There are signs of progress and set backs in Iraq. But the set backs indicate a new problem for the beleaguered al-Qaeda movement. First with the bad news, which shows al-Qaeda is now openly at war with its fellow Muslims in Iraq:

The terrorists have started to attack the neighborhood patrols the US had helped set up to retain order and be eyes and ears to find trouble. This is a direct challenge to local rule and pride. It both acknowledges the fact the Muslim community has risen up against al-Qaeda and that al-Qaeda continues to make more and more enemies in the Muslim community. al-Qaeda is not leading a popular uprising anymore. It is committing atrocities against Muslims to make them succumb to al-Qaeda’s sick rule. (More here on the attacks)

al-Qaeda continues to attack and kill tribal leaders as well. But the combination of attacking the people who simply are watching the streets of their neighborhoods with attack on leaders rallying Muslims to declare al-Qaeda a criminal, murderous organization is only going to cement the resistance to al-Qaeda in the Muslim communities. The heroes and martyrs are not going to be al-Qaeda’s fighters and suicide bombers, they will be the ones who died defending the communities from the Bin Laden’s butchers, and those who took up arms against him. These heroes are fighting for those Iraqis being found in more and more mass graves containing the victims of al-Qaeda. It is a story line that is becoming a fixture in the Iraqi conscience – brutal al-Qaeda crimes, local Iraqi heroes fighting the criminals.

The result is clear, al-Qaeda is being hunted by more and more Iraqis and is getting chased out of the country. Coalition forces are teaming up with Iraqis and most likely operating on tips to find and eliminate terrorist cells all over Iraq (see here, here, and here). But in addition the US and Iraqi forces stepping up their efforts to eradicate al-Qaeda and their ilk from Iraq, there are other signs that the backlash against Bin Laden’s minions is growing larger as the attacks continue against Muslims. It may seem to be a small event, but recruitment drives for local security forces are still attracting recruits.

As mop up operations continue against the dead-enders fleeing to the north, the South of Iraq has seen a huge milestone as Basra comes under Iraqi control:

Iraq formally took security control of the southern oil province of Basra from British forces on Sunday, paving the way for Britain to sharply reduce its nearly 5,000-strong troop presence.
The transfer order was signed by Basra Governor Mohammed al-Waili and Major General Graham Binns, the head of British forces in Iraq’s second city.

“The handover means victory for Iraq and defeat to its enemies,” Iraq’s national security adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubaie said at the handover ceremony.

“This achievement is one of the main achievements of the national unity government. It has come after sacrifices and direct support from our sons and all Iraqis. Our biggest challenge is to maintain the security in Basra.”

It is a blow to al-Qaeda that Iraq continues to progress towards independent and democrat self government. With pride and respect for those who died to make it happen, Iraq is coming out of the darkness of Saddam Hussien and, in spite of the efforts of the Islamo Fascists to brutalize the country into submission. Right now there are something like 20 million Iraqis marching towards freedom and maybe a couple thousand Islamo Fascists left madly setting bombs as they are pushed out of Iraq.

al-Qaeda seems hell bent to continue to lose credibility in the Muslim world through continued atrocities as if killing innocents is a show of strength. Iraqis now define al-Qaeda as an enemy to all good Muslims. It won’t be long before that sentiment begins to spread outside the borders of Iraq.

On another note Iraq’s economy is doing so well it has accelerated repayment of its loans to the International Monetary Fund. One has to wonder on whose checklist for progress in Iraq this milestone was. I doubt the Democratic Congress had it on their list, but it does indicate progress and stability.