http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7393826.stm

The Iraqi Army has launched a major operation in the northern city of Mosul against al-Qaeda and its allies.

Around 10,000 Sunni tribesmen from Mosul who are loyal to the government are taking part in the operation with an armoured brigade of Iraqi troops.

Reinforcements are due to move into the area in the coming days for what is being called Operation Lion's Roar.

A curfew is already in effect in the city and judges have issued a number of arrest warrants for al-Qaeda leaders.

Over the past year al-Qaeda has lost its foothold in western Iraq and the northern city of Mosul is viewed as its last urban stronghold.

"Spent force"

A military offensive against Islamists in the city, in the northern province of Nineveh, had long been anticipated, according to the BBC's Clive Myrie, in Baghdad.

The Sunni tribesmen involved in the operation were once allies of al-Qaeda but now back coalition forces.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has for several weeks been saying that al-Qaeda is an isolated, spent force in Iraq and that he is confident it can be driven out of the country completely.

The operation comes after Iraqi authorities mistakenly announced that the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, had been captured in Mosul.

US officials denied al-Masri had been captured, saying a man with a similar name had been detained.

I like seeing that...."The IRAQI Army has launched...."

It is about time, just hope that the Iraq army is not filled with the wrong type of soldiers that turn and and run at the sight of a fight. Good luck to them.

We will see how long this last.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080511/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq...1FRA14yABFREFLWs0NUE

I kinda knew it wasn't gonna work till they are all dead or in prison.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080512/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_080510181420

quote:

Originally posted by patoloco:
I like seeing that...."The IRAQI Army has launched...."

You're absolutely right, and I think this is what we, the American people, have been waiting for. People get so demoralized when they don't see results, and with media today only the blood given for the final product makes news. It is only right that we give the people of Iraq a fair and stable chance; which means as Lyndon would put it, we don't need American boys doin what the people of Iraq should do for themselves. This shows us that it is possible, that their is progress, and gives us hope that we can help good people to help themselves, whether through training or blood, but the blood must not only be our own, and we have shed much already.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080521/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq...UAHYglSa0qhvZgis0NUE