Article

2008-02-07 Iraq

Mosul situation veers from 'Baghdad model'

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-02-07 00:36|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top
File under: Iraqi Insurgency

#1 I think one good thing here is that the perimeter of Mosul contains fewer satellite villages (Al Q finds sanctuary sometimes in these).

So we may have an improved the 'securing the perimeter' part of the ops.

Here's hopeing.

Posted by mhw">mhw 2008-02-07 08:55|| http://hypocrisy-incorporated.blogspot.com/]">[http://hypocrisy-incorporated.blogspot.com/] 2008-02-07 08:55|| Front Page Top

#2 About 70% of the perimeter villages around Mosul are Kurdish.

Posted by phil_b 2008-02-07 09:13|| 2008-02-07 09:13|| Front Page Top

#3 interesting comments

Posted by liberalhawk 2008-02-07 09:35|| 2008-02-07 09:35|| Front Page Top

#4 Mosul was in much better shape when Deuce Four the Stryker battalion and LTC Kurilla were there as Michael Yon documented. But the unit pulled out going to Baghdad about 2 years ago..

Posted by RD">RD 2008-02-07 12:42|| 2008-02-07 12:42|| Front Page Top

#5 One block at a time. These counter insurgency efforts are difficult, localized events that hinge on trust. The kurds will not likely lend much trust to anyone other than their own, but if they have 75% of the population we should be able to pacify them fairly quickly. Word I've heard from the kurdish north says that the kurds have been trying to play both sides by offering safe haven and weapons for sale to AlQ in order to justify continued US presence so they can rest assured that they've got a well heeled army protecting their oil assets.

Posted by ElvisHasLeftTheBuilding 2008-02-07 13:52|| 2008-02-07 13:52|| Front Page Top

#6 Mosul is predominately Arab, mostly Sunni. The surrounding area is mostly Kurd, although with a Arab dominated corridor to the south. If Kurds are playing both sides, it will be free-lance. The Kurds long term strategy is to make Ninenveh province including Mosul part of the Kurdish area.

Posted by phil_b 2008-02-07 18:01|| 2008-02-07 18:01|| Front Page Top

23:59 twobyfour
23:54 twobyfour
23:47 RD
23:25 Mike
23:24 www
22:57 3dc
22:54 GK
22:45 3dc
22:42 trailing wife
22:38 trailing wife
22:34 trailing wife
22:20 DMFD
22:15 DMFD
22:13 JosephMendiola
22:06 JosephMendiola
21:55 Frank G
21:51 JosephMendiola
21:48 Frank G
21:46 Steve White
21:37 ryuge
21:34 Scooter McGruder
21:33 Jan
21:32 KBK
21:24 Sock Puppet of Doom