Clipmarks | RecordSage's 'iraq' clips

US hands over Anbar to Iraqi Government

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:11:50 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage
clipper's remarks: Major progress continues. Kudos to the good General and all of our men & women!!!

Clip Source: www.csmonitor.com

U.S. hands over Anbar, Iraq's once-deadliest region

Baghdad - The US military handed over control of Anbar Province Monday, marking a significant milestone in the Iraq war.

Anbar was the deadliest Iraqi province for US troops, with nearly 1 in every 3 Americans killed there. It was once the symbol of Sunni resistance, the base of operations for Al Qaeda, and home to two major US military offensives and the most intense urban combat of the war.

But in the past two years, Anbar has emerged as the symbol of a turnaround as Sunni sheikhs formed "Awakening Councils," ousted Al Qaeda, and created community police forces.

Anbar is the 11th of Iraq's 18 provinces to return to Iraqi control, but it is the first predominately Sunni province handed over.

While most praise the transition, some Iraqis are concerned that corrupt police and Al Qaeda remain a threat.

Tags: iraq, anbar, handover

General Petraeus hails SAS

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:09:29 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

General Petraeus hails SAS after Iraq victory over al-Qaeda car bombers

The SAS has helped to defeat a murderous web of al-Qaeda's car bombers in Baghdad that brought devastation to the capital, the top US commander in Iraq said yesterday as he heaped praise on the unit's efforts.

General David Petraeus, who is due to leave his post in Iraq shortly, also dismissed the notion that American and British military relations had been strained by the recent offensive in Basra, emphasising that the problem of tackling militias in the southern port city had been rightfully Iraqi-led.

The four-star general, looking forward to his next posting as head of Central Command, said he would draw on lessons learnt from his four years in Iraq on how to fight an insurgency when tackling his new area of responsibility, which includes Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Lebanon.

He said Britain's special forces in Iraq worked alongside their American counterparts on “many, many cases of very important operations”.

Tags: petraeus, sas, iraq war, progress

Georgia sends troops from Iraq to South Ossetia

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:01:44 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Georgia sends troops from Iraq to South Ossetia

Georgian soldiers in South Ossetia will be bolstered by troops currently based in Iraq

Half of Georgia’s 2,000 troops in Iraq plan to leave the country by Monday to join the fight against separatists in the breakaway province of South Ossetia, with the rest following as soon as possible, their commander said.

“First of all we need to remove 1,000 guys from here within 96 hours, after that the rest of the guys,” Colonel Bondo Maisuradze told The Times this morning.

“The US will provide us with the transportation,” he added.

Georgia had said initially that it planned to withdraw just half of its contingent in Iraq.

Last year, the Georgians raised the number of troops in Iraq from 850 to 2,000 at a time when most non-American contingents were cutting back — a move that won them points with US commanders.

Tags: georgia, iraq, russia, war

The Poles (our friends) are hanging tough

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 08:01:10 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: www.humanevents.com

The Polish ambassador to Iraq was wounded in an attack Wednesday. In spite of the general unpopularity of the war, the President and Prime Minister of Poland, twin brothers Jaroslaw and Lech Kaczynski are urging Poles to hang tough and keep their troops in the country.

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland will not withdraw its 1,000-strong troop contingent from Iraq after the Polish ambassador was wounded in an attack on his convoy in Baghdad on Wednesday, Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said.

"Desertion is always the worst option," Kaczynski told reporters. "This is a difficult situation, but those who became engaged and were there for years and then withdraw are making the worst possible mistake."

The Poles, and a lot of the East Europeans are determined not to make that mistake, and we shouldn’t either. With western civilization in crisis, we need friends and allies, not welfare clients.

The Russians are furious with them, the Poles could not care less.

Tags: iraq war, poland, ally

Democrats "try" to discredit General Petraeus

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 19:43:23 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage
clipper's remarks: One would have to wonder why the Democrats voted for the guy unanimously and then try to discredit him when he's accomplishing what he was sent to do?

Clip Source: wwwwakeupamericans-spree.blogspot.com

General Petraeus was confirmed, unanimously 81-0, (that link is to the roll call vote) and given the job of heading up a new counterinsurgency strategy in iraq back in February and he received his full compliment of troops a approximately two months ago.

Since then, he and our troops have seen tremendous military success in places like Anbar Province which was once an al-Qaeda stronghold and just last summer was given up as lost, is now flourishing and life is returning to normal after our troops, led by General Pestraeus and the local population rose up and drove al-Qaeda elements out.

**Dramatic reduction of sectarian killings.

**Drop in the number of roadside bombings.

**Killing or capturing of al-Qaeda fighters, causing the terrorist group to lose influence with local Sunnis.

**75 per cent reduction in religious and ethnic killings since last year.

**Doubling in the seizure of insurgents' weapons caches between January and August.

Tags: iraq war, general petraeus, democrats, politics, update

Anatomy of an Iraqi Tribal Revolt

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 06:27:35 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage
clipper's remarks: Very interesting read from someone who've been there. Certainly much more illuminating than anything you see on TV.

