In the wake of American led offensives in Western Iraq and Haditha, the Iraqi government has stated it is prepared to commit a massive force to take the initiative away from the insurgency. Iraqi Defense Minister Dulaimi has announced Operation Thunder will commence shortly and will consist of over 40,000 Iraqi troops. The purpose is to secure Baghdad then fan out to other trouble spots, presumably in the restive Anbar province.
It will initially focus on Baghdad but will then expand to other parts of the country. [Defense Minister] Dulaimi did not say when the operation would begin. "These operations will aim to turn the government's role from defensive to offensive."… He said troops would be drawn from interior and defence ministry forces and would begin operating in the capital, with the city divided into sections, a unit responsible for each. "We will also impose a stringent blockade around Baghdad, like a bracelet around an arm, God willing, and God be with us in our crackdown on the terrorists' infrastructure. No one will be able to penetrate this blockade."
The ability to muster 40,000 Iraqi troops for a persistent offensive speaks volumes on the progress of the Iraqi security forces, as well as the security situation in other provinces in Iraq. Either the Iraqi government has accumulated a significant excess of available forces, or these forces are being pulled from other areas of Iraq deemed to be secure, or a combination of the two.
The announcement of Operation Thunder puts the recent offensives of Operation Matatdor and Operation New Market into perspective. The American led strikes appear to be designed to weaken the presence of the insurgency in selected hot spots while the Iraqi government prepares its forces to move into these regions and hold them permanently.
As the Iraqi military fans out from the confines of Baghdad to more remote regions of the Anbar province, they will gain valuable combat experience as well as the advantage of fighting as a cohesive force for an extended period of time. Their intimate knowledge of the language and local customs will be a great advantage in gathering local intelligence and identifying members of the insurgency. This is all part of the development of the Iraqi security forces into a successful fighting force that will take the lead in defeating the insurgency.
Operation Thunder, when executed, bears close watching as it will provide details on the effectiveness of the Iraqi Army to secure the Anbar province. It will also free up American forces from garrison and security missions to allow them to focus on the hunt for al Qaeda in Iraq.
Sounds great but why did the Iraqi PM announce it?
Probably so they can see who starts scurrying to get out of the way.
winn,
I'm just an amateur blogging in my pajamas, but history and four years of 'net-reading have taught me that when the question is "Why did someone release information that might be useful to their enemies?", the #1 answer is "Psy-ops".
The #2 answer is "Stupidity", but I don't think that's the case here. The Iraqi government must start convincing everyone (including al-Q) that they are taking control, or the war gets worse, helpful tips decline, etc.
In essence, the government is telling the Sunnis who are willing to play ball politically that the government hears them and will act to protect them while they dicker.
Answer 3: inevitability. 40,000 Iraqi troops will have some informers in it, and you cant execute an operation with a fledgling army without prior notice and planning. Might as well extract maximum positive publicity, and I suspect that this will be largely a symbolic move compared to an American operation. This shows more the direction of things to come than how things are now. Cast the net and throw your weight around. Expect things to keep blowing up in Baghdad as terrorists with well concealed rat lines take the opportunity to prove they havent been chased off. Still a good day for Iraq.
You guys are brilliant, thanks.
The Iraqi troops include terrorists who will sabotage the operation, and even 40,000 troops is not enough to seal a city the size of Baghdad. The best way to cut the flow is to politely remind the Syrians and Saudis that they either cut the flow of terrorists or get new governments, courtesy of Uncle Sam.
I am surprised the MSM isn't curious where the government suddenly got 40,000 troops. Their last big headline on the progress of rebuilding an Iraqi army featured desertions from that first battalion.
If the Iraqis pull this off with even modest success, it will be a significant step forward. The planning process alone necessary to develop an operation of this scope and magnitude is significant indication of the maturing of the Iraq military and police.
Pulling the operation off in anything that resembles a success will be a big confidence builder to all parties - the government, the Iraqi military and police, and the civilian population ... and a source of pride that will only serve to embolden the will of the country to kick the terrorist out.
While the US is chopping the rat line into small pieces, the Iraqis themselves are preparing to clean out the rats nest. The next few weeks could be very interesting in setting the stage to the constitution and next round of voting.
The government has been offering clemency for months. Yesterday the first death sentence for terrorists was handed sown. Today the government notified the Iraqi people of what appears to be a very serious campaign. The ratline back to Syria has been disrupted and the Marines are waiting in the western desert.
El Duguello was borrowed by the Spanish from the Moors. I wonder if the Iraqis will start playing it tomorrow.