Baghdad district feels 'surge'

Posted: Monday, September 24, 2007 12:23 PM
Filed Under: Baghdad, Iraq

By NBC's Ghazi Balkiz and Rob Moro

The military's 'surge' strategy has enabled the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, to concentrate its efforts against al-Qaida in Iraq in the Sunni neighborhood of Ameriya, in western Baghdad. With the help of local volunteers, the military has reduced attacks against American and Iraqi forces and decreased sectarian violence.

See video from Jim Maceda's recent military embed with the 1-5 CAV.

VIDEO: Baghdad district feels 'surge'

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Comments

Great,
Now we can clear the way for Black water or other contractors to do drive by shootings of ppl as they are stuck in traffic jams.
Love the way everyone uses words like 'shock and awe' and 'surge' to mask more bombings/killings. Then after we have used excessive force and a lot of innocents get killed, we can all sit down and do a formal investigation to make sure 'incidents like these do not happen again' cuz as you already know, we are a just people. You dont need a highschool diploma to figure out who is better of the two evils: American occupation vs Saddam occupation.

Kevin McCauley, markham Iowa (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 1:42 PM)

Great job US military. Keep up the good work. Your country is proud.

Max, Rapid City, SD (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 1:59 PM)

With the help of local volunteers, the military has reduced attacks against American and Iraqi forces and decreased sectarian violence. - in the Sunni neighborhood of Ameriya, in western Baghdad...

Deja Vu all over again... "we're winning" while we're losing.

Sent by a Viet Nam vet

1,2,3 (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 2:13 PM)

Security in Iraq is like squeezing the air in a balloon. You squeeze the violence from one section to another. That is the Bush Policy.

Nick Vendittelli (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 2:31 PM)

What is this - 56th "turnaround" point in Iraq war? Do they think we are complete idiots?

Bob, Atlanta (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 2:33 PM)

It's funny how you only mention the decrease in violence in Baghdad but all of Iraq's violence has decreased by 55% so far this month compared to last and last month without the major bombing that killed over 500 would have been a decrease of 40% from that previous month. As for the deaths of US troops the past 2 months would have shown a major decrease had it not been for a couple non-combat accidents.

t. hill, carrollton, tx (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 2:40 PM)

Who woulda thought, let the military do it's thing, and it will get the job done.
This is a perfect example of why we should stay and redouble our efforts.
Let history sort out if it was right or not to go into iraq, we need to stay and finish our job, then get out. That is the true American way.

Justin Schultz, Columbia, Mo (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 2:49 PM)

Let's see how the Marxist media twists this one in their favor.

TJ (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 2:57 PM)

Basically, we're just there to steal the oil.

#1 American (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 3:07 PM)

Pardon me for being skeptical, but I have a hard time believing anything positive is coming out of Iraq. Our president and our officials have lied to us so many times, in so many ways, that any brief, antecdotal stories of good things are lost in the insanity of the poorly planned and run operation. This is a losing proposition and to subject our soldiers to this never ending whirlwind of lies is unconscionable. Let the Iraqi people make their own way, we have screwed up their world and lives so badly that getting our people out of there is the only thing that will ever work. We--the US--made a horrendous mess out of this whole thing....we owe them the means by which to resolve this, training and money and assistance, but fighting a never ending war is not the solution. Enough lies...

Spero Melori (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 3:08 PM)

Two sentences for the good news and a whole page for the bad. That seems fair. Is it really that hard to find the words to say something good about our side? Maybe if you tried pretending Bush was on there side then perhaps that would help.

Russell, Austin TX. (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 3:41 PM)

It is very refreshing to see "unbiased" reporting in the news. So much today is slanted to one viewpoint or another. We used to be able to rely on just the facts being presented instead of facts-with-a-spin. We would all be better off if the news presented the real life issues as they happen, without editorial or slanted depictions. If something good happens in respect to a controversial issue - report it as it happened, if some bad happens do the same thing. Let the public make up thier own minds on what is positve and negative in policy.

John Zapata, Plant City, Fl. (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 3:46 PM)

Go get em boys!!!!

sgt shot, just got back from 2nd tour (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 3:48 PM)

If there really is Al- Qaida in Iraq conventional US forces such as 1-5Cav are not equipped to confront them. The current tactics for keeping the peace in Iraq, walking around aimlessly or "patrolling" , is accomplishing absolutely nothing in uprooting terrorist.

Austin, Baghdad, Iraq (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 4:10 PM)

Glad to see the surge is working. It may be our best way out of this mess.
Now just imagine what we could do with with the support of the Democratic Party. Instead of planning surrender dates, maybe we should try to win this one.

M. Sheridan, Holmes, Pa (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 5:05 PM)

Sounds good to me, but I've heard this story before.

We need a draft. The army had a handbook that specified the minimum number of troops required to hold a country with a population of a given size.

We have 1/2 the required number in Iraq, and that's after the diaspora of Iraqis. Why didn't the Generals tell the President this in 2003? We could have had a draft, and maybe things would be going better.

Not great, but better. Assuming that 'Democracy' would turn a region abused by colonial powers and their own thousand-year rivalries into a happy post-war state a'la Germany is ignorance bordering on criminal.

Sean, Torrington CT (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 5:10 PM)

Hi:

The millitary surge plan is working. Simply one evidence for it, is that the people is out in the street again doing their own work and other daily necessities. I think if this plan had implemented earlier, it would have saved many American soldiers and Iraqis lives. However, this plan would remain in success as long as the American Soldiers in the streets of Baghdad. The question is who long this can go ? When can the soldiers pull out and come home proud of what they have acheived ? The answer is not by the hands of the Army Generals but with the politicians. They have to work together and fast to achieve the best results for the strategic national interest to the entire middle east region.

ZFR, Atlanta, Georgia (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 5:11 PM)

How much more proof do the Democrates in washington need that the surge is working. We now have Sunnis who were killing our soldiers fighting side by side with them and instead of killing each other they are killing Al-Qaida. It seems if we can convince our one time enemies that together we can make Iraq a better place we could convience the Democrates in Office that we can and must win this war . How would it look if we abandened the people who made a stand and fought along side us . America could not ever be trusted again . and AL-Qaida would only return to these villages and slaughter the people who fought with us.

Joe Joseph (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 5:28 PM)

Excessive force is roughing the Passer. This is a war.

Tom Daley, Honolulu, HI (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 6:09 PM)

(1) We are not there for the oil. It is no good to the Iraqis if it is in the ground. Once it is sold it is on the world market and available to everyone. We probably don't get one percent of our oil from Iraq.
(2) While it would be better if we had stayed out of Iraq we did depose and hang a vicious dictator. How often does that happen?
(3) All the big mouths who disparge our troops and their courage should be drafted and do about two tours of duty there. It would make them more respectful of the USA in general and it would definitely make them better citizens.

evan geilich (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 6:28 PM)

It is incredible the lack of historical perspective some of the American public has. This combined with the lack of acknowledgement that in every war the enemy has a big vote in how that war is conducted. For the first 2 years of WW2 the USA got it’s butt kicked all over the Pacific and Africa before finally beginning to make progress and that is even with being able to use tactics like carpet bombing and artillery bombardment of total cities to displace the enemy. Given that we are fighting an insurgency with the military’s hands tied by political restraint is it any wonder that the time that it will take to finish the job will take longer? Give the Military the chance and the time to finish. The value of having a stable democracy, even an Islamic one, in that part of the globe is worth the effort.

Milt Cantellay, Renton, Wa. (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 6:28 PM)

If the surge is successful then doesn't that mean the troops have to stay? I thought we wanted to leave.

Hal Allwardt (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 6:41 PM)

Why the cynicism? Good news finally comes from Iraq and it is denounced.......do you actually want to see the U.S. fail just so you can see Bush fail???

Eduardo, Costa Rica (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 6:50 PM)

Why the cynicism? Good news finally comes from Iraq and it is denounced.......do you actually want to see the U.S. fail just so you can see Bush fail???

Eduardo, Costa Rica (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 6:52 PM)

More troops = more control over the enemy. Am I missing something subtle here? This seems like simple math. So does: Control still inadequate = need still more troops. As does: Complete control = more troops than we have available to send. What is the goal of the surge? The simple short-term impact of an increased fighting force in subduing an enemy surely is no sign of a successful long-term strategy. Why are we treated like idiots by both government and media?

baj (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 6:57 PM)

The surge will not work long term without political leadership. Maybe if their government members were required to serve on the streets two days a week or during their one month vacations, they would come to their senses quicker. They might sacrifice their ideologies a little quicker if bullets were whizzing past their ears. They lack empathy for their people and ours by failing to create practical resolutions not hindered by a 1000 years of hatred. They haven't gotten to first base in creating proposals that could be debated and modified. They clearly cannot police themselves nor legislate peace. Why are we still there?

Mark Kaplan Los Angeles California (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:09 PM)

I have a question for the folks who say we must stay to "win" this war. What is your definition of winning? Please do not refer to your "Faux News" talking points for the answer...the bottom line is we are in the middle of a civil war of our own creation. This will go down in history as not only the biggest American foreign policy mistake but the biggest foreign policy blunder by any nation in world history. If we took the approach of the "win at all costs" crowd we would still be fighting in VietNam. I am eagerly awaiting the responses of my fellow American citizens. Isn't Democracy wonderful?

Geoff Pizii, Ellicott City, MD (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:17 PM)

I JUST WANT TO KNOW ONE THING! IS THE OIL STILL FLOWING? THATS ALL THAT COUNTS & THATS ALL IT IS ABOUT.

Norman Burns (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:17 PM)

Doesn't a 'surge' imply that the opposite effect will soon follow?
Let's be honest about this, nobody knows what is going on...
Other than the destruction of Iraq, countless civilian deaths, and the errosion of what were once a worthwhile contribution to the world
-American values.
SUPPORT the rebuilding of IRAQ, get the International community involved, & bring the troops home now!

parascenzo, SLC,UT (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:23 PM)

They are still playing whack-a-mole,they hit one area and they pop up someplace else.Bush is trying to game short term successes into coercing the Democrats into backing his failed policies.He knows this won't last long term so his only solution is a short term smoke and mirrors till he gets out of office and leaves this mess for someone else to clean up.

Joe Fiet (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:34 PM)

4 years later.....Baghdad is finally feeling a "surge".....lol. I get the distinct feeling that this administration has no respect for our ability to actually THINK about this war. Frankly, who would blame them, we are afterall the people that were stupid enough to elect Bush twice. Say no more.

Blameless, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:34 PM)

It may be true, but it's coming from an 'in bed' so I think it's somewhat self-serving, what the army wants us to believe.

How come a recent poll says that over 60% of Iraquis say killing Americans are ok? This sounds like PR for the admin/army. We're still losing closet 70 or 80 a month. Still waiting for the flowers strewn at the feet of 'liberators'!!!

Irwin, Thousand Oaks, CA (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:34 PM)

So sick of the media and the negative people. How are we there to steal oil and oil prices keep going up??? How are we not wanted when the President of Iraq says he wants us there still??? Wake up people this is a war we are fighting. If you don't like this country, you can go live there or somewhere else where they have a nice wooden pine box waiting for you. USA is the best country in the world.

Kevin (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:37 PM)

War is basically just another business transaction or investment deal. You invest, burn cash, and wait for the return. Iraq has became just another loser internet stock that will never have an IPO.

Jeff McCabe (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:39 PM)

Sure if we never invaded Iraq it might be a more peaceful place. We wouldn't have lost the couple thousand soldiers, there wouldn't be daily car bombings, and sectarian violence would be non existent.

There wouldn't be any Kurds left on the map of course and no such thing as an opposition party but hey, not are problem.

The same thing could be said about Nazi Germany, if we decided to never invade. We wouldn't of lost the Six Hundred Thousand soldiers (that's right six hundred thousand) that we did, and Europe would've had an easier time rebuilding without all of the carpet bombings and total destruction we incurred.

Of course there would hardly be any Jews left on the world or any sort of opposition to the Nazis but hey, not our problem... Right?

Alexander , Camarillo , Ca (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:43 PM)

The violence is decreasing in Baghdad due to ethnic cleansing--not the surge. Over a million displaced refugees can attest to that.

In a related story, according to the FBI, violence in the U.S. increased 2% this past year. Bush vows to fund $50 million to help make American cities safer. He plans $50 BILLION to pay the military industrial complex to help make Iraq safer.

I can see where Republican priorities are.

In a related story, Bush says that the only way to save Social Security is to CUT benefits and RAISE taxes. But we MUST keep funding the war in Iraq or we are LOSERS.

I can see where Republican priorities are.

Thomas Atwood (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:50 PM)

It goes beyond Iraq and beyond the Bush administration and it is not going to change any time soon, what I mean is the imperialistic and colonial mentality that is innate to the policies of almost every US administration. once we start minding our own business and stop trying to control the world and bomb everyone who doesn't agree with us, then we would be heading in the right direction.The situation in Iraq is very simple, get out now with 4000 dead or get out later with 10000 dead. the middle east existed hundreds of years before the roman empire and continues to exist hundreds of years after the fall of the roman empire.

Roger e, Hartford, CT (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 7:52 PM)

I think the surge of more troops will be able to maintain security in Bagdad, though it will seem unlikely that security can be maintained in all of Iraq. And it may be difficult to maintain a troop presence in Iraq when there is growing Democratic pressure to set a timetable for troop removal from Iraq. Poles taken show continued loss of American support for the war and the future of the American presence in Iraq will probibley be a key issue in the 2008 presidencial election. I think the Democrats will get in on a promise of removel of American military men from Iraq.

Matthew C Bissonnette (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 8:15 PM)

Don't you just love the juvenile remarks some people make like, "go get 'em, boys," and "redouble our efforts." The former is simply mindless blathering, and the latter begs the question: redouble with what? Some people simply have no thought process to work with.
Tsk, tsk.
Hemersam

james sharp garland, texas (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 9:18 PM)

Maybe we should go back to the "stop or I will say stop again" policy of the 1990's. I have some buddies still longing to go back to Somalia and do some more work on the how to defeat America play book we used there. Where is Les Aspin when we need him? Thank you to all those above for the support of our leadership.

"Tiny" Johnson (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 9:25 PM)

This administration of neo-cons, isolationists, and their imperial grunts who do their dirty work have brought about incalculable harm to this nation, not to mention to the people of Iraq that they have stomped on. Thank god they will be out of the picture in January 2009. What kind of rainbow are they all chasing? It is fanciful to think that any Arab nation is going to transform into a western-style democracy. When Bush and his cheerleaders say we must "win" what does that word mean?? Do we "win" when all of Iraq converts to Christianity?? when they finally let our armies take all their assets?? when they let us take over their oil pipelines?? when every Al-Aqaida member is dead?? What miraculous event must take place for the U.S. to declare that we win. This is an endless game that is being played at American taxpayer expense. Leave the Iraqi people alone....

ERR, Roanoke, Va. (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 9:41 PM)

Our soldiers are making a difference. Iraq seems to be improving from the ground up instead of from the government down. What changed the Sunni clerics' position? Could it have been the patience and behavior of our soldiers over the last four years? Violence is down. I thank our soldiers for their sacrifice and service.

Bev McAnallen, Butler, PA (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 10:50 PM)

I pray everyday for our Boys, Please visit Barn House News. God bless and keep you , in Jesus Name...ELZA

Elza Y. Goad, Adna , Wa (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 11:13 PM)

The ones who think that the violence in Iraq is like a balloon filled with air, "squeeze one end and it all goes to the other side"... What about a rippling effect? Snow ball? Get something started and continue it? And yes, possibly resulting in something good, and positive. Why are there some many miserable pessimists in this world that feel that nothing good or honorable can happen in such a horrible world. Obviously you have no idea how intelligent and strong the 1-5 Calvary is; the people who work in it. These are 40 amazing human beings, doing good for, if nothing else, a neighborhood. Even if that means sacrificing their time and life to allow others, who may disagree ignorantly, to have an opinion. That's their day, moon to moon. No rest and, unfortunately, without support from "educated idiots." Believe half with your head, and the other heart. Obviously, you haven't completed your research.

A Girl Who Knows a Little More than Most, KY (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 11:14 PM)

Outstanding!! Letting the military to do their job works. The surge is working so now, maybe we can get the Democrats to concentrate on fixing schools & health care. Oh, and stop campaigning for president 365 days of the year Except Leap year).

JP Bloomington, Illinois (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 11:15 PM)

Thank God for the Americans. Our noble strategy is to assist other peoples make this world a safer place, together. We are not conquerers, we are liberators from the bondage of oppressors. It is not the capitulating weaklings that have made this country great, nor their common-sense approach to justified cowardess. It is the brave and average that strive for nobility by giving what our fore-fathers gave to us - the great gift of liberty.

Dc Carr, Bountiful, Utah (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 11:23 PM)

I think that we all forget that it took twelve long years to "hammer out" our Constitution and Bill of Rights plus a very bloody civil war to settle the differences between states rights and federal rights. Give me a break people....and also our troops who have been made to fight with both hands tied behind their backs!!! Turn them loose and let them do what and army does best...kill the enemy and break things...I think everyone will get the message very quickly when we become Uncle Sam instead of Aunt Patsy again. This political BS started way back when Truman would not let McArthur win the Korean war...or have you liberals forgotten that? Same was true in Vietnam albeit they "forget" what happened in Cambodia with Pol Pot after we cut and ran.

Johnny Willams Conroe Texas (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 11:24 PM)

The only realistic rule for war is WIN !!! We are in & have BEEN at war for years. The difference is that now we are finally fighting back. The bombs are there now, not here. Did you see the flames? Smell the bodies burning? I did... It's for real. Lead, follow, or get out of the way - it's fight or we will ALL die... Read what they say, it's for real. They mean it, they want you dead. They strap bombs onto children, wear womens clothes.. Fight fair? Follow rules? Common - smell the coffee!!!

Jim C, laurel, Md (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 11:29 PM)

What makes you think the US is trusted now? When traveling throughout Europe, I was repeated told. "We like the American people and culture, we just don't trust the US government. US leaders are as corrupt and greedy as other world leaders. Our only hope is with American voters." Vote smart.

Karen Prentice, Jackson, MI (Sent Monday, September 24, 2007 11:46 PM)

I only want to say "Thank You" to our soldiers fighting to preserve the freedom for even the liberals who would rather leave things unattended in hopes that the terrorists will leave us alone. Wake up Democrats, our men & women are fighting to keep us safe! I can't for the life of me understand why those idiots won't support what is going on over there!

J. D. (Sent Tuesday, September 25, 2007 12:30 AM)

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Baghdad district feels 'surge'

Posted: Monday, September 24, 2007 12:23 PM
Filed Under: Baghdad, Iraq

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Baghdad district feels 'surge'

Posted: Monday, September 24, 2007 12:23 PM Filed Under: Baghdad, Iraq

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Posted: Monday, September 24, 2007 12:23 PM
Filed Under: Baghdad, Iraq