Senators blast Obama over Al Qaeda capture of Iraq city of Fallujah

[Neapolitan]

Published January 04, 2014 

 

 

FoxNews.com

 

Top Republican senators on Saturday blamed the Obama administration for Al Qaeda-affiliates purportedly over-running parts of Iraq, including the city of Fallujah that the United States secured before President Obama removed all U.S. forces from that country in 2011.

Sen. John McCain, Arizona, and Lindsey Graham, South Carolina, called the recent turn of events “as tragic as they were predictable” and suggested Obama misled Americans into believing that Iraqi leaders wanted U.S. forces out of their country.

“While many Iraqis are responsible for this strategic disaster, the administration cannot escape its share of the blame,” the senators said in a joint statement. “When President Obama withdrew all U.S. forces … over the objections of our military leaders and commanders on the ground, many of us predicted that the vacuum would be filled by America's enemies and would emerge as a threat to U.S. national security interests. Sadly, that reality is now clearer than ever.”

The Al Qaeda-affiliated fighters took over Fallujah on Friday after a bloody three-day battle, raising their flag over government buildings as a sign of victory, according to The Washington Post.

At least eight people were killed and dozens injured Friday night as the Iraqi army tries to regain control of the city. The army, which lobbed mortar bombs in its response, has been joined in the fray by tribesmen from Ramadi, a Sunni stronghold.

The administration on Saturday called the attacks barbaric and said it is working with the Iraqi government and the tribal leaders.

“We are … concerned by efforts of the terrorist Al Qaeda/Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to assert its authority in Syria as well as Iraq,” said State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf. “Their barbarism against civilians of Ramadi and Fallujah and against Iraqi Security Forces is on display for all to see.”

Major Sunni tribes turned against Al Qaeda before the American withdrawal at the end of 2011. But they do not support the Shiite-led government in Iraq, creating an odd alliance in the battle against militants.

“The administration's narrative that Iraq's political leadership objected to U.S. forces remaining in Iraq after 2011 is patently false,” said McCain and Graham, military hawks with an active interest in Middle East affairs. “We know firsthand that Iraq's main political blocs were supportive and that the administration rejected sound military advice and squandered the opportunity to conclude a security agreement with Iraq."

On Friday, the Al Qaeda affiliates tried to win over the population in Fallujah with a militant commander appearing among worshippers holding Friday prayers in the main city street, proclaiming that his fighters were there to defend Sunnis from the government, a resident said.

There have been no reports on the total number of people injured or killed in the fighting that started earlier this week.

The overrunning of Fallujah and Ramadi, another Sunni stronghold, by Al Qaeda’s Iraqi branch in the Sunni heartland of western Anbar provinces is a blow to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister al-Maliki. His government has been struggling to contain discontent among the Sunni minority over Shiite political domination that has flared into increased violence for the past year.

Anbar province, a desert area on the borders with Syria and Jordan, has almost an entirely Sunni population. The area served as the heartland of the Sunni insurgency that rose up against American troops and the Iraqi government after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Authorities earlier this week arrested a senior Sunni politician and dismantled a months-old sit-in in Ramadi sparking anger among Sunnis.

In an effort to ease tensions, al-Maliki pulled the military out of Anbar cities to transfer security duties to local police, a top demand of Sunnis who see the army as a tool of al-Maliki’s rule. Al Qaeda militants then erupted in Fallujah and Ramadi overrunning police station, driving out security forces and freeing prisoners.

“Thousands of brave Americans who fought, shed their blood, and lost their friends to bring peace to Fallujah and Iraq are now left to wonder whether these sacrifices were in vain,” said McCain and Graham, who argued the administration’s failure in Iraq has been compounded by its failed policy in Syria.

That country is involved in a years-long civil war in which tens of thousands have been killed or driven from their homeland, which the senators say has resulted in a regional conflict that now threatens U.S. national security interests.

The senators also called on Obama to learn from the Iraq experience and promptly decide on the troop levels needed to secure U.S. national security interests in Afghanistan and to keep out Al Qaeda and its terrorist allies.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/04/mccain-graham-blame-obama-for-al-qaeda-related-takeover-fallujah-call-situation/

[WISKY291]

Reuters

 

Published January 04, 2014

FoxNews.com

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FILE: December 31, 2013: Protesters burn a police vehicle during fighting in Ramadi, in Iraq.REUTERS

 

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Top Republican senators on Saturday blamed the Obama administration for Al Qaeda-affiliates purportedly over-running parts of Iraq, including the city of Fallujah that the United States secured before President Obama removed all U.S. forces from that country in 2011.

