http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/anbar/ en-us Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:12:17 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393198/posts SNIPPET: "Iraqi soldiers foiled a potentially deadly suicide attack today at the border crossing at Al Qaim in western Anbar province. From Aswat al-Iraq (Voices of Iraq): “A force from the 28th infantry division managed to defuse a car bomb and to kill its driver in al-Qaim, Anbar province,” said the statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency. “The suicide driver carries the Kuwaiti nationality, and had on his possession a fake ID issued from Baiji,” the statement added. “The car was loaded with three tons of Chlorine and C4 as well as other chemical materials,” it added. Having closely... LONG WAR JOURNAL.org - Threat Matrix http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393198/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:12:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388580/posts WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2009 – As U.S. troops in western Iraq help to prepare for national elections in January, an American commander in the former insurgent hotbed of Anbar province said any potential uptick in violence is unlikely to derail the balloting. For the past two weeks, some of the 5,000 troops of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade, under the command of Army Col. Mark Stammer, have been working alongside Iraqi counterparts in Anbar to secure positions and checkpoints for the election. “Iraqi security forces are well under way for their preparations,” Stammer told Pentagon reporters. “We don't anticipate... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388580/posts#comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:52:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2306379/posts Breaking on Fox. Body now in US for further confirmation. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2306379/posts#comment Sun, 2 Aug 2009 11:08:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2155203/posts Trainees run ashore after practicing an insert technique during al-Anbar Iraqi River Police training, Lake Thar Thar, Iraq, Dec. 21, 2008. Photo by Cpl. Shawn Coolman, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs. LAKE THAR THAR -- Al-Anbar Iraqi River Police officers aced their final exam. Select Iraqi Policemen here with the Anbar Iraqi River Police force, which was established to patrol the local waterways independently from Coalition forces, finished a week-long certification course, Dec. 21. This was the first class taught by the Navy “River Rats” of Detachment 3, Riverine Squadron 1, Regimental Combat Team 5 on Lake Thar Thar.In this... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2155203/posts#comment Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:47:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2149662/posts The Strongest Tribe is, quite simply, the best one-volume treatment of the Iraq War we have — and it's the best we are likely to get. West, a retired Marine infantry officer and former assistant secretary of Defense under President Reagan, has written several highly regarded accounts of military history, Not the least of which is The Village, a book widely regarded as the classic on the Vietnamese counterinsurgency. But while West is a clear thinker and a compelling narrator, what puts him above other authors is that he's still a Marine grunt at heart. West remains a legend among... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2149662/posts#comment Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:24:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135214/posts We spent a fascinating second day in Fallujah, guests of B-Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. Capt. Dan Micklis and Lt. Joe Passman have been showing us around downtown Fallujah, and as I hope you can see from the photos, there’s a lot of life and a lot of color in the markets. Lt. Passman is one of the last marines in Fallujah. His unit is based at a building pretty much in the city center, where he works in close conjunction with the Iraqi Police. The marines we met were, as usual, highly motivated and very interesting to talk with.... FOX NEWS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135214/posts#comment Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:30:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2129627/posts WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2008 – Since Anbar province returned to Iraqi control, Iraqi security forces are taking more responsibility and U.S. Marines in western Iraq are increasingly performing an overwatch role, the deputy commander of Multinational Force West said today. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Martin Post, briefing Pentagon correspondents by satellite from Fallujah, said a very few foreign fighters are trying to infiltrate the country, and Iraqi forces are in the lead in trying to stop them. The coalition leadership in Anbar province has been pleased “across the board” with Iraqi security forces, the general said. “We're most happy with... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2129627/posts#comment Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:59:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081262/posts WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2008 – When security responsibility for Iraq’s Anbar province was turned over to the Iraqi government this month, it validated the security model that has been applied throughout the country, a coalition spokesman said Sept. 11. Successful coordination of a surge in U.S. forces, the emergence of the Awakening movement, and political movement by the Iraqi government resulted in the weakening of the al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network into a more containable scattering of individual cells, said Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, deputy chief of strategic communications, Multinational Force Iraq. Anbar province, Driscoll said, is “now kind... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081262/posts#comment Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:25:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2074149/posts Iraq War: We interrupt coverage of Bristol Palin's pregnancy to announce that the U.S. has turned over control of Iraq's wild, wild west to Baghdad. Memo to Barack Obama: Soon you will have nothing left to surrender.On Monday, while Democrats waited to see if Hurricane Gustav would be another Katrina and the GOP juggled its convention schedule, U.S. commanders formally returned responsibility for security in Iraq's Anbar province to the Iraqi Army and police. Maybe you missed it. The New York Times Web page had three stories on Bristol Palin. The Washington Post's online magazine, Slate, is running a "Name... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2074149/posts#comment Wed, 3 Sep 2008 23:56:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2073474/posts RAMADI, Iraq — Two years ago, Anbar Province was the most lethal place for the Americans in Iraq, with a marine or a soldier dying here nearly every day. The provincial capital, Ramadi, was a moonscape of rubble and ruins. Islamic extremists controlled large pieces of territory, with some so ferocious in their personal views that they did not even allow the sale of bread. On Monday, following a parade on a freshly paved street, American commanders formally returned responsibility for keeping order in Anbar Province, once the heartland of the Sunni insurgency, to the Iraqi Army and police force.... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2073474/posts#comment Wed, 3 Sep 2008 03:03:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072924/posts RAMADI, Iraq: Two years ago, Anbar Province was the most lethal place for American forces in Iraq. A U.S. marine or soldier died in the province nearly every day, and the provincial capital, Ramadi, was a moonscape of rubble and ruins. Islamic extremists controlled large pieces of territory, with some so ferocious in their views that they did not even allow the baking of bread. On Monday, U.S. commanders formally returned responsibility for keeping order in Anbar Province, once the heartland of the Sunni insurgency, to the Iraqi Army and police. The ceremony, including a parade on a freshly paved... International Herald Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072924/posts#comment Tue, 2 Sep 2008 13:13:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072558/posts Given Hurricane Gustav, the GOP convention—and the MSM's inherent inclination to underreport good news from Iraq—a major story is not getting the attention it deserves. Here's how President Bush described the development [the photo shows U.S. Marine Maj. Gen John Kelly and Anbar Governor Maamoun Sami Rashid signing the handover papers. (AP Photo/Wathiq Khuzaie, Pool)]: "Today in Iraq, responsibility for security in Anbar Province was transferred to Iraqi civilian authorities. Iraqi forces will now take the lead in security operations in Anbar, with American troops moving into an overwatch role. Not long ago, Anbar was one of the most dangerous... NewsBusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072558/posts#comment Mon, 1 Sep 2008 19:51:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072447/posts WASHINGTON, September 1 /Standard Newswire/ -- Today in Iraq, responsibility for security in Anbar Province was transferred to Iraqi civilian authorities. Iraqi forces will now take the lead in security operations in Anbar, with American troops moving into an overwatch role. Not long ago, Anbar was one of the most dangerous provinces in Iraq. Al Qaeda was in control of almost every major population center, and its leaders intended to turn Anbar province into a safe haven from which to plan and launch further attacks against Iraqis and others in the region, as well as here at home. Today, Anbar... standardnewswire http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072447/posts#comment Mon, 1 Sep 2008 16:56:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072339/posts The U.S. military Monday handed control of Iraq's Anbar province to Iraqi security forces. U.S. forces will withdraw to bases and rejoin Iraqi operations in Anbar only at the request of the provincial governor. Anbar is a Sunni-dominated province whose inhabitants turned against U.S. forces soon after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Anbar towns, such as Fallujah and Ramadi became insurgent strongholds, where militants waged fierce battles against U.S. troops. Violence in Anbar began to subside in 2006 when Sunni tribes became weary of al-Qaida's brutality against the local population. The tribes formed councils and joined U.S.-led forces... VOICE OF AMERICA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072339/posts#comment Mon, 1 Sep 2008 13:42:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069619/posts WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2008 – Iraq’s once-deadly Anbar province could within the next few days become the 11th province to be turned over to Iraqi control, paving the way for a reduced U.S. Marine Corps presence there, the Marine Corps commandant said today. Gen. James T. Conway told Pentagon reporters the marked drop in violence in Anbar sets the stage for a drawdown of Marine forces that could be freed up for duty in Afghanistan, if needed. “The change in the al-Anbar province is real and perceptible," with attacks at an all-time daily low of two to three, Conway said.... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069619/posts#comment Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:42:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055221/posts Camp Pendleton commander backs cut in Marine forces in western IraqCamp Pendleton's Maj. Gen. John Kelly said Friday that the military is on the verge on victory in Iraq's once rebellious Anbar province. "We have all but won this thing when they once said that was impossible," Kelly said during a telephone interview with the North County Times from his headquarters in the city of Fallujah, once a flash point in the battle against the insurgency. "The rest of the country is now following Anbar's lead." The two-star general was deliberately cautious about declaring outright victory, stressing that work remains... NC Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055221/posts#comment Sat, 2 Aug 2008 03:00:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051540/posts Video at link mudvillegazette.