It's the U.S. strategy as it "gets out" of Iraq:
"Quick strikes to target Al Qaeda, general says" by Pauline Jelinek/Associated Press | August 18, 2007
WASHINGTON -- The number two American commander in Iraq said yesterday that coalition forces are planning "quick strike raids" aimed at smashing Al Qaeda and other insurgents in far-flung parts of the country before the United States brings some of its buildup troops home.
Army Lieutenant General Ray Odierno... speaking to Pentagon reporters by video conference from Baghdad, he also said commanders are planning in April to start withdrawing troops sent in as part of President Bush's buildup -- and complete the drawdown to pre-escalation levels by August 2008.
[But with 130k or so still there, plus DOUBLE the number of Blackwater mercenaries!]
Military operations launched since the escalation have helped coalition forces capture and kill insurgent leaders, disrupt their operations, and retake some territory from them in main population centers.
[Huh? Hardly read anything about that in the papers.
Just drib-drab diarrhea shits!]
Commanders have said the extra troops from the buildup are helping them.... Odierno did not answer the question of whether he has enough troops.
Odierno, adding that the large majority of strikes will be done jointly with Iraqi forces:
"Over the coming weeks, we plan to conduct quick-strike raids against remaining extremist sanctuaries and staging areas."
[And I'll just bet they will FIND SOME Iranians!]
The effort began Tuesday... when about 16,000 US and Iraqi soldiers began a sweep through the Diyala River valley north of Baghdad.
Odierno also said commanders are planning to withdraw the five extra brigades of soldiers sent for the buildup when their 15-month tours of duty end.... Asked if they would be able to leave... he said he was "not willing to quite say that yet" because top commander General David Petraeus may decide to send replacements for some, depending on the security situation. But "right now, our plan is not to [replace] those units."
[So when exactly will these guys get to leave?
Too late already. Countless lives destroyed!]
