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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Militiamen Attack U.S. Troops in Najaf |
| 2004-05-03 |
| Militiamen barraged U.S. forces with mortars in the holy city of Najaf on Monday in one of the more intense attacks on American troops, who have been holding back their full firepower to avoid inflaming the anger of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority. The shelling in Najaf began overnight, when some 20 mortars hit in and around the former Spanish base that U.S. troops moved into a week ago. There were no casualties. Heavy mortar fire resumed at midday Monday, and U.S. troops returned fire. Troops sealed off the area around the base, and several tanks were seen moving their cannons, though not firing. Sniper fire could also be heard. The U.S. military has deployed at the base and outside Najaf to crack down on radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. But they have been hampered in responding to frequent al-Sadr fire on their position because the military is being extremely cautious, fearing that stepped up fighting would anger Shiites, whose holiest shrine is at the center of the city, about three miles from the U.S. base. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #4 Didn't I see you in Vienna DBM, it was good. |
| Posted by: Mann Bites Dust 2004-05-03 6:23:11 PM |
| #3 Man Sucks Dog - Maybe, once again, you don't have 2 neurons to rub together. You obviously don't have a clue about what's going on in Iraq nor how we should deal with it. FOAD Donk Dick. |
| Posted by: ,com 2004-05-03 9:01:43 AM |
| #2 Holding firepower. Taking losses. Respecting citizenry who won't report terrorist placement of Road Side Bombs. I would suggest that American rules-of-engagement in conform to American "life" interests, as in "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Maybe you Bush doormats should ask if, by valuing terrorist life, you are not diminishing the value of American life. |
| Posted by: Man Bites Dog 2004-05-03 8:55:38 AM |
| #1 I guess the Shiite's are OK with stepped up mortar attacks on US forces. Good to know. Wouldn't want to make them mad by taking too much fire. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-05-03 7:43:18 AM |