U.S. jets bomb Basra paramilitary meeting (200 Paramilitary Dead?)

Reuters | 3/29/03

[kattracks]

U.S. jets bomb Basra paramilitary meeting

AS SAYLIYA CAMP, Qatar, March 29 (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes have used laser-guided bombs to destroy a building in the southern Iraqi city of Basra where some 200 paramilitary members were meeting, U.S. Central Command said on Saturday.

A spokesman at Central Command's battle headquarters said early reports indicated that "no one came out" of the shattered two-story structure.

The spokesman said the bombing was part of the campaign to take Basra, Iraq's second largest city, from forces loyal to President Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi forces have prevented U.S.-led forces from seizing control of Basra, although British officials say there have been signs of civilian unrest inside the city. British troops say they control the city surroundings, but have not yet moved in.

Central Command said in a statement that two F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets dropped bombs on the paramilitary meeting, terming it "an emerging target."

The bombs used in the night-time attack had a delayed fuse so they penetrate the building before exploding, minimizing damage to the surrounding area, including a church, the statement said.

03/28/03 22:11 ET

[John Valentine]

"Who called this meeting?" I wonder if it was one of our guys who did.

An intriguing notion.... and an amusing one. Perhaps...

[Busywhiskers]

"Fox reporting Reuters office nearby damaged."

Whoa....that means bonus points for the pilot.

[Kay Soze]

LOL Funny- very funny

Bombs Baath and Beyond

he he he

[CurlyBill]

Does anyone think Tom Daschle or Charlie Rangel were there?

[Kay Soze]

Heres how we found out about the meeting:

U.S. Teams Seek to Kill Iraqi Elite
Covert Missions Target Hussein's Inner Circle
By Dana Priest
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, March 29, 2003; Page A01

U.S. covert teams have been operating in urban areas in Iraq trying to kill members of President Saddam Hussein's inner circle, including Baath Party officials and Special Republican Guard commanders, according to U.S. and other knowledgeable officials.

The teams carry sophisticated weapons and communications equipment capable of receiving near real-time targeting intelligence to guide them to locations where sought-after individuals are located.
Not all the explosions in Baghdad captured by western television cameras are the result of aerial bombs and missiles, the source said, implying that some have been planted by the teams.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Our agents found out the Fedayeen's meeting place and called us with the GPS coordinates.

They reported the bombs were laser guided, so we probably had a man on the ground find the site, then recieve word to paint it, and report back instant DBA. That's how we know there were no persons seen leaving the building.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

I have a feeling, this story is true, but the body count will be lowered. Such is the way the reporting is going so far. Gotta calibrate the initial reports that are so clouded by the fog of war...

[CFC__VRWC]

BTW, whatever happened with that 1000-vehicle convoy heading south from Baghdad? Heard about it constantly for a day, then nothing.

That convoy was nothing more than an auto-erotic media fever dream. They're getting so anxious for the downfall of George Bush at the hands of the almighty Saddam Hussein and his invincible Republican Guards that they're making up things.

[goody2shooz]

It must be getting crowded in paradise.

Yeah, they might even run out of virgins!

[Grampa Dave]

This will be the template of how Fedayeen, Republican Guard and as Qaeda killer thugs will become pink mist amongst new rubble in Baghdad. In fact it is probably happening now.

The killer/thugs will meet and the place they meet will become rubble. They will be a putrid red mist on and in the rubble.

"Magically" cruise missiles, jdams and other rubble and pink mist maker will appear when two or more of the immoral evil ones meet.

[LaGrone]

Think you could get a cheap used pick-up in Basra about now?

[Crowcreek]

Driving it home might get a little dicey . . .

[LaGrone]

LOL!

[Walkingfeather]

I am thinking ... last week Saddam wacked 6o of his own military leaders ( chip off stalins block) That and with the bombing of command and control their ability to organize gets further and further degraded. I am thinking this is going to come together quickly in the end.

[Proud Legions]

Actually, 10% of the population or so is Christian. Amazing, isn't it? In fact, I thought even Aziz was Christian (at least he claimed to be...though many would argue his actions did not reflect it).

[SuziQ]

the Lord allowed him to go there blinded by his Leftism, only to "convert" him so he could come out with 14 HOURS of video tape to show the world.

Clay in the Potter's Hands!

[CarmelValleyite]

LOL -- stop it -- you're killng me!!!!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

What do you call 200 Fedeyeen at the bottom of a bombed-out pit?!

A great start!!!!!!!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

A church??? Are there Christians in Iraq??

Yes. Assyrian Christians.

"I Was Wrong" by Ken Joseph Jr.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Glad you delurked!!! Keep on posting!