Forty-nine Iraqi "criminals" have been killed in three separate raids in Sadr City in the capital, Baghdad, the US military says.

That's a headline on the BBC website. Note the scare quotes around the word criminals.

"The operation's objective was an individual reported to be a long-time Special Groups member specialising in kidnapping operations," it said.

Iraqi sources said women and children were among those killed, but the US said it was not aware of this.

Iraqi sources? What kind of sources? Is it the Iraqi government? Not exactly...

An official loyal to Moqtada Sadr said the attack was "simply barbaric".

"Most of those killed and wounded were women, children and elderly men which shows the indiscriminate monstrosity of the attacks on this crowded area," Abdul-Mehdi al-Muteyri told Reuters news agency.

The BBC feels the burden of proof should be on the American military to prove that those killed were indeed "criminals", but has no trouble at all believing the henchmen of a known thug and terrorist. Disgusting.

Labels: BBC Bias, Iraq, Main Stream Media, Moqtada Al Sadr, War on Terror

The Securities and Exchange Commission has made it a little easier for us patriot-types to know where to invest our money. They have released a list of 100 companies who contribute to state-sponsored terrorism. And there are four Canadian companies on that list.

Five countries - Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria - are highlighted on the SEC site on a web page called "Countries the secretary of state has designated as state sponsors of terrorism."

That page leads to others that list around 100 companies, including some Canadian ones such as Petro-Canada, which sold oil properties in Syria two years ago, and the Calgary-based Precision Drilling, an oilfield services company with drilling rigs in Iran.

Also included are Ontario-based YM BioSciences Inc., and Lundin Mining, whose registered address is in Vancouver, B.C.

Call your broker. Don't support terror in an effort to get rich.

Some of the well-known names on the list are; Benetton S.p.A., Four Seasons Hotels Inc., Nokia Corp., Xerox Corp., Unilever PLC, and Reuters Group PLC.

Al Reuters? The devil you say!

Labels: SEC, War on Terror

Shockingly - shockingly, I tell ya - they were all Muslim. Wow.

Six foreign-born Muslims were arrested and accused Tuesday of plotting to attack the army's Fort Dix and massacre scores of U.S. soldiers, a plot investigators say was foiled when the men took a video of themselves firing assault weapons to a store to have the footage put onto a DVD.

Three of them were illegal aliens (Oops, sorry. I meant "undocumented workers").

"It doesn't matter to me whether I get locked up, arrested or get taken away," Serdar Tatar was quoted as saying. "Or I die, it doesn't matter. I'm doing it in the name of Allah."

This is what we're fighting: an enemy who wants to die for their devil-god. A false religion, a cult of sex and death, from a false desert prophet. A Religion of Pieces.

Will we ever learn?

Labels: Islam, Islamic Terror, Military, War on Terror

[Padre] Varga told the mourners. "A war took Patrick; evil in the world took Patrick. God caught him when he fell and now God carries him safely into eternal life."

Pentland died when the light-armoured vehicle he was driving hit a roadside bomb near Kandahar.

What a lovely way to eulogize someone.

Labels: Afghanistan, Canadiana, Military, War on Terror

This is a wonderful statement on supporting the troops. It's more than a sticker on your car (or a lapel pin like mine). It's more than talking the talk.

It means never backing down, never giving up, never quitting. It means taking the time to make a difference in someone's life-after all, did a soldier not make a difference in yours?

It means teaching your children that places like Normandy, Iwo Jima, and Bastogne are sacred, almost holy phrases that encompass all that we are and all that we must remain. It means getting off your chair and doing your part-whether that be reading to a double amputee fresh from the dusty hell of Iraq, packing granola bars into a box to be sent to the front, or just not ignoring those who are ignorant any longer. How many times have we all just sighed and rolled our eyes when we hear "I support the troops but not the war?"

I know that by linking to this post, I will get the freaks commenting how I should take my fat aging body down to the recruiting office and join the war, because of course it's the only way I can truly show support. But those idiots only know straw-men. They don't know about the late-night emails winging back and forth across the globe. The VOIP calls at all hours from Officers who have lost men, and how. The Officers don't tell their wives these horrors. They don't tell their mothers. The idiots can't know about the frantic mothers who contact me to see if I can get word about their sons or their sons' platoons from one of my friends. The idiots will never know what it's like to hear about the losses from those who were there, and to not even be able to tell my husband or my closest friends about it.

