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| Iraq |
| U.S., Iraqi forces in major move to secure Syrian border |
| 2004-08-04 |
| We have known that operations like that described below have been going on since May, but some more detail shows up here. BAGHDAD — The U.S. military, backed by Iraqi forces, has launched its first major operation along the border with Syria. U.S. officials said Operation Phantom Linebacker has mobilized thousands of U.S. and Iraqi soldiers as well as armored combat vehicles, unmanned air vehicles and helicopters in an effort to stem the flow of insurgents, funds and weapons from Syria into Iraq. The officials said the operation came in wake of a determination that the Sunni insurgency, including support for Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi, was coming mainly from Saddam Hussein loyalists who have fled to Syria. The operation began on Aug. 2 and included the Iraqi Border Police and Iraqi National Guard, Middle East Newsline reported."Our first priority will be on the Syrian border," Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, said, "because we think that's where the former regime leadership and money went, in that direction, and it's coming back in from that direction." Assad needs a serious ass-kicking. Officials said the operation was the largest by the United States to stop weapons from Syria. Earlier missions involved mainly fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft in pursuit of Sunni insurgents along the more than 500 kilometer Iraqi-Syrian border. The U.S. Army has not announced Operation Phantom Linebacker. But the military said two marines died in fighting in the Anbar province during "security and stability operations" along the Syrian border. No other details were provided. Officials said Syrian officials have provided passports and official documents to Sunni insurgents in exchange for hefty bribes. They said the insurgents have also bribed Iraqi security forces deployed along the border. Iraqi security forces taking bribes need to be made an example of what not to do. Operation Phantom Linebacker, which has included the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, has also deployed UAVs as well as U.S. satellites to track the insurgency route. Officials said the first line of operations was being conducted by Iraqi security forces, with U.S. troops providing intelligence and support. Building up the Iraqis so they can succeed eventually. The U.S.-led operation came in wake of several warnings by Baghdad to both Iran and Syria to stem the flow of fighters, weapons and funding to the insurgency in Iraq. Senior Iraqi officials have been more critical of Iran than Syria, accusing the latter of seeking to undermine the new interim government in Baghdad. Understatement of the year. On Wednesday, an Iraqi government delegation discussed border security cooperation with Iran. The delegation was said to have been in Teheran for a week and discussed border security and Iranian interference in Iraq. "We do not like your infiltration and interference. You must stop this behavior." "We send no insurgents, only pilgrims." "Well, tell your pilgrims to stay away from Tater." "Very well, would you like some lunch. These negotiations work up a large appetite." "Yes, a BLT would bed down my appetite." "WHAT???!!!!" "Just kidding. Just kidding. Lighten up." Officials said the current operation along the Syrian border could press Iran to launch measures to stem the flow of insurgents into Iraq. Sending a subtle message to the Black Turbans. They said Saddam loyalists have established a network in Syria to train and fund insurgents to fight the U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi government. The loyalists were said to have fueled the insurgency in such Sunni Triangle cities as Faluja, Ramadi and Samara. In July, Iraq and Syria signed an agreement for border security. But even as the agreement was announced Iraqi officials expressed doubt whether the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad would honor the accord. Worthless piece of paper, good evidence of duplicity, though. Making a |
| Posted by:Alaska Paul |
| #5 Was "Linebacker" part of VN? It is probably time for that one lady congressman who wanted ethnic hurricane names to protest the masculinity of the Pentagon's list of names for operations. If we are out of names, we should look at allowing last names for famous athletes. How does Operation Butkus sound? With respect to using the names of women athletes, I don't know that it is possible to find many names that epitomize true viciousness and brutality (besides Harding.) It might be possible to open the nominations beyond the athletic world to create some other alternatives though. Think of the fearsomeness of Operation "Streisand's Face." |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-08-04 10:27:41 PM |
| #4 This is WAY overdue - this is what the US military wanted to do with the former Iraqi Army when they surrendered - re-arm them, provide parallel command supervision and secure the borders - but Bremer hosed it by dumping them in spite of the word we gave the surrendering commanders. If there is one thing I will fault Bush for is that he will not chop heads quickly enough. |
| Posted by: Oldspook 2004-08-04 10:21:37 PM |
| #3 a BLT? LOL AP! I look for a joint op with Iraqi, US, and *cough* the IAF *cough* ....forces to be occuring soon along (or over.....heh heh) the Iran border |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-04 9:10:42 PM |
| #2 You can tell where the mission planners heads were at..... |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-08-04 9:04:59 PM |
| #1 Operation Phantom Linebacker Jeebus, sounds like an overly tricky Bowden defense scheme against Miami, who of course always use not so phantom pulling guards. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-04 8:42:42 PM |