Six U.S. Marines killed in western Iraq-military

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BAK248736.htm

BAGHDAD, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Six U.S. Marines have been killed in fighting near the town of Haditha in western Iraq, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.

The troops were killed near Haditha, a town on the Euphrates river about 200 km (120 miles) northwest of Baghdad, on Monday.

It was not immediately clear if they were killed in a single attack or if they died in a series of clashes. There have been frequent insurgent attacks in the area around Haditha in the violent Anbar province.

[Rose Siding]

1. Damn

:cry:

[leftchick]

2. and a seventh today

per CNN. :cry: 1807 now?

[Dhalgren]

4. icasualties shows 1799...

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. That doesn't count these 7: icasualties hasn't updated

I think we're currently at 1806: 1799 + 6 Marines yesterday + 1 Marine today.

Uncounted is the story of the suicide bomber who attacked a US army convoy in downtown Baghdad this morning, killing 24 civilians: must've been a big bomb. Reports are saying that it also destroyed a humvee, so, if it was that big, and destroyed a humvee, we can perhaps expect another 4 announced tomorrow, at the very least. It sounds like the fight continues in Haditha, so maybe more there too. In any case, with these known seven alone, total coalition killed just hit 2000.

[frictionlessO]

36. Its updated, and your numbers are correct.

Not sure if the humvee will translate to actual death counts. Did the humvee get confirmed?
There is usually a photo when they blow up a military vehicle.

So yeah, 2000....

don't forget Poland....

[alcibiades_mystery]

40. Here's your photo of the US humvee destroyed, 8/2/05

From the CNN homepage. They word it such that it seems to refer to the seven killed Marines, but it does not.

[frictionlessO]

41. Looks like that might be a detonation crater in the foreground.

Im hoping thats an uparmored hummer... hard to tell though and I always try and stay optimistic (for all the good it does!) in these situations. Just noticed that the wall next to the humv is blackened... sinking feeling gets stronger...

Thanks for doing the legwork for me! I am always appreciative of such.

In other news: a baseball player lied to congress about steroid use!






on edit: forgot thanks... no manners!

[DS1]

44. Looks like it flipped the truck over and threw it 30 feet

That's a hell of a lot of power, even armored, it's unlikely the riders would survive the shock wave - jellified internals and all that.

[frictionlessO]

50. Yep, you and Alci are probably right on this one....

My dad flew f-111s for many years, instead of a normal ejection seat system, the entire side by side cockpit ejected as a capsule. If certain air cushion and pads didn't deploy or malfunctioned (or gods forbid one of the two chutes screwed up), they would find a mess inside the thing. I heard serious horror stories about what some saw...

The jellified internals comment got me to remembering that.

bad days indeed...

[Rose Siding]

34. WP- 7 Marines Killed in Western Iraq

The military announced Tuesday that six U.S. Marines were killed in action near the city of Haditha in Western Iraq Monday.

A seventh died when a suicide car-bomb exploded during combat operations near Hit, south of Haditha, the military said.


The deaths brought to 17 the number of military personnel who have died in the past week, many of them in the same region.

About 60 have been killed over the last month, according to wire service counts.

The announcement Tuesday gave no details of the latest deaths and it was not clear whether they occurred in a single engagement or several.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080200744.html

[rodeodance]

48. About 60 have been killed over the last month, according to wire service c

[dArKeR]

66. Give us a SEVEN DEAD SMILE!

Let's celebrate!

&g=events/ts/080205cafta;_ylt=At9CBam6jHA1EqvfeOg_hSOMwfIE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3bGk2OHYzBHNlYwN0bXA-




Democrats are SUCKING PUSSYS! Our leaders should be holding up these pics of GOP leadership smiling in their left hand and in their right holding pics of our dead children!

Look at the pics of Lice in the above yahoo link series. I swear she's the daughter of Satan himself. Look at her eyes!

[alcibiades_mystery]

3. And on and on it goes

Oh, BTW, if the 7th today is accurate, we are now at 2,000 total coalition killed. Nice round number for the pressbots, oui? Given the attack on a US convoy in Baghdad this morning, we could be at 12 or 13 for the month as of tomorrow...

