Free Republic

Images from the attack on Combat Outpost Inman. On the morning of March 23, 2008, an Easter Sunday, a massive blast rocked the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Eight kilometers away at Forward Operating Base Marez, the US Military Transition Team for the 6th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, prepared for the worst. The blast was so large many thought incoming rounds landed close by inside the base. But a large plume rising in the distance in the northwest made it clear a very large suicide vehicle attack just occurred inside Mosul. The US adviser team, led by Lieutenant...

As Coalition and Iraqi security forces work to dismantle al Qaeda in Iraq’s network nationwide, al Qaeda is attempting to re-establish operations in its former stronghold in Baghdad as well as in the northern city of Mosul. Al Qaeda’s ability to conduct large-scale, coordinated attacks has diminished since the fall of 2007 as the security situation improved. But as yesterday’s suicide attacks in Baqubah, Mosul, Ramadi, and Baghdad show, al Qaeda still maintains some capacity to coordinate operations and target civilians. US and Iraqi security forces have killed or captured 53 senior members of al Qaeda in Iraq’s network over...

Perhaps Polimom's missing something (won't be the first time), but from where I'm sitting this morning, the biggest reaction to Osama bin Laden's latest tape is from the West. Polimom wonders whether Osama has spent just a tad too long in his cave - because he's looking somewhat out of step. Hamas does not share his goals (al-Jazeera): Commenting on bin Laden's message shortly afterwards, Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas, said the group's ideology was "totally different" from that of bin Laden and al-Qaeda. "What Osama bin Laden said is his opinion, but Hamas has its own positions...