Iraq Escalation Causing A Surge In Attacks On Our Soldiers

[bigtree]

Insurgents push north out of Baghdad, making fight more deadly for U.S. forces in Diyala

The Associated Press
Published: February 16, 2007

BAQOUBA, Iraq: Sunni insurgents have been streaming out of Baghdad to escape the security crackdown, carrying the fight to neighboring Diyala province where direct fire attacks on Americans have nearly doubled since last summer, U.S. soldiers say.

"I was here in 2004 and I don't remember them ever attacking tanks in open daylight, but now that's exactly what they're doing," said Capt. Paul Carlock, a company commander in the Army's 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment.

"There's a big Sunni influx here, and in the last month or so it's been pretty violent," said Carlock, 31, of Chattanooga, Tenn. "They're getting more aggressive and changing tactics."

Lt. Col. Morris Goins, 41, a battalion commander, said the surge in attacks was also a result of more aggressive combat operations by the Americans . . .

"Part of it is this influx, and part of it is the nature of our operations — we're more aggressive. The more you're out there, the more contact you have," said Goins, whose battalion is responsible for security in the provincial capital of Baqouba.

"You've got more than 20,000 more American troops piling into Baghdad, so these insurgents are going to go somewhere," Goins said. His battalion has lost 17 soldiers since it arrived in Iraq in October.

Nine of those soldiers were killed in the past 11 days.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/16/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Tough-Fight.php

[Joe for Clark]

1. They are definately going somewhere.

I really think many of those guys are heading toward the oil fields up north to cause trouble.

It is VERY dicey up there - very. Like a tinder box waiting for a spark.

And if we get tied up too much in Baghdad - they get a free shot, don't they.

Those people are not stupid - evil, they are - stupid - no.

Watch the reports out of Kirkuk - it was eerie quiet today.

Joe

[bigtree]

2. "This enemy understands lethality and they have a thirst for blood . . ."

Fil, who heads the Multi-National Division Baghdad unit, said insurgent forces are watching the new U.S.-Iraq war strategy "carefully" and "laying low" while plotting their next move.

"How long that will last, we don't know," he said.

Although violence has declined, Fil said insurgents have still attacked U.S. forces and set off car bombs, targeting civilians, since the new security operation began.

"Fortunately, those attacks on our forces have been ineffective," he said.

And Fil predicted some tough days ahead in a war that has claimed more than 3,100 American lives.

"This enemy understands lethality and they have a thirst for blood like I have never seen before," he said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/16/AR2007021601379_pf.html

[Joe for Clark]

6. I think he knows.

I really believe our professional military knows. It is like whack a mole - if you don't have a body - it is just gonna come up in another area. It is true. They are still there somewhere.

The really scary thing - is that Mr C- student doesn't get it and holds our guys in areas where "the mole already left" - so to speak. Thinks he knows best and all that for totally political "gains" - he thinks. That is exactly why he was a C- student in the first place, I might add.

Watch Kirkuk - even north to Mosul. This isn't even that complicated.

And if those "officers" do not do the right thing by their "charges" right now - they have no business wearing the uniform of my father and my family - none at all. They can go work at Mcdonalds.

Joe

[bigtree]

7. well said

[Hobarticus]

3. Nothing new...

We've been chasing insurgents around the country from the word go.

We step up patrols, they just move on. We follow them, they just move on.

They don't need to win, they just need to not lose. And we're boned.

Bring 'em home.

[bigtree]

4. unfortunately, if it's not reported over and over it gets ignored or distorted

"You've got more than 20,000 more American troops piling into Baghdad, so these insurgents are going to go somewhere," Goins said. His battalion has lost 17 soldiers since it arrived in Iraq in October.

Nine of those soldiers were killed in the past 11 days.

[Hobarticus]

5. Your post title pretty much sums up the war from the start. eom

[Joe for Clark]

8. It is not that.

The problem is going to come when we try to move them. Cause those "bad guys" are probably not going to be cooperating at all.

And if they do manage to "get behind us"- it can get very, very bad.

Joe

[butterfly77]

9. Republicons also seem to think that if...

they kill Mutada al sadr that they don't have someone else that will take his place...They are preaching about him on the house floor and have a picture of him grimacing and showing his dirty yellow teeth, I guess this is for full effect as if we don't know that they are murderers and dangerous...

From the speeches I have heard from the republicons, they have only shown us how silly,immature and hateful they are and how they refuse to listen to common sense and reason...

[Disturbed]

10. The "Surge" will be proclaimed as a Great Success.

Baghdad violence will be tamped down for a few months as the Insurgency moves elsewhere. Busholini will smirk and proudly announce that "his" Iraq Plan was the right thing and his poll numbers will jump up. he RWing Noize Machine will be deafening.