Al Qaeda Hits Bottom; Keeps Digging

Al Qaeda in Iraq continues to show that the depths of depravity have yet to be fully explored. Their latest efforts are focusing on indoctrinating children as young as six in the methods and tactics of being terrorists and bombers.

But another capture during a December raid in Khan Bani Sad — about halfway between Baghdad and Baquba — gave even greater insight into the organization.

That raid netted five propaganda tapes that would have made Nazi propaganda filmmaker Joseph Goebbels proud. They were training videos showing Iraqi children between the ages of 6 and 14 being taught how to hold AK-47s, how to stop a car and carry out a kidnapping, how to break into a house and how to break into a courtyard and terrorize the individuals living there.

They also are seen being taught to use rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

"These were young boys all masked and hooded, all outfitted with weapons; adults were doing the training," Smith said.

"Al Qaeda is clearly using children to exploit other children to get the interest of Jihad spread among teenagers far and wide. They use this footage on the Internet to encourage other young boys to join the jihad movement."

The group included about 20 children being "trained." At the end of the hourlong video they are sent into their parents’ arms, suggesting the training has parental approval.

"We don't think they were being trained precisely to go out and conduct operations any time soon," Smith said. "But clearly there is a pattern of training and a pattern of indoctrination that is being used by Al Qaeda.

This is all part of the means and methods of indoctrination. These kids are being taught to become terrorists and bombers.

UPDATE:
Via The Jawa Report, here's a copy of the video:



UPDATE:
I should clarify my earlier remarks as al Qaeda has frequently used children and the infirm as suicide bombers or women whose families have been shamed or dishonored as suicide bombers. This is just another recent example and tangible proof that al Qaeda engages in these reprehensible tactics.

Others blogging: Hot Air and AJ Strata.