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Iraq
Halted Basra campaign continues to successfully move forward
2008-04-14
BASRA, Iraq – Operation Sawlat al-Fursan, or Charge of the Knights, entered a new phase of operations in Basrah, April 12. The operation, which began March 24, has now started the process of clearing strongholds previously dominated by criminal militias.

A deliberate house-to-house clearance operation of the south-western Basrah district of al-Qiblah was conducted without major incident. It resulted in significant quantities of arms, ammunition and explosives being found. To date, Coalition forces involvement has been minimal, reflecting the ever increasing ability and resolve of the Iraqi Security Forces to enforce the rule of law.

Iraqi operations in al-Qiblah to date have yielded an improvised explosive device factory, numerous weapons handed over by locals, or left in the streets, in addition to two significant arms cache finds with numerous IEDs, mortars and RPGs.

Operations have not been limited to Basra. A senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leader was arrested at an Iraqi Army checkpoint in the small town of Abu al-Khasib 20 kilometers southeast of Basrah.

Coalition forces continue to provide 24-hour-a-day airborne surveillance over the city for the ISF. On several occasions, CF fighter aircraft provided “shows of force” in support of ISF troops on the ground and remain ready to provide air support if required.

Elsewhere, United Kingdom and United States Military Transition Teams, or MiTTs, are embedded with Iraqi Security Forces. These teams are providing advice and support to the units they work alongside.

The atmosphere inside the city has generally been calm over the past two weeks. The people of Basrah are proud of what the Iraqi Security Forces, both Police and Army, have achieved in the city. Many Iraqis feel positive progress has been made against criminal elements, as life returns to normal.

The Port of Umm Qasr opened a few days after the start of Operation Charge of the Knights, having been secured by the Iraqi Army. The port is now operating, with the Government of Iraq working to bring it up to recognized international standards. An Iraqi Navy detachment has taken over port security from the Army.

“Basrah is one step closer to realising its true potential,” said Maj. Tom Holloway, a spokesman for Multi-National Division - Southeast. “There is much further to go, but recent operations in the city have been described by locals as the most significant events since 2003. The sense of optimism is palpable, and the desire by Basrawis to seize the moment is evident.”
Posted by:GolfBravoUSMC

#5  This is the Shia 'civil war' that had to happen. There was never any real doubt about who would win, unless you work for the MSM of course.

The reports of weapons thrown out on the street shows its over for the gangs and Sadr and they know it.

Now that the Kurds, Sunnis and Shias have all settled their civil wars, the outcome will be a federal Iraq of strong regions and relatively weak central government.
Posted by: phil_b   2008-04-14 18:53  

#4  A big question that won't be answered soon is when the US deploys high altitude static observation blimps. Basically a blimp that blends in, high enough to not be noticed that just sits there, continually observing a city.

Anytime anything bad happens, you trace the bad guys back to their lairs. Over the course of weeks, you identify every building in the city used for mischief.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2008-04-14 17:37  

#3  Is it just me, or has the news coming out of Iraq gotten a lot better these last few weeks? Perhaps I'm suffering from a case of misguided optimisim but there are a number of developments over the last few months that seem to indicate things are finally starting to move in the right direction.

Another anecdotal indication is the demeanor of the President. I recall when things had gotten really bad in Iraq, shortly before he announced his Surge strategy, that Bush looked tired, depressed, and his usual self-confidence was missing not to mention his sense-of-humor. Nowadays, he seems like a different man. He's laughing more, more confident, and more hopeful and optimistic about the situation in Iraq. If my observations about his demeanor are accurate, perhaps we're seeing the man regain his footing as result of the improved situation and the confidence he now has in how things are going over there.

Of course, you would only know this if you have been paying relatively close attention to events in Iraq and making every effort possible to ignore whatever the MSM is trying to tell us, the lying pack of scoundrels and ne'er-do-wells that they are.
Posted by: eltoroverde   2008-04-14 17:28  

#2  Note the capture of a senior Al Qaeda in Iraq ina small town, 20 kilometers South-East of Basrah. That would be right on the Iranian border, opposite Korromshahr or Abadan.
We all know the (Sunni) AQ types would never even think about venturing into big bad (Shiite) Iran, don't we? Must have been there on vacation or something.
Posted by: Grunter   2008-04-14 12:20  

#1  Â“Basrah is one step closer to realising its true potential,” said Maj. Tom Holloway, a spokesman for Multi-National Division - Southeast. “There is much further to go, but recent operations in the city have been described by locals as the most significant events since 2003. The sense of optimism is palpable, and the desire by Basrawis to seize the moment is evident.”

Fantastic news indeed, let's cross our fingers and wait for the Coup de Grâce upon the confirming follow-up reports.
Posted by: RD   2008-04-14 11:45  

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