Posted on 11/14/2003 4:48:07 PM PST by blam
1,000 missiles seized as US hits rocket site
By Jack Fairweather in Baghdad
(Filed: 15/11/2003)
American forces struck at Iraqi insurgents outside Saddam Hussein's home town, Tikrit, yesterday, killing seven and destroying a rocket launch site in a helicopter attack, and uncovering a cache of more than 1,000 missiles.
The US military said an Apache attack helicopter led the assault after identifying the site as a threat to a nearby US base. Troops from the 4th Infantry Division moved in and discovered a flatbed lorry carrying 50 missiles.
A further search revealed two bunkers holding almost 1,000 missiles used in multiple rocket launchers, said Lt Col Bill MacDonald of the 4th Infantry.
As explosions continued to rock Baghdad, US forces in the Iraqi capital who had intended to bring the might of the American military to bear on insurgents there did little more than damage an already condemned building.
A helicopter gunship pounded the former Republican Guard headquarters for half an hour late on Thursday night as part of Operation Iron Hammer, a new offensive that has so far used mortars, artillery and AC130 Spectre helicopter gunships to strike locations across the city.
In recent weeks rebel fighters have grown increasingly daring in their attacks on coalition forces but US commanders have vowed to more than match them.
A military spokesman said: "The Republican Guard palace was identified as a location used by the enemy to attack American forces. We neutralised the position."
But at the former Republican Guard headquarters yesterday soldiers on the ground and local residents were baffled. One officer said that although they came under regular attack, the building, already semi-derelict after being bombed during the war, was not the insurgents' headquarters.
"We never know where it comes from. The attackers just come and go from different neighbourhoods," said Lt John Smith of the 1st Cavalry regiment that has a base 200 yards away.
Any insurgents were given ample time to escape after US troops and Iraqi security guards alerted the neighbourhood to the attack by loudspeaker.
Neighbours said the building was mostly used by children playing during the day and was deserted at night. "No one comes here," said Ali Badan, a security man who guards it. "The Americans cannot kill the insurgents with big bombs. All they are doing is scaring local people."
The strike comes after the worst fortnight of violence in the country since the end of the war. Yesterday two US soldiers were killed and three wounded in a bomb attack on their convoy north of Baghdad. A third died in a bomb blast in the capital.
The senior US commander in the region, Gen John Abizaid, has said some 5,000 highly organised insurgents are active in Iraq. "Clearly I feel a sense of urgency. They're a despicable bunch of thugs that will be defeated," he said.
The Pentagon was reported yesterday to have decided to more than double the current 150 support staff at Central Command, Gen Abizaid's regional headquarters in Qatar.
But Operation Iron Hammer so far appears to have been more a show of firepower than a targeted campaign to eliminate the terrorists. A US soldier at the Republican Guard headquarters said: "It was target practice. But it's made me feel a lot better."
• The US national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, said yesterday it was "likely" that British companies would be able to bid for big contracts in the reconstruction of Iraq.
The concession, which could be unveiled by President George W Bush when he visits Britain next week, follows criticism after British firms were prevented from bidding for the first round of lucrative primary contracts. These were granted to American companies, some with close links to the Bush administration.
'SH' appears to hold his 'cards' (Missiles) & (WMD) close to his vest!
"There is no place like home?"
MOLES needed!!
Why do you guard an empty, not used building...??? Huuuummmmmmm.
:-)
My suggestion - Demolish Tikirit. Utterly and totally demolish it to show them our resolve and toughness.
Push all of its inhabitants into the countryside and them endure the winter in shepards tents.
daring ain't the right word y'all tea-toddlers...try desperate.
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