Posted on 12/01/2005 1:57:27 AM PST by HAL9000
RAMADI, Iraq, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Iraqi militants attacked a U.S. base and a local government building with mortar rounds and rockets in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, on Thursday, before holding ground on several central streets, residents said.Around 400 heavily armed, masked men were patrolling the main thoroughfares of the city, long a focus of guerrilla activity, and had set up checkpoints at major entrance and exit points, residents from across Ramadi told Reuters.
Leaflets were distributed and posted on walls declaring that al Qaeda in Iraq, the group led by Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was taking over the city.
"They've taken control of all the main streets and other sections of Ramadi," a reporter there for Reuters said. "I've seen about 400 armed men controlling streets, some of which were controlled by Americans before," he said.
The assault began early on Thursday with a sustained mortar and rocket attack on a U.S. base in the city centre and on a nearby provincial governor's building. Ramadi is the capital of Anbar province, a heartland of the insurgency.
"Al Qaeda in Iraq is taking control of Ramadi," one of the leaflets read. "Its followers will burn the Americans and will drive them back to their homes by force. Iraq will be a graveyard for the Americans and its allies."
The U.S. military did not immediately respond to a request for information about the situation.
Residents said there was no presence of U.S. forces in the streets. The U.S. military has a fortified garrison in Ramadi, and usually ventures out to conduct patrols and other operations. Iraqi forces also have bases there.
Ramadi has long been a focal point of militant activity in Iraq. After U.S. forces overran Falluja in a massive offensive last November, many insurgents apparently fled west to Ramadi, which is about 60 km (40 miles) beyond Falluja.
PING!!!!!
You OK?
This could be their own "Battle of the Bulge," one last big one before the inevitable.
Prayers for our troops.
...And after we kill them all, Reuters will then reverse course by saying "at least 400 unarmed civilians were slaughtered by the U.S. forces in Iraq today..."
As if it was a wedding.
Or since it's Rooters, it's a made up story.
residents from across Ramadi told Reuters.
Right at this point, you should be thinking, "Nothing to see here, back to your lives, citizens", but I digress...
a reporter there for Reuters said, "I've seen about 400 armed men controlling streets, some of which were controlled by Americans before,"
That happens all the time - our presence patrol goes through, and they move right in afterward, yippee skip...
Ramadi is the capital of Anbar province, a heartland of the insurgency.
Probably the only fact in the whole article, but let's move on...
"Al Qaeda in Iraq is taking control of Ramadi," one of the leaflets read. "Its followers will burn the Americans and will drive them back to their homes by force. Iraq will be a graveyard for the Americans and its allies."
Well, Holy Instant Replay, Batman, where have we heard THIS before?
The U.S. military did not immediately respond to a request for information about the situation.
As if...
The U.S. military has a fortified garrison in Ramadi, and usually ventures out to conduct patrols and other operations. Iraqi forces also have bases there.
Oh, how I'd love to see Mooj storm the wire at Junction City. We'd make the Chicago Fire look like a tailgater at Komisky Park! Four hundred unwashed Hadjis versus 2,500 fobbits all eager for a little trigger-time...
Ramadi has long been a focal point of militant activity in Iraq. After U.S. forces overran Falluja in a massive offensive last November, many insurgents apparently fled west to Ramadi, which is about 60 km (40 miles) beyond Falluja.
Happy Anniversary, Mustafa.
Watch the news, my FRiends, just keep watching the news...
Its Islamic Tet! MSM and the Dems will now beg for surrender.
The Politicians will try for a non-military solution as they did in Fallujah. Six months from now our guys have to go street to street.
Bring General Mattis back now!
Thanks again for being the first with the story.
This thread should be in Breaking News.
We need the new Walter Cronkite.
Ok guys, it's time to have another Fallujah!!!
Mike Boettcher, NBC News, talking to Imus from Baghdad. He's reporting pretty much the same thing as the article and he is trying to get more information. He did say the US base that was attacked is in the center of Ramadi and it is called Fort Apache.
Sucking them in and springing the trap?
Probably easier to deal with large groups than with tens and twenties.
Anyone seen that video from an F-16 dropping a 500 ponder on a large group in the middle of a street? Great shot, and you can hear the guy that directed the hit say: "Ohh, DUDE!!!" - It's a great clip.
Iragi rebels?!!!!!!!!!
Al Qaeda in Iraq is a terrorist organisation. How many innocent civilians will die at their hands just for walking to the polls, or expressing a desire to do so?
400 dead terrorists sounds good to me!
I suspect the airspace over Ramadi is currently becoming a bit crowded.
Thank you for telling us more truth in one post than this reporter can muster in a career.
Tet. And, again, it's for the media attention...
"He's reporting pretty much the same thing as the article and he is trying to get more information."
Which probably means he's read the same article and he's just recycling it . . . while he tries to get his act together.
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