Two US soldiers and two journalists killed in rocket attack south of Baghdad

Agence France-Presse | April 7, 2003

[HAL9000]

SADDAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (AFP) - Two US soldiers and two journalists were killed in an Iraqi rocket attack earlier Monday on a US military army position south of Baghdad, a US army major said.

"Right now for KIA (killed in action)," Major Mike Birmingham told reporters on the ground.

"Fifteen WIA (wounded in action) of which two are critical. Of KIA, two are soldiers, two are reporters," Birmingham said without disclosing their nationalities or affiliation.

Birmingham, spokesman for the 3rd Infantry Division, would not give a breakdown for the 15 wounded.

"A rocket hit near 2nd Brigade combat team's tactical operations centre," Birmingham had said earlier in the day.

Most of the 2nd Brigade is currently conducting operations within Baghdad, where it was involved on Monday in the seizure of three Iraqi presidental palaces, including President Saddam Hussein's main official residence in the heart of the city.

[RMDupree]

Isn't Fox News Rick Leventhal travelling with the 3rd ID?

[capydick]

Oh boy. Isnt Greg Kelly, FNC, with the 3rd ID?

pRAYERS FOR ALL.

[fatidic]

Time to pray harder and longer for all our troops and journalists and that only innocent Iraqis will be spared. Prayer changes outcomes.

[trebb]

I though I heard on the radio that they were foreign journalists...

[capydick]

The headline:

Two US soldiers and two journalists killed in rocket attack south of Baghdad.

The newspaper:

Agence France-Presse | April 7, 2003

What they CONTINUE to call the airport:

SADDAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (AFP)

Ignorance is Blix.

[Flint]

This is Iraq, arn't they all?

[capydick]

Prayer changes outcomes.

I believe that with all my heart.

[MediaMole]

FWIW, Spanish and German journalists according to one of the news channels.

[ErnBatavia]

I though I heard on the radio that they were foreign journalists...

FOX said the same thing - foreign journalists.
Leventhal is with the USMC - he was on live last hour; still 10 miles outside of the city.

[libbylu]

this happened this morning, Kelly is with 3rd ID and is safe.

[Minty]

Funny thing Fox have been off air for about an hour now. Keep me posted as I stand in the dark here. Thanks!

[capydick]

Office bound myself with a spring snowstorm roaring outside. Been keeping up thru FR this morning and enjoying the falling snow outside my window.......

[Minty]

I have Fox back again. They have found WMOD in Karbala

[cyn]

my prayers are for our folks from the 'bottom' to the 'top', so to speak; for wisdom & diligence as well as for protection, safety, and restoring rest. Also that they will be drawn closer to God in a real & lasting relationship with Him. Am esp thinking of the MIA and POW and innocents caught in clutches of these evil people.

[capitan_refugio]

These guys were south of Baghdad. Kelly was on tour in the city. It is very unlikely its him. As a matter of fact, I heard on a radio report that a German reporter was involved.

[LTCJ]

INFO and PRAYER REQUEST:

I'd like to ask for you to lift up in prayer both the soldiers and family members of the HHD 2d BDE/ 3d ID while we wait for news. I specifically would ask that you pray for a peaceful heart for one young wife whose husband is a member of the TOC.

As you may know, Greg Kelly has been traveling in an armored command vehicle for the past few days. That vehicle is part of the brigade command post and this young lady's husband is in that vehicle. If you've watched any of Greg's video from the past few days, you've seen this young man without knowing who he was.

Due to the spotty reports coming out of Iraq, at this point we're unsure of his status. At the very least, if the reports are in any way accurate, men that he works with are dead and injured. This is weighing heavily on her and the other families at the moment.

There will be a prayer service for members of the unit tonight at Ft. Stewart while they wait for news. Your prayers this afternoon and evening would be appreciated.

If you should come across any press reports on this particular incident, please ping me. I'm sure you'll understand that up until now I thought that imbedded reporting was a great idea. God forgive me for not seeing how it impacts the families.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[cyn]

oh, dear. done -- have been all along as Greg has been reporting, as I've seen the members of that group walking around. hope to hear more soon.

[cyn]

is there any update? do we know who is involved? have not heard more, or seen more posted here, but then have been away off & on.