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Dead Taliban Leader Was Training U.S. Recruits

May 14, 2007 5:03 PM

Dead_taliban_le_mn Thirty-six hours before he was killed by U.S. forces, Taliban Commander Mullah Dadullah said he was training American and British citizens to carry out suicide missions in their home countries, according to a videotape interview to be broadcast on ABC News' "World News" Monday.

"We will be executing attacks in Britain and the U.S. to demonstrate our sincerity," he told an Afghan interviewer, "to destroy their cities as they have destroyed our cities."

Video Listen to the Taliban Leader's Final Words.

A senior U.S. official told the Blotter on ABCNews.com that recent intelligence reports confirmed Dadullah's claim that U.S. citizens were being trained in Taliban and al Qaeda camps.

"The number is small, not large, but even once is dangerous," the official said.

In the interview, Dadullah said, "This is our religious and moral duty to train suicide bombers against the nuclear power of the infidels, and they will be used when they are needed, whether they are one, 10 or 20."

Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.

Mullah_dadullah_body A day and a half after the interview, U.S. forces carried out a helicopter assault on Dadullah's hiding place in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. Dadullah's bullet-riddled body was put on display by Afghan officials to confirm he was dead.

U.S. military officials said Dadullah had been tracked from the Pakistani city of Quetta across the border into Afghanistan, where he granted his last interview.

"His ego probably got the better of him," said ABC News counterterrorism consultant Alexis Debat.  "The U.S. and Pakistan have done an excellent job of intercepting the couriers moving taped messages from al Qaeda and Taliban leaders. This is why we have not seen Osama bin Laden in some time," Debat said.

May 14, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (83)

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Give credit where credit is due--George Bush!!!!
Do what's right and hold George Bush up high in your media coverage.

Posted by: Mary Beth Bleeker | May 14, 2007 5:34:01 PM

Good! how come he said this after he was killed? and why can't I comment on the myth second hand smoke?
(j) SG
God bless America

Posted by: Sean Gillman | May 14, 2007 5:35:26 PM

I'm sorry this guy is dead. I was training my FOOT to kick his REAR. Such a shame.

Posted by: Mitch | May 14, 2007 5:39:06 PM

Bush gets no credit for this. The US Army and its Allies do.

Posted by: Scott | May 14, 2007 5:41:36 PM

George Bush had nothing to do with killing Dadullah! The brave armed forces men and women are not democrats or republicans; they are on the front lines protecting us. Bush and his cronies (Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Rice) have a distorted worldview that has created higher levels of animosity than previously existed. We can kill all of the "leaders" and the "followers" will just move up until we get to the root causes and understand that Bush's world view is not destined to prevail. While there is no doubt that Islamic extremism must be defeated, it's gonna take more than a strong and mighty sword to win this battle.

Ronniebeans

Posted by: Ronniebeans | May 14, 2007 5:44:14 PM

Somehow the Democrats will find a way of twisting this story around to discredit President Bush. I am not quite certain yet how anyone can be so naiive as to think that this war is not necessary. Anti-War Democrats and Republicans alike would not have the right to free speech were it not for the battle against terrorism called for by President Bush and being fought for by our brave men and women in uniform.

Posted by: Steve | May 14, 2007 5:45:51 PM

Give credit where credit is due--George Bush!!!!
===================================
I agree, give credit where credit is due ... as he should also get the blame for allowing 9/11 to happen.

Posted by: novamike | May 14, 2007 5:48:35 PM

sooner or later , Good will win this evil.. We will prevai!

Posted by: daryl | May 14, 2007 5:52:13 PM

It's about time that Afghanistan got in the news instead of the illegal, senseless and immoral war in Iraq.

Posted by: Mark Wise | May 14, 2007 5:52:25 PM

Like it or not this war against terroism is one our grandchildren will be waging.

Intelligence is the key. No easy answer or plan to guard us against attacks.

Posted by: buck | May 14, 2007 5:55:46 PM

"give credit where credit is due" - indeed, credit for 9/11 goes to Bill Clinton and cronies who did not have the, er, "heart", to do anything about bin Laden and Al Quaeda when he had the intel and had the chance. Bush could at least pull the trigger, where Clinton choked

Posted by: daniel | May 14, 2007 5:55:47 PM

George Bush doesn't get credit for this, the only thing he gets credit for isolating the us from our allies. Starting and creating a war based on lies. Invading a country (Iraq) that wasn't a threat to our National Security. Hell, I could go on giving Bush credit for things, but getting credit for this; NO way!

Posted by: David | May 14, 2007 6:04:54 PM

I can't believe I see this on an ABC news website! You have tried so hard to cover up any connection between our soldiers fighting Al-quaida and constantly pushing the wacko congressmen/women that are against the war and President Bush. When are you going to wake up and see that our soldiers need our support & (money for equipment) to fight Al-quaida over there. When are you going to wake up to see that President Bush does have a deeper understanding than you do on the situation there.