So, idiots, may I ask what YOU are doing to support the troops?

H/t Michelle

Labels: Military, War on Terror

Ok, I know I'm going to get into trouble on all sides with this, but thankfully I'm used to that. I'll try to be delicate, given my own grave feelings on the subject.

Canada should not be televising the Repatriation Ceremonies of our brave dead. It's gruesome, and it's bad for the group morale of the country. Perhaps more Canadians would back our troops if they didn't have to see the parade of flag-draped coffins go by on our official Death TV station, WDED. Oops, I mean CTV.

Every Canadian has the right (almost the obligation) to mourn for those who gave their lives. But there is something truly unsettling about watching the caskets come off the planes. The Americans don't do this. Do the British? I'm not sure, but I don't think so (someone step up if I'm wrong). There is a certain anti-war "I told you so" feeling to these ceremonies, and I think it's inappropriate.

Please, if there are any families of lost soldiers out there who agree or disagree, I would love to hear from you. Maybe it's just me. Or maybe you feel it too. Let me know.

Labels: Afghanistan, Military, War on Terror

Canada lost six today.

Six Canadian soldiers died Easter Sunday in southern Afghanistan in the worst attack on Canadian soldiers since Canada joined the conflict there.

The soldiers died and four others were wounded when the vehicle they were riding in came into contact with an explosive device.

Names have not yet been released, but that doesn't stop us from keeping them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

Labels: Afghanistan, Military, War on Terror

Via LGF:

The corporation has cancelled the commission for a 90-minute drama about Britain's youngest surviving Victoria Cross hero because it feared it would alienate members of the audience opposed to the war in Iraq.

Would those be the same members of the audience who would have rioted has Britain used it's dusty spine to free its sailors instead of humbly accepting them as a "gift"? Would those be the same members of the audience who protest holding signs that say "Behead those who insult Islam"? Because I assure you, it would not be the members of the audience whose fathers and grandfathers fought for Her Majesty themselves. It would not be the average middle-classman who understands that the freedoms they enjoy did not just spring up from a wild mushroom or something.

"The BBC has behaved in a cowardly fashion by pulling the plug on the project altogether," said a source close to the project. "It began to have second thoughts last year as the war in Iraq deteriorated. It felt it couldn't show anything with a degree of positivity about the conflict.

"It needed to tell stories about Iraq which reflected the fact that some members of the audience didn't approve of what was going on. Obviously a story about Johnson Beharry could never do that. You couldn't have a scene where he suddenly turned around and denounced the war because he just wouldn't do that.

"The film is now on hold and it will only make it to the screen if another broadcaster picks it up."

Here's hoping a more patriotic station backs it. The so-called "British" Broadcasting Corporation has no room for the good news out of Iraq. Only the bad.

Labels: Europe, Iraq, Main Stream Media, Military, War on Terror

His latter-day minions are pretty damn cowardly. Think about it. Osama is hiding in a cave on the Pak/Af'stan border. Moqtada al Sadr has been hiding since the surge was announced. Even the "secular" Saddam Hussein was found in a spiderhole, wretched and filthy, not having seen the sun in weeks. These are the people that are leading resistance? How could anyone be foolish enough to follow them and do their bidding?

The orders [to resist the surge] come from a diminished Sadr, who still has yet to poke his head above ground in Iraq since the beginning of the surge. At first, he fled to Iran supposedly to hold strategy meetings with senior Mahdi Army commanders and to consult with his Iranian allies, but most suspected he bugged out before the Americans could seize him and his most loyal followers.

Sad, sad, sad.

Labels: Iran, Iraq, Islam, Middle East, War on Terror

It seems Toronto is harboring another war-dodging, yellow spined, America-hating cretin who thought joining the National Guard would be like basket weaving at summer camp.

U.S. army deserter Corey Glass smoked a cigarette during a break in his Immigration and Refugee Board hearing yesterday and hoped he'll avoid time behind bars.

"I hope I don't have to sit 20 years in prison," said Glass, who fled the U.S. to resist fighting in Iraq and is seeking refugee status in Toronto. "And I hope it helps make something happen with someone admitting the war is illegal."

But there are legal hurdles to clear for Glass, 23, before he can be granted his wish and avoid imprisonment in the home country he has no plans to return to.

