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July 25, 2004
Do we have a trend here?
At least two Iraqi bloggers are reporting that things are definately getting better. The IP are growing stronger and the terrorists weaker. Most importantly, Iraqis are less and less afraid to report the terrorists to the police.
Salaam has a message to TGA (a reader? It's not clear) . Either way, his point is clear:
You are indeed falling prey to the Media as noted by another friend. You may be interested to know that we, who are in the middle of it all, see a definite improvement in the overall security situation already, believe it or not. As for the terrorism and the "insurgency", nobody was expecting that it will just disappear suddenly. In fact, we expected much worse. The enemy has no agenda, no clear political objective, he is just desperately striking left and right and committing more and more terrible atrocities that will only increase the hatred and repulsion against him; while the offensive against him by the patriotic Iraqis is gaining momentum. The majority are going to get stronger and stronger, and this is already observable in the new security formations. We are in the thick of it and don't feel discouraged at all.Omar has two very interesting posts. In the first he tells the story of a trip to a Baghdad barber shop. While he is waiting his turn, two terrorists start to talk about the "traitors" in the neighborhood:
As the Russian general said in "War and Peace" : Patience and Time, Time and Patience.
"Did you see the last list of the agents and spies in street no. 20?" "No, how many names are there in this one?" said the barber.These "traitors", of course are the honest and good Iraqis who are helping to fight the terrorists!
"This one is short. There are only 250 names in it" said the guy. No one commented on this, as it may be dangerous to say what you really believe in this neighborhood. I volunteered to break the silence, "250!! These are all traitors? If there are 250 traitor in one single block then how many honest people are left in this street?" one of the guys said, "Very little. This place is filled now with agents and spies."
It seems that the vast majority of Iraqis have agreed to become "spies" and offer help to the IP, national guard and the Americans, and maybe the last series of operations carried in this area as well as other places with similar demography prove that such change in people’s attitude is real. There’s a high coordination between the people and the IP, new army and the Americans, and it has become a regular thing to read in the newspapers about locals giving information about land mines or foreigners in their neighborhood with suspicious behavior and several successful arrests were made and many lives were saved as a result of this cooperation.In another Omar tells of several joint operations involving the Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi police that were very successful in rounding up some terrorists. In one
The operation resulted in the killing of a number of terrorists from different nationalities and arresting not less than 165 persons among them 20 from different nationalities further for confiscating about 275 pieces of weapons."The accuracy of the intelligence information and the success of the operation contribute lessen the casualties among the national guards men and the Iraqi police ". The source clarified.Thanks to the consciousness of the Iraqi National Guard, the terrorist coalition lost its logistic support in the cities."Sam", on the other hand, isn't so sure. After writing about "outlawed groups" and terrorists who are currently active in Falluja and Samarra he asks
Our surprise is why the government don't like to take the issue seriously! We think that the more time pass without treatment the more serious the cancer will be. The cancer has to be treated early with very imperative and radical therapy or you will get the consequences. We believe that enough time has been given to the terrorists and outlawed in Samarra and Falluja and those supporting them in Baghdad from the Mullahs.He concludes by asking
For how long is the government postponed dealing firmly with these areas and its thugs?!
I don't believe that Sam contradicts Salaam and Omar. Each is correct, and each is only a piece of the entire picture. Put them all together and the picture that emerges is that things are getting better but there is a long way to go. The IP are now able to mount medium-scale operations without our direct assistance. The Iraqi people are less afraid to cooperate and turn in the terrorists.
At the same time, the terrorists do have their strongholds. But they are loosing, not gaining strength. The terrorists depend on outside resources to sustain them. Their supply of weaponry, while impressive, will dwindle over time. Resupply is difficult, and must be secreted into the country. Their money will run out, and they will discover that ransom money from governments such as the Philippines will not sustain them. When killed, they will find it harder to replenish their ranks.
The free Iraqis are supplied directly by the US government and our Coalition partners. As long as Congress doesn't go off the deep end, the financial support is secure.
In other words, folks, this ain't Vietnam.
Posted by Tom at July 25, 2004 8:57 PM
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