The 'Sureg' Works In Thailand Too

Debmey

You may have noticed a sharp decline in the number of LGF posts about murderous attacks by Islamists in South Thailand. The reason the Thai military have taken a page from their American brothers with a “surge” of their own.

    The main reason for the drop in the violence was a change in counter-insurgency strategy with a more unified command structure. No longer were security personnel confined to the barracks and being on the defensive. Patrols became more regular and larger in number. As most of the terrorists operate in cells of 8 or less, the increased number of troops on patrols has meant that when the security forces have been ambushed, they have the numbers to fight back. For example, in May 2008, there were 18 ambushes on such patrols, but security forces only suffered one casualty and 8 injuries. On the other hand, the security forces themselves killed 25 terrorists in the first 6 months of 2008.

    Raids with hundreds of personnel were also conducted in major terrorist strongholds and areas where cordoned off while houses and people were searched. Instead of arbitrarily detaining large numbers of villagers for 7 days at a military base for questioning and then for months at re-education camps, forensic equipment was now used to test for explosive residue and fingerprints were checked on the spot. Those who were not involved were released which has lead to better relations with the local community. Tip-offs started to increase and security forces now regularly find caches of weapons and training camps on raids.

    Whether a corner has been turned or the progress can be maintained is still open to question, but there is no doubt there has been a dramatic drop in the violence.

alphawolf

And the Americans actually take a leaf out of the COIN ops originated here.

Debmey

Not true. This classic counter insurgent strategy has already been in place in Iraq since day one, the difference is the surge. You gotta give it to them, the surge really works.
Even if they took it from the meregency years, they took it from the Brits, not msians.

alphawolf

True...just to remind that the Americans do not invent everything and anything.

Debmey

Maybe the terrorists need to learn hearts and minds too.
Its amazing how stupid they are to anger the locals with their indiscriminate brutality. Its so bad that they not only face desertions, these deserters even switched sides. I really do not understand these people.