Baghdad Sheraton hit by RPG

Fox News | 11/20/03

[TexKat]

Fox News reporting

[areafiftyone]

From Sky News:

Two explosions have rocked a hotel in the centre of Baghdad used by western journalists covering the aftermath of the Iraq war.

The Sheraton has been badly damaged by the blasts, thought to have been caused by attackers using at least one rocket-propelled grenade.

There are no firm details of casualties but it is reported some people have been slightly hurt.

The nearby Palestine Hotel and the Iraqi oil ministry are also thought to have been hit.

An attack against the Italian embassy was also thwarted after a homemade rocket launcher with 30 rockets linked to a timer and a battery was discovered and dismantled before it could be used.

Sky News correspondent David Bowden was asleep in the Sheraton hotel at the time - and was woken by the blasts.

He said the foyer of the building was "littered in debris." It has now been evacuated.

It is not known if journalists were the targets but this was possible, he pointed out.

He said the Sheraton was an obvious target "if anyone wants to deliver right to the front door of the world's journalists just how dangerous this place is."

Security at the hotel has been stepped up in recent weeks, with chicanes placed in the surrounding roads and troops backed by tanks on guard around the area.

Bowden added: "No suicide bomber could get in here with any kind of ease."

It was likely the attacks was intended to "put the frighteners on journalists and remind them no-one is safe in this place."

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Morning, Kat. Not too much quagmire being peddled on FN this morn as a result of the 'donkey cart-delivered' RPGs yesterday.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Articles on the Sheraton, Palestine Hotel, Iraqi Oil Ministry hits, linked here.

[Lijahsbubbe]

I called it a nite anyway. I started to earlier, but then the hotel hits happened.

I'm relieved to see there were no new bombings overnite.

On a lighter note, I'd love to make a homemade quilt, but I'm still working on a scrapbook from last year. Maybe if I'd step away from the computer once in awhile....

[freeperfromnj]

FN's Dana Lewis, Steve Harrigan are staying at this Baghdad Sheraton that was hit by an RPG ~ 7 am, early morning.

I'm glad to see they are OK. Steve Harrigan has been diligently covering Baghdad since the start of the war - I look forward to his reports every day. He's done an outstanding job, very professional.

[TexKat]

Well Fox just reported they captured one of them, he was in a van and the back of the van was loaded down with RPG's. (as 1:30am central time) - WooooHooo!

Great!!!

[TexKat]

Two multiple rocket launchers found near Italy's Baghdad embassy

Fri Nov 21, 6:40 AM ET

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Two makeshift launchers with a total of 52 rockets in their tubes were found near the Italian embassy in Baghdad shortly after morning rocket attacks on Iraq's oil ministry and main media hotels.

The first launcher was found less than 300 metres (yards) away, the second some 600 metres (yards) away near a girls' school, AFP correspondents saw Friday.

They were attached to timers but had yet to fire.

Both were concealed in donkey carts, just like the rocket launchers used for attacks on the heavily-guarded Palestine and Sheraton Hotels, and oil ministry complex.

A note in broken English was found with the first launcher.

"We asking yous do not work to the invading forces until Iraq affranchisement," said the message, of which AFP's view was impaired by the hand of the police officer clutching it.

"To all the forces ... (specially the Jews ... American forces) get ... from our country. Do not ... let your mother crying."

The message carried an Arabic text on the reverse side.

"I saw a man stop his cart in front of my shop and run away. I went and alerted the police straight away," said Mohammed Sabbah, who witnessed the placing of the first launcher.

The other donkey cart was marked: "My love, my heart is with you."

Italy's high-profile involvement in the US-led occupation of Iraq has already made it a target for attack.

A November 12 suicide bombing of Italy's police base in the southern city of Nasiriyah killed 19 Italians and nine Iraqis.

Nicolo Pollari, head of Italy's military intelligence services, said Tuesday the risk of renewed attacks on Italian interests in Iraq was "very high".

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned last week that countries contributing troops to the US-led occupation of Iraq needed to do so "with their eyes open."

The funerals of the Italian soldiers, carabinieri paramilitary police and civilians killed in Nasiriyah sparked a nationwide outpouring of grief in Italy.

President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi cut short an official visit to the United States to return home and attend.

The mounting threat to Italian interests has prompted growing domestic opposition to Italy's deployment of 2,300 troops in southern Iraq.

Just over half of Italians, 50.9 percent, want their troops to remain in Iraq, a poll published La Repubblica newspaper found last week.

However, a large minority, 44.8 percent, believe the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi should recall them.

Earlier this week, Italy's representative on Iraq's Coalition Provisional Authority resigned in protest at what he said were disagreements over the US-led body's policies here.

"I am in deep disagreement with the policies of the coalition, whether they be about the economic reconstruction of the country or about the democratic transition," Marco Calamai told Italian newspapers.

[MEG33]

I am concerned for Australian and Polish targets.They seem intent on driving home that countries will pay for being our allies.The Fox reporter said the hotel attacks indicate a wish to drive out journalists.

