Military steps up war-zone airstrikes

[rodeodance]

Source: USA TODAY




Military steps up war-zone airstrikes
Posted 57m ago

By Jim Michaels, USA TODAY
The U.S. military has increased airstrikes in Iraq fivefold this year, reflecting a steep escalation in combat operations aimed at al-Qaeda and other militants.

Coalition forces launched 1,140 airstrikes in the first nine months of this year compared with 229 in all of last year, according to military statistics.

Airstrikes are up on Afghanistan, too. Coalition planes have made 2,764 bombing runs so far this year, up from 1,770 last year. The figures don't include strikes by helicopter gunships.

The increasing use of air power also stems from improved accuracy and smaller munitions that allow commanders to launch airstrikes against insurgents who travel in small groups and sometimes hide among civilians.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-10-21-airstrikes_N.htm?csp=1

---

I think this has had the effect of less loss of US troops-yet the destruction of buildings must be horrible.

[scarface2004]

1. who says its a war zone?!?!?!?

'kill them all and let god sort' them out must be the motto of the us military now!

[Warren Stupidity]

6. They have to make that claim to avoid a clear violation of the GC

[tuckessee]

2. One can not defeat a counter-insurgency in urban areas with airpower.

The American military is delusional with the idea of "bomb them out of existence."

But in reality what the US does is "bomb them into resistance."

Making enemies one bomb at a time. Perfected in Vietnam & updated for Iraq.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

7. ". . . into resistance" - how true.

We may kill babies and infants, but there are cousins and friends who remember.

[NoGodsNoMasters]

3. Oh, of course...

There isn't nearly enough death and suffering in the world. (j/k)

[leftchick]

4. the destruction of buildings? Try people! Babies!

The body of Ali Hamed, who was killed in a raid in Baghdad by U.S. troops, is prepared to be washed for burial in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007. U.S. ground forces and attack helicopters killed an estimated 49 militants during a raid on Baghdad's Sadr City Shiite enclave to capture a militia chief who lead a kidnapping ring, the military said. Iraqi officials said at least 13 people were killed, including women and children. The military said ground forces were unaware of any civilians killed in the Sadr City strike, and the vast difference in reported death tolls could not immediately be reconciled. (AP Photo/Alaa al-Marjani)

:cry:

[bdamomma]

10. we will pay for this.

:cry:

[Warren Stupidity]

5. Bombing a country you occupy is a war crime. nt.

[razzleberry]

9. how so?, war is war .nt.

[leftchick]

11. it isn't a war

it is an occupation fighting Iraqi resistance. There is a difference.

[gratuitous]

8. Where are these "coalition" planes?

What insignia do they fly under? Is there any way to distinguish a "coalition" bomb from an American one? Well, I'm sure that Bush and Cheney have a ready explanation for the survivors who might be a tad upset about the destruction of their homes and families, and that we will have nothing to worry about in terms of retribution.