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| Iraq |
| Could Diyala be Al-Qaeda's Waterloo? |
| 2007-03-24 |
| The U.S. military has developed battle plans designed to clear al-Qaeda out of Iraq. High level military intelligence sources have told CBN News the offensive would target the Iraqi province of Diyala. The province is located just northeast of Baghdad, along the Iranian border. Many of al-Qaeda's forces in Baghdad moved there when the new troop surge was announced in January. Diyala is now a major launching pad for al-Qaeda suicide bombing attacks. "If you want to diminish the amount of car bombers and suicide bombers, you have to take the fight right to the source. And in this case, the source is Diyala," said CBN News consultant Daveed Gartenstein-Ross. Gartenstein-Ross says the Diyala offensive will be even bigger than the major U.S. operation in Fallujah back in 2004-which cleared out a city that had been a major insurgent stronghold. Military sources say the Fallujah operation directly led to the success of the 2005 Iraqi elections. Gartenstein-Ross said, "Here, the goal is going to be to drive these guys out of the country entirely." Sources say the initial plans involve three distinct strikes from three different directions. The goal is to destroy enemy training facilities and prevent al-Qaeda forces from escaping. "The insurgents are left with two choices--either to stand and fight or to retreat into Iran--at which point, they're Iran's problem," said Gartenstein-Ross. COOL Al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, has been laying mines and positioning anti-aircraft batteries to counteract the coming offensive. One of the U.S.military's goals is to take out these anti-aircraft groups. That will likely involve heavy us airpower. VERY COOL If successful, this could have major benefits at home and abroad, according to retired U.S Colonel Bill Taylor. "To the American public, it's a sign of progress. To our allies: maybe this effort is still worth supporting," said Taylor. General David Petraeus has requested up to 3,000 additional troops for Diyala. The operation there can't move forward until his request is approved. SO CUT THE CRAP AND FUND THE TROOPS, DEMOCRATS! Taylor says Petreaus - who was one of his students at West Point - is the perfect choice to lead America's efforts in Iraq. But he's worried about recent reports that al-Qaeda may be preparing chemical weapons attacks against U.S. troops.. "Iraq has traditionally, a pretty big chemical industry. There's nothing that says that maybe al-Masri and the al-Qaeda people can't get their hands on something like WWII chemical agents, mustard gas for example," he said. And that brings up the question of casualties. A major offensive in Diyala could potentially cause a number of civilian and military deaths, especially if al-Qaeda stands and fights. But experts say that's a risk worth taking. They say a victory in Diyala could cripple al-Qaeda in Iraq and help shore up lagging support for the war at home. |
| Posted by:cajunbelle |
| #9 Ever heard of PsyOps? A feint? Like trying to explain knifework to the chainsaw-qualified. ahh you attempt a sharp rejoinder using the dullest of knives |
| Posted by: RD 2007-03-24 22:24 |
| #8 Like trying to explain knifework to the chainsaw-qualified. A rantburg classic!! |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2007-03-24 22:15 |
| #7 Ever heard of PsyOps? A feint? Like trying to explain knifework to the chainsaw-qualified. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2007-03-24 21:22 |
| #6 "Allowing AQs to scurry to Iran... ahm... I'd agree provided that we have sufficient manpower at the border, in the following pattern ">". Then bullhorn everywhere: "Iran, the land of free AQs!" |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-03-24 19:28 |
| #5 Chemical weapons are of little tactical value when the US forces can get effective protective gear quickly. It will however, change the complexion of battle from allowing al-Qaeda to flee into Iran, to "take no prisoners". |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-03-24 18:47 |
| #4 at which point, they're Iran's problem But that wouldn't be the end of them. They'd just R3 there. |
| Posted by: gorb 2007-03-24 18:35 |
| #3 Box them into the kill zone and arc light them with B52s. We cannot hope to win this war with burning up our manpower in close up ground ops. Herd them where we want them to go and pulverize them. Word will get out that hell is upon them. We failed to take out 5k Taliban troops and ISI officers at Konduz, Afghanistan back in 2001 or early 2002 when we had the chance, with B52s overhead. And it cost us dearly. We must not fail again. Jeeze Louise, the insane ROEs drive me up the wall. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2007-03-24 18:21 |
| #2 Ever heard of PsyOps? A feint? Hammer (interior troops) meet anvil (fake out to empty the border area). Terrs caught in between, unable to stop running , unable to R3 (Reorganize Rally and Rest). If he REALLY needed those troops there RightNow, there is a ready brigade in Kuwait, full up mech infantry ready to roll. Not to mention the Marines off the coast now, and 2 carriers to back them up. In any event, there are a lot fo thigns going on over there, and the bad guys, for once, have no clue as to where we hit next, and no idea where to hide. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2007-03-24 17:53 |
| #1 Is Op-Sec Passe? wtf |
| Posted by: RD 2007-03-24 17:45 |