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Iraq-Jordan
US military 'seals off Falluja'
2004-11-05
The US military has sealed off the rebel-held Iraqi city of Falluja amid speculation an assault is imminent. All roads in and out of the mainly Sunni Muslim city have been closed by US troops, Reuters reports. US and Iraqi officials say they need to flush out insurgents ahead of elections due in January. Many of Falluja's 300,000 residents are believed to have already fled the city, which has been repeatedly pounded with air strikes. "We are making last preparations. It will be soon. We are just awaiting orders from Prime Minister (Iyad) Allawi," Marine Colonel Michael Shupp told Reuters near the town.
When is Allawi scheduled to return from his trip? Think they'll wait till he's back or go ahead without him?
The combat hospital on the main US base near Falluja has set up a morgue and doubled medical staff and supplies in preparation for an expected stream of casualties, AP reports. US military said their aircraft had carried out five strikes within seven hours, destroying a command post, arms caches and rebel positions, Reuters reports.
Posted by:Steve

#10  I still prefer the multiple ArcLight solution, myself. I wonder how many Buffs we still have in the inventory... Line 'em up in trail formation and let them fly across, one after the other, until there's nothing left but blood-soaked sand.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2004-11-05 9:51:42 PM  

#9  stop it! Mrs D - you're teasing me
Posted by: Frank G   2004-11-05 7:39:42 PM  

#8  Like Allawi getting off an airplane or Kofi entering Fallujah to start negotiations.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2004-11-05 7:27:27 PM  

#7  You got it LH. I think it's already started, sort of a modified, limited hangout until a particular place, thing, person or event happens....
Posted by: Shipman   2004-11-05 7:10:45 PM  

#6  "We are making last preparations. It will be soon. We are just awaiting orders from Prime Minister (Iyad) Allawi," Marine Colonel Michael Shupp told Reuters near the town.

I think this is funny. It used to be of utmost importance to surprise your enemy and give no indication of your actions. Col. Shupp knows that the terrorists have an damn good understanding of what his marines can and will do when they jump off. To be certain that marines are coming to stomp you has to be infinitely more terrifing than guessing if they will strike.

Good hunting!!
Posted by: Doc8404   2004-11-05 6:51:36 PM  

#5  wire services report 10,000 US troops, including US army redeployed from Baquba and Baghdad. No word on Iraqi army or ING forces, but im sure theyre there as well.

I dont think they'll take long. Might go in this weekend, or might wait a couple of days, but we're not leaving 10.000 troops, that could be used elsewhere, out in the desert with vulnerable supply lines.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2004-11-05 4:13:05 PM  

#4  About time, I foresaw this coming a year ago! The Roman strategy at Masada is a tried and true operation.
Posted by: smn   2004-11-05 2:39:41 PM  

#3  Arafat's funeral would be the perfect moment to launch the attack!
Posted by: 3dc   2004-11-05 1:22:20 PM  

#2  Sealing of Fallujah might also hurt the terrorists in Baghdad, Ramadi, etc.

I'm not sure why we hadn't sealed it off months ago.
Posted by: mhw   2004-11-05 9:59:41 AM  

#1  They'll wait. But then that will be the first time the military has done what one would expect in Iraq, an unpredictibility that has been a key to its success.

They won't wait.

They'll make the Fallujans worry about it.

Maybe they're waiting for the reinforcements to get to the Syrian border?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2004-11-05 9:23:44 AM  

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