Troops Died After, Not In, Sneak Attack ~ Karbala Attack ~ Soldiers abducted then killed.....

Las Vegas Sun ^ | January 26, 2007 at 7:25:14 PST | STEVEN R. HURST and QASSIM ABDUL-ZHARA ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Contrary to U.S. military statements, four U.S. soldiers did not die repelling a sneak attack at the governor's office in the Shiite holy city of Karbala last week. New information obtained by The Associated Press shows they were abducted and found dead or dying as far as 25 miles away.

The brazen assault 50 miles south of Baghdad was launched Jan. 20 by a group of nine to 12 militants. They traveled in black GMC Suburban vehicles - the type used by U.S. government convoys, had American weapons, wore new U.S. military combat fatigues and spoke English.

In a written statement, the U.S. command reported at the time that five soldiers were killed while "repelling the attack." Two senior U.S. military officials as well as Iraqi officials now say three of them were found dead and one mortally wounded in locations as far as 25 miles east of the governor's office.

The U.S. officials said they could not be sure if the soldiers were killed as the attackers drove them to the place where they abandoned the Suburbans or afterward. Iraqi officials said the men were killed just before the vehicles were abandoned.

The daring commando team also took an unclassified U.S. computer with them as they fled with the four soldiers and left behind an American M-4 automatic rifle, senior U.S. military officials said.

For more than a week, the U.S. military in Baghdad declined comment on reports that began emerging from Iraqi government and military officials which suggested a major breakdown in security surrounding U.S. forces in Karbala.

--

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Our brave soldiers need the very best commanders and our prayers and support....The Senate is an infested DEN of Imbeciles.....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks ....I stand corrected...

[Robert A Cook PE]

"Our enemies aren't stupid. All they need is are resources, a little time and little luck to pull off hits like this."

Didn't the Nazis do this or attempt to do this during WWII?

You're probably thinking of the German infiltrators used early in the Battle of the Bulge: Their specific sabotage wasn't very effective and was very limited in scope. Very little enemy-clothing masquerades were done in WWII after the first Nazi invasions of Poland created "propaganda" attacks by Polish Army outfits on the Germans.

BUT (big BUT) their IMAPCT on delays, confusion, and command-and-control was considerable as the US soldiers over-reacted to the threat of enemy troops wearing US gear and clothing!

(Russians learned THAT lesson, and had elaborate pre-invasion Sptznav (sp -1) programs set up in Germany and France to assist any invasion of western Europe by their regular Army.

Against Muslims in Iraq? Too much of a cultural difference and training difference for them get away with trying to pretend to be US Army or Marine uniformed soldiers. They just can't pull it off for more than a single glimpse.

BUT ...

Big BUT - the terrorists CAN easily pretend to be "friendly " Iraqi army, air force, police, and be providing civilian "assistance" like translators or package handlers or telephone operators or office workers or cafeteria workers or cleaners or trash collectors or ....

NONE of those Iraq civilians would be noticed as an enemy warrior until the bomb blows up or the US passenger is captured from a "friendly" truck or car..

[LS]

I didn't catch that it said they were Iranians, but I know they are Persian and don't usually speak Arabic. All I know is, it was a total SNAFU.

[LS]

It was a rabbit, and it was Monte Python.

[Gritty]

I also think that you shouldn't escalate a fight you aren't prepared to finish. Are we prepared to finish?

We were in 2003. Now, it's a BIG question mark. We can thank 3 years of trying to please everybody for that.

[databoss]

I think that Bush S&D order for "Iranian operatives" may be directly related to this incident...look for cross border infractions and an escalation with Iran to follow...

[Mr_Tiki]

I have great respect to the bloggers of IraqTheModel. But I think they got it wrong this time.
It's already been reported that the cars were found abandoned in a pro-Saddam Sunni neighborhood. This should be a clear clue that they are sunni insurgents (Al-Qaeda perhaps?).I can't see how the Mahdi militias could organize such an act, what with all these 7 expensive SUVs!
I thought it was reported that some of the culprits were caught. Why is it taking so long to identify them?

[nmh]

It's LONG OVER DUE, that these "rules" fit the situation.

Our enemy has NO RULES. It's a fine line ... but how we are "fighting" them needs to be adjusted. War is war ... .

[DCPatriot]

I was thinking about how our Colonial Revolutionaries must have appeared to the common Englishman.

The RedCoats used tight shoulder to shoulder formations...walked slowly toward the enemy, while our forefathers hid behind trees and fought guerilla style.

To them, we were rabble-rousing, insurgent terrorists.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Why is it taking so long to identify them?

They may have....they just haven't shared that information as yet.

[boxerblues]

I think that Bush S&D order for "Iranian operatives" may be directly related to this incident...look for cross border infractions and an escalation with Iran to follow
I have to agree, details about this that have not been made public seem to suggest that Bush and Gen Petreaus are done playing nicy nice

[Levante]

"Who wrote this junk?"

Homosexual-liberal-leftist-terrorist-worshipping-scum bastards that deserve to be executed.

[TexKat]

Thanks for the ping Ernest_at_the_Beach, I knew that there was/is more to this story.

boxer prays for your son and for his fellow troops

May the fallen heros rest in peace and God give comfort to their families and love ones.

[nmh]

And look WHO won!

Don't kid yourself the Redcoats did the same thing ... war is war ... they weren't stupid.

[TexKat]

Four suspects seized, linked to Karbala attack

By 4th BCT (Airborne), 25th Inf. Div. Public Affairs
Jan 25, 2007 - 12:04:00 PM

Blackanthem Military News, KALSU, Iraq - Iraqi Army troops, Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers and a special Iraqi police unit from Hillah teamed up to detain four insurgents suspected of involvement in the Jan. 20 attack at the Karbala Provincial Joint Coordination Center.

Paratroopers with the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, and Iraqi security forces detained the four suspects Jan. 22 following a tip from a Karbala resident.

The suspects were found in a house near the area where the vehicles used in the attack were abandoned after insurgents made their get away from the scene.

The suspects are being held for further questioning.

http://www.blackanthem.com/News/Allies_20/Four_suspects_seized_linked_to_Karbala_attack3802.shtml

[mass55th]

Thanks for the input. Very interesting and informative.

[TexKat]

Troops Died After, Not In, Sneak Attack ~ Karbala Attack ~ Soldiers abducted then killed.....

[Marine_Uncle]

Let us hope this latest sad occurance will drive the point home once and for all. The IG cannot expect our men and women to be putting their hides on the line while not being allowed to protect themselves.