The current offensive in Iraq and a recent history review

[Norquist Nemesis]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Iraq+offensive+Samarra&btnG=Search

http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/printer_101204B.shtml
Major Assaults on Hold Until After U.S. Vote
By Mark Mazzetti
The Los Angeles Times

Monday 11 October 2004

Attacks on Iraq's rebel-held cities will be delayed, officials say. But that could make it harder to allow wider, and more legitimate, Iraqi voting in January.
Washington The Bush administration plans to delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the U.S. presidential race.
...
Although American commanders in Iraq have been buoyed by recent successes in insurgent-held towns such as Samarra and Tall Afar, administration and Pentagon officials say they will not try to retake cities such as Fallouja and Ramadi - where the insurgents' grip is strongest and U.S. military casualties could be the highest - until after Americans vote in what is likely to be an extremely close election.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3705890.stm
Last Updated: Friday, 1 October, 2004, 16:01 GMT 17:01 UK
'Scores die' in Samarra assault
US and Iraqi forces have carried out a major offensive in the northern Iraqi town of Samarra to try to retake control from insurgents.
US troops say around 109 militants were killed, but doctors at the main hospital spoke of 80 dead and more than 100 hurt, among them civilians.

An Iraqi minister said 37 insurgents had been captured in the assault.

An interior ministry spokesman said US and Iraqi troops were now in control of about 80% of the mainly Sunni town.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_steven_l_060225_the_baghdad_mosque_d.htm
February 25, 2006

The Samarra Mosque Dome Bombing – The Tet Offensive of the Iraq War
When even those mired in denial could no longer deny the truth
by Steven Leser
...
Move forward 36 years and one month. February 22nd, insurgents blow up the dome of the Askariya shrine, one of Shiite Islam’s most holiest sites, home to the 10th and 11th Imams said to be direct descendants of the prophet Muhammad himself, and established in 836 by the Caliph al-Mutasim. The parallels are unmistakable. Even William F. Buckley, the conservative and Bush administration protagonist that he is, could no longer deny the truth and the title of his latest article said it all succinctly, “It didn’t work”, see his article here-> http://www.nationalreview.com/buckley/buckley200602241451.asp

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/international/middleeast/01iraq.html?ex=1142658000&en=b0cd26fdd3b627d2&ei=5070
At Least 75 Iraqis Killed in Major Offensive by Insurgents
By EDWARD WONG
Published: March 1, 2006
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 28 — At least 75 Iraqis were killed and scores injured Tuesday as insurgents carried out their deadliest offensive in weeks. Most of the victims died in five powerful bombings in Baghdad, which threatened to heighten tensions as Iraqis struggled to recover from the worst sectarian bloodletting of the war.
...
The cabinet said Tuesday afternoon that 379 people had died and 458 had been injured in the violence since the bombing last Wednesday of a sacred Shiite shrine in Samarra and in the anti-Sunni reprisal killings that followed.

Oh, and there's this from the December 2004 archives:
http://www.1id.army.mil/1id/News/December/Article_66/Article_66.htm
Optimistic future on the horizon for Samarra
SAMARRA, Iraq – Until two months ago, this moribund city was being held hostage by insurgents. But 1st Infantry Division and Iraqi National Guard troops forced out the rebels.

Now, Samarra, a once-thriving holy city of some 200,000 people, is in the early stages of a massive facelift. Thus far, Coalition Forces have spent millions of dollars repairing the infrastructure. Millions more will be spent on other major projects in the coming months in hopes of making Samarra a hub for tourism in the future, one officials said optimistically.
...
Despite the progress, security is still an issue. Insurgents continuously attempt to re-enter the city and frequently launch attacks against American and Iraqi forces in an attempt to impede the rebuilding process.

As a result, security is at its highest level in the Samarra. There are checkpoints at the various entrances of the city. The Soldiers search cars and drivers before allowing people to enter the city, and a curfew is in place.

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I guess this is just another case of the liberal media reporting only the bad news. :eyes:

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. *shameless kick* n/t