US forces win against Al Qaeda in west Iraq
US troops won a fierce battle outside Al Qaedas former stronghold in western Iraq, the military said on Tuesday, as commanders warned that recent victories must not be taken for granted while car bombings in the cities of Kirkuk and Baghdad killed at least 20 Iraqis.
US soldiers and marines killed 23 insurgents and foiled an apparent attempt to revive Al Qaeda influence near the groups former bastion of Ramadi. | US soldiers and marines, backed with attack jets and helicopter gun ships, killed 23 insurgents in the weekend clash and foiled an apparent attempt to revive Al Qaeda influence near the groups former bastion of Ramadi. Although Al Qaeda declared the city its capital last year, the groups attacks against civilians and local leaders have turned much of Anbar provinces population against it.
Senior US officials, including President George W Bush, have hailed the resulting turnaround in Anbar where attacks are down dramatically but US commanders warn that Al Qaeda fighters have regrouped elsewhere. I dont think that theres any question that theyve gone somewhere else, Brigadier General John Allen, the number second most senior officer in western Iraq, told AFP.
Posted by: Fred 2007-07-04 |