First Reports in Jpn. Media from Iran of Uprisings in Iraq (Kirkuk) Reported; Saddam Statues Toppled

Asahi Shimbun Japanese Website ("Freepranslated" into English) ^ | 14 March 2003 | Asahi Shimbun Japanese Website

[AmericanInTokyo]

Reports in Japanese Daily Asahi Shimbun, top of the hour (7:02 a.m. Eastern USA time Friday), that via the Iran News Service, reports are arriving of an uprising in parts of northern Iraq.

The location where Iraqi Kurds are reported to have clashed is Kirkuk, 250 north of Baghdad.

Other reports are that at Hanakin, 150 kilos north of Baghdad, Iraqi citizens also entered into some kind of fights with Iraqi troops loyal to Saddam. There were an unreported number of casulties on both sides. It appears the fighting may have subsided.

An Iraqi military position or positions are reported to have suffered damage.

It was confirmed the anti-government clash saw participation from the Iraq Islamic Revolution High Command, an anti-government Iraqi group.

Witnesses report in Kirkuk that three large statues of Saddam Hussein have been toppled.

It is stated that due to the strong secret police network in Iraq, it is extremely rare for the symbois of Saddam's power, his large statues, to be overturned as they have been in Kirkuk.The anti-Saddam uprising in 1991 after the Gul War, particularly in the south of the country, saw this trademark overturning of Saddam's statues, too.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I have excerpted ("freepranslated") the above report from Asahi Shimbun. Looking for other confirmations. Interesting.

[Semper Paratus]

Planned uprising, then ask for international assistance?

[mhking]

Things are about to get real hot real quick. I think this is all part and parcel of everything. It won't be long now.

Let's roll.

[eureka!]

This is good. Looks like the CIA has been busy while the Frogs and Powder Blue Blix Boys maintained their circle jerk. Pray for the innocents...

[AmericanInTokyo]

Perhaps. This is Kurd country. Those people have been screwed over royally. Many rotting in refugee camps awaiting their liberation by the United States and the UK.

I sure hope they demolish that big, nasty Iraqi military base, Khalid bin Waleed, south of Kirkuk. Maybe that is the site of conflict they are reporting. (If this can be verified. I know the objectivity of the Japanese media, but what of the I.R.N.A.?)

[ConservativeMan55]

This is very good. When Saddam moves more troops in to crush the uprising. We will stop him.

[TonyInOhio]

Great post, as always, AIT. Please keep us updated.

FReegards,

Tony

[Keith]

...I'm willing to bet Saddam sees this as bait and won't touch it...

[ewing]

Even the UN would be up for protecting innocent civllians..

[MrConfettiMan]

Bump.

[MrConfettiMan]

*snicker*

[TexasGunLover]

Even the UN would be up for protecting innocent civllians..

Don't count on it. They are more willing to support criminals and thugs.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I don't think Hussein would take the bait either, but it's damn smart to tempt him. I think threatening humiliation is the only way to throw him off his game.

[ewing]

Tounge firmly in cheek...

[KickRightRudder]

My thoughts as well. CIA is busy stirring the pot.

[ewing]

Can Babelfish translate from Japanese into English?

[secretagent]

I just hope they haven't revolted yet again under the impression that the US will back them up. We have a solid record of several betrayals, leading to thousands of Kurdish deaths.

Never count on the CIA - they'll back out at just the last minute.

[uncbob]

Bush better not abandon these people after getting their hopes up
In fact they ought to help them now before Saddam starts in on them

[Constitution Day]

BUMP!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes, but unfortunately it will sound like 'Yoda', or even worse.