Iraqi civilians killed, hurt in gunbattle during US raid in northern Iraq

[sabra]

Source: IHT/AP

BAGHDAD: Several Iraqi civilians were killed or wounded Wednesday in a gunbattle between U.S. troops and suspected al-Qaida in Iraq insurgents in northern Iraq, the American military said.

Iraqi police and witnesses said at least seven civilians were killed, included a local judge, and nine wounded when U.S. troops came under fire and called in an airstrike while raiding two houses in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit.

Two houses were destroyed and at least three cars were burned to hulks, a resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.

"I saw two women and a child were running away from one of these houses," the resident said.

...

The U.S. military said the operation was targeting a member of al-Qaida in Iraq who was suspected of organizing car bombings for the group.

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/26/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Civilians-Killed.php

---

:-(

[Barrett808]

1. k & r

[grytpype]

2. They died for freedom. GWB mourns for every death.

[Supersedeas]

7. who will the hugger in chief embrace this time -- the Easter Bunny?

[ShockediSay]

3. Our troops won all they could militarily. Trouble is you can't 'win'

a civil war if you are a 3d, 4th or 5th party, now way, now how.

The 'Powell doctrine' required a specifically defined objective,
overwhelming force, and and exit strategy.

Maybe we had overwhelming force to take down Sadaam, but that's
as far as our right wingers could take us ... and this once great
nation has been hurting on the decline since.

[pinniped]

4. You mean there are these alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq people that are not so-called....

insurgents and insurgents that are not part of this supposed al-Qaeda in Iraq?

suspected al-Qaida in Iraq insurgents

I suspect they are full of shit.

[Roy]

5. If U.S kills them in gunbattle.. they are insurgents....

If they are women and kids killed in air strikes they are targeting Al Queda.

It all depends on how they choose to use the terms.

In reality they are (to them) rag heads, and it is legal to kill indiscriminately.

From the movie on Vietnam.... if he runs he is VC, if he don't run he is VC.
How do you shoot women, children????? you don't lead them as much.

Same principles at play.

[Supersedeas]

6. nothing to see here -- feed them more stories about the success of violence in Iraq

[classysassy]

8. The american sheep

are buying this b.s.,the people we elected to end this unjust war are just as guilty as bush/chaney.

[Supersedeas]

9. they sure have been quiet about the new developments