 

Sen. John McCain, Arizona, and Lindsey Graham, South Carolina, called the recent turn of events “as tragic as they were predictable” and suggested Obama misled Americans into believing that Iraqi leaders wanted U.S. forces out of their country.

“While many Iraqis are responsible for this strategic disaster, the administration cannot escape its share of the blame,” the senators said in a joint statement. “When President Obama withdrew all U.S. forces … over the objections of our military leaders and commanders on the ground, many of us predicted that the vacuum would be filled by America's enemies and would emerge as a threat to U.S. national security interests. Sadly, that reality is now clearer than ever.”

The Al Qaeda-affiliated fighters took over Fallujah on Friday after a bloody three-day battle, raising their flag over government buildings as a sign of victory, according to The Washington Post.

At least eight people were killed and dozens injured Friday night as the Iraqi army tries to regain control of the city. The army, which lobbed mortar bombs in its response, has been joined in the fray by tribesmen from Ramadi, a Sunni stronghold.

The administration on Saturday called the attacks barbaric and said it is working with the Iraqi government and the tribal leaders.

“We are … concerned by efforts of the terrorist Al Qaeda/Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to assert its authority in Syria as well as Iraq,” said State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf. “Their barbarism against civilians of Ramadi and Fallujah and against Iraqi Security Forces is on display for all to see.”

Major Sunni tribes turned against Al Qaeda before the American withdrawal at the end of 2011. But they do not support the Shiite-led government in Iraq, creating an odd alliance in the battle against militants.

“The administration's narrative that Iraq's political leadership objected to U.S. forces remaining in Iraq after 2011 is patently false,” said McCain and Graham, military hawks with an active interest in Middle East affairs. “We know firsthand that Iraq's main political blocs were supportive and that the administration rejected sound military advice and squandered the opportunity to conclude a security agreement with Iraq."

On Friday, the Al Qaeda affiliates tried to win over the population in Fallujah with a militant commander appearing among worshippers holding Friday prayers in the main city street, proclaiming that his fighters were there to defend Sunnis from the government, a resident said.

There have been no reports on the total number of people injured or killed in the fighting that started earlier this week.

The overrunning of Fallujah and Ramadi, another Sunni stronghold, by Al Qaeda’s Iraqi branch in the Sunni heartland of western Anbar provinces is a blow to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister al-Maliki. His government has been struggling to contain discontent among the Sunni minority over Shiite political domination that has flared into increased violence for the past year.

Anbar province, a desert area on the borders with Syria and Jordan, has almost an entirely Sunni population. The area served as the heartland of the Sunni insurgency that rose up against American troops and the Iraqi government after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Authorities earlier this week arrested a senior Sunni politician and dismantled a months-old sit-in in Ramadi sparking anger among Sunnis.

In an effort to ease tensions, al-Maliki pulled the military out of Anbar cities to transfer security duties to local police, a top demand of Sunnis who see the army as a tool of al-Maliki’s rule. Al Qaeda militants then erupted in Fallujah and Ramadi overrunning police station, driving out security forces and freeing prisoners.

“Thousands of brave Americans who fought, shed their blood, and lost their friends to bring peace to Fallujah and Iraq are now left to wonder whether these sacrifices were in vain,” said McCain and Graham, who argued the administration’s failure in Iraq has been compounded by its failed policy in Syria.

That country is involved in a years-long civil war in which tens of thousands have been killed or driven from their homeland, which the senators say has resulted in a regional conflict that now threatens U.S. national security interests.

The senators also called on Obama to learn from the Iraq experience and promptly decide on the troop levels needed to secure U.S. national security interests in Afghanistan and to keep out Al Qaeda and its terrorist allies.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/04/mccain-graham-blame-obama-for-al-qaeda-related-takeover-fallujah-call-situation/

 

[MyLadiesDaddy]

Funny how those two RINOS and the media DON'T mention any of the good news

coming out of Iraq. All financial laws being implemented, Baghdad and the Kurds

coming to an agreement, oil output at highest levels in decades, all manner of infrastructure

projects being implemented, all banking laws being implemented, BIS accepting Iraqi deposits,

parliament calling for the Iraqi economy to transition to a consumer market economy,

and so much more. They're telling the world that Qaida just SUDDENLY popped up

and is destroying the country, but there not telling people how the military and tribal

leaders took out the main Daash(terrorists) leader. OR how there about to get control

of those two cities. McCain knows full well what is really going on in Iraq and so

does the AP yet yet none of that is being reported. These globalist POS make me sick.

