Iraqis Flee Fighting in Samarra by River Boats

[Purveyor]

Sun Oct 3, 2004 01:25 PM ET

By Sabah al-Bazee

SAMARRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Waving white flags, Iraqis fled the city of Samarra on river boats on Sunday as U.S. forces claimed victory over insurgents in the first step of an offensive aimed at taking control of rebel-held cities.

--snip--

But the operation in Samarra, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, brought condemnation from residents about the cost in lives and suffering, and guerrillas in the fiercest rebel-held city of Falluja are expected to put up a tougher fight.

--snip--

In Samarra, aid organizations said they were concerned about a lack of water and power and the fate of hundreds of families forced to flee. One man who said he escaped the city on Sunday said a number of civilians had been killed.

The man who gave his name as Abu Qa'qa told reporters in Baghdad he had seen stray dogs picking at corpses in the street. He said he had seen several incidents of civilians being killed.

"I swear I saw dogs eating the body of a woman," he said.

--snip--

ROADS BLOCKED

Residents said bodies were left in the streets, untended due to the fear of snipers.

Families tried to bury their dead on Sunday, but the road to the cemetery was blocked off by U.S. troops, witnesses said.

Some people unable to flee the city by road traveled on small boats along a river holding up white flags as helicopters hovered overhead.

"The situation is very bad. No one can move, even ambulances can't move the wounded. All roads are blocked. If one road was open half of Samarra would have fled," said Khalil al-Samiraei.


Link to entire Reuters article

[Barrett808]

1. Hmm, I thought Samarra was a "success" n/t

[madrchsod]

2. dogs eating the flesh of the dead

dante`s vision of hell brought to life by a mad man

[montana_hazeleyes]

3. This is all so horrid!!!

I'm pissed at the people in this country who don't care, don't care at all! And the ball-less media that doesn't do its job. Sh*t on 'em. BALL-LESS Wonders!

[BadGimp]

4. we suck

we are killing them in their neighborhoods, in their streets, in their houses.. how will they ever forgive us?

[sleipnir]

5. Rove releases memo: Iraq Insurgents fleeing on Kerry's Swift Boat

Wouldn't be surprised to read that headline with all the obfuscation and dirty tricks this admin is willing to go to in order to cover up the horrific truth of Iraq.

[sofa king]

6. We Democrats just woke up to find a woman in our bed.

She's called Ms. Mainstream Media, and she likes our debating style.

Don't go back to sleep anytime soon, or she'll steal our wallet off the bedstand.

[TheLastMohican]

7. This is a version of collective punishment

The citizens of Falluja and Ramadi are being collectively punished for the deeds of the resistance. There is a clause about this in Hague War Crimes court. Whoever authourized this slaughter can burn in hell.