U.S. Kills 46 Iraqi Fighters in the North

Newsmax.com ^ | Dec. 1, 2003 | NewsMax wires

[Nachum]

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- In the deadliest reported firefight since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, U.S. soldiers fought back coordinated attacks Sunday using tanks, cannons and small arms in running battles throughout the northern city of Samarra. The troops killed 46 Iraqi fighters, and five Americans were wounded. Minutes later, two South Korean contractors were killed nearby in a roadside ambush in what U.S. officials called a new campaign aimed at undermining international support for the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq. Attacks on Saturday killed seven Spaniards, two Japanese diplomats and a Colombian oil worker.

Lt. Col. William MacDonald of the 4th Infantry Division said attackers, many wearing uniforms of Saddam's Fedayeen militia, opened fire simultaneously on two U.S. supply convoys on opposite sides of Samarra.

After barricading a road, the attackers opened fire from rooftops and alleyways with bombs, small arms, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades, he said. U.S. troops responded with rifles, 120mm tank rounds and 25mm cannon fire from Bradley fighting vehicles.

U.S. fire destroyed three buildings the attackers were using, MacDonald said.

"It sounds like the attack had some coordination to it, but the soldiers responded, used their firepower, used tank and Bradley fire and other weapons available to them, to stop this attack and take the fight to the enemy," he said.

When the smoke cleared, 46 Iraqis were dead, 18 were wounded and eight were captured, MacDonald said. Five American soldiers and a civilian were wounded, he said, adding that none of the injuries were life-threatening.

"We have been very aggressive in our convoy operations to ensure the maximum force protection is with each convoy," MacDonald said. "But it does send a clear message that if you attempt to attack one of our convoys, we're going to use our firepower to stop that attack."

Shortly after the firefight, four men in a BMW attacked another U.S. convoy in Samarra with automatic rifles, MacDonald said. The soldiers wounded all four men, and found Kalashnikov rifles and grenade launchers in their car.

MacDonald said the attack was the largest faced by his Task Force Ironhorse -- whose mission includes the hunt for Saddam. Military officials in Baghdad said they haven't reported a deadlier attack since May 1, when President Bush declared major combat over.

U.S. officials have only sporadically released figures on Iraqi casualties, and wouldn't say whether there has been a deadlier firefight that went unreported.

Samarra is 60 miles north of Baghdad in the so-called Sunni Triangle, where opposition to the U.S. occupation of Iraq has been fiercest.

© 2003 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Uncle Miltie]

"When the smoke cleared, 46 Iraqis were dead, 18 were wounded and eight were captured"

Excellent! Keep up the good work! Good luck and best wishes to the injured U.S. lads. Our prayers are with you.

[mylife]

30 Nov 2003 - Midnight Baghdad time

Major Firefight Reported Near Samarra

SAMARRA, IRAQ: According to U.S. military sources, a major firefight has occurred in the vicinity of the Sunni Triangle area of Samarra. Witnesses to the incident said that there were multiple fatalities among the attackers, who were described as being dressed like members of the "Saddam Fedayeen," and attempting to ambush one or more U.S. convoys.

The attackers used improvised explosive devices (IED), rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, and small arms fire in their assault. One unconfirmed report suggests that as many as 45 Iraqi insurgents were killed, several wounded, and a number captured in the protracted clash. ERRI military analysts said that this was the largest opposition attack force engaged so far in the 'post-war' environment.

Several American troops were reportedly to be wounded in the battle, though no U.S. deaths were immediately reported. EmergencyNet News will bring you additional official details as they are released by CentCom...

ERRI

[Delta 21]

I hope that this was a result of American intel and planning. Possibly of planting "critical" info to the "right" people in hopes of exposing them or even hitting the jackpot like we did today.

GO TEAM !

[CindyDawg]

72 less bad guys to worry about.

[Delta 21]

Attention Saddam Fedayeen

Dont mess with Heavy Armor!

[pierrem15]

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing-- I know these guys aren't the sharpest scimitar on the camel, but to attack Bradleys and M1s with small arms at close range? Surely you jest!

[Ex-Dem]

I'm just curious, how did they find out that 18 of the Fedayeen were wounded when they captured 8 of them? Did they count the bloodtrails, or what? Or does captured mean "captured and unwounded" (i.e. surrendered)?

[Sapper26]

Or does captured mean "captured and unwounded" (i.e. surrendered)?

Yes.

[Jacob Kell]

They were also using bombs and RPGs. In a close-packed urban environment, they may have thought that they would be effective.

[Travis McGee]

Turn on that big purple bug-zapper light, and let the insane death cultists run at it full speed!

[Uncle Miltie]

"72 less bad guys to worry about."

The magic number! Some lucky living American soldier got his seventy two formerly virgin Saddamites!

[Libloather]

It would be neat to hear American Big Media report - just once - on how many terrorist thugs are done in every day...

[mylife]

Watch this turn ito a lefty reason why we are the killers..despite the fact that we were attacked. the fedayeen lost so the papers will make us bullies......:^(

[Paleo Conservative]

Lt. Col. William MacDonald of the 4th Infantry Division said attackers, many wearing uniforms of Saddam's Fedayeen militia, opened fire simultaneously on two U.S. supply convoys on opposite sides of Samarra.

After barricading a road, the attackers opened fire from rooftops and alleyways with bombs, small arms, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades, he said. U.S. troops responded with rifles, 120mm tank rounds and 25mm cannon fire from Bradley fighting vehicles.

Go ahead. Make my day!

[mylife]

Go ahead. Make my day!


Yup! Bring it on boys! You want war?...We'll bring you war! RED WAR!

[pierrem15]

But you would think that, after their experience to date, they would have learned that an RPG doesn't usually do much to an M1 or even a Bradley.

I think they were sucker punched, and expected a lighter convoy. I wonder who the "genius" was who gave the go-ahead despite seeing the vehicle mix, and I hope they keep making more like him.

[pierrem15]

we are the killers

Yup-- I'm waiting for tomorrow's headlines to announce, "US Kills Innocent Iraqis".

[r9etb]

eight were captured

Wonder how long it'll be before these eight get a good night's sleep?

Something tells me we're gonna find out an awful lot about their organization.

What's really interesting here is the size of the Iraqi losses -- 72 guys is a heck of a lot of folks for a guerilla organization to throw into an attack.

Worst case is that they're getting a lot of new recruits. Best case is that they're getting desperate.

[Paleo Conservative]

many wearing uniforms of Saddam's Fedayeen militia

"Worst case is that they're getting a lot of new recruits. Best case is that they're getting desperate."

I really don't see lots of new recruits for that outfit. They are all foreigners not Iraqis. Also, as their most experienced fighters get killed, their replacements will be less well trained. The Fadayeen Saddam were trained by the Iraqi state while it was still intact. It's going to be more difficult to train replacements.