|
U.S. retakes main Iraq roads
Several interesting things in this article. U.S. forces used heavy firepower Monday to regain control of strategic roads around Iraq (No speicifcs on what the âheavy firepowerâ did) as about 3,000 American soldiers massed outside this southern city in an attempt to force the surrender of a Shiite cleric and his militias. Despite sporadic fighting in the south and west of the country, U.S. officials said they were giving negotiations a chance before moving against Sunni militiamen in Fallujah, where a tense cease-fire held for a second day, and Shiite fighters who are loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. But top U.S. commanders made it clear that time was running out for a negotiated settlement with the cleric. No indication that they are backing off on Fallujah, which is good. "The mission of U.S. forces is to kill or capture Muqtada Sadr," said Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of ground forces in Iraq. The threat came as the anti-American Shiite cleric ordered his followers Monday to leave the government offices they had been occupying in several cities. Coalition forces have gradually isolated the militias. But they had been wary of launching a broader campaign for fear of further antagonizing the countryâs majority Shiite Muslim population during last weekendâs Arbaeen religious festival. With tens of thousands of pilgrims now leaving the region, American military officials indicated U.S. troops would apply more pressure to the 30-year-old al-Sadr and his followers. Al-Sadr is controlling his militias -- with as many as 6,000 fighters -- from Najaf, Iraqâs holiest city. American military commanders said they would not hesitate to enter Najaf and Karbala in their efforts to capture al-Sadr, but they realized how sensitive such a move would be. "My intent is to destroy Sadrâs militia, absolutely destroy it," said Col. Dana Pittard, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division, which is leading the operation dubbed Operation Duke Fortitude. "And then to capture or kill Sadr. That is our mission. Weâre just waiting to be unleashed." Also good news! The turmoil to the north in Fallujah calmed a bit more Monday as negotiators backed by the Iraqi Governing Council sought a peaceful remedy to the fighting that began 13 days ago when four American contractors were ambushed and their bodies mutilated. U.S. officials described the insurgents as a mix of Saddam Hussein loyalists and foreign Islamic fighters. Coalition authorities said the bloodshed would not deter the Bush administration from transferring power to an independent Iraqi government on June 30, as scheduled. Also good news! I am sure that some of this is posturing to convince various people in Iraq that the US is serious about Fallujah and Sadr, but at the same time I am reasonably confident that Fallujah will be taken by force and all the jihadis and saddamites killed or captured. The risks of letting them good are far too great. Posted by: Phil B 2004-04-13 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=30384 |