Iraq insurgents snatch victory from defeat

Guardian Unlimited UK ^ | June 24, 2005 | Rory Carroll

[bobdsmith]

umm where exactly is the terrorist victory here? They won because they lost? lol!

[fortheDeclaration]

Lt Col Funk worried about similarities to the Tet offensive, a 1968 push by North Vietnamese forces which failed militarily but whose scale and surprise gave the impression that the US and its allies were failing. "The media got Tet wrong and they're getting Iraq wrong. We are winning but people won't know that if all they are hearing about is death and violence."

Iraq isn't Vietnam, and the Media doesn't have the clout it had back then.

[iso]

Ping

[SpringheelJack]

The reporter is trying to Tetify it.

[RedEyeJack]

More information warfare salvos... This attack failed to achieve its tactical objective. Instead of saying that and citing the training and bravery of the police who won an important victory apparently without significant U.S. support, this report tries to make the effort into a psychological victory for the "dead-enders". The Iraqi police are going to learn and the next time be better prepared.

[Beckwith]

Civilians just have no business writing or opining on military matters.

It's like a virgin writing a sex manual.

[BillyCrockett]

"and yet the insurgents were repulsed thanks to the heroism of the beleaguered police officers"

I don't see anything here that looks like a win for the bad guys. These reporters writing this stuff should at least label it fiction.

[dc-zoo]

Terrorists victory? Only in the wishful minds of the liberal media. The media and terrorists are both losers.

[hershey]

Fat Teddy, Biden, et al. are heartened at the news.

[Fee]

The equation will change once the Iraqis do most of the fighting. The war will be between the US backed Iraqis and the Jihadist backed Iraqis. Except our side (Shiites plus Kurds) represents 80 percent of Iraq. I spoke with a buddy who served in Iraq. He tells me the Iraqi Army is an all volunteer force. They have no shortage of recruits. Initially they came for money, but more are joining because the insurgents have killed their relative or friend. Ever since the Shiites won the election, more recruits are Shiites and Kurds. Once the US is out of the picture, the Sunni insurgents are going to get the full treatment. The Shiite and Kurdish troops are going to do what is necessary to win (unlike the US troops hampered by PR and PC issues). Insurgent prisoners will be tortured and their families punished. I think the US should help Iraq develop a 600,000 man army but a very small Air Force. Once in place, the Iraqi government should build a case against Syria's role in the insurgency in the UN. Get approval for military action, and the US should act as its allie by providing SOF, FIST and air power in a war against Syria. After Syria, Iran and the last terror support group Saudi Arabia. The Shah of Iran was once the US proxy in the Persian Gulf, maybe Iraq could fill that role in the 21st Century.

[iso]

Media always help terrorists !

[fortheDeclaration]

Amen!

[iso]

You are right .

[goldstategop]

The MSM wants Ba'aya to be Iraq's Tet. The terrorists are winning so its time to abandon the field. History repeats itself - or they hope.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Allegra]

Oh, when are these leftie reporters going to give it a freakin' rest?

Eventually, the evidence of success in Iraq is going to be too strong for them to have any effect with their cute little tricks.

[Dog]

By 6.30am a police machine-gunner on the roof at Baya'a helped turn the tide, firing volleys which forced attackers to take cover and enabled his comrades to take better positions. Residents of the mixed Shia and Sunni neighbourhood made at least 55 phone calls informing the police of insurgent movements. Some fired on the attackers. An off-duty policeman was caught by insurgents, bundled into the boot of a car and later found beheaded.

Anyone remember when the last time you heard of Iraqi citizens taking up arms to help the police repel an attack.......this is good news.

[RedRover]

"Lt Col Funk worried about similarities to the Tet offensive..."

Notice the clever splicing by the reporter. In the quote that follows, Lt Col Funk expresses concern that the media is reporting the war in Iraq as they reported Vietnam. He's not talking specifically about this action--which sounds as much like Tet as Gitmo is like a gulag.

[metesky]

Bullet holes and debris testified to a synchronised and audacious strike by up to 100 rebels in what is supposed to be a locked-down capital.

At least 10 were killed and 40 captured.

50% losses. They're winning. Honest...

[Xenophobic Alien]

Sounds like a glorious victory! /sarcasm