British: Iraqis Fire on Basra Civilians

Associated Press | March 28, 2003

[HAL9000]

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar (AP) -- Iraqi paramilitary forces in Basra fired mortars and machine gunfire Friday on a "couple of thousand" Iraqi civilians trying to flee city, British military officials said.

Members of Britain's 7th Armored Brigade were trying to neutralize the fire, evacuate the civilians and treat the wounded, said Lt. Col. Ronnie McCourt, a spokesman for British forces in the Gulf.

He said a "couple of thousand" Iraqi civilians had tried to break out of the besieged city in the north and west, but came under fire from Iraqi paramilitary forces inside.

"We are trying to save the people, return fire and rescue civilians," he said.

He said a "couple of thousand" Iraqi civilians had tried to break out of the besieged city in the north and west, but came under fire from Iraqi paramilitary forces inside.

"We are trying to save the people, return fire and rescue civilians," he said.

British forces have ringed the southern city - which at a population of 1.3 million is Iraq's second-largest - in hopes of eliminating units still loyal to Saddam Hussein and getting in badly needed humanitarian aid.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe if aid doesn't reach the city.

On at least three separate occasions, British units and coalition aircraft have fired on enemy Iraqi tanks and other armored vehicles that have streamed out of the city.

On Thursday, at least 14 T-55 tanks heading south out of Basra toward the al-Faw peninsula were destroyed by coalition airpower and groundfire, British officials said.

[grobdriver]

We need cameras down there to record this.
Imagine the impact for the domestic doubting Thomases - and the value of showing it to the civillians in Baghdad (if we could hijack their TV)

[MrNeutron1962]

In other developments, the Treasonus Left on DU blame the USA and GWB for the sinking of the Andrea Adoria.

[rintense]

According to Charlie Rangel of NY, it is the US who is shooting and bombing civilians. Otherwise, 'they are bombing themselves' ~ From Hannity and Colmes, 3/27/03.

[MindBender26]

This just confirmed by John Quinones of ABC News:

"We hear, from monitoring British tactical radios, that the column was about 2000 people. They were mostly women and children. The Fedayeen Saddam machined gunned them. Casualties are heavy."

Rangel has been Castro's best friend in Congress for years. Now he has alligned himself with Saddam too.

[FireTrack]

How much would you like to bet that France, Germany, Russia, and most of the Arabian countries never voice one word of outrage about this inhumane slaughter yet they have the Gaul to accuse the U.S. of bombing civilians in Baghdad.

I can't believe we ever called these sick bastards friends/allies.

[Illbay]

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe if aid doesn't reach the city.

Hey Kofi:

Why not make yourself useful for a change, and talk to your buddy Saddam about this? I'm sure that since you and he share so many common interests--world domination, subjugation of people, etc.--he'll listen to your concerns.

[Illbay]

...they have the Gaul...

Don't know if you intended it, but that's a clever pun.

[AmericanInTokyo]

As sad and graphic as it is, we need photos or videos of these atrocities, or its aftermath, or civilian eyewitnesses/survivors describing it.

It should be all over the international media.

I would confront those mother.... pro-Saddam protestors laying down in the US streets with this. Smack those silly, insolent smiles off their seditious little faces. Scumbags.

[Flint]

You can bet that he wouldn't be saying it if the people in his district weren't also saying the same thing. He is a survivor and knows how to get and keep votes.

[Coop]

According to Charlie Rangel of NY, it is the US who is shooting and bombing civilians. Otherwise, 'they are bombing themselves' ~ From Hannity and Colmes, 3/27/03.

Was that not one of the most disgusting diatribes witnessed in recent memory? I was seething at this "veteran's" insistence that he was supporting our troops as then then turned around and accused them of slaughtering women and children. I'm thankful I wasn't in the same room with him!

[laz17]

The Fedayeen Saddam machined gunned them. Casualties are heavy.

Some of the Iraqis have been dressing up in coalition uniforms. How long before the scumbag Democrats claim that coalition troops are dressing up as Fedayeen and killing innocents?

Here's your next talking point, Rangel. You can get it here for free, you goddamn son of a b*tch. Someone ought to cut your vile and evil lying tongue out for what you said on FNC yesterday.

[FreeSpeechZone]

From Russia with blood: missile attack kills four Americans
By Lindsay Murdoch, Herald Correspondent in central Iraq
March 28 2003





Iraq's military yesterday continued hit-and-run guerilla tactics against United States forces moving towards Baghdad through irrigated areas of central Iraq, north of the Euphrates River.

In a surprise attack south of Najaf, Iraqis used a Russian-made anti-tank missile to destroy a US tank, killing its four crew.

A US light-armoured vehicle was also hit, injuring several marines.

US commanders did not know that the Iraqis possessed the type of missile used in the tank attack. The missile can penetrate the armoured plating of US tanks that are at the front of huge convoys of about 20,000 first division marines as they move towards Baghdad.

A convoy the Herald is travelling with started moving again yesterday after 48 hours being dug into defensive positions because of sporadic attacks and a severe storm.





Small-arms fire could be heard to the east of the road the convoy was travelling on.

The bodies of several Iraqis lay behind burnt-out vehicles on the side of the road near an oil plant.

Discarded Iraqi uniforms were booby trapped, marines found. The attacks are believed to be initiated by highly mobile units of the Baghdad-based Republican Guard, backed by local army units and militia.

The Republican Guard units are travelling in small armoured vehicles. They engage the most forward deployed US armoured vehicles and then retreat.

Lifting of the storm will allow US attack helicopters and aircraft to target Iraqi units on the ground for the first time since the storm hit on Tuesday. The US forces' push north to Baghdad has been stop-start since Monday, but the 1st Marine Division is more than halfway from the Kuwaiti border to Baghdad.

Roads have been mined, Iraqis dressed in civilian clothing waving flags have opened fire on troops, and there have been attacks by mortars and small arms.

US commanders in the convoys have been told of US-gathered intelligence that indicates the Republican Guard is ready to use chemical weapons against US forces on roads leading to Baghdad.

[showme_the_Glory]

AlJazeera will have it on any minute now.





sarcasm off

[aristeides]

I don't think Charlie Rangel would be in any political danger in his district if he spoke the truth. Political survival is not the reason he says what he says.

[1Old Pro]

What liberal press?? Just watch the NON-REPORTING of this story.

[EternalVigilance]

This is an almost unspeakable horror.

Praying for the victims of Hussein and the heartless bastards who are following him into hell.

Their torment will be great.

[EternalVigilance]

Worst atrocities by Hussein and Co.:

A) Torture, mutilation and execution of POWs.

B) Machine gunning of 2000 women and children who were simply trying to escape danger.

These rabid dogs are only worthy of death.

[EternalVigilance]

It's not even getting enough play here on FR...I wonder if it is so horrendous folks are beyond words?

[Kay Soze]

"Iraqi paramilitary forces in Basra fired mortars and machine guns Friday on about 1,000 Iraqi civilians trying to leave the besieged city."

was done in the names of Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, George Clooney, Ed Asner, Matt Dameon, Mike Dcuovney, A.N.S.W.E.R.