Iraqi commandos to launch anti-terror operation in Qa'em

KUNA ^

[jmc1969]

BAGHDAD, Sept 27 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Chief of Interior Ministry Commandos, Major General Rashid Flaih said on Tuesday that the force will execute an anti-terror sweeping campaign in Qa'em, nearby the Iraqi-Syrian borders, similar to that executed in Tal Afar.

Flaih told reporters that the forces will cordon the town to cut terrorists' supplies in Qa'em and surrounding areas, noting that the Iraqi Commando force will execute the operation instead of the US forces starting on Tuesday.

The MNF said in a press release that Al-Qaeda leader, called Abu Naseer, and 20 others were killed in a house bombed during the raid, noting that Abu Naseer was the insurgents' leader in Karablah and was responsible for facilitating the infiltration of foreign fighters into Iraq.

[jmc1969]

The Iraqis are talking down Z-man's forces in the far west by themselves.

[KevinDavis]

Bravo.....

[Dog]

Abu Naseer

Another leader hit yesterday.

[Stand W]

"Bravo...."

I agree, but I don't know if I like telegraphing our next move.

[KevinDavis]

That is true..

[jmc1969]

It doesn't matter they have surrounded the city and they have probably moved into the city by now.

[MaineVoter2002]

"I don't know if I like telegraphing our next move"

That's the whole problem with this whole war. Actually this seems to be the way the Bush administration works and its a weakness. Not just on the war. How many stories have you heard where Bush will open new PR position to imrove relations between dems and republicans or relations between US and other nations and other ideas like this?

[Dog]

I wonder if they plan on holding the city after seizing it.

[No Longer Free State]

We need to teach our Iraqi allies a thing or two about OPSEC.

[jmc1969]

Do you really think al-Qa'em matters that much or would the Iraqi commandos be better off clearing out the Euphrates river valley around the middle on Anbar?

[SteveMcKing]

Why hold it when you can make bait out of it. Just need to outfit the town with a good network of human and electronic intelligence gathering, then throw out the welcome mat to terrorists. Traditionally, this is called a "police force", but it's wartime so more severe methods may be needed.

[democrats_nightmare]

I agree, but I don't know if I like telegraphing our next move.

I hear you on that but maybe they are really sharp and are throwing out a curve ball to fool them? I guess only time will tell...

[Marine_Uncle]

"We need to teach our Iraqi allies a thing or two about OPSEC."
The operation was most likey underway. Both Iraqi forces and Marines have been in the area outside the town for many months. Each time raids have been done since roughly May in this region, we do not completly leave the area. What appears to be new is this time Iraq forces will stay inside the city for continuous SASO. And that is the plan for those many towns on both sides of the Euprhates river going southward. We do not hear about daily raids usually in many of these cities/towns unless something of a spectacular nature arises. People tend to think the area is static which is far from the real scenario. Bottom line is to flush out remaining foreign elements as well as local Sunni supporters and capture or kill them on a ongoing basis, e.g. for as long as it takes until no more local or foreigh insurgents can be found in Al Anbar, Nineveh and more southerly provinces.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Maybe #1 will be found here. We have blown up all the #2 Al Queda guys in Iraq.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Do you really think al-Qa'em matters that much or would the Iraqi commandos be better off clearing out the Euphrates river valley around the middle on Anbar?"

Remember. The town is a major incoming hold area for goons coming in. This town and north of it must know have 24/7 cover as part of the over all border closings. Remember they announce two weeks back that all Iraqi borders are being closed down. No one gets in nor leaves without special permission. The Iraqis are just making good on what they said must be done. Now they have the forces to start doing it. And remember all those reports we have been reading over the past few months where each town/city raided along the river typically contains an Iraqi force, who in some cases have started to take residence in these cities, after a sweep is done. Obviously one effect, is our Marines and Army don't have to set up shop, and thin out their battalions for more major raids as required. Things are fitting into place moreso then we comprehend. At least now we have fully proven Iraqi forces to work with.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Why hold it when you can make bait out of it. "

See my post #15. It is essential that the border is fully closed down. The Iraqi Government announce two weeks back no one will be allowed to enter or leave Iraq from now on unless they carry the correct credentials to do so. Now they apparently have sufficient troop strenghts with fighting experience to start doing this. Same goes with those border crossings what up north to the east in Nineveh along the Syrian border on those roads that lead into Al Tafar and Mosul. Where finally closing down the border along this area long known to pump most of the goons into Iraq.

[jmc1969]

I know al-Qa'em's importance for the flow of foreign fighters, but this border is going to be hard to shut down even with tens of thousands of Iraqi troops.

I wonder if we could build a big sand berm across the border.

[Chode]

and to any of you bleedin wanker terrorists that missed the memmo...

-- Iraqi Chief of Interior Ministry Commandos, Major General Rashid Flaih said on Tuesday that the force will execute an anti-terror sweeping campaign in Qa'em, nearby the Iraqi-Syrian borders, similar to that executed in Tal Afar.

Flaih told reporters that the forces will cordon the town to cut terrorists' supplies in Qa'em and surrounding areas, noting that the Iraqi Commando force will execute the operation instead of the US forces starting on Tuesday.

[Marine_Uncle]

"...but this border is going to be hard to shut down even with tens of thousands of Iraqi troops. "

Many of the areas well off road are rather remote, roughed areas. For the most part they must use the road system. If you look at some maps say ne of Quam going toward the Turkish border in the topmost area of Iraq, one sees few roads. Now if one cannot come in by road, what are they supposed to do. Lug in adequate water and food for perhaps five day journeys to any little village. So if each road crossing is sealed off then only tough travelers are going to feel up to traveling perhaps days in on barren landscape in Syria only to then be faced with the same once in Iraqi.
Then where do they go as all these towns start to get permenant units of Iraqi forces residing in them or around them, that make daily cordon and search patrols. Require everyone to be put into a database, retina scanned, fingerprinted, and given a ID card to carry. This is what is happening in Al Anbar and northeasterly into Nineveh as far as I can see. There finally closing down the last means the foreign elements had on their side. They no longer can come in and move about freely, and if they escaped raids, where do they go. A sand berm some 180 miles long just along that area of the border probably would not really do much based on what I just discussed. For those that are able enough to hoof it in off road, whats a twenty foot barrier or so. You just walk down into the valley part, then up the other side like anyone would do at a beach with big sand dunes. Off course I guess if one camera systems in place then you could bag some of them moving over say the crest of the berm. Imagine how many cameras one would need for the 380 mile plus Syrian/Iraqi border. Somebody is going to make a few bucks if that comes to past. And of course the maintanence will be a real nightmare. At any rate, I am sure we shall continue to hear more success stories over the next few months as things shape up.

[jmc1969]

The only thing I am worried about right now in Iraq is the Sunni reaction to the Constitution passing and Saddam's trial (both of which will happen at the same time).

My biggest fear going forword is that the Sunnis will lose support in the democratic process and chose not to vote again in December.

If the Sunnis vote in December the insurgency will be screwed overnight and we will see a massive tide turn in the country and it would dillute the Shia religous parties and very likely may bring a secular government like Allawi to power.