This was my speculation yesterday (see related thread) based on what forensic evidence I could garner from news reports and the few photos that were coming in.
The damage and casualties were not consistant, IMHO, with incoming ordnance, even though the "experts" were attributing it to a 122mM Katusha rocket.
20 - 30 casualties is not inconsistant with a Hamaas Islammakazi body-bomb in a target rich environment like an Israeli Bar Mitzvah.... or a crowded Mess Tent.
I'm disapointed (to put it mildly)that such a tactical opportunity was presented on a virtual silver platter to the enemy in that compound... it seems that lessons learned the hard way in VietNam have all but been forgotton... at least by the brass around Mosul.
The guys have felt like sitting ducks in that mess hall and other buildings in the compound ever since they got there - this attack came as no surprise. And that's from "inside information" you might say.
Let's hope some of the HQ Staff gets a clue before this becomes a habit!
Tell us, Unc, just how you would have easily put a stop to such an attack.
That's the problem with this war. Supposedly fighting "side by side" with Iraqi's, you don't know who is your enemy till they blow you up... I am deeply sympathetic to our soldiers being in this kind of environment.
You are not alone in hearing this.