General May Bolster Force in Iraq; Militias Kidnap a Dozen Foreigners

[kskiska]

Fighting Continues; Troop Deployments May Be Extended

Friday, April 9, 2004; Page A01

BAGHDAD, April 8 -- The top U.S. commander in the Middle East said Thursday that he is considering holding several thousand troops here beyond their planned departure this spring in an attempt to squelch continuing uprisings by Shiite militiamen and Sunni insurgents.

Gen. John P. Abizaid, the chief of the U.S. Central Command, said he might extend the combat tour of the Army's 1st Armored Division and might also request that the 3rd Infantry Division, which left Iraq last summer, be brought back much sooner than planned.

Meanwhile, militia forces loyal to firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr controlled two key cities in southern Iraq, Abizaid's top ground commander acknowledged. Shiite militiamen also kidnapped a dozen foreigners on Thursday, the fifth day of their armed campaign to oust the U.S.-led occupation.

The abductions of seven South Koreans, three Japanese, a Canadian and two Arab residents of Israel suggested that the Shiite militias had adopted a strategy of targeting foreigners seen as cooperating with the occupation. Although the Koreans were released by the evening, images of the Japanese and Israeli captives were broadcast on Arabic-language satellite television, along with demands that U.S. allies withdraw from the country.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62460-2004Apr8.html

[gate of the sun]

1. we should withdraw

As much as I hate to see what is happening to our troops and other people involved. I can't say I blame them. WE don't belong there and we never did. I suppose this means more people will have to die in the name of the Almighty United States. Sad, very sad for all concerned.