Article

2008-04-03 Iraq

U.S. Cites Gaps in Planning of Iraqi Assault on Basra

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Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-04-03 11:36|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 Well, at least they knew that they couldn't do it with 70% and adjusted the plan. It does show that the Iraqi planners and military can be flexible even though they shoot off too early.

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2008-04-03 12:01|| 2008-04-03 12:01|| Front Page Top

#2 Hindsight is always 20/20. Rarely do things go according to plan in war.

Posted by JohnQC 2008-04-03 13:45|| 2008-04-03 13:45|| Front Page Top

#3 Somehow I want to call bullshit. I was hearing about planning underway to refurbish the Basra ports oh, about a month ago. And those reports cited the need to go into Basra with the Iraqi Army in order to get a grip on governing the place and to kick out the crime cartels.

So the notion that this was some kind of unexpected bolt out of the blue doesn't hold water with me.

Here is an article from back on March 13:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/13/mideast/basra.php

BASRA, Iraq: Several senior Iraqi officials said that the government might soon deploy Iraqi Army troops to seize control of this city's decrepit but vital port from politically connected militias known more for corruption and inciting terror than their skill in moving freight.

The officials refused to disclose many details Wednesday but appeared to suggest that this entire southern city, whose streets have been increasingly torn by violence as the militias vie for power, would be affected. No specific timetable was given for the move.

So if this was a surprise to Ambassador Crocker, then it is only because he doesn't read the freaking newspaper because everyone else on the planet knew it was coming. My guess is that the NYT is full of crap since their own newspaper, the IHT was reporting that this was going to happen weeks ago.

Posted by crosspatch 2008-04-03 13:49|| 2008-04-03 13:49|| Front Page Top

#4 Adding to the problems, the Iraqis did not trust the British and were not including them in their planning, according to a senior American officer.

Not good.

Posted by Pappy 2008-04-03 14:45|| 2008-04-03 14:45|| Front Page Top

#5 Well, like I said. This operation had been announced weeks in advance. If they wanted in the planning, they could have been in the planning. Everyone on all sides knew this was coming. I have to believe that a good bit of the article is propaganda crap sprinkled with a bit of reality from Mr. Gordon.

Posted by crosspatch 2008-04-03 15:05|| 2008-04-03 15:05|| Front Page Top

#6 No doubt the operation was planned (and leaked). The op began shortly after sustained rocket/mortar attacks on the Green Zone. In hindsight that seems to have been a spoiler attack on the HQ of the Iraqi gov. Malicki seems to have taken the bait and launched before all the pieces were in place. Still, it won't change the outcome. The Iraqi gov takes control of Basra and the oil facilities and denies Sadr and other militias of their major source of revenue, therefore their influence.

Posted by ed 2008-04-03 15:25|| 2008-04-03 15:25|| Front Page Top

#7 Sow's ears & silk purses.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2008-04-03 18:34|| 2008-04-03 18:34|| Front Page Top

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