Good Iraq Mission news-- US Iraqi troops extend assault against insurgents

Los Angeles Times ^ | March 17, 2006 | John Jonson and Richard Boudreaux

[lonestar67]

BAGHDAD -- An Iraqi-U.S. operation targeting insurgents in the vast hardpan desert northeast of Samarra has led to the capture of a possible ringleader of the bombing of the Gold Mosque, Iraqi officials said today.

On its second day, Operation Swarmer resulted in 48 arrests and the discovery of at least six weapons caches consisting of mortars, AK-47s and insurgent training manuals, officials said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The most important capture may be a leader of the group responsible for the bombing of the Golden Mosque, which set off a wave of sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites. More than 500 have been killed and hundreds more wounded. The insurgent group was also believed to be involved in the killing of a journalist for Arab television.

Iraqi security forces are spearheading the mission that has used 50 Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters to drop soldiers into the sparsely populated area, 80 miles north of the capital Baghdad.

U.S. officers say the operation is just as valuable as an indication of the growing competence of Iraqi forces. Military officials said the raid was planned and carried out by Iraqi commandos based on information from their own intelligence sources.

"This fight is at the intelligence level," said Col. Skip Johnson, one of the American commanders supporting Operation Swarmer. "The Iraqis know the culture and they know the people."

[lonestar67]

This is a pretty good article about the recent major mission in Iraq. There are a few ignorant concluding remarks at the end. I did not know that 800 Iraqis participated in the air drop.

[zarf]

Iraqi's are participating with us?

I thought Bush hated brown people and only tried to kill them?

Go figure.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the post. Good read and surprising to me it was in the LA Times. Someone down there must have slipped up.

[Southack]

"I did not know that 800 Iraqis participated in the air drop."

Nice!

[babygene]

Good... Even though it's Lent and Friday, I want to see red meat...

[crowman]

Good operation, sure would like to know what we're telling the Iranians in those meetings on Iraq....

[TheBlueMax]

The important thing to remember here is that this size operation was started with Iraqi intelligence assets, planned and coordinated by Iraqi's and conducted as a joint operation by the Iraqi's. While this isn't a total reliance on their armed forces, this should shut up a few of the nay sayers in the Lib press who have constantly parroted the line that the Iraqi's cannot handle their own security.

[bobby.223]

lets hope we are telling them, REMEMBER CURTIS LEMAY!!!

[ClaireSolt]

But, I heard Madeline Albright sneer that there were no insurgents. /sarc

[appeal2]

and Slim Pickins too.

[RoadTest]

Clean house, Marines! (Army, too)

[Allegra]

Thanks for the post. Good read and surprising to me it was in the LA Times. Someone down there must have slipped up.

It just means the situation in Iraq is much better than they're letting on. When they are forced to say good things, it really means things are going extremely well.

It's getting to the point where they're going to start having a hard time concealing all of the progress that's been happening pretty much unreported over the last year or so.

[buck61]

Slim Pickins, so you can remember this? I thought most everyone had forgotten Slim riding that bomb.

[Wiz]

ping

[jazusamo]

[When they are forced to say good things, it really means things are going extremely well.]

I totally agree. It's difficult to remain patient though and read so many accounts from eyewitnesses like yourself and not see it reported in the MSM.

I have read some of your posts on other threads in my short time here at FR and enjoyed it from someone who can relate to the situation first hand. I applaud what you're doing and wish you the best. Stay safe.

[Allegra]

But, I heard Madeline Albright sneer that there were no insurgents. /sarc

LOL - then I presume she'll be arriving in to Baghdad to do a little shopping and sightseeing soon?

[Allegra]

Thanks. ;-)