Posted on 05/17/2009 11:20:26 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – As U.S. troops gradually curtail combat operations in Iraq, Iraqi soldiers are taking over the task of securing the country -- and for Iraqi special forces, that means hunting down insurgents and militiamen.
There are persistent doubts about Iraqi forces' readiness to take on an insurgency which, although weakened, is far from defeated and can still launch devastating attacks.
"We're absolutely killing them," General Fadel Barwari, commander of the Iraqi Special Operations Force (ISOF), said with more than a hint of aggression, sitting in an office adorned with a stuffed eagle and rows of automatic weapons.
"The insurgents were strong and look at them now. Their power is reduced all over. The special forces are part of that."
...
A spike in violence in high-profile attacks in April raised renewed doubts over whether untested forces can handle security when U.S. combat troops withdraw from cities by June 30.
Iraqi forces have made major strides since the initial years after they were disbanded by U.S. officials in 2003, when they were seen as undisciplined, lacking skills and equipment and infiltrated by Shi'ite militias.
In that context, Iraq's two elite special forces brigades -- ISOF and the Iraqi National Counter Terrorism Force (INCTF) -- are increasingly being called in to battle Sunni insurgents or Shi'ite militias.
Between them, they have more than 10,000 soldiers. Often, they partner U.S. Special Forces in joint strikes.
Trained by U.S. Special Forces since 2003, the units have helped break up militant networks, most recently in Diyala province, where pockets of Sunni Islamist al Qaeda hide out.
On April 30, Iraqi special forces with U.S. troops arrested seven suspected militants in Diyala, including a network leader accused of organizing bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
wonder if they are ‘water boarding’ to get intel?
Wait a minute! You mean the Iraqui Special Forces are not giving these “detainees” due process, culturally correct cuisine, access to a battalion of lawyers and the civil court system?! I’m shocked I tell you, shocked. And I expect to hear a lot about this from the ACLU and their counterparts across Europe.
More power to the Iraqi Special Forces.
“We’re absolutely killing them,”
Now this is how to get it done.
Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain 18, Kill Suspect in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
Posted on 05/18/2009 5:27:25 PM PDT by SandRat
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2253574/posts
Troops in Afghanistan Kill Seven Militants, Detain One
American Forces Press Service
Posted on 05/19/2009 4:42:14 PM PDT by SandRat
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2254290/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.