Special Groups behind Sadr City bombing

"With Muqtada al Sadr's decision to reinstate or drop the self-imposed cease-fire less than nine days away, Multinational Forces Iraq continues to turn up the heat on the Iranian-backed and Sadr-linked Special Groups terror cells. US and Iraqi forces have conducted multiple raids on the terror cells over the past three days throughout central Iraq, continuing the trend that started on Feb. 4. Yesterday's explosion in Sadr City also has been linked to the Special Groups.
The explosion yesterday near an open-air market in Sadr City, which caused the deaths of two Iraqis and wounded 25, was initially thought to be caused by a car bomb attack. But the US Military issued a second press release linking the explosion to the Special Groups."

Since Feb. 12, Multinational Forces Iraq has reported eight raids on Special Groups cells and their weapons caches. During these raids, which were conducted between Feb. 8 and Feb. 12, thirty-one Special Groups operatives, including three cell leaders, were captured. Fourteen explosively formed penetrators, the powerfully deadly EFPs, were seized along with explosives, bomb making material, and weapons. In the recent actions:
• US troops received a tip from a Sons of Iraq fighter (formerly the Concerned Local Citizens) on the location of a large EFP and weapons cache in the town of Jurf Nadaf on Feb. 8
.• US troops captured a cell leader involved in IED and small-arms attacks on US and Iraqi forces in Hurriya on Feb. 10.
• US soldiers captured 25 Special Groups fighters during a series of operations in the Sabak Sur, a neighborhood in northeast Baghdad, on Feb. 11. This is "an area that has recently emerged as a safe haven for Special Groups," Multinational Forces Iraq reported.
• US troops captured a Special Groups cell leader involved in improvised explosive device (IED), EFP, small arms and rocket attacks in the Rashid district of Baghdad on Feb. 11.
• Iraqi Special Operations Forces captured a Special Groups cell leader responsible for IED, EFP, rocket, and mortar attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces on Feb. 11.
• US soldiers received a tip from an Iraqi on the location of an EFP and explosives cache in Baghdad on Feb. 11.
• Special Forces arrested a security guard of a Sadrist member of parliament in Hillah on Feb. 12.
• Coalition forces detained two Special Groups operatives in the Suwayrah area on Feb. 12.


More...Special Groups behind Sadr City bombing - The Long War Journal:

Iraq blast kills Alamogordo soldier

Sgt. Caleb Martin of Grants injured in the blast that killed Sgt. Gary Willet


"ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The Pentagon says another New Mexico soldier was killed in Iraq in the same incident that wounded a Grants GI.
Sergeant Gary Willet, 34, of Alamogordo died last Friday when a roadside bomb hit his armored vehicle in the city of Taji.
The same bomb wounded Sgt. Caleb Martin, 22, of Grants. In all four soldiers died and seven were wounded by the blast that destroyed the vehicle.
The Pentagon today identified the other three who were killed as Spc. Michael T. Manibog, 31, of Alameda, Calif., Sgt. Timothy P. Martin, 27, of Pixley, Calif., and Staff Sgt. Jerald A. Whisenhunt, 32, of Orrick, Mo.
The soldiers were members of the Army's 25th Infantry Division based in Hawaii.
KRQE Web Producer: Bill Diven"

KRQE - Albuquerque, New Mexico - News, Video, Weather Forecast, Sports, Community, Health, Homes KBIM - KREZ Iraq blast kills Alamogordo soldier:

The US Troop Surge, a Year Later

"from The Associated Press
BAGHDAD February 12, 2008, 12:08 pm ET · A year ago in Baghdad: Shiite militiamen and Sunni insurgents owned entire neighborhoods and key areas beyond. Iraq's government was adrift, and U.S. commanders weighed the real possibility of being trapped in a full-scale civil war."

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1-504 PIR

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment provides security while his platoon searches a house for a possible improvised explosive device cache in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 28, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason T. Bailey) (www.army.mil)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment patrol in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 26, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason T. Bailey) (www.army.mil)

The Real Stars

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Rise in Iran-made bombs in Baghdad district

"BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Attacks using Iranian-made roadside bombs in a key part of Baghdad rose in January to the highest level in a year, the U.S. military said on Sunday.
Washington has accused Tehran of supplying Shi'ite militias in Iraq with sophisticated weapons, including armor-piercing roadside bombs known as explosively formed penetrators (EFPs), to attack U.S. troops. Tehran denies the allegation.
The military said there were 12 EFP attacks against U.S. forces last month in an area encompassing northern and eastern parts of Baghdad, including the slum of Sadr City, stronghold of the Mehdi Army militia of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr."

