Heavy Clashes in Ramadi as U.S. Troop Buildup Begins

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. forces battled rebels in Ramadi and pounded Falluja on Monday, but there was no sign that an all-out American-led offensive to retake the insurgent-held cities had begun on the eve of the U.S. presidential election.

~snip~

The Marines are preparing to attack Ramadi and Falluja in a drive to pacify Iraq before the Iraqi national assembly polls.


It is not clear if the assault will begin before Tuesday's American presidential poll. Iraq has been a divisive campaign theme, President Bush (news - web sites) defending the invasion to topple Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) and his handling of its aftermath against fierce criticism from Democratic challenger John Kerry (news - web sites).

~snip~

The Ramadi clashes broke out in the east of the city around 7 a.m. (11 p.m. EST Sunday). Black smoke rose from buildings as gunmen fired grenades and mortar rounds amid heavy U.S. return fire.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=4&u=/nm/20041101/ts_nm/iraq_dc

And the media is silent. :(

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Chimp will probably start this later on today, with heavy news

coverage about our brave fighting men. Perhaps chimp will make an announcement from the oval office too.

[catmandu57]

2. The silence is deafening

I thought they'de wait until after Tuesday to get froggy.

[Sagan]

3. Heavy clashes outside Madrid as Napoleon builds up troops..

The Emperor will surely squash the Spanish insurgents with his impressive array of troops...

(Dateline 1809)

[louis-t]

4. At first I thought the attacks now going on

would be all over the news this weekend. Now it seems they will wait until after the election to hype it and intensify attacks.. There will undoubtedly be many US military deaths. Wouldn't be prudent to discuss it now. Just wave the flag and sing glorious songs.