Maliki: Sectarian Violence “Is Closed Now”
BAGHDAD - The number of bombings and suicide attacks has dropped dramatically in the Iraqi capital, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Sunday, claiming sectarian violence “is closed now.”
Al-Maliki, a Shiite Muslim, told reporters that “terrorist acts” including car bombings and suicide attacks have dropped by 77 percent from last year’s high, a sign that Sunni-Shiite violence “is closed now.”
“When the sectarian strife is over, then I will not fear the gangs who are running between the provinces,” al-Maliki said, an apparent reference to al-Qaida and other Sunni religious extremists that have been driven from the capital.
“The majority of these terrorists are fleeing to nearby countries, and I warned our brothers in the Islamic and Arab countries to be aware in order that they not harm these countries,” he said.
Al-Maliki said he was considering an amnesty for those “who were lured or committed some crimes,” although he added that the move would not include those “convicted of killings or bombings.”
In a sign the government is working toward reconciliation, 70 former members of Saddam Hussein’s party were reinstated to their jobs after they joined the fight against al-Qaida in Anbar province, said Ali al- Lami, a senior official with the commission that considered their cases.
Al-Lami told The Associated Press that the former Baath party members included 12 university professors, officers in the disbanded Iraqi army, former policemen and teachers.
The upbeat statements reflected those of U.S. military officials. Last week, the commander of U.S. troops in Baghdad, Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, said bombings and killings had been declining steadily since a spike last June and “it continues to come down every month.”
Also Sunday, the U.S. military said it had achieved “significant progress” in operations against al-Qaida in four northern provinces since American and Iraqi forces launched Operation Iron Hammer last week.
A U.S. statement said during the first week of the operation, U.S. and Iraqi forces had detained more than 200 suspected extremists, captured three “high value” al-Qaida operatives and seized more than a ton of various explosives.
U.S. officers had predicted that al-Qaida and other extremists groups would try to regroup in the mostly Sunni north after they were driven from strongholds in Baghdad and Diyala province this year.
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I am loving the news coming out of Iraq these days. Our men and women have really done a great job, freeing the Iraqi people, helping them establish a democracy and making the world safer in the process. Thats what im thinking about on this Veterans Day. how much we have in this country and not to take it for granted
November 11th, 2007 at 10:39 am“In a sign the government is working toward reconciliation, 70 former members of Saddam Hussein’s party were reinstated to their jobs after they joined the fight against al-Qaida in Anbar province, said Ali al- Lami, a senior official with the commission that considered their cases.”
And that was one of our goals this year. Getting the Iraqi government on the same page as the local Iraqi groups is essential. This process is rapidly comming to fruition.
No light at the end of the tunnel huh Peloski? You stupid fuck. Try hanging out at Dollard Nation for a change instead of your penis sucking pals at the DailyKrud.
November 11th, 2007 at 10:51 amIf I had a Nickel for every time I’ve heard “The Surge isn’t working”! Rather odd that Fact’s and Figures never accompany such statements, isn’t it?
Good to see the Iraqi Govt stepping up to the plate, they’ve got an Army, Police Force and Concerned Citizens on board… Things should start to improve at a quicker pace from here on out…
Next we can watch the Dems admit the Surge is working and listen to them explain how they made it all happen! The old “I Invented the Internet” routine!
November 11th, 2007 at 12:05 pm“how they made it all happen!”
Now, we’re not letting them get away with that hosshit, are we? Hahahaha.
November 11th, 2007 at 2:24 pmWhen everything is said and done, and the troops are home, when Iraq is running smoothly the libs will say we left it in a bigger mess than we found it.They will never admit to any success.
November 11th, 2007 at 5:06 pmMaliki: Sectarian Violence “Is Closed Now”
Bet this will be a big frontpage headline in the NYT
November 11th, 2007 at 6:00 pmKurt(the Infidel)
You stated exactly how I am feeling on this Veterans Day.
Amen to that.
Dan(the Infidel)
You are so right. As for your final sentence . . .
Jonny
We would all be rolling in dough if we could profit off the ignorance of the left.
Clyde
We sure do know better than that!
Indy
Some things will never change. Some folks are just stuck on stupid their whole lives and never know any better.
deathstar
I am hopeful that more and more people are ignoring the mainstream media and turning to sites like this and others where they can get the truth. Only the die hard lefties will continue to spew their b.s.
Hope everyone here at Dollard Nation had a good Veterans Day.
Thank you to all who read and post here that are Veterans and currently serving in this war. Without you we would not have our country or our freedom.
Big thank you to Pat, Iggy, Bashman and everyone else that goes above and beyond!!!
November 11th, 2007 at 10:19 pm