Pirate's Cove

So, what have the Coalition forces done in Iraq over the past week? (from DefenseLink News)

• Coalition troops nabbed 21 suspected terrorists, including a senior al Qaeda in Iraq courier, an improvised-explosive- device cell leader, and a foreign-fighter facilitator during operations across Iraq today.
• In Baghdad, coalition forces captured three individuals with ties to senior al Qaeda in Iraq leadership.
• During operations in Karmah, coalition troops captured 11 suspected terrorists, including a high-level al Qaeda courier who is a known associate of several senior al Qaeda in Iraq personnel. He also is known for assisting in the movement of senior al Qaeda agents in the region.
• Three suspected terrorists were detained in Ramadi, including the leader of an IED producing and emplacement cell. (Didn't I read about this in the media?)
• In Bayji, four suspects with ties to foreign fighters were detained.
• Coalition forces killed 14 terrorists, detained two suspected terrorists and destroyed a known foreign fighter safe house yesterday during a raid conducted south of Baqubah. Intelligence reports indicated that a foreign fighter facilitator responsible for conducting multiple attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces was operating in the area. Ground forces called for close air support resulting in 14 enemy fighters killed during the air strikes. The air strikes also destroyed the building to prevent it from further use as a terrorist safe haven.
• U.S. soldiers from the 759th Military Police Battalion and Iraqi police from Nahrawan Police Station found a large weapons cache during a joint patrol conducted in east Baghdad Jan. 26. The cache consisted of 55 80 mm mortars, 50 60 mm mortars, 15 120 mm mortars, two mortar tubes, 60,000 PKC rounds, 50,000 AK-47 rounds, 30 sticks of TNT, 10 pounds of gunpowder, multiple charges and fuses, shotgun ammunition, 10 hand grenades, a 14.5 mm machine gun, 400 rounds of 14.5 mm ammunition, a crush wire initiator, three RPG launchers, four PKC spare barrels, a mortar sight, flak vests and military uniforms. Two people were found in a building near the cache and were detained after testing positive for explosives. (Didn't I read about this in the media?)
• Special Iraqi Security Forces found a terrorist bomb factory during operations with coalition advisors conducted west of Baghdad near Hit on Jan. 26. The operation targeted a terrorist cell suspected of conducting attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces in the area. (Didn't I read about this in the media?)
• Iraqi forces discovered a building believed to be used by terrorists as an IED factory. Iraqi forces confiscated two completed IEDs, two 155 mm artillery rounds, a rocket, several pounds of explosives and additional components used to construct IEDs. The building was destroyed to prevent its future use by terrorists in constructing bombs. There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or coalition forces casualties. (Didn't I read about this in the media?)
• Soldiers of the 2nd Iraqi Army Division captured the suspected leader of a terrorist bombing cell during operations with coalition advisors in Mosul, Jan. 26. The detainee is allegedly responsible for coordinating and participating in multiple mortar, small-arms and IED attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces. The cell leader also allegedly was involved in an IED attack against an Iraqi police convoy in Mosul last year. An additional suspect was taken into Iraqi custody for questioning. (Didn't I read about this in the media?)
• Special Iraqi Police captured the suspected leader of a terrorist bombing cell during operations with coalition advisors in northern Babil province near Haswah, Jan. 25. The cell leader is believed to have al Qaeda ties and is responsible for coordinating IED attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces in the area. Iraqi forces detained eight additional suspects for questioning.
• Iraqi Army and coalition force troops nabbed 21 suspected terrorists and cleared and secured a known insurgent hotbed in the center of Baghdad during Operation Tomahawk Strike 11, conducted Jan. 24-25. The operation disrupted insurgent activity on Haifa Street and was led by 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division with support provided by Multinational Division Baghdad. (Didn't I read about this in the media?)
• Also, Special Iraqi Army Forces and coalition advisors saved an Iraqi family that was being threatened by al Qaeda operatives during a Jan. 25 operation conducted near Taji. Iraqi forces evacuated all six family members to the safety of an Iraqi Army compound in Baghdad. One person was taken into Iraqi custody for questioning.

No, no, there is no Al Qaeda in Iraq, no foreign fighters, and no good news. Move along, I think there is some pink kool aid in over on the table.

In essence, besides deposing Saddam and freeing the Iraqi people from the brutality imposed on them, and many other reasons to free Iraq, our forces are bringing the islamofacists to us, rather then to the U.S., on the battlefield of our choice. Fighting long term in Afghanistan would not have been the best of choices. The Soviets tried it with all out war for almost a decade, and did not do so well. How would we have fared, what with all the hand wringing and "avoid damaging any Muslim religious building and worry more about civilians then your unit" rules?

Trackposted to Right Pundits, Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson's Website, Mark My Words, Big Dog's Weblog, basil's blog, DragonLady's World, Shadowscope, The Bullwinkle Blog, Conservative Cat, Pursuing Holiness, Wake Up America, The HILL Chronicles, third world county, stikNstein… has no mercy, Dumb Ox Daily News, High Desert Wanderer, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.