Gunman wounds U.S. officer at wall

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

BAGHDAD - A senior U.S. commander was wounded by small arms fire while inspecting a security barrier being built around a Sunni enclave in Baghdad, the U.S. military said Friday.

The attack occurred Thursday in Azamiyah, an area on the eastern side of the Tigris River whose residents have been victims of retaliatory mortar attacks by Shiite militants — often following bombings blamed on Sunnis. The shooting was witnessed by an Associated Press Television cameraman.

A U.S. military spokesman, Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, said the commander's family has been notified, but he declined to release the officer's name.

Construction of the wall has drawn strong criticism from residents who say it is a form of sectarian discrimination. Followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr say they fear Shiite areas in Baghdad, such as Sadr City, will be next to see the U.S.-built barriers.

Much of the construction is being done at night by troops wearing night-vision goggles. But the officer was wounded while conducting a daytime survey.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070504/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_us_commander_shot

[CottonBear]

1. OK. The Iraq situation is totally out of control now. We were told to stop building the wall. n/t

[lapfog_1]

2. If the insurgents/terrorists/freedom fighters ever got their hands

on night vision technology... we'd be toast.

(Or if the electricity was on for more than a few hours every day).

[Xenotime]

26. They are patriots. Not "insurgents"

[maddezmom]

3. any confirmation yet on who it was?

[UpInArms]

4. Gunman wounds (senior) U.S. commander at barrier wall in Baghdad

Source: Associated Press

BAGHDAD A senior U-S commander has been wounded by small arms fire while inspecting a security wall being built around a Sunni enclave in Baghdad.

The military says the attack was in an area whose residents have been victims of retaliatory mortar strikes by Shiite militants -- often following bombings blamed on Sunnis.Construction of the wall has drawn strong criticism from residents who say it is a form of sectarian discrimination. Followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr (mook-TAH'-duh ehl SAH'-dur) say they fear Shiite areas in Baghdad, such as Sadr City, will be next to see the U-S-built barriers.

Read more: http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6472353

[PuraVidaDreamin]

5. WTF? They are STILL building this wall?

[Demeter]

6. It's Like Route 95-- An Endless Job

[astroBspacedog]

23. Bring em on, stay the course, -- then build a wall.

"I'm a uniter, not a divider."


Sorry folks, that's all I have to say this morning. I'm think I'm going to head for the hills, take my dog for a hike and forget about this mess for a while. Have great day !!;-)

[MADem]

7. Wonder who it was? If it was Petreus, well, the game is done...

Much of the construction is being done at night by troops wearing night-vision goggles. But the officer was wounded while conducting a daytime survey. The military has not released his identity.

[HereSince1628]

11. Not naming him seems weird...I immediately wondered if it was Petreus

[PuraVidaDreamin]

8. This lil' paragraph is interestin'

Much of the construction is being done at night by troops wearing night-vision goggles. But the officer was wounded while conducting a daytime survey. The military has not released his identity.


AT NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????????????

[MADem]

15. When you have curfews and night vision goggles, it's easier to see the enemy at night.

If it is moving, it is either a street dog or someone violating curfew....

[HereSince1628]

9. Unnamed senior commander. Sounds like a Whitehouse appointment

Which makes me suspect it's Petraeus. Yep, making progress. Most of those neighborhoods you can just stroll thru.

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. How about installing an invisible fence instead?

[MADem]

16. Oh, now, they'd just take their collars off, and then where would we be?

Do I need one of these? :sarcasm:

[Missy M]

12. Wonder how long it will take before the Iraqis knock it down?

[UpInArms]

13. here are a couple pics of that wall

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,853074,00.jpg

[MADem]

18. That is ugly as hell--looks like a Jersey barrier with a wall built atop it.

A poorly-built wall atop it, at that.

Really, how is this gonna help? All it does is restrict traffic flow at best.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

14. Or blow it up... n/t

[RL3AO]

17. Senior U.S. commander? Is it a general? An officer? Whats a senior commander?

[MADem]

19. Flag or General rank, usually.

The term "senior officer" can conceivably go as low as 0-5 in some branches, but in this situation I believe they are referring to someone of flag/general rank.

And if that is the case, then someone had to get ahold of that individual's movement schedule, which is normally closely held by their accompanying security detail. Or this was simply an "opportunity" that presented itself, or serendipity.

But your first thought has to be "Who knew this person would be in that location?"

[SpiralHawk]

20. "It's ok, I am perfectly comfortable and safe." - Commander AWOL

"Me and Dickie 'Five Military Deferments" Cheney were not hurt at all. Smirk, smirk, smirk, We are having a ball ou the golf course with our corrupt republicon cronies, counting up war profits. Smirk, smirk, smirk."

- Commander AWOL

[Oddball]

21. Damn, he should have had John McCain with him.

Then he would have been completely safe. He's obviously a thrill seeker.

[Acadia Blue]

22. This is terrible. Americans are being killed every day and GW

does not really give a damn. He cares even less about the Iraquians.

[sanskritwarrior]

24. Hearing from my friends in Iraq

it's a one star general, not anyone in SENIOR SENIOR Command..........probably an ADC-M..........

[slackmaster]

25. Must admit I am somewhat relieved on second reading

The first time I saw the subject line, my eyes saw "mall" instead of "wall".

:argh:

[maddezmom]

27. Col. Bill Don Farris Senior U.S. commander shot, evacuated from Iraq

Senior U.S. commander shot, evacuated from Iraq
BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A senior U.S. commander has been wounded in Iraq and was evacuated from the country for further treatment, two military sources told CNN Sunday.

The sources identified him as Col. Billy Don Farris -- the commander of the 2nd Brigade of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division.

CNN was was told that Farris was "shot in the leg and will recover," and was awarded a Purple Heart by Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, before he left Iraq. (Posted 11:30 p.m.)

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/05/06/sunday/index.html?section=cnn_latest