Military adapts after Baghdad hotel attacks

Image courtesy: Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young, U.S. Air Force. Baghdad, Iraq, September 18, 2008.

Terrorists bombed three Baghdad hotels at almost exactly the same moment yesterday, killing at least 37 people in the chaotic rampage. But as the Los Angeles Times explains, a gun battle between terrorists and guards accounted for many of the casualties. The attacks hit the Hamra, Sheraton, and Babylon hotels in broad daylight, and in at least two cases, began with gunfire before suicide bombers blew themselves up in vehicles.

In this AFP article, the top U.S. Army officer in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, is quoted saying the pattern of the attacks marks a new tactic that the military must quickly learn from.

Odierno said U.S. forces were immediately called on by Iraqi security forces to help investigate evidence at the scenes of Monday's attacks, and more time was needed to complete their findings.

He said all intelligence information received by U.S. and Iraqi forces was being shared, however, the hotel bombings signalled insurgents are becoming more "creative."

"They are doing a lot less attacks but they are trying to get the biggest outcome," he said. "They are trying to get the most attention they can, do the most damage they can so that people question the government.

"We don't have proof yet but I believe this was al-Qaeda."

One similarity in tactics is clear. Once again, terrorists targeted unarmed civilians staying at hotels. This is the ruthless enemy we are fighting, which has no regard for innocent civilians or the rules of war. Even in the face of difficult moments like Monday's tragic events, I am glad the U.S. military continues its commitment to stop terrorism around the world.