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Title: Coordinated Attacks Strike 13 Towns and Cities in Iraq
Source:
NY Times
URL Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/w ... middleeast/26iraq.html?_r=1&hp
Published: Aug 25, 2010
Author: Anthony Shadid
Post Date: 2010-08-25 13:46:09 by war
Keywords: None
Views: 75687
Comments: 79
BAGHDAD — In one of the broadest assaults on Iraq’s security forces, insurgents unleashed a wave of roadside mines and a more than a dozen car bombings across Iraq on Wednesday, killing dozens, toppling a police station in the capital and sowing chaos and confusion among the soldiers and police officers who responded.
The withering two-hour assault in 13 towns and cities, from southernmost Basra to restive Mosul in the north, was as symbolic as it was deadly, coming a week before the United States declares the end of combat operations here. Wednesday was seemingly the insurgents’ reply: Despite suggestions otherwise, they proved their ability to launch coordinated attacks virtually anywhere in Iraq, capitalizing on the government’s dysfunction and perceptions of American vulnerability.
For weeks, there had been sense of inevitability to the assaults, which killed at least 51 people, many of them police officers. From the American military to residents here, virtually everyone seemed to expect insurgents to seek to demonstrate their prowess as the United States brings its number of troops below 50,000 here. But the anticipation did little to prepare security forces for the breadth of the assault. Iraqi soldiers and police officers brawled at the site of the biggest bombing in Baghdad, and residents heckled them for their impotence in stopping a blast that cut like a scythe through the neighborhood.
“A bloody day,” Khalil Ahmed, a 30-year-old engineer, said simply, as he stared at the cranes and bulldozers trying to rescue victims buried under the police station.
“From the day of the fall of Saddam until now, this is what we have — explosions, killing and looting,” he said. “This is our destiny. It’s already written for us.”
The assaults began at 8:20 a.m. when a pickup truck packed with explosives detonated in a parking lot behind the police station in the northern Baghdad neighborhood of Qahera. The police station collapsed, and the blast sheared off the top floors of nearby homes. Windows were shattered a half-mile away. One family was pulled out alive. Hours later, cranes and bulldozers tried to remove others trapped beneath the rubble.
Police officers kept angry residents from entering the scene.
“You get millions of dinars in salaries and you won’t let us help our families?” one youth shouted.
Another cried, “You just take money and don’t care about us!”
An Iraqi investigator walked by the scene.
“This is the state?” he muttered. “This is the government?”
Twice, soldiers and police officers brawled at the scene, and shots were fired in the air.
The rest of the capital was snarled with traffic, as police and army vehicles, sirens blaring, tried to break through the traffic jams. American soldiers in Humvees and armored vehicles, with a token Iraqi escort, drove through parts of the city.
For weeks, insurgents have carried out a daily campaign of bombings, hit-and-run attacks and assassinations against the security forces and officials, seeking to undermine confidence in their ability to secure the country. They remained the target Wednesday in attacks in Falluja, Ramadi, Tikrit, Kirkuk, Basra, Karbala, Mosul and elsewhere.
In one of the worst assaults, in the southern city of Kut, Iraqi officials said a car bomb detonated by its driver killed 19 people and wounded 87, most of them police, in an attack that destroyed the police station near the provincial headquarters.
In Diyala Province, five roadside bombs detonated in the morning in Buhriz, the first against a police patrol, a second against reinforcements who were heading to the scene and three others intended for houses belonging to policemen, officials said. They were followed by a car bombing that struck the provincial headquarters in Baquba, northeast of Baghdad, killing three people. Another car bombing struck a hospital in nearby Muqdadiya.
“The beginning of the storm,” said Saleh Khamis, a 38-year-old teacher in Buhriz.
In Ramadi, a car bomb tore through a bus station, killing eight people.
Under a deadline set by the Obama administration, the United States has brought its number of troops here to a little below 50,000, a presence it intends to maintain through next summer. The administration and the American military have sought to portray the partial withdrawal as a turning point in the American presence here, insisting that Iraq’s army and police are ready to inherit sole control over security here.
Military officials have said they believe that insurgents only number in the hundreds, and the military has issued a daily drumbeat of announcements that leaders and cadres in the insurgency have been arrested in American-Iraqi operations.
