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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Marines Clear Rebels From Najaf Cemetery in Hand-To-Hand Combat |
| 2004-08-08 |
| From The New York Times Marine commanders battling Moktada al-Sadr's rebel militiamen in this Shiite holy city said Saturday that the fighting had cleared the rebels from the ancient cemetery in the heart of the old city, but that more fighting lay ahead in the streets and alleyways nearby as an American-led offensive moved to the end of its third day. .... The marines described engaging in hand-to-hand fighting in the vast cemetery, which lies adjacent to the ancient Imam Ali mosque ... The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which returned to Iraq recently after taking part in the American-led invasion last year, had endured the fiercest battle of all its engagements in Iraq, the commanders said. "The engagements in the cemetery were done on foot, encountering numerous fighters at a range when you can smell a man, and it's hand-to-hand combat," said Col. John Mayer, who leads the battalion that took part in the fighting. .... Reports from Najaf told of a city now largely deserted, especially in the area of the old city where the fighting has been concentrated. Shops and other businesses remained closed. ... All power, water and telephone lines were cut. .... ... there was little sign a cease-fire would be accepted by the Iraqi government and American commanders. Instead, the indications at nightfall were that the American and Iraqi units intended to press the battle, in the hope of breaking the back of Mr. Sadr's force in Najaf. The Iraqi police commander in the city, Gen. Galib Hadi al-Jazaery, told reporters at the Marine base that Iraqi police officers and guardsmen had surrounded and attacked a house that Mr. Sadr has used as a headquarters in recent months. But the force did not find the cleric. "We want to rid the city of this devil," General Jazaery said. Lt. Col. Aqil Khalil of the Iraqi national guard said the attack on the house was botched, and that the guard and police did not work effectively together. The Iraqis are struggling to prove themselves in battle. .... |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #13 penaltie's indeed harsh, Zen, but the thiefs know that before they break the law.... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-08 8:47:44 PM |
| #12 That would send a powerful message as they eat and wipe with the same hand. If I wasn't morally obliged to oppose amputations as legal punishment (well, except for rapists maybe), your idea would have a lot of traction, Yank. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-08 8:04:39 PM |
| #11 FoxNews TV reported some hours ago that the area with the Tater Tots is surrounded, water & power cut, and effectively sealed off - nothing in, nothing out. Mebbe the Saudis (read: Nayef & Co) are watching and will discover what "surrounded" really means... |
| Posted by: .com 2004-08-08 7:02:45 PM |
| #10 It would be interesting if a lot of Sadr's boys lost their left hand (I think the left hand is the hand cut off for theft) but otherwise survived the combat. That would send a powerful message as they eat and wipe with the same hand. |
| Posted by: Yank 2004-08-08 6:57:51 PM |
| #9 General Lessel said there was no immediate expectation of a cease-fire. "We’re going to continue operations," he said. "We are not negotiating at this point." Best news in a long, long time. I still say we encircle the mosque and hit it with sleep gas or some inert gas that will suffocate them where they lie. Until we flush out that |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-08 5:16:18 PM |
| #8 Pendleton Marines have been training in urban settings for some time now. I'm sure LeJeune is the same...kick ass boyz! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-08 3:22:40 PM |
| #7 I expect this 11th Marine group have been training for just this type of operation while they have been on their states side rotation. My son in law seperated just before they went over the first time. They know how to get along in the desert or jungle. My bet is they learned how to get along in the streets on their last trip home. |
| Posted by: FlameBait93268 2004-08-08 2:54:12 PM |
| #6 I expect it means here's your hand combat. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-08 1:43:03 PM |
| #5 Hand to hand. Guess they are getting a first hand lesson in that the Marines are trained in Marine Corps Martial Arts. That also means bayonets. Madhi Army, welcome to the pointy end of cold steel, wielded by professional. Parry, Thrust, twist. No "wounded in action" coming out of that. Just dead wogs. |
| Posted by: Oldspook 2004-08-08 12:49:20 PM |
| #4 Excellent. I love roasted taters. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2004-08-08 10:51:00 AM |
| #3 Wow - and no blame issued - that is, indeed, an excellent and incredibly un-Arab step toward professionalism. That is not an oncoming train if there are more like these Iraqi commanders. Good hunting and good luck to the Jarines & Iraqi forces. |
| Posted by: .com 2004-08-08 9:59:52 AM |
| #2 Lt. Col. Aqil Khalil of the Iraqi national guard said the attack on the house was botched, and that the guard and police did not work effectively together. Step 1: Describe the problem accurately. The bigest step. Good luck Aqil. |
| Posted by: Mr. Davis 2004-08-08 9:53:26 AM |
| #1 ... there was little sign a cease-fire would be accepted by the Iraqi government and American commanders. Oh-oh. Bad news for Tater and his boys. No hudna this time. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2004-08-08 9:26:45 AM |