Operation 'Appeal for Courage'

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Commander Says Iraqi Citizens Turning Against Insurgents

Courtesy of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Multi-National Force Iraq

Saturday, 25 August 2007

Multi-National Division-Baghdad and 1st Cavalry Division commander, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr. (front), accompanied by U.S. Army Lt. Col. James W. Phillips (right), commander of the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, tours the Palestine Market in the Rusafa District of eastern Baghdad. Over 1,800 barriers have been emplaced in the market since May 1, making the area more secure. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. W. Wayne Marlow, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs.

BAGHDAD — Iraqis who once aligned themselves with militants are now taking up arms against al-Qaeda, a top commander in the Iraqi capital said during a conference call Friday.

Likening members of terrorist organizations to “street gangsters,” U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, commander of Multi-National Division-Baghdad and 1st Cavalry Division, said Iraqis are becoming tired of price gouging on staples such as gasoline and ice when militant groups move in and take over neighborhoods.

“We have found that throughout the city there is increasing distrust, fatigue and disillusionment by the population with al-Qaeda and Jaysh al-Mahdi (militia group),” he said. “There is a strong desire in the neighborhoods to turn away from them.”

Fil said Coalition troops are continuing to take away the enemy’s ability to control neighborhoods and to brutalize the population.

“Every day we’re working with Iraqi Security Forces and the Iraqi government to place power back in the legitimate hands of the average Iraqi civilian,” the general said.

Local citizens are more openly embracing Iraqi Security Forces and are beginning to respect and trust their fellow citizens in uniform, he added.

Now 10 months into their deployment, Fil said troops of the 1st Cavalry Division are fully integrated and “up to speed” with surge operations. “The division continues to excel in this campaign as we try to bring security and stability to the Iraqi capital,” he said, as he described that more than 50 percent of Baghdad is in the “control” or “retain” phase of the overall Baghdad security plan.

In a February briefing, Fil described the mission in Baghdad as “clear, control and retain.” In the “clear” phase of a mission, Iraqi and U.S. forces move into neighborhoods and clear out extremist elements. In the “control” phase, the combined forces maintain a full-time presence on the streets, Fil explained. The forces will man combined security stations, which are being built all over the city, and will work to establish conditions that allow Iraqi forces to take over operations completely.

The “retain” phase comes when Iraqi forces are responsible for day-to-day security operations and Coalition forces can move out of the neighborhoods and into areas where they can respond if assistance is needed.

Fil also said fewer innocent Iraqis are being murdered as a result of sectarian violence, and statistics show murders are at their lowest level since the beginning of surge operations.

“Markets that were once targets by indiscriminant killers are now safer and thriving,” the general said. “And more and more Iraqis are turning from the ‘rule of gun’ to the ‘rule of law.’”

The last several months have been challenging, Fil said. “And I don’t expect things to get any easier in the months ahead, but I do fully expect to see the same steady progress that we and the Iraqi Security Forces have made in bringing stability to neighborhood by neighborhood throughout Baghdad.”

(Story by Carmen L. Gleason, American Forces Press Service)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

•           Iraqi citizens and police fought back against an al-Qaeda attack on two villages near Kana’an early Thursday morning, brought on because the villagers had begun assisting Iraqi Security Forces in pushing the terrorist group out of the area.

•           Multi-National Division-Baghdad troops were engaged with small arms and machine gun fire by illegal militiamen while searching for a cache in a northwestern neighborhood of the Iraqi capital Thursday.

Australia is transforming their naval forces to stay on top

Cross-posted at Rosemary's Thoughts.

Source: CNN.

I love Australia, and the Aussies are some of the most wonderful people. One thing I can tell you, they are quite independent. Just like we are. Wouldn't it be great if, even though it's for their own interest, they became the super-power in the Asian hemisphere? Yeah, baby!

CANBERRA, Australia (Reuters) -- Australia will build an A$11 billion ($9 billion) fleet of advanced destroyers and amphibious warships, Prime Minister John Howard said, underscoring the country's plan to remain a key Asian military power.

The purchases would transform Australia's navy into one of the most powerful in the Asia region, with two amphibious carriers able to land more than 2,000 troops, 16 attack and transport helicopters and up to 23 Abrams tanks. [Continue reading.]

