Iraq blast near Japanese troops

[dArKeR]

A mortar round has exploded in Samawah in southern Iraq, close to where Japanese troops have been deployed.

The blast shattered windows, but no injuries have been reported.

About 100 Japanese troops are currently setting up a camp about 6km (4 miles) outside the town, where a total of 600 troops are to be based.

It is Japan's first troop deployment to a combat zone since World War II, and there is much concern in Japan about the safety of military personnel.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3481139.stm

[Aidoneus]

1. welcome to hell

enjoy your stay.. :eyes:

[pinniped]

2. We still have to find out what chimpy promised them in exchange...

for their services.

[Tom Kitten]

3. Unfortunately.

I do think they will be a target, sooner than later...This is a big deal for Japan, and if they suffer massive casualties through a suicide bombing, well...think of the barracks bombing in Lebanon in 1983...

[SoCalDem]

4. I guess they did not grow their beards fast enough to "blend in"

or their bodyguards had the day off..:(

[saigon68]

5. Outrageously Funny

LOL :-) :-)

[Kinkistyle]

6. Japanese populace already edgy about this operation.

A bunch of newly-anointed widows and fatherless children of these soldiers (who mostly do rescue and disaster-relief work) will cause major ripples throughout the country.