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| Iraq |
| 20 U.S. service members killed in Iraq |
| 2007-01-20 |
| At least 20 American service personnel were killed in military operations Saturday in one of the deadliest days for U.S. forces since the Iraq war began, and authorities also announced two U.S. combat deaths from the previous day. The day's worst loss came from the crash of a U.S. Army helicopter northeast of Baghdad that killed 13 service members. An attack Saturday night blamed on militiamen in the city of Karbala killed five soldiers. Roadside bombs killed another soldier in the capital and one in Nineveh province north of Baghdad. The military gave little information on the crash of the Black Hawk during good weather in Diyala province, where U.S. and Iraqi forces have been battling Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias around the city of Baqouba for months. Lt. Col. Josslyn Aberle, a U.S. spokeswoman, said the cause of the crash had not been determined. Navy Capt. Frank Pascual, a member of a U.S. media relations team in the United Arab Emirates, told Al-Arabiya television that the helicopter was believed to have suffered technical troubles before going down. It was the fourth deadliest crash since the war started in March 2003. The worst occurred Jan. 26, 2005, when a Marine transport helicopter went down during a sandstorm in the western desert. Thirty Marines and one sailor were killed — the most U.S. personnel to die in a single incident in Iraq. The U.S. military later reported that militia fighters attacked a provincial headquarters in the Shiite Muslim holy city of Karbala, killing five American soldiers and wounding three Saturday night. The statement said "an illegally armed militia group" attacked the building with grenades, small arms and "indirect fire," which usually means mortars or rockets. "A meeting was taking place at the time of the attack to ensure the security of Shiite pilgrims participating in the Ashoura commemorations," said a statement from Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, deputy commander of the Multi-National Division-Baghdad. Rest at link. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #13 what TW said |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2007-01-20 23:19 |
| #12 I don't think there can be much time between the assault on the Sunni and the assault on the Shia. It would be nice to avoid looking like we are just going after the minority. Besides that, once the Sunni start calming down, the Shia will know its coming soon. Better to drill 'em when the don't know its coming. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2007-01-20 22:51 |
| #11 Crush Sunnis First, Sneaze. The Shi'ite problem will be far easier (in the security area), more than anything because as they've shown the last 3 years they utterly lack the skills, organization, and spirit that made the Sunnis dominant. Oh, Crush Shi'a Trouble-makers Second .... |
| Posted by: Verlaine 2007-01-20 22:32 |
| #10 The Wall Street Journal and other pundits want to play the Shiite card. I would force feed these morons with images of Karbalite pilgrims hacking themselves with knives, or self flagellating with chains. Pick the Sunnis, and they will turn on their own beheaders, once they have the opportunity. In any case, if the new Mahdi Army presence is not removed from the environs of Baghdad Airport, then that city cannot be made secure. |
| Posted by: Sneaze Shaiting3550 2007-01-20 21:38 |
#9 AP reports that:In the Shiite holy city of Karbala, U.S. troops raided the headquarters of the provincial government looking for wanted gunmen but left with no prisoners, Gov. Akeel al-Khazaali said. The Americans used stun grenades, which led neighbors to report the building was under mortar attack, he said.The attack on the Provincial Joint Coordination Center was probably in retaliation. |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2007-01-20 21:25 |
| #8 God bless them and their families. Time to send this militia group to hell. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2007-01-20 21:06 |
| #7 Very well (and succinctly) stated, NS. The Peace that passes all understanding will guard those who know him. I pray for their families and loved ones too. |
| Posted by: BA 2007-01-20 21:06 |
| #6 dittos Barbara. RIP |
| Posted by: RD 2007-01-20 20:57 |
| #5 TAKE OFF THE GLOVES... |
| Posted by: Chenter Unimp7361 2007-01-20 20:21 |
| #4 Yeah, the crocodile tears were flowing on NBC News tonight. Of more importance, and recognized by NBC, was the deadly militia (Mahdi Army, probably) attack on US forces trying to arrange security for pilgrims. Gives us an excuse to take the gloves off. |
| Posted by: KBK 2007-01-20 20:07 |
| #3 May they all now know the peace that passes all understanding. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2007-01-20 20:06 |
| #2 And that sound you hear - the one that doesn't sound like normal people grieving - is the Lefties and the Donks (but I repeat myself) celebrating as they calculate all the ways they can use this against the hated BusHitler. *spit* Rest in peace, gentle souls. You have served you country well. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2007-01-20 19:53 |
| #1 A bad day. Rest in peace with our gratitude for your loyal service. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-01-20 19:47 |