American Compound Attacked in Baghdad (Saturday)

[cthrumatrix]

American Compound Attacked in Baghdad


By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Three missiles or rocket-propelled grenades slammed into Baghdad's al-Rashid Hotel, home to U.S. officers and their civilian staff, on Saturday just hours after American soldiers killed at least two Iraqis at a checkpoint in Fallujah.

James Smith, a spokesman for the U.S.-run coalition, said the projectiles struck the hotel at about 6:30 a.m., although there were conflicting reports about what exactly was fired. No casualties and only minor damage were reported.


The al-Rashid, once one of Baghdad's best hotels, was taken over by the military after Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) was toppled by coalition forces in April. It sits inside a heavily guarded compound that also houses the Baghdad Convention Center, where the military has its press office. The U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council also has its headquarters in the complex.

snip

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030927/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq&cid=540&ncid=716

[underpants]

1. But I thought "things are geting better"

Great just f**king great.

[Cappurr]

2. You know I was in a hotel....

in Saigon where Military personnel stayed when it was hit by mortars. No damage to the hotel, except the electricity. But I will never forget going outside and seeing the neighborhood hovels near the hotel which were burning and all the Vietnamese were frantically trying to get their few pathetic belongings out. Matresses, budda statutes......anything. And I don't remember one single GI helping. I do remember them bitching like hell that they had no airconditioning. I tried to go over to help but the CO stopped me. Too dangerous he said. I guess he didn't want a picture of a young, dead American girl on the front page.

So maybe the hotel wasn't hurt. But I wonder if the neighborhood was.

[mmm]

3. Good point

those who have never been in a war zone have no idea
what it is like. All those spent rounds end up hitting something.