Iraqi troops and police are patrolling the streets of Samarra, after the last active resistance was eliminated. About 125 Iraqis were killed in Samarra, most of them gunmen firing on American and Iraqi troops. Iraqi police are establishing control of the police stations and beginning the search for the anti-government forces in the city.
The use of smart bombs to attack buildings in Fallujah used by terrorists and anti-government forces continues. But the suicide bombings continue as well, with more going off in Baghdad today and over the weekend. Police efforts to track down the suicide bomber organizations have not been very successful. It takes the work of about a dozen people, and about $10,000 in cash (for goods, services and bribes) to carry out a car bombing. Al Qaeda has established a well funded and well organization. Some parts of it were discovered and dismantled several months ago. But since then, al Qaeda has used bribes and guns to keep Iraqi police and coalition intelligence forces at bay. It is believed that much of the suicide bombing operation is run from Fallujah, and that city is seen as likely to be attacked by ground forces in the next few weeks.