Iraqi vets charge at U.S. troops

msnbc ^ | Oct. 4, 2003 | Associated Press

[huck von finn]

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct. 4 — Former Iraqi soldiers angry over rumors their pay would be cut off clashed Saturday with coalition troops in Baghdad and in the southern city of Basra in riots that left two Iraqis dead and dozens injured. Coalition officials said Saddam Hussein supporters fomented the violence. Elsewhere, a U.S. soldier from the 4th Infantry Division was killed and another was wounded in an ambush early Saturday in Sadiyah, 60 miles north of Baghdad.

THE DEATH brought to 88 the number of American soldiers killed by hostile fire since President Bush declared major combat over on May 1. The trouble started in Baghdad when hundreds of ex-soldiers assembled Saturday morning at a U.S. base at the city’s former downtown airport to collect their $40 a month stipend, which the coalition has been paying since Saddam’s army was disbanded in May. The crowd began hurling stones at U.S. troops and Iraqi police, who fired shots to try to disperse them. Some of the rioters moved to the nearby Mansour district, where they burned and looted four liquor stores and set fire to an Iraqi police car in the upscale neighborhood. Back at the U.S. base, an Iraqi police colonel finally persuaded most of the crowd to line up in an orderly fashion so they could receive their pay from the Americans.

[huck von finn]

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[tazman3]

I like this line the best:

Back at the U.S. base, an Iraqi police colonel finally persuaded most of the crowd to line up in an orderly fashion so they could receive their pay from the Americans.

The phrase 'don't bite the hand that feeds you' comes to mind.

[cookcounty]

Sorry to hear this. Condolences to this family. Thank you for your precious sacrifice.

[huck von finn]

The phrase 'don't bite the hand that feeds you' comes to mind.

It doesn't sound good--this situation, I mean.

[Graybeard58]

"to collect their $40 a month stipend"


... This sounds more like it. I heard a news report today that said $40.00 per DAY.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Should have taken the jerks out who started it and shot them.

[Dave Elias]

By doing so, this would make us different to Saddam's regime how exactly?

[Smile-n-Win]

Now listen, if you want to be a good disruptor, at least learn to use correct English grammar.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Maybe if we just "undrestood" why the rioters were throwing stones at our soldiers who have absolutely nothing to do with whether the rioters got paid or not. And just why do we need to pay Saddams thugs anyway?

[avg_freeper]

since President Bush declared major combat over on May 1.

The most revered 10 words in the media today. They get hot and bothered just thinking about this becoming the new "Read My Lips"

[PLMerite]

Somebody should take those idiots out and show them the difference between "major combat" and the current situation.