Posted on 09/22/2006 8:36:32 AM PDT by jmc1969
Coalition forces in Iraq have suddenly received the manpower equivalent of three light infantry divisions. They did not suffer any repercussions in domestic politics as a result, and now have a huge edge over al-Qaeda in al-Anbar province. How did this happen? Tribal leaders in the largely Sunni province on the Syrian border got together and signed an agreement to raise a tribal force of 30,000 fighters to take on foreign fighters and terrorists.
These leaders have thrown in with the central government in Baghdad. This is a decisive blow to al Qaeda, which has been desperately trying to fight off an Iraqi government that is getting stronger by the week. Not only are the 30,000 fighters going to provide more manpower, but these tribal fighters know the province much better than American troops – or the foreign fighters fighting for al Qaeda. Also, this represents just over 80 percent of the tribes in al-Anbar province now backing the government.
The biggest gain for the coalition is that they will now have forces on their side that know the terrain in al Anbar province. This is a very big deal in a campaign against the terrorists. When a force knows the terrain, it can make life miserable for its enemies. Just ask any Army unit that has gone through the National Training Center at Fort Irwin. The OPFOR (Opposing Force) has fought there for so long that they know all the good ambush sites. Units coming there for a training session don't have that knowledge – and they pay the price in the exercises held there.
This is just one sign that the tide is turning in favor of the coalition in Iraq. Many of the Sunni leaders have decided that the Shia-dominated Iraqi government is not going away any time soon, nor is the democratic process. As such, the tribal leaders have now decided that it is better to be on their good side rather than to be seen as uncooperative. Constant Arab casualties in al Qaeda attacks – and al Qaeda's desire for a caliphate – have not helped matters any, either.
On the other hand, by signing up with the government, these tribal leaders will hasten the construction of government services, and gain something else just as valuable – the government's gratitude. In essence, the tribal leaders have slowly been won over by a combination of coalition perseverance and al Qaeda strategic ineptness.
This agreement, if it holds, is a win for the United States, which is looking for measurable progress. It is a win for the Shia-dominated Iraqi government, which will now have an easier time in that province. It is a win for the tribal leaders, who will get a few markers they can call in down the road from the government for their assistance. For al Qaeda, now facing the equivalent of three additional light infantry divisions composed of people who will have knowledge of al Anbar province, it is a huge loss.
By Golly, I think you've found Katie Couric's new sign-off for her!
"Whoa, somebody must be wrong. This IS NOT what the democrats, and John Murtha are saying. They say we are losing this war and Iraqis are in a Civil War."
--->
Gee... I wonder who is wrong about this?...??? Could it possibly be the Demodogs?...
Really, for these Sunni tribes to throw in with the national Iraqi government is a very big deal.
I continue to recall that it took the US 12 years to put our government finally into place, and that was only with explicitly setting aside an issue we KNEW was going to come up and bite us someday, slavery. For only 3 years, Iraq has come a long way. I continue to be very optimistic.
I long ago said "ten years for a real assessment, five years for the preliminary estimate" of how well this effort is going. I still maintain that timetable. Lookin' OK so far... despite the ups & downs...
Somebody better wake up that Marine Colonel who wrote that report about Anbar. I can not believe that the tribal leaders woke up yesterday and said, "Ah the hell with it, let's join the Americans since they're losing."
Thats right! And we want to make sure that her left wing constituents know that GW appreciates her support.
How much do you want to bet that Colonel has ambitions of being the next Wesley Clark-flavored commentator?
OK, then there's more hope.
I believe the Presidents statement to the Iraqis that we will not desert you was more powerful.
If those people get it together, they can have their own autonomous region within Iraq like the Kurds have built for themselves.
As I said on another thread, the best warrior to kill guerillas is a local boy.
--Garde la Foi--
Garde le foie gras!
I hope these tribal Sunni fighters will wear something distinctive so they can be separated from the enemy. They would all look alike on the battlefield. IF this good news holds, it is a win for the USA and you will never see it or hear it reported by the MSM or see it on MSNBC, CNN,etc. (all the alphabets). The only ones to carry this story will be FOX news.
The media mischaracterized his report, he never said we were losing Anbar, he said basically it was a stalemate and the US needed at least another division in Anbar to break the stalemate.
While as a Marine (65-69, in Viet Nam 67-68) I defend Marines, remember that being a Marine Col. in intelligence is not a sign that they can light a match by themselves. john murtha was also a col.in intelligence. For the rest of the Marines, Semper Fi.
Bet 10-20% were terrorists who are giving up the fight. This is extremly Great News!
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
How many in the Iraqi police are sympathizers with al-Sadr.
I would have to say alot.
However, Go Army!
I didn't take it as a swipe at jarheads. I wanted to point out being a Marine Col. in intelligence is what murtha was (and that is obviously an oxymoron)!!!!
LOL, no disagreement there.
Per the dims: We should concentrate all our power to looking for bin Laden BUT if we find him it's not that large of a victory because he's just one man.
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