Success in Iraq that some pretend doesn't exist

Sorry, Nick Coleman, but I'm about to relate some lies.

From MNF-Iraq:

The task of securing that battlespace became clearer as Multi-National Force Iraq spokesman Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch reviewed the latest attack trends during his weekly press conference from Baghdad .

“Last week there were 522 attacks, down from 555 the week prior, and the effective rate for the attacks was 24 percent which is about normal,” said Lynch.

Lynch identified the biggest drop as that in Al Anbar Province, down to 104 from 145, a 27-percent decrease. “This is the second lowest weekly attack level we've seen in Al Anbar in the last three months,” he said. “Part of the reason for this decrease is our continued operations in Al Anbar that specifically target individuals suspected of terrorist and insurgent activities.”

Lynch cited ongoing Operation Said, and how, on Feb. 27, Coalition Forces raided an Al Qaeda-in-Iraq training and bomb-making facility. CF captured 61 suspected AQIZ facilitators in multiple raids 30 miles northeast of Fallujah. The suspects are believed to be members of the Zarqawi network, and to have personally facilitated suicide bombers, foreign fighters and the funding of terrorist activities.

Five AQIZ safe houses were destroyed during the operation. Coalition Forces also uncovered a large number of weapons and ammunition caches which they destroyed in place.

Of the 61 suspects, four are considered key AQIZ facilitators. The detainees will be questioned regarding their knowledge of or involvement in terrorist activities. Lynch called Operation Said “a highly-successful operation that continues to degrade AQIZ's network.”

Coalition Forces conducted raids in the Hayy al Madani District of Hubbaniya March 2 to flush out al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists seeking refuge there. Ten men were detained in raids on 15 buildings.

The men will be questioned on their knowledge of and involvement in terrorist activities against Coalition and Iraqi Forces.

During the raids, troops discovered a safe house with multiple weapons hidden throughout the building. The house and all weapons were destroyed without harming nearby buildings.

Responding to a tip, Soldiers from 9th Iraqi Army Division and coalition forces pulled off another cooperative success Feb. 19. Iraqi 6th Division and U.S. 10th Mountain the 4th U.S. Infantry Division Soldiers captured five high-value terrorists after disrupting what is believed to be a detained a suspected terrorist staging area at approximately 9 p.m. Mar. 1 northwest of Baghdad.

Dozens of bad guys rounded up. Weapons confiscated, safe houses destroyed. Networks disrupted. Iraqi troops involved. US troops kicking butt and taking names. I say go get 'em, boys.

There were also raids in Habbaniya:

Intelligence reports led Coalition Forces to conduct raids in the Hayy al Madani District of Hubbaniya March 2 to flush out al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists who had taken refuge there.

Coalition Forces conducted raids on 15 structures and detained 10 men. The men will be questioned regarding their knowledge of and involvement in terrorist related activities against Coalition and Iraqi Forces

During the raids, troops discovered a Muhjihadeen safe house with multiple weapons hidden throughout the house. The house and all weapons were destroyed. There was no additional damage to nearby buildings.

A very bad guy was removed from this planet on Feb 24:

Coalition Forces, with the assistance of the Iraqi Police, conducted a raid in northern Baghdad Feb. 24, which resulted in the death of Abu Asma, the Al Qaeda Military Emir of Northern Baghdad . Intelligence reports indicated Abu Asma was in possession of and expected to use suicide vests against the Iraqi people and security forces.

Abu Asma (aka Abu Anas and Akram Mahmud Al Mush'hadani) wa s an explosives expert with close ties to senior Baghdad–based vehicle borne improvised explosive device manufacturers. He was directly responsible for many deaths and injuries of Coalition and Iraqi security forces.

On Monday officials said a top aide to Al Qaeda in Iraq was captured near Ramadi.

Interior Ministry forces captured a top aide to Al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi during a raid in western Iraq, a security official said Monday.

The official, a member of the ministry's counterinsurgency Wolf Brigade, identified the key Al Qaeda figure as Abu al-Farouq, who was previously unknown. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The officer said al-Farouq and five other Al Qaeda operatives were captured based on a tip from residents near al-Bakr, about 30 miles west of the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi.

"Abou al-Farouq, a Syrian, was in charge of planning and financing militant groups operating in Ramadi while the other five are responsible of attacking Iraqi and coalition forces," the officer told The Associated Press.

Yes, there are serious tensions in Iraq in the wake of the bombing of the Golden Dome. Thirty-nine died in the violence today.

However, let's credit where credit is due. Our side is determined and relentless, and they are performing with honor in a lethal environment.