Explosion Rocks Italian Police in Iraq

[bluestateguy]

ROME Nov. 12 — An explosion rocked the headquarters of the Italian Carabinieri police in the southern Iraqi city of Nassiriyah on Wednesday, and there could be some injuries among Iraqis and Italians, Carabinieri said in Rome.

An explosive device went off at about 10:40 a.m. local time at the multinational specialist unit in the southern city, the Italian military police said in a statement. The statement said that the explosion occurred in front of the base, near the Iraqi chamber of commerce.

"From the initial reports, there may be wounded among the Iraqi population and Carabinieri," the statement said.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20031112_211.html

[KissMyAsscroft]

1. Now THAT...

is some progress.

[AnnitaR]

2. Gee, I thought Chimpy said the South was

doing great and it's only the "Triangle" area where we are having problems! Yea, right! The whole place is a powder keg now.

Oh but wait where's Bremmer the man "in charge"? Oh yea, he's come running back to DC with his tail between his legs.

The whole thing makes me beyond ill!

[jenk]

17. this just in

The Sunni triangle has just been upgraded to the sunni hexagon


all is well

[Sufi Marmot]

3. CNN: 6 fatalities reported so far...

...Some Carabinieri may be still be trapped in debris...likely suicide car bomber...

:-(




-SM

[OrAnarch]

4. thats ok...

they weren't americans. Might get a blurb in the newsticker.


This is so surreal. But now its our lives. For how long?

[Judi Lynn]

5. Slightly later article, "Bomb at Italian Base in Iraq Kills at Least Six "

Bomb at Italian Base in Iraq Kills at Least Six

By Sameer N. Yacoub
Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, November 12, 2003; 5:07 AM


BAGHDAD, Iraq –– An explosion rocked the headquarters of the Italian Carabinieri police in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah on Wednesday, killing at least six Italians and possibly trapping others under the debris, Carabinieri said in Rome.

Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi called the bombing a "terrorist act."

An explosive device went off at about 10:40 a.m. Iraqi time at the Carabinieri's multinational specialist unit in the southern city of Nasiriyah, the Italian paramilitary police said in a statement. The statement said that the explosion occurred in front of the base, near the Iraqi chamber of commerce.

A Carabinieri official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that six Italians were dead, confirming Italian media reports.

Maj. Roberto Riccardi, an official with the Carabinieri in Rome, said the building was in flames and it was feared that some people were trapped under the rubble. (snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29271-2003Nov12.html

[spinbaby]

6. The Italians will be out by next week

Too dangerous and I don't blame them--no amount of toadying up to the Bush administration is worth this.

[leftchick]

7. BBC is reporting 12 killed now...

:(

[spinbaby]

9. I saw that

Breathtaking.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Just heard on CBS radio news that it's believed there were 12 dead

in the bombing of the Italian police headquarters.

This was revealed at 6:00 a.m., EST.

[spinbaby]

10. Nassiriyah

You know, I'm rummaging through my memory here and coming up with Nassiriyah as one of the places that put up quite a fight when US troops moved through. Am I right?

[Judi Lynn]

13. Made a quick run to google, found this article

Marines embroiled in urban warfare after all
Dexter Filkins and Michael Wilson/NYT The New York Times Tuesday, March 25, 2003
NASIRIYA, Iraq As American marines battled their way into the heart of this city Monday, they appeared to be stepping into just the sort of urban imbroglio they have been hoping to avoid.
.
Following heavy fighting Sunday, when at least 10 Americans were killed near here, the battle that unfolded Monday had all the hallmarks of a confused and chaotic urban shootout. Helicopter gunships rocketed the city from above, and Nasiriya’s residents claimed the raids had killed and injured scores of civilians. This claim was impossible to verify in the chaos of the fighting today.
.
The marines said the Iraqis were using civilians as shields, pushing women and children into the streets. Iraqi fighters, the marines said, were leaping out of buses and taxis to shoot at them. The fighting continued until sunset, with the marines appearing to gain control of part of the city center after taking an unknown number of casualties.
.
Nasiriya spans the Euphrates River in southern Iraq. The military covets the spot not for the city itself, but for a pair of bridges here that could help American forces move north to Baghdad. It was apparently in response to attacks and to ensure the security of this vital strategic area that the marines moved into the city. (snip/...)
.
. http://www.iht.com/articles/90856.html

Wasn't it one of the first two cities they invaded? Maybe it was the one which took them DAYS and held them up on their march to Baghdad.

It's so hard to believe all this has happened. So tragic.

[barbaraann]

11. The latest story I see now says "at least 12" dead.

It's just horrific.

[ze_dscherman]

12. Plus many more Iraqi civilians

Not counted, as usual.

The number of dead Italians has been corrected down to eleven, but more Italins and Iraqis are feared dead.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1083284,00.html

[jenk]

18. Don't you know Iraqi civilians don't count!

of course, for every civilian we kill there's a grieving family who takes up arms, can you blame them?

[Kellanved]

14. now "more than 20 dead"

n/t

[Aidoneus]

15. al-J says 12 Italians 8 Iraqis

plus some possible missing, is that the latest figure you mentioned, or 20 Italians now?

[FauxNewsBlues]

16. 14 Italians 8 Iraqis confirmed dead

More in the rubble waiting to be counted.

You stupid freaking gimpy chimpy commander-in-thief.

We will bring it on next November on election day.

[ze_dscherman]

19. More deaths

At least 14 Italians, 8 Iraqis reported by Reuters.

http://news.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3804570

[Barrett808]

20. Shut up, shut up, shut up! That's just the sound of progress! n/t

n/t