XDA

In just the kind of effort we need to see in Iraq, joint U.S. and Iraqi forces swept into Tal Afar and started killing terrorist there, mainly foreigner fighters. In what looks like the start of a series of these operations, the troops from several nations had already surrounded the city of approximately 200,000 a few days ago and told everyone to leave, and, unlike in New Orleans, the civilians left. Our guys arrested terrorists (about 200) who tried to slip out with the residents, hit a few staging areas with airstrikes, and in the middle of last night went in with armor and killed more terrorists. No word on our side's casualties, although Spc. Jeffrey Williams of Warrenville, IL was killed Spetember 5, 2005 by an IED.

Did I mention this is just the start? Here's what Iraqi Defence Minister Saadoun Dulaimi said, "We tell our people in Ramadi, Samarra, Rawa and Qaim that we are coming. There will be no refuge for the terrorists, criminals and bloodsuckers."

What do the marines say when they like what they hear? Oh yea--OU-RAW!

UPDATE: This story says there have been no American casualties on the first day of the assault, and only five killed, three wounded among the good guys. That's the good news. The bad news is that the bad guys have slipped the noose and abandoned the city. It will be interesting to see if we adapt our tactics to create a better 'anvil' for the 'hammer' of these assaults in the future, so that few, if any, of the terrorists, criminals and bloodsuckers escape the next time.