25 Iran-Connected Militants Killed In Heavy Battle
BAGHDAD (AP) - U.S. forces killed at least 25 members of an Iranian-backed Shiite militia in a heavy firefight early Friday, the military said.
The soldiers were targeting a militia commander associated with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force and responsible for moving weapons from Iran into Baghdad, the military said.
A group of men opened fire on the U.S. soldiers with assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and at least one man was carrying what appeared to be an anti-aircraft weapon, the military said. Two buildings were destroyed and at least 25 people were killed in the ensuing battle.
U.S. aircraft repeatedly bombed the Shiite section of Khalis, about 50 miles north of Baghdad, according to an Iraqi army official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.
Since launching a Baghdad security crackdown more than seven months ago, U.S. troops have increasingly engaged groups that splintered off the country’s most powerful Shiite militia, the Mahdi Army.
The Mahdi Army is largely loyal to the radical cleric Muqtada al- Sadr, who in August ordered a temporary freeze on his followers’ activities—including attacks on U.S. troops.
The U.S. military describes the splinter factions as “extremist” or “criminal” militiamen.
“We continue to support the government of Iraq in welcoming the commitment by Muqtada al-Sadr to stop attacks and we will continue to show restraint in dealing with those who honor his pledge,” Maj. Anton Alston, a U.S. military spokesman, said Friday. “We will not show the same restraint against those criminals who dishonor this pledge by attacking security forces and Iraqi citizens.”
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Showing restraint probably wasn’t a good idea.
October 5th, 2007 at 2:32 am[…] 25 Iran-Connected Militants Killed In Heavy Battle — Pat Dollard […]
October 5th, 2007 at 4:29 am“U.S. forces killed at least 25 members of an Iranian-backed Shiite militia in a heavy firefight early Friday, the military said.”
NO PRISONERS. NO MERCY.
BEST PART! OUTSTANDING WORK BY
October 5th, 2007 at 5:56 amTHE BEST FIGHTING FORCE IN THE WORLD!
I always wondered how Sadr become a cleric at the ripe old age of 31-32. That ugly bastard. Good job guys!
October 5th, 2007 at 6:32 amThe criminal Persian crusaders just can’t seem to behave themselves. They are building up the case against their own country. They will reap what they sow. And I’m sure there will be major outrage and denial when the US Air Force does their own version of an environmental impact report on Iranian targets.
October 5th, 2007 at 6:56 amHey, mess with the best, die like the rest. …more persian dog shit scraped of our boots..
October 5th, 2007 at 7:44 amBirdddog:
“I always wondered how Sadr become a cleric at the ripe old age of 31-32. That ugly bastard.”
That’s because of his last name, Jis father was a well-respected cleric who stood up to Saddam and was murdered by Saddam. That’s why “Porky” has such influence.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:49 am