Blasts In Baghdad As US Troops Hunt Rebels

Ananova ^ | 12-23-2003

[blam]

Blasts in Baghdad as US troops hunt rebels

The US military said is conducting an anti-rebel operation in Baghdad called Iron Justice.

American commanders said they had planned operations over the Christmas period after receiving intelligence that there might be rebel attacks.

Since the capture of Saddam Hussein on December 13, the 1st Armoured Division has conducted raids on cells in Baghdad.

Asked about the repeated explosions heard around the city, a military spokeswoman said that operations were under way, including "aerial activity and artillery".

Story filed: 22:09 Tuesday 23rd December 2003

[blam]

Aerial activity and artillery, sound like a big operation.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Maybe they are going to level the bad parts of the city.

[kattracks]

Explosions rock southern Baghdad

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A dozen explosions have rocked southern Baghdad after U.S. forces raided a neighbourhood and encountered gunmen, witnesses say.

The blasts, which were the most sustained in some time in the Iraqi capital, could be heard in central Baghdad on Tuesday night.

Residents near the explosions said U.S. forces were engaged in a heavy firefight with gunmen in a neighbourhood called the mechanic district because there are many mechanic shops located there.

Residents reported some bombing from U.S. aircraft.

A U.S. military spokeswoman in Baghdad said: "We cannot comment on ongoing military operations however this is linked to Operation Iron Justice that involves explosions and aerial activity."

[AmericanInTokyo]

Wow. Probably sounds like Montebello on a bad Saturday night!

[BOBTHENAILER]

"We cannot comment on ongoing military operations however this is linked to Operation Iron Justice that involves explosions and aerial activity."

What a great name, "Iron Justice".

[AmericanInTokyo]

And on the 31st anniversary of OPERATION LINEBACKER at that!! :-) Bombs away. Sic Semper Tyrannis.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Some detail in this report:

Explosions heard in Baghdad 8 rebel suspects arrested, including associates of Saddam aide

.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The news of explosions followed the arrest Tuesday of eight rebel suspects by U.S. forces in a stronghold of anti-American resistance northwest of Baghdad, the military said, as troops tightened security against possible attacks over the Christmas holidays.

Those arrested include an ex-colonel accused of recruiting guerrillas and four suspected associates of fugitive former Vice President Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, who is believed to have a leading role in Iraq’s insurgency.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

al-Douri is now hiding in the Saddam's underground bunkers....HA!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Ping for updates!

[BOBTHENAILER]

al-Douri is now hiding in the Saddam's underground bunkers....HA!

Hang down your head al-Douri,
Hang down your head and cry,
Hang down your head al-Douri
Poor boy, your bound to die

looked for ya on the bunker, seekin' yer miserable life found you in the bunker, stabbed you with yer own knife knife.

Hang down your head al-Douri,
Hang down your head and cry,
Hang down your head al-Douri
Poor boy, your bound to die

This time tomorrow, Reckon where You'll be, down in some Baghdad courtyard, hangin' from a white oak tree.

[SierraWasp]

Bury bury gud!!! (applause)

Now youse got an encore problem!!!

[ladyinred]

My friend just got an email from her son there who said he wouldn't be in communication for a while due to this. He said they are finding anti coalition people and explosives. Pray for Josh's safety, and all of the troops!

[BOBTHENAILER]

Kinda blew the spacing and a coupla werds, but it'll get better.

[Mudboy Slim]

Poor boy, yer bound to DIE!!!

Love it...MUD

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I guess we will find out later what this is all about. I hope it's offensive rather than defensive on our part.

[blam]

"I hope it's offensive rather than defensive on our part."

I heard on the news that there is at least one AC-130 Spectre gunship involved. If it wasn't offensive, it is now.

[MissAmericanPie]

That would be the smart thing to do, but the burning question is, is it PC?

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Is that an Air Force plane or Navy?

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Is Josh your son? I am praying for him and the safely of all our troops.

[Ramius]

If it's an AC 130 Spectre... it's Air Force.

Tidy little package of blow-em-up, that is.

[Nam Vet]

"If it wasn't offensive, it is now"

Ya mean we might OFFEND them???? Oh, the horrors! /sarcasm

Nam Vet