Surge Operations Having Significant Impact

Video: Enemy Rockets
B-roll footage of the discovery of 34 Iranian-made rockets and 46 rocket launchers in Iraq which were destroyed before the enemy could fire them. Scenes include aerial footage from the AH-64.

Commander Says Iraq Surge Operations Have 'Significant' Impact
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2007 -- Ongoing anti-insurgent operations conducted in and around Baghdad and to the south of Iraq's capital city are achieving continued success, a senior U.S. military officer said today during a teleconference with retired military analysts.

Maj. Gen. Rich Lynch, commander of Multinational Division Center and U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division, said he is optimistic that the surge will reduce violence in Baghdad while seriously disrupting insurgent operations in Iraq.

"Eventually, I believe you'll see (an) improved security situation inside of Baghdad" due to the surge operations, he said. "But, it's not going to happen overnight."

Seeing on TV that the surge has minimal impact on the insurgents, "causes me great confusion," he noted.

In reality, U.S. and Iraqi security forces participating in Operation Marne Torch are busily knocking out insurgent sanctuaries located within his battle space, Lynch said, which includes parts of eastern and southern Baghdad, as well as Najaf, Karbala, Babil and Wasit provinces.

"We've had significant impact on the enemy with the surge forces," Lynch asserted. "I contend that they are indeed being successful." Yet, he cautioned it will take some time to gauge the overall effectiveness of the surge operations.

Operation Marne Torch is one of several ongoing operations that are part of an overall offensive against insurgents in Iraq called Operation Phantom Thunder, which began June 15, once all of the surge troops were in place. President Bush directed a deployment of about 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Iraq earlier this year as a surge of forces to assist the Iraqi government in confronting the insurgency.

Many surge-related operations designed to eliminate enemy activity in Baghdad and its environs are being conducted within Multinational Division Center's battle space, Lynch said. Since it was launched nearly a month ago, Operation Marne Torch has killed or captured 300 insurgents and netted 60 large enemy weapons caches, the general reported.

When he surveyed his area of operations in March before all the surge troops had arrived, Lynch observed there were four enemy sanctuaries that needed to be taken out.

Those sanctuaries were used by Sunni and Shiite insurgents, as well as al Qaeda in Iraq operatives, because "there weren't any security forces" in the area, Lynch explained.

"So, we've got major operations across my battle space to disrupt those four sanctuaries," Lynch said. One ongoing operation is focused on knocking out Sunni-insurgent strongholds in the Tigris River valley region, including the Arab Jabour area south of Baghdad.

Lynch said another offensive, Marne Avalanche, has just commenced against Sunni and Shiite insurgents operating in the Euphrates River valley.

And, a top al Qaeda in Iraq chieftain believed responsible for the downing of a U.S. helicopter in April 2006 and the abduction and killing of two soldiers in June 2006 was apprehended July 9 thanks to tips from Iraqi citizens, Lynch said. Iraqi citizens had tipped off coalition forces about the location of a large enemy weapons cache that day, he noted, while local Iraqi militia had captured the suspected terrorist and turned him over to coalition authorities.

Lynch also pointed to suspected Iranian support of insurgents in Iraq, noting his troops have found numerous rocket-propelled grenades and other ordnance, including powerful explosive-formed-penetrator munitions, with Iranian markings.

The Iranian ordnance is being trucked-in into Iraq from the border in Wasit province, Lynch explained, noting much of it has been delivered to Shiite-backed insurgent groups. Lynch said U.S. and Iraqi troops, including a brigade from the country of Georgia, are setting up additional checkpoints in that area to intercept such cross-border arms shipments.

Yesterday, coalition troops patrolling east of the Tigris River destroyed 40 enemy-emplaced, Iranian-sourced rockets that were aimed at U.S. troops, Lynch said.

NOTE:
Operation Phantom Thunder is a large-scale operation targeting al Qaeda strongholds in and around Baghdad.

Operation Arrowhead Ripper is one operation in a drive to take on insurgents in the towns and villages ringing Baghdad.

