Dramatic progress seen in Baghdad neighborhood

[unhappycamper]

Iraqis pass by a Bradley in Baghdad's Amariyah neighborhood on Nov. 6. The speed that one of Baghdad's most dangerous areas has turned into one of its more secure has taken almost everyone, including U.S. forces, by surprise.


Dramatic progress seen in Baghdad neighborhood
By Douglas Birch - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 7, 2007 18:50:25 EST

BAGHDAD — Twilight brings traffic jams to the main shopping district of this once-affluent corner of Baghdad, and hundreds of people stroll past well-stocked vegetable stands, bakeries and butcher shops.

To many in Amariyah, it seems little short of a miracle.

Just six months ago, this mostly Sunni neighborhood was one of the centers of al-Qaida in Iraq operations. The district in western Baghdad was hit by more than a dozen bombings and shootings some days. Few people dared to venture onto the streets.

On Tuesday, women shopped and men drank tea in sidewalk cafes. Occasionally, U.S. soldiers walking the streets were greeted with salaams and smiles.

What is happening here reflects similar trends across Baghdad and parts of Iraq, where civilian and U.S. military casualties have dropped sharply in the past two months. But the speed of the turnaround in places such as Amariyah has taken almost everyone — including U.S. military forces in the area — by surprise.

“The progress that we made is almost unbelievable,” said Capt. Brendan Gallagher, 29, of Columbia, Md., who serves with the Army’s 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_amariyah_071107/

[shaniqua6392]

1. So our troops can be home by Christmas???????

Yahoo. I am glad it is going so well. Let us declare VICTORY and leave. :woohoo: