Ramadi isn't getting as much in the way of suicide volunteers and munitions from Hezbollah right now, either...
Posted on 07/14/2006 3:38:37 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, July 14, 2006 – Anti-insurgent efforts in the Iraqi city of Ramadi are beginning to bear fruit, a senior U.S. military officer said today. "We're in a transition point in the fight for Ramadi. There's still a lot to do, but we're on the right track," Army Col. Sean B. MacFarland said from his headquarters in Ramadi during a satellite teleconference with Pentagon reporters.
MacFarland is the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. The 1st Brigade assists Iraqi soldiers and police in defeating insurgents within the unit's area of operations, he said. Ramadi is the capital of Anbar province and is located west of Baghdad. The 1st BCT contains members from all of the U.S. armed services, MacFarland said.
The 1st BCT was initially deployed to the Tal Afar area in western Ninevah province in January, MacFarland said. The unit moved and took up anti-insurgent operations in Anbar on June 11, he said.
MacFarland said his troops work in partnership with Iraqi soldiers and police in the area.
Ramadi was known as a hotbed of insurgent activity. But today, "we're beginning to take the city back from the insurgents," MacFarland said. "And, now, it's important for us to hold what we've got and to begin to build where we hold."
The efforts of Iraqi police and soldiers are the key to ultimately securing Ramadi, MacFarland said. "And, they're make good progress, and we're committed to helping them get to where they need to be."
Ramadi's residents are historically known for their recalcitrant views in regard to authority, MacFarland said. This situation likely accounts for some of the insurgent activity in the area.
Al Qaeda used violence -- including murder -- to cow Ramadi citizens to stay at home and away from their jobs, MacFarland said.
Iraqi soldiers and police are taking an increasing role in conducting security operations in Ramadi, the colonel said. This is a development that's paramount to achieve victory against the insurgents, he said. Multiple control points established around the city also are helping to disrupt insurgent activities, MacFarland said.
"We are beginning to reintroduce the Iraqi security forces back into the city and establish the secure conditions for people to come back out of their homes and begin productive employment," he said. "The tide is beginning to shift."
Interesting progress assessment.....
Ping Patty!
Good news from our guys!
:-)
Spinning The Reality Of Iraq War (Iraq is safer then Atlanta,Baltimore, and DC)
I would like to see a Freeper Thread that monitors and compares US & European murder, violence rates with those in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Also...it would be very interesting to post auto accident death stats, cardiac and cancer death stats on a daily or monthly or yearly basis to compare those also with combat casualties.
See reply #5 for the first part of your request.
Thanks. Most people are too stupid to even make the connection if we put it in front of them.
Ramadi isn't getting as much in the way of suicide volunteers and munitions from Hezbollah right now, either...
fanfan found this news report for us about our soldiers at Ramadi.
Suicide bombers do tend to be a rather, ummm, perishable resource. :-)
Thanks for the good news ping!
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