So, you see that the only country who has stood shoulder to shoulder with us throughout our country's history is finally taking steps to move forward. Welcome! My only question: What took ya'll so long? (lol)

U.S., Iraqi Troops Rescue Malnourished Boys From Baghdad Orphanage

Cross-posted at Rosemary's Thoughts.

News from CentCom:

Jun 21, 2007
BY Multinational Corps Iraq Public Affairs.

BAGHDAD - U.S. and Iraqi army forces found an orphanage housing 24 severely malnourished and abused boys in Baghdad's Fajr neighborhood June 10, military officials reported yesterday.

The 24 boys, ranging in age from 3 to 15, were found naked in a darkened room without any windows. Many of the children were tied to their beds and were too weak to stand, officials said. [Continue reading]

This is a miracle and a travesty. When they found these 24 boys aged 3-15, some of them were chained to their beds, there appeared to be no food because they clearly looked malnourished, yet in the next room (which was locked), there was plenty of food.

They also found the administrator and others who were supposed to be in charge of this orphanage. Some of the Iraqi Army troops went to get the correct people from town to help these boys, since most of them come not even walk.

Allow me one question to the anti-Bush, pro-commie crowd: Would you have preferred we left the boys there to die? They are not the only children we have found. Do you remember the hundreds of children we released from Saddam's prisons? Civil rights my arse. You ought to be ashamed, but you would need an ounce of decency in you for that...

Iraqi politicians agree deal on sharing oil, says Kurd Minister

I came upon this fantastic article (if it is true) today over at Matt Drudge's site. Here is a portion:

Written by: Michael Howard in Sulaymaniya.
Thursday June 21, 2007
The Guardian.

Iraq's Kurdish leaders said last night they had struck an important deal with the central government in Baghdad over a law to divide up Iraq's oil revenues, which is seen by the Bush administration as one of the benchmarks in attempts to foster national reconciliation.

Ashti Hawrami, the minister for natural resources in the Kurdistan regional government, told the Guardian the text had been finalised late last night after 48 hours of "tough bargaining" with Baghdad. The deal represented "a genuine revenue sharing agreement" that was transparent and would benefit all the people of Iraq and help pull the country together, he said. [Continue reading.]

I have also included many of the other stories links. If you are interested in some of the articles, you may find a link to that story that is no longer on the first page. lol. Have a great day.

Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran

I say, "Everytime duschbag Ahmadinejad declares the elimination of Israel, we should bomb one of their official buildings. 'Parliamentary', preferably." I am very angry and sick of this bastard. How long are we going to sit back and do nothing?

BTW, isn't this the way WWII started? Anyone?

Another jihadist plot foiled

I have news from Counter Terrorism Blog, Atlas Shrugs, The Drudge Report here and here, and AllahPundit at Hot Air. Everyone is all over this, but...but...but I thought we did not have have any terrorists here? I'm so confused! It must be because I'm a conservative. Yes, that must be it.

If I get blown up, it will only be my imagination. After all, how could I know anything? That is why I give you the links to the people are so much brighter than me. Please read them. They are too scary for me. After all, I'm just a girl.

Psssst: That there is what we here call, "Sarcasm" for those of you do not get it.

Update: Michelle Malkin has written a rather impressive article, as usual, about the capture of three of the four jihadis (or terrorists, whichever you prefer). The entire criminal complaint ("Courtesy of Robert Nardoza at the United States Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York) is posted over at Hot Air (same link as above. Just scroll down for the PDF link.) Criminal complaint? What in the world do you have to do be called a terrorist and go straight to Gitmo?

Here is the DOJ's press report (PDF). Ah, now let us see just how long it will take for the dinosaur media and the politicians to blame this Bush...and the timing. And on and on we go.

Will anyone ever realize we are at war not by choice but because they are trying to kill us?

Interesting Times

Tomorrow, for the first time since February 1979, the USA will sit down with that rogue regime known as Iran. Why? Hell if I know. I am very upset about this, so I am going to lead you to someone who is in the area of the meeting place.

