Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

U.S. Gunship Pounds Falluja on Saddam's Birthday
Yahoo News ^ | 4/28/04 | Fadel Badran , Reuters

Posted on 04/28/2004 2:53:54 AM PDT by kattracks

FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - A U.S. airborne gunship pounded the Iraqi city of Falluja overnight in a display of overwhelming firepower against insurgents who have battled Marines on the outskirts of town for three weeks.

As the U.N. envoy on Iraq (news - web sites) was telling the United Nations (news - web sites) of bloody consequences should talks fail in Falluja, at least one AC-130, first used in Vietnam, poured down fire in what Marines said on Wednesday had been a precision response to an attack.

Local residents said that only one person was injured and that 10 homes which were destroyed had been empty.

A year after the fall of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), who was spending his 67th birthday in a secret jail in U.S. custody, U.S. forces are trying to quell twin threats to the new order in Baghdad from Sunni Muslim guerrillas in Falluja to Shi'ite fighters in the south before they hand sovereignty to Iraqis on June 30.

It was the second time in as many days that they had used such a gunship, a converted cargo plane nicknamed Spooky or Specter which spews concentrated cannon and machinegun fire over the ground. U.S. officers said an AC-130 killed nearly 60 Shi'ite militia near the second flashpoint, Najaf, on Monday.

Commanders near Najaf said that assault appeared to have demoralized guerrillas in the city and was part of a strategy to persuade their wanted religious leader to give himself up.

In Falluja a year ago on Wednesday -- previously a public holiday in honor of Saddam's birthday -- U.S. soldiers killed and wounded dozens of demonstrators. It was an early public relations setback. The town is now a byword for Iraq's aggrieved and long dominant Sunni minority and in the wider Arab world.

The local police chief said he would renew talks with the Marines about launching joint patrols in the town.

U.S. officials, clearly aware that such a move could spark new guerrilla attacks on their troops, have said they will begin joint patrols in the coming days. It is not clear when.

POPULAR ANGER

Many people in Falluja, where civic leaders concluded a truce with the Marines two weeks ago, were enraged by the overnight attack from the sky.

"This attack shows the frustration in the ranks of American soldiers in Iraq and the American political defeat," said Ali Abdullah. "We have uncovered the treachery and barbarity of the U.S. army...The more they escalate the situation, the more violent the reaction on the Iraqi street."

Reports of 600 dead and the sight of thousands fleeing their homes since U.S. retaliation began after the killings of four American security guards have fueled such anger.

"Unless this standoff is brought to a resolution through peaceful means, there is great risk of a very bloody confrontation," envoy Lakhdar Brahimi told the United Nations.

An intense firefight also took place overnight in Khaldiya, just west of Falluja, and U.S. patrols appeared to have been stepped up in other towns in the "Sunni triangle" north and west of Baghdad, Saddam's home region and a bastion of support.

U.S. officers say they face about 2,000 fighters, including some foreign Islamic fighters, in Falluja and are anxious to avoid civilian casualties that could alienate public opinion.

About 115 U.S. soldiers have been killed this month alone, compared with fewer than 100 in the three weeks it took to oust Saddam. In all, 523 have been killed since they invaded Iraq.

 

NAJAF DANGERS

A possibly even more delicate dilemma faces them in Najaf, to the south of Baghdad, where a radical cleric from Iraq's 60-percent Shi'ite majority, Moqtada al-Sadr, has taken refuge among the shrines with his Mehdi Army militia.

An aide to Sadr was quick to echo local accusations that many civilians died in Monday night's U.S. attack outside the city, the heaviest in a three-week stand-off with Sadr.

Qais al-Khazali said a move into Najaf itself would inflame Shi'ite opinion: "We don't think the Americans are stupid enough to come and attack the city of Najaf because this will transform the situation into a Shi'ite Islamic confrontation with the Americans," he said. Sadr has vowed suicide attacks if they do.

U.S. commanders stress they aim to avoid holy sites, though they have said they will attack them if they are being used for combat -- in Falluja, troops destroyed the minaret of a mosque on Monday after saying they had been fired on from it.

"Our goal is to continue to pressure Sadr to understand that we are not going away," said Colonel Brad May, commander of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment outside Najaf, arguing that much of the population of Najaf was against Sadr.

"It is in his best interest to go ahead and lay down arms and not see any further loss of life."

(Additional reporting by Ghaith Abdul-Ahad and Gleb Bryanski in Najaf, Michael Battye and Nadim Ladki in Baghdad and Evelyn Leopold at the United Nations)



TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: falluja; iraq
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last
To: libertyhoundusnr
The USMC is straining at the leash to give Fallujah what it deserves. These idiots don't yet know what Marines can do. So far, all that they've done is let the scout snipers ZOT! a few dozen of them. Heck, those smacktard Fallujans don't even realize that they face Marines. They still think it's the American Army.

I just wish that Bremer would just unleash them already. Make an example of that city. I know that we risk AlJazeera et al showing us as comitting attrocities, but they should be dealt with as well (providing aid and comfort to our enemies).

21 posted on 04/28/2004 5:53:00 AM PDT by EricT. (Californian by birth, Tennessean by choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Only ONE Spectre?....the Islamo-fascist-terrorists got off LIGHT
22 posted on 04/28/2004 5:59:46 AM PDT by joesnuffy (Moderate Islam Is For Dilettantes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ASA Vet
Do the Iraqis retards ever stop with the threats?


