31 US Marines Killed

[Guest Astro]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/26/...main/index.html

 

 

Deadliest day for U.S. in Iraq war

31 Marines killed in chopper crash; 5 troops in other incidents

 

 

 

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Thirty-one Marines were killed in a helicopter crash near Iraq's border with Jordan, making the number of U.S. troops killed Wednesday to 36 -- the deadliest day for U.S. forces since the start of the war in Iraq.

 

Four U.S. Marines were killed during combat in Iraq's Al-Anbar province, and a U.S. soldier died when insurgents attacked a combat patrol north of Baghdad, according to the U.S. military.

 

The cause of the chopper crash was not immediately known and is being investigated, according to the military.

 

Wednesday's death toll surpassed the 31 U.S. forces killed on March 23, 2003 -- four days after the start of the war in Iraq. Twenty-nine of them died in combat that day.

 

Wednesday's incidents brought the U.S. death toll in the war to 1,417.

 

TheCH 53E Super Stallioncrashed near Ar Rutba in western Iraq about 1:20 a.m. local time (5:20 p.m. Tuesday ET).(Map)

 

It was carrying personnel from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the 1st Marine Division.

 

Military officials said a search and rescue team was at the site and an investigation of the crash was under way.

 

The four Marines who died Wednesday were killed during combat operations in Iraq's Al-Anbar province, according to a military news release. The Marines were assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Ar Rutba is also in Al-Anbar province.

 

Elsewhere, a U.S. soldier was killed Wednesday when insurgents attacked a combat patrol with grenades near Ad Duluiyah, military officials said.

 

The soldier, from the 1st Infantry Division, died and two others were wounded in the attack about 11:20 a.m. (3:20 a.m. ET). The injured were taken to a military hospital for treatment; one was in serious condition.

 

President Bush said, "Any time we lose life it is a sad moment," at a press conference Wednesday, referring to the deaths in Iraq. (Full story)

 

In addition to the U.S. military deaths, four multinational soldiers were wounded Wednesday morning when a car bomb exploded near a convoy in southwestern Baghdad, along the road to the city's airport, a source with the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division said.

 

Seven Iraqis killed

In Tamin province, also on Wednesday, three car bombs within an hour killed five Iraqis and injured six other people, according to the police chief in Kirkuk.

 

The bombs exploded between 11 a.m. and noon (3 and 4 a.m. ET), said Maj. Gen. Torhan Abdul Rahman. The first was in the town of Riyadh, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Kirkuk, and targeted a police station, he said. Three Iraqi police officers were killed and three civilians injured.

 

The second detonated outside the Riyadh mayor's office, killing two Iraqi soldiers. The third bomb exploded outside Riyadh and targeted a U.S. military convoy. Three other Iraqi civilians were wounded.

 

Insurgents attacked the offices of two political parties in Baquba on Wednesday, triggering clashes that left an Iraqi police officer dead and four others wounded -- three of them working as guards for the parties, Baquba police said.

 

The insurgents used grenades and small arms fire to attack the Kurdish Democratic Party office and the office of the Iraqi Patriotic Gathering Alliance about 6:30 a.m. (10:30 p.m. Tuesday ET), police said, and the resulting battles lasted two hours.

 

In al-Nahrawan, a southeastern suburb of Baghdad, city council leader Karim Sarhan was gunned down Wednesday morning in a drive-by shooting on his way to work, Iraqi police said.

 

Pre-election violence Tuesday

Three government employees were shot and killed in attacks Tuesday, according to police.

 

Three Baghdad schools to be used as polling centers in Sunday's election were attacked Tuesday night, an Iraqi police officer said. A bomb planted at a fourth school was defused.

 

About 8 p.m. (noon ET), Salah al-Deen school in northern Baghdad was damaged when insurgents threw a grenade at it, authorities said. Thirty minutes later, a bomb exploded near the main gate of Al-Fursan school in southeast Baghdad, causing damage, police said.

 

About 10:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. ET), Al-Balquees school in northern Baghdad was damaged when it was hit by a rocket, police said.

 

About 90 minutes later, experts defused a bomb planted near al-Yemen school in al-Gazaliyah neighborhood in western Baghdad.

 

Iraqis go to the polls Sunday, and U.S. and Iraqi officials have been warning that insurgents would ramp up their attacks in a bid to derail the vote.