Operation Marne Torch, southeast of Baghdad, and offensives in Anbar province, the Sunni-dominated region west of Baghdad, are also targeting militants living in villages there.

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Combat Camera: Yanks Training with Aussies

A soldier fires on role-playing insurgents. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock, July 11, 2007

Soldiers clear buildings of role-playing insurgents. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sandra M. Palumbo, July 11, 2007

Soldiers provide covering fire for their comrades during a simulated attack. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sandra M. Palumbo, July 11, 2007

Soldiers take cover alongside their Stryker vehicle. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sandra M. Palumbo, July 11, 2007

Soldiers take cover alongside their Stryker vehicle. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock, July 11, 2007

Soldiers advance on Camp Raspberry in their Stryker vehicles for a simulated attack. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock, July 11, 2007

Sgt. Zach Cooper pulls security for his soldiers during the mock battle. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock, July 11, 2007

Soldiers enter a building where role-playing insurgents are holed up. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock, July 11, 2007

A soldier detains a U.S. Marine, who is role-playing an insurgent. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock, July 11, 2007

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Combat Camera: Stryker Brigade on Patrol

U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Washington, conduct a mission in Rashid, Iraq on June 14. Photographer: Spc. Elisha Dawkins, Joint Combat Camera Center

U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Washington, search for negative influences in Rashid, Iraqm, June 14. Photographer: Spc. Elisha Dawkins, Joint Combat Camera Center

U.S. Army soldiers with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Washington, provide security in Rashid, Iraq, June 14. Photographer: Spc. Elisha Dawkins, Joint Combat Camera Center

U.S. Army soldiers with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Washington, inspect a home for possible insurgent in Rashid, Iraq, June 14. Photographer: Spc. Elisha Dawkins, Joint Combat Camera Center

U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Sam Bomner, Spc. Richard Ivy and Staff Sgt. Marcus Gibbs move through the city of Rashid, Iraq in search for possible insurgent, June 14. Bomner, Ivy and Gibbs are with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Washington. Photographer: Spc. Elisha Dawkins, Joint Combat Camera Center

U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Sam Bomner, Spc. Richard Ivy and Staff Sgt. Marcus Gibbs run on the street of Rashid, Iraq in search for possible insurgent on June 14. Bomner, Ivy and Gibbs are with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Washington. Photographer: Spc. Elisha Dawkins, Joint Combat Camera Center

U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion , 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Washington, clears a route search for possible insurgent in Rashid, Iraq on June 14. Photographer: Spc. Elisha Dawkins, Joint Combat Camera Center

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Quinones and Sgt. John Guerra move upstairs in search for insurgents in Rashid, Iraq on June 14. Quinones and Guerra are with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion , 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Washington. Photographer: Spc. Elisha Dawkins, Joint Combat Camera Center

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Iraq Showing Good Progress in Some Areas

News in balance

The Initial Benchmark Assessment Report has been released and The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Reuters, The New York Times, USA Today, CNN and others in the mainstream media have weighed in.

The interim report, released today, offers a preliminary review of security, political and economic progress in Iraq. Congress set a July 15 deadline for the report as part of the emergency war-spending supplemental measure. The final report is due in September.

There are many areas in the interim report showing solid progress reflect success in the Baghdad security plan. The report cites positive movement toward:

• Establishing supporting political, media, economic and services committees in support of the plan

• Providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad operations

• Ensuring the plan doesn’t provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of their sectarian or political affiliations

• Establishing planned joint security stations in Baghdad

The report also notes that the Iraqi government, with substantial coalition assistance, has made satisfactory progress toward reducing sectarian violence. However, it recognizes that the progress has not yet extended to eliminating militia control of local security.

