UAVs Earning Their Keep In Sadr City Battles, al-Qaeda Still Taking A Beating

Strata Sphere ^ | Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 4:25 pm. | AJStrata

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The Mahdi Army and al-Qaeda are unable to fight the modern weapons systems the US can bring to bear - even in the urban warfare required in the slums of Sadr City in Baghdad. Check out how our robots in the sky can detect, track and destroy Sadr’s goons with precision:

**************************SNIP********************************

Sadr and his Mahdi Army are being decimated and we are still chasing down al-Qaeda and clearing them from Iraq. The two enemies of Iraq are promising a violent month ahead - but it would seem that their diminished capacity and the synergy being built between US and Iraqi forces is going to make that promise a bit one sided. I would guess there is a small uptick of casualties on our side and huge losses on theirs. And the losses will be such neither is able to recuperate and become a major threat to Iraq for many years to come. Yes, they will be able to blow up their fellow Iraqi Arab Muslims for news headlines, but they will not be able to create a following - except in the form of an Iraqi posse with the desire to lynch the killers of their family, friends and neighbors.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[slapshot]

Peek a BOOM

[Fred Nerks]

WASHINGTON TIMES. "I know he's sitting in Iran," Miss Rice said dismissively, when asked about Sheik al-Sadr's latest threat to lift a self-imposed cease-fire with government and U.S. forces. "I guess it's all-out war for anybody but him," Miss Rice said. "I guess that's the message; his followers can go to their deaths and he's in Iran."

[Hamilcar_Barca]

I liked that comment. Especially in that part of the world being called a coward by Ms. Rice had to hurt.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I wish we had so much as a single high altitude airship on station over Iraq’s trouble spots. With 24/7 video surveillance, if anything happened, we could track the perpetrators back to their point of origin, and destination, if they got away.

Other than visible light and infrared, we could use chemical tags that would be visible under special light. We could spread powder on the ground they would track back to their lairs, and we could spray chemical on the ground that if disturbed would indicate IEDs.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Ernest.

Gates says Air Force not doing enough in Iraq war effort
AP | April 21, 2008 2 hours ago | AP
Posted on 04/21/2008 10:55:00 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2004815/posts

al-Sadr’s followers refuse to disband militia in Iraq
AP | Apr 20, 2008 | Robert H. Reid
Posted on 04/20/2008 11:53:07 AM PDT by skully
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004426/posts

Sadr threatens new uprising; Iraqi and US forces press attack
The Long War Journal | 4/20/2008 | Bill Roggio
Posted on 04/21/2008 7:18:26 AM PDT by Tennessean4Bush
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004711/posts

Iraq will confront Sadr, not allow open war: FM
Reuters | Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:39am EDT | Mohammed Abbas & Lin Noueihed
Posted on 04/21/2008 10:40:26 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2004808/posts

Missile hits headquarters of Iraq Shi’ite party
Reuters | April 21, 2008 | Reuters - AlertNet
Posted on 04/21/2008 9:58:35 AM PDT by norcal joe
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004786/posts

Mahdi Army Targets Iraqi Shiite Leaders?
Strata Sphere | April 21st, 2008 | AJStrata
Posted on 04/21/2008 11:24:43 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004828/posts

IRAQ: Shiite vs. Shiite battle mounts
(no mention of Iranian involvement by the MSM?)
Los Angeles Times | 09:54 AM PT, Apr 20 2008 | Times staff writer
Posted on 04/20/2008 11:39:15 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2004419/posts

-spin-

U.S. and Iran Find Common Ground in Iraq’s Shiite Conflict
(NY Times Analysis...read with caution)
New York Times | April 21, 2008 | JAMES GLANZ and ALISSA J. RUBIN
Posted on 04/20/2008 10:55:15 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004599/posts

IRAQ: Stuck in the middle - The United States has put itself in a dangerous spot
Los Angeles Times | April 20, 2008l | Judith Miller
Posted on 04/20/2008 11:49:28 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004424/posts

-and-

New Iraq front holds in anti-Qaeda members ( Al-Qaeda loses again )
alsumaria.tv | Saturday, April 19, 2008 09:31 GMT | unknown
Posted on 04/21/2008 12:07:49 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004846/posts

[SunkenCiv]

Nice from Rice. I’m a little surprised she didn’t identify with the Sadrists, what with her growing up poor and discriminated against.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Lot's of action....I like your little separator ---spin

That is exactly right!

[exit82]

Ernest, thanks for the tip to this thread. Good reading.

[SunkenCiv]

[buffs nails]

:’)

[Allegra]

Peek a BOOM

LOL!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

You got to see this:

Ahmed, Ever Get the Feeling You're Being Watched?

Apache takes out two insurgents placing an IED.

[papasmurf]

Many local Iraqis witnessed the fighting and thanked the ISF for their bravery and willingness to defend their town.

Sweet! That's what's needed to keep the ISF's moral up and keep them fighting.