Iraqi, US forces wall up notorious Baghdad area

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20060815-053819-2874r

BAGHDAD -- US and Iraqi forces have sealed off a notoriously violent district of southern Baghdad with massive concrete walls as part of a broader push to quell sectarian violence, the US military said Tuesday.

The military said dozens of concrete barriers have been put up around the homes of residents in the district of Dura since Friday "in an attempt to keep terrorists out." snip

"On average we were finding about 25 IEDs (improvised explosive devices) a week in and around Dura before we started this operation," Loebel said. "So far this week, there has only been four IEDs in the area. We have been very successful up to this point."

The statement added that Dura "is not being sealed off as a result of attacks on coalition forces, but because it is being used by terrorists to incite sectarian tension between Sunni and Shiite Muslims." Baghdad is in the grip of a wave sectarian violence that has seen thousands of people die in tit-for-tat killings since February.

[hobbit709]

1. Can you say

"Ghetto"?

[whistle]

2. Berlin style walls are going up in Baghdad, Gaza, Jerusalem

[tocqueville]

3. a variation of "strategic hamlets" in Nam ?

brilliant

[angstlessk]

4. This made me think of "The Tell Tale Heart" by Poe

You cannot wall up a movement...you can only wall up willing participants...It will become a NIGHTMARE for all involved..in and out of the 'wall'