[TexKat]

An anti-explosives team of the Italian Army checks an Iraqi gas mask during an inspection of a former Iraq Army base near the southern town of Nasiriyah, Friday, Nov. 21, 2003. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Smoke rises from the Iraqi oil ministry after explosions in Baghdad, November 21, 2003. Rockets on Friday slammed into the Iraqi oil ministry and two central Baghdad hotels used by Western contractors and journalists, wounding several people. Photo by Ali Jasim/Reuters

U.S. soldiers inspect unexploded rockets they found in Waziriyah district near the Turkish and Italian embassies in Baghdad November 21, 2003. Rockets on Friday slammed into the Iraqi oil ministry and two central Baghdad hotels used by Western contractors and journalists, wounding several people. REUTERS/Ceerwan

U.S. soldiers inspect unexploded rockets while standing beside a rocket launcher they found in Waziriyah district near the Turkish and Italian embassies in Baghdad November 21, 2003. Rockets on Friday slammed into the Iraqi oil ministry and two central Baghdad hotels used by Western contractors and journalists, wounding several people. REUTERS/Ceerwan Aziz

A U.S. soldier inspects a cart and rocket launcher (L) as a donkey that soldiers believe pulled the cart into position, stands nearby after morning rocket attacks in Baghdad November 21, 2003. Rockets on Friday slammed into the Iraqi oil ministry and two central Baghdad hotels used by Western contractors and journalists, wounding several people. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

A U.S. soldier secures the area next to a cart and rocket launcher, background left, as a donkey that soldiers believe pulled the cart into position, stands nearby after morning rocket attacks in the centre of Baghdad, Friday, Nov. 21, 2003. Rockets on Friday slammed into the Iraqi oil ministry and two central Baghdad hotels used by Western contractors and journalists, wounding several people. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

A view of Baghdad through a broken window in the Palestine Hotel after it was hit by rockets. Twin multiple rocket attacks hit Baghdad's main media hotels and oil ministry while the Italian embassy was also targeted.(AFP/Ahmad Al-Rubaye)

U.S. 1st Armored division soldiers inspect an overturned cart with rocket launcher outside the Palestine hotel in Baghdad Friday Nov. 21, 2003. At least six rockets slammed into the Palestine and Sheraton hotels in downtown Baghdad on Friday morning, causing limited damage to the buildings that house many U.S. workers and foreign journalists. Witnesses said one man was injured. (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)

A U.S. 1st Armored division explosives expert carries a rocket from a cart with rocket launcher outside the Palestine hotel in Baghdad Friday Nov. 21, 2003. At least six rockets slammed into the Palestine and Sheraton hotels in downtown Baghdad on Friday morning, causing limited damage to the buildings that house many U.S. workers and foreign journalists. Witnesses said one man was injured. (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)

U.S. soldiers move into the Sheraton hotel in Baghdad, Friday, 21. Nov, 2003 after it was hit by by several rockets. At least six rockets slammed into the Palestine and Sheraton hotels in downtown Baghdad on Friday morning, causing damage to the buildings that house many U.S. workers and foreign journalists. There were no immediate reports on casualties. U.S. soldiers and Iraqi police discovered a rocket-launcher attached to a donkey cart with a capacity to fire 30 rockets on nearby Saadoun Street (AP Photo/Karim Kerim)

U.S. soldiers arrive at the site of morning attacks in central Baghdad, November 21, 2003. Rockets slammed into the Iraqi oil ministry and two central Baghdad hotels used by Western contractors and journalists, wounding several people. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Email this slideshow A U.S. soldier inspects the rocket launcher used in morning attacks in Baghdad, November 21, 2003. Rockets slammed into the Iraqi oil ministry and two central Baghdad hotels used by Western contractors and journalists, wounding several people. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

[TexKat]

Yes MEG33 I am also, I am concerned about them all.

[TexKat]

Booby-Trap Kills U.S. Soldier North of Baghdad

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier was killed north of Baghdad by a booby-trap on Thursday, the American military said on Friday.

A spokesman said the soldier was from the 4th Infantry Division. He did not specify what kind of booby-trap was used.

Since Washington declared major combat over on May 1, 181 U.S. soldiers have been killed in action in Iraq . The attacks have been most frequent in the "Sunni triangle" area north and west of Baghdad.

[blackie]

We've caught several of the perps already ~ Bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[TexKat]

Iraqi police chief Ahmed Ibrahim warned that his officers will react with force to attacks by anti-coalition insurgents.(AFP/File/Marwan Naamani)

Iraqi police warns of forceful reaction to attacks

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi police will react with force to attacks by anti-coalition insurgents, police chief Ahmed Ibrahim warned.

"You will see in the future a large operation by the police. We will mount a multiplied response, in the name of the Iraqi people," he told a press conference on Friday.

Ibrahim said an investigation was underway following Friday morning's multiple rocket attacks on two major Baghdad hotels and the oil ministry complex.