[countingbluecars]

5. While Bush

enjoys his vacation.

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. And doesn't waste one minute thinking about those who

he sent off to kill and be killed, so his war profiteering family and friends could stockpile billions.

[Divernan]

21. Always describe those billions in war profits as blood-soaked.

I'd like to see some demonstrations wherein red, stickly liquid (fake blood) is poured on piles of dollar bills (also fake, of course).

[SammyWinstonJack]

58. Good idea.

Blood soaked war profits is exactly right.

[krkaufman]

64. Yeah, remember his saying that he "would not rest..."

"I will not forget this wound to our country or those who inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not rest; I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people."

George W Bush, addressing a joint session of Congress and the American People
September 20, 2001

Sure seems like a whole lot of resting going on. Along w/ a side order of yielding relative to finding Osama bin Whodat?

[Pirate Smile]

6. AP News Alert - U.S. command says six American Marines KIA in Haditha

AP News Alert

The Associated Press
Tuesday, August 2, 2005; 9:21 AM


BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. command says six American Marines killed in action in Haditha in western Iraq.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080200625.html

I saw it reported on MSNBC.

edit to add from MSNBC - 6 Marines. Insurgents put up posters claiming they had killed 10 soldiers and taken their weapons.

[Oreo]

7. Terrible news

How close to Syria is that?

[sabra]

8. It's on Reuters too.

What a way to start the month. :-(

[rodeodance]

53. yes, here is the reuters story.(7 total). --and 5 last Sunday.

http://reuters.excite.com/article/20050802/2005-08-02T145152Z_01_N02614676_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-IRAQ-MARINES-DC.html

[leftchick]

12. did they spend more time on it than the CNN coverage?

That lasted a whole 15 seconds with NO mention of MORE THAN 1800 US DEAD IN IRAQ!

:grr:

[babylonsister]

9. This totally sucks!!!! and why haven't we heard

about this yet? Why are we being dumbed down about the deaths occurring in Iraq? Freedom is not on the march and our soldiers are dying needlessly for a cause we Americans were lied to to enable this admin. :banghead: :banghead::banghead:

[alcibiades_mystery]

16. Uh, we have heard about it: all the news shows are reporting it

I'm often bewildered by the people who say that these news is not reporting casualties on a thread that screams MSNBC! CNN! REUTERS! AP!

Bizarre.

[babylonsister]

25. Reuters and Alertnet doesn't scream MSM to me.

Haven't watched news this a.m., but heard nothing yesterday which is when it happened. It also took a full day to hear about the 5 soldiers killed on Saturday, and then it was just a quick blip on CBS.

[alcibiades_mystery]

29. That's cuz the military doesn't announce until the next day now

for the most part.

Since at least November of last year, the military has been delaying confirmation a day. Take off the tinfoil: this is big news on all the stations.

And if Reuters doesn't scream MSM to you, well, I got news for ya, sister...

[ooglymoogly]

67. what planet are you on

i have been watching cnn all morning...not a peep about the 7 marines...ad nausium about engine overheating at kings cross and ad nausium about baseball player...loving coverage of bush utterances about teaching intelligent design by our idiot leader no less...add nausium about john bolton...lots about shuttle...loving coverage of cafta passing...nothing, i mean nothing about 7 marines.

[alcibiades_mystery]

81. It's the front page story on the CNN web site

So much for burying the story...:eyes:

Get a grip.

[UpInArms]

10. ...

:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

[sabra]

13. More details:

<<SNIP>>
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BAK248736.htm

Six U.S. Marines killed in western Iraq-military
02 Aug 2005 13:34:42 GMT

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Six U.S. Marines have been killed in fighting near the town of Haditha in western Iraq, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.

The troops were killed near Haditha, a town on the Euphrates river about 200 km (120 miles) northwest of Baghdad, on Monday.

It was not immediately clear if they were killed in a single attack or if they died in a series of clashes. There have been frequent insurgent attacks in the area around Haditha in the violent Anbar province.

