Jun 23 2007
Top al-Qaeda Saw Surge Coming And Left, SurrenderMedia Was Clueless
The fact that some top al-Qaeda leaders ran (again) from a fight with the US and Iraqi forces now pushing through Baqouba, Iraq in Diyala Province is causing some in the media to claim the US tipped its hand when it planned the Surge many months ago:
Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the second-ranking U.S. commander in Iraq, told reporters that leaders of Al Qaeda in Iraq had been alerted to the Baqouba offensive by widespread public discussion of the American plan to clear the city before the attack began. He portrayed Al Qaeda leaders’ escape as cowardice, saying that “when the fight comes, they leave,” abandoning “midlevel” Al Qaeda leaders and fighters to face the might of American troops — just, he said, as they did in Fallujah.
…
Some American officers in Baqouba have blamed Al Qaeda leaders’ flight on public remarks about the offensive in the days before it began by top U.S. commanders, including Gen. David Petraeus, the overall commander in Iraq. But Odierno cast the issue in broader terms, saying that Al Qaeda leaders were bound to know an attack was coming in light of President Bush’s decision to pour nearly 30,000 additional troops into the fight in his so-called surge.
“Frankly, I think they knew an operation was coming in Baqouba,” Odierno said in a teleconference with Pentagon reporters from the American military headquarters in Baghdad. “They watched the news. They understood we had a surge. They understood Baqouba was designated as a problem area. So they knew we were going to come, sooner or later.”
Well, if anyone pushed The Surge into the news day in and day out it was the Surrendercrats who wanted to pull forces from Iraq and let al-Qaeda win and the SurrenderMedia who have always harboured an unending pessimism that Iraq will work out for the better. But beyond the pessimism I think that al-Qaeda was going to be tipped off anyway, and they can run when they want. In war the establishment of fortified positions is nothing new (except to the ever clueless SurrenderMedia), and Baquoba and the surrounding Diyala Province is where al-Qaeda has been chased from Anbar and Baghdad and where they set up their last base of operations.
The news media just missed this entire event and now want to blame the US because they were late to the party and al-Qaeda wasn’t. The difference is the military and al-Qaeda are on the battlefield and get tell, to some degree, what each other is doing when they move forces. The reporting shows a long term effort by al-Qaeda to fortify Baquoba, the latest capitol city of Bin Laden’s modern caliphate (al-Qaeda lost their first capitol city Ramadi located in Anbar Province:
IMAGINE it’s June 7, 1944, the day after the D-Day invasion. You pick up your newspaper. There’s no mention of Normandy on the front page, and only a brief reference to it in a roundup story on an inside page.
The biggest battle since the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime is under way in Iraq. It’s outcome could determine whether the war is won or lost. But our news media have paid less attention to it than to Paris Hilton’s legal troubles.
…
“They are ready for us,” said former special forces soldier Michael Yon, now a freelance journalist embedded with the U.S. troops. “Giant bombs are buried in the roads. Snipers have chiseled holes in walls so they can shoot not from roofs or windows, but from deep inside buildings, where we cannot see the flash or hear the shots – car bombs are already assembled. Suicide vests are prepared.”
Now that the media missed Iraq’s D-Day they have been running to the scene to catch up and find any marginal fault they can to show why all this will never work. But it is working:
U.S. and Iraqi troops captured two senior al-Qaida militants and seven other operatives Saturday in Diyala province, an Iraqi commander said, as an offensive to clear the volatile area of insurgents entered its fifth day.
The U.S. military also cracked down elsewhere in Iraq, saying in a statement that seven other al-Qaida fighters were killed and 10 suspects detained in raids in Tikrit, east of Fallujah, south of Baghdad and in Mosul.
Three other militants suspected of having ties to Iran also were detained in a predawn operation by U.S. forces working with Iraqi informants in Baghdad’s main Shiite district of Sadr City, the military said separately.
