Posted on 11/05/2004 8:51:12 AM PST by Jeff Blogworthy
American troops in Fallujah have made loudspeaker announcements and handed out leaflets urging civilians to leave the city ahead of an expected assault.
US soldier A US soldier trains at a camp outside Fallujah
The move comes as troops prepare for a major assault on rebel strongholds in Fallujah and nearby Ramadi.
The soldiers warned they would arrest any man under the age of 45 found trying to leave or enter the city.
Roads around Fallujah have been blocked and the city has been battered by US air strikes in preparation for the offensive.
Hospital officials said air strikes overnight had killed three people and wounded four others, while troops continue to shell insurgents, who have responded with rocket-propelled grenade fire.
Most of the 300,000 population of Fallujah have already fled and US marines say they are awaiting orders from President George W Bush and Ayad Allawi, the Iraqi interim prime minister, before beginning the attack.
Mr Allawi is in Europe to meet EU leaders today and is expected to return with an agreed reconstruction package.
The EU is offering Iraq an £11.5 million aid package to support the country's January elections and the criminal justice system.
Earlier, Mr Allawi met Tony Blair and both men emphasised that the elections must go ahead.
Mr Blair said: "These people that are trying to create circumstances of chaos and instability in Iraq are doing so because of their fear of the democratic process."
Ouch!
YAwwwwwn.
Marines will corner terrorists and then be ordered to retreat again. Gosh, could a MOSQUE be part of the scenario?
Fallujaf, Najaf, now back to Fallujah again.
When will it end?
"The innocents were told to get out days ago. There are none left that are innocent. The waiting has been a last call roundup for the big smoke out."
The people of Fallujah have been leaving the city for weeks. I follow articles produced by Marine journalist, and approved newspaper articles posted at the Marine Corps. web site.
As usual folks only get a smiget of what really happens over there. I am not in the least critizing your and other notes of who has left etc.. Just want to emphasize for those still in this thread, that Iraqis did not just start to leave the city. It has been an ongoing thing for many weeks. Also our Marines have not left the area earlier on.
They simply had keep the city mostly surronded for quite a long time. So don't think this Fallujah operation just "started to ramp up", it has been in the making since April. We simply have been waiting for the IG to come to the conclusion that there is no way to negotiate with all the different anti-Iraqi elements that have gathered in Fallujah since perhaps summer of last year.
Well, let's hope the innocents get out. However, as any conflict like this begins, I still think it's important to pray that no innocents are hurt. My original posting regarding this was just to remind folks that this is not a party---it's a serious event. I get tired of the MTV approach to things, which treats this like a damned video game. Call me an old fuddy-duddy. There's a reason that they say "War is Hell."
Thanks for putting things in perspective!
Marine Uncle, Thank you for further information. And, I appreciate your more serious tone. It's nice to see a more mature, sensible voice on this subject.
I know what you're saying, just chalk it up to American bravado. What else is there to do, as we sit here at keyboards waiting and praying?
I had the same reaction. Reminds me of the old roman practice of killing all the men, and selling the women and kids into slavery. But I guess it's the only way to catch the enemy.
Killing women and kids is OK now? Because maybe someday they might be terrorists? For some reason, I don't think that is the way to stabalize the middle east.
"Marines will corner terrorists and then be ordered to retreat again. Gosh, could a MOSQUE be part of the scenario? Fallujaf, Najaf, now back to Fallujah again.
When will it end?"
In Fallujah. Apparently you do not have a clue as to what has been going down for the past year. I do not blame you in the least, you probably are simply following parts of what is shown in the MSM.
Where we cannot go, Mosques etc., the new Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police will go. We will use heavy fire power to destroy most of those anti-Iraqi elements that choose to fight or hide outside holy sites. The rest will be taken out in the holy areas by the NIA and IP forces.
Take my word for it, as you will see over the next week or so, assuming prime minister has really given the OK for the SASO to actually take place. Remember, this is not war,
it is a security and stabilization operation........AND NO
I am not playing with words. If you do not understand the differences between war and SASO put some time in to find out. To damn many un-informed Americans around, that get to easily mislead by whims of the MSM to paint the picture they desire.
And pull your brain out of the refrig. Don't you remember the MSM did report that the Iraqi Army/Police went into the mosques in Al Najaf? You are apparently not getting an accurate picture of what goes on over there. Not your fault.
It is the MSM's fault. Few of us make the time to wade through sites that report current and accurate reports from a military view point on Iraq. I understand this, so do not feel compelled to be angry with those seeking a better picture of the SASO in Iraq.
Monkeywrench, thank you for your reply. Yes, American Bravado it must be...being a woman, I'm not so testosterone-driven (although being at midlife, I probably can't entirely make that claim!) Still, while we sit here and ponder the situation, after we make wild comments about bombing women and children, I think it's important to really, truly bow our heads and pray for everyone concerned. And, beyond that, how about thinking of ways in which to honor or ennoble what is happening? Maybe organizing a type of demonstration that supports soldiers? And when I say demonstration, I don't mean protest. What about a peaceful, public prayer vigil where folks come together to pray and support? I'm just thinking out loud.
You are dead right about that.
So thousands of jihadis lay down their weapons and walk out. Plenty more weapons where those came from.
"Killing women and kids is OK now? Because maybe someday they might be terrorists? For some reason, I don't think that is the way to stabalize the middle east."
Hey why don't you invite a bunch of crack dealers to live in your house and take it over. Now remember if they want to rape you or cut your head off, you have no reason to not go along with their desire. Grow up to reality and pull your head out of the sand.
~ while troops continue to shell insurgents, who have responded with rocket-propelled grenade fire. ~
RPG's against "Puff the Magic Dragon" (AC-130 gunship) ... sounds fair to me.
~The EU is offering Iraq an £11.5 million aid package to support the country's January elections and the criminal justice system. ~
Wow... the nations of the EU are really going all out now with that massive relief donation. (/sarsasm)
Hope so!
"Thanks for putting things in perspective!"
Your welcome. Hang in there.
"Marine Uncle, Thank you for further information...."
Your welcome. Hang in there. I only wish more folks had the time to keep a closer look on what has happened in Iraq and Afganistan for the past few years. To much mis-info and lack of balance info from the MSM.
You have a good idea. I believe if you check at the canteen run by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub, you'll find they do that sort of thing. I know there are plenty of prayer threads around here for different things. You might want to check with trussel, as I believe he keeps track of the prayer threads.
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