His lawyer, Jeffry House, is arguing that the war in Iraq violates international law and therefore Glass should not be punished for refusing to take part in an illegal war.

I can hear the violins. Especially since he's unlikely to serve more than a few months or a year in prison if he returns home and pleads guilty to cowardice.

He misses his parents and three siblings, who support his decision to flee, but Glass says he will not go back to the U.S. if his claim is denied here.

"I guess I'll have to find out what I have to do then and start looking for other countries," he said.

Try France, kid. They have a long and distinguished history of cowardice. They may make you their new king. Or mullah, anyway, given the direction they've taken.

Labels: War on Terror

For your blog-reading pleasure (and because there's no damn way I'm passing up this opportunity), RightGirl is heading off to the sunny beaches of Oahu in 28 1/2 days. How does this benefit you? Well, I'll be somewhat of a guest of the military establishment on the Island, including a very special tour of Camp Smith.

You see, for the past five years, all eyes have been on the Middle East in the War on Terror. How many of you are aware of the work that PACOM (Pacific Command) have been doing in places like the Philippines? How many of you are aware that we are facing an Islamic threat from there just as much as we are from the desert? And that the joint staff of PACOM are regularly sent to the Pacific Rim to clear out and rebuild areas? These guys should not be forgotten while - just like the Muslims are wanting - we're facing East.

You may ask "How did RightGirl get such a plum assignment?" The answer is simple: I'm RightGirl. I believe that if you don't ask, you don't get, and that a little chutzpah goes a long way. So I made arrangements with some very dear military friends of mine to fly out there. They said if I was willing to fly 5000 miles by myself just to talk about the Pacific Rim WoT (and get a tan), they'd take care of all the arrangements on the ground. So for the bargain price (well, sorta) of a plane ticket, I'm getting a week in Hawaii. Some days being me isn't all bad.

Labels: Blogging, PACOM, Travel, War on Terror

From EM comes an excellent post on things Khalid Shaikh Mohammed confessed to:

*Assembling an international coalition of terrorists, murderers and thugs
*Crocs shoes
*The Cory Kennedy-CobraSnake breakup
*Casting Hayden Christiansen in Star Wars
*Trying to steal Whitney Houston away from both Bobby Brown AND Osama
*Changing Martha Stewart's stock information
*Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip.
*Insane Clown Posse and their entire, unwashed fan base
*Being the inspiration for A Million Little Pieces

And a whole lot more.

Labels: Islamic Terror, War on Terror

The bodies of 14 policemen were found Friday northeast of Baghdad after an al-Qaida-affilated Sunni group said it abducted members of a government security force in retaliation for the rape of a Sunni woman by members of the Shiite-dominated police.

How do we know the charge is bogus? Because if it were real, the woman would have been killed, not the Iraqi police.

Labels: Iraq, Middle East, War on Terror

Back then it was a random act of violence - obviously well planned, but random nonetheless. Those we counted on for information - our leaders, our press - let us down by not assisting us in linking the events. Those of us who were young, or ininvolved didn't bother making the connection. Munich. The Iran hostage taking. And on this day in 1993, the bombing of the World Trade Center.

It would take nearly nine years for those buildings to come down at the hands of the same people before we would finally start linking together all the news events that shaped our lives for the previous twenty or thirty years. The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The murder of 14 girls at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique. The genocide in Rwanda. The genocide in Darfur.

All of these events may seem unconnected, but there is an underlying cause at the root of all of them: Islam. The ummah, or global Islamic village. Hatred of the west and what we stand for. A burning desire to bring us to heel; to make us submit.

Even now, our press is hesitant to call a spade a spade or a terrorist a terrorist. We have this bogeyman of Al Qaeda, and we blame them for everything. "...has links to Al Qaeda..." "...was associated with Al Qaeda...." They want us to believe that a half-dead desert zealot is responsible for all the evil in the world, without admitting that he's telling us the truth. Islam preaches our murder. Islam will take over. Demands are made in the name if Islam. So much easier to blame one man - be it Bin Laden or Bush - than it is to face the real disease. Islam.

Labels: Islam, Islamic Terror, Main Stream Media, War on Terror

The news that the MSM doesn't want you to know. There's nary a story to be found on this - luckily Robert Spencer picked it up at Jihad Watch.