Iraqis also are making satisfactory progress on several key areas on the political front, the report notes. It recognizes positive momentum toward:

• Forming a constitutional review committee and completing the constitutional review

• Enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to form semi-autonomous regions

• Protecting rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi legislature

• Allocating funds to ministries and provinces

Primary Source: Initial Benchmark Assessment Report

PDF of report

Press Conference by the President
National Security Council
In Focus: National Security
In Focus: Renewal in Iraq

White House Report: Iraq Showing Good Progress in 8 of 18 Benchmark Areas
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2007 -- Iraqis are showing good progress toward meeting eight of 18 benchmarks set by Congress and mixed progress toward two other benchmarks, President Bush said today as he summarized findings of a new White House report.

The Initial Benchmark Assessment Report, released today, offers a preliminary review of security, political and economic progress in Iraq. Congress set a July 15 deadline for the report as part of the emergency war-spending supplemental measure. The final report is due in September.

Bush said the September report is expected to be far more telling because it will reflect the impact of the 30,000-troop surge in Iraq, which became full strength only a month ago.

“In September, as Congress has required, General (David H.) Petraeus, (commander of Multinational Force Iraq) and Ambassador (Ryan) Crocker will return to Washington to provide a more comprehensive assessment,” Bush said. “By that time, we hope to see further improvement in the positive areas and the beginning of improvement in the negative areas.”

The September report also will provide “a clearer picture of how the new strategy is unfolding,” putting those who read it “in a better position to judge where we need to make adjustments,” he said.

In the meantime, the many areas in the interim report showing solid progress reflect success in the Baghdad security plan. The report cites positive movement toward:

• Establishing supporting political, media, economic and services committees in support of the plan;
• Providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad operations;
• Ensuring the plan doesn’t provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of their sectarian or political affiliations; and
• Establishing planned joint security stations in Baghdad.

“Iraqis have provided the three brigades they promised for operations in and around Baghdad,” Bush said today. “And the Iraqi government is spending nearly $7.3 billion from its own funds this year to train, equip and modernize its forces.”

The report also notes that the Iraqi government, with substantial coalition assistance, has made satisfactory progress toward reducing sectarian violence. However, it recognizes that the progress has not yet extended to eliminating militia control of local security.

Iraqis also are making satisfactory progress on several key areas on the political front, the report notes. It recognizes positive momentum toward:

• Forming a constitutional review committee and completing the constitutional review;
• Enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to form semi-autonomous regions;
• Protecting rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi legislature; and
• Allocating funds to ministries and provinces.

Two benchmark areas show progress “too mixed to be characterized one way or another,” Bush said, and “in eight other areas, the Iraqis have much more work to do.”

“For example, they’ve not done enough to prepare for local elections or pass a law to share oil revenues,” the president said.

Bush said he’s not surprised that political progress is lagging behind security gains being experienced in Iraq. “Our strategy is built on the premise that progress on security will pave the way for political progress,” he said.

To help further boost political progress, Bush announced today that he will exercise waiver authority granted by Congress to release more economic development funds. These funds are designed to spur economic progress also deemed critical to political progress.

Bush acknowledged today that people reading the Initial Benchmark Assessment Report are likely to interpret it depending on their views about the war.

“Those who believe that the battle in Iraq is lost will likely point to the unsatisfactory performance on some of the political benchmarks,” he said. “Those of us who believe the battle in Iraq can and must be won see the satisfactory performance on several of the security benchmarks as a cause for optimism.”

Bush said the debate over Iraq sometimes gets miscast as a disagreement between those who want to keep U.S. troops in Iraq and those who want to bring them home. “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to see the day when our brave servicemen and –women can start coming home,” he said.

Bush cited his address to the nation in January, when he advocated the surge to accelerate progress in Iraq. “I put it this way: If we increase our support at this critical moment, we can hasten the day our troops begin coming home,” he said today.

“The real debate over Iraq is between those who think the fight is lost or not worth the cost and those who believe the fight can be won and that, as difficult as the fight is, the costs of defeat would be far higher,” he said.

“I believe we can succeed in Iraq, and I know we must,” he said.

By working to defeat terrorists and extremists and ensure the Iraqi government succeeds, the United States and its coalition partners are laying conditions that will have a long-term impact, Bush said.

