Enemy Attacks Drop 70 Percent Since Iron Hammer's Start

DoD - American Forces Press Service ^ | Nov. 20, 2003 | John D. Banusiewicz

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Enemy Attacks Drop 70 Percent Since Iron Hammer's Start

By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2003 – Enemy attacks against the coalition in and around Baghdad have dropped by 70 percent since Operation Iron Hammer began Nov. 12, the commander of the 1st Armored Division said today.

Army Brig. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey told reporters in Baghdad and the Pentagon press corps here by video teleconference that information gathered over several weeks -- mainly from Iraqi citizens -- and pattern analysis of enemy actions have combined to make Iron Hammer "an intelligence-based, precise combat operation."

The general said Iron Hammer is a joint operation involving the Army, the Air Force and the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and police. "Fundamentally, we want to communicate to the enemy the high cost of continuing to resist, as well as to assure the good citizens of Baghdad of our resolve," Dempsey said. The operation involves cyclical processes that comprise three phases, he said.

Dempsey explained that gathering and fighting for intelligence is the first phase. Next comes "force-oriented reconnaissance," he said, followed by attacks. He noted the distinction between reconnaissance in general and the force-oriented reconnaissance that makes up the second phase of Iron Hammer operations.

"I make that distinction because reconnaissance can be aimed at terrain and other things as well," he said. "But in this case, we're looking for those individuals who are fighting us. And then we will attack again, based on that intelligence, as well as exploiting the intelligence that we've gained in the earlier phases.

"Each phase is event-driven, not time-driven," the general continued. "And so we'll base our decision on when to move from phase to phase based on our determination that we've got what we want out of that phase."

Of Baghdad's 88 neighborhoods, the general said, six to eight are "less secure than we want them to be." Ethnic, religious, tribal and economic differences among those neighborhoods prevent the use of a single set of steps in approaching the security problems from neighborhood to neighborhood, he added.

"Each neighborhood requires a degree of determination and a degree of patience and a degree of precision in order to make sure that the outcome is what we want it to be, which is a safe and secure environment," Dempsey said.

One operation challenges, he said, is trying to get at enemies who attack coalition forces with mortars and rockets. He called them unsophisticated "hit- and-run attackers" who often operate from trucks that allow rapid escape, or set up their rockets on a timer, laid up against the side of a berm or on a roof's rain gutter, so the attackers are out of the area when their attack actually takes place.

Still, with more and more human intelligence -- mainly from Iraqis -– Iron Hammer is succeeding in identifying and defeating the cells of resistance responsible for most of the attacks against coalition and Iraqi targets, Dempsey said.

He showed reporters a videotape taken from an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter. The crew witnessed a rocket attack and tracked the truck from which it was launched, watching as it stopped at several places and waiting until it was in a part of the city where attacking it would not put the citizens of Baghdad at risk, Dempsey said. At that point, when the truck was at the attackers' safe house where the attackers met some comrades, the Apache engaged it, killing two insurgents and wounding three others. Eight were captured.

Dempsey said that while the specific tactics of the anti-coalition attackers do not seem to be organized or directed by any central command, evidence does indicate some sort of coordinated supply and financial support.

Dempsey emphasized that nothing in Operation Iron Hammer is done as a "show of force"; every target is chosen for a reason, he said. As an example, he cited the destruction of an abandoned dye factory that was attacked twice from the air, even though it was widely known as a useless building. Though it was nothing more than a frame, Dempsey said it had been used "on countless occasions" as a sanctuary for attacks against the coalition, and he explained why the building was attacked twice.

"Well, if you shot a target like that once -- the enemy's a pretty cagey fellow. He probably says, 'Well, they're done for tonight, aren't they?' And so you fly away. He comes over. Next thing you know, you're getting shot at again from the same building," Dempsey said. "We went back and shot it again. What I want to make sure the enemy knows is that there is no sanctuary in Baghdad."

Dempsey said success in bringing safety and security to all of Baghdad requires that the city's citizens have trust and confidence in the coalition's sincerity. He noted closure during Iron Hammer of $1.4 million in programs to restore infrastructure to the University of Baghdad, and a meeting the coalition organized that brought together 500 Iraqi farmers to form a cooperative group that will give them a voice when the new Iraqi government takes over.

