Yet More Bad News For Democrats (Wizbang)

More good news from Iraq.... The Al Qaeda Ramadan offensive hasn't lived up to the billing.

Ramadan violence falls in Iraq

VIOLENCE in Iraq during Ramadan has fallen by almost 40 per cent from last year, the US military said overnight, despite a warning from al-Qaeda it would increase attacks during the Muslim holy month.

US military spokesman Rear Admiral Mark Fox said a "surge" of 30,000 extra troops into Iraq this year and the new tactic of moving soldiers into small combat outposts instead of "commuting to the war" from large bases had helped bring down violence.

"We are substantially below last year's level. As a matter of fact, in comparison to this time last year, about 38 per cent lower in terms of Ramadan violence levels," he said, adding that overall levels were still too high.

Al-Qaeda said at the start of Ramadan, more than two weeks ago, it would escalate attacks and would target tribal leaders cooperating with security forces.

On the other side of the COIN it appears al-Qaeda has begun targeting mid-level officials lately. (area Police Chiefs etc) It's getting harder and harder for them to slaughter civilians so they have tried a new tactic.

The impressive part however is that the MNFs noticed this trend is just 48 hours and have worked hard to put an end it it. That's the best news of all. Because as many of said of counter insurgency, "Whoever learns faster wins."

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Section Editor: Maggie Whitton

Editors: Jay Tea, Lorie Byrd, Kim Priestap, DJ Drummond, Michael Laprarie, Baron Von Ottomatic, Shawn Mallow, Rick, Dan Karipides, Michael Avitablile, Charlie Quidnunc, Steve Schippert

Emeritus: Paul, Mary Katherine Ham, Jim Addison, Alexander K. McClure, Cassy Fiano, Bill Jempty, John Stansbury, Rob Port

In Memorium: HughS

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Comments (13)

<a href="http://news.yahoo.... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by Heralder | October 1, 2007 1:32 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)

Heralder:

Positive news, yes.

BAGHDAD - Deaths among American forces and Iraqi civilians fell dramatically last month to their lowest levels in more than a year, according to figures compiled by the U.S. military, the Iraqi government and The Associated Press.

Also in this story:

Over the weekend, U.S. and Iraqi forces killed more than 60 insurgent and militia fighters in intense battles

Ouch, I wonder what that casualty count is ratio-wise to their overall number?

U.S. aircraft killed more than 20 al-Qaida in Iraq fighters who opened fire on an American air patrol northwest of Baghdad, the U.S. command said Sunday.

I guess we've already killed all the smart ones.

Iraq's Defense Ministry said in an e-mail Sunday that Iraqi soldiers had killed 44 "terrorists" over the past 24 hours. The operations were centered in Salahuddin and Diyala provinces and around the city of Kirkuk, where the ministry said its soldiers had killed 40 and arrested eight. It said 52 fighters were arrested altogether.

A good weekend.

Posted on October 1, 2007 13:32

Another top terrorist bites... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Jim Addison | October 1, 2007 1:38 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)

Jim Addison:

Another top terrorist bites the dust:

On Sept. 25, the U.S. military killed an Al Qaida chief deemed responsible for transporting foreign operatives to Iraq. The Al Qaida commander, identified as Abu Osama Al Tunisi, was killed in a U.S. air strike as he met his colleagues in Musayib, about 60 kilometers south of Baghdad.
Shortly before he died, Al Tunisi wrote a letter that warned of a threat to Al Qaida operations in Karkh. The lettter, found by the U.S. military, sought guidance from Al Qaida leaders amid coalition operations that hampered Al Tunisi's network.

"We are so desperate for your help," the letter read.

The full story is HERE.

Posted on October 1, 2007 13:38

Quagmire! We can't win this... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by nikkolai | October 1, 2007 1:44 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)

nikkolai:

Quagmire! We can't win this war! No blood for oil!

Sincerely,

The ghost of Abu Mosad al Zarquawi
The headless corpse of Saddam Hussein

Posted on October 1, 2007 13:44

Don't get ahead of me Heral... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Paul | October 1, 2007 1:58 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)

Paul:

Don't get ahead of me Heralder. ;-)

Posted on October 1, 2007 13:58

Being a Democrat against th... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by Peter F. | October 1, 2007 2:00 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)

Peter F.:

Being a Democrat against the surge is kind of like being a New York Mets fan this morning.

Oops!

Posted on October 1, 2007 14:00

Sorry Paul!:P ... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by Heralder | October 1, 2007 2:11 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Sorry Paul!

Posted on October 1, 2007 14:11

I have another one "schedu... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by Paul | October 1, 2007 2:22 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

I have another one "scheduled" but I was hoping another Wizbanger would put a post between them.

Posted on October 1, 2007 14:22

heh- go Jim!... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Paul | October 1, 2007 2:22 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

heh- go Jim!

Over the weekend, U.S. a... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by Clay | October 1, 2007 2:24 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Clay:

Over the weekend, U.S. and Iraqi forces killed more than 60 insurgent and militia fighters...

Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark.

Posted on October 1, 2007 14:24

Clay-- more important than ... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Paul | October 1, 2007 2:36 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Clay-- more important than the raw number is who we took where.

We got some big fish in important geographic areas. It was a big weekend for the good guys.

Posted on October 1, 2007 14:36

I wonder how long it will b... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Lledowynn | October 1, 2007 2:56 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Lledowynn:

I wonder how long it will be before the left-wing trolls try to spin this as being not true, or being misstated.

Posted on October 1, 2007 14:56

Lledowynn: they don't have ... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Oyster | October 1, 2007 3:44 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Oyster:

Lledowynn: they don't have to spin. They'll just move the goal post.

Or use circular logic:

Why aren't they going after bin Laden?!?!
followed by
If we get bin laden, another will just rise to take his place.

Posted on October 1, 2007 15:44

The ironic circularity that... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by kim | October 1, 2007 9:19 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

kim:

The ironic circularity that I like is that we may be pounding bin Laden in Tora Bora as we speak.
==========================================

Posted on October 1, 2007 21:19

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