Iraqi PM: Al-Qaida chased from Baghdad

DuH2 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Iraqi PM: Al-Qaida chased from Baghdad By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer
Fri Feb 15, 5:25 PM ET

BAGHDAD - Iraq's prime minister said Friday that U.S. and Iraqi troops have chased al-Qaida in Iraq out of Baghdad in the year since a security crackdown began, and he promised to pursue insurgents who have fled northward.

Underscoring the rising violence in northern Iraq, a double suicide bombing targeted Shiite worshippers as they left weekly prayer services in the city of Tal Afar, killing at least four people and wounding 17, officials said.

Police said guards at the Juwad mosque prevented a worse casualty toll by opening fire on the two attackers, one of whom was an elderly man, before they could reach the bulk of worshippers emerging from the building.

In remarks broadcast on state television, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki hailed what he called a "victory in Baghdad" and thanked the U.S. military and its allies for "standing with us in defeating terrorism."

"Today our forces are locked in battle against outlaws in Nineveh and we are chasing them," he added, referring to the northwestern province where Iraqi officials say al-Qaida in Iraq has regrouped. Tal Afar is in Nineveh province.

The Shiite leader has promised a "decisive battle" in that region, although U.S. commanders have said it will be more a protracted fight.

The Bush administration launched its so-called surge to clear Baghdad and surrounding areas on Feb. 14, 2007, with the 82nd Airborne Division as the vanguard of an American troop buildup that climbed to 30,000 extra U.S. soldiers by the summer.

After a sharp initial spike in military and civilian casualties, violence has declined sharply, particularly in Baghdad. Still, U.S. military commanders have been cautious in describing the successes and stress that al-Qaida remains a serious threat.

"We should keep our hands on our weapons to maintain the victories," al-Maliki said. "Therefore we shouldn't lose focus or the enemy might regroup."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080215/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

SenaxFlatulus · #2 (**permalink**) 02-16-2008, 11:44 PM

DuH... hang in there. Wait for it.

They'll be along to mock you any time now.

SenaxFlatulus · #3 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuH2

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

Is that Winston Churchill?

DuH2 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 01:36 PM

Yes...and the Iraqi lady is giving the 'V'ictory sign.
Outside the west the 'V' fingers is recongized more often then not that of the WWII era not the 60's...you see it alot in victory celebrations, etc.

ford174 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 01:52 PM

I don't think there was ever a question as to whether 30,000 of America's well trained troops would reduce violence in Iraq. Obama conceded that before they left American soil. The question is whether it will have lasting effect when those troops are removed, and if it accomplished its mission which was to allow the Maliki government to take great steps forward politically which hasn't happenned.

DuH2 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 02:11 PM

Total BS.

The Surge was vehemently opposed and declared a failure by virtually every Democrat before it even began.

The Surge effects have caused undeniable and notable military, economic, and political progress in Iraq.

(I think* Petraeus comes back to give another report in March (or maybe its May) on Iraq. Democrats going to malign him as a liar again?)

Truth-Bringer · #7 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuH2

The Surge effects have caused undeniable and notable military, economic, and political progress in Iraq.

The Surge and the war have caused increased deficits, debt and inflation here.

Truth-Bringer · #8 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford174

The question is whether it will have lasting effect when those troops are removed,

Well the question still exists: When will the U.S. ever be able to leave?

If McCain gets in, we can stay another 100 years, remember?

The U.S. will be in economic ruins if we stay in Iraq another 100 years.

Fear-And-Loathing · #9 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 04:38 PM

But the thing is, we won't be in Iraq for 100 years. I could see the job 'done' happening within a decade or less.

By 'Job Done' I mean:

-Legitimate Democracy with a power sharing arrangement worked out so all sides are happy.
-A military that can protect the National Sovereignty of Iraq

By 'Protect the National Sovereignty of Iraq' I mean an Iraq w/o insurgents or fundamentalists trying to overthrow the govt.

What else needs to be done except that?

We are easily on the right path to ensure this.

Daybreaker · #10 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fear-And-Loathing

But the thing is, we won't be in Iraq for 100 years. I could see the job 'done' happening within a decade or less.

By 'Job Done' I mean:

-Legitimate Democracy with a power sharing arrangement worked out so all sides are happy.
-A military that can protect the National Sovereignty of Iraq

By 'Protect the National Sovereignty of Iraq' I mean an Iraq w/o insurgents or fundamentalists trying to overthrow the govt.

What else needs to be done except that?

We are easily on the right path to ensure this.

BAGHDAD??!!! We've spent how many billions of dollars and five years and almost 4000 American troops and God only knows how many Iraqi civilians and what you've accomplished in that time is to take Al Qaeda numbers from the ZERO that they were before we invaded up to whatever it takes to get a whole bunch of people killed every day and then back down to WHERE WE @#$%ING STARTED??!!!

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Ahem. Sorry. I'm just so incredibly underwhelmed.

So. What makes you think we're on the right path to be done in less than ten years? It took us five to just get rid of the guys that weren't even in Baghdad before we invaded.

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