[Happy2BMe]

At the heart of this tightly woven network is Auja, Hussein's birthplace, which U.S. commanders say is the intelligence and communications hub of the insurgency. The village is where many of the former president's key confidants have their most lavish homes and their favorite wives.

Perhaps a select few of the "less favorite wives" decided to show their gratitude ping!

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks for the ping, and Merry Christmas, good buddy.

[Lazamataz]

When U.S. forces sealed off Auja in late October, they separated the leaders of the insurgency from their guerrilla forces, dealing the anti-occupation campaign a major blow, said Lt. Col. Steve Russell of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, which is responsible for the Tikrit area.

Remember all the liberal handwringing about this move? "Shades of Auchwitz!" "Barbed wire around the town? Horrible!" "How could we do this?!?"

Turns out we knew what was up.

Liberals: STFU and sit down.

[Coop]

Among those most highly sought is Izzat Ibrahim, Hussein's deputy and a native of Dawr, who also uses his clan's name, Douri. U.S. military officers said that they have conflicting information about Ibrahim's role in the resistance, including reports that he is little more than an infirm lackey rather than a key operational figure.

Hmmm, first time I'd heard these doubts.