20 Dead in Fallujah Police Station Attack

Fox News ^ | Saturday, February 14, 2004

[Fledermaus]

I always make sure to pay attention to what I say!..Why say it?!

That's not fair...I'm in a mode! I'm throwing it out there without the benefit of thought...I'm on a roll!

Of all people I thought you'd get that! lol I'm going to hit the cave!

[Prodigal Son]

I had taken that post as sarcasm. I didn't see it as offensive. But thinking back on it, I guess I could see where some might if they didn't take it as legitimate sarcasm.

[MEG33]

LOL!...I wish I could type well enough to get on a roll!..then again..maybe not!I do have to think about what I'm typing.

Skipped words ,missing letters and fat fingers are rampant if I really get riled!

[hershey]

These guys are thugs in long dresses. It's eerily like Chicago during Prohibition, with Capone and others of his ilk terrorizing everyone they didn't shoot dead. I keep telling myself the Iraquis aren't used to thinking for themselves, give them time. But time seems to be one thing they don't have.

[Grut]

Al Qaeda has trained on these sort of tactics in the past.

So have US Special Forces, but I don't think that proves USSF were responsible for the attack.

[Prodigal Son]

Obviously. SWAT teams, SEAL teams, SAS. I wasn't saying this proved al Qaeda was behind it. It's something to think about though. It wasn't Samoans, I'm pretty sure of that.

[Prodigal Son]

One thing that intrigues me is- Gen. Abizaid visited this same compound yesterday did he not? His convoy was attacked as they entered the compound. I'm curious what the purpose of his visit was? That's why I find it curious that this later attack might've been aimed at freeing prisoners.

Of course, it could've been done as retaliation for Abizaid's visit as well.

[Grut]

Yeah, I was just agitatin' you a little. You do raise some good points in your replies.

[Eagle Eye]

Try the former, not the latter.

[dakine]

Remember during the Vietnam days when the nightly news would have daily total amount of men killed and wounded, somehow this Iraq occupation is sounding eerily the same...

[Prodigal Son]

I had been wondering if Abizaid hadn't been going to 'visit' some of these prisoners himself. He speaks Arabic. He doesn't need a translator. It had me wondering if they didn't have someone important in that police station and the insurgents were keeping overwatch on it and fired up his convoy when it came to disrupt any interrogation.

Then they decided to move in after finding out who had been in the convoy. If it was someone important being held there and they found out the General had been trying to see him, they might have decided it was better to go for a break out than allow it to happen again.

All speculation of course. It just seems very odd that the same compound would be hit twice in this way and that the second time a large number of prisoners were released.

[Prodigal Son]

A report from the Washington Times about the Abizaid visit that was attacked:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1077209/posts

A good article on the background of Abizaid:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1057842/posts

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

FALLUJAH, Iraq — Dozens of attackers ambushed a Fallujah security compound and a government building on Saturday, killing at least 20 people and wounding 30 while freeing scores of prisoners, officials said.

The attack was at the same compound hit two days earlier during a visit by U.S. Gen. John Abizaid.

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Dr. Hamid Kifa'i ~ spokesman for the Iraqi Governing Council, Feb. 11, 2004:

 

"The terrorists have resorted once again to targeting ordinary Iraqis trying to get on with their lives.  Yesterday, they murdered 55 gallant Iraqis at Iskandariyah.  Today they spread havoc in Baghdad, killing tens of Iraqis queuing to process applications to join the new democratic Iraq institutions."

 

"Their aim is clear; destabilize Iraq and impede the transfer of sovereignty to Iraqis.  They want to keep Iraq occupied and kill our hopes of establishing a democratic system in the country.  We say this to them:  Let there be no doubt that we are going ahead with our plans to regain sovereignty and establish democracy.  Our determination to proceed with our plan is undiminished.  Our people are united behind us.  The U.N. and all peace-loving people are also with us.  And these acts of cowardice will not succeed.   "

 

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[MEG33]

God be with those who hunger for freedom from tyranny.I hate these thugs and murderers.

[wretchard]

Several factors here. First, the US is in the process of a changeover of units. Second, they are in another, larger changeover to Iraqi forces. Third, AQ planning documents clearly state they will try to stir up a civil war.

My guess. The Iraqi police were not locals, because locals can't be counted on to police their kin. Probably from elsewhere in Iraq. The attackers had clear intelligence superiority on the cops and probably had intel support from the community, although the trigger pullers are probably from elsewhere. Just guesses now.

[SCR1]

Where is Sadaam being held? Has he been turned over to the Iraqis yet? Was there high level Iraqi POWs there since the general visited the prison?

[XHogPilot]

Crosslink to FR discussion, same incident: GUN BATTLE RAGES IN IRAQ (Iraq alert)

[ican'tbelieveit]

Amen. I have a friend serving in the Fallujah area. He said he has seen some pretty bad stuff. I don't get to hear from him for weeks at a time sometimes. Worries me.

[evad]

Fallujah..
Evacuate, relocate, decimate and celebrate.

[g35x]

Last week's "Frontline" on PBS chronicled a reporter's trip through Iraq two months ago. Of all the areas he visited, Fallujah and Tikrit were the scariest. Everywhere he went he saw anti-American graffiti and met people willing to give their lives to fight the Americans. My heart goes out to the brave troops stationed there, but increasingly I believe we ought to pull out of there and carpet bomb the place.