Even with nationwide violence ebbing to the lowest levels since January 2006, American commanders have warned that security is precarious in northern Iraqi regions such as Diyala — where Saturday's attack took place — as al-Qaida and other militants have moved there to avoid coalition operations.
The militant attack on Dwelah, about 45 miles north of Baghdad in Diyala, began about 6:30 a.m. with the mortar rounds, then 50 to 60 suspected al-Qaida fighters streamed in and opened fire, a police officer said.
Among the 13 dead were three children and two women, the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information about the raid. Villagers trying to fight back killed three gunmen, but the militants torched more than two dozen homes and around 500 families took shelter in neighboring towns, police said.
The article calls it a "raid" which certainly implies that the jihadis moved on after hitting the village.
And look at the attack, a mortar barrage followed by a mass attack that shot up the village. What? No car bomb? That's the signature of an al Qaeda "attack."
This was not an enemy offensive. This was a group of jihadis running from American and Iraqi troops who decided to hit nearly defenseless civilians as they moved through the area.
The enemy may be running out of areas to hide, but they still like to kill when they get the chance. I hope we are looking for this band and kill them before they run across another village.
