Pentagon Gives Gloomy Iraq Report

[ProSense]

Pentagon Gives Gloomy Iraq Report

Friday September 1, 2006 8:01 PM

By ROBERT BURNS

AP Military Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sectarian violence is spreading in Iraq and the security problems have become more complex than at any time since the U.S. invasion in 2003, the Pentagon said Friday.

In a notably gloomy report to Congress, the Pentagon said illegal militias have become more entrenched, especially in Baghdad neighborhoods where they are seen as providers of both security and basic social services.

Snip...

A growing number of members of Congress are calling for either a shift in the Bush administration's Iraq strategy or a timetable for beginning a substantial withdrawal of American forces. Although administration officials say progress is being made in Iraq, U.S. commanders have increased U.S. troop levels by about 13,000 over the past five weeks, to 140,000, mainly due to increased violence in the Baghdad area.

In response to the Pentagon's report Friday, the Senate's top Democrat, Harry Reid of Nevada, said it showed the Bush administration is ``increasingly disconnected from the facts on the ground in Iraq.''

Snip...

The report covered the period since the Iraqi government led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki was seated May 20.

From that date through Aug. 11, the average number of attacks per week against Americans and Iraqis was 792, up 24 percent from the previous period of Feb. 11 to May 19. The 792 figure was the highest for any counting period since the war began. The previous high was 641 in the Feb. 11 to May 19 period.

more...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6052862,00.html

[ProSense]

1. 30-Minute Iraq Bomb Barrage Kills 47

A barrage of coordinated bomb and rocket attacks on eastern Baghdad neighborhoods killed at least 47 people and wounded more than 200 within half an hour on Thursday evening, police and hospital officials said.

[eccles12]

2. Pentagon must be confused and lack moralit as well as appeasers. nt