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Iraq-Jordan
First Person Account of Siege Somewhere In Iraq
2004-04-08
Hat tip: Kim Du Toit; EFL; RTHT
We just got back on base. For a while there, I didn’t think that would happen. We got ambushed yesterday, except it was a twenty-one hour ambush. We made CNN, except of course they got it wrong. They said that the Ukrainians have left my city. This is not true. We had to evacuate the compound. If you see first a clip of a guy in a white shirt running carrying an AK next to a railing, that’s my city. That bridge behind them? The insurgents mined it.

At about four AM the other day, the Ukrainian force rode out the gate and took back the town. At nine thirty we rolled out, arrived at our usual destination, and by ten thirty, we were under fire. We were in a compound of five or six major buildings, large enough to be hotels, not quite large enough to be palaces, that had once been owned by Chemical Ali.
It goes on from there, including describing some odd behavior on the part of the British administrator.
Posted by:Phil Fraering

#9  Oh, never mind. I get it.
Posted by: Meester Feester   2004-04-08 7:44:53 PM  

#8  I'd like to actually read this story but the link is apparently going to the wrong place (a story about the Alamo). A fix of the link would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by: Meester Feester   2004-04-08 4:39:06 PM  

#7  More on the Poles and Bulgarians in Karbala
from Fox
Polish and Bulgarian soldiers drove off Shiites who attacked them near the municipal hall in Karbala south of Baghdad during all-night battles, a Polish spokesman said.

Coalition forces suffered no casualties but killed nine attackers and wounded about 20 others, Lt. Col. Robert Strzelecki said in an interview from Iraq.

The attacks began about 11 p.m. Wednesday and continued until nearly sunrise, Strzelecki said. The attackers, loyal to al-Sadr, used machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms during fighting that the spokesman described as heavy.

So fighting is ongoing in Karbala - to clarify, Fox quotes Sanchez as saying Mehdi army has control of all of central Kut, but only partial control of Najaf. IIUC Spanish troops are fighting in Najaf. And Op Resolute Sword refers to the entire op against Al Sadr, not just the retaking of Kut.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2004-04-08 3:03:11 PM  

#6  AP confirms Mehdi army in control of Kufa
Sanchez called Operation to retake Kut "Op Resolute Sword"
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2004-04-08 12:47:47 PM  

#5  oops i got my rivers mixed up Falluja/Ramadi are in Euphrates valley, Tigris valley is Samarra/Tikrit.

Hits self on head, "my father was a wandering Aramean, who came from across the River (IE Euphrates)" etc. Thats what comes from going to Reform Passover seders, where they dont include whole text.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2004-04-08 11:47:45 AM  

#4  LH, that's really helpful. Thanks.
Posted by: Matt   2004-04-08 11:33:55 AM  

#3  Wow, good read, thanks. I'd have put a pistol to that f*cking govn'rs head and took the fallout after we got the hell outta there.
Posted by: Jarhead   2004-04-08 10:03:59 AM  

#2  Strategic recap

1. Tigris Valley/Sunni Triangle
A. Fallujah - Coalition reports USMC controls 25% of city. But thats at least 18 hours old. Heavy fighting
B. Ramadi - fighting continues, but slackening? USMC in firm control
2.Baghdad
A. Heavy fighting continues. Coalition troops control police stations in Sadr City, and have destroyed Sadr's office. Still considerable resistance from Mehdi army. Shiite population of Sadr City is NOT rising en masse, though some Sunni elements are supporting the uprising.
3. South
A. Karbala - report on NPR this AM that Mehdi army controled, Sanchez does not admit that coalition has withdrawn. No combat reports since report of Polish killing of Sadr aid yesterday
B. Kufa - Yesterday seemed to be in Sadr control, Sanchez did not mention, situation unclear
C. Kut - Sanchez reports coalition forces still have presence in city, and will retake it "imminently" Backed up by report posted above.
D. Najaf - Sanchez reports coalition forces still present. Situation complicated by presence of "pilgrims" for Shiite festival. Sadr presumed to be here, also Sistani.
E. Asmara, Nassiriyah, Basra - quieting down??

Please post your updates as they come in.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2004-04-08 10:03:03 AM  

#1  They said that the Ukrainians have left my city

So this would be Kut.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2004-04-08 9:36:37 AM  

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