Posted on 01/14/2006 8:32:19 PM PST by FairOpinion
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2006 – Al Qaeda's influence in Iraq is unraveling, a senior U.S. general based in Baghdad told reporters today during a satellite news conference at the Pentagon. "Al Qaeda is increasingly in disarray and we have pursued, captured and killed a large number of them," Army Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, commanding general of Multinational Corps Iraq and the 18th Airborne Corps, said.
That news, Vines said, accompanies escalating participation of capable Iraqi security forces in the fight against both foreign jihadists and home-grown terrorists.
"Iraqis are increasingly in the lead," Vines said. "The capacity of the Iraqi security forces is exponentially greater" than a year ago.
Much terrorist influence was removed from Iraq last year, Vines said, as the result of several U.S. military offensives targeted against insurgents operating in Anbar province and along the Iraq-Syrian border.
The Anbar area was a hotbed of terrorist and criminal activity, other U.S. military officials have said, with smugglers assisting foreign terrorists in crossing the Syrian border into Iraq, and on into the Euphrates River Valley or Baghdad.
Terrorists also intimidated Sunni Arabs and other groups living in Anbar province in efforts to keep them from participating in the political process of the new Iraq, Vines said.
Vines said foreign fighters now comprise a small portion of terrorist activity in Iraq, with the majority being disaffected Iraqis who'd been followers of deposed dictator Saddam Hussein. Other terrorists simply don't want U.S. or other foreign troops in Iraq, the general said.
Asked by a reporter about the whereabouts of enemy forces engaged during last year's fighting in Anbar province, Vines responded: "Many of them are dead." The general also said some Iraqis who are tired of violence and other terrorist interference in their lives have begun to attack al Qaeda operatives.
Citing recent intelligence reports, Vines reiterated, "There are a fair number of indicators that tell us, currently, al Qaeda in Iraq is in disarray."
"Does it have the capability to regenerate? Unfortunately, it could," he said. "But we must keep the pressure on."
Vines soon will return stateside after nearly a year's tour of duty in Iraq. His successor is Army Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, who will lead the U.S. Army's 5th Corps in Iraq.
In 2004-05, Chiarelli, then a major general, commanded the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq.
Thanks for posting this...
Chiarelli, 1st CAV...YAY...
My husband was in the 1st Cav. in Vietnam.
You know what?? Even if this weren't true, which I am sure it is....it must be driving al-Zarqawi NUTS!!!
I think it's true, we did kill or capture a lot of them over the past few years. Some called Iraq "flypaper" and it sure worked that way, drew Al Qaeda there, and we could kill them more easily when they are all in one place.
They thought they can make us leave by their suicide attack tactics, which would have worked under a Dem administration, but they miscalculated, they didn't count on President Bush's determination.
LOL, I'll bet it is. Good! Maybe he'll get bold and screw up.
I think we've reached the point that as more Iraqi forces take charge, the locals will begin to see the forces as their people and turn on the terrorists even more.
I'm really encouraged at what is taking place over there.
Happily, this must be driving the marxist camp in the U.S. absolutely wild!
"I think we've reached the point that as more Iraqi forces take charge, the locals will begin to see the forces as their people and turn on the terrorists even more. "
===
Yes, indeed, even the Sunnis, who were allied with Al Qaeda are starting to get fed up with them.
(Iraq) Insurgents fight back against al-Qaeda's foreign zealots
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1558336/posts
Great news, but the MSM will NEVER talk about it.
Good point! I don't know which makes me happier...
that it drives al-Zarqawi, nuts...or the libs, nuts!!
I don't think the Iraqi forces will be so kind, either. Let's just say that they won't be afraid to put panties on their prisoners' heads.
I was going to make some flippant comment focusing on whether there was a difference. I'll get back to you... heh, heh, heh.
Part of me hopes you're right. The other part of me thinks it would probably represent a more stable and reliable Iraq if their troops used due process.
During heated exchanges, I hope the Iraqis use the amount of force that is required and then some.
"Flypaper" is a pretty close description of our strategery. The Afganistan raid and liberation left a lot of terrorists loose--scattered in fact. It was necessary to clean that up as well as to attract terrorists to Iraq to die from Saudi, Sudan, Iran, Syria, etc etc.
In order for the strategery to work well the US had to appear weak and vulnerable in Iraq. The unwitting Dims and MSM helped us out there. People wonder why Bush had not defended himself in the first years of the Iraq war--it was so he could get the other side(s) to keep investing in a losing hand. This works much better than if the Islamists had retreated, bided their time, and regrouped for a bigger 911.
The local people in Iraq have to take an active role in combatting the terrorists. When they see them sneaking down an alley to set up an ambush, the people of Iraq need to pull out their AK's and fire on them. Only then will the terrorists be truly defeated.
Interesting comments...
Buried as deep as a well by terrorists' pals, the MSM.
Anotherwords, you think Bush kept his opening bid low so the terrorists would up the anti. Well, it has worked out that way. The terrorists are losing the pot alright.
Great post...I hadn't seen it put like that before..
I knew he wanted to fight the WOT "over there" instead of "over here"...and if it was Iraq, then so be it...
But, your theory sure explains why Stephen Hayes and others have complained about Bush's lack of showing the evidence he has...that proves the necessity of going into Iraq...
"I don't think the Iraqi forces will be so kind, either. Let's just say that they won't be afraid to put panties on their prisoners' heads."
The terrorists will be begging to go to Gitmo.
Excellent post.
As explain the war to some of my propaganda influenced friends, your neighbors house is full of rats and they are powerless to help themselves. Now the rats are starting to get into your house. Where do you put the cheese and traps, your house or theirs?
Well at least most of them get it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.