Posted on 03/11/2006 11:26:42 PM PST by FairOpinion
AL-QAEDA insurgents in Iraq have sustained significant losses and their ability to mount effective attacks is steadily diminishing, according to Australia's top soldier in the Middle East.
Brigadier Paul Symon said while Iraq was going through an "awkward period" during the transition to a new government, the US-led coalition remained confident the country would not descend into civil war.
Interviewed in Baghdad he said military operations against al-Qaeda and its affiliates were proving to be "very effective" with the organisation led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi now less agile and having to rely on much less-seasoned fighters.
"We are seeing an insurgency that is diminishing in effectiveness in its tactics and techniques. I think they have lost some of their better people," he said.
His comments came as Defence Minister Brendan Nelson visited Baghdad to meet Australian forces stationed there. He also held talks with his Iraqi counterpart Dr Sadoun Dulime, senior US commander in Iraq General George Casey and US envoy Zalmay Khalizad.
Dr Nelson, accompanied by Defence chief Angus Houston, flew in a US Blackhawk helicopter into the city's inter- national zone from Camp Victory, the big American base located near Baghdad's international airport.
After less than 24 hours in the city, Dr Nelson flew by C130 Hercules to Afghanistan where he spent three hours visiting the 200-strong Australian special forces group stationed in the country.
In central Baghdad Dr Nelson's party was met by ambassador Howard Brown and toured the new Australian Embassy, as well as the headquarters of the security detachment which provides protection for Australian officials.
Dr Nelson said the anecdotal evidence from Australian forces in Baghdad was that there had been some improvement in the security situation despite the surge in violence following the bombing of the golden mosque at Samarra last month.
Brig Symon told The Daily Telegraph the timetable for a phased withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq would be directly linked to the emergence of a stable government in the country. Late 2007 was the "right aiming point" for a withdrawal of coalition forces.
Serves 'em right.
Excellent.
I'd believe it too if it was posted by anyone but you.
But...but...The New York Times told me there was a civil war.
They wouldn't lie.
And more good news:
Some Sunni Arabs turning against al-Qaeda in Iraq, a serious threat to the group
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1594856/posts
Residents reported curious declarations hanging from mosque walls and market stalls recently in Ramadi, the Sunni Muslim insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad. The fliers said Iraqi militants had turned on and were killing foreign al-Qaeda fighters, their one-time allies.
A local tribal leader and Iraq's Defense Ministry have said followers of Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, have begun fleeing Anbar province and Ramadi, its capital, to cities and mountain ranges near the Iranian border.
“So far we have cleared 75 percent of the province and forced al-Qaeda terrorists to flee to nearby areas,” said Osama al-Jadaan, a leader of the Karabila tribe, which has thousands of members living along the border with Syria.
He claimed his people have captured hundreds of foreigner fighters and handed them to authorities. The drive, dubbed Operation Tribal Chivalry, is designed to secure the country's borders with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to prevent foreign fighters from crossing in.
“We are against the killing of civilians for sectarian or ethnic reasons. That's why we are shedding the blood of Muslim extremists, especially al-Qaeda,” said Abul-Rahman Mansheed, a top Sunni politician in Hawija.
Army Maj. Gen. Anwar Mohammed Amin, in the nearby city of Kirkuk, said the military soon would launch a major attack, with help from the local tribesmen, to clear that region of al-Qaeda as well.
Now that the tribesman see exactly what AlQueda has to 'offer', they are taking care of the insurgents in their own way.
I almost feel sorry for any prisoners they capture.
ping
And more good news:
IED-making site destroyed; Iraqi force frees hostage
by American Forces Press Service
http://www.dcmilitary.com/army/pentagram/10_60/national_news/40132-1.html
Coalition forces destroyed an improvised explosive device-manufacturing site in Fallujah, Iraq, Tuesday, and Iraqi forces freed an Iraqi hostage Monday in Balad, military officials in Iraq reported.
The coalition forces were conducting a raid looking for an al Qaeda in Iraq military operations leader and discovered the IED manufacturing site in a terrorist safe house about 10 miles east of Fallujah. Coalition forces destroyed all equipment and explosives in place. Troops detained five men during the raid. The men will be questioned about their knowledge of and involvement in terrorist activities.
In Balad, a late-night operation by Iraqi counterterrorism forces east of Taji freed one hostage and led to the detention of two others believed to be involved in the hostage taking. Soldiers from the 2nd Counterterrorism Battalion, 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade, planned and conducted an assault that freed an Iraqi government official who, according to sources, was to be executed later that night after spending almost four days in captivity.
A senior U.S. special operations forces adviser responsible for training Iraqi counterterrorism forces said this is the type of mission they train for. "They were able to execute quickly and make timely decisions on the ground," the advisor said. "It provided an outstanding situation in which to showcase the abilities of the unit."
The hostage was handcuffed to a bed in an isolated room of the house in which he was held. He had been badly beaten and was bleeding from his mouth when the Iraqi forces discovered him. He was quickly cut free and taken to another room, where he received medical attention and was able to call his family to tell them he was safe, U.S. officials said.
Of course that's a relative term.
I think he meant their "more experienced people", just didn't quite pick the right words.
Also, when your people are only good for "one blast", you need to have a good supply to replenish them, and I think that's drying up too.
..maybe they should try bottling their own brand of Bourbon for export...."Old Jihadi...one blast is all you need"
I also believe that they will lose much of their will to insurge* after Saddam gets a visit from Mr. Hangman.
*Nope, it's not in the dictionary.
.
Great news. Great post. Outstanding FReeper comments. Thanks.
Democrats are saddened!!
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