I wanted to put this up as another indicator of the latest evolution of suicide attacks in this war. As you can see, these jihadists are operating exactly like they have been operating in Afghanistan and Somalia. It’s as if operationally they are all being told to conduct this same type of attack where ever they can. They get close to the target wearing police or military uniforms, they start the attack with an explosive breach, they swarm in with multiple suicide assaulters and fight their way into pockets of human concentration and then detonate their suicide vests. With this scenario, keeping them from breaching is a priority of the defense.
The good news is that we are seeing the prepared defenses in this war slaughter these fools and stop them cold. It is pure comedy to hear about these dorks trying to penetrate the defenses of large bases. When they have to detonate in the open desert because their attack fails, and all they do is destroy a tumbleweed in their quest for martyrdom, I can’t help but to laugh. That is the reward for a good defense, and I salute those of you out there that have worked hard to achieve that.
The other thing that comes to mind is the importance of accurate fire. These assaulters could have rifle plates or similar under their suicide vests. The idea is so they can survive a gun shot and continue to fight their way into the heart of the compound or building. The ability to accurately shoot these guys in the head to shut them down, should be a consideration when discussing training for such an attack. Accuracy should already be a priority as a security specialist, and this kind of accuracy will certainly save lives. Of course any kind of heavy volume of fire upon the attackers is a good thing, and everyone will be trying to bring these animals down.
Finally, the idea that combat in Iraq is over is kind of stupid. In reality, this is far from the truth and I believe the insurgency will continue to test Iraqi forces and their US partners. We will also continue to see indirect fire land in the big bases that troops and contractors are stationed at. More than likely this indirect fire will increase at the various bases and we might even see some swarm attacks like we have been seeing in Afghanistan at a few of the large bases. I should note that Iraq has been on it’s highest terror alert this last week or so, and everyone is expecting the insurgency to conduct more of these types of attacks. –Matt
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Twelve killed in suicide assault on Iraq army base
Sep 5 2010
By Muhanad Mohammed
Up to six suicide bombers, some armed with rifles, tried to storm an army base in Baghdad on Sunday, killing 12 people and wounding 36 less than a week after Washington declared U.S. combat operations in Iraq over.
The assault began when a minibus packed with explosives was driven at the back gate of the base, followed by one or two suicide bombers on foot who blew themselves up when they came under fire.
A final pair of gunmen fought an hour-long battle with troops inside a nearby building, security officials said.
The U.S. military said its troops opened fire and provided air support for Iraqi forces during the gunbattle. U.S. forces are no longer officially on a combat mission in Iraq, but nearly 50,000 remain to train and assist the Iraqi military.
Sunday’s assault took place in broad daylight, just over two weeks after dozens of Iraqi army recruits and soldiers were killed by another suicide bomber at the same compound and a few days after the August 31 end to U.S. combat operations in Iraq.
Insurgents are targeting Iraqi police and troops as the U.S. military gradually pulls out more than seven years after invading, while the failure of Iraq’s leaders six months after an election to agree a new government has also stoked tensions.