More airstrikes in Fallujah
As previously noted on June 24 and 26 at "Let's talk about democracy," the U.S. is using fixed wing aircraft to bomb so called Abu Musab al-Zarqawi "safe houses" in Fallujah, a city of 200,000 civilians. Dozens of people have been killed.
According to Mark Kimmet the military spokesperson:
"It is standard operating procedure to conduct a detailed collateral damage estimate prior to approval of this type of mission. The collateral damage estimate was within permissible limits, and this operation was within standing rules of engagement."
In other words, you can't make an omlet without breaking a few eggs.
The supposed purpose of these attacks is to root out that "terror mastermind" al-Zarqawi, but the problem is they keep missing him. At least, when the Israelis conduct their "extra-judicial executions" they hit the target.
Nothing a few tons of explosives won't do for a woeful lack of good intelligence on the ground, though.
In this latest attack, as reported by the BBC: "The raid took place in the east of the city at about 1915 (1515 GMT).
A US military spokesman said four 500-pound (227kg) bombs and two 1,000-pound (454kg) bombs were dropped." That's a lot of fire power in a populated civilan center.
Al-Jazeera reported: a family of 10 lived in the house. Most of those killed on Monday were residents of the bombed house, but among the dead were also two bystanders, reported our correspondent."
I wonder if these raids have been okay'ed by the new Iraqi "government?"
(Way to win those hearts and minds!)
According to Mark Kimmet the military spokesperson:
"It is standard operating procedure to conduct a detailed collateral damage estimate prior to approval of this type of mission. The collateral damage estimate was within permissible limits, and this operation was within standing rules of engagement."
In other words, you can't make an omlet without breaking a few eggs.
The supposed purpose of these attacks is to root out that "terror mastermind" al-Zarqawi, but the problem is they keep missing him. At least, when the Israelis conduct their "extra-judicial executions" they hit the target.
Nothing a few tons of explosives won't do for a woeful lack of good intelligence on the ground, though.
In this latest attack, as reported by the BBC: "The raid took place in the east of the city at about 1915 (1515 GMT).
A US military spokesman said four 500-pound (227kg) bombs and two 1,000-pound (454kg) bombs were dropped." That's a lot of fire power in a populated civilan center.
Al-Jazeera reported: a family of 10 lived in the house. Most of those killed on Monday were residents of the bombed house, but among the dead were also two bystanders, reported our correspondent."
I wonder if these raids have been okay'ed by the new Iraqi "government?"
(Way to win those hearts and minds!)
posted by William Duane at 4:19 PM
2 Comments:
This just in: NPR reports, intelligence from the "Iraqi Interim Government" aided the U.S. in the attack on the Fallujan "safe house."
Note to U.S. military: don't listen to Iraqis telling tales.
Also, NPR says it's possible this was payback for an attack on a medi-vac helicoper earlier in the day.
Hey, we've got our own Gaza!
blahhh
Post a Comment
<< Home