Jailed Iraqi children run free as Marines roll into Baghdad suburbs

Agence France-Presse ^ | April 8, 2003

[HAL9000]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - More than 100 children held in a prison celebrated their freedom Tuesday as US marines rolled into northeast Baghdad amid chaotic scenes which saw civilians loot weapons from an army compound, a US officer said.

Around 150 children spilled out of the jail after the gates were opened as a US military Humvee vehicle approached, Lieutenant Colonel Fred Padilla told an AFP correspondent travelling with the Marines 5th Regiment.

"Hundreds of kids were swarming us and kissing us," Padilla said.

"There were parents running up, so happy to have their kids back."

"The children had been imprisoned because they had not joined the youth branch of the Baath party," he alleged. "Some of these kids had been in there for five years."

The children, who were wearing threadbare clothes and looked under-nourished, walked on the streets crossing their hands as if to mimic handcuffs, before giving the thumbs up sign and shouting their thanks.

It was not clear who had opened the doors of the prison.

Civilians also took advantage of the collapse of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's authority to grab weapons from an army base, said Group Sergeant Jeff Treiber.

As marines were alerted by radio that civilians had seized weapons, Treiber warned that anyone seen to be armed could be a target of US-British coalition forces.

"With the weapons they are becoming combatants," said Treiber. "If they don't take the weapons they will be fine."

Other residents stole air conditioning units, television sets and furniture from government buildings in an echo of the looting that was seen in the southern city of Basra.

A 19-year-old called Haider said people had been ransacking government compounds since the morning to steal weapons and furniture.

"Since the morning, nine o'clock, they have been looting. They are stealing weapons and I took three doors," he said.

At one stage the marines opened fire after coming under attack from snipers, leaving at least two civilians wounded.

One man needed treatment for gunshot wounds to his stomach and left arm.

But his friend, Abdul Amir Jaffa, said he did not resent the Americans despite the shooting.

"Americans are coming to free us," he told AFP.

The marines became increasingly edgy as crowds of people took to the streets to observe their progress.

"It's a problem with so many people in the area. Its hard to tell if there are enemy forces among them. You have to be careful returning fire with civilians all over the place," Lieutenant Anthony Sousa said.

Troops from the Marines' 1st Expeditionary Force also entered Baghdad on the east of the city Tuesday as thousands of armoured vehicles and Humvees poured into the capital for a showdown with Saddam Hussein's troops.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" He put kids in prison."

These may have been the lucky ones. Exiles have reported that he gouged out the eyes of toddlers,in front of the parents,to get the parents to talk. I still can't forget the image of the woman's face that was shown at the Pentagon briefing two Saturdays ago.When the full horrors of this monster's regime are exposed-in tale and on videotape,we better have steel stomachs.It would not surprise me, if many in the top levels of the Bush administration, have seen some of the videotapes of Saddam's torture.

[winner3000]

This IS the result of pacifism. That's what happens when people put peace ahead of freedom as if there is peace without freedom!

[cyncooper]

I'm just wondering why the Iraqi people didn't rise up against Saddam and his henchmen.

Look at the fight our troops have on their hands, with all of their equipment and weapons. It is going quickly for us, but there were thousands supporting the evil Saddam. True, perhaps in the very, very early years of his rule he could have been over-thrown more easily, but the old frog in water and setting it to boil story comes to mind.

One hopes their plight will serve as a lesson to other countries who have such a despot rise to power, but some in the media are doing their best to minimize and rationalize, which tamps down the spreading of the story.

Thank goodness, the story is coming out in all its ugliness.

[Indy Pendance]

Tue Apr 8,12:30 PM ET

A US marine from the 2nd Batailion 8th Regiment talks with Iraqi children as he patrols in the town of Shumali, 100km south of Baghdad. 100 children held in a prison celebrated their freedom as US marines rolled into northeast Baghdad(AFP/Eric Feferberg)

[Alamo-Girl]

My husband suggested that some of the children here in the United States (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts perhaps) - ought to write letters and draw pictures to the Iraqi children. They wouldn't be able to read the words, but the kids might like to make the connection.

[xm177e2]

This is the most disgusting thing I have ever read.

We're going to see a lot more of this, as the regime crumbles. SHAME on everyone who didn't want to liberate this country.

[Terriergal]

As far as the Sarandon types are concerned.....if the Iraqi's didn't do anything to her personally, then it's none of our business what they do to their own citizens.

[EternalVigilance]

Great post!

[eureka!]

As the father of a two and a four year old, I am speechless...

[hosepipe]

Anybody expecting the democrats to fall to their knees and REPENT... because of the ch.i.i.i.i.i.i.dren...
needs to be bitch slapped....

[Terriergal]

Well it's no surprise Scott Ritter doesn't view children as anything but objects....

[Servant of the Nine]

Where will Scott Ritter find a date for the Prom now?

SO9

[Marie Antoinette]

I can't believe AFP printed an article so complimentary to the Americans. Either they really ARE "for the children" or the editors missed it :-)

[Terriergal]

Simple! Ritter sees them as objects to be used/exploited.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Please publish your list and links if possible when finished!

[Gamecock]

I still say we should give peace a chance. </sarcasm>

[dogbyte12]

LINK TO STORY HERE

These leftists who oppose this war need to be emailed this story.

[Terriergal]

thx - Remember those ppl infiltrated the Frisco antiwar protestors to show how absurd the antiwar bunch was being.

[stylin19a]

This can't be true. The lefties had assured us that it is US that are killing & hurting the kids, by using sanctions that deny food & medical supplies. </sarcasm off>

[Terriergal]

What an awesome pic.

I love that one pic that's been going around, taken from over the GIs shoulder, as the little girl looks up at him with big wide eyes...