Omar, from Iraq the Model, has written this article to keep us up-to-date on what is going on over there. You we cannot count on our dinosaur media, but I'll leave that for another day.

I could go into the reasons why this is such a terrible idea, such as human right, nuclear weapons, murdering of our troops, etc, but this has already been said time and time again. Is their anything I could say to stop this from happening?

Why don't we stand them up? They felt all big and mighty when they pulled out of the last meet. Why don't we do it right back? Childish? Then you do not understand what carries weight over in the Middle East! There's always tomorrow.

First, they have to turn over Osama's son...

Two more great posts for Memorial Day

My hat's off to Dagney on this Memorial Day.
I have just read Dagney's post for this Memorial Day, and it is very good. Thank you for all you do for our troops, Dagney. May the wind always be at your back, and may God's blessings be more than you've ever dreamed.

A wonderful Memorial Day post at Bereft's.
I read this yesterday, but I believe it is one that should be shared. Serendip is a very good writer and friend. She keeps the world aprised on what is happening in Iran, and she is a true-blue American. Thank you for the wonderful post, Serendip. Have a nice Memorial Day!

With Honor

This is an article written about four men who were awarded medals at different marks in time. They are truly remarkable and honorable. My brother emailed this to me because he knew that I would just grin from ear to ear. I love good news.

The only thing I do not like about this good news is the fact that sometimes they have to give their all. Thank you so very much for being who you are. Thank you also for what you have done. For those of you who made it back, welcome home and well done.

Darn. We need men like these! God, please protect them. Hide them underneath Your wing. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Military News: 10 May 2007

Please click the title of any article you would like to read. I came up with this strategy yesterday, and I believe it might work. Have a great day.

Defense Department Announces Next Iraq Troop Rotation.
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2007 – Defense Department officials today announced the next 10 Army brigade combat teams to deploy to Iraq to replace units currently operating there.

The announcement affects about 35,000 active-duty troops, who all will deploy between August and the year’s end to serve as replacement forces for those returning home, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.

U.S. Soldiers Continue to Gain Trust of Afghan People.
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2007 – By living among the people of Afghanistan and gaining their trust and respect, U.S. troops are winning in the eastern part of the country, a U.S. commander there said today.

“We’ve defeated the enemy every time we’ve met him over the last 16 months,” said Army Col. John Nicholson during a news conference from Afghanistan. “We feel genuinely appreciated by the Afghan people.”

Six Arrested for Plotting to Kill Soldiers at Fort Dix, N.J.
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2007 – FBI agents arrested five radical Islamists for allegedly plotting to “kill as many U.S. soldiers as they could” at the Army’s Fort Dix, N.J., and a sixth defendant is charged with aiding and abetting members of the domestic terror group, authorities announced today.

Prov. Recon. Teams in S. Iraq – Progress Toward Independence.
“We’re very focused on the need to return control to Baghdad. But we’re also very focused on the need to build capacity in the local and provincial governments and to be able to deliver economic and reconstruction assistance there.”

Those words were from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a statement January, 2007, explaining the need to build up Iraq and provide its people with independence.

ALERT: EU is ripping us off & using OUR name to do it!

This is just another reason why we should never trust an ally, just like President George Washington stated in his farewell address. They will stab you in the back the first chance they get. That is what Europe is doing now.

EADS: Partner or proliferator?
CSP Occasional Paper Apr 25, 2007

In this paper, the Center argues that the U.S.'s involvement with European defense conglomerate EADS poses potentially serious problems for our security. For example, although EADS routinely bids for U.S. defense contracts, it sells military equipment to Iran and China, and has even been fingered in a scheme in which Iran purchased nuclear weapons parts.

If EADS wants to be a legitimate, reliable partner for the U.S., it must stop its dangerous and irresponsible behavior, plain and simple. Its bribery, corruption, proliferation, and anti-Americanism need to come to an end. Also, it must fully make clear the extent to which Putin's Russia - which owns a substantial part of the company - is capable of guiding EADS policy.

Until these behaviors are changed, the U.S. has every right to deny EADS a role in our national security.

View Full Paper (PDF).

We must let all Americans know the truth. This is not right. As a matter of fact, it is very dangerous! We are the informers, so let us inform! Get writing, e-mailing, calling, and doing whatever it takes to get this news to as many people as possible.

