Another success for the IAS:

“Iraqi security forces freed a British journalist kidnapped two months ago in the main southern city of Basra on Monday after a fierce firefight with his abductors, Iraqi officials said.

Richard Butler was found after the 30-minute gunbattle in a room handcuffed and with a hood over his head, senior Iraqi commander in Basra, Lieutenant General Mohan al-Fraiji, told AFP.

Soon after his release, Butler was shown on state television Al-Iraqiya surrounded by Iraqi military officials who hugged and applauded him before sitting down with the journalist to share a meal.

The tousle-haired Butler, who had been on assignment with US television network CBS when he was abducted along with his Iraqi translator on February 10, praised the soldiers who had freed him.

“The Iraqi army stormed the house and overcame my guards and then burst through the door,” said a smiling Butler.

“I had my hood on, which I had to have on all the time. And they shouted something at me and I pulled my hood off.”

Looking healthy, Butler added: “I am looking forward to seeing my family and my friends at CBS.”

“We are incredibly grateful that our colleague, Richard Butler, has been released and is safe,” CBS said in a statement.”

A good victory for the ISF. Things ARE looking forward on their growth and strength. Additional success in turning around former Sunni insurgents to fight for the right, via this report on “Sons of Iraq”

Here’s a video with Butler talking about his ordeal.