Posted by: Suzanne | May 14, 2007 6:07:45 PM

George Bush had nothing to do with this??? Duh, isn't he the Commander in Chief of the Army (read the Constitution ). Now, we know that every lib in the US would have blamed Bush if many US soldier were killed in an unsuccessful attempt to kill the same guy. But you libs never admit your insane hate of Bush. I had no use whatsoever for your Boy Rapist, Bubba, but I did not hate him, nor do I hate his wife who is about the most untruthful woman I have never come across.
From a WWII vet who knows that even the Republicans who did not support FDR and abhorred many of his polices, on the war and other things, nontheless stood firmly behind him until the war was won.
What has happened to the angry idiots who hate the President? They are not in harms way, they would never fight for the Country, and the tax cuts are producing almost enought extra funds to pay for the war. Whine away, libs, whine away

Posted by: Richard Manning | May 14, 2007 6:22:40 PM

Yes the Troops are fighting for our freedom and yes they deserve credit, also God Bless their families although on the other hand........Our troops and allies would not have been called to duty without Bush's signature. Our troops are brave and were prepared when they enlisted and were trained, if we had not gone to this war......we would have had Homicide and Suicide bombers all ready in our malls, federal buildings, schools, places of worship and not to mention our military bases and well....don't need to mention some, etc. It doesn't matter if anyone is republican or democratic, I love every one of you for who you are. I keep up with this war from day one. Have years (since September 11, 2001, close to three thousand)of edited and labeled VHS tapes and DVD's bagged, taped up with clear mailing tape(with LIVE coverage starting minutes after the first attack and before the second hijacked airplane) Moved from Florida to South Carolina in 2005 for my children and I to start a new life with 7 address moving this material and trying to keep the bags from busting before I finally purchased my new home in the midlands. This nation should be unified more so and remain vigilant and just get along, and keep in mind that Bush has to clean up Clinton's mess from his neglect, not to mention where his mind was. From a single, unavailable, 41 year old loving mother of two straight "A"/ "A-B" honor roll teenagers. I love you President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, miss you Donald, Ari, and everyone else that has been out of the media more than they use to. Go Guilliani!!!! I am sure someone will beg to differ. Hugs, Sylvia

Posted by: Tigerchat | May 14, 2007 6:28:11 PM

Comment on David. Ask Hillary if she stated that Sadam was our number one national security risk and we needed a regime change in Iraq, The same was said by your boy from Mass. The great VietNam hero. He stated if you don't beieve that Sadaam was America's number one enemy and gratest National Security Issue then don't re-elect me. Bush has done the right thing. Like most Americans I remember 9-11 and so do two of my sons. One in 82nd airborne in Afghanistan right now, the other in Special Operations.

Posted by: john o verton | May 14, 2007 6:31:04 PM

"United we stand; Divided we fall." Please remember there are dedicated fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers who are laying down their lives and dying to protect all of you bickering ,arguing people here about which political party is right and who is wrong! It makes me sick! This is the time to support of our soldiers, Period!!

Posted by: Debi Hepler | May 14, 2007 6:31:07 PM

Deeper understanding - really, where have you been for the past six years? You must mean a deeper understanding then YOU do certainly, not me.
I am constantly disappointed with our inablility to think for ourselves and not believe everything any administration tells us especially when time and time again they have proven to be a bunch of manipulating liars - yet we continue to believe them. Wake up! And this whole credit conversation is useless - Bush should get credit for our armed forces eliminating one of the "terrorist" he (our government) actually helped to create? That is as ridiculous as Americans asking "Why do they hate us?"
We all really should read and study history more.

Posted by: Sandy | May 14, 2007 6:34:18 PM

Now let the DEMOCRATS cut the funding of war against terror and let these trained US citizen militant do their Jihad at homefront. At least the DEMOCRATS can do something: as they claim like what CLINTON did when he had BIN LADEN on his sight, but did nothing about it... until the 9/11 broke loose. You anti war DEMOCRATS go ahead let the enemy knows how stupid you people are and for those who believe those DEMOCRATS you can be with them too. You are so concerned of our troops dying on the battle front. They are dying for your sake DEMOCRATS!!! Not like those people dying of drugs.... oppsss... I did not smoke it I enhale it... Clinton the liberals which you DEMOCRATS stands for... The truth is if you look how many American die during Korean war, is not even closed of how many died during this war on terror... And this is to bring the war to them not here in our HOME.... So go ahead cut the funding face the consequence later DEMOCRATS>>>

Posted by: suns | May 14, 2007 6:40:39 PM

We are living in a dangerous times, we have one party who wants to surrender, appease, throw in the towel and defund the military the SURRENDER MONKEY PARTY, we got the other party who wants to take stronger actions against terrorists, which party will win in 08 the Cowaring anti America party or the GOP who wants to save the country from terrorism, common sence will tell you the dems are going to BLEED in 08! Al Franken 22% behind in Minesota, there is a god! Piss on America Pelosi, Abscam Murtha(excepting that he might take a cash bribe in the future from muslims on tape twice), little dingy Harry Reid Mafia property manager, and Scary Kerry that lied to congress in 1972 completely lying made up false testimony on Viet Nam and the rest of the demoncrat party will be gone in 08! they will get the little people killed!
Just remember Pelosi allowed a Muslim from Minnesota who changed his name to an American sounding name to take his oath of office and swear on the KORAN, shame full!!

!

Posted by: james | May 14, 2007 6:42:48 PM

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