Two students visiting from Ohio were coming from a bar downtown when they got into an argument with their driver over religion, said police. After they paid the driver he allegedly ran them down in a parking lot.

Ibrihim Ahmned, of United Cab, was arrested and charged with assault, attempted homicide and theft. One of the passengers, Andrew Nelson, managed to outrun the cab but Jeremy Invus was taken to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center with serious injuries, said police.

Here's a tip, people. When you call a taxi, let the dispatcher know you're travelling with a guide dog or something. The hard-core Muslims won't take your fare, and they'll send a white guy to pick you up. No fuss, no muss, no Muslim. The safer way to travel - especially for women. Also means that Mohammed or Ahmed or whomever won't have your fare dollars to send back home to the sand-pit they were born in to fund global terrorism.

This travel tip brought to you by the one-woman counter-Jihad machine: RightGirl.

Labels: Islam, Islamic Terror, Religion, War on Terror

I expected the Democrats in the United States to vote in favor of having our asses kicked by Jihadis in Iraq, but the fact that 17 so-called Republicans also voted for our defeat adds brutal insult to fatal injury.

"Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush, announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq," the resolution said.

Just when Moqtada al Sadr is on the run, hiding out with his heathen homeboys in Iran, congress pulls the rug out from under the surge. Cowardliness has long been a hallmark of the Democratic party (think Jimmy Carter), but the idea that the party who was willing to lose lives by the tens of thousands to fight for equality for all men in 1860 has become as yellow as the donkeys in 2007 is depressing and disgusting. If I were a US voter, living in a district represented by one of the 17 people who had lost their nerve, their patriotism and their balls, I would be organizing a lynch mob. Lucky for them, I'm not. So in lieu of lynching (which just creates bad press anyway), people who live in these districts need to stand up and make their outrage heard. Write, call, scream outside their office if need be (expect to get carted to a mental ward if you try this, unless you are in a large group - then it's a protest).

So who is on the black list (or should that be yellow list)? Who ought to be ostracized for not backing those men currently serving thousands of miles away, facing death and destruction on all sides, including now - sadly - the home front?

Mike Castle - Delaware
Howard Coble - North Carolina 6th
Tom Davis - Virginia's 11th
John J. Duncan Jr. - Tennessee's 2nd
Phil English - Pennsylvania's 3rd
Wayne Gilchrist - Maryland's 1st
Bob Inglis - South Carolina's 4th
Tim Johnson - Illinois' 15th (I wonder what Abraham Lincoln would say)
Walter B. Jones - North Carolina's 3rd
Ric Keller - Florida's 8th
Mark Kirk - Illinois' 10th (I wonder what Abraham Lincoln would say)
Stephen LaTourette - Ohio's 14th
Ron Paul - Texas' 14th
Tom Petri - Wisconsin's 6th
Jim Ramstad - Minnesota's 3rd
Fred Upton - Michigan's 6th
Jim Walsh - New York's 25th

All men (if they can still be called that). Maybe they need to spend a little quality time with some Blue Star mothers from their districts. They can explain to those fine ladies why they feel that those women's sons are not worth supporting.

Further to this, there is a new website out called Victory Caucus. I have chosen to participate in this site as a contributer - as a non-American, it is the only way I can be involved. Not for me the phonecalls to congressmen, or the letter-writing campaigns. But please, those of you who are American voters, please visit Victory Caucus and learn how to get involved in the process of victory in Iraq, victory over terror, and victory in 2008.

Labels: Iraq, Military, War on Terror

I dare you to watch this clip about Bert Brady, and not feel a lump in your throat. I dare you to watch and and not ask yourself what you could be doing.

Labels: Love, Military, War on Terror

That would be to make the other guy turn tail and run. America isn't a country of cowards, ready to run away in fear. America is a country that stands strong in the face of adversity until the bad guy cries "uncle!"

According to senior military officials, al Sadr left Baghdad two to three weeks ago and fled to Tehran, Iran, where he has family.

Al Sadr commands the Mahdi army, one of the most formidable insurgent militias in Iraq, and his move coincides with the announced U.S. troop surge in Baghdad.

Sources believe al Sadr is worried about an increase of 20,000 U.S. troops in the Iraqi capital. One official told ABC News' Martha Raddatz, "He is scared he will get a JDAM [bomb] dropped on his house."

