While we argue here, this is happening there.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/06/africa/ME-GEN-US-Iraq.phpU.S. takes initial steps toward Baghdad crackdown amid complaints operation too slow
The Associated Press
Published: February 5, 2007
BAGHDAD, Iraq: Bombings and mortar attacks killed dozens across Baghdad as Iraqi troops set up new checkpoints and an Iraqi general took command — indications that the much-awaited operation to restore peace to the capital is gearing up nearly a month after it was announced.
With little sign of an end to the carnage, many Iraqis have begun complaining that the security drive has been too slow in starting, allowing extremists free rein to launch spectacular attacks that have killed nearly 1,000 in the past week. Monday's death toll supported their frustration. At least 74 people were killed or found dead across the country — all but seven of them in Baghdad.
With so much at stake, U.S. commanders have moved methodically to plan the operation and assemble the force, eager to avoid the mistakes that accompanied two failed crackdowns last year.
The U.S. military officials said Monday they consider the operation to have been under way ever since Bush signed the order last month to start moving troops to Iraq. U.S. officers offered assurances that once the operation gets rolling, Iraqis will begin to see a difference. "It's going to be much more than this city has ever seen and it's going to be a rolling surge," Col. Douglass Heckman, the senior adviser to the 9th Iraqi Army Division, said of the operation....(more
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/06/wiraq06.xml
'Take back Baghdad' surge begins
By Damien McElroy and Alex Massie in Washington
02/06/2007
American and Iraqi military commanders launched the first stage of the new security strategy in Baghdad today, hours after President George W Bush won a temporary victory in the Senate against opposition to his "surge" of 21,500 soldiers.
Hours after a joint command centre was inaugurated in the Iraqi capital to direct operations ahead of the crackdown, opponents of Mr Bush failed to advance a resolution in the Senate repudiating his plan.
While several moderate Republicans were said to have lined up behind the bipartisan motion, which urged Mr Bush to reconsider "all options", it failed to secure the 60 preliminary votes needed to back a full debate....(more)
Link from last night:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2717363Meanwhile, 3100 was just reached. My condolences to families, friends, Iraqis, world citizens.