<</SNIP>>

[Pirate Smile]

15. Six U.S. Marines Killed in Action in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Six American Marines were killed in action in western Iraq, the U.S. command said Tuesday.

The Marines, assigned to Regimental Combat Team-2 of the 2nd Marine Division, died Monday in Haditha, 140 miles northwest of Baghdad.

Insurgents posted handbills in Haditha, claiming to have killed 10 U.S. troops, seizing some of their weapons.

Another Marine was killed Monday by a car bomb in Hit, 50 miles southeast of Haditha in the volatile Euphrates River valley.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050802/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=Ao3jrqQTOk_11Lqyj8DjECWs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3b2NibDltBHNlYwM3MTY-

[dArKeR]

30. Look at the water! So polluted it's black. Look at the garbage floating.

I'm convinced the Bush/Cheney plan is NOT only short term Oil Rapists. The ulterior motive is to kill off as many Arab children as possible through cancer. It's a modern equivalent to Hitler's extermination death camps to kill off the Jews and leave the world for the White Christian Master Race. Bush/Cheney have made the entire country a Death Camp. And the 1% of those children standing there who don't get cancer will grow up to be perfect American Puppet Death Squad leaders. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050802/481/bag11608021306&g=events/iraq/082701iraqplane;_ylt=AnhnjvfHIl.EsX1D0dLfenoUewgF;_ylu=X3oDMTA3bGk2OHYzBHNlYwN0bXA-

[Pirate Smile]

35. The tap water comes with worms out of their faucets.

Despite $2 billion spent, residents say Baghdad is crumbling

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Talib Abu Younes put his lips to a glass of tap water recently and watched worms swimming in the bottom.

Electricity flickers on and off for two hours in Muthana Naim's south Baghdad home then shuts off for four in boiling July heat that shoots above 120 degrees.

Fadhel Hussein boils buckets of sewage-contaminated water from the Tigris River to wash the family's clothes.

The capital is crumbling around angry Baghdadis. Narrow concrete sewage pipes decay underground and water pipes leak out more than half the drinking water before it ever reaches a home, according to the U.S. military.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/krwashbureau/20050725/ts_krwashbureau/_bc_usiraq_rebuilding_wa_1

[dArKeR]

62. Changed to Seven on same link

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

17. This is heartbreaking, senseless deaths and the Today show reports on

whether Angelina Jolie really broke up Jennifer and Brad.

MKJ

:argh:

[AnotherMother4Peace]

38. Media whores - as long as the $ is good - what do they care?

Prayers & healing thoughts to the families of these dead & wounded soldiers. I care, & will continue to advocate for our soldiers.

[Divernan]

18. Note US Military made no claim of "insurgents" killed in fighting

In fact, the official US announcement does not even make clear whether all six marines were killed in one action, or in several different encounters. Wouldn't a standard military announcement have gone along the lines of reporting losses on both sides? Worst case, if Iraqi claim that TEN soldiers were killed is true, and no "insurgents" were killed, it appears that the "insurgents" ambush or other military strategies have become extremely effective.

[marylanddem]

19. While the son of a bitch clears brush

How many deaths will it take till we know that too many people have died?

(Bob Dylan)

[Divernan]

26. He should spend his month "off" attending military funerals.

At this rate, 300 US soldiers could die while Bush vacations.

[bemildred]

20. Damn. I'm not surprised they don't want to get into the details.

RIP marines.

[sabra]

22. Looks like it could be more than 6

<<SNIP>>
http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/4798419/detail.html

Violence In Iraq Leaves At Least 7 U.S. Marines Dead

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Six American Marines were killed in action in western Iraq, the U.S. command said Tuesday.

The Marines, assigned to Regimental Combat Team-2 of the 2nd Marine Division, died Monday in Haditha, 140 miles northwest of Baghdad.

Insurgents posted handbills in Haditha, claiming to have killed 10 U.S. troops, seizing some of their weapons.

Another Marine was killed Monday by a car bomb in Hit, 50 miles southeast of Haditha in the volatile Euphrates River valley.

