Posted on 11/08/2004 8:39:55 AM PST by epluribus_2
NEAR FALLUJAH, Iraq - More than 4,000 U.S. Marines and Army troops punched their way into northeastern Fallujah on Monday, kicking off a massive assault dubbed Operation Phantom Fury that seeks to put an end to half a year of insurgent control of the Sunni Muslim city.
The prelude to the assault on the Askari neighborhood was a crushing air and artillery bombardment of the city that rose to a crescendo by Monday evening, with U.S. strike jets dropping bombs around the clock and big guns pounding the city every few minutes with high-explosive shells.
Meanwhile, insurgents in Baghdad and nearby Ramadi tried to keep up the pressure on the coalition forces with new attacks, including one on a Catholic church in the capital.
Earlier Monday U.S. troops had fought their way into the city's western outskirts, seizing two bridges over the Euphrates River and helping Iraqi soldiers take the city's main hospital in the first stage of a major assault on the insurgent stronghold.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
pong
Allawi visits troops outside Fallujah ahead of major battle
AFP: 11/8/2004
NEAR FALLUJAH, Nov 8 (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi paid a surprise visit to his troops outside Fallujah Monday, shortly before US and Iraqi forces began a massive bombardment of the city.
While at Camp Fallujah, a US base outside the Sunni Muslim bastion, Allawi was asked when the curfew would start.
"In half an hour at six (1500 GMT)," he said, looking at his watch. "And after that the operations against the terrorist elements will start at any time."
Subsequently, US forces began intense shelling across Fallujah.
11/08/2004 16:45 GMT - AFP
it would prompt a NYT front page, special edition... they are so starved for bad news for Bush...
Unleash Hell
Good news, IMHO -- if they're dug in, they're unlikely to move. Our guys know where they are, and can call in precision strikes on the locations.
Thank you.
God be with our troops.
From what I recall, Green Trestle Bridge or Main Bridge in Fallujah is where they hung our guys, scorched and mutilated. And little kids danced like it was Christmas morning. Remember?
I'm sure your right. But one can dream...8^)
I think that's Scott Rutter....way different people.
Fire is quite useful for detonating booby traps in buildings.
There won't be much "house to house" when this is over.
You are right and both bridges were taken out.
The CNN embed reported earlier that he could hear the enemy chanting "Allah Akbar" in the distance when the assault was beginning. That's what these animals were chanting as they beheaded Nick Berg, and they deserve to have the full fury of our guys unleashed on them. I'm sure hearing that disgusting chant made the Marines even more anxious to kill them all.
If the terrorists are "dug in" and a C-130 is called in to target that position, the terrorists will then have to be "dug out" from under a lot of rubble.
That's what they said on Fox.
Almighty and eternal God, those who take refuge in you will be glad and forever will shout for joy.
Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties. Protect them with the shield of your strength and keep them safe from all evil and harm. May the power of your love enable them to return home in safety, that with all who love them, they may ever praise you for your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
It belongs to the Marines now. They will not relinquish it again. God bless our troops above and those going row by row.
Operation Orkin Man.
CNN on-ground reporter, Jane Arraf, says troops have been told no PC. If they are fired on, for example, from a house, he have the authorization to demonish the house (no Miranda Rights type stuff).
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