Marines Encircle Fallouja (Operation Valiant Resolve commencing)

LA Times ^ | 4-4-04 | Tony Perry and Edmund Sanders

[BurbankKarl]

FALLOUJA, Iraq — Thousands of Marines surrounded this anti-American stronghold early today in preparation for a complex raid to retake control of the city and apprehend those responsible for last week's slayings of four U.S. security contractors.

The highly anticipated action, dubbed Operation Valiant Resolve, was expected to be one of the biggest military offensives since the fall of Saddam Hussein's government a year ago.

All roads leading to this city of 300,000 were cut off and barricaded with tanks and concertina wire. Working through the cold and windy desert night, under a large moon, Marines set up camps for detainees and residents who might flee any fighting. Before dawn, several Marine positions were hit by mortar rounds and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Bursts of automatic gunfire could be heard throughout the city.

[Hank Rearden]

I thought hillarysux/hillarysux got into that link's site? But, sadly, no.

[fiftymegaton]

Although your concern for the delay is probably well founded, IMO I don't think these guys would leave Fallujah. It's their stronghold and has been their stronghold for awhile.

[breakem]

My guess, Iranians, and they have moved to another city.

[Betaille]

"bet our soldiers are happy to be doing something other than driving around as open targets."
I agree... nothing upsets me more than the feeling that we're taking a break in the War on Terror... let our boys kick butt all over the world!!!

[F.J. Mitchell]

"Prayers bumped up for our troops."

Amen to that.

[Chad Fairbanks]

"Let us win your hearts and minds, or we'll burn your village down" ;0)

[Hank Rearden]

2 days too late.

That's what I'm thinking; these slime have had plenty of time to scoot, unless our guys were anticipating and watching.

[CatOwner]

Unlike many on this thread, I am finding little delight in having the Marines perform this task. Personally, I wish every Arab in the ME would just go pound sand. While the lives of our citizens are worth the protection our military affords us, the Arabs have been fighting each other for centuries and will continue to do so long after we leave (if we leave).

Rooting out terrorists and their support network has been worth the cost, but trying to "rehabilitate" the Arabs is wasted time, money and energy. IMO.

[breakem]

won't hurt to tighten down the city, but the shooters are gone, for my money.

[wingster]

Let's kick some a$$ over there!

Go get 'em boys! Semper Fi!!!

[tbird1]

GO GET'EM GUYS!!!
tbird1

[MNJohnnie]

I am not by nature a religious man, but today I feel the need to pray.

Dear God, be with all those who go into battle for US today. We know Lord, that some of our's must fall today. Grant comfort to those who must bear Liberty's painful price. Our men go, as American's always have, to fight the evil of this fallen world. Grant them courage and strength today, and all the dark days to come.

Amen.


Oh, those people are going to be so sorry they screwed with the Marines!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Prayers, all around. Thanks for the thread, Karl, and the ping kayak.

[piasa]

To: Robert Teesdale; StillProud2BeFree
Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread 6

Two different jihadi websites are reporting Fallujah surrounded by 20,000 coalition troops and that the action has begun. No way to verify whether this report is accurate or not.


16 posted on 04/04/2004 10:08:37 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Here we go!

[Joe Hadenuf]

2 days too late.

You bet, the perps that did the initial ambush are long gone, and were not on camera. No ID.

[2rightsleftcoast]

Wow, I couldn't agree more. Kill the terrorists but forget about trying to rehabilitate.

[NormsRevenge]

Let's Roll.

[LdSentinal]

won't hurt to tighten down the city, but the shooters are gone, for my money.

They may be gone, but they left their weapons behind. Get them and let them fight the coalition with burqas.

[Lurkus Maximus]

A little late but still good to see. The "people" of Falluja are acting like barbarians and should be treated as such. All they understand is overwhelming force. Fine. Let's show them some! The sooner the better!