Anti-U.S. insurgents disrupt Iraq road network

Reuters ^ | 4-17-04

[TexKat]

BAGHDAD, April 17 (Reuters) - Insurgents blew up bridges over a main highway from Baghdad to southern Iraq, further disrupting the country's battered transport system, witnesses said on Saturday.

They said debris from blasts targeting at least two bridges closed the Baghdad-Hilla road, one of two highways leading to the port city of Basra.

The U.S.-led administration said in a statement that two highways, including the Basra-Hilla route, were closed for repairs and to help halt guerrilla attacks against U.S. forces and supply convoys.

The U.S. military said it had no information about blasts targeting highway bridges.

But a traveller who came from Hilla said: "The guerrillas are after U.S. supply lines. American convoys are having to drive off the highway and go through rough terrain around the bridges."

The military also closed another main highway leading north of Baghdad on Saturday.

Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim insurgents in central and southern Iraq have severely disrupted the transport system, harmed trade, and restricted supply routes.

Iraq's oil ministry has stopped importing gasoline through Syria, Jordan and the Gulf because of poor security along western and southern highways.

The western highway leading to Syria and Jordan is deemed too dangerous to travel as insurgents fight U.S. forces in and around the city of Falluja.

[TexKat]

Was it Wednesday or Thursday that Sadr's followers were passing out leaflets informing Iraqis to stay off the roads from then until April 23rd because something big was going to happen

[rageaholic]

what is it about arabs that makes them believe they can bomb their way to a better life?

[skyman]

Do we really have all the troops we need take care of the rebel uprising, provide security for these roads and ____ and ______ and _____?

I know Pres Bush doesn't want to get more troops in because it will look bad politically, but the most important thing is to have enough troops to do the job with the minimum of risk to them. The more thinly our lines are stretched the more at risk our troops our.

So forget about political correctness, lets get in as many troops in their as we need.

Do you agree?

Sky

[SpaceBar]

Insurgents? Is that the new word for cretinous maniacs in filthy smocks?

[TaxPayer2000]

instead of more troops, I think we need less insurgents, this can be attained by shooting them, rather than arresting them.

[Gucho]

"what is it about arabs that makes them believe they can bomb their way to a better life?"

Lack of education. (one of many reasons)

[skyman]

Yes I agree but it could take more troops to shoot more bad guys, or at least turn the ones loose that we already there!

[Moonman62]

It's just so hopeless. We should surrender like Reuters wants. They never have anything good to report.

[Kingasaurus]

"...further disrupting the country's battered transport system,..."

I love the way Reuters phrases things. Sounds hopeless. You'd think by the way they report things that you can't drive anywhere in that country.

[BenLurkin]

NOTE TO RUETERS: These bad guys are Terrorists plain and simple.

[Elmer Gantry]

I am as pro Bush as anyone. But is this war becoming the mother of all disasters?

[pickemuphere]

I am as pro Bush as anyone. But is this war becoming the mother of all disasters?

Duuuuuuude, just relax, man. We'll be handing over power on June 30th. Then everything will be fine. (Ignore the fact that we have nobody to hand power to; that's just a minor detail.)

[AngieGOP]

Tell the populace of Iraq that we are bring back Sadaam! That ought to put the fear of Allah into the law biding citizens of Iraq and put those "insurgents" in their place.

[shield]

Think the Iraqis of been dumbed down by the press. The Iraqi council needs to let the US Military level the trouble spots. Including Najfi....