Baghdad calms as US troops go back on patrol

[wellst0nev0ter]

HEAVILY armed American troops have returned to some of the most violent areas of Baghdad, patrolling the streets and setting up checkpoints in an attempt to regain control of the city and quell increasing sectarian violence.

Their return sparked fierce criticism from opposition leaders but was welcomed by many ordinary Iraqis desperate for peace after months of murderous violence between rival militias.

US soldiers in tanks and armoured vehicles have moved back into many parts of the capital handed over to the Iraqi police last March after the opening of the country’s new parliament.

Yesterday proved to be one of the most peaceful days in months with no deaths reported in the capital by late afternoon, although two Sunni mosques were raked by gunfire which injured a guard. In contrast, an average of 100 people have been dying in sectarian attacks every day in Baghdad.


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2291292,00...

[rodeodance]

1. I am gald to see the killing stopped, At the same time, will our troops

constantly have to go back in?---or stay? or for how long?

[wellst0nev0ter]

2. As In All Guerilla Wars, The Occupiers Control

whatever territory they have. Once they move, anything goes.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. I we did things right they wouldn't have to

When the US puts enough boots on the ground we can get things calmed down, but then we turn around and leave and soon enough things fall apart again. That's how BushCo wants it.

Instead, we have to stay and start helping the people get back on their feet. We need to put down the god damn guns and get the people to help rebuild their power and water plants. Then we can start on the schools and hospitals. The people of Iraq were skilled and educated. Saddam was good at building things. The Iraqi people know how to build things. Get Halliburton & KBR the hell out of there. Give the Iraqis the money and resources to rebuild their country and the war would be over in a week.

[bemildred]

3. Give it a day or two.

Gotta figure out where to put the IEDs.

[independentpiney]

5. Exactly

Fighting US troops is different than fighting each other. They're just reformulating tactics and maybe making some odd alliances.

[global1]

6. They'll Probably Keep This Presence Up Until After The Nov....

election.

[hang a left]

7. The calm before the storm

Shiite Muslim political leader said Friday that rumors were circulating of an impending coup attempt against the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and warned that "we will not allow it."

The U.S. military provided more information about a clash with Shiite militiamen on Sunday in Musayyib, about 40 miles south of Baghdad. U.S. troops, along with Iraqi soldiers and police, killed 33 insurgents in the day-long battle, the U.S. military said in a statement. The U.S. troops came under gunfire and "rocket-propelled attack" when they entered the downtown area and responded with the assistance of Apache helicopters and Abrams tanks.

"Thugs and criminals tried to take over Musayyib, but they failed because the Iraqi army and police are unbeatable when they work together," Col. John Tully, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, said in the statement.

In a sermon at the Fatimy mosque in Najaf, Sadr al-Din al-Qubanchi also spoke about coup rumors. "We should go on with the political process in building a new Iraq," the preacher said, "and there is no space for thinking about a national salvation government or a military or a political coup."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

[Barrett808]

8. Baghdad calms as US troops go back on patrol

Baghdad calms as US troops go back on patrol
Hamoudi Saffar, Baghdad

HEAVILY armed American troops have returned to some of the most violent areas of Baghdad, patrolling the streets and setting up checkpoints in an attempt to regain control of the city and quell increasing sectarian violence.

Their return sparked fierce criticism from opposition leaders but was welcomed by many ordinary Iraqis desperate for peace after months of murderous violence between rival militias.

US soldiers in tanks and armoured vehicles have moved back into many parts of the capital handed over to the Iraqi police last March after the opening of the country’s new parliament.

Yesterday proved to be one of the most peaceful days in months with no deaths reported in the capital by late afternoon, although two Sunni mosques were raked by gunfire which injured a guard. In contrast, an average of 100 people have been dying in sectarian attacks every day in Baghdad.

(more)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2291292,00.html

[ClintonTyree]

9. And as soon as they leave............

and they will, they'll be needed elsewhere, all hell will break loose again. Same old story.......

[Massachusetts]

10. Baghdad calms as US troops go back on patrol

Remember Tet.