I'm not sure if this is a gaffe by the BBC (through poor use of English) or a gaffe by the person who said it. However, the BBC website reports:
"A leader of the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, urges Iraqis to defend themselves by carrying out suicide attacks against the advancing American and British troops in their country."
Now forgive me for being dense, but is blowing yourself up
really the best form of protecting yourself?
