U.S. jets bomb Basra paramilitary meeting (200 Paramilitary Dead?)

Reuters | 3/29/03

[kattracks]

U.S. jets bomb Basra paramilitary meeting

AS SAYLIYA CAMP, Qatar, March 29 (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes have used laser-guided bombs to destroy a building in the southern Iraqi city of Basra where some 200 paramilitary members were meeting, U.S. Central Command said on Saturday.

A spokesman at Central Command's battle headquarters said early reports indicated that "no one came out" of the shattered two-story structure.

The spokesman said the bombing was part of the campaign to take Basra, Iraq's second largest city, from forces loyal to President Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi forces have prevented U.S.-led forces from seizing control of Basra, although British officials say there have been signs of civilian unrest inside the city. British troops say they control the city surroundings, but have not yet moved in.

Central Command said in a statement that two F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets dropped bombs on the paramilitary meeting, terming it "an emerging target."

The bombs used in the night-time attack had a delayed fuse so they penetrate the building before exploding, minimizing damage to the surrounding area, including a church, the statement said.

03/28/03 22:11 ET

[luv2ndamend]

Boom Bump!!

[Torie]

I find it hard to believe that two hundred perps would be so stupid as to all gather in one building, particularly in Basra. We shall find out one way or the other I guess in time.

[CatOwner]

Hopefully "no one came out" also means they were there in the first place.

[luv2ndamend]

Do you think a few civilians have cell phones? Maybe we have alot of eyes in there?

[xm177e2]

Knowing the way the media has been reporting things, the number of Ba'athists will drop from 200 to 100 to 50 to 20. Still, it sounds like a good hit.

[Agent Smith]

It must be getting crowded in paradise.

[Just mythoughts]

Has an estimate been given for the total number of this bunch in Basra?

[tessalu]

Good News!

[neutrino]

Ah, yes, a perfect meeting - it ended with fireworks!

[Teetop]

GOOD!

Personally, I'm looking forward to see the the Iraqi's are going to have a briefing tonight after we bombed the information ministry! LOL

[Torie]

I think you missed my point.

[FireTrack]

Sounds like a lot of shiite to clean up.

[vbmoneyspender]

maybe they're afraid to sleep in ones and twos?

[KaiserofKrunch]

LOL! Go Strike Eagles! Another example of our U.S. Air Force taking out the garbage.

[KansasCanadian]

Bombs, Ba'ath, and Beyond...

[Torie]

Maybe, but the article said "meeting" not "sleeping." There are so many bum stories coming out from here, there and everywhere on this war, that one should remain highly skeptical. At least that is my take.

[blam]

"Has an estimate been given for the total number of this bunch in Basra?"

I've read an estimate of 1,000. Looks like that has been reduced by 20%.

[WRhine]

I find it hard to believe that two hundred perps would be so stupid as to all gather in one building, particularly in Basra.

You think this enemy is smart?

[scouse]

The bombs used in the night-time attack

Isn't that cheating?