[antimedia] antimedia: This news caught me by surprise....

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Posted by antimedia:
This news caught me by surprise....
http://www.antimedia.us/posts/1173328170.shtml


   ....because you just don't [1]hear this reported in the US any more.

     A combined force of Iraqi Police and Multi-National
     DivisionâBaghdad troops completed a second day of security
     operations at the eastern Baghdad district of Sadr City Monday.
     Members of the 82nd Airborne Divisionâs 2nd Brigade Combat Team and
     the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division
     conducted security operations with their Iraqi counterparts and
     reported no hostile contact for a second day in an area known to be
     a stronghold of Muqtada al-Sadr, the extremist leader of rogue
     elements known for extra-judicial killings and attacks against
     Coalition forces. Some residents seemed genuinely pleased to see
     the troops arrive, as small children were seen smiling and waving
     to Coalition troops.
     "It's a promising first start,â said Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr.,
     commanding general of MND-B. âWe sense there is an opportunity
     opening here that we want to immediately take advantage of while
     working with the Iraqi security forces and the people of Sadr
     City.â
     The citizens of Sadr City appear to welcome the respite from recent
     violence over the last few months. The killings have fallen off
     from more than 200 in December and January to less than 20 during
     the past 30 days as the new security plan for the Iraqi capital is
     carried out by newly arrived troops.
     âAlthough much too early to tell,â Fil noted, âwe sense that the
     people of the city are ready for a change." (Emphasis mine.)

   Wow! That's a dramatic drop in killings! Granted, as Fil points out,
   it's too early to tell if the peace will hold, this is certainly a
   huge change from the past and another indication that General
   Petreaus' plan might just work.

References

   1. http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10430&Itemid=128