Iraqi PM leads offensive in Mosul
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Source: BBC News
As of Wednesday, May 14, Sunni Insurgents were still actively taking part in small uprisings in Mosul, Iraq. “Mosul is seen as the last urban stronghold of al-Qaeda in Iraq.” It was reported that at least five people had been killed on Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning. Security officials in Mosul have stated that they have upgraded from what was known as “Operation Lion’s Roar” to a “full-scale offensive” aimed toward al-Qaeda fighters. A spokesman from the Iraqi Defense Ministry stated, “The main aim of this operation is to purge and clean Nineveh province of all militants and their weapons and declare it a safe area.”
This directly affects security efforts in Iraq. It is bad enough that there is already enormous ethnic tension between groups such as Shia and Sunnis; this only adds to the difficulty of trying to unite all Iraqis under one country. In addition, the al-Qaeda insurgents are setting examples for other terrorist groups in other Middle Eastern countries, which in turn may lead to similar uprisings in countries surrounding the area, Iraq. Furthermore, U.S. officials have intervened, providing both air cover and intelligence support to Iraqi troops in Mosul. This comes at a time when many Iraqis are already bitter toward Americans, by expanding American presence and influence; it is only making matters worse for the already declining situation in Iraq.
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