New Security Cordon to "Protect" Baghdad

[fryguy]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&u=/ap/20050526/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_2

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The government announced Thursday that a security cordon of 40,000 Iraqi soldiers and police will ring Baghdad starting next week to try to halt a spree of insurgent violence that has killed more than 620 people this month.

<snip>

"Next week, we will have a strong and safe cordon around Baghdad like a bracelet that surrounds the hand. We will not allow anyone to cross this cordon," al-Duleimi said.

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Such nice imagery. A bracelet to protect the entire city. Only problem is . . . its a FUCKING PIPE DREAM! After all, if the US military can't even keep the road to the airport secure and IED-free, what on earth makes someone believe an entire city can be protected? :crazy:

[Coexist]

1. 40,000? Isn't that their entire army?

what about the rest of the country?
and will the bracelet be shiny?

[rodeodance]

3. just like Afgan--Kabel is maing secure--now in irag they will have

on big city secure--maybe! what a bunch of crapo

[fryguy]

6. I think so

Which means they'll have their whole "army", which I think is also essentially their police force, out on the outskirts of the city and no one in the city? Sounds like a perfect recipe for anarchy to me.

[Coexist]

8. So if all the "insurgents" wanted to bring the civil war

- I mean insurgency - to a head, they could just surround Baghdad.

[shoelace414]

2. Bah.. has nobody told them they lost the war?

[Avalux]

4. Last I heard their soldiers are inept -

An American soldier training them said they're unable to hit a target. I have doubts there are really 40,000 Iraqi soldiers who are fully trained and up to the task of protecting Baghdad. This could get awfully messy.

[Bonhomme Richard]

5. HELLO........ Reality Check..............

After a couple of years they, and us, still cannot secure the main road to the airport. One Friggin Road.

[fryguy]

7. my point precisely - n/t

[wtmusic]

9. Sounds like, "save our ass, let the rest of the country go to hell" n/t

[gratuitous]

10. 40,000 soldiers to cordon off an entire city?

Sounds like Iraq's hashish trade is back up and running full tilt.