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| Iraq |
| US forces surround Iraq towns |
| 2006-07-20 |
| BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces surrounded and entered two towns near the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Thursday in search of suspected al Qaeda militants, the military said on Thursday. The operation follows a series of insurgent attacks in the area where 31 Iraqi soldiers have been killed by rebels in the past five weeks, said a military statement. U.S. and Iraqi officials had hoped the death of al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a U.S. air strike in June would deal a major blow to the militant organization. But a security crackdown on al Qaeda in Baghdad since then has failed to ease violence. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #7 Verlaine: This is called a but sandwich, not to be confused with a butt sandwich! :-) |
| Posted by: gorb 2006-07-20 17:48 |
| #6 Mr. Moose, the "friendly gun search" would only last in the Chicago area until they got to the home(s) of the local 'BusinessmenÂ’s Association' members or below 19th Street. There might be 'issues' after that. "Down-Staters" might have a few different ideas about this little scenario also. |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2006-07-20 14:04 |
| #5 Wasn't that gun thing planned for Illinois? After hearing the governor saying gun owners were criminals and all, then one of his buddies proposing house-to-house searches to confiscate guns, you would think they would do it there first. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-07-20 13:04 |
| #4 First, some housekeeping. "U.S. and Iraqi officials had hoped the death of al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a U.S. air strike in June would deal a major blow to the militant organization. But a security crackdown on al Qaeda in Baghdad since then has failed to ease violence." The classic and now universal formula for inserting (always unfounded) argumentative b.s. into what should be reporting. Every Coalition/Iraqi success of any note is welcomed by our side, of course - and, of course, when the event doesn't magically transform the entire landscape here, the media barfs up this "but ...." formulation. There is 5% fault on our side for - inexplicably, inexcusably, repeatedly - falling into overly general positive comments on milestone events. I have marveled - in horror - at the clumsy way many senior people here fall into this again and again. But 95% of the fault still lies with media distortion, as even the least prudent comments are far from the rosy or giddy claims they're implied to be. OK. I was going to post the MNF-I release on this story, which describes how Hawija was both surrounded and treated to a rapid airborne inssertion of forces (even as a town a few miles away was simultaneously surrounded), to substantiate my constant whining about how little we've even tried to apply military solutions to th enemy here. These sorts of operations, appropriately adjusted for varying circumstances, should have been a nearly daily occurrence in any areas that persisted with trouble-making. The enemy doesn't have 1/100 of the stamina, resources, or grit to withstand this sort of pressure. But with a very few limited exceptions, they've never faced it. We'll probably meet at least our minimal objectives, all these things are harder than they look, and my info is surely incomplete, but .... overall we have run a desultory campaign, with many avoidable and undesirable consequences. |
| Posted by: Verlaine in Iraq 2006-07-20 12:59 |
| #3 They won't understand, Besoeker. You're speaking 'plain English'. You need something like: "Show your support for the endangered Middle-Eastern People! Huge open-air rallies on the shores of Lakes Mendota, Monona, Kegonsa, or Waubesa. An 'enviroment friendly' pathway has been set up at each location so no one damages the fragile habitats. FOOD & DRINKS FOR ALL! No gas-powered vehicles, please." That'll bring 'em out in droves..... |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2006-07-20 12:59 |
| #2 Heh, the Peoples Republic of Madison! |
| Posted by: 3dc 2006-07-20 12:53 |
| #1 Attention inhabitants of Madison Wisconsin. We have your city surrounded. You are instructed to proceed to the nearest lake, Mendota, Monona, Kegonsa, or Waubesa... you pick, and follow the shore line and concertina wire to the US Army detainee collection point. There you will be issued 2 MRE's, bottled water, a grass mat and processed for onward movement. All weapons will be cleared and transported holstered or in the sling arms position for deposit in red amnesty boxes. Have a nice day. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-07-20 12:42 |