Free Republic

Police flee as Saddam loyalists fuel city revolt By Patrick Cockburn in Baiji 06 October 2003 Iraqis shouting pro-Saddam Hussein slogans have staged an uprising in the important oil refining city of Baiji, burning down the mayor's office, fighting with American troops and forcing local police to flee. About a thousand people, some holding pictures of Saddam Hussein, were in a stand-off with American troops last night, with tanks surrounding the police station in the city, 160 miles north of Baghdad. Loyalty to the ousted president, who is still being sought by Allied troops, is strong in the Sunni Muslim...