The Iraqis never attacked US tanks in open daylight, but now that’s exactly what they’re doing

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/February/focusoniraq_February131.xml§ion=focusoniraq

Insurgents move north, make fight deadly for US

(AP)

17 February 2007

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

That has led to sharp fighting only 55 kilometres (35 miles) north of the capital in a province known as Little Iraq’ because of its near-equal mix of Sunni and Shia Arabs as well as Kurds _ the country’s three major groups. At stake is a strategic region that extends from the northeastern gates of Baghdad to the border with Iran.

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 US Army Capt. Paul Carlock. There’s a big Sunni influx here, and in the last month or so it’s been pretty violent.’

Some US officers suspect the advance publicity for the Baghdad security plan may have encouraged extremists _ both Sunnis and Shias _ to flee the capital for surrounding provinces, including Diyala, where fewer US troops are stationed.

[Spinzonner]

1. The most powerful military in the world

reduced to performing Whac-A-Mole warfare