Eight U.S. Soldiers Reportedly Killed In Iraq

[Nambe]

BAGHDAD, July 8 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies)

Eight U.S. soldiers were killed when two armored vehicles came under a fresh grenade attack in Baghdad early Tuesday, July 8, it was reported here.

The attack by rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) occurred at 9.15 local time (5.14 GMT), eyewitnesses told IslamOnline.net.

All the eight soldiers were probably charred in the vehicles targeted by the attack in the main street linking the Baghdad International Airport and Al-Amel and Al-Bayaa street to the west, according to the eyewitnesses account, yet to be confirmed by independent sources.

Similar raids on the U.S. occupation forces were reported in the same area, which is leading to the largest American military base at the Baghdad airport.

Apache helicopters rushed to the scene to clear the area, the eyewitnesses said.

Thirteen U.S. soldiers were killed during the last 48 hours, as anti- American sentiments are on the rise among local inhabitants furious over lack of security and basic services, three months since the occupation forces rolled into Baghdad. ---

Privatize bush It’s a Good Thing

[kainah]

1. This will be a real test

It's the first American "mass casualty" incident since the war "ended." This is definitely NOT what * needed in the midst of the storm today over the Niger documents.

RIP, young soldiers. And trust that many of us are working to have your comrades come home.

[Submariner]

2. At this rate the Bush II Iraq death toll

is probably going to exceed the Bush I Iraq death toll soon.

[MuseRider]

3. This is beginning to reach

the proportions of Vietnam. Bring them home.

[David Zephyr]

4. "Bring 'Em On" Bush Has Their Blood On His Hands

This story is truly upsetting. This is so tragic.

[markses]

5. Extremely dubious source

We'll have to wait and see how this actually cashes out, but Islam Online reports mass deaths all the time, and they almost never reflect the reality.

[indictrichardperle]

9. i dont know what is more dubious

IO or the censorship from the pentagon about casualties.

Usually when IO reports an "incident" .....something went down. We will probably hear "eight wounded, 4 in a vehicle accident and 4 by RPG attack".

[markses]

12. And for you

8 wounded = 8 dead?

The point is that IO always says killed. And it never pans out.

Of course, saying that IO is dubious does not imply that the Pentagon is trustworthy, but I think we have a good account of the deaths since May 1, at the end of the day. So.

[indictrichardperle]

16. i think the casualties are under-reported

its like pulling teeth to get the real story. I wouldnt be so sure we know the real numbers of KIA and wounded.

IO is usually the first to report on attacks, and they are usually confirmed, just like this one. I guess you could always depend on Faux. :eyes:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

19. It's simple-- Bush lied. People died.

The number will rise without cease, so arguement over it is pointless. Impeach the deserter and end it.

[markses]

21. Let's wait and see if this one is confirmed

I doubt it though. As for "usually confirmed," I think that's nonsense.

I think we are getting lowballed on wounded. I don't think we are being lowballed on the deaths, since that becomes very difficult to conceal for very long.

[kainah]

10. at least not the reality as we're told it

I tend to suspect the reality lies between Islam Online and what we hear here.

[markses]

13. As do I

n/t

[TheReligiousLeft]

22. Peace Wyoming!!!

Oh, God bless. This looks like a great thing. I've been in Cheyenne for 4 weeks now and I miss Eugene.

[OldEuropean]

30. Arab media

A somewhat famous German reporter said in an interview about his past, when he was reporting from the Middle East, he quickly found out to tick off the zero at the end of the number and then cut the remaining number in half to get the real number. Arab media tends to exagerate a bit. :)

[Hailtothechimp]

6. Dammit

My heart goes out to all of the families and communities touched by this.

This just cannot continue much longer.

[bluestateguy]

7. Despicable

Well Mr. Bush (that's the most repectful title I will bestow on you), you said bring them on and now they are. I hope as you lounge in the comfort of the White House, or Air Force One or that pile of dirt you call a "ranch" in Crawford, Texas that you are proud of yourself.

[kainah]

8. the story has hit Australia but deaths not confirmed

US troops under attack in Iraq
From correspondents in Fallujah
09jul03
GUNMEN fired rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) today at the headquarters of US forces in the flashpoint Iraqi town of Fallujah as well as at a US military truck, witnesses said.

A single RPG was fired at the headquarters, starting a fire, said the witnesses, adding that they could not tell if there had been casualties.

The attack took place shortly after midnight, local time, in the centre of the town 50km west of Baghdad.

Shortly thereafter, a US military truck was also hit by RPGs and caught fire, according to the witnesses who said gunfire was subsequently heard in the town.

