After Offensive, Marines Try to Convince Sunni Arab Townspeople to Help Fi

[Judi Lynn]

After Offensive, Marines Try to Convince Sunni Arab Townspeople to Help Find Insurgents
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By Antonio Castaneda Associated Press Writer

Published: Oct 8, 2005

HADITHA, Iraq (AP) - Iraqi commanders accompanied by U.S. Marines walked through the streets of this former insurgent stronghold Saturday, trying to convince residents they could safely provide tips about hidden militants in what has evolved from a major military assault into a campaign to break the insurgency's psychological grip on the city.

Men in traditional Sunni Arab robes appeared outside in greater numbers, but still lingered close to their homes in Haditha, a city sloping downward a desert valley toward groves of palm trees along the Euphrates River.

Though insurgents were not on the streets, their presence was evident: Marines said fliers were found threatening those who vote in next weekend's constitutional referendum, and at one mosque a letter from a former policeman was found, begging al-Qaida members for forgiveness for joining security forces.

"We know the enemy is wise and cunning," said Capt. Timothy Strabbing in the 3rd Battalion of Hudsonville, Mich. "He's watching right now, looking for seams and gaps where he can attack us."
(snip/...)

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBV971FKEE.html

[wtmusic]

1. "begging al-Qaeda members for forgiveness"*

*Letter not available for publication. Term 'al Qaeda' may have been inserted for clarity.

:eyes:

[tatertop]

4. OK, I'll tell. The insurgents are (insert names of your enemies here)

[leftchick]

2. I can not help but wonder what they did to this Father...

before they finally let his child be treated....



An Iraqi father trying to take his ill child to a hospital in a nearby city talks to U.S. Marines and an Iraqi Army commander Saturday Oct. 8, 2005, in Haditha, Iraq. The man could not reach the hospital after major roads were blocked during the latest offensive by U.S. and Iraqi forces searching for insurgents in western Iraq, but the Marines instructed the man to bring the child to their base for treatment. (AP Photo/Antonio Castaneda)

[Neil Lisst]

5. How can anyone believe the US troops in Iraq?

No American troop in Iraq can make a meaningful promise to protect the locals. They are there until someone gives them orders to go somewhere else. Then they are gone.

Time is on the insurgents' side. Either those in Iraq who aren't part of the insurgency are prepared to fight the insurgents, or they aren't.

We have to get out and let the civil war commence.


------
Neil Lisst progressive comic
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst/

[tatertop]

3. a steaming pile of crap this big could heat my house all winter