U.S. Marines Battle Insurgents on Two Fronts in Western Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBCHC9X3AE.html

KARABILAH, Iraq (AP) - U.S. Marines and Iraqi forces battled insurgents on two fronts Saturday in a restive western province, killing about 50 militants in a dusty frontier town in the military's latest campaign to stop foreign fighters infiltrating from neighboring Syria.

The military also announced Saturday that two U.S. soldiers were killed and one was wounded during a small-arms skirmish with insurgents late Friday while transporting a detainee near Buhriz, about 35 miles north of Baghdad. A civilian and the detainee also were killed, and five Iraqi police officers were wounded.

At least 1,718 members of the U.S. military have died since the Iraq war started in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Operation Spear, or Romhe in Arabic, was in its second day in Karabilah, about 200 miles west of Baghdad, in Anbar province. Karabilah, which is along the Syrian border, long has been considered an insurgent hotbed.

[bemildred]

1. Dual duels in the desert.

Another search and destroy mission, some more hamlets insurgent hideouts "liberated".

[Terran1212]

2. More of the "foreign fighter" lie

US military's own intelligence points to the fact that most "insurgents" are Iraqi, and have support of the population.




The media has no interest in investigating the same lie most of our government keeps spreading, no?

Just like the scandalous communists and peasants in Vietnam who were trying to crush the vast majority of Vietnamese who loved America and Capitalism, right?

[bemildred]

3. The occupation is investing a lot of effort in keeping the lie alive.

And resources are scarce. It seems clear enough they have no idea what to do about the situation, so I guess the plan is to stall forever and pray for a deus ex machina to solve things right at the end.

[Theduckno2]

4. Two fronts? Sounds major to me.

I thought that President Bush declared an end to "major combat operations" in 2003. Yes the Administration is relentless in its asserting the dangers of foreign insurgents in Iraq. These near border operations could also serve to create a military misstep by Syria, which would require retaliation.
I wish a safe and speedy return to all our brave military in Iraq and Afghanistan. :patriot:

[cliss]

5. The worst part about these rural "operations"

is that the US forces simply throw all residents and would-be insurgents as of the same conviction. They simply aim, shoot, and assume they're all insurgents. "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out".

The damage done to local populations is enormous. There is simply no time to figure out who's the Good Guy & who's the Enemy. To a 23-year old American who has only seen enemies while playing Castlevania, there's no distinction between the two.

Also, US forces typically march into villages, break doors open and frisk everyone inside, including women, children, even babies. Usually at gun point, which further alienates the locals who are probably scared witless.

Just imagine what this does for American Goodwill, as local Iraqis get a Welcome Wagon greetings, courtesy of Don RumsFailed.

After troops stom out of the village, the locals gather to talk about how they've been violated. The anger reaches the stratosphere, as these folks figure out a way to get revenge.

This is why the Latest Save-our-ass "Plan B" will never work. Americans have enraged too many Iraqis, so that they will double-cross their Imperialist Employers. Good Luck, Don. Have a nice....eternity.