And if this is the prelude to an RV all these losers will talk about is political backgammon.

We absolutely have got to stop listening to anything they say.

[dontlop]

It is obvious Obama was more interested in his political base and not reality

If Benghazi didn't prove it iraq does and soon Afghanistan

Obama is a terrible president

[SgtFuryUSCZ]

***///

 

Is this  finally the end of the BLAME  BUSH era and the start of BLAME HOBUMMER...?

 

About time.    Long over due.

[skeetdog]

Just remember Dawgs, Everybody wants to hear dirty laundry...that's what sells and brings in the bucks. The puppets that are associated with postions in our government have only proved to be insignificant at best....

[Brisco]

All the non believers I've informed about this opportunity are being manipulated in thinking that IRAQ is in terrible disarray.

I tell them if all you heard were how many people are killed in just the suburbs of Chicago, you would think the USA is in total disarray.

Their enabling the USA press to program them to the point of being blinded by this historical opportunity.

And sure as heck their going to be this first in line wanting me to invest in the next best thing they have been programmed to believe.

Funny how that " what goes around, comes around " works isn't it.

Edited January 5, 2014 by Brisco

[sandstorm]

All the non believers I've informed about this opportunity are being manipulated in thinking that IRAQ is in terrible disarray.

I tell them if all you heard were how many people are killed in just the suburbs of Chicago, you would think the USA is in total disarray.

Their enabling the USA press to program them to the point of being blinded by this historical opportunity.

And sure as heck their going to be this first in line wanting me to invest in the next best thing they have been programmed to believe.

Funny how that " what goes around, comes around " works isn't it.

2013 saw the most deaths in iraq since...., alqueada taking over cities, yeah id say their in dissaray. all those positives are meaningless when this stuff starts happening. since the us has left iraq is slipping back. the obvious opinion

[uncirculd]

What's with the horn sings anyhow?  I guess they are proclaiming their allegiance.   Such as:  "I am Devil"  I give you my sign and you know me by my works of murder.  Ok, they must have learned that from bollywood.  

[DinarMillionaire]

What's with the horn sings anyhow?  I guess they are proclaiming their allegiance.   Such as:  "I am Devil"  I give you my sign and you know me by my works of murder.  Ok, they must have learned that from bollywood.

Or they are University of Texas, Longhorn fans. "Hook 'em Horns! ,\m/,

[Brisco]

It is obvious Obama was more interested in his political base and not reality

If Benghazi didn't prove it iraq does and soon Afghanistan

Obama is a terrible president

Politicians are always thinking cover my A!!

That is why Hillarious cut bait of her JOB " Benghazi " so it wouldn't effect her run or Presidency.

Like she wasn't doing her JOB right.

[Brisco]

2013 saw the most deaths in iraq since...., alqueada taking over cities, yeah id say their in dissaray. all those positives are meaningless when this stuff starts happening. since the us has left iraq is slipping back. the obvious opinion

There are a lot more POSSITIVES in IRAQ now than have been in decades.

Remember they have been in tribal conflict for THOUSANDS of years.

And the Freedom Cololitian that ousted Saddam will not let our Sons & Daughters have died in vein.

And dissaray is how ever you conceive it.

Like the BS second Ammendments attack that guns are the reason for all our ills,Instead of the cure.

I guarantee it School Teachers had the right to be trained in gun safety and carry a concielef weapon.

These bozo's would not prey on our children & grandchildren.

I'am originally from Wyoming and the reason there is not much gun violence there is because everybody in the building including the Grandmas will draw down on you.

Remember the press is just the puppet masters trying to get you to believe what they want you to believe.

[Captjohn]

The sad reality is that Obama cares more about his own leftist agenda than he does about securing peace in a terriorist-free Iraq.  It is shameful that he has squandered the blood and treasure we spent in that country......and further alarming that many low-information Americans don't even understand or care why we were there.  

