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Posted on 03/10/2008 5:45:53 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
BAGHDAD (AP) — A suicide bomber killed five U.S. soldiers as they chatted with shop owners while on a foot patrol in central Baghdad on Monday, the deadliest attack on American forces in the heavily fortified capital in more than eight months.
The bombing, just four days after nearly simultaneous blasts killed scores of people in a vibrant Shiite commercial district, again showed the insurgents' ability to strike inside a capital secured by hundreds of security checkpoints, U.S.-funded neighborhood watch groups and hundreds of miles of blast walls that surround buildings and cordon off districts.
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At any rate, the push over the past six months to place U.S. bases inside neighborhoods and get soldiers out of their armored vehicles increases the Americans' vulnerability to attacks. While the face-to-face contact from foot patrols builds goodwill, it also gives suicide bombers, who often slip past security vehicle checkpoints by walking, better access to striking soldiers.
On Monday, the soldiers were walking in a shopping district of the predominantly Sunni Mansour neighborhood when a man in his 30s detonated his explosives about 30 feet away, said a police officer who witnessed the attack. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to talk to the media.
Four of the soldiers died at the scene, and the fifth died later from wounds, the military said. Three other American soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter were also wounded in the attack, which military spokesman Maj. Mark Cheadle said was "was reported to us as a suicide bomber."
Iraqi police said two civilians were also killed.
It was the deadliest attack against the U.S. military since Jan. 28, when five soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb in the northern city of Mosul.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.google.com ...
Posted about 10 hours ago, but I’m not sure where the original link is.
My (soon to be) brother in law died in this blast tonight. Our household is a wreck. Please pray for us. Third Infantry Division.
Okay, thank you. I knew someone would be able to tell me if there was a prior post. Should I have this pulled?
God Bless you and yours.
Oh no, I am so sorry. I can’t imagine what it is like for you. Praying now for your loss and your pain, for your family.
Nope. Your story includes more than the previous post.
I just wanted to let you know about the earlier one. Didn't mean to come across as testy or anything. :O)
Very sorry to hear this. I will be praying for you and your family. God Bless.
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Yet despite increased risk, US casualties are down sharply over all.
You didn’t..:)
--3rd ID, 1971-73
Godspeed, solider...
My heart breaks with yours...my prayers are with you and your family, and my gratitude.
Why is there so much reporting now on Iraq?
Oh wait. . . now I remember.
Thanks Media.
RIP (soon to be) brother in law
God Bless all of your family and his. I will pray with my sons tonight and tell them of the sacrifice that was made for the future of Country. It is hard to put in words my love for our military.
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Prayers for you and your family. I am so very sad for you.
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