The Battle for al-Qaim: US and Iraqi versions

[Frederik]

US version:
(http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8528.htm)
"04/12/05 "Washington Post" - - BAGHDAD, April 11 -- Insurgents claiming links to al Qaeda tried to overrun a U.S. Marine base near the Syrian border Monday using gunmen, suicide car bombs and a firetruck loaded with explosives, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.
(...)
The raid Monday was on Camp Gannon, a U.S. base at Husaybah, a few yards from the Syrian border near the Euphrates River. U.S. Cobra attack helicopters fired on the insurgents to repel simultaneous attacks by suicide bombers and armed fighters, officials said.
(...)
The U.S. military said three Marines were wounded and at least three bombers were killed. Witnesses and a hospital spokesman reported 10 to 15 dead, including foreign and Iraqi insurgents."

Iraqi version:
(http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8529.htm)
"Thursday and Friday April 7, 8 2005: Resistance fighters took over Al-Qaim and forced Iraqi army units and police to leave the city.

- Sunday April 10: Rocket attack on American military base near Al-Qaim. With an Egyptian accent, an American announcer challenged the fighters: "If you are brave men, then come out and fight us. If you want paradise, come out from your hiding and fight us face to face and man to man and don't be like women by striking us and withdrawing like cowards". The challenge was not heeded.

- Monday April 11: Fierce fighting erupted since 7am. More than 70 'Iraqi policemen' deserted their positions. An influx of 150-200 Resistance fighters from the neighboring cities of Hit, Haditha and Fallujah join the battle, including 16 women Resistance fighters.

- Monday April 11: Americans destroy water treatment plants, cold-storage food warehouses, cut off electricity from Al-Qaim and besieged it preventing food from reaching the city. They also threatened to bomb its hospital if wounded Resistance fighters are admitted to it.

- Monday April 11: An attack, by a Tariq rocket, on the A22 American military base near Al-Qaim resulted in the death of 5 American soldiers, according to Lietenant Loai Khalid from the 'Iraqi Army'. This led to an American counter attack by rockets and bombs on the city centre.

- Monday April 11: 100 military vehicles advanced on Al-Qaim from Ain-Assad American military base in Hit. American leaflets warned women and children from aiding or hiding Resistance fighters. "Our bullets do not discriminate between women and children in the war which will crush the insurgents. Therefore, stay in your homes and do not give them aid".


Where's the truth? Somewhere in between?

By the way, it would appear that US forces in Iraq have established a base called "Camp Gannon"... :)

[TacticalPeek]

1. Sounds like the Iraqi Information Minister found work on Monday April 11.

Careful what you say. We will smite you all over the place.

Be glad you are behind this piece of glass, coalition dogs.




http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com

[Streetdoc270]

2. Camp Gannon???

any relation to Jeff?

[seabeyond]

3. don't be like women by striking us and withdrawing like cowards".

is that what women do. being a woman i didnt know that was what women do. so damn glad that i get slandered even on a battle field i have nothing to do with. didnt know this is who i am. women wouldnt be doing this stupid ass battle in the first place. oh lets make them so mad they will come out and we can kill them. all we have to do is call them a woman, ooooohhh a blow to their manhood