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Al-Qaida sweep in Iraq cities revives battleground (Fallujah and Ramadi)
Associated Press ^ | Jan 3, 2014 11:33 PM EST | Qassim Abdul-Zahra

Posted on 01/04/2014 10:23:27 AM PST by Olog-hai

Two Iraqi cities that were strongholds of Sunni insurgents during the U.S. war in the country are battlegrounds once more after al-Qaida militants largely took them over, fending off government forces that have been besieging them for days.

The overrunning of the cities this week by al-Qaida’s Iraqi branch in the Sunni heartland of western Anbar provinces is a blow to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Malik. His government has been struggling to contain discontent among the Sunni minority over Shiite political domination that has flared into increased violence for the past year. […]

Government troops, backed by Sunni tribesmen who oppose al-Qaida, have encircled Fallujah for several days, and have entered parts of the provincial capital Ramadi, also overrun by militants. On Friday, troops bombarded militant positions outside Fallujah with artillery, a military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to release information. …

(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; alqaeidainiraq; anbar; fallujah; iran; iraq; jihad; ramadi; rop; syria; waronterror
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1 posted on 01/04/2014 10:23:27 AM PST by Olog-hai
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To: Olog-hai

At least we tried. Can’t blame Obama. At some point they have to take care of themselves and it ain’t happening.


2 posted on 01/04/2014 10:26:26 AM PST by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: Olog-hai

Zero and his admin really waisted our American treasures, troupes, by taking out our troops from Iraq. What a shame for their families.


3 posted on 01/04/2014 10:28:00 AM PST by duckman (I'm part of the group pulling the wagon!)
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To: Olog-hai

Al-Qaida? Whatever!

These are just locals that are ticked over a YouTube video.

/NYTimes /VoteHillary2016


4 posted on 01/04/2014 10:30:12 AM PST by VanDeKoik
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To: DIRTYSECRET

Wholesale carpet bombing and tactical nukes would have been much cheaper, and much more effective. Pick a country in the middle east, make an example out of them, and dare any of the others to try the same stunt. Getting wiped off the face of the earth is a pretty powerful deterrent in anyone’s book. Let these jokers know that we’re not f****** around, and that we mean business.


5 posted on 01/04/2014 10:40:01 AM PST by factoryrat (We are the producers, the creators. Grow it, mine it, build it.)
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To: DIRTYSECRET
At some point they have to take care of themselves and it ain’t happening.

Any reasonably intelligent person knew that as far back as 2003. Which eliminates anyone in Washington who wears a suit during the day.

6 posted on 01/04/2014 10:40:34 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts ("Gun horror is not a productive emotion, it's learned helplessness disguised as moral superiority.")
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To: factoryrat
Wholesale carpet bombing and tactical nukes would have been much cheaper, and much more effective. Pick a country in the middle east, make an example out of them, and dare any of the others to try the same stunt.

Hey, it worked for Germany and Japan. Haven't heard any war talk from either after 1945.

7 posted on 01/04/2014 10:43:05 AM PST by PapaBear3625 (You don't notice it's a police state until the police come for you.)
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To: DIRTYSECRET

While we contained Al-Qaeda during the Iraqi War, we never wiped them out. Now that is what the Iraqi government needs to do, if they’re strong enough (or ruthless enough)


8 posted on 01/04/2014 10:50:32 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
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To: Olog-hai

They’re killing each other! Have at it. Let’s watch.


9 posted on 01/04/2014 10:57:53 AM PST by ex-snook (God is Love)
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To: Olog-hai

Iraq is comprised of 60-65% Shi’ite muslims. Granted, Ramadi and Fallujah are in Sunni regions, but ultimately this has to matter enough to the Iraqis to fight for it. If it doesn’t faze them, then they own this defeat.


10 posted on 01/04/2014 11:00:48 AM PST by ScottinVA (Obama is so far in over his head, even his ears are beneath the water level.)
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To: MinorityRepublican
They can't contain AQ. Most of the Iraqi government's crack troops were killed by AQ and the rest fled for the hills, sans heavy weapons. The last ditch defense will be formed around Baghdad.
11 posted on 01/04/2014 11:01:01 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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To: Olog-hai

Democracy in action by the religion of pieces. Three cheers for Nation Building...!


12 posted on 01/04/2014 11:04:29 AM PST by TADSLOS (The Event Horizon has come and gone. Buckle up and hang on.)
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To: factoryrat
Pick a country in the middle east, make an example out of them,

I nominate Iran and Pakistan.

13 posted on 01/04/2014 11:21:15 AM PST by fella ("As it was before Noah so shall it be again,")
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To: fella

Iran’s officially in the Middle East, but Pakistan is usually considered part of South Asia.


14 posted on 01/04/2014 12:52:34 PM PST by Olog-hai
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To: Olog-hai
~but Pakistan is usually considered part of South Asia.

OK, how about Saudi Arabia.

15 posted on 01/04/2014 1:09:01 PM PST by Sarajevo (Give a man a gun and he can rob a bank, give a man a bank and he can rob the world)
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To: PapaBear3625

Both of those are starting again.


16 posted on 01/04/2014 1:18:02 PM PST by Olog-hai
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To: ex-snook

That’s the left’s attitude. Let the winner get ever stronger (whomever it happens to be) so they can attack Israel once the region is unified.

Since both “sides” are ultimately bankrolled by Iran, then Iran’s the only winner here.


17 posted on 01/04/2014 1:19:43 PM PST by Olog-hai
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To: Sarajevo

Surprised that wasn’t the top nominee, what with having both Mecca and Medina.


18 posted on 01/04/2014 1:20:08 PM PST by Olog-hai
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To: DIRTYSECRET

Yes...I blame Obama. He’s got Iran encouraged by weak US policy right next door. Now why would that not encourage Al alqueda in Iraq?


19 posted on 01/04/2014 1:21:19 PM PST by what's up
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To: DIRTYSECRET
Can't blame Obama

Sure you can. He's been arming terrorists in Libya and Syria, and those weapons are ending up in Iraq. We should be helping Assad, not creating another breeding grounds for insanity.

20 posted on 01/04/2014 1:22:46 PM PST by grania
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