Iraq blames Al Qaida revival on U.S. release of 4,000 insurgents
BAGHDAD — Iraq has launched another offensive against Al Qaida, raiding suspected AQI strongholds
throughout the Diyala province, capturing insurgents and confiscating suicide vests.
The Iraqi offensive was launched during an AQI suicide bombing campaign in
Baghdad and Mosul, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said AQI has revived its operational cells and
intensified operations as the U.S. military prepares to withdraw from cities
by June 30.
Iraqi military spokesman Maj. Gen. Atta Qassim said the resurgence of Al
Qaida was fueled by the U.S. release of nearly 4,000 insurgents in 2009.
Qassim said the released insurgents have been returning to both Al Qaida and
organized crime.
Also In This Edition
On May 6, at least 17 people were killed in a two car bombings at a
market in southern Baghdad, populated mostly by Sunnis. Officials
acknowledged that security at the market was light.
Officials said the Iraqi security forces were capable of battling AQI.
But they acknowledged that authorities were hampered by a shortage of
intelligence.
Officials said more than 50 suspected
insurgents were killed in nearly one week of the Iraqi operation.
"We've seized weapons, included suicide vests," Iraqi Col. Salam Ahmed
Naji said.
Security forces also captured more than 60 suspects, including three
women, in Diyala. Officials said the province has been the launching pad for
AQI insurgency attacks in Baghdad.
On May 4, 31 insurgency suspects were killed in Iraqi operations.
Officials said scores more were injured and killed since the operation began
on May 1.
Comments
Thanks, President Obama, for your boneheaded policies that make the U.S. and Iraq — oh, and the world — less safe.
Joe
7:31 p.m. / Monday, May 11, 2009
Where is the Ted Koppel body count for all these Iraqi's who have been murdered by Barack Obama's inept policy of setting terrorists free?
Lame Cherry
11:11 p.m. / Thursday, May 7, 2009
Let's let 4,000 proven bad guys loose in Iraq. What could possibly go wrong?
Way to go President Obama.
I thought President Bush was why these guys kept blowing up innocent folks at the market. Okay... so now what's your excuse?
Chuck in St Paul
7:21 p.m. / Thursday, May 7, 2009
