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| Iraq-Jordan |
| U.S. TURNS FOCUS TO RAMADI |
| 2004-12-06 |
| The U.S. military has set a new goal in Iraq: to seize control of the western city of Ramadi from Sunni insurgents. U.S. officials said American and Iraqi forces would assault insurgency strongholds in Ramadi, located near the Syrian border. They said the mission would also seek to block the flow of weapons and insurgents from Syria to the Sunni Triangle. "We believe a solution in Ramadi in now obtainable, now that Faluja has been eliminated as a terrorist safe haven," Gen. George Casey, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, said. "The whole Al Anbar province is an area of difficulty for the interim government, and we will work very hard to bring the security situation there to the point where they have election in January." The U.S. operation against Ramadi was expected to be more rapid than the assault on Faluja in November. Officials said the capture of Faluja shattered the headquarters of the Sunni insurgency in Iraq as well as a way-station for Al Qaida-aligned volunteers recruited and trained in Lebanon and Syria. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #10 I suspect SPoD is right. |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-12-06 8:58:45 AM |
| #9 I think the "announcements" are part of making our own luck. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2004-12-06 8:50:59 AM |
| #8 Actually, I think Zarqawi is always on the move so any announcements we make are not a factor in has decisions of when to move. However, Zarqawi's decisions of where to move may be affected by our announcements. I don't think we need Zarqawi in Ramadi to capture him. We simply need to have some good intel and get lucky. |
| Posted by: mhw 2004-12-06 8:33:16 AM |
| #7 Badanov, I undestand. But what I am objecting to is announcing the moves on the chessboard beforehand so "Zarqawi is to stay two steps ahead of the coalition while either in movement or while at rest." That is, IMHO, what is appearing as going on. |
| Posted by: Sobiesky 2004-12-06 7:08:30 AM |
| #6 Actually, SPoD is right. Even in modern mobile warfare, th best time to attack is while troops are on the move. Communications can be messed with and a mobile group hearing over a wireless link some of their security element is under fire will make Zarqawi nervous, forcing them to make mistakes that will reveal his location. Static communications, on the other hand, stands a really good chance of being spoofed, or false communications. The key for Zarqawi is to stay two steps ahead of the coalition while either in movement or while at rest. |
| Posted by: badanov 2004-12-06 6:59:57 AM |
| #5 SPoD, sound like you are making a lame excuse. In order to triangulate someone, communications is the best way. I dunno. I suppose there is some thought behind it, I don't know the condition in Iraq good enough to make a judgement. Perhaps it is based on how the terrs react. Maybe it is supposed to get them to move from urban areas, where the fight may be a bit advantageous for terrs vs open country, where they would be sitting fowl. |
| Posted by: Sobiesky 2004-12-06 6:48:23 AM |
| #4 Actually our best chance of catching him and his unknown supporters is when they are on the move and comunications are being disrupted. We are forcing him to make a mistake. He doesn't even know it. No pity for the "po foo." |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2004-12-06 3:35:58 AM |
| #3 Damn, I can see Al-Zarqawi, right now, beginning to pack his suitcase for the next move. The military needs to announce this stuff only after the ring of iron is placed around the city. Again, let the women, kiddies and baby ducks out along with the elderly men. Then announce that every male would be killed on sight, no prisoners, announce the start and then pull back and use some of those MOAB's we paid for! |
| Posted by: smn 2004-12-06 1:45:45 AM |
| #2 Or, is it a feint? |
| Posted by: Floting Granter5198 2004-12-06 1:42:02 AM |
| #1 Why are we telegraphing our punches? Has Ramadi already been sealed off? |
| Posted by: PBMcL 2004-12-06 12:19:11 AM |