Free Republic

U.S., Iraqi Forces Continue to Root Out Insurgents American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2004 – Anti-Iraqi forces attacked 1st Infantry Division soldiers with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades today in Tikrit, Iraq. After cornering the anti-Iraqi forces in a building, the soldiers countered the attack with tank rounds and hellfire missiles. No Multinational Force casualties or equipment damage was reported, according to Multinational Force Iraq officials. Also, one Multinational Force soldier was killed and three wounded when insurgents attacked a military base outside Baghdad with indirect fire Nov. 13. No other official details were immediately available. Officials added...

VASCO NUNEZ DE BALBOA, Panama (NNS) -- Naval forces from eight countries begin PANAMAX 2004 in August, a maritime exercise in which the multinational forces plan and coordinate a coalition response to a security threat against the Panama Canal. PANAMAX is conducted under the direction of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern command and involves personnel, aircraft and ships from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama, Peru, and the United States and observers from Ecuador. The participants organized into Task Force 138 will conduct the week-long exercise, which includes operations on the high seas, coast and land. “The great interest...

Iraq insecurity exacerbated by coalition weakness’ Ahmad Chalabi thinks US behind counterfeit charge BAGHDAD: A US takeover of Polish command in the restive holy city of Najaf hot on the heels of the Philippines’ withdrawal of its troops from Iraq has underscored a weak multinational force in which Anglo-US domination only exacerbates insecurity, analysts said yesterday. As of Monday, American marines took command of the provinces of Najaf and Qadisiyah, amid what the Polish military described as a “deteriorated security situation” in the central Shiite Muslim pilgrimage city. Where the 6,500-strong Polish-led multinational division was responsible for five provinces, they...