Iraqi City Once Hailed As Success Story By Bush, Now Torn By ‘Wave Of Revenge Killings’
Iraqi City Once Hailed As Success Story By Bush, Now Torn By ‘Wave Of Revenge Killings’
In March 2006, President Bush spoke about progress in the Iraq war and used the city of Tal Afar in northwest Iraq as a shining example of a “strategy that worked so well.” Bush noted that al-Qaeda had been vanquished and the city had become “safer and fairer”:
See, if you’re a resident of Tal Afar today, this is what you’re going to see: You see that the terrorist who once exercised brutal control over every aspect of your city has been killed or captured, or driven out, or put on the run. You see your children going to school and playing safely in the streets. You see the electricity and water service restored throughout the city. You see a police force that better reflects the ethnic and religious diversity of the communities they patrol…The example of Tal Afar gives me confidence in our strategy.
One year later:
Shiite militants and police enraged by massive truck bombings in Tall Afar went on a revenge spree against Sunni residents in the northwestern town Wednesday, killing as many as 60 people, officials said.
The gunmen roamed Sunni neighborhoods in the city through the night, shooting at residents and homes, according to police and a local Sunni politician.
Tal Afar is a victim of Bush’s escalation, which has displaced sectarian violence from Baghdad to other areas of the country. Deaths of Iraqi civilians and troops have actually increased outside of the capital.
UPDATE: Kevin Drum has more on the story of Tal Afar.
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44 Responses to “Iraqi City Once Hailed As Success Story By Bush, Now Torn By ‘Wave Of Revenge Killings’”
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How many American deaths?
March 29th, 2007 at 8:38 pmTP libs never discussed that relative peace outside of Baghdad before. But now it’s of interest because they can cherry-pick incidents outside of Baghdad now and conflate that to mean Op Fardh al-Qanoon is not working. Meanwhile, all metrics (make that only metrics) that TP libs love to highlite (i.e. deaths) indicate improvement. See Iraq Index.
March 29th, 2007 at 8:43 pmJake,
Your point?
Minnie,
Is that all you’ve got?
Piss-soaked trolls….
March 29th, 2007 at 8:47 pmTP libs never discussed that relative peace outside of Baghdad before. But now it’s of interest because they can cherry-pick incidents outside of Baghdad now and conflate that to mean Op Fardh al-Qanoon is not working. Meanwhile, all metrics (make that only metrics) that TP libs love to highlite (i.e. deaths) indicate improvement. See Iraq Index.
Comment by memphis minnie
The rightwing has been touting the “most of Iraq is free of sectarian violence” line for a couple of years, in an attempt to distract everyone from the fact that Baghdad has been a hellhole and that most people in Iraq live around Baghdad. And they always factor in the Kurdish region, which has been very stable from the beginning of the war and occupation for excellent reasons that have virtually nothing to do with this Administration’s genius.
The “relative peace” existed because most regions were not ethnically mixed and had a very low population relative to Baghdad. Clearly all the action was in Baghdad, which is one of the reasons “libs” focused on it. Now Sunni and Shiite insurgents have simply hunkered down or moved out to the “relative peace” regions.
Gunmen mowing down 60 people in one span of a few hours is “cherry picking”? Who are you, Laura Bush?
March 29th, 2007 at 8:52 pmPreceeding the “surge” media widely reported insurrgents and jihardies moving out from Bagdad to aviod the sweep.
It is still far to early as both sides adjust strategies.
March 29th, 2007 at 8:56 pmI have great faith in General Pertaus and hes abilitys but even he has spoken plainny on this matter and what can be archieved by the US forces and urged for a poltical solution
Um… what?
March 29th, 2007 at 8:58 pmfor what it is worth– NPR this AM- report of interview with Dr living on the outskirts of Tal Afar.
March 29th, 2007 at 8:59 pmThe Jist of it–” it was never OK after the Americans came and took away the innocents.”
How many American deaths?
Comment by Jake
This appears to indicate that you don’t care about deaths of Iraqis. Is that because you are a racist, Jake?
March 29th, 2007 at 9:01 pmI’ve seen Jake post the same comment, about the same thing, twice before this. Really shows ‘his’ true colors eh?
March 29th, 2007 at 9:07 pmYes, I’d say Jake was a racist. It’s an old journalistic formula that one dead white debutante is more newsworthy than one thousand Iraqis. It reminded me of the opening lines of Twain’s Huck Finn where he establishes the matter of fact racism of the age. Jake clearly is of the kind who fears the Decline of the West. But I can assure him that Bush’s misadventures will leave America a bankrupt second-rate nation easily surpassed by China, India, Europe, and the new Latin America. It’s the Fall of the Roman Empire redux.
March 29th, 2007 at 9:18 pmre #1
Jake asks this everytime.
Can you tell me where it says in the Bible that only Americans count?
March 29th, 2007 at 9:19 pmJake, the thread is that W was telling how wonderful things were going in this city and it is not true.