[TexKat]

100 judges sacked

Baghdad, Iraq Press, November 21, 2003 – The Justice Ministry has sacked 100 judges who preserved their posts in the aftermath of the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein’s regime.

The layoff is the largest purge in the judicial system since Iraq emerged as a state in 1920.

The judges were removed from office for “making legal errors during their service under the former regime,” Justice Minister Hashem al-Shibli told Iraq Press.

The judiciary, like other branches of government under Saddam Hussein, was plagued with bribery and massive violations of human rights.

The judges say they had no choice but to apply the laws Saddam Hussein decreed no matter how oppressive they saw them.

Standing against Saddam was unthinkable and almost always led to execution, they say.

Saddam ruled by decree and imposed horrendous punishment on anyone disobeying his orders.

However, the new interim authorities have pledged to purge the judicial system of judges associated with the former regime.

Iraqi courts are up and running and are currently handling scores of cases referred to them by the newly formed Iraqi police force and the occupation forces.

Shibli, the justice minister, said the decision to give the 100 judges the sack was taken by an investigation committee consisting of two independent magistrates, a lawyer and three other members from the US-le coalition occupying Iraq.

However, he said, the sacked judges have the right to appeal the decision at an appeal court.

The ministry is bound to review its decision if the appeal court does not uphold its decision, he said.

The minister did not say whether the sacking of so many judges will harm the current court proceedings already with a backlog of cases.

[Alter Kaker]

There's a certain hint of a Mardi Gras-ish nature to Eid, being the end to a lot of fasting and such, not that people are getting plastered on alcohol and throwing beads to women to get them to flash their breasts or anything.

I have been in Iraq during Eid. They do get "plastered" - drink very heavily there.

[doug from upland]

Nick Ashton in Baghdad is telling me they were rockets....there were two hits and one went over the roof. They were fired from a donkey cart. Two batteries of 12. After a few shots, the cart tipped over and killed the donkey. I'm not kidding. Nick inspected Sheraton a short time ago. All glass we protected survived.

[Light Speed]

Yes..122mm Rockets,...seen before in Afghanistan.[Photo just prior to firing sequence ]

Another mobile version;

[TexKat]

U.S. Army soldiers examine a rocket launcher mounted on donkey cart outside the Italian embassy in Baghdad, Friday, Nov. 21, 2003. More than a dozen rockets fired from donkey carts slammed into Iraq's Oil Ministry and two downtown hotels on Friday morning, brazen coordinated strikes at some of Baghdad's most heavily protected civilian sites that defied a U.S. crackdown. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

US soldiers stand behind graffiti reading 'US Army go back home' in the perimeter of the Palestine (background) and the Sheraton hotels in Baghdad.(AFP/Patrick Baz)

An Iraqi policeman reads a note in Arabic and broken English that was found in a makeshift rocket launcher. The rocket launcher was abandonned in a street near the Italian embassy in Baghdad.(AFP/Patrick Baz)

A US soldier and a plainclothes Iraqi sapper look at look at a makeshift rocket launcher inside a donkey cart, found in a street near the Italian embassy in Baghdad. Two makeshift launchers with a total of 52 rockets in their tubes were found near the embassy.(AFP/Patrick Baz)

US soldier stands in front of an overturned donkey cart in which a makeshift rocket launcher was used to attack the Palestine and the Sheraton hotels in Baghdad.(AFP/Patrick Baz)

A donkey kart loaded with a makeshift rocket launcher sits abandoned in a street near the Italian embassy in Baghdad. Two makeshift launchers with a total of 52 rockets in their tubes were found near the Italian embassy in Baghdad shortly after morning rocket attacks on Iraq's oil ministry and main media hotels.(AFP/Ahmad Fadaam)

An Iraqi woman shows soldiers of the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division (Task Force Ironhorse) the direction she allegedly saw loyalists of Saddam Hussein in the outskirts of Tikrit, Saddam's hometown north of Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Nov. 21, 2003. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

A soldier of the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division supervises a situation during a searching operation for insurgents outside Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s hometown of Tikrit, Iraq Friday, Nov. 21, 2003. The military has been cracking down on insurgents amid attacks on the American-led coalition forces in the area. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

[Tommyjo]

If it hasn't already been answered "Improvised"

[Tommyjo]

"I am watching too...I am thinking Whooopty do!

Its like throwing a dirt clod at a battleship. All you get is a loud bang and falling glass and you get 15 mins of fame.

Now if the hotel was hit by a 81mm, 105mm, 203mm piece of ARTILLERY, that would be big news...you can clean out entire rooms with that ordinance.

But right now, I think this was nothing to be really concerned about."

Those were 122mm Russian rockets that are being used. In past attacks they have used down to 68mm. The real problem is that they start using rockets up to 240mm size against targets like the hotels etc. The problem they have is disguising the launchers. They have used generator carts and now in this attack donkey drawn carts to disguise the launcher tubes.