And someone will steal his ruby slippers. Heh. The Democrats and other cowards in America and around the world can moan and cry about sending twenty thousand more troops over, but the very fact that Moqtada al Sadr is scared at just the prospect of it proves that it's the right thing to do.

Labels: Iraq, War on Terror

...I thought I might do a bit of blogging.

The girls were passing around this link earlier today, and it's truly bone-chilling.

Try to imagine a Belsan in your own neighborhood.

Probably the last place you want to think of terrorists striking is your kids’ school. But according to two trainers at an anti-terrorism conference on the East Coast, preparations for attacks on American schools that will bring rivers of blood and staggering body counts are well underway in Islamic terrorist camps.

The article is very long, but even if you only skim it you will be left with an uneasy feeling every time you send your kids off to school.

Labels: Islamic Terror, War on Terror

Abdul Helil Mamut's good behavior earned him a spot in a medium-security compound at the Guantanamo Bay prison, where he slept in a barracks, shared leisurely meals with other prisoners and could spend more than half the day in an outdoor recreation area.

But in December, the detainee was among dozens transferred from Camp 4 to the maximum-security Camp 6, the newest section of Guantanamo Bay's military prison.

Now Mamut, an ethnic Uighur from China captured in Pakistan, spends all but two hours a day isolated in his cell. He eats and prays by himself. His only recreation comes in a concrete courtyard surrounded by high walls, separated from other prisoners by a chain-link fence.

Oh sad. Life harsh at a prison set up for terror suspects? Oh the horror!

I desperately want to see the inside of Gitmo; want to spend a couple of weeks "working" there with my cat o'nine tails in hand, but Mr. Right keeps muttering something about conventions and international incidents. Whatever. Anyway...

Wells Dixon, who also represents Uighurs held at Guantanamo, predicted the lack of human interaction in Camp 6 will cause detainees to lose their grip on reality.

"It will very soon become an insane asylum," he told The Associated Press in a phone interview after he returned from the base in January.

Hahaha! Mr. Dixon, we're talking about a facility filled with people who want to murder in the name of a false prophet. I don't think you have to worry about their reality slipping more than it already has. And as for it being an insane asylum, I couldn't agree more. Anyone who adheres to such a blood-soaked, subjugating, evil "religion" needs to have their head examined. I say we keep 'em there in the name of science, to see what makes 'em tick.

When the first detainees arrived in the new unit in December, they found on their bunks two pieces of baklava - a sweet pastry common in the Middle East - to welcome them to their new quarters, according to one prison official.

Oh, that's harsh! Terrible! Call the UN!!

Originally, Camp 6 was going to be more like Camp 4, with detainees allowed to congregate in a common area and share meals. But the commander of the detention center, Navy Rear Adm. Harry B. Harris, said that plan changed after 10 detainees attacked guards in Camp 4 last May and three prisoners committed suicide in June in Camp 1.

Please refer to earlier "insane asylum" comment.

Labels: Islamic Terror, War on Terror

I never thought I'd see the day that I read something at the Huffington Post that didn't make my skin crawl. Not only that - I agree with every word.

After all, both entities - the left and terrorists - seem to share the same desire: to put the US, humiliatingly, in its place.

But I would be wrong to say such things. Very wrong. Of course, "dissent is patriotic," and the left is only critical of America because it simply loves our country much more than I do.

That's why calling them terrorists would be intolerant and pretty shameful.

But what about "patriotic terrorists?"

That's kinda neat.

What is a patriotic terrorist?

It is an American who claims to love his or her country while enjoying the enemy's success against said country.

Go read the whole thing. And then play "Count the Strawmen" in the comments by the raving loons... uh, I mean Patriots, uh Patriotic Terrorists.

Thank you, Mr. Gutfeld, for having the balls to call a spade a spade, and in rather unfriendly territory no less.

Labels: Main Stream Media, War on Terror

From CENTCOM, news that the United States is extending its mission in Afghanistan by 3200 troops for 120 extra days. Every little bit helps, and I'm sure the Canadian military, currently leading the NATO mission over there, appreciates it.

Some 3,200 soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, will have their tour in Afghanistan extended for up to 120 additional days, Defense Department officials announced today.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates approved the extension was based on the recommendations of commanders on the ground, whom Gates visited last week, Bryan Whitman, a DoD spokesman, said. The extension will provide military capability for NATO to build on the success achieved in promoting stability and security in Afghanistan while denying safe haven for the Taliban, he said.