We got the truth out about Islam vs. Islamists. We can do this. Thank you for all of your help. Have a wonderful day.

Hat tip: Bryan Hill, Research Associate, Center for Security Policy.

The Religion of Brotherly Love v. AIFD

With an opening statement like that one might assume I was referring to the city of Philadelphia, but no. I am speaking about the Muslim Brotherhood. While it sounds nice, a brotherhood and all, it is a front group for terrorists. It has been ever since I've been looking into them. Heck, they were supporting terrorists even before that.

The Brotherhood sprung up in the year 1928 and was banned from existence due to terrorist acts toward the Egyptian government but was later reinstated in 1948 as a religious body only. That did not work out too well, so there was again a ban on the group in 1954. When some of the activists were executed, many fled to neighboring states.

Here are some more links to the history of the Muslim Brotherhood:

• FAS.org.
• Jewish Virtual Library.
• African History.
• Encyclopedia of the Orient. Nice time line.
• And who can forget Wikipedia. It has been flagged for accuracy, just so you know.

This group, no matter it's birthplace and stated purpose at that time, has become a political and military arm on the Global War on Terrorism. They are the enemy. The problem we see today, however, is that our own government does not seem to recognize this fact. For shame.

I found a very educational article over at CounterTerrorismBlog:

PBS’s week-long “America at a Crossroads” series presented many of the issues and dilemmas now facing America in the War on Terrorism. The series got mixed reviews on content and temper. There were criticisms about its objectivity from both the left and right. But, despite its flaws, the series provided viewers with a heavy dose of food for thought. Hopefully, it will help stimulate discussion and debate among a growing number of Americans, and perhaps even lead to more close scrutiny and questioning of aspects of Administration policy.

I intend to write several blogs on issues discussed in the series. I had the opportunity to participate in one of the films, The Brotherhood, so I shall begin there. [Continue reading]

If you are interested, you can take a gander at this site: America at a Crossroads. This site is marvelously done. I have not yet listened to the program, but I can only imagine that it has been watered down. After all, we are still fighting to get CPB and PBS to release "Islam v. Islamists." (This is an earlier post I wrote.) The CounterTerrorismBlog contributor, Victor Comras, has contributed "The Brotherhood" to this series. Please visit his site for more information. (The link is above at the 'continue reading' link.)

The American Islamic Forum for Democracy is one of the moderate Islamic groups that speaks out against all the violence--without blaming others by saying, "But..." They do not blame Israel in the same breath. Their interest is in being heard so they can take their religion back from the psychopaths who have hijacked it. They are also fighting back against CAIR.

Here is a very good article I ran to on their site: PBS’ Islamist Apologists Muzzle Muslim Moderates at the site "9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America," and here is an article written by M. Zuhdi Jasser. He can explain in more detail the crisis we are facing in our country between the dinosaur media vs. the rest of us.

We do not hear from the moderates, a question most often asked, because the media, the government and the Islamists we are at war with are preventing it. That should give you grave concern. After all, the documentary that was created, "Islam vs. Islamists", was bought and paid for by you and me with our tax dollars. That makes it government citizen owned. That also makes it censorship. Why are they doing this terrible thing? So as not to hurt our enemy's feelings? Very scary...

In response to Reid's remark: This war is lost

Crotchety Old Bastard has written a scathing, accurate, and concise post which you really should go read. Here is a teaser:

If Senator Reid, based on the information that the Senate Majority Leader has, has determined that this war is lost; there is nothing left to do but come home. The way I see it, if you were to vote for anything less; you would be personally liable for any future wounded or God-Forbid dead soldiers.

Please go read it now and leave a comment. He is going to send them to this crackpot. Thanks.

Bush: Troops’ Hard Work in Iraq Will Impact the World

WASHINGTON, April 4, 2007 - The hard work U.S. troops are doing in Iraq is “laying the foundations of peace for generations to come,” President Bush told soldiers and family members today at Fort Irwin, Calif. “The work that you have volunteered to do will have a lasting impact on the world in which we live,” the president told the troops.

