In an earlier post, I had grumped about the apparent kill ratio resulting from the operations against Moqtada al-Sadr's forces in the suburbs (?) of Baghdad. As the fighting went on, I lost count of what the number was, and so therefore it's time for an update.

This information comes courtesy of the California Yankee, by way of the Associated Press:

Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said Monday that U.S. troops killed about 700 insurgents across Iraq since the beginning of the month. Around 70 coalition troops - almost all Americans - were also killed.

Rounding the numbers, that's 700 of theirs for 70 of ours, i.e. 10:1. That's not bad. I don't have comparable figures---if even they can be compared---for other American operations throughout history, but I can live with 10:1. I wish we could move that to 20:1 or higher. Would that the number was 700:0, but alas, we'll probably not be that lucky. Similarly, I can't help but wish that we didn't have to do this. I'd rather the considerable efforts in planning and execution---on both sides---could be directed towards building an American-friendly prosperous and free Iraq, but it does not appear that circumstances would allow that. Pity.

A certain simple lesson can be drawn from the number, though: "Don't fight Americans unless you can sustain hideous casualties, for they shall inflict them." I've read somewhere---thought it was Mark Bowden in the WSJ, but that's not it---that after engagement which claimed the life of, among others, Randall Shugart, the Somalis were in a funk due to the demoralizing effect of losing lots of their people in exchange for a handful of our people. One wonders if this same effect translates to al-Sadr's militia, and if so, what our leadership will do about it.

As a Jacksonian, I suggest giving them an opportunity to give up their weapons and go home. Anyone who doesn't do so can keep fighting and be annihilated. I am distinctly tired of this al-Sadr and his private army, and I am suspicious of any attempt to deal with him that doesn't involve a laser-guided bomb.

Tip of the Wisconsin hat to California Yankee.

UPDATE: I had to cut out the Mark Bowden reference, because it wasn't exactly what I thought he had said, and the actual statement did not support the premise I was fronting. Enh, this journalistic integrity thing, it is hard.

Posted by: Country Pundit at 12:48 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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