CENTCOM: US Facing Guerrilla War in Iraq

VOA ^ | 7.16.2003

[swarthyguy]

The new head of the U.S. Central Command says U.S. troops in Iraq are facing a classic guerilla war led by people loyal to ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

General John Abizaid says members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party are among those behind the almost- daily attacks on U.S.-led coalition forces. He says the attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

General Abizaid spoke at the Pentagon Wednesday after a wave of attacks around the Iraqi capital of Baghdad left one U.S. soldier dead and several wounded. In one incident, an Iraqi boy was killed when an assailant tossed a grenade at U.S. soldiers guarding a central Baghdad bank.

And, a surface-to-air missile was fired at - but missed - a C-130 military transport plane as it was landing at Baghdad airport.

In another incident, the mayor of the Iraqi city of Hadithah was shot and killed after residents reportedly accused him of cooperating with American forces. U.S. military officials say Mohammed Nayil al-Jurayfi's son was also killed in the attack.

Hadithah lies northwest of Baghdad, in a Sunni Muslim area that has been particularly hostile to the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq.

The attacks come on the anniversary of the date in 1979 when Saddam Hussein seized power in Iraq. Thursday marks the day Saddam's Baath Party seized power in 1968.

The U.S. military has been concerned that Saddam loyalists will commemorate the dates by stepping up attacks against U.S. troops.

Hostile fire has killed at least 33 U.S. soldiers since May 1.

[swarthyguy]

OK< it's official now. No semantic games. No "pockets" of resistance or whatever....

From the general's mouth himself.

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[Cacophonous]

The problem with fighting guerillas is that they don't fight fair.

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[cwb]

At least someone is not afraid to use the "G" word.

[huck von finn]

This is very bad news.

[Sparta]

Good so now we acknowledge reality. We know who the enemy is, let's go kick their asses.

[cwb]

"Hostile fire has killed at least 33 U.S. soldiers since May 1."

I thought more were killed than this? I've heard 80 or more have been killed.

[swarthyguy]

Actually, denial is worse.

At least he's acknowledging what the situation is.

[swarthyguy]

Hostile actions vs car accidents, etc.

[huck von finn]

I agree absolutely. That it was denied before was a sick joke! Wasn't it Rumsfeld who denied it?

[af_vet_rr]

I thought more were killed than this? I've heard 80 or more have been killed.

I'm with you, I've heard some high numbers as well, and none of them seem to jive with one another.

I thought somebody on FR was keeping track and it didn't match the "official" number.

Regardless, good to see somebody finally say the "G" word. Too many were in denial (including some on FR) and acting like the war was over.

For the families of those still in Iraq, or who have lost loved ones since May, this war is far from being over.

[finnman69]

Thats because the same KIAs are reporterd multiple times in the news over multiple nights.

[Sparta]

How does it feel to be vindicated, ma'am?

[cwb]

Hmmm...kinda like the Museum looting story, were we saw the same guy walking out with the same vase?

[cwb]

Yeah...Rumsfeld was the one who wouldn't admit it. While I do support Rumsfeld, he needs to put his pride aside and face facts. And one of those other unpleasent facts may be that we need more support in Iraq. Unfortunately, his "pride" is prolonging this problem. It of course doesn't help, that the media is just waiting for this to happen so they can say: "so is this an admission that you were wrong?" Let's put aside the egos and do what's needed to win this.

[AntiGuv]

The larger number includes accidents & whatnot.

[onedoug]

And so, what will we do now that we didn't do the sixties?

[LS]

The number 30, just to keep things in perspective, is the same as the 101st Airborne lost in the 31 DAYS after the end of WW II was declared in . . . AUSTRIA.

Let's all get a grip: mopping up operations are difficult and dirty, and commonly are not without casualties, ever. This is nothing new whatsoever, and I'm a bit stunned at the Freepers who treat it as though it was unexpected. While no solider should have to die, the fact is that 30 battle deaths in more than 60 days is quite light as "occupations" go.