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| Iraq-Jordan |
| US forces battle Iraqi rebels as hundreds of suspects seized |
| 2004-09-05 |
| EFL US troops battled rebels in the northern town of Tall Afar for a second day as Iraqi and US forces arrested 500 suspected militants in the heartland of the Sunni Muslim insurgency. Militants killed an Egyptian working for the Americans near Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, while France anxiously awaited word on the fate of two journalists held hostage by extremists. Iraqi police and national guardsmen, assisted by US forces, raided the town of Latifiya, 30 kilometres south of Baghdad, marking the first time the interim government has taken decisive action against a Sunni Muslim stronghold since it was sworn in more than two months ago. Twelve policemen were killed Sounds like they're in the game but need some more training. Kurds? and 17 people wounded in the operation, with 500 suspected "terrorists" arrested and a large haul of weapons seized, including five barrels of TNT, an Iraqi intelligence officer said. The town is part of a virtual no-go zone for US troops, Iraqi police and foreigners and has earned the name "Fallujah's second head" after the Sunni rebel strongold west of Baghdad. The spot is where two French journalists, held by a group calling itself the Islamic Army of Iraq, disappeared on August 20. It was not clear whether the raid would affect their prospects for freedom. Let's hope not. The French should not be able to blame any one but themselves if it goes south. Violence also flared in northern Iraq as US troops and insurgents fought in Tall Afar, which the military claims serves as a way station for militants slipping into Iraq from Syria. Fighting erupted after gunmen fired on a US army convoy outside the town, 60 kilometres west of Mosul, said police lieutenant Ghaith Mohammed Al-Obeidi. US soldiers and Iraqi national guardsmen then poured into Tall Afar and clashes broke out in the town centre, lasting for about two hours before the US and Iraqi forces withdrew, he said, adding that US helicopters opened fire on insurgents. The rebels are currently in full control of Tall Afar, Obeidi said. Thirteen Iraqis were killed and 53 wounded Saturday when a US army battalion, backed by Iraqi national guardsmen, launched an offensive in Tall Afar on the hunt for militants infiltrating Iraq from Syria. |
| Posted by:Mrs. Davis |
#2 Iraqi and US forces arrested 500 suspected militantsWhen the hell is the clueless MSM going to get it straight? It's a WAR. They captured 500 of the enemy. I'm with Frank G. And bury they with bacon and sausage. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-09-05 3:14:11 PM |
| #1 arrested 500? Kill.them. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-09-05 9:55:38 AM |