Saturday, May 24, 2008

Al-Qaeda In Iraq Is Close to Defeat

From Yahoo News

BAGHDAD - The U.S. ambassador to Iraq said Saturday that al-Qaida's network in the country has never been closer to defeat, and he praised Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for his moves to rein in Shiite and Sunni militant groups.

Ryan Crocker's comments came as Iraqi forces have been conducting crackdowns on al-Qaida militants in the northern city of Mosul and on Shiite militiamen in the southern city of Basra. Thousands of Iraqi forces also moved into the Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad last week imposing control for the first time in years.

Read more ....

News From Other Sources:

Al Qaeda in Iraq "never closer to defeat": U.S. envoy -- Reuters
Violence in Iraq falls to lowest level in 4 years -- Reuters

My Comment: If the Iraqi Government and its arm forces, with the help of coalition forces, can maintain this trend, they will all be regarded as heroes. But in reality, while Al Qaeda has caused a lot of harm and suffering in the past, they have been for a long time a diminishing force. The true test is to keep the many Shiite militias under control, and to convince the Sunni and Kurd communities in Iraq that there is a future for everyone in a united and peaceful Iraq.

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