Baghdad sectarian killings at year low-US military

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Feb 26 (Reuters) - A U.S.-Iraqi security crackdown in Baghdad has reduced sectarian killings to their lowest level in nearly a year and is hindering the movement of al Qaeda in the city, the U.S. military said on Monday.

In a statement, the U.S. military said roadside bomb attacks had also fallen.

Commanders said the plan was still in its early days and would take time to have a major impact on halting violence that many fear could tip Iraq into all-out civil war between majority Shi'ites and minority Sunni Arabs.

"Even with ten days into the security plan, it's still too early to talk trends," said Brigadier-General John Campbell, deputy commanding general for manoeuvre for U.S. forces in Baghdad.

"Still, Iraqi and coalition commanders at all levels remain cautiously optimistic."

The statement said the reporting of sectarian killings was at its lowest level in almost a year.

more:http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IBO629405.htm

Sunday's FactBox from Reuters:

MOSUL - Police in the northern city of Mosul said 24 bodies were found in different parts of the city over the past day.

* BAGHDAD - Police found the bodies of 17 people shot dead in different parts of Baghdad over the past day, a police source said.

* NAHRAWAN - A roadside bomb targeting a police patrol killed one person and wounded three, including two policemen, in Nahrawan, southeast of Baghdad, a police source said.

* SULAIMANIYA - The body of a man who had been shot dead was found in Sulaimaniya, a relatively peaceful city 330 km (205 miles) north of Baghdad, in Kurdistan, police said.

more:http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KAM539768.htm

[Xipe Totec]

1. As clueless as Ophelia in Pan's Labyrinth

Totally oblivious to the reality of Iraq, and living in a fantasy world of magic dust, genies, shock and awe.

[ClintonTyree]

2. There will be a temporary lull in the action...

while the insurgents watch and learn about the new U.S./Iraqi tactics. They learn quickly and then they'll respond as they've always done before, exploiting every weakness and making life a living hell for everyone. It's the same old shit, different day. And once the U.S. forces leave (if ever)....all bets are off: total anarchy, a full scale civil war that makes the present losses look like a day at the beach.

Yeah, it's a "dazzling success". :eyes: