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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Centcoms take on Najaf... |
| 2004-08-11 |
| From AmericanThinker via Instapundit: EFL - RTWT: The current MEU offensive kicked off Aug. 9 when AIF, who fled into mosques and buildings surrounding the Imam Ali Shrine after an initial Marine assault on Aug. 5, began to once again operate and launch attacks from the cemetery. AIF today are conducting the same tactics -- launching attacks from the cemetery and surrounding areas, only to immediately run back and seek sanctuary in the mosques and buildings surrounding the Imam Ali Shrine. This time the Marines and Army are documenting and publicizing their findings in the cemetery. Several photos of the arms caches in the sacred areas of the city reveal storage areas for assault rifles, RPGs, and mortar rounds. Sadr's thugs took advantage of the previous cease-fire by preparing new bases of operation to terrorize the populace and to launch attacks against Iraqi forces. US CENTCOM further describes the militia's use of the cemetery since the cease-fire Using it as sanctuary, they began by staging large weapons caches there. Activity increased over time, to including sporadic offensive operations against Iraqi security forces and kidnapping Iraqi policemen. The AIF kidnapped their victims, including innocent civilians, bringing them to the cemetery for torture, execution, and burial. [emphasis added] |
| Posted by:mercutio |