“The message the insurgents want to deliver to the Iraqi people and the politicians is that we exist and we choose the time and the place,” said Wael Abdel-Latif, a judge and former lawmaker. “They are carrying out such attacks when the Americans are still here, so just imagine what they can do after the Americans leave.”
The attacks come amid deep popular frustration with the country’s politicians, who have failed to form a government more than five months after elections in March. Shoddy public services, namely electricity, have only sharpened the resentment.
At the scene of the bombing in Baghdad, residents grimly swept up glass from storefronts. Others milled among the dozens of police and army vehicles. No one seemed to express optimism; most said they were bracing for more of the same.
“The situation doesn’t let us live our lives here,” said Mahmoud Hussein, a 26-year-old mechanic. “No water, no electricity no security. Every day it gets worse.”
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#1. To: All (#0)
The end result of the worst foreign policy decision ever made: Invading Iraq
July was the deadliest month in Iraq in over 2 years. August may be worse. Hussein kept all of these knuckleheads in check. The end result of them being out of check could be a completely destabilized middle east, with Iran in control of the Iraqi oil fields, and region's Kurds agitating (terrorizing) to form a new country -- "Kurdistan" -- largely carved out of Northern Iraq and Turkey. Turkey won't stand for it, so the entire region could blow up. Map1: Majority Kurdish Populations: Map 2: Green area -- majority Shia, also where most of the oil fields are: Obama should have declared that the surge worked on 1/22 of last year and had us out by 2/1...of last year.
Another broken promise. No surprise.
I knew he was full of shit. He had one story on the campaign trail and another story on his website. I pointed it out to meguro several times...
The 'surge' Did Work. Owe-bama managed to fuck it up AFTERWARDS, just as he's fucked up the economy. (anyone check this article for accuracy?)
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
I ain't your clerical assistant.
#2. To: war (#0)
(Edited)
American public policy has been dominated by Democrats who don't care and Republicans that don't dare -- Dick Armey
#3. To: jwpegler (#2)
#4. To: war (#3)
(Edited)
Obama should have declared that the surge worked on 1/22 of last year and had us out by 2/1...of last year.
American public policy has been dominated by Democrats who don't care and Republicans that don't dare -- Dick Armey
#5. To: jwpegler, meguro (#4)
#6. To: All (#0)
#7. To: Badeye (#6)
(anyone check this article for accuracy?)
"Lets [sic] rent a room." ~ Tull to Rotara
#8. To: Fred Mertz (#7)
The only surge which worked,.....was the Pallets of Cash,....for Insurgent trash. The same crowd which supports the Bush admin buy off, Maybe they will blame Obama for not spending millions to buy off 6th century types
supported Karzi's criminal brother and his poppy fields,
and then defended US troops guarding,.....poppy fields.
seeing that Bush has set the benchmark for proper policy,
...in this so called,....war on terror : )
#9. To: war (#1)
Care to support that statement with some facts?
The end result of the worst foreign policy decision ever made: Invading Iraq
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#10. To: jwpegler (#2)
Seems like I've seen maps like that before: 
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#11. To: war (#5)
So you're finally admitting that OBAMA is full of shit?
I knew he was full of shit. He had one story on the campaign trail and another story on his website. I pointed it out to meguro several times...
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#12. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#10)
Interesting map. I live in Oregon and this was only a Union state because we were so far from the frey and because of the presence of tons of Union troops. Southwestern and Eastern Oregon is actually very conservative. Southwestern Oregon has lots of people decended from people who immigrated here from the Southeast. In fact, there was a White power rally in Grants Pass this last year.
#13. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#9) (Edited)
Iraq has no functioning government for which over 4000 Americans died. Iraq has LESS functioning infrastructure now than it did when we invaded and for that over 4000 Americans died. Iraq has fomented MORE terrorism not less and for this 4000 Americans died. Iraq caused a massive run up in debts and deficits with no return on the dollars spent and for this over 4000 Americans died. Want some more, NeoCon Shilliar?
Care to support that statement with some facts?
#14. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#11)
I've been syaing Obama is full of shit going back to the campaign in 2008. Good morning.
So you're finally admitting that OBAMA is full of shit?
