Posted on 06/07/2004 5:17:01 AM PDT by kattracks
KUFA, Iraq (Reuters) - Kufa mosque, a stronghold of radical Iraqi cleric Moqtada al Sadr, was rocked by explosions Monday when a nearby arms dump blew up and at least three people were killed, witnesses and hospital sources said.
A further 12 people were wounded but there were conflicting reports on the identities of the casualties.
Doctor Ali al-Tufaili at Kufa General Hospital said they were civilians, while witnesses and other doctors said the victims were members of Sadr's Mehdi Army militia.
Witnesses said there was slight fire damage to the mosque.
Militiamen loyal to Sadr prevented reporters from getting close to the arms depot.
Sadr launched an uprising two months ago and his militia fought skirmishes with occupying troops in Shi'ite towns in central and southern Iraq (news - web sites).
But last week the Shi'ite cleric ordered his militiamen in Kufa and the nearby holy city of Najaf to disarm.
In return, the U.S. military said it was suspending offensive operations against Sadr.
In a statement, the U.S. army said its forces were not operating in the area at the time of the explosion. It said there was no information on casualties.
ha-hah
Another case of ignoring the OSHA safety guidelines...
Them blowed up good...them blowed up REAL good!"
What a shame. I wonder how that happened.
That is really too bad. Too bad that it does not happen more often.
"In a statement, the U.S. army said its forces were not operating in the area at the time of the explosion."
Most likley perfectly true.
Bump
Would not surprise me if "free" Iraqi's were not beginning to take things into their own hands. I suspect we will begin to see more and more events undertaken by "free" Iraqi's to protect their freedom and nation. And....you can bet they won't make nice with the enemy!
Arms depot spontaneous combustion ping.
Do you think this naqba will deter me filthy yazids? I have got news for you, jack! I will redouble my efforts to send you filthy kufr to jahanam! This was just a test of you pork-eating, debauched fornicators. Yes, a test. Next time, I will use high-grade Hamas quality explosives. Yes, next time we will shoot Qassam rockets at you. You kufr might even lose a finger or two! Now how would like that yazid? Mock me, will you? How dare you mock the great, 30-year old ayatollah of Assholah?(!) DO NOT MOCK THE BLACK TURBAN YAZID! YOU WILL GET BURNED!
I love the smell of arms dumps in the morning.
Arms Depot = mosque. I guess mosque is Arabic for arms depot.
My first thought was that the new Iraqi army just finished it's first spec op
Arms dumps have no special smell in the morning. Now, burning arms dumps -- that is a different story.
And, noit a single stick of deodorant within 100 miles.
rocked by explosions
Rock the Casbah!!!
Well done CIA, Spec Ops, etc.
Them boys better watch out playin with them there toys.
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