US troops gather for onslaught as Mosul unrest threatens election

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

THOUSANDS of American reinforcements are pouring into Iraq’s northern capital for a battle that could decide the fate of the country’s elections, being held in less than two weeks.

In the biggest military operation since US troops stormed the rebel city of Fallujah two months ago, paratroopers, infantrymen and armoured units have converged on the city over the past two weeks, increasing the number of Americans on the ground to more than 10,000.

Their objective is not only to wrest back control of the city from insurgents, but to create enough stability so that Mosul’s inhabitants can be coaxed into voting in the January 30 elections.

For the first time thousands of newly trained Iraqi troops have also been drafted in and will provide security at voting stations on polling day.

Several American commanders said that the objective could become the deciding factor in determining whether the polls to elect the country’s first democratic parliament are a success or a failure.

More: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7374-1444158,00.html

[Briar]

1. Deja vu

"a battle that could decide the fate of the country’s elections, being held in less than two weeks"

This is what they said about Falluja. Are they going to raze Mosul to the ground and massacre its inhabitants too?

[autorank]

2. Maybe another Falluja! New GOTV strategy. Invade and vote.

Of course, not many are voting in Falluja.

Bush is insane!

[ananda]

4. malignant egophreniac

"Bush is insane!"

Yes, but so many people think he looks and acts so normal, just like them. It's contagious!

Paul Levy's article was just so right on.

Sue

[autorank]

6. Welcome to DU!!! Sue!!! Like your phrasing.

[NYC]

3. The biggest military operation since Fallujah.

Will they destroy Mosul?

...create enough stability so that Mosul’s inhabitants can be coaxed into voting in the January 30 elections...

Isn't this election supposed to be for the benefit of Iraqis and Iraq? If so, why would they need to be coaxed into voting? I already know the answer.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Mission accomplished! "Democracy" by

the end of a gun!

[okieinpain]

7. oh yeah, they are going to just love what we do with the place.

[Malva Zebrina]

8. Bomb the city to bits and rubble and tangled concrete.

kill all the people in it and their children and make sure there is no water for the survivors if there are any.

Make sure to feed the dogs.

That oughta solve the democratic election problem, eh?

[True_Blue]

9. The Iraq elections will be a huge disaster

Civil war will likely erupt. Voting will be marked by violence and widespread confusion. Vast regions of the country and large segments of the population will be unable to vote. Others will simply refuse to participate. Then Bush will declare the Iraq elections a great victory for democracy.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

10. The election will be decided by the 1.5 million expatriots

Voting from here, Australia, GB, Canada and other points.

The voting booths in Iraq are just window dressing.

[daleo]

12. If even that.

I think the elections have already been held in Washington. The rest is just vote gathering for show, including the expatriates.

[daleo]

11. Time to destroy another city.

Whatever the excuse they give, I think the real reason is payback for the lunchtime attack on the base in Mosul. To a large extent, I think, the motivation of U.S. troops has become circular - revenge for some previous attack, without any real sense of a worthwhile mission.

[bemildred]

13. This is new. We're going to "take Mosul" now, with fewer troops. nt

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

15. Raids have already begun. (nt)

[bemildred]

16. Raids go on all the time.

So do "insurgent attacks".
We are sending "special forces" into Iran, too, it's being said.
But there is zero chance that any forward progress will be made.

[Just Me]

14. *sigh* they hate us for our policies not our freedoms *sigh*

n/t