led British intelligence agency MI5 from 2002-07, told the London inquiry into the Iraq war Tuesday that the Iraqi invasion was a propaganda victory for al-Qaida, London's Guardian newspaper reports.

"Arguably, we gave Osama bin Laden his Iraqi jihad," she said.

She said the decision to use military force to remove Saddam Hussein from power created a political situation where al-Qaida could establish a presence in Iraq.

At home, she said, the Iraq war was used to radicalize British Muslims, adding British authorities were "overburdened" with information on terrorist plots in the United Kingdom by 2004.

Manningham-Buller added that there was no evidence to suggest Saddam had a role in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and the international threat posed by Iraq prior to the invasion in 2003 was low.

  • Topics
  • Osama bin Laden

Latest Headlines

Trending Stories

Old Man Winter's next blow to come in form of major storm
Old Man Winter's next blow to come in form of major storm
Tennessee governor says he won't intervene in Lee Hall's execution
Tennessee governor says he won't intervene in Lee Hall's execution
SpaceX launches 19th cargo mission to space station with robot aboard
SpaceX launches 19th cargo mission to space station with robot aboard
Indian woman on way to rape case hearing set on fire
Indian woman on way to rape case hearing set on fire
20 women sue Lyft alleging sexual assault by drivers
20 women sue Lyft alleging sexual assault by drivers

Photo Gallery

 
'Spirit of America' marks White House Christmas decor
'Spirit of America' marks White House Christmas decor

Latest News

High-speed UPS truck chase ends in shooting, 4 dead
Trumps light National Christmas Tree
Adrian Peterson among eight finalists for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
R. Kelly accused of bribing official for fake ID before marrying Aaliyah
Lakers' LeBron James slams Jazz announcers, defends celebration in socks
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy