US: Offensive meeting little resistance
BAGHDAD (AP) - January 9, 2008 Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling told reporters in Baghdad that in his
area of control alone, 24,000 American troops, 50,000 members of
the Iraq army and 80,000 Iraqi police were taking part in the
offensive against al-Qaida in Iraq.
Diyala province northeast of Baghdad has not seen the same drop
in violence that other parts of the nation have witnessed in the
last six months. Commanders say that is because insurgents who were
pushed out of Anbar province to the west and out of Baghdad fled
north into Hertling's territory, specifically into Diyala.
"We're attempting to increase the tempo of operations in that
specific province," Hertling said. "There are more U.S. and Iraqi
security forces in Diyala now than there ever has been."
Three U.S. soldiers were killed Tuesday in an attack north of
Baghdad, the military said. The attack took place in Salahuddin
province, an area covered by the current operation, but the
soldiers' role was unclear from the military statement. Two other
soldiers were wounded.
On Tuesday, the No. 2 U.S. commander, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno,
announced the new operation - named Phantom Phoenix - had begun. He
said its goal was to crush al-Qaida in Iraq extremists and at the
same time improve the social situation for Iraqis.
Asked about the timing of the operation, Hertling said the
answer was simple.
"Why now? Because we can. Baghdad is more secure. Anbar is more
secure," he said. "Why now? Because ... the enemy has moved into
these (northern) provinces."
Hertling said there would be three basic phases to Operation
Phantom Phoenix.
First, U.S. and Iraqi forces would try to clear areas of
insurgents. Then, Iraqi police would move in to establish some
semblance of law and order. Finally, Hertling said, the so-called
"Awakening Groups" or "Concerned Local Citizens" - mostly Sunni
fighters who have joined the Americans in the battle against
al-Qaida - would be relied upon to maintain stability after troops
move out of areas.
Hertling said reports that insurgents in Diyala had fled north
just before Phantom Phoenix began were probably accurate, a reason
troops have met relatively little resistance so far. He also said
the insurgent probably learned of the military's plans in advance.
"Operational security in Iraq is a problem," he said, noting
that the Iraqi army uses unsecured cell phones and radios. "I'm
sure there is active leaking of communication. That is why we have
to keep a tight line on operational security."
Hertling said his troops had killed 20-30 insurgents so far.
Hertling and other American commanders have said the latest
blitz against insurgents is bringing more than just firepower to
the field - a determination to speed up work on basic services and
other civic projects that commanders believe will win more converts
to the American effort.
Odierno said Tuesday that it would focus on bettering Iraqi
lives as well as on attacks against al-Qaida.
The U.S. military already has spent vast sums on public works
projects nationwide to try to improve schools, boost electricity
and potable water service, pave roads, and rebuild sewer systems.
But Tuesday's announcement appears to have been the first
American operation that publicly declared an intention to at once
kill and capture al-Qaida fighters while pushing to improve the
lives of Iraqi people in other ways.
U.S. commanders credit the Sunni backlash against the terror
group with helping to reduce violence over the past six months.
Osama bin Laden condemned the new American allies in an audiotape
released Dec. 29.