Posted on 11/08/2007 8:36:17 AM PST by Tennessean4Bush
BAGHDAD, Nov. 7 — American forces have routed Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, the Iraqi militant network, from every neighborhood of Baghdad, a top American general said today, allowing American troops involved in the “surge” to depart as planned.
Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., commander of United States forces in Baghdad, also said that American troops had yet to clear some 13 percent of the city, including Sadr City and several other areas controlled by Shiite militias. But, he said, “there’s just no question” that violence had declined since a spike in June.
“Murder victims are down 80 percent from where they were at the peak,” and attacks involving improvised bombs are down 70 percent, he said.
General Fil attributed the decline to improvements in the Iraqi security forces, a cease-fire ordered by the Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, the disruption of financing for insurgents, and, most significant, Iraqis’ rejection of “the rule of the gun.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
They are merely following the lead of the Wall Street Journal in talking us into a recession.
Funny, but I though I saw a pig outside of my window too, TN! There goes the bacon!
Check out Michael Yon. He filed a report late last week of Christian AND Muslims putting a cross back up on the roof of a church that they were reopening! The gentleman that was interviewed stated that regardless of religion they were all brothers in Iraq, and thank you to the coalition for their freedom, and if we need help with Iran they’ll help!!! Yeah, there isn’t any progress, right?
Beautiful Allegra. I trust your reporting on the situation over there because you’re in the middle of it. A Christian church in downtown Bagdad is very good news. Prayers that the good people of the Middle East will find the love of Jesus Christ and put violence behind them forever.
Do you know the name of it? I'd like to save/share it.
It is called Meskenta Church or Church of the Virgin Mary. It was first built in the 17th century by the Armenians. It is still used by Catholics today and now that the fear is lessened, it is getting much more attendance lately.
I took that picture in September. I see that church from time to time when I have to go to a certain part of town and am going to try to get more pictures of it. I love the architecture, as well as the fact that it exists here.
There are several Christian churches in Baghdad and I pray they're all active again.
Amen.
Also, ping to 84.
What's happening here lately is amazing.
Thank You
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