U.S. Forces Seal Off Fallujah

www.guardian.co.uk ^ | Monday April 5, 2004 9:31 AM | Associated Press Writer

[non-anonymous]

U.S. Forces Seal Off Fallujah

Monday April 5, 2004 9:31 AM

By BASSEM MROUE

Associated Press Writer

FALLUJAH, Iraq (AP) - U.S. forces closed off the turbulent city of Fallujah on Monday ahead of a major operation against insurgents following the grisly slayings of four American security contractors last week.

U.S. commanders have been vowing a massive response to pacify Fallujah, one of the most violent cities in the Sunni Triangle, the heartland of the anti-U.S. insurgency north and west of Baghdad.

After the slayings of the Americans on Wednesday, residents dragged the four bodies through the streets, hanging two of their charred corpses from a bridge, in horrifying scenes that showed the depth of anti-U.S. sentiment in the city.

Early Monday, U.S. troops closed off entrances to Fallujah with earth barricades ahead of the planned operation, code named ``Vigilant Resolve.''

Some 1,200 U.S. Marines and two batallions of Iraqi security forces were poised to enter the city to arrest suspected insurgents, said Lt. James Vanzant, 2nd Batallion, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. He would not say when the troops would enter the city.

``The city is surrounded,'' Vanzant said. ``It's an extended operation. We want to make a very precise approach to this. ... We are looking for the bad guys in town.''

A witness reported that a U.S. helicopter struck a residential area in the city early Monday, killing five people. The bombing damaged five houses, said the witness, Mohammed Shawkat. There was no immediate U.S. comment on the report.

A Marine officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said U.S. forces had a list of targets for raids. He would not give details.

The California-based 1st Marine Expeditionary Force assumed responsibility for Fallujah, 30 miles west of Baghdad, from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division on March 24. The Marines said they intended to take a softer approach with Fallujah residents, hoping to win popular support.

But the Marines have quickly found themselves mired in violence. On March 26, Marines and insurgents fought a lengthy street battle in the city that killed one Marine and five Iraqis.

The same day as the killing of the four U.S. civilians, five Marines were killed when a bomb exploded under their vehicle in a village near Fallujah.

[non-anonymous]

Ping - Iraq morning news. :)

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[rdb3]

Mmmm... I love the smell of napalm in the morning.

Show 'em my motto!

[Makedonski]

has any one seen D-9 Bulldozers?

Is this going to be Israeli style a la Jenin?

[samtheman]

Let the goodtimes roll.

[Amelia]

The Marines said they intended to take a softer approach with Fallujah residents, hoping to win popular support.

I don't think that's exactly what they said. Seems to me it was more like "No better friend; no worse enemy."

CNN says they sent Marines into the city about 4 a.m., including tanks, and are using helicopter gunships.

[goldstategop]

The Marines are known as the "devil dogs." Islamic butchers haven't tasted the courage and fighting tenacity of our Marines yet. If they think Americans are soft, rest assured when this is over, they will be a singing a very different song over there. Semper Fi!

[Broadside Joe]

"and are using helicopter gunships."

This is very important. Why risk our Marines when they can take out a whole building with a few missiles?

[non-anonymous]

Doh - missed this prior thread.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1111478/posts

[Milligan]

If they test us, we will test them. We will stay. We will not cut and run. We owe it to them. These people never had it so good, it's a shame. We need to patience and stay the course. I guess their use to violence and death. It's a country that been victimized by oppressive ruler and it will take time for this country to heal. If Sadddam murdered 300,000 Iraqi citizens during his 25 years in power, then that would be 1,000 people were murdered each month. This is not including people who tortured, raped and maimed.