Live from Baghdad

Iraqi bloggers and brothers Mohammed and Omar Fadhil (Iraq the Model) write in today's Wall Street Journal about the encouraging signs they are beginnning to see in Baghdad as a result of the new Iraq security plan.

They talks about the militants who have fled Baghdad and the increased security measures, including the presence of more troops and checkpoints, the new resolve on the part of the Iraqi government and the Bush administration, and the increased involvement of ordinary Iraqis themselves in securing their own safety.

In their view:

One difference between this and earlier -- failed -- attempts to secure Baghdad is the willingness of the Iraqi and U.S. governments to commit enough resources for enough time to make it work. Another important point is the insistence of the Iraqi government that political factions not interfere with the progress of military action. The commanders and the prime minister have made it clear that no one will be above the law, and that even places of worship and the offices of politicians will be subject to searches and raids if evidence of involvement in violence is found...

The Iraqi people themselves are playing their role in the plan. Recent figures from U.S. officers in Baghdad show that the joint forces have been receiving an average of 250 security tips from civilians since the beginning of the operation, about twice previous figures. With help from a government-appointed committee, people in some Baghdad neighborhoods are returning occupied mosques to their original keepers and worshippers, and holding joint prayers between the two sects in mixed neighborhoods.

They write that many families who had fled the earlier chaos in Baghdad are now returning.

One sign of progress, they say, are the liquor stores that have reopened. As the Fadhils write, "This is a sign that extremists no longer can intimidate people and hold the city hostage."