Iraq Says to Close Its Borders Feb. 17-22

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050210/ts_nm/iraq_borders_dc&cid=564&ncid=1480


The borders will be closed between Feb. 17 and Feb. 22, the government said.


It gave no specific reason for the closure but the dates coincide with the climax of Ashura, a major Shi'ite religious ceremony, which was attacked by multiple suicide bombers last year in Baghdad and Kerbala that killed at least 171.


Final results of Iraq's historic elections may also be announced during this period.


The government, battling a raging insurgency, has imposed special emergency laws since November, allowing it to slap on curfews, close borders and detain suspects without normal legal procedures.


Drivers trying to enter Iraq from Syria, Iran and Jordan say that many border crossings are already shut.

[Kolesar]

1. This is a test of the emergency police state system

In the event of a real emergency, you would have been directed where to proceed...whatever.

I think it is pretty hilarious that the US and a few thousand Iraqis think they can even secure one of their frontier. Face it, only Saddam Hussein could have kept order in a place like that.

[Vladimir]

At this rate, if they wait that long to announce the election results,

they may not have any live candidates to announce as winners anymore...

[Vladimir]

2. At this rate, if they wait that long to announce the election results,

they may not have any live candidates to announce as winners anymore...

[keopeli]

3. Aha! The pattern emerges. They're expecting violence in response

First, they postponed the election to an undetermined time - a highly unusual move, but given the circumstances and the weight the US has placed on the success of this election, possibly a wise move.

Then, they announce a border closing with no explaination.

Whoever is in charge (Bush*ites) have decided that the last thing they need is for the madding crowds to take to the streets when the unpopular results will be announced.

Do you think 3 days is enough? /not

I expect they'll close the cities too.

Hopefully, that is.

[jmcgowanjm]

4. And the US is pulling out of Iraq

Shouldn't this be news?

The US authorities made plans however to start pulling out
many of the extra troops sent to the country for the
election -- while still leaving a huge force for the fight
against insurgents. -I like the "huge force" part.

A US general announced that moves were underway to
reduce troop numbers from the election
peak.

Lieutenant General Lance Smith said in Washington
that between 19,000 and 32,000 US troops would leave
in coming weeks bringing the total down to 135,000-
140,000.

http://www.turkishpress.com/world/news.asp?id=050210101312.379e43vd.xml

Last I heard we were in for the long haul?

Is this in addition to the 25000US that Islammemo
reported evaced from Basra over the weekend?

[keopeli]

5. Military announcements always come with suspicion

I wouldn't believe a word about troop numbers. It's all relative anyway. An announcement like this can easily be meant to shape public perspective. The same can be said of last weeks "Killing can be fun" remark. Under different leadership, that would NEVER happen.

[Minstrel Boy]

7. "bringing the total down to 135,000-140,000"

And this is pulling out, how?

Even if true, the number of troops in Iraq was lower than that this time last year.

[jmcgowanjm]

9. I'm going to have to see that troop # link from last year

Minstrel Boy

The US has been trying for status quo or upping the ante
since November 03. We've airlifted approximately
30000 out since july03. We're stretched to the breaking point
trying to do this, which is why I think we're in
such a hurry to draw down.

Can't attack Iran, or anyone else, if you don't have the troops.

The US military sent in helicopters after insurgents overran
the police station at Salman Pak, following a siege that lasted several hours.

The rebels had fired anti-tank rockets at the building, police
said.

"The insurgents did assume control of the police
station temporarily," a US military spokesman told AFP. "We
attacked them with helicopters, which fired missiles, and
the insurgents fled."

The US spokesman said six police and an unknown number of
insurgents were killed. An official at Kindi hospital in Baghdad
said earlier that 42 police were wounded in the fighting and two
had died in hospital.

The bodies of more than 20 truck drivers and four Iraqi police
and soldiers were found in the same region. Their convoy had
been attacked at least two days earlier, police said, but no one
had dared touch them.

No one had dared touch them-can't get more telling than that.

[jmcgowanjm]

6. BTW-Classic guerilla warfare states that as the invader

hunkers down, shows that reinforcements
will not be coming, and announces drawdowns
in it's forces, then assaults on those same forces
should be increased.

http://www.detnews.com/2005/nation/0502/08/A05-83007.htm

[daleo]

8. Maybe a tremendous come from behind victory is in the works

If so, the outrage would require the border to be closed. Or, the imposition of martial law may be planned. It seems fishy anyway.

[Supersedeas]

10. Democracy under Marshall Law -- does it smell like Operation Freedom