“By doing so, we’ll create the conditions that will allow our troops to begin coming home, while securing our long-term national interests in Iraq and the region,” he said.

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Combat Camera: Flight Operations

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2007) – An MV-22 Osprey prepares to land aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (R 06). This was first time that an Osprey has embarked in a non-U.S. ship. U.S. Navy photo by Darby Allen (RELEASED)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2007) - A Naval Aviator attached to the "Raging Bulls" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, climbs out from the cockpit of an F/A-18E Super Hornet on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is underway in the Atlantic Ocean participating in their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMTUEX) in preparation for deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Kevin T. Murray Jr. (RELEASED)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2007) - Aviation Boatswain's Mate Equipment Airman Benjamin Shaw stands by to lead the arresting wire back into the flight deck as an F/A-18F Super Hornet prepares to make an arrested recovery aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is underway in the Atlantic Ocean participating in their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMTUEX) in preparation for deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Kevin T. Murray Jr. (RELEASED)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 9, 2007) - A final checker waits for a signal before giving the thumbs up to launch an aircraft from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is underway in the Atlantic Ocean participating in the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMTUEX) in preparation for deployment to the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Kevin T. Murray Jr. (RELEASED)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 9, 2007) - A landing signal officer watches as an F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to "The Raging Bulls" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, approaches the flight deck during flight operations on board Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is underway in the Atlantic Ocean participating in the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMTUEX) in preparation for deployment to the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo J. Reyes (RELEASED)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 9, 2007) – Sailors push an F/A-18C Hornet, from the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, into position after landing on the fight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower is underway conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jon Dasbach (RELEASED)

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Source: Initial Benchmark Assessment Report

President Bush
News in balance

The Initial Benchmark Assessment Report has been released and The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Reuters, The New York Times, USA Today, CNN and others in the mainstream media have weighed in.

Instead of offering my humble opinions on the report, I have included links to the actual source files of the report and I simply want to say thanks to the troops for a job well done.

Initial Benchmark Assessment Report

PDF of report

Press Conference by the President
National Security Council
In Focus: National Security
In Focus: Renewal in Iraq

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Combat Camera: Strykers Cordon and Search

U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division take a break during a cordon and search in the Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq, April 14. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)(Released)

U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division provide security in front of a house during a cordon and search in the Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq on April 14. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)(Released)

A U.S. Army Soldier with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division searches a house during a cordon and search in the Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq, April 14. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)(Released)

U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division search a sewage drain during a cordon and search in the Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq on April 14. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)(Released)

A U.S. Army Soldier with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division provides security during a cordon and search in the Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq on April 14. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)(Released)

U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division provide security inside of a house during a cordon and search in the Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq on April 14. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)(Released)

U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division provide security while they wait to move to their next objective during a cordon and search in the Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq on April 14. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)(Released)

U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division move to their next objective during a cordon and search in the Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq on April 14. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)(Released)

U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division provide security during a cordon and search in the Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq on April 14. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)(Released)

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Successes Continue in Iraq Despite al Qaeda Resistance

BG Kevin Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraq Spokesperson, speaking with reporters in Iraq, providing an operational update.
Link: Iraq Briefing 11 July 2007
News in balance:

Antiterrorism Successes Continue in Iraq Despite Foreign-Born Resistance
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2007 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces have killed or captured hundreds of al Qaeda members in Iraq over the past two months, including 26 of the terror network’s “high-value” leaders and a would-be bomber, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said.

Speaking with reporters in Baghdad this morning and during a conference call with bloggers later today, Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner said combined forces also have shut down an important terrorist information artery, and he described the cumulative results of these operations.

Bergner said successes are occurring in spite of ongoing resistance from al Qaeda, proxy groups like the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps -- or Quds force -- and their Lebanese Hezbollah surrogates, and other foreign fighters drawn to Iraq.

The 26 terrorist leaders slain or seized during May and June include 11 emirs -- city or local al Qaeda leaders -- and five of their terrorist unit commanders. Seven are facilitators who smuggled foreigner fighters, weapons and money into Iraq; and three were car bomb-network chiefs, Bergner said.

