Maliki Says Al Qaeda Has Run Out Of Strongholds
Iraq Media:
Baghdad, Sept 13, (VOI) – Baghdad press on Thursday focused on Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s statement about the defeat of al-Qaeda by Iraqi security forces, which he said have managed to weed out most “terrorist” groups from the country.
The government-funded al-Sabah newspaper quoted al-Maliki, during his visit to the anti-terrorism department on Wednesday, as saying, “Terrorist organizations have lost balance and refuge after citizens have overcome the barriers of fear and cooperated with security forces.” Citing recent incidents in Algeria and Turkey as examples, the premier said that terrorism has no religion or home. “It is now targeting the whole and the whole region,” he added.
From A Canadian Interview With Maliki:
September 13, CBC
Al Qaeda militants in Iraq no longer have the strongholds they need to plan and execute attacks, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki asserted in an interview with Canadian television on Tuesday.
Maliki, heavily criticised in the United States for not doing enough to restore order to Iraq and for failing to make headway toward political stability, said there had been “huge progress” in improving security.
“What drives me to believe that there will be further progress is that al Qaeda does not command any more strongholds in which it can live, organise, plan and execute terrorist attacks,” he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
“It has lost its basis and the security conditions that helped execute these operations,” added Maliki, speaking through an interpreter.
Maliki said the “chase that followed al Qaeda from place to place” was part of a plan to prevent the group from rebuilding its cells. “This gives us indications and confidence that our continuous chase will dissolve what remains of al Qaeda.”
The top U.S. military commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, this week told Congress that enough progress has been made in Iraq for the number of U.S. troops there be reduced by about 30,000 by next July. Baghdad welcomed that assessment.
“The withdrawal will not be sudden or greater than the security needs of Iraq. It will be appropriate and proportional to the need of having these troops present,” said Maliki.
Maliki has said Iraqi forces need more time to take over full security responsibility from American troops and other Iraqi officials have warned that a premature U.S. pullout would trigger a civil war.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
“Al Qaeda militants in Iraq no longer have the strongholds”
…but they still have one over here on Capital Hill.
September 13th, 2007 at 4:47 amI saw an interview with Maliki on TV last night, and he was in perfect agreement with Crocker and Petraeous…and his message to Congress was something like “Het that’s easy for you to say assholes(Peloski, Klinton et al), you ain’t the ones who have to deal with this shit every day.”
Good point Jim.
September 13th, 2007 at 6:34 amI guess Hillary, Reid the bitch, Boxer and the other traitors will be coming out with statements calling Maliki a liar, too.
Harassing a four star general seems easy enough for them.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:06 amThe liberal empire doesn’t care what the facts are or how their actions may kill 1000’s more American troops, American civinians or Iraqi civilians. They are all about power at any cost.
Considering what they intend to do, they are more dangerous than Al-Quada.
September 13th, 2007 at 9:49 am[…] Maliki Says Al Qaeda Has Run Out Of Strongholds — Pat Dollard […]
September 13th, 2007 at 2:01 pm