U.S. Warplanes Target Iraq Roadside Bombs (heedless of civilians)

[Barrett808]

U.S. Warplanes Target Iraq Roadside Bombs
Thu Oct 7, 8:35 AM ET
SAMEER N. YACOUB, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. warplanes struck Baghdad's Sadr City district overnight to neutralize roadside bombs that regularly explode as American patrols drive through the area, the military said Thursday.

The operation came amid talks aimed at ending weeks of clashes between U.S. and Iraqi forces and followers of renegade Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in the sprawling northeastern Baghdad slum.

AC-130 gunships fired into the district's narrow and densely populated streets, which are littered with improvised bombs, said Capt. Brian O'Malley of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Residents held a funeral Thursday for a man they said was killed in the strikes, Associated Press Television News footage showed. O'Malley had no reports of casualties.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041007/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_sadr_city

[whistle]

1. U.S bombings have been heedless of civilians from the beginning...

...of the invasion last March, no surprise there. The surprise ought to be on November 3rd when the commanders and political leaders are held accountable for these war crimes.

[mhr]

2. AC-130 aka Puff The Magic Dragon - The Most Feared Weapon In 'Nam

One pass by the gunship will put a round in every square foot of a football field!

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ac-130.htm

http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=71

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1602000.stm

[54anickel]

3. Just what Rummy ordered. High tech, low personnel count military. n/t

[daleo]

4. A strategy sure to win over the undecided

Just shoot up their streets (narrow, densely populated streets at that) with high caliber machine guns from the air. That is sure to get people on your side. You can just feel the love.