The Americans have accused Tehran of providing mainly Shiite militias with training and powerful roadside bombs known as explosively formed projectiles, or EFPs, that have killed hundreds of U.S. troops in recent months.
“Coalition forces are determined to counter Iranian influence in Iraq, pursuing those suspected of smuggling arms and other forms of lethal aid into Iraq,” military spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Garver said in a statement. “Disrupting the bombing network in Baghdad remains a high priority for us, and we will continue to target the cells’ leaders and members.”
We are rounding up or killing al-Qaeda. While al-Qaeda’s top leaders may have fled for now, they have left their forces surrounded and taking a pounding. The leaders will have no forces to lead, and it is doubtful new recruits will run to sign up with leaders who run from a fight and who have lost two capitol cities of the modern caliphate in less than a year.
Iran is also exposed right now as we find more and more of their agents – thanks to tips from informants. Iranians, being mostly Persians, are not going to be given the same cover as othe Muslim Arabs in Iraq. There is just too much bad blood between the two peoples. So with the Iranian agents being exposed and the local Iraqis turning on them, where are these top al-qaeda leaders going to go?
I think when al-Qaeda loses it will be quick and decisive and will be the tipping point for Iraq. And it may be coming soon, since we continue to find al-Qaeda fighters trying to sneak out of the battle zones:
Hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi troops, under cover of F-16s, fought their way into three neighborhoods of besieged Baquba yesterday to help clear Diyala Province of entrenched insurgents.
To the north of the city, American helicopters killed 17 Al Qaeda gunmen trying to sneak past a checkpoint.
As the mission of 10,000 U.S. soldiers to take back the volatile province intensified in its fourth day, so have concerns about keeping Al Qaeda on the run. The terrorist fighters and their allies already have been run out of Fallujah and Ramadi in Anbar Province, only to regroup in Baquba and surrounding districts.
Leaders in retreat, gunmen in retreat. Seems to be a trend here. And with the entire area covered with the Surge I doubt those who get away will try and stay low and rebuild. My guess is they are heading out of Iraq. As I pointed out a couple of weeks ago, al-Qaeda seems to have stopped sending fighters into Iraq. Probably a wise move now that they are losing them in droves to US and Iraqi forces. al-Qaeda may give up on Iraq. But it will set its sites elsewhere.
Indeed AQ will set sights elsewhere. Probably Africa.
So AJ, what do you think of the news where Bush adm is considering US troop reduction next spring?
Also, do you think there would be a complete US troop pullout or we will see us staying in Iraq for as long as we are in Germany, Japan, south Korea?
excellent write up. You’re right, you can’t get this news off tv. I’ve added Michael Yon to my ‘click on for latest info’ tab. While talking about D-Day, imagine the surrendercrats being in a frenzy then as now. They would have had Gen Eisenhower before every committee in Congress for months ahead of time, detailing the invasion plans. They would have been forecasting that it would be a failure, they would want a complete withdrawal plan with all troops out within 6 months. Then the news people would all have stayed home and missed the invasion and not reported it. Yep, the surrendercrats are a real service to the country.
The Surge is a FAILURE…
The invasion was a catastrophic mistake…
We’re doomed, I tell you, all DOOMED…
The Sky is Falling….
My name is “Chicken Little” and the SKY IS FALLING…
HELP!
Quick, I must practice my “Reflexive Surrender Syndrome” moves…
Hurry up, everybody flat on the ground, spread your buttcheeks, and pray to Allah….
Everybody all together now….
THE SKY IS FALLING!
HELP…HELP…HELP; I’ll pay my “Jizya”, I promise, color me “Dhimmi”, I’m yours, I’ll put my daughters in Burqa’s, just PLEASE don’t slit my throat…
I think al Qaeda is going to attempt to claim victory in Iraq now no matter when we leave. All they need to do is set off one major attack just before our after major forces leave and they will say “See, we sent the Americans home.”
