Baghdad Commander Optimistic, Details Operation Iron Grip

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2003 -- The commander of U.S. troops in Baghdad, delivered an upbeat assessment today of the future in and around Iraq's capital city.

In a Baghdad press conference, Army Brig. Gen. Martin Dempsey, commander of the 1st Armored Division, said he is optimistic about the future of Iraq. "We have only one New Year's resolution. And that is, as the word suggests, to remain resolute in our work to establish a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people," Dempsey said.

The general briefed reporters on Operation Iron Grip, the ongoing division effort against cells of Saddam Hussein regime loyalists. The primary targets are the former regime cell structure. Intelligence gleaned from Saddam's capture told the division that 14 cells operate in the city, linked by a financial and planning network. Operation Iron Grip is aimed at disrupting and ultimately destroying the cells and the network.

The division has captured 185 enemy personnel as part of Iron Grip. Dempsey said the roadside bomb or improvised explosive device is the weapon of choice for the cells. He called them psychological weapons and said they are meant to terrorize people, and that they pose as much danger to innocent civilians as to coalition soldiers. The general said he believes there is "an element of central planning, and central training, and central supplying" for improvised explosive devices. He added, though, that the number of attacks in Baghdad has dropped since Saddam's capture.

More: http://www.truthnews.net/month/2004010001.htm

Sounds as if Iraq is going to be ready to open torist resorts in just a few weeks more! All is peachy (except for the unexpected dying thing that seems to keep popping up in the region).


On edit: Why on earth would we need an "Operation Iron Grip" if we are just there to "liberate" people?

and understand that its for their own good. :eyes:

just peachy.
can you believe what these people will try to sell?

maybe I'll plan a spring break around Statue Day.

does anyone doubt now that this is a military OCCUPATION, not freeing the Iraqi people.
Thanks, commander of Bagdhad, for telling the truth for a change. This is a military occupation.

I think this is history repeating itself----we just don't learn I guess. "Iron Grip" sounds very UnAmerican to me!

So this is interesting if you want to know the current offical
line on how this will be brought to a resoundingly successful
conclusion. It sounds like we have "Saddam is running the
resistance" without Saddam now. The assumption that there is
a fixed, if somewhat sneaky, target that can be destroyed in a
straightforward manner remains, and it is just as clueless as
it has always been.

to win hearts and minds. Who names these operations anyway? I feel so reassured.

The US military has fallen in love with Teutonic names for military operations.

Operation Iron Grip?

You made me spit out my gum! :hi:

"If you want this country, you can pry it from my cold, dead hands!"

Or Operation Death Grip

how about Operation Iron Fist

I can't believe that the military can be so stupid, they don't seen to realize that the people they are up against have no where to go. They are cornered and desperate. The harder we try to smash them, the harder they will fight back.

There is a down side to a phony war of liberation, if the people don't feel liberated, then the war ain't over.

They have to twist their language around to suit their goals. It's pretty much safe to say that Saddam's gone and he's not coming back. Yet the insurgents are stilled called Saddam's loyalists, even though there is nothing left to be loyal to.