Posted on 04/23/2011 12:09:35 PM PDT by Cardhu
BAGHDAD: Two American soldiers have been killed during a mission in southern Iraq, the US military said on Saturday.
The fatalities raised to 4,450 the number of US soldiers who have died in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion to oust Saddam Hussein, according to an AFP tally based on data from an independent website.
“Two US service members were killed yesterday (Friday) while conducting operations in southern Iraq,” the military said in a statement without giving any other details.
Sixty members of the US military were killed in Iraq in 2010, according to icasualties.org, by far the smallest number since 2003.
Less than 50,000 US troops remain in the country, but a security agreement between Baghdad and Washington requires that they be withdrawn by the end of 2011.
The latest casualties came the same day as the top American military officer said on a visit to Baghdad that Iraq has just “weeks” to decide if it needs US troops to stay beyond the year-end deadline.
“It (talks) needs to start soon, very soon, should there be any chance of avoiding irrevocable logistics and operational decisions we must make in the coming weeks,” Admiral Michael Mullen said at a news conference at the US military’s Victory Base Camp on Baghdad’s outskirts.
Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said no request had been made by the Iraqi government for any American troop presence beyond 2011, and his remarks reiterated those of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on a visit two weeks ago.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has named security as one of his top priorities, but his unity government remains deadlocked over appointments to key security portfolios.
Maliki has also told the American visitors that Iraqi forces were up to the task of ensuring security.
I wish your son a very happy birthday - he is having a great adventure.
I remember my 18th birthday was in Rangoon, Burma to give them their independence.
I spent my early years giving away half the British Empire.
The keyboard commando title fits. I somehow doubt YOU’ve had to lead any combat patrols. And I’m sure from your comfortable vantage point of Camp Victory things sure seem peachy. But back in this country, many, including members of our armed forces who have been deployed there ad nauseum, consider the occupation of Iraq as a never ending headache. Are you seriously suggesting that there is a strong majority of citizens who WANT to continue staying Iraq? By all means please elaborate!
Thank you for your service!
My youngest son is 28.
I just said a prayer for the Lord to watch over your son today and every day until he comes home safe to you.
We are grateful for his service.
Thanks.
Matthew is my eldest.
My eldest is Matthew as well—in his early 30s.
The name means “gift of the Lord”.
God bless your Matthew.
Thank you EV but the reality was that we never took our service seriously - the hard part was when we have to get a real job.
We were always civilians at heart and just enjoyed cruising around on the Grey Funnel line without paying.
In those days we did not have six months tours but two and half year tours - so that gave us time to sample the good ladies of so many countries. When that was finished a few months at home you were eager to continue that delightful experience.
If there was any trouble we sent the Marine Band ashore, everyone loves martial music. Then we went to chat up the local ladies.
Everyone loves a free concert.
So much more civilised and certainly more effective than Hoo Haring, make a lot of noise and wasting a few million rounds shooting at bushes.
You don’t think we built an Empire with a few thousand men by been overly military - we would have been slaughtered.
Are you seriously suggesting that there is a strong majority of citizens who WANT to continue staying Iraq?
Perhaps not a majority, but I know for a fact that State Dept types want to remain (google "Enduring Bases").
YOU are attacking the wrong person.
RIP.
>> My son is celebrating his 28th birthday today in Baghdad.
Godspeed to your son, EV.
So many April babies. What’s up with that?
Thank you very much.
So many April babies. What’s up with that?
Too long ago. Don't remember. :-)
When the prevailing military strategy is the will of the majority, the leadership has failed. When the prevailing strategy is to bolster the failing leadership, the majority must take a stand against the leadership.
Yes, it fits you well. "Armchair General" also comes to mind as a nickname for you.
I somehow doubt YOU’ve had to lead any combat patrols.
Point out where I said I did. When you have to attribute false ideology to someone, you have already conducted an epic fail in any attempt at whatever point you are trying to argue. Those tactics are more suited to the liberal forums.
And I’m sure from your comfortable vantage point of Camp Victory things sure seem peachy.
Again, you display your ignorance. Yep, I'm at Camp Victory now, but I've spent most of my seven years here elsewhere. I've been outside the wire more times than the amount of your functioning brain cells. And I suppose it is rather comfortable here. Indoor plumbing would be nice and things could almost be pleasant if the enemy weren't still trying to hit us regularly with mortars and rockets. But other than that, oh, yeah, it's sweet. (Easy for you to make stupid comments like that from the comfort of your home, isn't it? LOL)
But back in this country, many, including members of our armed forces who have been deployed there ad nauseum, consider the occupation of Iraq as a never ending headache.
Oh, yeah, I've heard of you Code Pink and A.N.S.W.E.R guys. Say "hello" to them for me, will you? A bunch of us FReeped them in 2003 and that was so much fun. Maybe you know some of them?
Are you seriously suggesting that there is a strong majority of citizens who WANT to continue staying Iraq? By all means please elaborate!
Sure. If you'll elaborate on where I suggested such.
Again, when you have to make things up, you have already failed miserably and you really don't have anything valid to defend whatever little point it is you're trying to make.
I suggest you dabble in something a little more aligned with your intellectual level, like building a Lego house.
but your first two lines suggest they are in a very weak form of Sharia law, kinda like how turkey or Syria is at the moment
Your post has got to be the most uplifting post I have read about Iraq in a very long time.
Oh, you'd be surprised at how many Iraqis I have seen partying it up with a little booze.
I've been on a couple of contracts here where we weren't under General Order #1 and the locals can put it away every bit as well as the Americans and Brits can. LOL
I've met Iraqis who are very devout Muslims and I've met plenty who were born into it, but don't practice it at all. (I've even seen them make fun of those who do.)
In the big cities, a lot of the locals openly embrace westernism. I can't speak for the small towns and villages since I haven't really been to any, but I hear they're more autocratic. That being said, a lot of young Iraqis from the rural areas head to Baghdad, Mosul or Basra when they come of age, both for work and to enjoy a more free lifestyle.
Iraq was secular under Saddam and I think most of them want to keep the secularism. I've had so many tell me "We do not want to be another Iran."
They're going to have to want that badly enough.
I am surprised those that are not practicing can make fun of those that do. That is fantastic and maybe the best thing that could happen.
Because what I have been reading the more devout the more dangerous.
From what I have observed, that is absolutely true.
From what I have observed, that is absolutely true. "
Thank you
this backs up what I have been reading.
If Islam ever becomes more proficient at killing and converting a new crusades will be unavoidable
When I was there, I was buying it from my snitches (Oh- did I admit that?) (I never was a fan of GO-1). A couple of my guys were regular boozers, and they always had access to the good liquor.
When I depart on that flight out of Kuwait next month and the flight attendant comes to me and says, "Would you like something to drink?"
I will respond, "Why yes indeed, I would!"
They really need to start serving booze on the flights out of Baghdad.
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