Karbala attackers posed as U.S. military officials

CNN ^ | January 23, 2007 | cnn

[sure_fine]

KARBALA, Iraq (CNN) -- Attackers who killed five U.S. troops at a government building in Karbala posed as U.S. military officials to get past Iraqi guards, a Karbala police spokesman said.

The attack happened Saturday as the U.S. military convened a meeting to discuss security for Ashura, the upcoming Shiite pilgrimage to Karbala.

According to police spokesman Abdul Rahman al-Mishawi, about 30 gunmen traveling in a convoy of at least seven SUVs with tinted windows -- similar to the vehicles used by top U.S. military officials -- drove up to the Karbala Provincial Joint Coordination Center wearing uniforms similar to those worn by the U.S. military.

About a dozen U.S. troops were inside the compound at the time, al-Mishawi said.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well Bryd is definitely going senile....

[blam]

"Attackers who killed five U.S. troops at a government building in Karbala posed as U.S. military officials to get past Iraqi guards, a Karbala police spokesman said."

I expect the next attack within the US will employ this technique. Posing as some law-enforcement officials, etc.

[FreeAtlanta]

I would bet that they hoped for a lot more than 5 American deaths. With this much effort, I am surprised that the casulties were not much higher. Our guys must really be ready for almost anything.

Also, I wonder if the terrorist didn't push up their time table when the helicopter was shot down?

[Eye of Unk]

I agree totally, I could just imagine a lookalike USCG small patrol boat loaded up with suicide bombers approaching a liquified natural gas supertanker in a major US port, the explosion would make that suitcase nuke in 24 look like a fireworks display.

[Marine_Uncle]

This sure is going to be tough on our small groups of embeds if it continues. In some ways I can see why some demorats and RINOS, and some republicans are not to enthusiatic about sending our troops into Baghdad.
This kind of thing turns all our stomachs. But short of pulling out what the hell can we do.
We either get the Iraqi forces up to full snuff or just bail the hell out, which of course is not an option.