Hundreds of Iraqis surrender to U.S. [Some of Saddam's troops wave white flag]

WorldNetDaily ^ | March 21, 2003, 5:53 a.m. Eastern | WorldNetDaily

[Salvation]

Hundreds of Iraqis
surrender to U.S.
Some of Saddam's troops wave white flag
as march to Baghdad continues

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Posted: March 21, 2003
5:53 a.m. Eastern

© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

Hundreds of Iraqi soldiers are reportedly surrendering to U.S. and British troops as coalition forces continue their progress toward Baghdad.

Some Iraqis surrender (Sky News)

An estimated 200 Iraqis turned themselves over to the U.S. 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit about an hour after it moved from northern Kuwait into southern Iraq.

The Associated Press says one group of 40 enemy soldiers marched in formation down a two-lane road toward the Americans and gave up.

Reports out of the UK say scores of Iraqis are also surrendering to British forces, raising hopes that fellow countrymen will follow suit. Royal Marines securing oil installations at the Al Faw peninsula encountered the troops, reports the London Express.

BBC correspondent Clive Myrie witnessed some 60 Iraqis emerge from bunkers with their hands up, waving white flags, before getting on their knees ready to be taken as prisoners of war.

A makeshift detention center was being set up where the POWs would be given food, shelter and medical assistance.

Reuters correspondent Adrian Croft said even civilians waved white cloths to surrender by a railway going into the port of Umm Qasr.

The string of early surrenders comes as secret talks were reportedly underway with elite forces, as the Pentagon proferred an end to the war if the Republican Guard eliminated Saddam Hussein.

Pressing toward Baghdad

Meanwhile, allied forces continued targeted airstrikes on the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad overnight, as ground troops pressed deeper into the country from the north, south and west.

Twenty-four hours after the launch of the first cruise missiles, the Pentagon expressed satisfaction over progress of the preparation for the massive "shock and awe" campaign to come.

"Things are going very well," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said after briefing lawmakers on Capitol Hill. "The pressure is continuing on the Iraqi regime, and it will not be there in the period ahead."

Word of the first casualties came an hour later. A U.S. Marine helicopter crashed in Kuwait, killing the 4 American and 8 British soldiers on board.

Military officials said they did not know if the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter was hit by hostile fire or crashed on its own. No hostile fire was reported in the area.

The CH-46 Sea Knight serves as a flying shuttle bus of sorts to deliver troops from ships or base camps to forward positions. It went down about 9 miles away from the border with Iraq.

Pentagon officials say the second wave of missiles, intended for Republican Guard strongholds in the capital, have hit significant targets and there's much talk of surrender.

Air-raid sirens blared and explosions were heard near Saddam Hussein's palace, Iraqi intelligence buildings, Iraq's information ministry and along the west side of the Tigris River where more of Saddam Hussein's palaces and the intelligence headquarters are located.

Iraqi radio reported Saddam Hussein's palace had been bombed, but there were no casualties.

Hours later, Al-Jazeera television reported sirens sounding in the city of Mosul, one of two key oil installations in the country.

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Related story:

Report: Secret talks for troop surrender

[Salvation]

Surrendering stories.

[Semper Vigilantis]

If they are waving white flags then that is proof that the french army has been supplying them. The dreaded white flag is globally recognized as the greatest french contribution to self defense.

[ChocChipCookie]

Why don't they just wear white uniforms. So much simpler.

[TheSpottedOwl]

If they are waving white flags then that is proof that the french army has been supplying them. The dreaded white flag is globally recognized as the greatest french contribution to self defense.

I believe that the Iraqis are surrendering in order to become free of Saddam Hussein. Linking Iraqis to the French is rather offensive.

[Semper Vigilantis]

I'm sorry. I did not mean to insult the Iraqis that are surrendering. I was pointing out we now have proof that france has been supplying arms and material to the Iraqi army.

[gaucho]

Why don't they just wear white uniforms. So much simpler.

We should air-drop white tee-shirts with surrender instructions for them to wear!

[stlnative]

[VOA]

A makeshift detention center was being set up where the POWs would be given food,
shelter and medical assistance.

Food, shelter and medical assistance...probably items these poor guys have been
short on for the past 12 years...while Saddam continued building palaces and plans
to fry Israel...

I hope these fellows have a better life in a free Iraq.
They probably can make a good living running tours for Gulf War I and vets of
the current campaign for about the next 30 years.

[Salvation]

**The dreaded white flag is globally recognized as the greatest french contribution to self defense.**

You really like the French, don't you?

[Salvation]

Thanks for the pix.

[Salvation]

**
Food, shelter and medical assistance...probably items these poor guys have been
short on for the past 12 years...while Saddam continued building palaces and plans
to fry Israel...**
\
I thought of this last night. How this could be the first decent food these guys have eaten in a long time.

[Salvation]

Please post updates on surrenders here.

[stlnative]

Iraqi recieving medical attention, his face is blocked out for his protection

[stlnative]

Notice the white shirt (flag) next to the Iraqi while they fisk him.

[CalvaryJohn]

Boy, we really are the Bad Guys, huh? What do you pro Saddam idiots have to say to these pictures, eh?!

[stlnative]

Turn on FOX now they are going to show the video of the Iraqi's celebrating about the US & Brits being in their town. It is coming up

[dware]

I have to commend these Iraqi soldiers for doing the right thing. I'm glad to see them getting the medical attention, food, etc.

[FITZ]

LOL!!

[Salvation]

Pentagon officials: Large (Huge) numbers of Republican Guard surrendering in south

[stlnative]

A television image shows two Iraqi men surrendering to a British soldier on a road on the outskirts of the key Iraqi port of Umm Qasr March 21, 2003. U.S. Marines under British command took at least 250 Iraqi prisoners on Friday as they advanced into the outskirts of the important southern port of Umm Qasr, a British commander said. (Pool/Reuters)