Post Latest Iraq War News Here - Part III

[Ned]

Germany and Russia have restated their belief that the U.N. should have a key role in rebuilding Iraq after the war.

While recognizing the U.S. and Britain had a special role to play in securing Iraq once the military operation was over their participation should not go beyond that, the three countries said.

"In the armed phase, in the securing phase, the primary responsibility obviously is that of the coalition forces on the ground," French Foreign Minister Dominique de villepin told a news conference Friday.

"Beyond that, the United Nations must play a central role in solving the Iraqi crisis."

Villepin was meeting with Joschka Fischer and Igor Ivanov in Paris Friday, in a move observers says is designed to show unity in their push for a central U.N. role in Iraq.

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/04/04/sprj.irq.ministers/index.html

[Ned]

US kills 600 in taking Baghdad Airport. Artillery begins bombardment in suburbs. Marines destroy al Nida division. SEALs clear airport tunnels.

"The doomed counter-attack came after Saddam’s officials roamed the streets of Baghdad with loudhailers ordering people to head to the airport to defend it.

Many were too frightened to resist after Saddam’s henchmen began publicly torturing and executing disloyal Ba’ath party members.

One was tied to a post and had his tongue cut out while another was tied between two cars and torn limb from limb.

There were also reports of men having their genitals chopped off in public.

The bloodcurdling cruelty was notified to the CIA and MI6 in reports from within Baghdad."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003152170,00.html

[Promethus]

From NYT

An unexplained development on the battlefield today was the announcement that the commander of the First Marine Regiment, Col. Joe Dowdy, was relieved of his command. No details were available.

[Ned]

2nd Brigade, 3rd ID, Marines move into Baghdad, blowing away opposition as they advance.

Now on FOX with live reports from Col. North with Marines and Kelly with 3 ID.

[Adam Smith]

Identifying Fedayeen

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/04/sprj.irq.marines.fedayeen/index.html

About 15 of the men on the bus sported suspicious tattoos, including an Arabic character corresponding to an "F" with wings sprouting from it -- indicating the recipient was a member of the Fedayeen Saddam, a paramilitary group that has waged guerrilla-style attacks on advancing U.S. and British forces.

Tattoos are becoming indicators of military ties for paramilitary groups like the Fedayeen or Iraqi troops who don civilian clothes to blend in. They generally do not travel with weapons.

Tomlin said the Iraqi who threatened him had a scorpion tattooed on his hand.

"Tattoos are a very good guide," he said. He also looks for military haircuts, identification cards, and the condition of a suspect's feet and his shoes.

"If his feet are in good condition, there's a good chance they've been wearing good shoes or military boots," Tomlin said. "If their feet are beat up and they're wearing sandals, they could be farmers."

[Kirnwaffen]

2nd Brigade, 3rd ID, Marines move into Baghdad, blowing away opposition as they advance.

Now on FOX with live reports from Col. North with Marines and Kelly with 3 ID.

Not on the net yet, CNN confirms live tho.

[spiritof1202]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2919249.stm

Tornadoes to drop 'concrete bombs'

Tornado jets are poised to use yet another different weapon in the war against Iraq ... concrete bombs.

The jets have already used high-tech weaponry such as the "bunker busting" cruise missile Storm Shadow, which cost £750,000 apiece and can pierce several feet of concrete.

But now the crews operating over Iraq from the Ali Al Salem airbase in northern Kuwait are about to go to the opposite extreme and use "inert bombs".

These are basically blocks of concrete shaped as bombs and painted blue to identify them as non-explosive if they are discovered still intact after the war.

But they will be laser-guided 1,000lb blocks of concrete, capable of destroying a tank or artillery piece, but without causing a devastating explosion that would put civilians at risk and shatter surrounding buildings.

[Promethus]

April 4, 2003


U.S. Super Cobra Helicopter Crash Kills 2
By THE ASSOCIATED


Filed at 11:25 p.m. ET

CAMP AS SALIYAH, Qatar (AP) -- A U.S. Super Cobra attack helicopter crashed early Saturday in central Iraq, killing two Marine pilots, the Central Command said.

The cause of the crash of the AH-1W gunship was under investigation, but it did not appear to have gone down as a result of hostile fire, the command said.

Names of the two Marines were withheld pending notification of relatives.

The Super Cobra is primarily used for fire support and security for forward and rear-area forces. It is usually used to escort other assault helicopters and their forces. It is capable of both land- or sea-based operations.

Built by Bell Helicopter Textron, of Forth Worth, Texas, the AH-1W can defend against tanks, helicopters and personnel. Each AH-1W costs $10.7 million.

In the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Super Cobras destroyed Iraqi 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers and vehicles, 16 bunkers and two anti-aircraft artillery sites; none crashed or were shot down, the Marines said.

[Ned]

The Fox video shows armored columns heading down both sides of a divided four lane highway. They appear to be moving at an average of five to ten miles per hours. They are knocking out dozens of Iraqi armor as they proceed.

They could be downtown within an hour or so at this rate.

[Schee]

Bush Aide Says U.S., not U.N., Will Rebuild Iraq

President Bush's national security adviser said today that the American-led alliance had shed « life and blood » in the Iraq war and would reserve for itself — and not the United Nations — the lead role in creating a new Iraqi government...

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/05/international/worldspecial/05DIPL.html?ex=1050123600&en=ae8679f4c49d5d1d&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

[Kramerman]

for all us without CNN, FOX, etc, keep us posted! I thank everyone for all the updates thus far.

[Ned]

FOX TV: Troops at center of Baghdad! 11:10 pm Pacific.

[Aro]

US troops said to have captured HQ of Republican Guard's Medina Division



http://news.bbc.co.uk/default.stm

[The Mad Monk]

BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Baghdad (AFP) - A battalion of some 30 US tanks rolled into downtown Baghdad marking a new step in the advance on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s seat of power, a commander said.

"It's called 'let me poke you in the eye because we can and you can't do anything about it'," said Colonel Will Grimsley, commander of the First Brigade of the US army's 3rd Infantry Division.

The raid "started at first light," Grimsley added.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/20030405/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_war_baghdad_inside_030405072720&e=1

[Aro]

Pentagon: Bodies of missing soldiers found in raid.

(CNN) -- The bodies of eight missing members of an Army maintenance convoy were recovered in the raid on an Iraqi hospital that freed Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, the Pentagon said Saturday.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/04/05