US, Iraqis Crack Down on Porous Syrian Border(operation Phantom Linebacker

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-border3aug03.story
U.S., Iraqis Crack Down on Porous Syrian Border(operation Phantom Linebacker)
By Mark Mazzetti
Times Staff Writer

August 3, 2004

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military launched an operation Monday to stem the flow of arms, money and militants crossing into Iraq from Syria.

The operation is the first large-scale attempt by the military to crack down on illegal traffic from Syria.<snip>

The operation, dubbed Phantom Linebacker, involves thousands of soldiers, Marines, military police, special operations forces and aviation units.

It is being carried out with the nascent Iraqi Border Police and Iraqi National Guard, which have largely been unable to detect and capture Iraqi insurgent leaders and foreign fighters, military officials say. The Iraqi units are susceptible to bribes by those eager to get into the country, the officials say. <snip>

The senior official said there was no direct evidence that the highest levels of the Syrian government were arming and financing Iraqi insurgents. <snip>

Despite the territorial boundaries, the strong alliances among the tribal populations of western Iraq and eastern Syria allow an easy flow of people, money and ammunition across the border. <snip>

[madrchsod]

1. that`s nice-how about some security on

our porous southern border? na,costs to much money...

[Cocoa]

2. the Toronto Phantoms?

they named an operation after a position on a Canadian arena league team?

[Minstrel Boy]

3. memo to Rumsfeld: snappier operational names needed

"Phantom Linebacker" doesn't wow me.

[gratuitous]

4. I disagree

"Phantom Linebacker" is inspired! I can't wait for the sequel, "Attack of the Clones." Where's Jar Jar Binks, when we need him so desperately?

[Ripley]

5. Just in time for the preseason!

Since most of America will be tuned into the NFL soon, they have to relate to them somehow.

Sticking with the PNAC plan I see. But do they really think the Iraqi's will fight these wars for us? I bet they turn their guns on us again.

[Barrett808]

6. Hopeless. Futile. Pathetic.

Memo to Rumsfeld: The insurgency is not made up of "foreign fighters". It is almost completely home-grown. Are you so arrogant and deluded that you can't imagine the Iraqi people assembling their own effective resistance?

The question answers itself.

[saigon68]

7. THE WOLF IS COMING THE WOLF IS COMING THE WOLF IS COMING

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THE WOLF IS COMING THE WOLF IS COMING THE WOLF IS COMING
THE WOLF IS COMING THE WOLF IS COMING THE WOLF IS COMING