Clip Source: smallwarsjournal.com

Some aspects of the war in Iraq are hard to fit into “classical” models of insurgency. One of these is the growing tribal uprising against al Qa’ida, which could transform the war in ways not factored into neat “benchmarks” developed many months ago and thousands of miles away. I spent time out on the ground during May and June working with coalition units, tribal leaders and fighters engaged in the uprising, so I felt a few field observations might be of interest to the Small Wars community. I apologize in advance for the epic length of this post, but it's a complex issue, so I hope people will forgive my long-windedness. Like much else, it’s too early to know how this new development will play out. But surprisingly (surprising to me, anyway), indications so far are relatively positive.

Tags: iraq war, tribes, revolt, al qaeda

Date a wrong guy - get stoned to death, or how to kill 190.

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 06:51:24 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

4 Truck Bombs Kill 190 in Kurdish Area of Iraq

BAGHDAD, Aug. 14 — Four truck bombs killed at least 190 people on Tuesday in two villages in a Kurdish-speaking area near the Syrian border, destroying houses and sending hundreds of the wounded to at least six hospitals as far as 150 miles away, the Iraqi authorities said.

Hours after the blasts, victims were still buried in dusty rubble as American helicopters ferried away the wounded.

Another Iraqi officer described the scene as apocalyptic: “It looks like a nuclear bomb hit the villages,” he said.

The bombs — including at least one rigged to a fuel tanker — detonated in quick succession around 8 p.m. in Qahtaniya and Jazeera, two towns populated mostly by Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking sect that mixes elements of Islam with the teachings of an ancient Persian religion.

When a video of the Yazidi woman being stoned appeared on the Internet, gunmen stopped minibuses full of Yazidi laborers and killed 23 of them.

Tags: iraq, kurds, yazidi, murder, lunacy, islam

Positive News on Iraq from the New York Times

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:58:27 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage
clipper's remarks: Things are looking up... even to New York Times.

Clip Source: www.humanevents.com

I can't believe the New York Times actually printed this piece on their op/ed pages but I am supremely happy that they did. The following are a few short excerpts from Michael O'Hanlon & Kenneth Pollack of The Brookings Institute:

Here is the most important thing Americans need to understand: We are finally getting somewhere in Iraq, at least in military terms. As two analysts who have harshly criticized the Bush administration’s miserable handling of Iraq, we were surprised by the gains we saw and the potential to produce not necessarily “victory” but a sustainable stability that both we and the Iraqis could live with.

...Today, morale is high. The soldiers and marines told us they feel that they now have a superb commander in Gen. David Petraeus; they are confident in his strategy, they see real results, and they feel now they have the numbers needed to make a real difference.

Tags: iraq war, progress, new york times

Iraq Pullout - it won't be pretty

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:47:12 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: www.iht.com

U.S. envoy offers grim prediction on Iraq pullout

BAGHDAD: As the U.S. Senate begins a new debate this week on proposals for a withdrawal from Iraq, the U.S. ambassador and the Iraqi foreign minister are warning that the departure of American troops could lead to sharply increased violence, the deaths of thousands of people and a regional conflict that could draw in Iraq's neighbors.

"In the States, it's like we're in the last half of the third reel of a three-reel movie, and all we have to do is decide we're done here, and the credits come up, and the lights come on, and we leave the theater and go on to something else," he said. "Whereas out here, you're just getting into the first reel of five reels," he added, "and as ugly as the first reel has been, the other four-and-a-half are going to be way, way worse."

Tags: iraq war, us, troops, pullout, results

al qaeda strikes again - here we go... again

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:43:55 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: www.estripes.com

Forces in Iraq on alert after bombers destroy minarets of Shiite shrine

Unknown attackers destroyed the twin minarets of one of Iraq’s most holy Shiite shrines Wednesday morning, touching off protests, condemnation and fears of sectarian reprisals.

An attack last year at the same Samarra shrine — known as both Askariya and the Golden Mosque — destroyed its golden dome and touched off months of Shiite-Sunni violence that some called a civil war.

No injuries were reported in the 9 a.m. attack that destroyed the minarets, but security throughout the country was immediately tightened. Curfews went into effect in Baghdad and many other cities, Iraqi and American troops were put on high alert, and the entire Iraqi police unit charged with guarding the shrine was detained for questioning.

According to Islamic beliefs, the shrine is also where the 12th Imam — Mohammed al-Mahdi — was put into a state of “divine hiddenness” by God to protect his life.

