Soldier's Dad-do you have any info from people you know about the credibility of the allegations about Marines killing civilians in Haditha?
I know nothing more about the Haditha incident than the rumors in the press.
From conversations with Soldier's who have served in "Terrorist Safe Havens", I do know that it takes an enormous amount of discipline and maturity to maintain the seperation between "Terrorist" and "Civilian Terrorist Sympathizer".
Make no mistake, in places like Haditha and Samarra, hunting US soldiers/marines is/was a spectator sport, not much different really than the Romans cheering as a Christian gets eaten by a lion.
Thanks for the news updates and resources. I haven’t been doing as much of it lately. I was looking for the latest ISF progress chart, so thanks. If my last information was correct many of the Iraqi units should have logistics units coming into certification right around now. I haven’t seen a new update on unit readiness lately though.
It seems to be a slow battle of attrition with the Sunni’s right now. Iran and Syria seem pretty determined to keep feeding the fight for however long it takes to break down US and Iraqi will. At that, they don’t seem to be able to really stop anything. The much advertised, civil war hasn’t happened and isn’t going anywhere, unless there is a sudden withdrawal of US support. AQ’s Baghdad offensive did happen this spring. (I remember calling that one on the ITM boards all the way back in December- January) The insurgency is no longer able to hold ground, and hasn’t recaptured anything. Last fall the insurgents were a little surprised with how fast their political position in Anbar and along the Tigris disintegrated. I think it was last November when they decided to go to the next logical step and base there campaign purely based on terrorism, sabotage, intimidation, and confusion. They would like a more broadly based war but have had to pool their efforts in the Baghdad area to remain effective.
The insurgencies tactic now is not to stop any major milestones from happening. They don’t have the power for that anymore. They want to make everything happen so slowly and painfully as to give the impression that any gains and accomplishments don’t matter. Sadly, in this they have been largely successful. I call this sort of terrorist tactic: DENIAL OF GRATIFICATION, to give it my own term. Any time there is a significant achievement go on the offensive and make sure there is as much gratuitous violence as possible. They aren’t stupid. They know exactly where our instant gratification society is weakest.
I honestly don’t know how this whole thing will play out. If we play things out, I have reasonable confidence that the security situation will slowly improve. Unfortunately, I have a bad feeling about the next two Congressional election cycles in the US. I don’t think the Democrats will be able to cut this thing from the top. The push will come through repeated attempts to cut funding at the Congressional level.
As for the short term I do see the Iraqi army expanding it’s capabilities according to schedule. I also expect a little lower level of violence after AQ’s spring offensive plays our. Sadly, I don’t see this making much difference politically. The US still isn’t in a position to pull out significant amounts of troops without leaving major holes the Iraqi army cannot immediately fill. I don’t see that happening until well after this years November election cycle, and than only at a gradually increasing pace. I see the civilian casualty pace in Iraq as slowly decreasing but that wo
Also, you probably noticed I have taken a break from ITM lately, and Zeyad probably isn’t getting enough stable wattage to run his computer.
I’ve been making an embarrassment out of myself over at IMAO lately. I can usually get them laughing pretty hard over in the comments section.
Neo,
The number of bases in Northern Iraq has gone from 24 to 12 since last October and is on schedule to go to 8 by the end of summer.
Somehow I don't see 5 brigades and a division Headquarters fitting on 8 FOB's. 2 of the 5 Brigades rotate out in October.
I agree.
I know how much they want a noticeable drawdown to show the public some progress, but I don’t see how they can make that happen right now without causing themselves further trouble.
neo,
If one looks at the scheduled rotations, between now and October there are 3 brigades, the 28th BCT, the Strykers, and the 10th Mountain.
The replacements for the Strykers are already in motion. I don't see a replacement for the 28th BCT(Ramadi) in motion. My guess is they will either replace using MNF-N forces, or use the call forward force.
FYI:
IA Motor Transport Regiments currently paired with 3rd Coscom for training (85% manned and equipped): 1st, 3rd, 4th and 8th MTR. Two of three planned Mech CSS Bns in 9th Div have formed.
Noticed report of mechanics (sent from Kuwait) assisting 2-3-6 personnel with repairing 7.5 ton Graz trucks. I would expect those to soon become part of 6th MTR.
I was looking at progress information a few weeks ago. It appeared that the push was on to get supply units up and running for quite a few Iraqi Divisions. How is this coming along?
You indicate that Samawa and Amara provences are to be turned over to ISF in the coming months. My information has Iraqi 10th doing that. I thought that Iraqi 8th division was supposed to take control of Karbala provence in this time frame too, or just a little later. Also, they were working toward getting SE Baghdad turned over (6th div?) before Babil province. Is any of this correct.
Neo,
The Iraqi 10th is indeed the Iraqi Division assigned to the British Sector.
The Iraqi 8th long ago assumed responsibility for the Polish Sector and expanded into Najaf and Karbala.
The 8th has Southern Babil, so I would assume they will eventually control northern Babil as well. Karbala could transfer at any time, Northern Babil has some nasty villages filled with Saddams old pals.
SE Baghdad would be Iraqi National Police.
Commenting by HaloScan
