U.S. launches artillery barrage in Baghdad

Reuters ^ | Sun Apr 29, 2007 3:13am ET

[james500]

The U.S. military in Iraq launched an artillery barrage in southern Baghdad on Sunday against suspected insurgent targets, with two dozen loud explosions shaking the southern outskirts of the capital.

U.S. military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Garver said the morning blasts, which were heard across the city, were caused by U.S. artillery but declined to say what the target was.

[james500]

The Iraqi police said the artillery was being fired from the U.S. Forward Operating Base Falcon in southern Baghdad into the al-Buaitha neighborhood of Dora, a volatile district that is a Sunni insurgent stronghold.

[BroncosFan]

And I thought people were celebrating the news Broncos D-Line! Sounded like some hurtin’ bombs were coming down across the river.

[advertising guy]

I love the smell of hurtin’ bombs at bedtime.

[Allegra]

with two dozen loud explosions shaking the southern outskirts of the capital.

Hell, those blasts shook the center of the capital.

[Allegra]

Sounded like some hurtin’ bombs were coming down across the river.

Have you heard yet what that other, different-sounding, closer BOOM just before lunchtime was?

MY team didn't get what it desperately needed...a dang offensive line. ;-)

[expatguy]

I hope this continues until Sadr et al are on their knees begging for it to stop.

but... I dont think it will

[JB in Whitefish]

Perhaps a bit LESS “volatile” today...???

[madconserv]

Here is something from Gen Petraeus that I'm sure has alot to do with this only in a differant area: We have achieved some notable successes in the past two months, killing the security emir of eastern Anbar province, detaining a number of key network leaders, discovering how various elements of al Qaeda Iraq operate, taking apart a car bomb network that had killed 650 citizens of Baghdad, and destroying several significant car bomb factories. Nonetheless, al Qaeda Iraq remains a formidable foe with considerable resilience and a capability to produce horrific attacks, but a group whose ideology and methods have increasingly alienated many in Iraq. Sunni insurgents and the so-called Sunni resistance are still forces that must be reckoned with, as well. However, while we continue to battle a number of such groups, we are seeing some others joining Sunni Arab tribes in turning against al Qaeda Iraq and helping transform Anbar province and other areas from being assessed as lost as little as six months ago to being relatively heartening. We will continue to engage with Sunni tribal sheikhs and former insurgent leaders to support the newfound opposition of some to al Qaeda, ensuring that their fighters join legitimate Iraqi security force elements to become part of the fight against extremists, just as we reach out to moderate members of all sects and ethnic groups to try to drive a wedge between the irreconcilables and the reconcilables, and help the latter become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. DoD News Briefing with Gen. Petraeus from the Pentagon ~ April 26, 2007

[LibLieSlayer]

Is there any truth to the rumor that one of harry reid’s assistants was killed in one of the houses targeted in this action? I guess he was there negotiating “terms of surrender” for the dims!

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

Nice to see you here today! I hope everything is going well! GOD bless and stay safe.

LLS

[WilliamofCarmichael]

It's an old W.W.II trick but it just might work again: pound the target then send in the ground forces! Got it, Washington?

Got air support?

[Candor7]

Softening up the neighborhood. When are they going in? Must have been launching morters from there.

[BroncosFan]

Holy cow — we were outside at a farewell party last night, well lubricated, when they hit. Month 16 rapidly approaches for me and that is my new “scariest moment.” We scrambled behind some t-walls. Heard them walk ‘em in. One of my co-workers is ex-SF from Vietnam. He was trying to burrow under the t-wall with me! Though I could’ve lived without him saying, “Next one will be on top of us.”

[Allegra]

Holy cow — we were outside at a farewell party last night, well lubricated, when they hit. Month 16 rapidly approaches for me and that is my new “scariest moment.” We scrambled behind some t-walls. Heard them walk ‘em in. One of my co-workers is ex-SF from Vietnam. He was trying to burrow under the t-wall with me! Though I could’ve lived without him saying, “Next one will be on top of us.”

All of those launches over the last ten days or so, including the one about 10 this morning and the one late this afternoon/early evening are coming from the same spot. Wonder why nobody has cleaned that out yet???

We can hear the suckers coming out of the freakin' tubes...same place every time. Our guys need to WASTE those ba$tards. Be careful this evening....those creeps have been busy. I'm getting tired of the ALERT calls.

[BroncosFan]

Undue fear of collateral damage is going to get (even more) people killed. The highest levels are spooked about counterbattery fire into Sadr City for fear of undermining Maliki.

[Allegra]

Undue fear of collateral damage is going to get (even more) people killed. The highest levels are spooked about counterbattery fire into Sadr City for fear of undermining Maliki.

Which is a huge (stupid, PC) mistake.

I'm all in favor of LEVELING that cesspool and starting all over, Maliki and his Iranian buddies be damned.