March 29th, 2007 at 9:21 pmNew Hampshire poll–presidential approval 3/07:
Approve Disapprove Undecided
Total sample 17% 62% 21%
Voters 17% 66% 17%
Republicans 42% 38% 20%
Democrats 1% 85% 14%
Undeclared 11% 74% 15%
Welcome aboard Bushco Airlines, next stop a flaming hole in the ground. Your fearless pilot requests that all brains be extinguished for this flight. Jake, your’e in seat 52c, right over the wing. Libs are on the no-fly list.
March 29th, 2007 at 9:22 pmWelcome aboard Bushco Airlines, next stop a flaming hole in the ground. Your fearless pilot requests that all brains be extinguished for this flight. Jake, your’e in seat 52c, right over the wing. Libs are on the no-fly list.
Comment by Marlow
Priceless….
March 29th, 2007 at 9:29 pmSpeaking of mispronouncing words, don’t you just love the way Bush pronounced Tal Afar as “Talafer”?
March 29th, 2007 at 9:49 pmI’m reasonably sure that the Jake question about deaths is a fakejack. It gets posted on many threads and is always phrased exactly the same.
I say “reasonably” sure, but I am not positive. I suspect he wrote it once, and someone else has pasted it in to multiple threads.
March 29th, 2007 at 9:49 pmWell, 60 little killings per day isn’t much. What’s all the fuss about?
March 29th, 2007 at 9:53 pmOh, now why should I waste my beautiful mind with that?
March 29th, 2007 at 10:02 pmVery funny, Mrs. Bush — as Christians, we know that every soul Christ died on the Cross for is precious — I only asked if any Americans died because that was not stated in the link.
March 29th, 2007 at 10:05 pmbut Matt Drudge said………..
shut your pie-hole re: the savior, Jakey - you don’t even know what the red letters in the Bible signify, you sad little blasphemer.
March 29th, 2007 at 10:10 pmre: #15
That’s the way we pronounce it in Midland—Talafer
March 29th, 2007 at 10:11 pmCut out the cult references Jerk, just because you hear voices in your head, doesn’ t mean there’s a God - it means you’re a schizo.
March 29th, 2007 at 10:15 pmKarp’s disciple - just because you don’t care about iraqi deaths doesn’t make you a racist; rather it makes you a patriot. Something you wouldn’t understand you marxist.
March 29th, 2007 at 10:19 pmSatyam, allow me to assist you in the editing process. Your headline reads:
“Iraqi City Once Hailed As Success Story By Bush, Now Torn By ‘Wave Of Revenge Killings”
It should read:
“Iraqi City Once Hailed As Success Story By Bush, Now Torn By ‘Wave Of Revenge Killings’ - - YYyaaaaaaYYYY!!!!
Progressives really like it when barbarians kill and they can blame Americans. It’s part of the progressive publishing formula. Also, don’t act tooo happy around the office - - happy people are not guilt-ridden enough to be progressives. Please tell me you’re not an intern - that is just another word for “they pay more at Wal-Mart”.
Welcome aboard!!
March 29th, 2007 at 10:37 pmTal Afar was BS from the very start –>
http://radamisto.blogspot.com/ 2006/ 03/ tale-of-two-cities.html
March 29th, 2007 at 10:41 pm#24. Non sequitur.
March 29th, 2007 at 10:54 pm— I only asked if any Americans died because that was not stated in the link.
Comment by Jake — March 29, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
All you care about is the American troops, and that’s the only reason you made that comment eh? Since when has the welfare of the troops been a concern of yours. If it was, you would join the 61% of Americans who TRULY are concerned about the welfare of our troops.
But we all know that’s the furthest thing from your mind.
March 29th, 2007 at 10:59 pmIt should read:
“Iraqi City Once Hailed As Success Story By Bush, Now Torn By ‘Wave Of Revenge Killings’ - - YYyaaaaaaYYYY!!!! Comment by valiant venus — March 29, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Just because you take pleasure in the misery of others - you miserable c*nt - don’t accuse others of your sick, perverse values. That’s why you Foley types are always such *moralizing* hypocrites.
Progressives really like it when barbarians kill and they can blame Americans. Comment by valiant venus — March 29, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Conservatives really like to kill other people, and they blame liberals when the people kill us back. You’re a miserable little c*nt.
It’s part of the progressive publishing formula. Comment by valiant venus — March 29, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Says the c*nt that’s nothing more than a gas-bag f*rt in the Republican Rightwingnut publishing formula. Project much, little c*nt?
Also, don’t act tooo happy around the office - - happy people are not guilt-ridden enough to be progressives. Comment by valiant venus — March 29, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Why so *obsessed* with Guilt? Is it the *only* emotion that a psycho c*nt like you understands, other than blind hate?