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051540/posts#comment Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:28:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2050376/posts Presidential Candidate Obama’s statements in and about Iraq in the past 24 hours have been nothing less than shameless and disgraceful. While we strive to avoid political discussion at ThreatsWatch, criticism of his words transcends rank political partisanship if for no other reason than his claims are simply and flatly untrue, made in a war zone, during a time of war and while running to become the Commander in Chief of US Military Forces. This simply cannot stand unchallenged. Not only does Senator Obama apparently think the Anbar Awakening and the Shi’a militia stand-downs that have occurred are somehow separate... Threats Watch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2050376/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:48:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2049800/posts The Nutroots are already gearing up. The next Big Lie they're going to breathlessly promote is that McCain was lying when he said, in a recent interview, that the U.S. troop "surge" led to the Anbar Awakening. The lefties (I saw some at DU, also you can Google) are saying that's a lie, McCain should know better, the Anbar Awakening happened in September 2006, well BEFORE the surge was even announced in January 2007. They're playing fast and loose with the facts. What they want you to believe is that because the Anbar Salvation Council was formed in September 2006,... National Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2049800/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:36:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2049317/posts BAGHDAD, July 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama travelled to Anbar province on Tuesday to meet Sunni Arab tribal leaders whose decision to fight al Qaeda helped change the course of the conflict in Iraq. Obama held talks with tribal chiefs including Ahmed Abu Risha, head of the U.S.-backed Awakening Council, an alliance of tribes in the vast desert region that was once the heartland of the Sunni Arab insurgency against American forces. The Democrat contender met Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and American military commanders on Monday in a trip dominated so far by the question of... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2049317/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:07:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041091/posts Victory in Anbar Province, Iraq? If you Google, "Anbar + victory," all you will find is a bunch of outdated stuff from the years when coalition forces were taking a real beating from Al Qaeda Iraq and the Sunni insurgents, who were then still trying to take back control of the whole Country. The latest entry in Google's search engine, for "Anbar + victory" is from 2006. In order to find even minimal coverage of the significant victory our forces in Anbar have wrought this day, Saturday, July 5, you'll have to be quite a lot more specific in your... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041091/posts#comment Sat, 5 Jul 2008 14:26:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2038865/posts WASHINGTON, June 30, 2008 – The enemy in the eastern portion of Iraq’s Anbar province has been neutralized, the coalition commander in the area said today. Video Al-Qaida in Iraq still can launch occasional horrific attacks, but in Ramadi and Fallujah -- once strongholds of the terror group -- security is allowing the region to transfer to provincial Iraqi control, Marine Corps Col. Lewis Craparotta, the area’s coalition commander, told Pentagon reporters in a briefing via satellite from Camp Fallujah today. Still, the colonel said, coalition and Iraqi forces must remain vigilant, as al-Qaida wants to come back into... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2038865/posts#comment Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:37:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035275/posts BAGHDAD (AFP) — The US military is to hand over security control of the former Sunni insurgent bastion of Anbar province to Iraqi forces in the next 10 days, a US military spokesman announced on Monday."The handover of Anbar is expected to take place in the next 10 days," Lieutenant David Russell told AFP, declining to provide an exact date.Anbar would be the tenth of Iraq's 18 provinces to be handed back to Iraqi forces by the US-led coalition amid a push to transfer security control of the entire country back to Baghdad.Anbar province in western Iraq, the country's largest,... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035275/posts#comment Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:23:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028191/posts June 9, 2008 WASHINGTON — The leader of the tribal confederation that has fought to expel Al Qaeda from most of Iraq's Anbar province is offering his men to help gin up a rebellion against Osama bin Laden's organization along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The New York Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028191/posts#comment Mon, 9 Jun 2008 06:20:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028170/posts In 2005, President Bush articulated a national strategy for Iraq that hinged on successfully advising Iraqi security forces. "As Iraqis stand up, we will stand down," he said. The critical piece of this strategy was the adviser capability itself. Although the military's special operations community had long nurtured the capability to conduct "foreign internal defense," the Army and Marine Corps had largely marginalized this capability by the time of the Iraq war, disdaining it in favor of conventional combat operations. To achieve the president's vision for Iraq, the Army and Marines would need to build this capability from scratch, tearing... The Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028170/posts#comment Mon, 9 Jun 2008 04:08:14 GMT