"What is certain is that Secretary Gates is very interested in ensuring that the successes that we've achieved in Afghanistan are not lost, and that commanders on the ground have sufficient forces to build upon the successes that we've achieved so far in Afghanistan," Whitman said.

Labels: Afghanistan, War on Terror

As an update to this story, the website for Discount Mats is still pretty much down, but they have the following message.

Due to the recent actions of a member within our company, we have been experiencing many difficulties. We have been bombarded by emails and phone calls literally within 12 hours of the event occurring, which sent us in a state of complete shock.

Our technical difficulties were experienced due to severe e-mail and phone call overload.

As a company, we would like to say that it is against company policy to treat anyone disrespectfully, and we condemn any such behavior. The member who was responsible for stating their personal opinion in a disrespectful manner is no longer associated and no longer working with Discount-Mats.com

The members within our company strongly disagreed with the views and actions of this member, and once again, his personal opinion does not reflect the opinions of the company.

We, as a company, are sorry for the events that took place and we do not condone un-professional, rude behavior from any members within our company.

They have also updated their email address to support @ discount-mats.com

Phone Number: 414-736-8394

Feel free to give them a call and remind them that they're living in America.

Labels: Islam, War on Terror

This is an excellent web resource for choosing a provider to fuel your car. Unfortunately Canada has little to no Terror-Free Oil, but there are plenty of options in the United States.

As for us Canadians, we have to contact companies like Petro-Canada, Ultramar and Irving, and tell them that we do not approve of them purchasing their petrol products from terror states.

I won't preach too much though. I live downtown and take the subway. I don't even buy falafal anymore, for fear of having the proprietors send money back to the mothership. The pizza places I frequent are run by Greeks or Ukrainians. I do my best to keep money out of the hands of Muslims who may in turn use it against me (getting a taxi is nearly impossible!).

It's just something for the rest of you to consider.

Labels: Islam, Middle East, War on Terror

I normally wouldn't post this sort of thing, but it's been verified by Snopes.

One of our soldiers emailed a retailer in West Allis, Wisconsin, inquiring whether they could ship floor mats to an APO address. The NCO wanted to buy better gear for his troops to sleep on. You won't believe the company's response*. (Their email address is included below, if you'd like to let the company know what you think of their business.):

From: SGT Jason Hess
Sent: Tue Jan 16 3:25

Do you ship to APO address? I'm in the 1st Cavalry Division stationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we are looking for who ships to APO first.

**********************************

From: contact@discount-mats.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: Feedback: from discount-mats.com

SGT Hess,
We do not ship to APO addresses, and even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq.

Bargain Suppliers
Discount-Mats.com

The website is registered to Mr. Faisal Khetani. Contact for Mr. Khetani can be found here:

Faisal Khetani
PO Box 270693
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53227

Email: contact@discount-mats.com

Tel: 414-736-8394

Here is their mailing address:

Bargain Suppliers
3259 S.106th Street
West Allis, WI 53227

The company's website is currently down, probably from too many pissed off people accessing it.

Labels: Military, War on Terror

And I find this one especially sexy.

One more down, 1.2 billion more to go.....

Labels: Islam, Islamic Terror, War on Terror

10:08 PM EST: Al Arabya is reporting that the sandy little butthole is dead. Ding Dong. An era has ended.


Saddam will hang within the hour.

Labels: War on Terror

Cheese eating surrender monkeys.

France will withdraw its 200 special forces troops from Afghanistan within weeks, authorities announced Sunday.

The elite soldiers have been serving under U.S. forces in the southeast, battling Taliban and al-Qaeda militants.

The rest of France's contribution in Afghanistan — about 1,100 troops — have been under NATO leadership and stationed in the relatively safe capital, Kabul. French authorities have resisted repeated calls from NATO leaders and individual countries in the coalition, including Canada, for the troops to be deployed in more volatile areas.

News of the withdrawal came amid growing militant strength despite the efforts of NATO's 32,800-strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

France said the decision to pull the special forces troops, based in the southeastern city of Jalalabad, didn't indicate a weakening of its support for the mission in Afghanistan.

I guess it's hard to fight in Af'stan when so many of your home population is of the halal-eating variety, and there's an election next year...

Labels: War on Terror