Hopefully, the media (doubtful they will help), military and administration will be prepared to counter al Qaeda attempt at a propaganda victory.
Dale, you know darn well “chicken little” is a name for those opposed to Amnesty for illegals
“Chicken Littleâ€
You remember the conversation about how long passports take compared to background checks, why it took so long, to prove you’re a citizen, actually make the document, yada, yada ?
I was watching C-Span this morning and I saw Sen Vitter say that if you actually drive to a passport issuing office, as in New Orleans, and will stand in line, you Can actually get a passport in one day. Sounds like all those other problems may be related to ‘bureauocracy”. Something that ‘could’ never happen when dealing with illegals.
You see the story about the illegal that had about 6 convictions for DWI and killed the Tennessee cheerleader (or whatever) and got 7 days probation (or whatever) Seems the problem was “he was in the shadows and they had not passed this amnesty bill to get him to come forward”.
I guess being stopped by the police 6 times and being convicted of DWI 6 times is not quite enough to get the ‘shadow’ off your face.
“Because of this crash that apparently involves alcohol by the other driver, her life is lost,” Aaron said.
Police said Benitez was driving without a license and that he didn’t have paperwork verifying that he was in the United States legally.
“They learned that he is a suspected illegal immigrant, thus, a federal hold was placed on him so he cannot make bond,” Aaron said.
In February 2006, Benitez was arrested on three counts of car burglary and two counts of attempted theft. Nine months later, he was arrested on charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Convicted on the three charges, Benitez spent seven days in jail.
The Mexican native now faces a vehicular homicide charge. His preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Thursday.
Intended to add the link: that was all in addition to his 6 DWI’s
Takes a lot to lift “the Shadow”
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6676774
LE:
Dale, you know darn well “chicken little†is a name for those opposed to Amnesty for illegals
“Chicken Littleâ€
Actually, I didn’t know that, I was mocking “Truthpervaricator” and “THECENTERISABUNGHOLE”; but I can tell you’re being sarcastic as well!
Yes, my sister-in-law works at a Passport Office, if you drive there, you can wait the whole day, and get it; the rest is all nonsense bureaucracy!
This nonsense about the “labor intensive” work it takes, to confirm US Citizenship is nonsense; all you have to do is show a US Birth Certificate! That or a prior expired US Passport; that’s it, fill out the form, and pay!
I’m with you on the story about the DWI above!
You know, it’s weird.
My brother, got a DWI, and the cops beat the crap out of him, and cuffed his hands behind his back so tight, for over 24 hours, that when they finally called my parents, and they got him out, his hands had turned blue, and swollen to twice the normal size, and he has permanent nerve damange in both hands as a result now.
Then, like a dumb ass, he violated his suspended liscence, and got caught.
He had to do six months in the county jail, and six more months in home arrest with a 75foot radius from the home phone!
He mowed my parents lawn in a moon shape, at 74 ft, 11 inches, and my dad had to do the rest!
Paris Hilton, for the same offenses, gets 45 days in jail, with 22 days off for “good behaviour”!
This ILLEGAL above, gets “probation”, for SIX Offenses!
So, I know I’m not a “smart guy”, but this is how I see it:
a) Poor White Guy: 2 DWI’s/Driving with Suspended Liscence; 6 months in Jail, 6 months house arrest, $10,000 in fines!
b) Rich White Girl: same offenses; 23 days total in Jail, and $1Million to do an “interview” afterwards!
c) ILLEGAL Alien: SIX DWI’s; “Probation”
Now, again, I’m not that smart, so tell me if I’m wrong, but from where I’m standing, the so-called “justice system” is UPSIDEDOWN!
By the way, my brother wanted to sue the Local cops for the nerve damage, etc.; me, and my brother, and my parents, wouldn’t let him do it!
We told him he was a dumb ass, for what he did, and despite the fact that the cops are asses, and should be nailed, we told him he should take his punishment like a man, and forget about it.