[Brisco]

The sad reality is that Obama cares more about his own leftist agenda than he does about securing peace in a terriorist-free Iraq.  It is shameful that he has squandered the blood and treasure we spent in that country......and further alarming that many low-information Americans don't even understand or care why we were there.

DIDDO CAP

[CompSCI]

Funny how those two RINOS and the media DON'T mention any of the good news

coming out of Iraq. All financial laws being implemented, Baghdad and the Kurds

coming to an agreement, oil output at highest levels in decades, all manner of infrastructure

projects being implemented, all banking laws being implemented, BIS accepting Iraqi deposits,

parliament calling for the Iraqi economy to transition to a consumer market economy,

and so much more. They're telling the world that Qaida just SUDDENLY popped up

and is destroying the country, but there not telling people how the military and tribal

leaders took out the main Daash(terrorists) leader. OR how there about to get control

of those two cities. McCain knows full well what is really going on in Iraq and so

does the AP yet yet none of that is being reported. These globalist POS make me sick.

And if this is the prelude to an RV all these losers will talk about is political backgammon.

We absolutely have got to stop listening to anything they say.

 

As the wheel turns...

 

 

...

[OfCamelot]

Without treading on emotions and personal opinions, I believe this President is an inexperienced small time community organizer, weilding authority with no insight to outcome.  Worse, he has surrounded himself with others, also with no experience.  We should have never unilaterally withdrawn form Iraq. To begin with, after creating Saddam, we should have never invaded Iraq.  JMHO.  Shame for all the lives we lost in Iraq to see this outcome.

 

And its going to get worse.

Growth out of the window?  It will be if this continues.

Edited January 5, 2014 by OfCamelot

[dontlop]

If we did create saddam it would be our responsibility to remove him

First of all saddam murdered his way into power

If we sell guns to people and they turn into killers shouldn't we take them out

You may sell a guy a gun and he's fine but one day he loses his job gets divorced goes bankrupt and decides to go on a killin spree

It's our duty to take out the killer we can't say we made him so we shouldn't do anything

When the Bp oil spill happened it doesn't matter who did it we needed to stop the oil flow

We needed a leader to kick them out of the way and stop the oil

Not someone who all he did was say he will hold them accountable

He will make them pay

Stop the oil first then go after them

We do have a corp of engineers

ThAt display of leadership was a disgrace yet they voted him back in

I'm embarrassed by those voters being American educated

Edited January 5, 2014 by dontlop

[sportfisher]

obama supports al qaeda and is a muslim brotherhood member, what is there to blast except who he is? He's actually doing a great job................for the enemy, and there is still so many blind fools that don't see it.  

[dontlop]

Yep

When the economy is screwed up ya fixit ya don't. Just blame someone else like that means it's not your problem

Or when half the country is unemployed ya fix it ya don't just blame someone else and go on vacation

Edited January 5, 2014 by dontlop

[jg1]

It is obvious Obama was more interested in his political base and not reality

If Benghazi didn't prove it iraq does and soon Afghanistan

Obama is a terrible president

I think all of this news has to do with that film. You know the one that caused all that problem in Bengazi. As Hillarious would say, its too late to send in help. Does it really matter who did it. Wow, and we depend on these people. Democrats still rule. Go figure.

[dontlop]

He said he could fix all those problems in his debates with the other democrats and on his campaign

But when it was time to go to work he layed down he had no clue how to fix anything

I think all of this news has to do with that film. You know the one that caused all that problem in Bengazi. As Hillarious would say, its too late to send in help. Does it really matter who did it. Wow, and we depend on these people. Democrats still rule. Go figure.

Ya who cares what happened

Hillarious is no better

Edited January 5, 2014 by dontlop

[FlintNPebbles]

Not to be on the wrong side here but wasn't there an agreement in place between Iraq and the US that the troops would leave Iraq at a particular date and that when that date came Maliki did not want to change or revise it in any way...just wanted the occupiers out of the country?

[SocalDinar]

There are many peaceful ways to revolt against tyranny.

But we the people must do these things and not just talk about it.

[dontlop]

Ya Maliki wouldn't give amnesty to our troops

But Iraq was under ch 7 it shouldn't matter

[FlintNPebbles]

Thank you Dontlop...I knew there was something but forgot the particulars and knew someone here would be able to clear it up for me faster than I could google it