 

Other developments

 

A videotape was released on Tuesday showing American hostage Roy Hallums pleading for his life while an off-camera captor holds a gun to his head. Hallums was kidnapped November 1, and the video gives no clues about when it was made or whether he is still alive. (Full story)

 

A high-ranking official in Iraq's Justice Ministry was gunned down in a drive-by shooting Tuesday as he was leaving his home southeast of Baghdad, police said. A group calling itself the Army of Ansar al-Sunnah claimed responsibility for the attack on Judge Qais Hashim al-Shonmari, and warned of more attacks to come. Shonmari's son was also killed in the shooting.

 

The concept of democracy appears to have taken root in the dusty town of Karma, a predominantly Sunni community of 75,000 people about nine miles (15 kilometers) northeast of Falluja. Although most residents say they don't know who the candidates are or where to go to vote, they say they will vote come Sunday. (Full story)

 

As the Iraqi elections near, women are changing the face of politics. On TV women are encouraged to not only vote, but participate. Election organizers have mandated that 30 percent of the candidates in next week's elections be women. (Full story)

CNN's Tomas Etzler, David Ensor, Octavia Nasr, Cal Perry, Auday Sadik and Mohammad Tawfeeq contributed to this report.

 

 

 

Find this article at:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/26/...main/index.html

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Just heard the chopper crash wasn't terrorist-related. Story's still breaking though so this can change...

[2GOLD 0]

Hopefully it's not another case of a chopper engine failing because of sand getting inside of it.

[Vern Gagne 0]

CNN was saying there was bad weather in the area.

[AboveAverage484 0]

I haven't been following the war all that intently, but it seems we've had more accident related deaths (crashes, friendly fire) than actual combat deaths.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

That's what happens when you re-elect George Bush.

[Guest INXS]

I feel sorry for the familes of the dead troops. 31 more dead servicemen killed, neddlessly.

[Ripper 0]

I feel sorry for the familes of the dead troops. 31 more dead servicemen killed, neddlessly.

I am starting to get the impression that you are agianst the war. Sorry to make assumptions

[Guest INXS]

Yes I am, have been since the war was first touted in 2002.

[Justice 0]

Yes I am, have been since the war was first touted in 2002.

WHOOSH~!

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

Yeah, it's worse when these people die from accidents. I was actually pretty pissed off when I heard of how Pat Tillman died. It seems like the most incompetent situation ever, and to think that this sort of thing happens much more often, really sad.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

The success of this war is riding on the elections on Jan. 30...if they go relatively smoothly and democracy starts to take off in Iraq, it will be called a success...if the election fails or the country goes into civil war, its' a failure.

[2GOLD 0]

There is going to be a Civil War eventually. It's just how Democracy works.

Hell, the USA had a Civil War. Civil War does not equal failure in my book.

[Zorin Industries 0]

Civil War looks more and more likely each day, in my eyes anyway. There is bound to be a Shia majority victory, which will wind up the Sunnis no end. It'll probably end up looking like Northern Ireland, except everyone will have AK-47's.

 

And anyone who thinks one election is going to handwave any of Iraqs problems away is dangerously naive at best.

[Vern Gagne 0]

A Civil War is already going on know. The U.S. is doing most of the fighting for the Iraqi Gov't, while the Terrorist are doing the fighting for the Sunni's.

[Zorin Industries 0]

I mean more of a Northern Ireland situation with the basis on the religious difference. Its difficult to have a religious majority ruling over a minority with violence occuring

[Guest INXS]

The Iraqi elections are worthless. Only a small proportion of the people of Iraq are going to be able to vote, the candidates haven't been able to campaign thus meaning that the people who can vote, don't have enough information to make an educated vote. I don't for one minute believe that anyone but the US's handpicked man (AllawI) will win either.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I mean more of a Northern Ireland situation with the basis on the religious difference. Its difficult to have a religious majority ruling over a minority with violence occuring

I understand what your saying. I just think it's comparing Apples to Oranges. The IRA is a horrible terrorist organization, but there seemed to be some sanity. The terrorist in Iraq are insane fundies, whose purpose is to either return to a regime like Hussein, or like Zarwai said destroy the evil's of Democracry. Unless the terrorist are wiped out, I think a scenario like N.Ireland would be one of the "better" ones.

[cbacon 0]

The Iraqi elections are worthless. Only a small proportion of the people of Iraq are going to be able to vote, the candidates haven't been able to campaign thus meaning that the people who can vote, don't have enough information to make an educated vote. I don't for one minute believe that anyone but the US's handpicked man (AllawI) will win either.