<</SNIP>>

[Divernan]

27. Maybe if it gets to the point of mass graves at Arlington . . .

the war profiteers would be shamed into . . .what? . . . no, nothing would shame them into backing off of their all war, all the time mentality.

[ozymandius]

23. At some point these heartbreaking tragedies will become more common.

Just like Vietnam, just like Lebanon: as combat continues the insurgency will become more deadly. At the beginning of the civil war in Lebanon, the casualty ratio between Israeli forces and Syrian and Lebanese troops was 1-to-10. By the time Israel pulled out, the kill ratio was nearly 1-to-1. Like Vietnam, U.S. foces face an insurgency that is willing to take unlimited casualties. Meanwhile, they hone their fighting skills.

Military prison with hard labor is too good for the politicians who brought this upon our soldiers and Iraqi civilians. Stay the course? Fie!

[jhain]

24. just into my inbox

http://tinyurl.com/8adjg

"Breaking News" as reported by a Philly TV station.

Are we actually getting more coverage FINALLY??

Anyone else think it may be so??

[LibDemAlways]

28. As long as the military continues to

recruit in places like American Samoa and Guam, goes after green-card holding non-citizens here, and continues to be the employer of choice for those on the bottom rung of the socio-economic ladder in general, the carnage will continue.

Not until this personally affects the people with the "Support the Troops" and "W04" stickers on the back of their SUV's will this insanity stop.

[Old and In the Way]

32. Sadly, I think you are right.

Our MSM has apparently lost their interest in covering the war. It's almost like they don't want to confront the reality that they helped to create. They are the unindicted co-conspirators in this tradegy.

[llmart]

71. But you must understand.......

that those are exactly the type of people who it won't affect. Just like Bush/Cheney, they love sending other people's loved ones off to war as long as it doesn't affect them and theirs. During VietNam it wasn't the well-off whose children were drafted.

[Algorem]

31. How many Iraqis got killed today ?

[Inland]

33. And R. Palmeiro gets a ten day suspension!

Guess which story was on the front page of teh Chicago Tribune, USA Today and so on.

[burythehatchet]

37. and its hard work..thinkin about this every day

:mad:

[0007]

76. Palmeiro is junior's buddy. He said today that he didn't think

Palmeiro took any steroids...throw this bum out of baseball for lying and take junior and his crime cabal to the Hague for war crimes.

[Inland]

92. Palmeiro gets smacked around

with the MSM piling on, feeling so superior.

But Bush gets reelected.

Go figure.

[stanwyck]

39. I'm trying to find out which group

these Marines were in. My son is with the 2nd Marines/2nd division/team 8.
I haven't seen their numbers listed.

[Pirate Smile]

42. Here is what I found.

"The Marines, assigned to Regimental Combat Team-2 of the 2nd Marine Division, died Monday in Haditha, 140 miles northwest of Baghdad."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8797271/

edit to add - I just noticed that you said Team 8, not Team 2 of the 2nd Marine Division so hopefully you are feeling somewhat better.

I was hesitant to post this when I first thought it matched up and would worry you even more without letting you know anything for sure.

But it will be six/seven people's families and to them I am so very sorry.

[rodeodance]

46. cnn just said 1800 US dead for a total (did anyone else hear this)--as I

caught only the end of a report.

[frictionlessO]

47. Its 1806 now Rodeo, 2000 total coalition (minus Iraqis of course).

Some days it just plain sucks to wake up.

[rodeodance]

49. thanks--and you are right--some days it just sucks. Jr is have a CAFTA

signing ceremony in a few moments.

[frictionlessO]

52. Little Boots goes off to sign, while our kids go off to die.

youre welcome.

[stanwyck]

54. I feel so guilty to be relieved

because I know there are families in deep pain right now. I get sick, really sick, every time I see the headlines with Marine deaths. I'm holding my breath until he's back.
But, a third tour is looming.

[frictionlessO]

57. Your son may have known them pretty well, as well.

I hope you have contact wth him soon.

