Aug 03 2007
al-Qaeda Has Lost Iraq – No Question
I predicted back in March (and maybe before) that the Iraq Province of Diyala would tell the tale of Iraq, and therefore the world at large for years to come. At that time The Surge was just beginning as troop rotations were being planned to accommodate The Surge. But also by that time the sea change had begun that would spell al-Qaeda’s demise: Anbar Province had risen up against al-Qaeda and began fighting alongside Americans and Iraqi forces to purge the bloodthirsty Islamo Fascists from the Province.
I could tell this was happening because you could see a sharp increase in the number of Iraqis dying in bombings by al-Qaeda. Clearly al-Qaeda was vainly trying to regain or retain control over the people who lived in their supposed stronghold. The mass killings of Iraqi Muslims tore the facade from al-Qaeda’s propaganda, which finally exposed these killers to the general public for what they truly were. The deaths of Iraqis in Iraq has been and is now at the hands of Muslim extremists.
So Anbar rose up and killed and chased al-Qaeda from its region, with our help. Diyala Province then became the last large sanctuary for al-Qaeda in Iraq. The Surge was orchestrated to close the noose around al-Qaeda in Diyala. But it would only really work if, as in Anbar, the local population rose up to kill and chase al-Qaeda out of their Province. And if that happened we had the making of a domino effect that would not only sweep Iraq, but would sweep across the Middle East and the Muslim world. That is why I said, as goes Diyala so goes Iraq and the world.
Diyala is now the next domino to rise up and purge itself of Islamo Fascists, to take arms and swear on the Koran to defeat al-Qaeda:
TIKRIT, Iraq, Aug. 3, 2007 — Eighteen paramount tribal leaders representing 14 of the major tribes in Diyala province, Iraq, swore on the Quran and signed a peace agreement unifying the tribes in the battle against terrorism during a meeting at the Baqubah Government Center Aug. 2.
The meeting, led by Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, governor of Diyala; Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem, commander of Iraqi security forces (ISF) in Diyala province; and Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of coalition forces in Diyala, was attended by sheiks representing three Shiite tribes, 11 Sunni tribes and 60 of Diyala’s 100 sub-tribes.
al-Qaeda’s bloody terror has taught the people of Iraq the true choice they must make. They have lived under al-Qaeda, provided sanctuary to al-Qaeda, and been massacred by al-Qaeda in return. No slick PR or biased reporting in the West will deflect the realities experienced by these people. Iraq is now lost to al-Qaeda. It is the home of many such Koran-oaths to destroy the once popular Islamo Fascists movement. Here is what we find in the aftermath of such oaths:
After receiving information of known al-Qaida members in the Sherween area, a village near Muqdadiyah, Iraq, Iraqi citizens assisted Iraqi Police in the detention of three key al-Qaida leaders, July 29.
“This is a very significant event for Diyala because it is clear that not only are the security forces targeting al-Qaida, but the people are tired of the hatred and destruction al-Qaida and other terrorist groups have to offer,” said Col. David Sutherland, commander of 3-1 Cav. and commander of Coalition Forces in Diyala province.
Suspecting an attack on a near-by village, Diyala tribal members informed the Dali Abbas Iraqi police, and together, set up a tactical checkpoint along the known route.
And I do expect these dominoes to continue to fall across Iraq and beyond its borders. al-Qaeda is not only on the run, it is now enemy number one on the Muslim streets and within Muslim homes. Bin Laden’s vaulted movement is self destructing. It finds more tolerance in western news rooms than in Iraqi communities.
Ivehadit
Thank you for your thoughts.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
My wife and I were on the front porch having our morning coffee and cigarettes since we never smoked inside the house and she was on the phone talking to a girl friend for a time.
When she hung up, I kissed her good morning and told her how much I loved her and then she excused herself to go to the little girls room.
She got to the screen door while I laid down on the porch since it was a lazy day summer morning and the next thing I knew she was falling back on me like a sack of potatoes.
She had a heart history so I took action. I grabbed the phone and hit 911 and got them on the way and did CPR on her and revived her twice. She went out again just as the EMT’s were arriving and I did a third CPR recovery.
While the EMT’s were working on here she said to me Honey I Love you but I am afraid it’s over. Then out she went.
After that it’s largely a blur of emotions but what happened was she was declared brain dead.
I flew in people and did video conferences with all the best specialists in the country and had to finally accept what was the outcome.
So I had to, due to the prior written wishes of my wife, pull life support from her and for 18 long days watch the slow progression to the end.
The only medical intervention was antibiotics at one point to ease lung issues she was having just to make her path easier and lessen the discomfort.
I have to close out this comment, I almost can’t see the screen anymore and am just working from my touch typing ability.
I hope it makes sense.
We were different.
Right after the marriage ceremony we hopped into my plane and we started our own personal adventure.
A year and half later we had explored almost a hundred countries living like vagabonds enjoying every sunrise and sunset from each side of the equators viewpoint and a few even on that spot to boot.
Our son was with us on this journey through hugging in sunshine and in the dark, stealing kisses which were given freely and just putting the magic together. Or more correctly just letting it flow. Some places we went were just meant to engage our sons interest because we both shared joy in his joy.
I may have posted this here before but I am going to do it again to explain myself.
The first is from my wife to me when I asked here to marry me the second was my response.
Touch me — in secret places no one has reached before,
— in silent places where words only interfere,
— in sad places where only whispering makes sense.
Touch me — in the morning when night still clings,
— at midday when confusion crowds upon me,
— at twilight as I begin again to know who I am,
— in the evening when I see you and I hear you best of all.
Touch me — like a child who will never have enough love,
— for I am a girl who wants to be lost in your arms,
a woman who has known enough pain to love,
a mother who is strong enough to give.
Touch me — in crowds when a single look says everything,
— in solitude when it’s too dark to even look,
— in absence when I reach for you through time and miles.
Touch me — when I ask,
— when I’m afraid to ask.
Touch me — with your lips,
your hands,
your words,
your presence in the room.
Touch me — gently for I am fragile,
— firmly for I am strong,
— often for I am alone.
Here is my reply
This is the way it was
while I was waiting for your eyes
to find me.
I was drifting going no place
Hypnotized by sunshine
maybe,
barking back at seals along the beach.
Skipping flat stones on the water,
but much too wise for sand castles.
My castles were across the sea
or still within my mind.
There were the beach bars
and the other beach people
sometimes little bedrooms were my beach,
but I was drifting.
I must have thought the night could save me
as I went down into pillows
looked up through dirty windows
smiled back from broken mattresses
turned in Thunderbirds
and kissed in elevators.
I cried too sometimes
For me.
I loved every face I thought looked pretty
and every kindred eye I caught in crowds.
But I was drifting,
before you.
Merlin:
I am so sorry for your loss and you did not in anyway offend me. I hope you see this.
[…] here is another post from August 2007: So Anbar rose up and killed and chased al-Qaeda from its region, with our help. Diyala Province […]