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August 30, 2008 1:12:16 AM CDT

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Qaeda Busted in Baghdad: Gen.

Posted Nov 8, 07 4:00 AM CST in World,  US 

(Newser) – The Iraqi-based terror network Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia has been ousted by US troops from every neighborhood in Baghdad where it once operated, according to Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, commander of US forces in the city. Fil also tells the New York Times that violence is down significantly.

"Murder victims are down 80% from the peak" and attacks involving improvised bombs are down 70%, he said. "The Iraqi people have decided they’ve had it up to here with violence." Stability is “close, but not yet within touch," said Fil, who added that troops have yet to clear about 13% of the city controlled by Shiite militias.

Source New York Times

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People gather at the Shorja street market in east Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007. More than four months after U.S. forces completed a 30,000-strong force buildup, the death toll for both Iraqis...   (Associated Press)
General Joseph Fil Junior, the U.S. commander of Multinational Division Baghdad looks on during his visit to the combat outpost of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st...   (Associated Press)
An Iraqi police officer stands guard at a security checkpoint in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007. Death tolls for Americans and Iraqis have fallen dramatically in recent months, as have the number...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq  • Baghdad  • Muqtada al-Sadr  • Sadr City  • surge  • al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia


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