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October 6, 2008 9:22:01 PM CDT

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Petraeus Says Troop Surge Is Working

Posted Aug 31, 07 7:01 PM CDT in US,  Politics,  World 

(Newser) – In a sneak peak at next month's progress report on the troop surge, David Petraeus says sectarian violence and coalition troop deaths from roadside bombs are down while seizure of insurgents' weapons is up. "We say we have achieved progress," the commander of US forces in Iraq told the Australian in an interview published today.

"We believe al-Qaeda is off balance at the very least," said Petraeus, who brought the Australian defense minister up to speed this week in Baghdad. He said the increased troop strength since the surge began in February allows the US to go on offense rather than concentrating on defending against insurgent assaults.

Source The Australian

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Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, gestures during a news conference at the Pentagon in this April 26, 2007 file photo. The surge has "achieved progress" according to Petraeus in a face-to-face...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Army troops look on as smoke from a military controlled detonation rises over the Amariyah neighborhood of west Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)   (Associated Press)
U.S. Army troops from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division cross a street during an operation in the Amariyah neighborhood of west Baghdad, Iraq on Tuesday,...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Army troops from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division walk across the street during an operation in the Amariyah neighborhood of west Baghdad, Iraq...   (Associated Press)
Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq, speaks during a press availability with Vice President Dick Cheney and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, both not pictured, in Baghdad, Iraq...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
General David Petraeus stretches manpower and credibility in an interview.   (CSPANJUNKIEdotORG (YouTube))
Sen. Clinton Questions Gen. David Petraeus at Senate Hearing   (NYsenator (YouTube))

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Iraq war  • al-Qaeda  • US military  • David Petraeus  • troop surge  • sectarian violence


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