The city was an insurgent stronghold until an offensive by U.S. and
Iraqi troops in September 2005, when rebel fighters fled into the
countryside without a battle.

Last March, President Bush cited the operation as an example that gave
him ``confidence in our strategy.''

But even though U.S. and Iraqi forces put up sand barriers around Tal
Afar to limit access, the city has suffered frequent insurgent attacks
- Tuesday's was the deadliest since the war started.


From The Associated Press, 3/27/07:
http://kcbs.com/pages/324752.php?contentType=4&contentId=389743

Truck Bombs in Iraq Kill or Wound Over 200

BAGHDAD (AP) --

Two truck bombs shattered markets in Tal Afar on Tuesday, killing at
least 63 people and wounding dozens in the second assault in four days
on a predominantly Shiite Muslim city hit by a resurgence in violence
a year after it was held up as a symbol of U.S. success.

After the bombings, suspected Sunni insurgents tried to ambush
ambulances carrying the injured out of the northwestern city but were
driven off by police gunfire, Iraqi authorities said.

The carnage was the worst bloodshed in a day of attacks across Iraq.

____________________________________________

Another mission accomplished, eh, Georgie?

Harry