[Pirate Smile]

61. It is natural and human. It is like survivor guilt. Of course you are

relieved. That doesn't mean you don't grieve for those who have lost someone. I hope you hear from him soon.


:hug:

[frictionlessO]

43. DOD has been trickling out info on individuals and their units much more

slowly than they used to. It might be a few days.

Keep checking icasualties.org , if you click on the current month it'll take you to an individual count for the month where you can click on names and find out more.

Good thoughts to you in a time of worry and many good thoughts to you son.




edit to edify.

[stanwyck]

55. thanks, friction

I'll check.
I appreciate all the concern and empathy shown at DU.
It really helps.

[frictionlessO]

45. Just read Pirates post...

I'll be here all day off and on if you need someone to vent at privately Stan.

Let us know of any news please if you can.

Lots of thought to you and yours.

respectfully
Jason

[rodeodance]

51. and recall it was just Sun that we lost 5 troops (see below).

.....The deaths brought the total number of US military personnel who have died in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion to 1,793 according to an AFP tally based on Pentagon figures.


http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/breakingnews/v...

[rodeodance]

56. an listening to msnbc 10:30 am news and they said nothing about this.

[leftchick]

65. 14 Dead in 3 Days....

and we don't have any numbers from today yet after the attack in Baghdad. God this is so sad... :cry:

http://icasualties.org/oif/

31-Jul-2005 1 | US: 1 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Specialist James D. Carroll Baghdad (near) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
30-Jul-2005 6 | US: 6 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Private 1st Class Jason D. Scheuerman Muqdadiyah - Diyala Non-hostile - unspecified cause
US Specialist Ronnie Shelley Baghdad (southwest part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Specialist Jonathon Haggin Baghdad (southwest part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Sergeant David Jones Baghdad (southwest part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Sergeant 1st Class Victor Anderson Baghdad (southwest part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Private 1st Class Robert A. Swaney Baghdad (southern part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attac

01-Aug-2005 7 | US: 7 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Hit (near) - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire - suicide car bomb
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Haditha (near) - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Haditha (near) - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Haditha (near) - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Haditha (near) - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Haditha (near) - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Haditha (near) - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire

[jimshoes]

94. I heard on my local news

here in Cleveland that 6 marines from the Brook Park Marine Reserve unit 3rd Bn, 25th Marine, 4th Marine Division. reported 6 dead fighting in Haditha. I'm fairly certain of this but please get other confirmations.

Brook Park is a suburb of Cleveland.

[deadparrot]

59. RIP.

...

[dArKeR]

60. I'm busy today. Please PM/Post/ the pic of aWol smiling today. I want it

for my records. I'm getting track of the dead American children each day and the corresponding smiling, joking, laughing... of aWol that same day. Thanks!

[StaggerLee]

63. R.I.P. devil dogs

:patriot:

[Beaverhausen]

68. ...and Bush goes on vacation. He is such a fucking asshole

can you imagine Clinton going on vacation for a MONTH with soldiers dying?

How does Bush sleep at night?

nevermind. :eyes:

[llmart]

72. Probably with the help of Jack Daniels.

[cliss]

79. Remember last summer, when Bush

went golfing? It was so outrageous. In the meantime, troops were getting killed in Iraq.

Someone posted some photos of Bush, struggling to get the ball in the hole. He looked upset, frustrated. I think he did OK, because further down there was a photo of him holding his club up in the air. He looked triumphant.

Later, someone photoshopped the golfing photos with the fires of hell burning in the background. That was more like it.

[Beaverhausen]

87. Randi Rhodes is talking about this subject right now!

thank got for AAR!

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

69. I've been waiting for the big story on this on CNN ... and waiting ... and

waiting ... and waiting ... while I hear their dramatic CNN theme music during breaks, while I watch commercial after commercial, while I hear a weather report, after which there is more dramatic CNN theme music, after which there is again commercial after commercial, after which they come back and report on Rafael Palmiero, after which there's more dramatic CNN theme music, after which there's commercial after commercial, after which they come back ... and waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ...

