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Iraq's awakening drives out al-Qaida
UPI ^ | 11/21/07 | staff

Posted on 11/21/2007 12:32:53 PM PST by pissant

KIRKUK, Iraq, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. military officials in northern Iraq say despite continued violence, a citizen neighborhood watch program is beginning to drive al-Qaida out of the region.

The citizen patrols, who call the initiative Sahwa, an Arabic term meaning "awakening," recently approached soldiers of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment. Officials say more than 1,000 citizens showed up to be recruited in an effort to drive out terrorists, the U.S. Defense Department reported.

"What this program is doing is creating significant problems for the insurgents, because it drives a wedge between them and the populace," Army 2nd Lt. Alan Finnie, 1-87 infantry, said in a statement.

"By taking away the one incentive advantage the insurgents had over the government, namely money, the people now have every reason to reject terrorist intimidation and embrace the responsibility of eliminating al-Qaida in Iraq influence in their communities."

Officials say for joining the program citizens are provided with weapons and a regular paycheck based on the effectiveness of their performance.

"This is the biggest thing going on for the local Iraqis ... because one, it's putting money in their pockets and stimulating the local economy, and two, these people really want to provide their own security," said Maj. John Allen, 1-87 infantry operations officer.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: 10thmountain; alqaedainiraq; iraq; oif; progress
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The ONLY reason it has taken as long as it has to route the terrorists is our vile democrats cheerleading for failure.
1 posted on 11/21/2007 12:32:54 PM PST by pissant
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To: pissant

Hey pissant! You’re back from your “timeout!” What’s the scoop?


2 posted on 11/21/2007 12:36:10 PM PST by avacado
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To: pissant

Nancy and Dingy Harry et al have American blood on their hands.

Et al includes Brigadeers and paulbots.


3 posted on 11/21/2007 12:38:52 PM PST by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . Moveon is not us...... Moveon is the enemy)
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To: avacado

Jim gave me a Thanksgiving Pardon. LOL


4 posted on 11/21/2007 12:39:26 PM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: bert

They certainly do. Now they will turn their attention to the ‘quagmire’ in Afghanistan.


5 posted on 11/21/2007 12:40:06 PM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: pissant
"Jim gave me a Thanksgiving Pardon. LOL"

LOL!!! We prepared a Turkey dinner for ya buddy! Enjoy!


6 posted on 11/21/2007 12:41:13 PM PST by avacado
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To: pissant

“The ONLY reason it has taken as long as it has to rout the terrorists is our vile democrats cheerleading for failure.”

Absolutely.

And, I am glad “the surge” is putting the final hammer on the murderous jihadists.

But, by historical standards of warfare, this has been an unprecedented, asymmetrical victory, since the BEGINNING.


7 posted on 11/21/2007 12:48:01 PM PST by EyeGuy
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To: pissant

welcome back. missed you


8 posted on 11/21/2007 12:48:16 PM PST by ari-freedom (Scientific consensus is formed by the public schools and government grants.)
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To: EyeGuy
"But, by historical standards of warfare, this has been an unprecedented, asymmetrical victory, since the BEGINNING."

You are absolutely right. Afghanistan too. And I bet that military leaders in Iran and other troubled spots secretly realize this. Not only that, but the USA now has the best taught military in fighting an insurgency. Practice makes perfect. And the Iraqis are being trained by the world's best military. Surely none of this is lost on military leaders around the world.

9 posted on 11/21/2007 12:58:00 PM PST by avacado
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To: pissant

Anti-American, anti-military human debris Liberals and RINO’s need to be sent packing in disgrace. American patriots going back to 1776 are turning in their graves at the self-serving tactics of these traitors.


10 posted on 11/21/2007 1:13:47 PM PST by ExTexasRedhead
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To: avacado

Nice!


11 posted on 11/21/2007 1:22:57 PM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: EyeGuy

You hit the nail on the head.


12 posted on 11/21/2007 1:23:18 PM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: ari-freedom

Thank you kindly!


13 posted on 11/21/2007 1:23:38 PM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: ExTexasRedhead

It’s amazing. Frankly the Iraqi and Iranian citizenry is more pro-American than the left in this country. And that is the honest to God’s truth.


14 posted on 11/21/2007 1:24:54 PM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: avacado

“And I bet that military leaders in Iran and other troubled spots secretly realize this. Not only that, but the USA now has the best taught military in fighting an insurgency. Practice makes perfect. And the Iraqis are being trained by the world’s best military. Surely none of this is lost on military leaders around the world.”

Excellent points.

The only hope the enemies of civilisation have against the greatest force for good in the world, the magnificent United States military, is a Democrat as CIC.

Perish the thought, and Godspeed Duncan Hunter.


15 posted on 11/21/2007 1:32:55 PM PST by EyeGuy
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To: pissant

More excellent news.


16 posted on 11/21/2007 1:34:13 PM PST by jveritas (God bless our brave troops and President Bush)
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To: jveritas

The media is in a quandary on how best to hide it.


17 posted on 11/21/2007 1:35:46 PM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: pissant

I bet that Neighborhood Watch program over there is about tougher than hell.


18 posted on 11/21/2007 1:35:48 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: avacado

OH!


19 posted on 11/21/2007 1:38:54 PM PST by JWinNC (www.anailinhisplace.net)
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To: avacado

I can just imagine how great those breasts will taste!


20 posted on 11/21/2007 1:47:14 PM PST by jdsteel (proud member of "Mothers And Children Against Criminal Aliens")
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