US offensive in Euphrates region

[DoYouEverWonder]

4 October 2005

US marines in western Iraq have launched a new offensive against what they say are al-Qaeda fighters.

The offensive, in towns along the Euphrates valley, Haditha, Haqlaniya and Barwana, has been named Operation River Gate.

The US military says the operation aims to "free local citizens of the terrorists' campaign of murder and intimidation".

About 2,500 US troops will take part in the operation, as well as Iraqi forces.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4307572.stm

Why is it that in a country the size of Texas with about the same population numbers (25 mil), where we spend a billion dollars a week, we can't maintain law and order?

[leftchick]

1. Targeting "safehouses" means wounding and killing innocents...

<snip>

On Monday, a CNN journalist embedded with Marines in eastern Karabilah filed video showing the house-to-house fighting. About 20 Iraqi civilians fled, and the wounded included an Iraqi mother, father and their child, who were bleeding after being hit by flying pieces of concrete.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5318170,00.html

[xchrom]

2. lol -- and we think we can beat them this way.

isn't that sad?

[LynnTheDem]

3. And 3 US dead already from their offensive offensive.

GOOD MORNING VIETRAQ!

Rightwingnuts; stupidest MFing idiots on the planet.

[Systematic Chaos]

4. So what else is new?

We're pretty much deemed "offensive" in every corner of the world anymore. :eyes:

[Rhiannon12866]

5. US troops mount second big attack on Qaeda in Iraq

By Omar al-Ibadi

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. Marines launched their biggest offensive so far this year against al Qaeda guerrillas in western Iraq when the military said 2,500 troops moved on Tuesday against militants around Haditha.

Two months after a previous bid to push Islamist fighters out of the area, Operation River Gate aims to stop al Qaeda operating in the city and two nearby towns, Haqlaniya and Barwana, a military statement said.

The operation is also intended to "free the local citizens from the terrorists' campaign of murder and intimidation."

In Baghdad, two Iraqi soldiers and a civilian were killed and six security men wounded when a suicide car bomb exploded after entering the city's heavily fortified Green Zone, home to the Iraqi government and the U.S. and other embassies.

In the south of the capital, Iraqi and U.S. forces fought a battle in broad daylight with more than 40 guerrillas, the U.S. military said, adding that "more than three dozen terrorists were ... killed, wounded ... or detained."

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=9823669&src=eDialog/GetContent

[Tyler Durden]

6. The US Offensive? YOU SAID IT!

We stink on ice. And there sure ain't much of THAT in Iraq.

[damntexdem]

7. Actually, the U.S. has been offensive everywhere it has gone in Iraq.

;)

[IChing]

8. These are some of the oldest cities and towns in the world right?

Haditha a city of 90,000 was attacked in early August also.
eyewitness account at link

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news%5C2005-08-22%5C10493.htm

[leftchick]

9. US troops mount new big attack on Qaeda in Iraq

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-10-04T184408Z_01_SPI440896_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAQ.xml

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. Marines on Tuesday launched their biggest offensive this year against al Qaeda guerrillas in western Iraq, the military saying 2,500 troops attacked militants around Haditha.

Two months after the last push against Islamist fighters ended with al Qaeda still in control, to the dismay of locals alarmed by its Taliban-style rule over civilians, Operation River Gate aims to stop the group operating in Haditha and two nearby towns, Haqlaniya and Barwana, a military statement said.

<snip>

"The U.S. Iraqi forces distributed leaflets with phone numbers asking people to call if they want to inform on the insurgents," said another resident of Haditha.

Within days of a smaller assault in August, residents said militants were back in control in the town, dispensing summary justice including public executions and banning music and Western-style dress in a manner similar to the Afghan Taliban.

U.S. commanders acknowledge that militants have been able to melt away into the countryside during U.S. offensives, only to return when the American forces go back to their bases. Newly trained Iraqi troops are intended to fill those vacuums.

[chelsea0011]

10. Bush's poll numbers mean get him now!

[0007]

11. ....or his number 2 man.

[Systematic Chaos]

12. Is that like in

"New and Improved! Now 58% more deliciously creamier and mouth-wateringly cheesier than the old Big Attack (tm)!"

Just saying.... :shrug:

[tocqueville]

13. there are NO Al Qaeda guerillas in Iraq

but to 98% a SUNNI insurgency. It's very important that the accurate language is respected.

And I love the "melted in the countryside"... Where do they hide ? in dunes or as travelling Beduins ?

Fact is that the Sunni insurgents have a regular occupation as any resistance. Very few go around carrying weapons all the time...