"If I can get the trust and confidence of the people of Baghdad that I am here for the reason they say I'm here – to provide a safe and secure environment so they can establish governance and move into the future – then God bless us all," Dempsey said. "And that's what I'm looking for."

[Britton J Wingfield]

That's true.

I'm glad it's not :)

[Cobra64]

Watch out when you mention the word "dog" in that part of the country. My understanding is that the president of Ragheads International does not like dogs. Nor do the general population. Now if we could send a battalion of rabbid pit-bulls to sand-land, that would make for some great news. "Local terrorist's voice changes upon being attacked by coalition support canines."

[battousai]

'Just like Ta-Wanna, OJ, Kobe, Laci, and the rest of Tabloids-R-Us "reporting."'

To add to that I was quite disapointed when even Joe Scarborough led the show with the jacko story, for crying out loud the President only just gave an amazing speach that morning, but does Joe lead off with that, oh no its Jacko, I turned off the TV in disgust!

[blackie]

Enemy Attacks Drop 70 Percent Since Iron Hammer's Start ~ Boom ~ Bump!

[steppenwolffe]

Quite a few have said the same thing right here on FR.

That would never happen! Because we are all posting on a conservative forum and all espouse exclusively conservative (Republican) values.

Some have posted disparaging remarks on FR???!!!!

I'm shocked!!! Shocked, I tell you!!!!!

Sarcasm = OFF.

[McGavin999]

These guys and gals are an absolute miracle. They are pounding away at the enemy with one hand and organizing a farmers coop with the other. Just incredible.

[nuffsenuff]

This is the kind of info that they should keep on the low down right now.

It's not going to change anyone's mind over here in the US and it will only make the enemy try harder...

Just keep it up and talk about it when it's over.

IMO.

[ArneFufkin]

This can't be!!! The Usual Freeper Suspects were telling me the other day this operation was just knocking down empty buildings for show! ;^)

[Spook86]

That was (perhaps) our biggest mistake in Iraq to date. In late August/early September, we mounted another effort similar to Opeartion Hammer, and it produced similar results; as I recall, the number of daily attacks dropped into the low single digits. Then, for whatever reason, we backed off, gave the terrorists a chance to regroup, and paid the price.

[CWOJackson]

Of course.

[altura]

Go, Iron Hammer!

Well, they were attempting the difficult task of trying to be friendly to the population while dealing with the threat and may have gone too far with the friendly thing.

We can be friendly later when these goons are taken care of.

[alloysteel]

The Divine Hammer in the Mighty Fist of Allah, come to smite the apostates and false prophets. Wouldn't it be something if the reformation of Islam came about as a direct result of the West's victory over the Islamofascists, and the mullahs made the political decision to excise, or at least interpret differently, those verses of the Qu'ran that imply that violence is sanctioned by Allah?

A good solid fetch upside the head, guaranteed to set the bell ringing, generally clarifies thinking. Or at least minimizes disobedience.

[AnAmericanMother]

I'll call your bet . . .

My Viking kitty, garbed for battle.

[AnAmericanMother]

Yeah - my Labrador will lick 'em to death and then run away laughing. Then they'll have to go bathe to get rid of the dog slobber.

While they're distracted by the dog, the 14 pound attack Siamese will rend them limb from limb and devour the remains.

[Freemeorkillme]

I just got on with The Great one and brought this to his attention. I used your first comment as my closing statement on the call.

BUMP for the WOT

[Freemeorkillme]

uh, got on WABC radio, that is, with Mark Levin.
/captain vague off

[proud American in Canada]

You know... I was beginning to regret having logged on again, since I was wasting time that really should be spent doing more productive activities.... (after all, reading Michael Jackson threads is fun but it doesn't pay the bills or do the dishes for me!).... but statements like these make me glad I logged on:

"Enemy attacks against the coalition in and around Baghdad have dropped by 70 percent since Operation Iron Hammer began Nov. 12, the commander of the 1st Armored Division said today."

THANK YOU, Ragtime Cowgirl. This is great news. :)

[NautiNurse]

Meow! Tossing in my chips, and wishing I could find Kliban's Siamese Wicker Cat Fighting Suit.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Besides a good news thread, your dog and cat pictures made my day. Nice to laugh for change on FR. :o)

Thanks, I needed that.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Thanks for a great article. Plus, did you happen to see posts 27 and 29? Like I told the postee's.. it was nice to smile for a change on FR.

Thanks to all responsible.

:o)