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U.S. launches air assault on Sunni haven
LA Times ^ | January 8 2006 | Alexandra Zavis

Posted on 01/08/2007 3:28:03 PM PST by jmc1969

Bombers, fighter jets and attack helicopters unleashed a thundering attack today as U.S. and Iraqi troops closed in on a web of irrigation canals east of Baghdad where they thought Sunni Arab insurgents were massing.

The predawn strikes shook the ground and sent fireballs and thick smoke into the sky.

The attacks, in a remote area of farms and palm groves, continued sporadically into the morning.

The air assault came after troops set fire Sunday to shoulder-high reeds to clear their view before a final push in Diyala province, a region they say has become a haven and training ground for Al Qaeda in Iraq and other militant groups.

Over the last four days, columns of troops have pushed through hamlets populated by wheat farmers and sheep herders to clear an area that is riddled with spider holes, tunnels and weapons caches.

One stash uncovered Sunday contained 1,169 Katyusha rockets, small arms and ammunition, the U.S. military said.

A small cache, including bomb-making equipment, was found in a hole on the abandoned property.

"We are religious people; we fast and we pray," said one anxious man questioned by U.S. troops. "But I swear we have nothing to do with Al Qaeda."

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 01/08/2007 3:28:04 PM PST by jmc1969
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To: jmc1969

hey, you found it. that was quick!


2 posted on 01/08/2007 3:29:04 PM PST by oceanview
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To: jmc1969

Funny.. they thought it was the Nubian Warriors from Ethiopia - and they ran for the hills...


3 posted on 01/08/2007 3:29:48 PM PST by xcamel (Press to Test, Release to Detonate)
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To: oceanview

We need to be doing this all across Anbar.


4 posted on 01/08/2007 3:30:25 PM PST by jmc1969
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To: jmc1969

FNC had some exclusive video of the B1s coming back from these raids.


5 posted on 01/08/2007 3:30:28 PM PST by oceanview
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To: jmc1969

I think we should declare the Sunni Areas as "target zones" and tell the people to get out until all attacks upon the Shiites are over.

Then we should declare the Shiite areas "target zones" and tell the people to get out until all attacks upon the Sunnis are over.

Pound them into burning holes.

I suspect the criminals will get tired before we do.


6 posted on 01/08/2007 3:30:50 PM PST by Paloma_55 (I may be a hateful bigot, but I still love you)
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To: jmc1969

Just the start of the 3rd Iraq war.


7 posted on 01/08/2007 3:31:41 PM PST by rocksblues (Do unto others as they do unto you!)
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To: jmc1969

They need to start with Mookie or it's all over. What's the difference between Al Qaeda and the Iranian puppets? Answer: One controls the government.


8 posted on 01/08/2007 3:32:36 PM PST by UWconservative
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To: jmc1969

Hope that means a lot of stir-fired terrorists.......


9 posted on 01/08/2007 3:33:07 PM PST by Enchante (Chamberlain Democrats embraced by terrorists and America-haters worldwide!!)
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To: jmc1969

Nothing like crispy critters in the early morning hours.


10 posted on 01/08/2007 3:38:46 PM PST by Sword_Svalbardt (Sword Svalbardt)
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To: jmc1969

Moab , pave, repeat.


11 posted on 01/08/2007 3:50:19 PM PST by mosquewatch.com (The trouble starts with an "I" and ends with a "slam".)
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To: jmc1969

HURRAH!!!!!! BTTT


12 posted on 01/08/2007 3:52:42 PM PST by Chena
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To: jmc1969
Excellent. Spreading out the hurt on Al Queda today I see!
13 posted on 01/08/2007 4:16:50 PM PST by b4its2late (Liberalism is a hollow log and a mental disorder.)
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To: jmc1969
one anxious man questioned by U.S. troops. "But I swear we have nothing to do with Al Qaeda."

Does the anxious man know a war is going on all around him? He needs to pick which side he is on.

14 posted on 01/08/2007 4:20:09 PM PST by RightWhale
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To: oceanview
I thought Ethiopian Mig 17s and Canberra B57s did the job...
15 posted on 01/08/2007 4:38:29 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

in iraq?


16 posted on 01/08/2007 4:40:04 PM PST by oceanview
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To: oceanview

Whoops. Wrong war.


17 posted on 01/08/2007 4:50:02 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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To: jmc1969

Happy hunting!!


18 posted on 01/08/2007 4:51:47 PM PST by pissant
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To: jmc1969

It looks as if Bush has given orders to remove some of the restraints our troops have been operating under.

There's also some talk that they will soon be moving on Sadr City. So maybe they'll take out some of the terrorists on both sides.


19 posted on 01/08/2007 4:55:39 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: jmc1969

I hope the wedding party was able to get out unscathed.


20 posted on 01/08/2007 4:58:17 PM PST by rabidralph (A freakin' American)
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