U.S. soldier shot dead in apparent sniper attack in Baghdad, Pentagon sources say. Details soon

CNN ^ | 5/8/03

[areafiftyone]

U.S. soldier shot dead in apparent sniper attack in Baghdad, Pentagon sources say. Details soon

[The Pheonix]

The bulk of Saddam's army just melted into the population without engaging the US army in any real face to face battle

The truth about whether there will be a guerilla war or not , will come when the US forces leave Iraq in the fall

[MEG33]

I was only reporting a report..I learned to wait to know the facts..but this was from Fox .Early reports are always iffy.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

How about calling up the parents of this dead soldier with your moronic comment?

U.S. Soldier Reported Killed in Baghdad
40 minutes ago

By CHRIS TOMLINSON, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - An American soldier was shot and killed Thursday in a bold daylight attack on a Baghdad bridge, military officers said.

The soldier, who wasn't immediately identified, was killed when an unidentified Iraqi walked up to him and opened fire with a pistol, according to senior U.S. Army officers in Baghdad who had heard reports of the shooting.

The officers said the slain soldier belonged to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Polk, La. Calls to that regiment's public affairs officer here went unanswered Thursday night.

No further information was immediately available, and it was unclear what happened to the assailant. U.S. Central Command in Qatar said it was unaware of the incident.

U.S. forces report that they trade fire with armed Iraqis almost daily across the country. Still, an incident like Thursday's — a brazen daytime attack, apparently at very close range — is nonetheless highly unusual even in postwar Iraq (news - web sites).

On Wednesday, the military said, two Iraqis shot at reconnaissance elements of the 3rd Infantry Division with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades as they traveled north of Baghdad. The unit returned fire, the military said, killing one assailant.

Also Wednesday, near the northern town of Baiji, a convoy from the 4th Infantry Division came under rifle and machine-gun fire. The unit attacked the assailants' positions and captured five individuals, weapons, and other military, Central Command said. No Americans were injured.

[areafiftyone]

I believe the Iranians are the troublemakers in all these incidents!

[smiley]

Let's Roll and get these guys!!

[RockBassCreek]

There's a part of me that wants to do that. I wouldn't leave until I was certain I'd cleansed the nation of WMD's. Then, I'd leave and see what rose to the top.

I leave a message that if I didn't like was was there, that I'd come back and change the government again. Therefore, no baathist or saddamite rerun need apply.

There's downsides, of course. But, can't say I haven't thought about it.

[areafiftyone]

Thank you for the update. I had to run downstairs and pick up lunch!!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

We are talking to the Iranians on several things:

New U.S. Concerns on Iran's Pursuit of Nuclear Arms

[frosty snowman]

FOX is saying it was a guy shooting at close range with a pistol, not a sniper.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Okay, I take it back. Th guy wasn't a sniper as he had to get close up to kill one of our men. Feel better now?

[Blood of Tyrants]

After scanning some of the details as they were, I figured that out.

[Norse]

>oh God ,is this the start of a guerilla war??????

you better believe it...and we'll be there for at least a few more years...God bless our guys

[browardchad]

oh God ,is this the start of a guerilla war??????

No, it's a continuation. No one expected this to be easy.

Prayers for a fallen soldier.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

The fact that you would praise a sniper for killing one of our men shows what a sick piece you are.

[freeperfromnj]

Just saw on the NJ news site that there were two soldiers killed.

Two U.S. Troops Shot, Killed in Baghdad

By CHRIS TOMLINSON - The Associated Press

5/8/2003, 3:38 p.m. ET

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Two American soldiers were killed Thursday in separate attacks in Baghdad _ one a bold daylight shooting at close range and the other a sniper attack, military officials said.

In addition, at least one soldier was injured when a U.S. vehicle hit an explosive in part of the capital believed to have been cleared of land mines.

The incidents demonstrate Iraq is still fraught with danger for U.S. forces a month after Saddam Hussein's government fell.

In the most brazen attack, an unidentified Iraqi walked up to a soldier on a bridge and opened fire with a pistol at close range, according to senior U.S. Army officers in Baghdad who had heard reports of the shooting.

The officers said the slain soldier, whom they did not identify, belonged to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Polk, La. Calls to that regiment's public affairs officer here went unanswered Thursday night.

No further information was immediately available, and it was unclear what happened to the assailant. U.S. Central Command in Qatar said it was unaware of the incident.

U.S. forces say they trade fire with armed Iraqis almost daily across the country. Still, an incident like the one on the bridge is highly unusual even in postwar Iraq.

In the second attack, a U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division soldier was killed when a sniper shot him in the head in east Baghdad, said Capt. Tom Bryant, spokesman for the Army's V Corps, which is based at Baghdad's airport. He had no further details.

Also Thursday, an American Humvee hit a "probable land mine" while crossing a median in a road near Baghdad's airport, Bryant said. Details were sketchy, but at least one U.S. soldier was injured in that incident.

Earlier, Bryant said, a group of children motioned to a military convoy traveling down another road about a quarter-mile away to avoid a plastic bag in the street. The convoy followed their advice, but an Iraqi truck coming up behind the convoy ran over the bag and it exploded.

The driver of the truck escaped injury, but an Iraqi man standing nearby suffered burn and shrapnel wounds. He was taken to a U.S. field hospital and was reported in shock.

Other incidents have bedeviled U.S. forces in recent days, though none cause casualties.

On Wednesday, the military said, two Iraqis shot at reconnaissance elements of the 3rd Infantry Division with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades as they traveled north of Baghdad. The unit returned fire, the military said, killing one assailant.

Also Wednesday, near the northern town of Baiji, a convoy from the 4th Infantry Division came under rifle and machine-gun fire. The unit attacked the assailants' positions and captured five suspects and their weapons, Central Command said. No Americans were injured.

[b4its2late]

Prayers for the brave men and their families.

Unfortunately, some of the lefties are getting what they wanted and must be lighting up cigars about now........

[sheik yerbouty]

Jihadists mistake forebearance for weakness. We should be less forebearing in these matters.

[areafiftyone]

OMG thank you for the update!!! Prayers for the families of the brave soldiers!!

[ohioWfan]

The panic that went through me when I heard this on the radio has never been experienced before.......

Prayers for this brave soldier's family.

[Fee]

Inform the citizens of Baghdad that if the shootings do not stop, the US will pull back and allow Kurdish/Shia troops enter the city to keep order. After what the Sunni Baathist did to these people, any attempts to screw with them will result in a "Baathist Holiday" by Kurdish/Shia troops.