The Associated Press reports U.S. and Iraqi operations along the Syrian border have resulted in a significant drop in suicide bombings. There were only 23 attacks in November, the lowest level in seven months. But Maj. Gen. Mark Lynch warned that the terrorists will likely step up attacks in the next two weeks to try to disrupt the December 15, parliamentary election:
"His weapon of choice is suicide bombers," Lynch said. "In the month of November: only 23 suicide attacks; the lowest we've seen in the last seven months, the direct result of the effectiveness of our operations."
Lynch said U.S. and Iraqi forces have discovered 301 weapons caches in November, the largest number captured in a single month this year. At least 117 al-Qaida members have also been killed or captured in 2005, he added. He said Zarqawi has suffered as a result.
"He's struggling because we've taken away a lot of his leadership, we've taken away a lot of his munitions, he's struggling because we've denied him safe havens across Iraq," Lynch said.
He said exact figures were not immediately available, but that U.S. forces had also recorded a reduction in car bombs and road side bombs, compared to October. The result was a 34 percent reduction in overall casualties, he added.
Maybe Clear, Hold and Build is a strategy that works.
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