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

70. Semper Fi brothers.....

Lost to a meaningless cause for a corrupt group of money worshipping individuals.
It pains this ex-Marine to know you have made the ultimate sacrifice for NOTHING! Your deaths do not make our lives safer here at home. You have been exploited and I am enraged we are powerless to do anything to stop this madness.
:grr:

[Bigmack]

88. You said it before I could...

.. my (younger) brother Marines are dying for NOTHING!

[dejaboutique]

73. where is the bleeping coverage?

NOTHING on the news right now, I just woke up an hour ago and there is NOTHING on the news. Casualties made me upset in the past but after seeing "Over There" it makes me really sick. COVER IT ON THE NEWS!

[Old Vet]

74. And wheres the President? NO SHAME

[dejaboutique]

86. The president is making phone calls to SPACE

they keep showing him making phone calls to the astronauts. E.T. Call home

[mvd]

78. I've noticed that too, just from yahoo.com

The Rove story also seems to have magically disappeared, from what I've heard (not watching the cable news networks or network news shows in protest.)

RIP to the Marines, and I say bring most of our service people home. No matter who gains control of Iraq (Sunnis, Shiites, puppet Bush government,) Iraq will be a threat.

[johnnie]

75. I just found out this was from a unit close to home

I went and saw them off when they were deployed to Desert Storm. I knew one of the guys back then. I am waiting for the names of the soldiers.

[TacticalPeek]

77. President Fucking AWOL "has not been observed at this unit".

:patriot: . :patriot: . :patriot: . :patriot: . :patriot: . :patriot: . :patriot:
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[norml]

80. Seven US Marines killed in Iraq, toll passes 1,800

Seven US Marines killed in Iraq, toll passes 1,800
Tue Aug 2, 2005 11:17 PM IST

By Michael Georgy

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Seven U.S. Marines have been killed in fighting in Iraq's western Anbar province, a guerrilla heartland that keeps challenging U.S. and Iraqi troops despite repeated security crackdowns.

Their deaths push the number of U.S. troops to have died since the start of the war in March 2003 to above 1,800, according to a Reuters count based on information provided by the Pentagon.

Pacifying Anbar is a top priority for U.S. and Iraqi troops who say the rest of the country cannot be stabilised unless guerrillas are rooted out of the region.

The area is a nerve centre for the two-year-old Sunni Arab-led insurgency, a loose alliance of mostly Arab Muslim militants who carry out suicide bombings and Saddam Hussein loyalists leading the guerrilla campaign.


snip


http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-08-02T230918Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-211357-1.xml

[Qanisqineq]

90. Heartbreaking

For a while, I just became numb to the deaths. Now every one of them causes a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. It'll never end. We'll never leave. It's gonna be like Korea and Germany -- we'll have bases there for decades. But will the Iraqis put up with it?

[norml]

82. Seven US Marines killed in Iraq, toll passes 1,800

Seven US Marines killed in Iraq, toll passes 1,800
Tue Aug 2, 2005 11:17 PM IST

By Michael Georgy

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Seven U.S. Marines have been killed in fighting in Iraq's western Anbar province, a guerrilla heartland that keeps challenging U.S. and Iraqi troops despite repeated security crackdowns.

Their deaths push the number of U.S. troops to have died since the start of the war in March 2003 to above 1,800, according to a Reuters count based on information provided by the Pentagon.

Pacifying Anbar is a top priority for U.S. and Iraqi troops who say the rest of the country cannot be stabilised unless guerrillas are rooted out of the region.

The area is a nerve centre for the two-year-old Sunni Arab-led insurgency, a loose alliance of mostly Arab Muslim militants who carry out suicide bombings and Saddam Hussein loyalists leading the guerrilla campaign.


snip


http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-08-02T230918Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-211357-1.xml

[uppityperson]

83. 2000 coalition casualties. 1806 USA

http://icasualties.org/oif/
fuck mr.bush and his evil minions.

[bribri16]

84. In the meantime, the Repugs and the media celebrate Bush "successes"

The people in this administration and their supporters will have Karma catch up with them in due time.

[RummyTheDummy]

85. Bring it on cried the AWOL chimpanze!

NT

[NickB79]

89. Christ, my girlfriend's uncle is a Marine

He was just shipped back over there last week, and he's in his 40's! It is either his 2nd or 3rd tour so far, and he's stuck there for 18 months.

18 months of worrying everytime a news story like this flashes by is going to get really, really bad.

[Romulus]

91. WashPost update (sadder by the minute)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080200744.html

The announcement Tuesday gave few details of the latest deaths. The military said in its statement that the Marines were killed by small arms fire. Five died in the initial attack, but one Marine was initially missing. His body was found later a few kilometers away, according to the official account.

My heart breaks for that Marine #6 - was he trying to make it back alone? :cry:

[bemildred]

93. I saw that elsewhere. It somewhat concerned me.

It didn't sound like they gave a good account of themselves (the Marines).
Surrounded, an ambush, I don't know, but someone ought to do a bit of explaining, it seemed to me, for this.

[Romulus]

95. just read some more here

another poster in GD:P linked to a news story from Ohio. The Marines were a scout/sniper team from a local Ohio reserve unit. That means it was more than likely that those six were alone out there, with no other support.

[speedingbullet]

110. Last Throes?

I'm not really all that versed in the military but I would expect that a scout/sniper team to be a tough, well trained group, trained to go out and operate in hostile areas. Either the "insurgents" were very lucky or they are a lot better organized and effective than Bush/Cheney would have us believe.

Our thoughts and prayers to their friends and families.

[bemildred]

111. More likely the "insurgents" knew they were coming, and when, and where.

:puke:

[Judi Lynn]

96. 8 U.S. troops killed in Iraq as fighting intensifies at Syria border

Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - Page updated at 12:55 AM

8 U.S. troops killed in Iraq as fighting intensifies at Syria border

By John Hendren
Los Angeles Times

BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. forces in western Iraq are facing fierce resistance to their new effort to take control of the Syrian border, with car bombs and an apparent ambush killing eight U.S. troops in a single day, Army and Marine officials said yesterday.

Today, meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy reported that freelance U.S. journalist Steven Vincent was fatally shot in the southern city of Basra.

Monday's deadly series of attacks included the ambush of six Marines on a foot patrol outside of Haditha, Marine officials said. Five Marines were killed by small-arms fire in the initial assault, but one was "unaccounted for" and later found dead a couple of miles away, a Marine statement said. Officials declined to say whether he was taken hostage before he was killed.

A seventh Marine was killed by a car bomb in nearby Hit. All of the slain Marines were assigned to Regimental Combat Team-2 of the 2nd Marine Division.
(snip/...)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002417621_iraq03.html

[hallc]

97. Wait...

Is this in addition to the seven from yesterday, or is it the same story?

[Tesla]

98. I just heard 14 all together!!

This is happening daily now!

[Skittles]

99. FOURTEEN KILLED

BREAKING NEWS NOW

[babylonsister]

100. Just heard the same thing... while the blivet vacations...

[Ganja Ninja]

101. It's hard work.

All that lying can wear out even the fittest frat boy.

[Binka]

104. Skittles My Baby Is Going Over There In Five Weeks

Fuck Mother Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck :cry:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

105. What does he do in the Corps?

That looks like a boot camp picture, yes?

[Binka]

107. Infantry

:cry:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

108. Well, having been there myself (Vietnam, not Iraq)

I can state more infantrymen come home alive and well than harmed.

[Skittles]

109. check my IM binka my sweet

ok

[HereSince1628]

102. Let me speak for vacationing Pres..."This is proof we are winning!"

I think I got that right.

[ConcernedCanuk]

103. meanwhile, el pRetzeldent is riding around his pig farm

.
.
.

"leader" - *cough, cough* of the most powerful nation on earth saying "Mission Accomplished"

and close to half the murikkkan voters saying "bring it on"

well they ARE now,

aren't they . . .

BUT

we're safer now

right?

(sigh)

[shadowknows69]

106. So basically we're at war with Syria too now

and not being told. They do love their secret wars don't they?