Iraq Shells Kurdish-Controlled Chamchamal (as they retreat)

VOA ^ | March 28th, 2003

[Sabertooth]

The Kurdish-controlled northern Iraqi town of Chamchamal has been shelled in an apparent attack by Iraqi government forces retreating from the area.

Several loud blasts were heard during the late afternoon Friday in the town, which is located about 40 kilometers east of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

Earlier in the day, pro-U.S. Kurdish "peshmerga" fighters advanced to within 15 kilometers of Kirkuk, after Kurdish leaders said the Iraqi army abandoned positions around the city. The Kurdish officials say the Iraqi government forces have moved into Kirkuk to defend it from attack.

On Thursday, about 1,000 U.S. paratroopers landed in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq to secure a second front in the war.

[Sabertooth]

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[Rammer]

When they open fire, they give us targets. Go get em, guys!

[Travis McGee]

When this is all written as history, one of the "heros" will be the C-17 Galaxy.

You can put it in the bank that Globemasters are hauling armor into the north (and west) like you would not believe. Our armored forces now being airlifted into the north will spearhead the 101st (and their many helicopters) and the Kurdish troops, and they are going to KICK ASS like you would not believe!

[wardaddy]

I would not want to be one of Saddam's surviving Gestapo/SA goons when the it's mop up time and the Kurds are extracting payback.

I have one question: We have a reasonable perception of our efforts from the South, West and North.

Does anyone have any idea what is planned from the East? I would assume there will be some blocking or offensive action from the east would there not?

[Travis McGee]

I don't know. Maybe it's terrain related.

[wardaddy]

Yep...the terrain rises fairly steeply towards the Iran border.

Maybe they think they won't run to Iran. Maybe they don't want our troops between Baghdad and Iran...just in case. Or maybe they feel they can cover any withdrawal in that direction from the air well enough.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Travis McGee]

The only place Iraqi fighters can hide is behind their women and children.

[wardaddy]

Pithy truth.

[xm177e2]

When this is all written as history, one of the "heros" will be the C-17 Galaxy.

Those big planes never get the recognition they deserve... but with all the recent focus by the media on our supply lines, maybe they will finally make it big.

[Travis McGee]

VERY big! The C-17s can bring tanks and armor straight up to driving distance from the fight, and they can land on real crappy and small fields for such a huge jet.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

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