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| Iraq-Jordan |
| U.S. Planes Target Sadr's Fighters in Najaf |
| 2004-08-19 |
| U.S. warplanes pounded areas near a shrine where radical Shi'ite militiamen were holed up early on Friday after their leader, Moqtada al-Sadr, defied a final demand from Iraq's interim prime minister to disarm. U.S. AC-130 gunships struck repeatedly at positions held by Sadr's Mehdi Army fighters, who have sheltered in and near the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf, sacred to Shi'ites around the world. Orange flashes and white sparks lit the night sky above the city. The explosions shook houses throughout Najaf, but it was not clear if they marked the start of a major offensive against Mehdi fighters threatened by the interim Iraqi government. A large cloud of smoke rose from the ancient Wadi al-Salam (Valley of Peace) cemetery, which is near the mosque complex and where Sadr's supporters have fought U.S. troops for two weeks. Armored vehicles appeared to head to the battle zone around the golden domed mosque and the burial ground, from where heavy machinegun fire echoed. Witnesses said there were several hundred militiamen holed up in the sprawling mosque complex. "This is the final call for them to disarm, vacate the holy shrine, engage in political work and consider the interests of the homeland," interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi told a Baghdad news conference on Thursday. A letter purportedly from Sadr urged militiamen to give up the shrine to Najaf's religious authority, but rejected demands to disband the Mehdi Army and join Iraq's political process. But the document, circulating in Najaf, carried a seal that was not consistent with marks of previous letters from Sadr and fighting raged on. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #14 In some religions burning is a way of purifying. Woudl daisy-cutters damage the graveyard? |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-08-20 12:47:51 AM |
| #13 re. the Reuters report, last line: The aircraft was first used during the Vietnam war to destroy concentrations of enemy troops. They always have to sneak in a Nam reference, don't they? |
| Posted by: spiffo 2004-08-20 12:42:09 AM |
| #12 Link to an amazingly factual Reuters report on the Najaf action. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-19 11:28:14 PM |
| #11 I've heard that a minigun can put one slug into every square yard of a football field with a single sweep. Any confirmation on this? Here's hoping the Spectres' next touch and go is Janjaweed Central. Those maggots |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-19 11:06:51 PM |
| #10 The 7.62 (25MM) minigun, or the 40MM Bofors, or the phreaking 105MM phreaking Howitzer... Spectre (H model) or Spooky (U model)... When you absolutely positively have to kill every motherfucker in the |
| Posted by: .com 2004-08-19 10:31:42 PM |
| #9 U.S. AC-130 gunships struck repeatedly at positions held by Sadr's Mehdi Army fighters, who have sheltered in and near the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf, sacred to Shi'ites around the world. I would definitely not want to be anywhere near the end of a minigun's bullet stream..... |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-08-19 10:28:29 PM |
| #8 Good point, Old Spook. The building sewer itself would be way too small for entry into or exit out of the shrine, but nearby manholes could provide tunnels (gross duty, blech!) for Tater and the Tots, though Tater may be a bit rotund for duty here. I am sure that the military commanders have this area covered. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-08-19 10:25:17 PM |
| #7 Well, the AC130 is very very precise when it wants to be. SOunds to me like they are doing a little Urban Renewal around the perimeter of the Mosque. Clearer fields of fire to keep the bastards heads down behind the mosque walls, whiel the Iraqi SF sets up the breach and entry points (probably out of the sewers). |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-08-19 10:17:52 PM |
| #6 "Is that a white flag or just a well bleached keffiyah?" "Hard to tell from here, Sarge." "Well, shoot at it and see if any blood comes out." "Sir!" |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-19 9:02:51 PM |
| #5 When Spooky and Spectre speak only the dead are left to respond. I think that it will very quickly become much harder for Sadr to find spokespersons. |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-08-19 8:42:39 PM |
| #4 Blood for Eleanor! |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-19 8:13:03 PM |
| #3 AP I agree. They also need to get pics of Sadr defiling the Mosque and the tots using human shields and wallpaper Sadr city with them. Tater is just the sort of man to grab and hide behind a baby or child to protect his |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-08-19 7:39:07 PM |
| #2 The Iraqi government needs to repeatedly bring the point home that Tater's militia are defiling the mosque by their actions. They need to take any legitimacy perceived away from Tater and his cause. Also any more evidence showing Iran's involvement in Tater and tots needs to be brought forward and publicized. The propaganda war is an important part of this battle, too. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-08-19 7:23:43 PM |
| #1 "we surrender!" "What? We can't hear you over the 'death from the skies' Spooky or the mortars, or the M-16's or the .50's. Call back later when it's quieter!" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-19 7:15:42 PM |
