How to reduce the civilian death toll in Iraq: increase bombing, call dead militants

[ProSense]

U.S. military steps up war-zone airstrikes

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 in Afghanistan, too. Coalition planes have made 2,764 bombing runs 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.

In Iraq, the temporary increase of 30,000 U.S. troops ordered by President Bush in January has led to the increase in bombing missions. The U.S. command has moved forces off large bases and into neighborhoods and has launched several large offensives aimed at al-Qaeda.

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June 22: U.S. kills 17 militants in Iraq offensive

June 23: U.S. militants kill Iraq 2007

October 5: US kills '25 militants' in Iraq

Militants

[ShortnFiery]

1. If there is a just and merciful God, watch out for that horrific BLOW-BACK?!?

:scared:

Words can not describe how disappointed and saddened I am with our Congressional "leadership." :(

[PDJane]

2. The congress isn't responsible for the military.

Lay this fiasco at the feet of the Pentagon. Between the CIA and the Pentagon, the middle east is a fiasco. That is the way these folks have made it.

[wtmusic]

3. Go to Liveleak.com and you will see video after video

of Apache helicopters blowing Iraqi "insurgents" to bits.

And what you learn after you watch enough of them is the ONLY criteria being used to ID the insurgents are the following:

It's nighttime
They are males traveling together
They are in an area where attacks on Americans have recently taken place

So if you fit that mold you are out of luck and you are dead, because our American military is not brave enough to do the right thing -- go in on the ground and ID these people. :grr:

[ProSense]

4. Kick! n/t

[ProSense]

5. He's back, just in time to keep the RW AQI meme going

Bin Laden urges Iraq insurgents to unite

38 minutes ago

DUBAI (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden called on insurgent groups in Iraq to unify their ranks, in an audio recording aired by Al Jazeera television on Monday.

"The interest of the Islamic nation surpasses that of a group ... the interest of the (Islamic) nation is more important than that of a state," said the speaker who sounded like the leader of al Qaeda.

"The strength of faith is in the strength of the bond between Muslims and not that of a tribe, nationalism or an organization."

"I advise ... our brothers, particularly those in al Qaeda wherever they may be, to avoid fanatically following a person or a group...," he said.

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