It appears the Sunni's in Iraq have decided they like Gen. Petreaous's tactic. So much so they have adopted it. Just to make sure no one misses their change they have what Tahseen al-Sheikhly, from the Minister of Interior says is a message.
"The main reason behind all these attacks are the signs of improvement of the security situation mentioned in the Crocker-Petraeus report," said Tahseen al-Sheikhly, the Iraqi spokesman for the security plan, in a reference to the recent Congressional testimony of General Petraeus and the American ambassador to Iraq, Ryan C. Crocker. "The terrorist groups are just trying to say to the world that the (Petreaous) report did not reflect the reality of the security situation in Iraq."
How they delivered this message is being seen out front as the title of the WaPo makes clear. Sunni Insurgents in New Campaign to Kill Officials
Did anyone really delude themselves there would not be any Blowback from all the boasting done on Fox, CNN, and even the hearings. It had to happen and I assume the killing of Bushs Sheik friend was the opening salvo. Now comes the Insurgents "surge".
BAGHDAD, Sept. 25 — Sunni Arab extremists have begun a systematic campaign to assassinate police chiefs, police officers, other Interior Ministry officials and tribal leaders throughout Iraq, staging at least 10 attacks in 48 hours.
Eight policemen have been killed, among them the police chief of Baquba, the largest city in Diyala Province. Two other police chiefs survived attacks, though one was left in critical condition, and about 30 police officers were wounded, according to reports from local security officers.
The Crocker-Petraeus report may have been just good enough to make the base of Bush think they have at least a excuse to back him now, but they are the only ones. The Sunni's have shown just how fragile any success Bush may claim is. Their own Publicity crew even announced the coming troubles.
The new assassination campaign was announced on an Islamist Web site on Sept. 15, just two days after the killing of Abdul Sattar Buzaigh al-Rishawi, also known as Abu Risha, the Sunni Arab leader of the tribal Awakening Council in Anbar Province, which was leading the fight there against Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia.
In an audiotape, the militants announced that they would begin a new series of attacks to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and that they would focus their efforts on rival tribal figures and collaborators. Sunni Arab militant groups have a history of using such high-profile killings to sow fear in the public and to discourage people from working with the government.
Note that last sentence then remember back to the Decks of Crads we handed out with the 52 Most Wanted Iraqis. Maybe the Splurge wasn't the only tactic they picked up from us. If successful with a Iraqi surge it could be a deadly winter for our troops. Congress is the only ones that can stop this bloodshed.
Until the Iraqi people, the 90% that want us out sooner rather than later, will not stop going after their own quislings. They see anyone cooperating with the US, as those in France thought of the Vichy.
I'll leave you to form your own opinions on the rest of the article. The number of officials already dead should be a eye-opener and proof of how serious the surge is.
Update: The Sunni surge is growing already. As of today:
BAGHDAD (AP) -- A suicide truck bomber struck a Sunni tribal leader's house near the Syrian border on Wednesday, killing at least five people in the latest attack by suspected Sunni extremists on provincial officials and tribal figures.
http://www.nytimes.com/...