By helping Iraq become a country that can sustain, defend and govern itself -- and become an ally in the war on terror -- the U.S. military will have delivered a significant blow to those who want to harm the American people, he said. [Continue reading.]

Two Reporters: On the ground take on Iraq

The Wall Street Journal's Opinion Journal Online has an article there in which Bing West, a correspondent for The Atlantic (who is currently on his 12th trip in Anbar Province) and Owen West, his son (who is a managing director at a Wall Street bank and just returned from Anbar where he was a Marine adviser) have written an article about what they saw. It is quite nice to know that if people would only go to Iraq and get out of their comfort zones, they can actually learn something which they can then report back to us. Great job, guys.

HOA: Ethiopia and Somalia are at it again

It started last Wednesday when the Islamofascists residing in the southern areas of Somalia started openly threatening war again against the interim government.

Loudspeakers on Thursday transmitted calls for residents to come out and fight the Ethiopian troops backing Somalia's interim government, after the Ethiopians launched a heavy offensive in tanks and helicopters. [Read the whole article.]

We have to keep an eye on this area, because it is a hotbed of terrorists. It is located in the Horn of Africa.

Sources: Map provided by ReliefWeb.int.
KeepMedia.
If the above link is no longer available, try this one.

U.S. Army Soldiers Ward Off Attack by al Qaida

The release date by the US CENTCOM Press Release for this article is 3/27/2007. The release number is 07-01-03P.

FALLUJAH, Iraq - Soldiers from Regimental Combat Team 6 repelled a coordinated attack on a Coalition post, including two suicide truck bombs, approximately 4 km north of Karmah March 26[, 2007].

The attack started at about 2 p.m. when a Soldier from 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne), attached to 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), engaged a water truck attempting to enter the compound without authorization, causing it to detonate.

Immediately following the explosion, approximately 30 terrorist fighters engaged the compound with small-arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and mortars.

The Soldiers returned fire with small arms, mortars and artillery from Regimental Combat Team 6.

Approximately five minutes into the attack, Soldiers engaged a dump truck following the same path as the previous suicide attacker, causing it to also detonate.

Initial estimates indicate as many as 15 terrorists were killed.

Eight U.S. Soldiers were wounded in the attack. One was evacuated to a nearby Coalition medical facility and the remaining seven were treated on site and returned to duty.

-30-

15 dead on their side. 8 injured on our side. Great job, guys. Get well soon.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS, CONTACT MULTINATIONAL FORCE - WEST, PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER BY E-MAIL AT MNF.

The Islamic State of Iraq: Will it succeed or will we succeed?

I was reading Iraq the Model this morning, and Omar certainly has added quite a few different aspects into the mix. We know that al Qaida is trying to set up camp in Iraq. We know there are many other 'groups' that are trying to seize power. We know there are two main outside sponsors of terrorisms, Syria and Iran.

What Omar has done is to ask question, provide possible solutions, and let us know what is really happening on the ground in Iraq. There are too many different and good points in his article for me to just concentrate on one, so I am asking you to go read it for yourself. It is thought provoking, to say the least. Have a great day.

The Eagle Has Landed

Saturday was the day of the Gathering of Eagles, and what a day it turned out to be. Several people have taken amazing pictures, while others have writen outstanding articles of the event. We are reminded that Saturday was the 40th Anniversary of some long ago protesters who showed up again, no doubt trying to relive their youth, to try to make a point. This they did.

The point they made was exactly this: No more will the silent majority remain silent while our brave men and women, our country, our freedoms and our liberty are under such grave assault. No more will the communists and Islamists rule our streets. They may rue them, but they shall not rule them!

Here are some of the links you should check out:

Gathering of Eagles: The Day After, by Big Dog.
Malkin Reports on the GOE, by Michelle Malkin.
Miracle in Washington, by Judi McLeod; Canada Free Press.
Blogburst: Gathering of Eagles--30,000 strong, by Michelle Malkin. Must see pictures.
Hot Air.
Old War Dogs, Bill.
The Day We Took Our Country Back -- Part 2, Bill.
Gathering of the Crows, Big Dog.
Video: Gathering of Eagles in DC, Little Green Footballs.

Update: WOW! by The Grunt.