AFP: Clashes erupt in north Baghdad

[Eugene]

Clashes erupt in north Baghdad

Sat Feb 10, 11:47 AM ET

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Gunmen have clashed with troops guarding one of the first forward bases
set up by US and Iraqi troops in downtown Baghdad as part of their new joint operation
to pacify the city.

The "combat outpost" in the Adhamiyah district came under sustained fire for almost an
hour and American troops responded with rifle and machinegun fire, an AFP photographer
at the base reported Saturday.

Following the clash, US soldiers in armoured vehicles headed out to search the area and
attempt to track down the attackers. There were no initial reports of casualties among
US and Iraqi forces.

An Iraqi defence official said fighting had broken out after a joint Iraqi-US force raided a
suspected stronghold of an illegal armed group and that gunbattles were continuing almost
two hours later, after nightfall.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070210/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestbaghdad_070210164729

[jimshoes]

1. Perhaps this is why

this administration is in such a rush to start another fiasco war ... to try and snuff the awful news coming out of the present fiasco.

[ShortnFiery]

2. Yes, and not even General Peaches and his vast Northern Iraqi experiences

will be able to tame the beast. We have already lost the war but Dear Leader and Congress are both too damn arrogant to admit it. :grr:

Letting the Iraqi people decide via civil war is the ONLY solution.

How many more soldiers must die for their egos (Executive Branch & CONGRESS)? :(

[IndianaGreen]

5. General Petraeus is now General Peaches?

Considering his bubbly enthusiasm for Dear Leader's surge, the nickname seems quite appropriate.

This strategy may have had a chance of success had it been implemented 2-years ago, and had we had a quarter of a million troops in Anbar province alone. As it is being implemented, its chances of success are very remote, which may explain why Bob Gates told the media yesterday that the Pentagon was already working on a Plan "B" if the surge fails to come up to expectations.

[Kagemusha]

3. Expect this scene to be repeated many times over

This is what happens with this style of forward base in disputed territory.

Now, a lot of the time you get shot at and not hit but, it doesn't do wonders for the nerves at the very least...

[Tin Man]

4. (singing) It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor...

Won't you please,
Won't you please,
Please won't you be my neighbor?