Iraq rocket fire 'falls sharply'
Rocket and mortar attacks in Iraq are reported to have fallen to their lowest levels for nearly two years.
The US military said such attacks in October fell to 369, half the level during October 2006. This is the third month running of reduced rocket fire.
Mortar and rocket attacks in Baghdad showed a similar pattern, falling to 53 in October from more than 200 in June.
US officials said this was in part due to the US troop surge for the capital launched in February.
Other reasons for the reduction were the discovery of arms caches following tip-offs from Iraqis, the killing of more insurgents and successful reconciliation campaigns, US military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel James Rikard said.
Upbeat briefings
US commanders and Iraqi officials have been briefing regularly that violence levels have dropped.
This appears to be supported by figures from Iraqi ministries on the death toll in Iraq - 887 Iraqis were killed in October, up on the September figure but significantly lower than the 1,992 deaths recorded in January 2007.
Some US military officials have said that al-Qaeda in Iraq, the group believed to be behind many of the biggest suicide bombings, has been driven out of Baghdad.
Other senior US officers warned recently that the downward trend in violence was not yet irreversible.
On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said that car bombs and roadside bombings in Baghdad had dropped by 77% compared to levels prior to the launch of the US troop surge.
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iraq rocket fire 'falls sharply'
I watched a reporter on TV state that instead of hearing several explosions/day they now hear a couple a week. Still to much but heading in the right direction!:thumbsup:
I can see the dems stance for this next election, "We can get this done!". :lol5:
Have a good one!:s4:
Iraq rocket fire 'falls sharply'
well that's nice to hear, we're so close to changing these people's minds of what they believe in after thousands of years..that they've stopped using as many rockets...I'm sure that once we've occupied their country for a couple of decades they'll start to like us or something
Iraq rocket fire 'falls sharply'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Markass
well that's nice to hear, we're so close to changing these people's minds of what they believe in after thousands of years..that they've stopped using as many rockets...I'm sure that once we've occupied their country for a couple of decades they'll start to like us or something
I think most Iraqi's aren't too fond of the insurgents (sorry to use such a general term) or the Americans; they're just sick to death of the fighting/death. And when it comes right down to it, the troops down on the street level aren't the ones blowing up market places full of civilians, so I think I'd vying for the lesser-of-evils if I were an Iraqi.
Besides, who says we have to change their whole way of life and thinking? Maybe some administrative officials have delusions of such, but I think a change from dictatorship to democracy will suffice. Iraq has consistantly surpassed Canada and the United States in voter turnout despite threats of being blown up, so they obviously appreciate democracy at least as much as we do. I can't help but admire their commitment to the ideal.:thumbsup:
Iraq rocket fire 'falls sharply'
FOXNews.com - Lieberman Blasts Democrats Over Partisan-Driven Foreign Policy - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum
Quote:
Lieberman said Democrats aren't being guided by principle, but partisanship.
"Even as evidence has mounted that General Petraeus' new counterinsurgency strategy is succeeding, Democrats have remained emotionally invested in a narrative of defeat and retreat in Iraq, reluctant to acknowledge the progress we are now achieving, or even that that progress has enabled us to begin drawing down our troops there," he added.
Just as Lieberman was speaking, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the House will take up a temporary Iraq spending bill which will curb the war in Iraq. The plan, known as the "bridge," provides $50 billion for four months in Iraq and starts a withdrawal of troops to be completed by next December.
"This (war strategy) is not working. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. We must reverse it. We will again make a distinction ... to show a new direction in Iraq. The goal is ending it within a year and leave behind just a small force," she said.
You fit right in, Markass .:thumbsup:
