Posted on 08/19/2005 7:55:07 AM PDT by F14 Pilot
Three missiles have been fired from the Jordanian port of Aqaba, missing a US Navy ship but hitting Israel. Two rockets missed the USS Ashland, an American naval ship docked in the port. A Jordanian soldier died when one of the two missiles hit the dockside.
The third missile landed near Eilat airport in neighbouring Israel, causing no injuries.
An internet statement, purportedly from a group which says it has links to al-Qaeda, said it was to blame.
The statement, allegedly from the Abdullah al-Azzam Brigades, said the attacks were the group's first attack in Jordan and were aimed at both the US and Israel.
"The Zionists are a legitimate target and we warn the Americans, who are spreading their corruption throughout the world and who have stolen the wealth of the Muslim nation, to expect even more attacks," it said.
The group is one of several to have said it carried out the bombings on a market and hotels in the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh on 23 July.
Police hunt
Jordanian police are searching for two Iraqis and a Syrian thought to have rented an industrial warehouse from which the rockets were fired.
"I can confirm that a rocket flew over the bow of USS Ashland and the rocket impacted in the roof of a warehouse. No sailors or marines were injured," said Commander Jeff Breslau, of the US Fifth Fleet.
The Jordanian soldier who died was on the dockside when he was hit. He was taken to hospital where he died of his wounds, a security source said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Gird yer loins you sonsabitches!
Now that's what I call bad aim... :^)
"Jordanian police are searching for two Iraqis and a Syrian thought to have rented an industrial warehouse from which the rockets were fired."
I pity the fools when they're caught. (not really)
I say we turn the perps over to the crew of the USS Ashland and let them implement a little frontier justice!
Time to bring back keelhauling?
How hard are these things hidden?
Rather dispose of them with a 9/11 boxcutter. They obviously can't aim projectiles well-lucky for us.
This fits with the story of how terrorist may start leaving Iraq to branch out in a larger Al Queda strategy. I guess terrorist are getting restless waiting for their American sympathizers to lower morale here.
Sand to Glass!
This is an act of war.
This type of ship doesn't have any type of missile defense? It supposedly went over the ship and we just got lucky, right?
"A Syrian"?? Well, well, what a surprise there. I suggest a nukeless Iran by way of Syria, be added to the agenda.
We are so soft. I imagine that Captain is in deep. You cant let anything like happen on your watch. Why did not the automated systems retaliate???? Old sea dogs...what you think?
I am not sure about this but I think if the ship was in port the close in defences would probably turned off. I am assuming that these rockets were fired at close range. I could be wrong though.
Sorry for the double-tap posting but I meant to say that they wouldn't want bullets to be flying out into the host country's port or city. I dont know the spelling but the CWIS's rounds probably fly about 5 miles and there could be some colateral damage if the went off in port.
I used to know more about it but I am sure some other Navy guy could answer this.
The CAPT probably is in deep, however, the ship looked like an LPD, which don't have the same weapons systems at Cruisers or Destroyers.
Don't tread on me
USS ASHLAND (LSD 48) is an amphibious warfare ship designed to transport Marines and their combat gear throughout the world and then to launch and support assault landing craft and helicopters during amphibious operations against hostile shores.
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