US Mobilizes For Offensive Against Saddam Loyalists [Sunnis Attack 3rd Cavalry]

World Tribune Breaking News ^ | June 5, 2003 | David McKernian

[ewing]

The United States military has launched a search and destroy offensive against Sunni fighters loyal to deposed President Saddam Hussein.

Thousands of troops from the US 3rd Infantry Division have been deployed in two Iraqi cities.

One force, the size of two battalions, arrived in Falujah, some 65 kilometers west of Baghdad, on Wednesday.

Another task force was deployed around two military airfields in the area of Habbaniyah.

Falujah and Habbaniyah are major transit points from Baghdad to the Syrian border and are said to contain thousands of Saddam loyalists who fled the Iraqi capital during the war.

Sunni insurgents have repeatedly attacked forced from the 3rd Armoured Cavalry Regiment, Middle East Newsline reported.

[ewing]

Dealing with the problem before it gets too big to handle..

[Sir Gawain]

Send them to Allah with love from Uncle Sam.

[ewing]

God willing..

[demlosers]

Time to crack some heads.

[Skywalk]

Wipe them out. All of them.

[judicial meanz]

Godspeed

[Mind-numbed Robot]

They are about to learn all that all the propaganda they were taught is not true. After that, they will learn the tale of the virgins was also a lie.

[CyberAnt]

"Falujah"

I think it's very interesting that the strongest backlash we get is in the city of Falujah. The reason I think it's so interesting is because the reports from the CIA about WMD's named Falujah as one of the places were they were manufactured. I can't help but wonder if this is where they are being hidden ...?? Curious ..??

[VaBthang4]

Git'em!

[Sparta]

Round up the Ba'athist leadership and execute them. Kill or capture as many of these guerillas as possible.(Preferably kill) Any town that resists should be destroyed by helicopter gunships and fighter/bombers if necessary. I just don't see the point in keeping the ex-ruling party alive.

[randog]

These fools were itchin' for a fight and now they've got it. Hope they're happy with the end results.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I did a little checking on Falluja myself this morn. Big history of chem. production. Hiding something? Sure is possible:

Iraq Rebuilt Weapons Factories, Officials Say 

Source: New York Times
Published: 1/22/01

 

By STEVEN LEE MYERS and ERIC SCHMITT

ASHINGTON, Jan. 21 — Iraq has rebuilt a series of factories that the United States has long suspected of producing chemical and biological weapons, according to senior government officials. The new intelligence estimate could confront President Bush with an early test of his pledge to take a tougher stance against President Saddam Hussein than the Clinton administration did.

The factories — in an industrial complex in Falluja, west of Baghdad — include two that were bombed and badly damaged by American and British air raids in December 1998 to punish Mr. Hussein for his refusal to cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors, the government officials said.

The new intelligence estimates were mentioned, but without any such specific details, in a report on weapons threats released on Jan. 10 by the outgoing secretary of defense, William S. Cohen. It warned that Iraq had rebuilt at least its weapons infrastructure and may have begun covertly producing some chemical or biological agents.

Last week, the officials provided details on what they said was the reconstruction of the two factories, and the resumption of the production of chlorine at a third in the same complex.

The factories have ostensibly commercial purposes, but all three were previously involved in producing chemical or biological agents and were among those closely monitored by the United Nations inspectors, the officials said. One of the rebuilt factories, for example, is making castor oil used in brake fluid, the Iraqis say, but the mash from castor beans contains a deadly biological toxin called ricin, the officials said.

~~~~

While officials have previously disclosed that Iraq had rebuilt missile plants destroyed in the 1998 strikes, the Jan. 10 report released by Mr. Cohen was the first public acknowledgment of the resumption of work at suspected chemical and biological plants.

"Some of Iraq's facilities could be converted fairly quickly to production of chemical weapons," the report said at one point. It went on to warn, "Iraq retains the expertise, once a decision is made, to resume chemical agent production within a few weeks or months, depending on the type of agent."

---

See also:

Rats or Humans? Inside Saddam's Extermination Plant [Aug. 2002]
Originally in the Sydney Morning Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/ ) thru "The Iraqi Foundation" ^ | August 29, 2002

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

***Operation Infinite Freedom - Situation Room - 5 JUN 03/Day 78***

[brushcop]

...Once more, unto the breach dear friends, once more...But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger...

[RobbyS]

Interesting in the light of all thge crap about Bush's misleading of the country. Has the NYT bothered to ask Cohen what he thinks about the charges?

[CyberAnt]

I'm glad to hear the military is going to build up forces there and root these people out. Maybe we'll discover the WMD stuff we've been looking for?

[Fee]

Why are we using our troops. Raise a force of Kurdish troops and Shi'a troops. Let them give these Ba'athist strongholds payback. The US needs to study the Romans, Imperial Chinese, Byzantinians, etc, etc. We must remember, the world is not a Republic, some places are still in the 14th Century.

[ehoxha]

r' you suggesting our officer corps become a pack of murderous war criminals ?