#15. To: war (#13)
Iraq has LESS functioning infrastructure now than it did when we invaded and for that over 4000 Americans died. Iraq has fomented MORE terrorism not less and for this 4000 Americans died. Hmmmm...so this really a screwed up situation, the worst EVER in the history of the United states, primarily due to 4000+ dead????
Iraq has no functioning government for which over 4000 Americans died.
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#16. To: war (#14)
Good morning. Wouldn't fucking know it by your continued shilling for the guy on this board.
I've been syaing Obama is full of shit going back to the campaign in 2008.
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#17. To: war (#0)
Everyone but the most brain-dead Bushbot knew at the time that the "surge" was the equivalent of flooding the worst part of town with police, with the certainty that after they left things would be as bad as ever. It did make some nice photo ops for the Boy Blunder, though.
"How many confirmed NV Mig kills do YOU have general? I only have three." - Mad Dog, the village idiot's hemorrhoid.
#18. To: Skip Intro (#17)
Bush hands Obama a 5 run lead going into the top of the ninth inning and the reliever, Obama, gives up the advantage! What a fookin loser!
brain-dead
#19. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#16)
While I have been registered here for years it was not until this year that I began to post regularly. *
#20. To: Skip Intro (#17)
Fake turkey and all...
#21. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#15)
Nope. But I knew you'd see it from the most moronic point of view.
Hmmmm...so this really a screwed up situation, the worst EVER in the history of the United states, primarily due to 4000+ dead????
#22. To: war (#21)
But I knew you'd see it from the most moronic point of view. Still care to clarify, or do you realize, again, that I have you.
Nope.
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#23. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#22) (Edited)
Stay away from the keyboard when you're drunk, Nebby. We were told that iraq ould be paid for with oil revenues. We were told that we'd be greated as liberators. We were told that the safety of the region was at stake. We were told it would be a cakewalk. We were told that the insurgency was in its last throes. What more do you need? It was alll bullshit. Iraq and the region are LESS stable today. Occum's Razor tells us that the invasion was STOOOOPID.
Still care to clarify, or do you realize, again, that I have you.
#24. To: Fred Mertz (#7)
Sure you are, you jump when I post...as you just demonstrated.
I ain't your clerical assistant.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#25. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#9)
You jest? (laughing) Gee, I guess that means in his insanity, he thinks Korea was a 'great idea' or Vietnam, combined which cost us over 100,000 dead, and a helluva lot more money.
Care to support that statement with some facts?
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#26. To: Ibluafartsky (#18)
Exactly.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#27. To: Badeye, War (#25)
Gee, I guess that means in his insanity, he thinks Korea was a 'great idea' or Vietnam, combined which cost us over 100,000 dead, and a helluva lot more money. Exactly my point. Iraq 4000 KIA. A victory where were actually accomplished our stated military goals. Viet Nam: A cluster fuck which cost us 58,000+ and we were defeated. Funny how War finds Iraq to be the greater loss.
You jest? (laughing)
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#28. To: war (#23)
4000 KIA and you consider it a horrible loss? Sorry Eisenhower, it was a victory. We removed a dictator who was a destablizing influence on the world. And we did it cheap, unlike Johnson's CLUSTER Fuck which cost us 58,000 and we were run out of town on a mule in the process. Military history isn't your forte, is it? You seen to know very little about it.
We were told that iraq ould be paid for with oil revenues. We were told that we'd be greated as liberators. We were told that the safety of the region was at stake. We were told it would be a cakewalk. We were told that the insurgency was in its last throes.
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#29. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#27)
Okay...I'll use your [il]logic...only 3000 died on 9/11. The point is...4000 Americans died to make the situation WORSE not better...and the number is irrelevant. We spent over 7 years there and never moved the nation forward and in most ways sent it, and the region, backwards.
#30. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#28)
Now tap your ruby slippers together three times Dorothy and maybe that bullshit will come true. The US, in it's insane thirst for all aspects of the oil market, is a far more destablizing force in the mideast than Saddam ever was. If he was so destablizing, neocon bullshit artist that you are, you should be able to explain to me why both Iraq and the region is more destable NOW than at any time while Saddam was in power. Thanks.
We removed a dictator who was a destablizing influence on the world.
