You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Iraq
Iraq to build moat around Baghdad
2006-09-16
BAGHDAD: Iraq said on Friday it would dig trenches around Baghdad and seal off dozens of roads with access to the capital as a new security measure to restrict insurgent movements. "As a new security measure, access to the capital will be permitted only through 28 roads," Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Abdel Karim Khalaf said, adding these roads would have new checkpoints. "Dozens of other minor roads with access to the capital will be sealed by trenches and barbed wire."
Posted by:Fred

#10  The point is that Baghdad has so many canals that it's like hauling coal to Newcastle to dig another set of 'em. In the desert towns of al Anbar, they needed berms to replicate what they can do with just the existing agricultural canals in place.

Assuming that the US spokesmen know what they're talking about. I'd imagine that the existing canal system isn't comprehensive, and that the ali babas and local militias would know them better than outsiders. Including how to circumvent the crossing points.

Although I predict a rash of unexplained drownings in the next couple months, stupid being as stupid does.
Posted by: Mitch H.   2006-09-16 08:49  

#9  U.S. denies Baghdad trench plans
...Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson said the ('trench around Baghdad') description sounded like an exaggeration of a plan that mostly would rely on existing terrain features to ensure that traffic moved through the 28 checkpoints. "No doubt there will be some trenches involved in this, but to say there is going to be a moat around the city is a bit of a stretch," Johnson said.

"They've called it a trench around Baghdad. Really what this is, is there's a series of obstacles that the Iraqi government are planning, and we're working with them, to ensure movement through checkpoints, to keep terrorists and extremists and criminals from using those (other) routes," Johnson said. "So it's not a trench. It will be a series using the natural terrain that already exists such as canals, and some obstacles."
Didn't the US do something like this with berms at one of the other Iraqi cities?
Posted by: GK   2006-09-16 06:50  

#8  Ack! El Ali Gato!
I swear they're everywhere.
Posted by: 6   2006-09-16 05:23  

#7  Tater has had as much dental work as the gator

But I'll bet the gator's breath smells better.
Posted by: gorb   2006-09-16 04:24  

#6  Plan for giant trench around Baghdad denied
Posted by: Oztralian   2006-09-16 04:09  

#5  Plan for giant trench around Baghdad denied
Posted by: Oztralian   2006-09-16 04:08  

#4  Iraq to build moat around Baghdad

I fo'swear I'd adopt the Gator thatr ever ater greasy Tater, Id treat its Slithery Lowness like a Royal Highness, it be the Epicurean King 'O Gators!!

..any Gators lurkin out there?
Posted by: RD   2006-09-16 02:06  

#3  
more: Trenches around Baghdad

"Trenches will be dug around Baghdad in the coming weeks when the third part of the Baghdad security plan is implemented," Khalaf said. Metropolitan Baghdad has a circumference of about 60 miles...

Khalaf said that vehicle and even pedestrian traffic would be restricted to just 28 entry points with manned checkpoints...

"We will leave only 28 inlets to Baghdad while all other inlets will be blocked. Supports will be added to the trenches to hinder the movements of people and vehicles. The trenches will be under our watch, but there would be no concrete walls or razor wire." he said.

To help halt that bloodshed, more U.S. troops have been shifted to Baghdad from the insurgent stronghold of Anbar province, a senior U.S. commander said.

BTW This remedy [trenches] as well as many other common sense actions are clearly something that the elected Mesopotamian Geniuses™ could have accomplished on their own, like you know, THEMSELVES, if they weren't f*cked up.

Trenches around Baghdad

Posted by: RD   2006-09-16 01:54  

#2  Tater has had as much dental work as the gator
Posted by: Frank G   2006-09-16 00:12  

#1  I like the way you think, Fred, these gators can be useful not only for purses and cowboy boots.

Could Tator become the next Captain Hook?
Posted by: Captain America   2006-09-16 00:05  

00:00