Marines free 123 from Iraq hellhole (UNBELIEVABLE Alert!)

Straights Times ^ | 4/15/03 | Derwin Pereira

[Steven W.]

FOR three days, American tanks have been shelling a military intelligence building in the posh Al-Khathamia area in west Baghdad.

The dozen or so tanks are not here to pound intransigent fighters but to break down concrete beams and steel, to reach bunkers deep underground at the Al-Istikhbarat Al-'Askariya facility.

The Marines found 123 prisoners, including five women, barely alive in an underground warren of cells and torture chambers.

Being trapped underground probably kept them safe from the bombing of Baghdad by the coalition.

Severely emaciated, some had survived by eating the scabs off their sores. All the men had beards down to their waists, said onlookers.

Most looked absolutely dazed when they emerged, said Mr Sadoun Mohamed, 37, who lives in the area.

'They had not seen sunlight for a long time,' he said. 'They kept blinking and covering their faces.' He said they were taken to the Saddam Hospital for treatment.

Their names were posted on the walls of the Al-Hajabehia Mosque in west Baghdad, as were names of some 40 others known to have been executed or murdered in prison.

Hundreds of anxious locals wait for word of their family, relatives and friends, some of whom were taken away more than 10 years ago.

Outside Al-Istikhbarat Al-'Askariya, Mr Sadeq Al Saeed, 24, a construction worker, has been waiting sleepless for the last 36 hours. He said he had heard the facility had five levels below ground.

He said his father, an Iraqi army captain, was killed in 1991 during the first Gulf War, and his cousins Amer and Jasem and some 50 others were picked out by the secret police for chanting anti-Saddam slogans during the funeral procession.

'That was the last I saw of them,' he said.

'In the night, people raided their houses, blindfolded them and took them away.'

He hopes against hope that the Marines will be able to find his cousins, who were brought here to be interrogated.

This hellhole is believed to be one of many for Iraq's political prisoners. Thousands may still be behind bars though the regime released many criminals from prisons before the war.

The United States soldiers at Al-Istikhbarat Al-'Askariya would not say what they were doing there. Their tanks blocked the entrance.

This place could be part of the labyrinth of underground facilities which might still shelter regime members.

Under one palace, a German-designed 1,900 sq m bunker was built at a cost of US$90 million (S$160 million) with luxurious accommodation for the Iraqi President, his family, their bodyguards and staff.

More than 24 bunkers were identified 12 years ago. There may be more now, located under schools, hospitals, even mosques, and linked together.

The security police, or Da'irat Al-Mukhabbarat Al-'Amma; Iraqi Intelligence Service; and military intelligence, also built cells and tunnels underground.

Taxi driver Hathem Ejam, 36, said Mr Saddam's older son Uday, also used them for his harem discards.

Relaying widely-believed rumours, he said: 'He would pick any young girl he liked from the street, rape her, shave her head bald and then get his guards to dump her in an underground cell.'

[Steven W.]

Severely emaciated, some had survived by eating the scabs off their sores. All the men had beards down to their waists, said onlookers.

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[backhoe]

Cross-linking... and dear God, I feel certain this is only the tip of the iceberg:

-When the Dungeon Doors Swing Open...--

[Diogenesis]

In Baghdad, an underground tunnel is searched for prisoners still held
in sections under water by the egregious Iraqis. Iraqis beg for
quiet to listen for voices. This is ongoing now.

[FreedomPoster]

Man! you found this quick.

[Diogenesis]

Error in the above. It was ongoing previously.

[Steven W.]

unfortunately, I fear most of those that are being sought after, will be found to have been killed years ago. A truly demonic and desponic remgime that only the likes of Garofalo and your average liberal could love as much as they did.

[goodnesswins]

Is this the same one cited on another thread that they've been trying to get to for days?

[Steven W.]

I think those pictures were taken in Basrah, no? If they were taken at this site in Baghdad then it's clear the exact same holes in Basrah lead to the same kind of hidden cells & they better get to work. Unfortunately, at some of these types, the Republican Guards filled the basements with water to kill all who were left.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Bttt....hold on, I'll link you to another one from today.

[Dog Gone]

holy smokes.

[madison10]

I don't think it's the same is it? Seems to be about three DIFFERENT prison rescues. Basrah (British), Baghdad and al-Fawawa (sp?)

[Steven W.]

The one they were trying to get to for days was in Basrah - this one described in the article where 123 were found is west of Baghdad. I questioned above where the pictures are from since the entrances depicted appear the same as those in Basrah.

[Brad’s Gramma]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/893935/posts?page=34#34


Is this the same story??

[goodnesswins]

Thanks......and prayers.....and *&*()&^ to the A**Hole liberals who did not "understand" why America goes to war. We should keep a list for all freed Iraqi's to refer to in the future.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Let's see how the lefties try to debunk this latest revelation! I managed to shut one of them up the other day in a conversation when I compared Saddam's regime to that of Hitler's in Germany. He didn't have much to say after that!

[backhoe]

Man! you found this quick.

Yes, and I'm going nuts trying to keep the posts on this, SARS, CNN, Garafalo, etc. updated... Jumpin' Jiminy!

[demkicker]

This is one gross story. Step up to the plate lefties. Keep on saying you, "don't believe the war was necessary."

[Diogenesis]

SO MUCH EVIL FROM SADDAM AND THE CNN-COVERUP

Ted Turner, June 18, 2002: "So who are the terrorists?
I would make a case that both sides are involved in terrorism."

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[Beck_isright]

Attention Sean Penn, these people did not see you while you were in Baghdad and were not freed in your name.