ARTHUR:
Look, you stupid bastard. You've got no arms left.
BLACK KNIGHT:
Yes, I have.
ARTHUR:
Look! BLACK KNIGHT:
Just a flesh wound.

Sounds familiar doesn't it !!!

23 posted on 04/28/2004 6:03:21 AM PDT by Robe (Rome did not create a great empire by talking, they did it by killing all those who opposed them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: EricT.
give Fallujah what it deserves

Only the Navy or Air Force could give Fallujah what it deserves.

24 posted on 04/28/2004 6:05:00 AM PDT by ASA Vet (It will take a few more major hits here at home before we decide on war.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: ASA Vet
Agreed. This is just a day at the live fire range for Spooky and Spectre.

25 posted on 04/28/2004 6:26:31 AM PDT by Delta 21 (MKC USCG - ret)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
I hope they give old Saddam himself some serious birthday spankings, as well.
26 posted on 04/28/2004 6:47:16 AM PDT by Eowyn-of-Rohan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Check out this link.

They can run, but thats about it.......

http://www.nata2.info/war/AC-130U_gunship_video_lo.wmv

27 posted on 04/28/2004 6:52:13 AM PDT by Silver Bird Worker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: river rat
Our Marines and Air Force guys lighted up the skies in Fallujah to celebrate Uncle $oddomite's birthday.

How can the liberals say that we are uncaring!
28 posted on 04/28/2004 7:27:04 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (If you are a terrorist, beware, because your last day was yesterday! (Fallujah 4/27/04))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
... at least one AC-130, first used in Vietnam...

I think this is wrong. We used C-47s (militarized DC-3s) in Vietnam, a gunship known as "Puff the Magic Dragon." This aircraft had a similar Vulcan Gatling gun to that on the AC-130, but lacked the 40mm and 105mm cannons. Similar mission, different platform, no computerized fire control. You might say Puff was the prototype.

29 posted on 04/28/2004 7:49:23 AM PDT by VadeRetro (Faster than a speeding building! Able to leap tall bullets in a single bound!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ASA Vet
What Fallujah actually DESERVES can best be meted out by a live-fire Minuteman III missile "test". We really have exercised great restraint.


30 posted on 04/28/2004 8:28:15 AM PDT by AFPhys ((.Praying for President Bush, our troops, their families, and all my American neighbors..))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: AFPhys
Either that or


31 posted on 04/28/2004 8:35:01 AM PDT by ASA Vet (It will take a few more major hits here at home before we decide on war.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: AFPhys
Oops, that was the older Poseidon, here's the newer Trident.
Figured I better correct it before some other techno geek pointed out my error. ;o)


32 posted on 04/28/2004 8:42:23 AM PDT by ASA Vet (It will take a few more major hits here at home before we decide on war.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
"U.S. officers say they face about 2,000 fighters"

This is stressing our military? What is going to happen if you get 200,000 Iranian or 2,000,000 North Korean infantry swarming in? The type of Army we once had, comprised mainly of single young men who were focused on being good soldiers/sailors/marines/airmen would have disposed of this long ago. We have too much tail, too much day care costs, too much family care plan, too little combat projection. Close the day care centers on post and resume the draft.

33 posted on 04/28/2004 10:25:32 AM PDT by Meldrim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Jihadists better get used to "attacks from the sky"
"Holy Shrines" aren't holy when used as military depots.Level 'em!
34 posted on 04/28/2004 10:39:50 AM PDT by Minutemen (It's A Religion of Peace)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Meldrim
I was on assignment in South America 5 years ago on a mission that required protection by a squad of 6 Seals. We had disembarked from our helo near a small village. We were told that there were hostiles in the village. When I asked how many, we were told "about 100" armed trafficantes. The Seals were supremely unperturbed. When I asked their squad leader why, he simply told me, "we have them outgunned and outnumbered". The concept of "2,000 fighters" can be daunting to many civilians, but I can tell you from my experience, the Marines on station are more concerned about where to put the Iraqi bodies than the live fighters.
35 posted on 04/28/2004 2:15:30 PM PDT by T. Rustin Noone (T. Rustin Noone)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Don't stop now, keep pouring it on and be done with it.

However, until Syria and Iran are dealt with, at the very least, there will always be terror and war in Iraq.
36 posted on 04/28/2004 2:18:20 PM PDT by ApesForEvolution (FREE 3D On-line Golf Game - Independent Reseller of the Week: http://egolfinternational.com/wig)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Meldrim
Maybe you can lead the charge into urban warfare against 2000? You sound pretty tough here on FR...
37 posted on 04/28/2004 5:54:14 PM PDT by ItisaReligionofPeace (I'm from the government and I'm here to help.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Old Grumpy; archy; Squantos; humblegunner; GlocksRock

38 posted on 04/28/2004 7:09:48 PM PDT by Eaker (That the bright star of Texas shall never be dim while her soil boasts a son to raise rifle or limb.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: ASA Vet
"Dead rags don't make threats."

Yah, Mahn. Dey so peaceful when dey DEAD!
39 posted on 04/28/2004 7:10:56 PM PDT by Levante
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: T. Rustin Noone
Simply amazing! I have been reading some accounts of SEALS in Vietnam and the heroism is actually daunting. They never leave a man behind and really battle the odds. Pure guts and from what I've read, compassion.
40 posted on 04/28/2004 8:30:06 PM PDT by endthematrix (To enter my lane you must use your turn signal!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson