Posted on 01/08/2007 3:28:03 PM PST by jmc1969
Bombers, fighter jets and attack helicopters unleashed a thundering attack today as U.S. and Iraqi troops closed in on a web of irrigation canals east of Baghdad where they thought Sunni Arab insurgents were massing.
The predawn strikes shook the ground and sent fireballs and thick smoke into the sky.
The attacks, in a remote area of farms and palm groves, continued sporadically into the morning.
The air assault came after troops set fire Sunday to shoulder-high reeds to clear their view before a final push in Diyala province, a region they say has become a haven and training ground for Al Qaeda in Iraq and other militant groups.
Over the last four days, columns of troops have pushed through hamlets populated by wheat farmers and sheep herders to clear an area that is riddled with spider holes, tunnels and weapons caches.
One stash uncovered Sunday contained 1,169 Katyusha rockets, small arms and ammunition, the U.S. military said.
A small cache, including bomb-making equipment, was found in a hole on the abandoned property.
"We are religious people; we fast and we pray," said one anxious man questioned by U.S. troops. "But I swear we have nothing to do with Al Qaeda."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
hey, you found it. that was quick!
Funny.. they thought it was the Nubian Warriors from Ethiopia - and they ran for the hills...
We need to be doing this all across Anbar.
FNC had some exclusive video of the B1s coming back from these raids.
I think we should declare the Sunni Areas as "target zones" and tell the people to get out until all attacks upon the Shiites are over.
Then we should declare the Shiite areas "target zones" and tell the people to get out until all attacks upon the Sunnis are over.
Pound them into burning holes.
I suspect the criminals will get tired before we do.
Just the start of the 3rd Iraq war.
They need to start with Mookie or it's all over. What's the difference between Al Qaeda and the Iranian puppets? Answer: One controls the government.
Hope that means a lot of stir-fired terrorists.......
Nothing like crispy critters in the early morning hours.
Moab , pave, repeat.
HURRAH!!!!!! BTTT
Does the anxious man know a war is going on all around him? He needs to pick which side he is on.
in iraq?
Whoops. Wrong war.
Happy hunting!!
It looks as if Bush has given orders to remove some of the restraints our troops have been operating under.
There's also some talk that they will soon be moving on Sadr City. So maybe they'll take out some of the terrorists on both sides.
I hope the wedding party was able to get out unscathed.
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