Please tell me you’re not an intern - that is just another word for “they pay more at Wal-Martâ€. Welcome aboard!! Comment by valiant venus — March 29, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Tell me the *commodities* you trade are something other than sh*t - because that’s all you have to offer here - Anorexia freak girl!
March 29th, 2007 at 11:00 pmre: 24
You still can’t tell the difference between pointing out the disastrous results of US policy and celebrating deaths. The following is celebrating deaths:
I hate Islam! Wipe those savages off the planet!
March 29th, 2007 at 11:02 pmComment by Rodan — March 24, 2007
I’m sure that by now Satyam knows the Mighty Hagfish is a vicious b*tch. It’s cute how Haggie thinks she’s so clever.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:09 pmI’m sure that by now Satyam knows the Mighty Hagfish is a vicious b*tch. It’s cute how Haggie thinks she’s so clever. Comment by Zooey — March 29, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
Yeah, in that *clever* way a child shows you their boogers. They think they’re quite clever - but to the adults, it’s just another useless booger on the finger of a child.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:17 pmOh, now why should I waste my beautiful mind with that?
Comment by Barbara Bush — March 29, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
Yeah Babs and these people were poor anyway, they’re probably happier dead just like in Katrina.
sarc
March 29th, 2007 at 11:20 pmYeah, in that *clever* way a child shows you their boogers. They think they’re quite clever - but to the adults, it’s just another useless booger on the finger of a child.
Comment by ValiantVenusGrewFromUranus
Too funny….
March 29th, 2007 at 11:29 pmYeah Babs and these people were poor anyway, they’re probably happier dead just like in Katrina.
sarc
Comment by shane
Well, they should be happy. They no longer live in a war zone.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:30 pm/sarcasm
Hey Satyam,
Good reporting here. And good luck wading through all the trolls and “serious” commentators in this comments section. You’re brave! I was personally horrified by the Tal Afar story, mainly because among the people perpetrating the killings were the *Iraqi police.* That’s a terrible sign, not to mention the fact that they released the police officers in question from custody shortly afterwards. I’d like Iraq to be governed by the rule of law, but what does it tell you when the *government* is carrying out revenge jobs? And then refusing to hold the perpetrators accountable?
March 29th, 2007 at 11:35 pmThe biggest threat to the Bush Administration is an informed public.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:46 pmNotice how Jake exhibits typical pedophile/rapist behavior. As soon as he sees a new name he engages that person.
At 75 years old he’s had many years to perfect that winnowing out the weak from the herd. Of course as soon as he finds that person is wise to him he strikes back and gives up the “grooming phase†of the victim. After all if he’s not getting anything out of it why pretend to be nice.
So Jake is that how you “found Jesus?†Did your attorney tell you judges go easier on defendents who are “born again�
March 30th, 2007 at 12:01 amAt least 122 killed And at least 150 wounded in bombs in Khalis and Baghdad Thursday.
Yeah, looks like this third “surge”—I mean “plus-up” is really the charm.
March 30th, 2007 at 12:21 am(sarcasm)
Insurgencies are like a feather pillow.
March 30th, 2007 at 12:23 amYou smack one end, and the other end just puffs up.
Just sayin…
re: #38
That comes from Forbes.com, so it is probably the liberal media celebrating deaths again. (sarcasm)
http://www.forbes.com/ feeds/ ap/ 2007/ 03/ 29/ ap3565908.html
March 30th, 2007 at 12:28 amCHIMPya: “Hey, at least these here revenge killings were successfully mission accomplished…STOP THROWIN’ THAT DOG SHIT AT MY FACE!!!! Hey, I thought this was a friendly group, here!!!!!” (WIPING DOGGY DOO OFF BESMIRCHED FACE)
March 30th, 2007 at 1:28 amSome more recent history of Tal Afar.
After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, insurgents used Tal Afar as a staging point for attacks.
In September 2004, American forces defeated the insurgents and left about 500 troops in the city. However, Iraqi authorities lost control of the city in May 2005, and insurgents began taking over again.
On January 18, 2005, a family of eight were travelling in a car which failed to stop at a US checkpoint in Tal Afar. US troops opened fire, killing both parents, Camille and Hussein Hassan, and injuring their five children sitting in the back seat.
A military operation in June 2005 did not quell the violence; the US launched another offensive in the city in September 2005. More recently, the city has begun a rebuilding campaign.
In May 2005, clashes broke out between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.
March 30th, 2007 at 4:04 amIn October 2006, a bombing in Tal Afar killed 14 people, of which ten were civilians and four Iraqi soldiers.
An additional bombing on November 24, 2006, killed at least 22 and wounded at least 26.
[…] course, singling out this post is unfair. Most of the top lefty blogs wrote about the Sunni rampage in Tall Afar, pointing to it as conclusive […]
March 30th, 2007 at 7:43 amA lot of people dislike Americans all over the world
And Im not joking for every nice American I meet , I always meet 5 Jakes
March 30th, 2007 at 8:38 am