TRC has looked at the list offered in this article; it is of research interest because it seems to be authentic and contains what appears to be honest information. There is no indication of an intention to inflate numbers (to demonstrate the number of willing ?martyrs? for propaganda purposes) nor to deflate them (to play down losses, also for propaganda purposes).

Rather, it is an effort to publicize the names of the insurgent dead for memorial purposes and so that their family members and friends can learn of their fate. It also shows potential new Jihadists considering going to Iraq that, should they be ?martyred? there, their names and in some cases their stories will be recorded by someone. In most cases, the way the person died is also printed, and in others, more details are provided about their backgrounds and their jihad activities. Even phone numbers of family members are provided in some cases so the family can be called and congratulated (the article does not mention this, but in one case directions to one of the insurgent?s family?s home in Saudi Arabia is listed, so that supporters can go pay their respects). A good deal of information can be gleaned from this list. For instance, not only is it possible to get a rough idea of the breakup of Arab dead by nationality, but in a number of cases, it is possible to identify regions and the tribes or families that are producing a large number of insurgents.