A US military spokesman contacted by AFP could not confirm the attacks.

more...

http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,6724830%255E401,00.html

this appears to be the same incident. The rest of the article discusses another incident where soldiers were surrounded and someone stole a gun and shot one of them.

[bluestateguy]

14. Ugggh!!

That's the MO of many Americans. If the corporate US media ignores it, it must therefore not be true. It must have never happened, or not be worth mentioning. Them fereigners aren't to be trusted! Now what about that Lacy Peterson case anyway? How provincial and narrow minded of people!

[markses]

23. The other option

Being to believe every story posted by some foreign press, even when it heavily qualifies itself (the occupants were "probably" charred?!?)?

We'll wait and see. It's not just the US corporate press, at the end of the day.

[clar]

28. Thanks so much

for being a voice of reason throughout this thread. I just went to IO and was totally flummoxed. It's mostly agitprop.
I agree about deaths reported accurately, injuries underestimated.

[Barrett808]

24. Nothing in the Sydney Morning Herald yet

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/index.html

[Nottingham]

11. The death toll is going up steadily. This is getting really ugly

:bounce:

[Avalux]

17. Enough!

How can shrub go on a peace mission (READ political mission) cavorting around Africa spewing his mealy-mouthed dribble when the situation in Iraq is out of control?
I keep thinking of him standing on that aircraft carrier and I want to SCREAM!!!!!:grr:

[Trajan]

15. ARGHHHHHHHH .....

Noooooooooo .....

FUCK ! ... This is SO fucking bad ...

Look: . I dont care WHAT side of the fence people are on: ... these are OUR boys, they are OUR sons and daughters .. and they MUST be protected ....

I HATE Bush for lying to the world ...

I DESPISE the PNAC for a calculus that discounts the value of honesty, life, and TRUE honor ....

I completly and unequivocably REJECT the need to go to war against Iraq at THAT moment and for THAT reason .....

BUT: ... I support our boys 1000 % ....

Either DEFEND THEM ...

Or BRING THEM HOME ! ....

No HALF ASSED measures ....

No FRATBOY AWOL CHICKENHAWK IS GOING TO MAKE OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS SITTING DUCKS ... the ARROGANT bastards will NOT increase troop numbers, they are in a 'War of Attrition' that is ONLY going to cost american lives without meeting the goals of liberation and democratization set by this bunch of liars ... (which was a ridiculous assertion to begin with .. FUCK Richard Perle and the AEI/PNAC .... )

IF a nation makes war: ... they should make it with only the clearest justification and strongest moral imperative, and they MUST make it with ALL the force and planning necessary to win the day on the field ....

Fucking Bush should have NEVER took us to war, THAT is a given here ... But DAMN HIM for letting them sit there exposed now .......

[mbperrin]

18. Yes, DAMN HIM!

Now, bring the troops home!

Oh, excuse me: I said

BRING THE TROOPS HOME! NOW!

[Rose Siding]

20. Damn. Bring 'em home

[caledesi]

25. How many? How many have to die before there is outrage?

Count them 8 today. So how many will it take before you, the American people wake up and realize what a fiasco this phony, illegal invasion was?

How many soldiers will die, before you realize that * lied?

Where are your flags?

[kidrocks]

26. Any confirmations yet?

This is my first time here so I'm not sure where this message will end at. Anyway I'm looking for any major confirmation to the "Eight U.S. Soldiers Reportedly Killed In Iraq" thread.

[wtmusic]

27. 'Bout time to fire up antiwar protesting again

Remember that, back in February?

Even "those people" know it's not over

[Il_Coniglietto]

29. NYT, WP reporting 7 soldiers injured.

"Seven G.I.'s were wounded today in three violent episodes in northern and central Iraq, and Middle Eastern television stations broadcast a new audiotape in which a voice supposedly that of Saddam Hussein urged Iraqis to resist occupying forces.

...

"The first attack today took place in Baghdad, where unknown assailants dropped a homemade bomb from a bridge onto a passing military convoy, wounding two soldiers, said Staff Sgt. J. J. Johnson, a military spokesman. Also in Baghdad, a Humvee struck a landmine, which exploded, wounding two soldiers, Sergeant Johnson said.

"In Kirkuk, 175 miles north of the capital, a rocket-propelled grenade struck a military convoy, wounding three soldiers."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/09/international/middleeast/09IRAQ.html

*edit: forgot link*

[Aristus]

31. R.I.P., my brothers.

You died for a lie. And we will not forget.

[dfong63]

32. the post-"mission-accomplished" casualties

... already exceed the "blackhawk down" level.