Number of attacks decreases on Baghdad highway to airport

[Barrett808]

Number of attacks decreases on Baghdad highway to airport
By Kimberly Johnson Special for, USA TODAY
Wed Sep 14, 7:01 AM ET

Attacks on and around the 7-mile highway linking Baghdad to its international airport have dropped 41% since May, the result of increased U.S. and Iraqi troop presence and new tactics to battle insurgents along one of the world's most dangerous roads.

There hasn't been a suicide car bombing on the road since April, according to U.S. military statistics through August.

U.S. officers attribute the decline to an influx of Iraqi troops who have been stationed at key points along Airport Road, which goes by the military designation Route Irish.


"Route Irish is definitely not the most dangerous road in

Iraq any longer, and everyone who uses it knows it," says Lt. Col. Geoffrey Slack, commander of the New York National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment.

...

U.S. officers stop short of saying the problem is fixed. "I don't want to speculate that things are going to stay the same, but obviously with the things that have been done, the road is safer," Conway says.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/20050914/ts_usatoday/numberofattacksdecreasesonbaghdadhighwaytoairport

[saigon68]

1. "BRING EM ON" shouted the AWOL CHIMPANZEE

As he attempted to goad the Iraqi Resistance Fighters

[lebkuchen]

2. It took the US 3 years to control a 10 mile stretch of road

Now what do we do about the rest of the country? I mean, geez, over 150 dead and even more wounded?? In ONE day?

[Barrett808]

4. I suspect the targeting and effectiveness will increase, however

Because the Iraqi military is thoroughly infiltrated.

[Sabriel]

9. Yeaaaaah! We won that section of highway!

Yippee for the greatest military power in the world. I'm so glad I give part of my tax dollars for this effort....

[lebkuchen]

15. Well, at least attacks are down on that stretch of road

I wouldn't say that your $1 billion a day spent in Iraq has actually secured that stretch.

[Barrett808]

16. More like $1 billion / week, but your point is well taken n/t

[Roland99]

18. It's $1.5 billion/week ($195 billion / 910 days)

[iconoclastic cat]

3. Rove's counterspin! Wheeeeee!

[bribri16]

5. Well, i don't believe the insurgents are looking to fly out of Iraq. n/t

[Missy M]

6. And they have increased on other roads!!!

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. 7 miles of flat open road. I'm impressed.

[Imagevision]

8. IRAQ: 152 Killed, 548 Wounded In 12 Explosions...they pick and choose

when and where to hit.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050914/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=AstJbhbv.fUYz2auN33UNKms0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3b2NibDltBHNlYwM3MTY-


http://downingstreetmemo.com/

[Bob3]

10. hoop de do

now while all those troops are on the airport road - the rest of the country is being blown up. Well at least when the US contractors and their hirelings have to flee the road to the airport will be open.

[truthisfreedom]

11. who named it "Route Irish"? and why?

sounds ominous.

[daleo]

12. Car bombings have moved to Baghdad today

The opposition can move its resources in response to U.S. military moves.

[Texifornia]

13. Two and a half years

tTo accomplish what should have been a high priority on week one.

This indicates how slowly things really are going. The "success", such as it is, appears to be primarily due to Iraqi forces. So... after all this time, the Iraqis are capable of handling a large portion of the load on one critical 10 mile stretch of road.

Time is running out for the only strategy that has a chance to be implemented: a regional 3-pronged effort of diplomacy, military and (more importantly) police training, and economic development. All the players must be involved. Syria, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. These countries must have "skin in the gtame" or they must be declared enemies. We don't need more enemies.

If a comprehensive strategy is not implemented in the next few months, certainly before the end of the year, then a fighting retreat will be the best that can be accomplished.

A dramatic course correction is required NOW in Iraq. How bad does it have to get before Bush finally concedes that a change must be made? Sadly, the evidence is that Bush won't figure it out before it is too late.

[Barrett808]

14. Good post, Texifornia

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Caesarmajestic]

17. Jalabani says time to wind down, next day BLAMMO

Hmmm . . .

[donco6]

19. Let's see comps of traffic on the road three years ago vs today.

Then I'll believe the statistic.