#31. To: war (#29)
Well, like your bogus "stimulus" argument, not even democrats agree with you on that, much of the nation feels killing Sadaam and getting rid of his horrid sons was a "good thing". The nation's security was and has been enhanced by Sadaam being removed. Doing so at the cost of 4000 KIA is cheap, dirt cheap. Shit, son, by your fucked up logic WW2 was an even bigger waste of money and life than Iraq. How many guys we still have in Japan? Korea? Germany? Or is Math as well as History not your strong point? Sorry, but your entire narration with just about everything you believe in has been rejected by the nation. But, we'll see what the final poll says on Election day, shall we.
The point is...4000 Americans died to make the situation WORSE not better...and the number is irrelevant. We spent over 7 years there and never moved the nation forward and in most ways sent it, and the region, backwards.
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#32. To: war (#30)
Sorry, we need the oil. "real politik" is how the world operates, not in some fantasy land where we don't go to war for oil.
The US, in it's insane thirst for all aspects of the oil market, is a far more destablizing force in the mideast than Saddam ever was. If he was so destablizing, neocon bullshit artist that you are, you should be able to explain to me why both Iraq and the region is more destable NOW than at any time while Saddam was in power.
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#33. To: war (#21)
That's all you produce, dwarf.
the most moronic point of view.
#34. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#27)
Viet Nam: A cluster fuck which cost us 58,000+ and we were defeated. Funny how War finds Iraq to be the greater loss. Not to mention Korea. Course posters like the anti groupie don't mention them, because both were brought to us via the Democrats.
Exactly my point. Iraq 4000 KIA. A victory where were actually accomplished our stated military goals.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#35. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#31)
You made that up, didn't you? Read the article again. The simple fact remains that Saddam, a$$hole that he was, was a known quantity in the region and he held the country together. Now, there are warring factions throughout the country, a deadlocked government, and 4 neighboring countries (Saudi, Iran, Syria, and Turkey) who all want a piece of the pie once we pull out. The security apparatus is totally broken. The Iraqi Police forces are untrained and corrupt. Many are hired through tribal connections, issued a uniform and a weapon, and sent to work. Insurgents easily pass through the many police checkpoints. The Iraqi Army doesn't have the equipment or the training it needs to provide internal security, much less national defense. That doesn't sound like security to me.
The nation's security was and has been enhanced by Sadaam being removed.
#36. To: Sarajevo (#35)
That doesn't sound like security to me. Of course not! The new government and security forces are in their infancy. Duh! Can you say "Articles of confederations"?????? Care to explain that historical fact?????
The Iraqi Army doesn't have the equipment or the training it needs to provide internal security, much less national defense.
Clinton and Cuomo are the true bandits who lit the fuse to this economic crisis we're now in. All in the name of getting more minorities in houses: http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=12554
#37. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#36)
The "new" governement was elected on 7 March. Al Allawi won that election by a slim margin. Maliki has refused to step down. In essence, Maliki has deadlocked the government. It's non-functional- DUH!- We are now below 50,000 troops in country, the vast majority of which do not depart the basecamps. We no longer provide security in Iraq. It's their show now, whether they are ready or not. -DUH!-
The new government and security forces are in their infancy.
#38. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#36)
But...but...but...Saddam's army was formidable!!!! Iraq has had 5 elections without seating a functional government. It did manage. however, to put guys on trial and excute them... Go figure...
Of course not! The new government and security forces are in their infancy. Duh!
#39. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#32)
Is it also acceptable for individual citizens to take what they need and use force if necessary, or just governments?
Sorry, we need the oil. "real politik" is how the world operates, not in some fantasy land where we don't go to war for oil.
#40. To: Nebuchadnezzar (#36) (Edited)
What historical fact is that, Nebby? That in an era where there was no mass communication and no mass system of transportation that within 18 months of ratifying the USCON, the US had scrapped one system of governbment, moved the See of that government, held elections and seated a fully functioning government? Here we are five going on six years later in Iraq.
Care to explain that historical fact?????
#41. To: lucysmom (#39) (Edited)
I never cease to be amazed at how self proclaimed small government types love to see power exercised in its rawest form..."What's mine is mine and what's yours I can take at will..." They wholly ignore the fact that If we existed in the form the Framers expressed we'd have never fought a war in Iraq... That's why I call these guys "Convenient originalists"... Kind of like the inherent contradiction that the government can legistlate abortion, school prayer and marriage but not feed, clothe or tend to the health of the people.
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