More...Rise in Iran-made bombs in Baghdad district: US U.S. Reuters:

valentines event

Grand Junction Free Press - Community News: "Wendy Hoffman, president of GV Blue Star Mothers, shows off the bag full of handmade Valentines. Hoffman has a son in the Army stationed in Baghdad, Pfc. Dallas Hanson.
Photo: Tracy Dvorak Free Press"

Iraq Troop Reductions? Not So Fast

"Associated Press January 30, 2008

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is sending strong signals that U.S. troop reductions in Iraq will slow or stop altogether this summer, a move that would jeopardize hopes of relieving strain on the Army and Marine Corps and revive debate over an open-ended U.S. commitment in Iraq.
The indications of a likely slowdown reflect concern by U.S. commanders that the improvement in security in Iraq since June - to a degree few had predicted when President Bush ordered five more Army brigades to Iraq a year ago - is tenuous and could be reversed if the extra troops come out too soon.
One of those extra brigades left in December and the other four are due to come out by July, leaving 15 brigades, or roughly 130,000 to 135,000 troops - the same number as before Bush sent the reinforcements.
More news from our man in Iraq ."



More...Iraq Troop Reductions? Not So Fast:

Iraq Troop Reductions? Not So Fast

"Associated Press January 30, 2008

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is sending strong signals that U.S. troop reductions in Iraq will slow or stop altogether this summer, a move that would jeopardize hopes of relieving strain on the Army and Marine Corps and revive debate over an open-ended U.S. commitment in Iraq.
The indications of a likely slowdown reflect concern by U.S. commanders that the improvement in security in Iraq since June - to a degree few had predicted when President Bush ordered five more Army brigades to Iraq a year ago - is tenuous and could be reversed if the extra troops come out too soon.
One of those extra brigades left in December and the other four are due to come out by July, leaving 15 brigades, or roughly 130,000 to 135,000 troops - the same number as before Bush sent the reinforcements.
More news from our man in Iraq ."



More...Iraq Troop Reductions? Not So Fast:

Hearts for the Troops

By Paul Shockley Grand Junction CO Colorado January 28, 2008 “I hope your Valentines is radical” read one card. Others, like the card crafted by 3-year-old Ximena Navarro, didn’t need any words. The girl went straight for stickers and liberally applied the hole puncher."

“Just a bunch a scribbling,” said mom, Patrisia Navarro of Fruita. “We have a friend in Iraq, so I told her to come make a card.” Most of Saturday’s card makers knew someone deployed. Within one hour after setting up shop Saturday at Mesa Mall, organizers with the Blue Star Mothers had about 50 handmade Valentine’s Day cards signed and ready to be mailed to U.S. troops abroad.

“If we can keep positive morale, there’s a better chance they come home safe,” said Wendy Hoffman, president of Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers. The local chapter of Blue Star Mothers was started last November — they meet [monthly] and are up to 14 members.

Over the weekend, they invited Mesa Mall shoppers to make Valentine’s Day cards or donate items for care packages to troops. Hoffman said they desperately need cash in order to mail the cards — hundreds are expected to be mailed, including cards crafted by youngsters at Lincoln Orchard Mesa, Dos Rios and Mesa View elementary schools.

Hoffman’s son, Army Pfc. Dallas Hanson, has been serving in Baghdad the past year. While Hanson’s received regular correspondence, Hoffman said others haven’t been as lucky. “He told me a friend of his stopped going to the mail room because his name never gets called,” Hoffman said.

While Hoffman’s Valentine card table saw an early rush, fewer and fewer Saturday shoppers stopped to work on a card. Three people walked past her tables and said they couldn’t take the time, which frustrated Hoffman. “It’s out of their consciousness,” she said. “But we have our freedom because of our troops.”

Reach Paul Shockley at pshockley@gjfreepress.com.

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