U.S. Aircraft Destroys Fallujah Restaurant

AP ^ | 10/11/04

[nypokerface]

FALLUJAH, Iraq - A U.S. warplane early Tuesday destroyed a popular restaurant which the U.S. command said was a meeting place for members of Iraq's most feared terrorist organization.

The 12:01 a.m. blast demolished the Haj Hussein restaurant as well as nearby shops, residents said. There was no report of casualties and the restaurant was closed at the time, but two night guards were missing, residents said.

Ambulances and fire trucks rushed to the scene.

The U.S. military command in Baghdad made no mention of the restaurant but said the target was "a center" for the Tawhid and Jihad terror network, led by Jordanian-born extremist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

"Following the engagement, secondary explosions were reported, indicating the strong likelihood of weapons caches and explosive devices," the statement said. "Terrorists frequently planned operations from this location. Plans included targeting Iraqi governmental leadership, Iraqi security forces, coalition forces and innocent Iraqi citizens."

Al-Zarqawi's network has claimed responsibility for numerous car bombings, kidnappings and beheadings of foreign hostages, including American businessman Nicholas Berg, South Korean translator Kim Sung-il, British civil engineer Kenneth Bigley and U.S. engineers Eugene Armstrong and Jack Hensley.

[SmithL]

Oh, when you said "take out," you meant that you wanted it to go?

[dandi]

"Sorry folks, we no longer have a non-smoking section."

[VRWCTexan]

What restaurant has two guards when closed? = Answer one with lots of weapons hidden in every nook and crany!

[DoctorMichael]

Scratch this one off of the Fodor's list.

[VRWCTexan]

You get my vote for funniest post of the day!!!

[The Duke]

I keep wondering why we're using aircraft now that we control the ground(?) Should all this just be a function of artillary? What am I missing here?

[reagan_fanatic]

The good news is you no longer have to wait to be seated.

[Publius6961]

OMG!

God bless AP for keeping me abreast of these horrible events.

First a mosque... now a popular reataurant! Oh the humanity! There's no longer a reason to live...

I think I am going to have the vapors...

[Sally'sConcerns]

Bombs are fun and why should we use feet on the ground to go up against guards?

[DefCon]

Precision guided munitions?

[midwyf]

Hmmm, and the news is full of reports that attacks have been suspended by the president until after the election.

[Dat Mon]

Actually, ZAGAT downgraded them as well. Their legendary Habenaro sauce is HOT HOT HOT (some say incendiary). Their decor sucks. Also heard they cant keep good help (or guards)

[RedBloodedAmerican]

And they think the Concorde in France was an accident...

[RedBloodedAmerican]

LOL Sweet.

[McGavin999]

Looks like they're going to have to find another place to store their weapons, if they can find more weapons, and if they can come up with the money to buy some more weapons.

Gee, life is sure getting tough for the terrorists these days.

[Redleg Duke]

"Following the engagement, secondary explosions were reported, indicating the strong likelihood of weapons caches and explosive devices,"

No, you silly person, secondary explosions indicate the presence of innocent women and children!

[Cobra64]

A U.S. warplane early Tuesday destroyed a popular restaurant which the U.S. command said was a meeting place for members of Iraq's most feared terrorist organization.

I'd love to know the delivery process. An A-10? I love that aircraft.

[Redleg Duke]

Actually, the whole place is a "smoking section"!

[Poohbah]

I'd love to know the delivery process.

"Candygram for Mongo!"