Invisible Front: Cracking on despite the crack-down

By Mark Hanrahan
The killing last week of al-Qaeda in Iraq leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has failed to stem the tide of violence that has been rocking the country for the past couple of years. Despite the optimistic predictions of Iraqi and US officials, and a massive security crack-down in Baghdad that has seen 40,000 troops deployed on the city's streets, the insurgents set out to prove that they are still capable of mounting deadly effective operations.

Of particular interest, has been the tragic kidnapping, and subsequent murder, of two US soldiers from the 101st Airborne division. Their kidnapping represented a new approach from insurgents, who have thus far proved unable to get close enough to any of the heavily-armed US troops to take them alive.

The change in tactics is significant, due to the treasure trove of documents that coalition forces uncovered last week, which, if genuine, suggest that the insurgents are not as sure of their own victory as many in the western press are.

One document, released to the press told how insurgent factions were having trouble recruiting new members, were finding the new Iraqi security forces becoming more effective and were concerned by the negative view of the insurgency that has developed amongst the Iraqi people. The gloomy tone that characterised the memo was reminiscent of a passage from Bridget Jones' Diary. How many cigarettes Zarqawi smoked, and how much weight he had put on that week are secrets that he has taken to his grave.

Despite the continued violence, US forces have continued their post-Zarqawi offensive, erecting check points and pushing into the insurgent-stronghold of Ramadi. The US insists that their operations in the city do not represent the start of another, Fallujah-style, offensive. However, Reuters has quoted residents as saying that water and electricity have been cut to parts of the city and that tanks are involved in operations there.

Also significant this week, is Japan's decision to pull its Self Defence Forces out of Iraq. This decision was probably prompted by the announcement that British and Australian troops in the area will be handing over control to Iraqis next month. Japan's deployment of troops to Iraq has been unpopular at home, with PM Koizumi drawing criticism for bending the country's pacifist constitution to score points with GWB.

Finally, for those of you who are unhappy at work, spare a thought for people who have real problems with their job: Iraqis working in the US embassy in Baghdad's green zone. The Washington Post published a leaked memo from US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad to the State department. The memo says "Employees all share a common tale: of nine employees in March, only four had family members who knew they worked at the embassy."

The memo cites that life outside the green zone is becoming "emotionally draining" for embassy employees, who risk a certain death sentence at the hands of militias if their identity is revealed.

George Bush obviously does not share his Iraqi employee's problems. He remarked last week on his surprise visit to Baghdad: "I was inspired to be able to visit the capital of a free and democratic Iraq."