55 attacks a day = proof the insurgents are reeLing

[sniffa]

With yesterday's coordinated mortar and car bomb attack, insurgents appeared to serve notice that the heart of downtown Baghdad would face the same regular and deadly violence that has gripped other districts of the capital, such as Sadr City, for most of the year.

And if the claims by Zarqawi's group prove true, the attacks suggest that offensives by the US military and Iraqi security forces have failed to limit the group's reach since June, when it claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on police stations in three Iraqi cities.

''The attackers are getting stronger," said a police officer who would only give his name as Abu Ibrahim, while a shopkeeper flicked bits of burnt flesh from the sidewalk and flies circled a pile of bloody shoes.

''The police can't control the situation. Neither can the government," Abu Ibrahim said. ''Everything is in the hands of the Americans."

Iraqi police are for the most part still poorly trained and limited to fighting basic street crime.

On downtown Haifa Street on Sunday, insurgents hoisted the flag of Zarqawi's Tawhid and Jihad group over the hulk of a US Bradley Fighting Vehicle they had set aflame.The same group took responsibility for yesterday's suicide bomb on an Islamic website.

An American military official said attacks against multinational forces had risen to 55 a day. (note: this does not incLude attacks on iraqi poLice/civiLians as you'LL see beLow)

A senior military official suggested, meanwhile, that the insurgents, reeling from heavy losses, were conducting more high-profile attacks to attract attention and spread fear. In Najaf and Fallujah, the official said, US strikes have ''eroded foreign fighters and terrorist networks, especially Abu Musab al-Zarqawi."

''The interim Iraqi government is making progress restoring the rule of law and local control to cities throughout Iraq -- the cities of Najaf, Samarra, and Tal Afar are all moving in this direction, although at different stages of progress," the official said.

Attacks against Iraqi security forces and civilians average about a dozen a day, according to the military. Insurgents have consistently targeted the Iraqi forces and those wishing to join their ranks.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2004/09/15/car_bomb_kills_at_least_47_at_baghdad_police_station/

we got em on the run

[BootinUp]

1. Ah yes, its just desperation /sarcasm

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. ''Everything is in the hands of the Americans"

fools.

[cheezus]

3. Bush is LOSING the war on terror on both fronts

in both afganistan and iraq we're getting out asses handed to us. It's embarassing and demoralizing. Our troops deserve a commander who can lead them to victory, not have them waiting to die while polls and politics dictate military strategy

[cthrumatrix]

4. demoracy is a "dream"...can we finally admit we are in trouble here

[skinny_dwarf]

5. How can people still support Bush on the war?

"There are no attacks occurring in Baghdad! The Iraqis are committing suicide at the walls of the Green Zone! We are encouraging them to commit suicide faster!" the Press Secretary said earlier today.

The war is going horribly, more American troops are dying every day, and that is in areas we *haven't* abandoned yet! And lets not forget how many Iraqi troops and civilians are dying in these attacks.

Seriously, how can more people think Bush would do a better job in Iraq than Kerry? Either they are misinformed or willfully ignorant due to blind loyalty.

[sniffa]

6. peopLe are stupid

scotty said that today? i haven't read/watched his press conference yet.

[A_Possum]

7. The operation was a success

but the patient died.

Is that kinda what this "senior military" official means?