Hand-to-hand combat on Basra

STRATFOR ^ | March 26 2003

[Axion]

COMBAT REPORTS - March 26 2003
1833 GMT - An Iraqi opposition group reports that hand-to-hand combat with bayonets has broken out between Basra civilians and Fedayeen forces. The combat reportedly started in the area facing Al Gazizah (Al-Ma'qal) Hayy Tariq that stretches to Basra University. The uprising is expected to extend to Al Amarah, according to a communique sent to United Press International.

[dandelion]

God, bless these who fight on our side. Please guide us in helping them to win this battle...

[firewalk]

bttt

[smith288]

I hope those terrorists are beaten to the ground like ants

[Nachum]

Where's Lawrence of Arabia when you need him?

[PianoMan]

Good find

[Smogger]

I sure hope Centcom can figure out a way to support these guys. The black General that does the briefings at Centcom (does anyone got his name?) reported that the British were able to supress the Fedayeen motar fire into the city with artillary fire. I agree its too dangerous to enter the city right now with what the gereral described as a very chaotic situation picture beginning to take focus, but is there something else we can do?

[Frank_Discussion]

Ditto!! Prayers for citizen victory in the Battle of Fitshan.

[arkady_renko]

Is this the reason for the column headed out of Basra?

[Damocles]

Bless these people. I think they are finally figuring out that we are not going to leave them high and dry again.

I hope this spreads like wildfire...

[LurkedLongEnough]

I wonder, are they restricted by religion to using only their right hands, or is left hand usage okay during combat?

[pepsionice]

Anyone want to bet that SOF folks are in Basra? I bet they have hundreds of the locals lined up and are making a major stand.

[Mister Baredog]

hand-to-hand combat with bayonets has broken out between Basra civilians and Fedayeen forces.

These people are desperate and who will help them? WE WILL!

[LizardQueen]

I hope we can help them out, too. I also hope we can tell which side is which. Might be tough if they're all in civvies.

LQ

[Smogger]

I also hope we can tell which side is which. Might be tough if they're all in civvies.

This appears to be why we (the Brits) are holding on the outskirts of the city. We wouldn't want to send our guys into something like that. It would be extremely dangerous.

[Damocles]

Wouldn't bet agianst you on that one...

[McGruff]

One of Fox's Military experts said yesterday that if we don't make an effort to help these people win this battle we will lose the trust of the Iraqis forever. Even if costs us 100 soldiers the fact that we kept our word to these people would payoff ten fold in the long run.

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[tomahawk]

Help them.

[clamper1797]

We could send in Bill Klintoon .. I hear he's an expert of hand to gland combat