seruriermarshal
06-17-2004, 11:22 AM
IRAQI FORCES TO BATTLE INSURGENCY - MINISTER
BAGHDAD, June 17 (*******) - Iraq's new defence minister said Iraqi forces would launch military operations against a deadly insurgency, speaking hours after a suicide bomber struck at an army recruiting centre in Baghdad on Thursday.
"The time has come to punish those responsible," Hazim al-Shalaan told a news conference in Baghdad.
"The coming few days will witness decisive battles."
U.S. officials say Iraqi security forces are not ready to take over full responsibility for fighting the insurgency, and so foreign troops will remain for the foreseeable future.
But Shalaan said Iraqi forces would mount raids on suspected guerrilla hideouts, and that assistance by U.S. troops would be confined to logistical support.
"We will chase them from house to house, we will limit them, we will cut off their hands and we will behead them," he said.
A defence ministry official said the operation would include house raids and all-out assaults if deemed necessary.
Shalaan said Iraqi security forces will fight insurgents using heavy weapons and armour. The minister said he expected guerrilla attacks to increase as the June 30 handover of sovereignty gets closer.
From (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KHA749137.htm)
BAGHDAD, June 17 (*******) - Iraq's new defence minister said Iraqi forces would launch military operations against a deadly insurgency, speaking hours after a suicide bomber struck at an army recruiting centre in Baghdad on Thursday.
"The time has come to punish those responsible," Hazim al-Shalaan told a news conference in Baghdad.
"The coming few days will witness decisive battles."
U.S. officials say Iraqi security forces are not ready to take over full responsibility for fighting the insurgency, and so foreign troops will remain for the foreseeable future.
But Shalaan said Iraqi forces would mount raids on suspected guerrilla hideouts, and that assistance by U.S. troops would be confined to logistical support.
"We will chase them from house to house, we will limit them, we will cut off their hands and we will behead them," he said.
A defence ministry official said the operation would include house raids and all-out assaults if deemed necessary.
Shalaan said Iraqi security forces will fight insurgents using heavy weapons and armour. The minister said he expected guerrilla attacks to increase as the June 30 handover of sovereignty gets closer.
From (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KHA749137.htm)