Tags: iraq, al qaeda, terrorism, explosion, mosque

50 men 'executed' in Iraq terror carnage

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:04:16 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

50 men 'executed' in Iraq terror carnage

Gunmen have executed up to 50 Sunnis in an ethnically divided Iraqi town, in what appeared to be a horrific revenge attack for the slaughtering of 75 mainly Shia Muslims in a double-truck bombing only hours before.

In signs that the sectarian conflict in the north-western Iraqi community of Tal Afar is rapidly spiralling out of control, dozens of men were randomly shot in the head by rampaging gunmen in an overnight attack at the Sunni district of al-Wahda.

Police and military sources claim that the gang, some of whom may be off duty Shia policemen, stormed through the neighbourhood, firing at their victims at close range and leaving bodies piling up in homes and on Tal Afar's streets.

A doctor at the town's main hospital - still overwhelmed with casualties after the earlier double suicide bombing - this morning confirmed that all those who died had been shot in the head in deliberate execution style.

Tags: iraq, sectarian, muslim, violence, terrorism

Bush Hammers the Democrats

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:17:35 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage
clipper's remarks: So much for Democrats doing the right thing after the election.

Clip Source: powerlineblog.com

The purpose of the emergency war spending bill I requested was to provide our troops with vital funding. Instead, Democrats in the House, in an act of political theater, voted to substitute their judgment for that of our military commanders on the ground in Iraq. They set rigid restrictions that will require an army of lawyers to interpret. They set an arbitrary date for withdrawal without regard for conditions on the ground. And they tacked on billions for pet projects that have nothing to do with winning the war on terror. This bill has too much pork, too many conditions and an artificial timetable for withdrawal.

That's right. I think it has become clear to pretty much everyone that the Democrats want defeat in Iraq in order to advance their political agenda. That is not a view that is shared by the American people. If President Bush stays firm, the Dems could be in trouble. Of course, everything depends, as always, on events on the ground.

Tags: bush, democrats, house of representatives, iraq war

Iran & Saudis

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 05:42:55 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage
clipper's remarks: Just look at that photo - 'ah-I'm-almost-as-tall-as-you' and our 'friend', working together on solutions.

Clip Source: story.malaysiasun.com

Saudi Arabia king meets with Iran president

The king of Saudi Arabia King Abdullah met with Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Saturday, and the two have agreed to work together to fight sectarian violence in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia, has a nujmber of times called upon the international community, "not to isolate Iran" in peace talks, emphasizing the peaceful role Iran could play in the region.

Ahmadinejad said in Tehran early Sunday the two leaders had vowed to combat 'enemy plots' designed to divide the Muslim community.

The two leaders also reportedly stressed the importance of Palestinian unity and the need to safeguard Iraq's independence and integrity.

The US has also claimed that the 'highest levels' of Iran's government are supplying arms used by Shia militants in Iraq.

It makes sense for the Saudis and the Iranians to talk as neither country has an interest in a Sunni-Shia rivalry in the region getting out of control, the BBC correspondent says.

Tags: iran, saudi arabia, meeting, collaboration

18 children die due to car bomb in Iraq

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:44:09 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: www.itv.com

Iraq football pitch blast kills 18 children

Eighteen children have been killed in a car bombing which targeted a football field in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi.

Earlier, three US soldiers were killed and one was wounded in a roadside bomb blast on the outskirts of Baghdad.

It comes after a similar bombing, also on the outskirts of the city, killed a US soldier and wounded two others yesterday.

Also on Monday, 14 people, including women and children, died when a suicide bomber blew up an ambulance at an Iraqi police station near the city in Anbar province which is at the heart of the Sunni Arab insurgency.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that officials from regional states including Iran and Syria will hold talks in Baghdad next month to seek ways to stabilise Iraq.

The White House has said US officials will attend if invited and could include Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. A British embassy spokeswoman said UK diplomats will also take part but it was unclear at what level.

Tags: iraq, terrorism, children, death, car bomb

US Soldier Sentenced to 100 years for rape and murder in Iraq

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 06:39:51 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage
clipper's remarks: That's the kind of sentence that should be handed down in this country for similar crimes.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Soldier Sentenced for Rape and Death of Iraqi Girl

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., Feb. 22 (AP) — An American soldier was sentenced to 100 years in prison Thursday for taking part in the gang rape and murder of an Iraqi girl and the killing of her family last year.

The soldier, Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, 24, also was given a dishonorable discharge. Sergeant Cortez will be eligible for parole in 10 years under the terms of his plea agreement.

In his plea agreement, he said he had conspired with three other soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division to rape a 14-year-old girl, who was then killed with her parents and a younger sister.

Earlier Thursday, tears rolled down Sergeant Cortez’s face as he apologized for the rape and murders. He said he could not explain why he had taken part.

“I still don’t have an answer,” he told the judge. “I don’t know why. I wish I hadn’t. The lives of four innocent people were taken. I want to apologize for all of the pain and suffering I have caused.”

Tags: iraq war, soldier, sentence, rape, murder