US forces bomb, rocket Iraq mosque wall - general (Update)

Reuters | 4/07/04

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Reuters) - U.S. forces dropped two 500-pound (227-kg) bombs and fired rockets at the wall of a mosque in the restive Iraqi city of Falluja on Wednesday after insurgents took refuge in the compound, a U.S. general said in television interviews from Baghdad.

"My understanding is that we went after one set of insurgents that were hiding behind the outer wall of a mosque, not the mosque itself," Army Brig Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of operations for the U.S. military in Iraq, told CNN.

"We understand there was a large casualty toll taken by the enemy," he said, adding that photographs indicated there was no significant damage to the mosque itself.

"When you start using a religious location for military purposes, it loses its protected status. The (U.S.) Marines called in additional support, dropped two 500-pound (227-kg) precision-guided bombs and took out the outer wall of the mosque without seeming to harm - from the photos that I've seen - the actual mosque structure itself," Kimmitt said.

Kimmitt said he could not confirm reports from Iraq that as many as 40 Iraqis might have been killed in a direct attack on a mosque.

"But what is important to recognize again is that it (a mosque) is a holy place ... it has a special status under the Geneva Conventions that it can't be attacked. However, it can be attacked when there is a military necessity brought on by the fact that the enemy is storing weapons, using weapons, inciting violence, executing violence from its grounds."

In a separate interview on MSNBC, Kimmitt said rockets were also fired at the mosque wall by U.S. helicopters.

[keysguy]

It's a mosque if it's used "solely" for religious purposes. If it's a bulding that houses terrorists, it's a target.

[Gunslingr3]

When you start using a religious location for military purposes, it loses its protected status.

Monte Cassino

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[Cap Huff]

"inciting violence"

This is the shot that was fired today across Sadr's bow. Gen. Kimmitt was careful, no doubt, to make sure this little phrase was in his statement.

[Cap Huff]

Where do you see roof?

[azhenfud]

Give them a publically announced two hours to surrender or flaten it to where a mouse couldn't find a peephole out. Either they'll have the choice to surrender or those who revere the mosque will have the choice to convince militants it's of their best interest to leave if they wish to save the structure.

[Gator113]

At this point, I wouldn't give a hoot if we turned the entire area into nothing but glass. Who gives a damn about their stupid religious buildings......it's their religion that tells them to kill us. It is good for many, that I am not in charge...I would win their "hearts and minds" by vaporizing every single one of these thankless pieces of wasted human flesh.....(and that's just the Democrats)...LOL

[cksharks]

Damn arnt we cute today. The wall is about a 100 yds from the building dufus.

[Cap Huff]

Understand.

FRegards

Cap

[Vulpes]

"My understanding is that we went after one set of insurgents that were hiding behind the outer wall of a mosque, not the mosque itself,"

"...adding that photographs indicated there was no significant damage to the mosque itself."

From the way I read it we did not bomb the mosque. The target was the surounding wall and it was that wall that the rockets hit.

If we had targeted the mosque I am pretty sure it would have had significant damage.

[keysguy]

"Flatten it"--We will pay a huge PR price but right is right. The lives of our troops are worth far more than any bad PR the rats will throw our way.

[Cap Huff]

Well, I think the answer is here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1113277/posts

"A US air strike has killed up to 40 people inside a mosque compound during heavy fighting in the Sunni Muslim Iraqi town of Falluja, witnesses say. The US military said the strike targeted insurgents who had fired from inside the mosque compound, wounding five Marines.

The US said it bombed the wall of the compound, not the mosque itself. "

As is so common in the ME, there is a "compound" that defines the property. We bombed the compound wall, not the building itself.

It would seem that the initial reports were sensationalized (perhaps with the idea that the bombing of a mosque would further enflame people). Our guys are telling the truth and not being mealy-mouthed. Thats my take.

[Joe Hadenuf]

They are now reporting the mosque was never hit.....

[RightWhale]

That's better. Call it a compound. If that's not specific enough, call it a radical fanatic thug compound.

[rageaholic]

Why stop there? Smash the whole town, smash them hard, leave them with nothing but rubble and a warning not to make us come back.

[Cap Huff]

Thug compound? That it is. I think the bad guys are going to be a bit more careful in the future.