Additionally, between my parents, myself, and my other brother, we don’t let him drive anymore.
So, you tell me who’s “right”, and who’s wrong?
PS: anyone seen “Apache”?
Has he been banned?
Glad Ratdale-boy and FE realize their chief battle is at home with the Mexican invasion–which is evidenced by the fact they can’t let a post about the Iraq War distract them too long.
Take the hint boys, the chances of America winning in Iraq
and maintaining its Empire while staving off the invasion Strata and
Bush sanction at home: nil. And I’m glad to see FE by initiating
this subject is still stewing at AJ and can’t restrain himself with
Iraq about which I will proceed to correct Strata’s lack of reasoning
methodically…
First, Strata can do no better than quote the fool and hypocrite Jack Kelly by way of calling the Al Qaeda battles a likely turning point in the war.
Kelly said the war was winding down–,wait for it….in 2004!
And-like Pat Roberston predicting the return of Christ in 1975,
never apologized.
“The leaders will have no forces to lead, and it is doubtful new recruits will run to sign up with leaders who run from a fight and who have lost two capitol cities of the modern caliphate in less than a year.”
Oh, I don’t know, AJ-did the 9/11 crew believe bin Laden
ran from a fight,and after alQaida lost important caves in
Afghanistan, did recruitment fall off?
“. Iranians, being mostly Persians, are not going to be given the same cover as othe Muslim Arabs in Iraq.”
Then why is alSadr vowing to fight with the Iranians against
America if Bush is reckless enough to start another losing war front?
“So with the Iranian agents being exposed and the local Iraqis turning on them, where are these top al-qaeda leaders going to go?”
What a joke. The Badr organization and SCIRI, alSadr’s
cheif rivals are even more pro-Iranian than alSadr. And
they control large sectors of the new Iraqi government
and police.
And they like America about as much as they like alQaeda,
despite Strata’s best attempts to imitate an ostrich on the
bitter reality of the lost war.
Latest reports are that to members of the AQI senior leadership have been captured and have been taken to Baghdad but no reports yet on exactly who that is.
That 80% number could have been put out by the military on purpose to demoralize the rank and file AQI who would probably have access to media reports translated in Arabic of our military’s press conferences.
Think of it another way. Those leaders are constantly on the move, rarely staying in one place very long. I wouldn’t be surprised if at any given time only 20% of the leadership was in Baqubah to begin with. That said, the remaining 80% are probably putting as much distance between themselves and that place as they can at the moment.
There were reports of AQI leaving Iraq a couple of months ago and it appeared that the destination was Lebanon. That would have been a few weeks before the battle started at the big al Qaida camp near Tripoli.
Short of Iran and the Northwestern territories of Pakistan, AQ is running out of places to run to.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/23/iraq/main2970592.shtml
US losses continue to mount in the no-win war. No turning point here.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/23/iraq/main2970592.shtml
no turning point here.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/23/iraq/main2970592.shtml
eight more US troops killed today; no turning point here.
Patraeus warned us to expect things to get worse and to expect casualties but we will win with this surge. Our soldiers are entering a very dangerous area.
We are moving forward and winning this war.
You haven’t told us anything new, center-copperhead.
Centerisabunghole
And I’m glad to see FE by initiating
this subject is still stewing at AJ and can’t restrain himself with
Iraq
hey, wait a minute bunghole. When you called AJ a liar, a banning offense, I specifically asked AJ to not ban you because you are such a clear example of a mindless idiot. You need to be on display.
So, no I actually agreed that AJ did the right thing when I said what I did. I went overboard, just as you did. But I think you serve a purpose.
Lurker
Bases as in Korea, Germany, Japan? How out of touch with reality are you?
The Iraqis, unlike the quiescent Koreans, Germans and Japanese, will be killing US troops as long as they are on Iraqi soil. Impossible supply lines, impossible scenario.