Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Chicago Sun-Times
January 12, 2008
Pg. 11
Shiite leader makes unity appeal
By Bradley Brooks, Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- One of the largest bombing campaigns of the war destroyed extremists' ''defensive belts'' south of the capital, allowing American soldiers to push into areas where they have not been in years, a top commander said Friday.
The day before, two B1-B bombers and four F-16 fighter jets dropped 48 precision-guided bombs on 47 targets, U.S. Air Force Col. Peter Donnelly said. The targets consisted mainly of weapons caches and roadside bombs buried deep underground -- key defensive elements for al-Qaida in Iraq insurgents, said Donnelly and Army Col. Terry Ferrell.
Extremists were thought to have controlled Arab Jabour, a Sunni district lined with citrus groves, but Ferrell said ''the predominant number'' have now fled to the southwest.
Later Friday, one of Iraq's most powerful Shiite political and religious figures called for the government to set aside differences with Sunni Muslim politicians and entice them back to help lead the country.
The appeal by Ammar al-Hakim, the son and heir-apparent to the head of Iraq's main Shiite political bloc, increased pressure on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to bring Sunni factions back into the fold as part of Washington-backed efforts at sectarian reconciliation.
January 12, 2008
Pg. 11
Shiite leader makes unity appeal
By Bradley Brooks, Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- One of the largest bombing campaigns of the war destroyed extremists' ''defensive belts'' south of the capital, allowing American soldiers to push into areas where they have not been in years, a top commander said Friday.
The day before, two B1-B bombers and four F-16 fighter jets dropped 48 precision-guided bombs on 47 targets, U.S. Air Force Col. Peter Donnelly said. The targets consisted mainly of weapons caches and roadside bombs buried deep underground -- key defensive elements for al-Qaida in Iraq insurgents, said Donnelly and Army Col. Terry Ferrell.
Extremists were thought to have controlled Arab Jabour, a Sunni district lined with citrus groves, but Ferrell said ''the predominant number'' have now fled to the southwest.
Later Friday, one of Iraq's most powerful Shiite political and religious figures called for the government to set aside differences with Sunni Muslim politicians and entice them back to help lead the country.
The appeal by Ammar al-Hakim, the son and heir-apparent to the head of Iraq's main Shiite political bloc, increased pressure on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to bring Sunni factions back into the fold as part of Washington-backed efforts at sectarian reconciliation.