U.S. Nabs Rebel Leader, 78 Others

Associated Press ^ | 12/16/03

[saquin]

SAMARRA, Iraq - American soldiers arrested a rebel leader and 78 other people during a raid north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said Tuesday.

The raid, which began Monday, took place in the village of Abu Safa, near Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad. Insurgents in Samarra ambushed U.S. forces on Monday, and the U.S. military said its troops killed 11 attackers.

At 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, troops from the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division arrested Qais Hattam, described as the No. 5 fugitive on the division's list of "high value targets," said Capt. Gaven Gregory of the 4th Infantry's 3rd Brigade.

Hattam is not on the U.S. list of the 55 most wanted Iraqis. Thirteen fugitives from that list are still at large after the capture over the weekend of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (news - web sites).

Soldiers also seized bomb making material, Gregory said.

It was not immediately known if the raid was linked to intelligence gleaned from Saddam, who is under interrogation in U.S. military custody.

[Frank_Discussion]

78?! Hot D*mn!

[Nick Danger]

It was not immediately known if the raid was linked to intelligence gleaned from Saddam

That's the point. Let them wonder if their mighty Saddam is ratting them out. That'll do wonders for their morale.

[Lael]

Insurgents in Samarra ambushed U.S. forces on Monday, and the U.S. military said its troops killed 11 attackers.

And now, the New Year's Gift...the assault on the massive Samarra Tunnel Complexes!

[Coop]

Cha-ching!!

[Dog]

Smoked 11 of the deadenders....which is a good thing.

[Coop]

Yeah, the dead eleven were making the headlines earlier, but this is the first mention I recall about the 78 captured along w/ a rebel leader.

[Billthedrill]

That clattering sound is the dominos falling. The longer it lasts the happier it makes me.

[auboy]

=792 virgins:-).

[.cnI redruM]

The Madden All Room Temperature Team ran into the Stryker Bde. This was a different firefight that occurred later in the day.

[DoctorMichael]

Bump.

[Constitution Day]

PING!

[Dog]

Agree Bill....this is going to be fun to watch.

[areafiftyone]

Thanks for the ping! YAHOOOOOO!! This is a banner week for our troops! God Bless them and our wonderful President!!

[finnman69]

Better yt, lets tell them Saddam ratted them out.

[Robert A Cook PE]

No fair!

You posted my idea before I could!

[Coop]

The Madden All Room Temperature Team ran into the Stryker Bde. This was a different firefight that occurred later in the day.

So you think these 11 thugs were killed in a separate raid from the Stryker ambush? I read it as this article was referencing that raid, along with the "78 captured" raid. [scratching head]

[saquin]

http://www.nationalreview.com/hanson/hanson200312120835.asp

"In all major wars there reaches a critical tipping point when the ultimate outcome of the conflict begins to become clear. Then the pulse of war really quickens, as allies, neutrals, and observers all scramble to adjust their allegiances to match the inevitable verdict to come on the battlefield."

[riri]

Why can't we just waste these pukes? Before long, the ACLU aided by the supreme court (lower case on purpose) will have Johnny Cochran defending them and next thing I know their kids will be going to school with mine...

[Conspiracy Guy]

Dang. I wanted to say that too.