The general called al Qaeda in Iraq “the principal near-term threat,” and said the Iraqi government and security forces with coalition partners are engaged in a tough fight against the terror network’s “extremist ideology and leadership.”

“In their own statements, al Qaeda leaders have declared Iraq their central front. Al Qaeda in Iraq and its affiliates are the greatest source of spectacular attacks and are fueling sectarian violence,” he said.

Stoking Iraq’s al Qaeda cells are foreign extremists who are bent on planting a new caliphate, or Islamic-based theocracy, in the country, the general said. Al Qaeda senior leader Ayman al-Zawahiri articulated this vision in a recent video.

“They claim the al Qaeda gateway to victory starts in Iraq,” he said. “Their goal continues to be a Taliban-like state featuring an extreme and distorted vision of Islam, forbidding the most basic personal freedoms.”

Coalition forces struck a blow against the terror network’s propaganda campaign when they uncovered an al Qaeda media center near Samarra in June. The center, equipped with a film studio and capable of making 156 CDs in eight hours, was used to produce and distribute data that included highlights of recent improvised-explosive-device and car-bomb attacks, Bergner said. Inside the building, forces found 65 hard drives, 18 “thumb drives,” more than 500 CDs, and 12 personal computers containing recruiting and other terrorism-related materials.

“It produced CDs, DVDs, posters, pamphlets and Web-related propaganda products, and contained documents clearly identifying al Qaeda in Iraq’s intent to use media as a weapon,” he said.

The media center played an important role in al Qaeda’s recruitment efforts in Iraq and around the world, Bergner said.

Other encouraging signs in Iraq, he said, are the roughly 23,000 tips that local residents have fed coalition forces, and the emergence of “support councils” in Salah ad Din and Diyala provinces, and increased cooperation from tribal sheiks in Anbar province.

In Anbar’s capital city of Ramadi last week, Iraqi police captured a foreign fighter who had been recruited and smuggled into the country by facilitators.

“He was recruited by a man who attended his mosque to join an al Qaeda unit in Iraq and kill coalition forces after listening to radical messages on cassette tapes and becoming interested in Jihad,” Bergner said.

Describing facilitator’s methods, Bergner said the recruit received $1,000 for travel expenses and was told to obtain a passport and head to Syria. There, he met the Syrian facilitator who arranged for his entry into Iraq, a journey that required the recruit to wear a blindfold and cover himself with blankets while he laid in the backs of cars, swapping vehicles multiple times en route to Iraq.

“Once across the border, the Syrian handed him off to another facilitator who drove him to a small mud structure in the middle of the desert,” Bergner said. After hiding out in the desert abode for four days, the recruit was partnered with another fresh foreign recruit, and the two men were driven to a safe house Ramadi, a city where public sentiment has turned against al Qaeda, the general said.

The men learned 10 days later that they were selected to be suicide truck bombers. Their mission was to detonate the 1,000-pound explosive on each truck over a major bridge outside Ramadi, which the recruit claims he reluctantly agreed to, Bergner said.

“On July 1, the two men were driven to a location outside of Ramadi where they boarded two large trucks and followed their handler across the Ramadi bridge,” the general said. “As they crossed the bridge, he changed his mind and did not manually activate the explosive device as directed. His partner, on the other hand, did detonate his explosive device, collapsing two of the four lanes.”

The recruit, who currently is in coalition custody, tells a story that is not uncommon, Bergner said. About 60 to 80 foreigners per month are lured to Iraq by al Qaeda, with 70 percent gaining entry through Syria.

“Between 80 and 90 percent of the suicide attacks in Iraq are being carried out by foreign-born al Qaeda terrorists,” he said. “And in the last six months, some 4,000 Iraqis have been killed or injured by the al Qaeda suicide attacks.”

Tags: Open Thread, Wire, Headlines, War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, United States, coalition, Iraq, Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Marine Corps, USMC, CENTCOM, Phantom Thunder, Arrowhead Ripper, Marne Torch, video, multimedia
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