US military targets death squads; two American soldiers killed

[sabra]

http://www.fox12news.com/Global/story.asp?S=5190584

US military targets death squads; two American soldiers killed


BAGHDAD, Iraq The U-S military says it's taking a get-tough attitude to the violence in Baghdad.

They're targeting death squads and other violence that threatens the fate of Iraq's new government. Major General William Caldwell says that of 19 operations last week aimed at death squads, all but two were in the capital city. Officials believe most squads are linked to sectarian groups, either Sunni or Shiite.

The capital's violence is expected to be a key issue when President Bush welcomes Iraq's prime minister to Washington. But Baghdad isn't the only place sectarian groups operate. They're thought to be behind the deaths today of two American soldiers in Anbar province.

[tom_paine]

1. That's an outright lie. We are running most of the Death Squads

Just as we did in Central America in the 80s.

This is pure propaganda. Although it wouldn't surprise me if an unwitting infantry unit or two has been given orders to "go after" the US-backed-and-created Death Squads. Strangely enough, these Death Squads (at least the ones, which is most of them, allied to us) will know exactly where not to be and when not to be there.

[mom cat]

7. But the militia are an easy scapegoat.

[w4rma]

9. mercs? (nt)

[krkaufman]

12. Actually, I just think we've been holed-up in our bases....

... and allowing the militias et al to roam freely -- thus the major shift from IEDs to gunshots as the cause of death.

Saying that the military is taking a "get tough" approach to death squads should only be news from the standpoint that it should NOT be news. Why would this not have been a very basic objective from day one? Doesn't this statement mean that they hadn't been taking it seriously? THAT is the news.

[brentspeak]

13. You have proof of that claim?

[Barrett808]

2. But torture at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere is policy

And many of the death squads are run by the Interior Ministry.

[VegasWolf]

3. The US military is targeting itself? nt

[Just Me]

8. What would be most interesting is if they were U.S. contractors.

Can you imagine the shock on any U.S. military force's face if they were killing off U.S. death squads?

I'd bet that would really fuck with their minds, at least, the ones convinced they're helping secure the country and assist it towards democracy.

[rodeodance]

4. "a get-tough attitude"---most likely more trrops will die now.

[Monkeyman]

5. Yep n/t

[hobbit709]

6. Last month when they announced the new

"Get tough" policy the violence escalated. What's gonna happen this time?

[Javaman]

10. Targets death squads? Ours or theirs?

:shrug:

[lowreed]

11. A "get-tough attitude" ?

Not like the kinder, gentler deadly force they've been using up to now.