An American armored personnel carrier moves through traffic in southern Baghdad last month. Such sights are more common lately since car bombings, once a common tactic in Baghdad, have been greatly reduced. Car bomb incident rate declines in BaghdadBy Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, December 13, 2007
BAGHDAD — A U.S. military convoy drives in bumper-to-bumper traffic in downtown Baghdad.
While not a common scene in the past, it’s happening more often as security improves and the threat declines from car bombs —– Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) in Army-speak.
Repeated car bombings in Baghdad had devastating effects on civilians and the military. They were also a major threat last time the 2nd Cavalry (Stryker) Regiment deployed to Mosul from 2004 to 2005, according to 2nd Cav commander Col. John RisCassi.
“VBIEDs are not a major threat against coalition forces in Baghdad right now,” RisCassi said in a recent interview.
Indeed, according to figures released by the military in October, car bomb attacks throughout the country have gone down 65 percent since the “surge” in June.
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