US and Iraqi Troops Launch Huge Assault on Northern Insurgent Stronghold

[buzzsaw_23]

US and Iraqi troops launch huge assault on northern insurgent stronghold

By Patrick Cockburn in Baghdad

Published: 11 September 2005


American and Iraqi troops used armoured vehicles to batter down the walls of houses yesterday, as they launched an assault on the insurgent stronghold of Tal Afar in northern Iraq.

Doctors in the local hospital confirmed that the long-expected offensive started at dawn yesterday with US air strikes on the centre of Tal Afar, which is encircled by American tanks. There was heavy gunfire in the Sarai district, the oldest part of the city.

With its narrow streets and twisting alleyways, "I can see why the terrorists chose this place for a fight. It's like a big tunnel of death," said Sgt William Haslett, a US soldier.

The attack is a test of newly trained units of the Iraqi army, deploying 11 battalions of soldiers alongside three battalions of paramilitary police. The US has three battalions of troops taking part in the assault.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article311781.ece

[whistle]

1. The Tet offensive of Iraq

[FightingIrish]

2. The dateline of the story is very ironic

[Barrett808]

3. US troops captured Tal Afar last year but then withdrew

US troops captured Tal Afar last year but then withdrew, allowing the resistance to re-establish control.

The incompetence of Bush misrule is breathtaking.

[bemildred]

4. This is drool, a dog-and-pony show for PR purposes.

"This is not militarily significant".