Yesterday’s Washington Times reported on an operation in Baghdad called Raging Bull, which was an Iraqi led operation made up of commandos:
South of Baghdad, joint U.S. and Iraqi forces launched operation “Raging Bull” in search for 100 gunmen who have been holed up in the area of Salman Pak and al-Madaen. An Iraqi security source said 150 members of an elite Iraqi force and dozens of U.S. troops joined hands in the operation and managed to capture 40 gunmen in the first hours.
Today, Agence France-Presse reports a raid in Baghdad turned up “Jassem Al Thur and 13 accomplices” , who are believed to have been behind the bombing of the Palestine Hotel.
While it is not explicitly stated, it appears the raids south of Baghdad which were reported in the AFP article and Operation Raging Bull are one in the same. AFP reports the Wolf Brigade, Iraq’s elite police commando unit, led the raids south of Baghdad.
[Colonel Ali Abu Al Hassan, commander of the Wolf Bridage] said the arrests took place overnight on Monday-Tuesday following raids by the commando unit against “a terrorist hide-out” in Sayafiah, south of Baghdad. Firefights with insurgent gunmen had lasted 36 hours, Hassan added, and led to the seizure of two car bombs, one of which was disguised in a garbage truck.
A dumptruck was also used in the Palestine Hotel bombing.
If the numbers are correct, over fifty accomplices in the Palestine Hotel attack were rolled up in less than a week after the execution (the failed suicide attack took place on October 25th). The perpetrators of past terror attacks across the globe used to wait years, if ever, before meeting justice.
In today’s Iraq, their shelf life is often weeks or months, as the Iraqi Security Forces have intimate knowledge of the people, places, culture and language. al Qaeda is not the only player gaining knowledge and experience in Iraq; Iraqi’s security and intelligence services are also going through the crucible of war and honing their skills. For this reason, al Qaeda fears the rise of the Iraqi Security Forces, and rightfully so.
20 Comments
Has there been any word on Iraqi agents infiltrating terrorist groups and insurgency elements?
After there little stunt in the Senate today I am convinced dems are going to go hard against the war. I wouldn’t be suprised if they filibuster future appropriations for Iraq. Everything will be determined by the poll numbers on Iraq this spring.
This is as I have said many times before why the US must beat the IED in Iraq. Because, stupid politicians will sell our national security down river otherwise.
To beat the IED you have to abandon US patrols.
You cannot maintain 100% “Force Protection” in a war zone. The ISF has to step up. The Iraqi President thinks his people are ready, our Generals disagree. After 15 Dec 05 we should listen to their President, whomever it is. If the new President still wants a quicker handover, give it to ’em. We will have won. The Iraqis will be able to fight aQ Iraq much better than we ever could, just as Bill posts.
Victory beats the IED.
Marine Special Ops announced today by Rumsfeld
I think the Dems going against our troops is a loosing proposition.
I’ll worry about Congress cutting funds to OIF when it happens. In the meantime, I’ll reflect on the amazing progress we’re making, and I won’t let the defeatists get me down.
We went through this before, by the way. During the U. S. Civil War, the Peace Democrats or Copperheads claimed that Republicans had provoked war with the South for political gain, and they also said that it was not possible to defeat the Confederacy militarily. The Peace Democrats agitated loudly and publicly for a negotiated solution; as a result, the Confederacy held out and fought harder, convinced that they would prevail. The Peace Democrats ended up prolonging the war costing many more lives on both sides.
PIMF
AND costign many more lives on both sides.
COSTING…
I can’t type today.
Jesus, the DEMS are really starting to get on my nerves! All they bring to the table is negative energy and that is hurting popular support for the war. Someone needs to put these DEMS in their place and fast! If people like Harry Reid and Ted Kennedy screw this war up I won’t know what to say. You would think the “brillant” Karl Rove could come up with some better ideas to inform the public. If all the public hear is Ted Kennedy and the mainstream media we’re gonna get screwed sooner or later. I support the President but he really needs to put congress and the MSM in their place. Enough of this footsy BS!! We’re in a war and things are slowly getting better!
“It Is Kind of Disheartening Sometimes”
http://media.nationalreview.com/081520.asp
Bill, I see you have an ad to a site that is selling Iraqi Dinar’s. Is this site legit? I’m interesting is investing in some Iraqi bucks but I want to make sure it’s not a scam. Thanks!
Bill, can you tell us what happens to the terrorists that are captured by US and/or Iraqi troops? Are they first interregated by us and then turned over to the Iraqis, are they treated as criminals or prisoners of war, and are they being kept in confinement or are they being released? Does capital punishment exist? How established is the Iraqi judicial system?
I really appreciate your analysis of Iraqi operations and am glad you are traveling to Iraq; I wish you well. You are doing a great service for all of us.
ET,
I am pretty sure in most areas of Iraq, if we catch them, we keep them. If the Iraqi Security Forces catch them, they keep them.
Dave,
I would very respectfully request that you not use my Lord’s name as punctuation. Nothing personal, but it would be a kindness to me and to others.
Thanks
Good stuff Bill! Keep it comming.
Justin, if I recall correctly, appropriation bills can’t be filibustered.
Dems will do what they can to defeat the war effort, but it will be adequately funded.
The 2nd Marine Division is progressively receiving the additional combat power that its commanders have requested to conduct the counter-insurgency operations in the Al Anbar province.
The new battalion-sized units flowing into the Western Euphrates River Valley are from the newly trained Iraqi Army.
This is a significant change compared to the number of available Iraqi Army units when the 2nd Marine Division took over from 1st Marine Division in March of this year. At that time, only Fallujah and Ramadi had any Iraqi Army or Public Order Brigade presence.
“When we first arrived we talked about Iraqi Security Forces in terms of squads and platoons,”
Jamison, in regards to #13 that was not the case in Mosul, where a T captured by US in connection to the mess hall bombing was released by an Iraqi Judge. This T later shot LTC Kurilla, shattering his leg. The LTC is recovering. I am not sure as the the T’s disposition at this time. One would hope there would be adequate evidence to continue to hold him, this time. The entire escapade was detailed by Mr Mr Michael Yon.
We have been releasing suspects by the thousands in recent weeks. Seems the War is over, if we can let the prisoners go home.
Based on the headline, I was expecting this would be about the Raging Bull that ususally comes out of the Palestine Hotel.
Re: Prisoner release
It would not surprise me in the least if some of the releases were a consequence of negotiations between the central government and local tribes. Sort of a “release Ahmed and we will ensure that he doesn’t act out again.” That could be the case even if Ahmed has killed Americans.
Some of the other releases may well be due to insufficient evidence to charge with a crime, or someone who really was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
MG