Not to mention:

 

Jack Fairweather reports for the Telegraph from Baghdad on a meeting held by the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) that instructs candidates on how to survive the elections. He writes: "The instructions are simple - avoid public places and do not reveal your identity, the cleric advised. Most candidates should stay at home as much as possible, he added."

[Jingus 0]

Only a small proportion of the people of Iraq are going to be able to vote,

Why do you say that?

 

the candidates haven't been able to campaign thus meaning that the people who can vote, don't have enough information to make an educated vote.

 

Which is solely the fault of the Iraqi insurgents. If they weren't trying to murder every single member of the Iraqi government that they can find, maybe the candidates could actually come out of their houses without getting beheaded.

 

I don't for one minute believe that anyone but the US's handpicked man (AllawI) will win either.

 

Whoever gets the most votes wins the election. How else would you want a democracy to work?

[Guest INXS]

I mean more of a Northern Ireland situation with the basis on the religious difference. Its difficult to have a religious majority ruling over a minority with violence occuring

I understand what your saying. I just think it's comparing Apples to Oranges. The IRA is a horrible terrorist organization, but there seemed to be some sanity. The terrorist in Iraq are insane fundies, whose purpose is to either return to a regime like Hussein, or like Zarwai said destroy the evil's of Democracry. Unless the terrorist are wiped out, I think a scenario like N.Ireland would be one of the "better" ones.

I don't think you can dismisss the terrorists in Iraq as insane, their methods are of course insane to civilized people but their cause isn't insanity. Like every terrorist group fighting for freedom, one can see the reasoning behind their argurments but when they use violence it all goes out of the window. I actually agree with the IRA, or Sin Fein rather's, plight but they can never be forgiven for targetting civilians.

[Guest INXS]

Only a small proportion of the people of Iraq are going to be able to vote,

Why do you say that?

 

Because not all areas of Iraq are able to get out and vote because of the current situation in Iraq i.e insurgents planting bombs and threatening death to people who vote. Therefore, the election won't truly reflect the wishes of the people of Iraq.

 

the candidates haven't been able to campaign thus meaning that the people who can vote, don't have enough information to make an educated vote.

 

Which is solely the fault of the Iraqi insurgents.  If they weren't trying to murder every single member of the Iraqi government that they can find, maybe the candidates could actually come out of their houses without getting beheaded.

 

You're right, so surely you can see that this election is futile. It's all good bringing democracy to IRaq by way of bombing them back to the stone ages, but the simple fact of the matter is is that this election is pointless. It also brings even more problems to Iraq - will the people accept a leader who they couldn't vote for or against?

 

I don't for one minute believe that anyone but the US's handpicked man (AllawI) will win either.

 

Whoever gets the most votes wins the election.  How else would you want a democracy to work?

 

I am suggesting that the outcome of the election is pre-determined, if not by rigging by the way that it's been handled. Allawi is the only guy that I am aware of that is standing, i'm not sure that the Iraqi people are that au fait with who the alternatives are either.

[cbacon 0]

Anyone who thinks that having elections under a county being occupied by another, while under martial law, is looking for an easy justification for invading and clearly naive if they believe this will bring stability to the country.

 

I am suggesting that the outcome of the election is pre-determined, if not by rigging by the way that it's been handled. Allawi is the only guy that I am aware of that is standing, i'm not sure that the Iraqi people are that au fait with who the alternatives are either.

 

They'll vote in in a Shia majority. I don't believe Allawi falls under that banner. Either way, it won't end this mess.

 

Saturday, January 29, 2005

 

Zogby: 9% of Sunnis Will Vote

Stong Majority of Iraqis Wants US Out

 

Borzou Daragahi of AP reports an Iraqi poll that shows that the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance coalition will do best in Sunday's election, but won't get a majority. The Iraqiya list of interim PM Iyad Allawi comes in second. The united Kurdish list will also do quite well (Kurds will almost certainly be over-represented in the new parliament). The poll says that no other list seems likely to get more than about 3% of the vote. In a 275-member parliament, that would be about 8 or 9 seats. If the poll is borne out by events, Iraqi politics will look an awful lot like Israeli politics in its dynamics, because the parliamentary electoral system works the same way. If the UIA can't form a government on its own, it will need a coalition partner-- either the Allawi list (which would give it a comfortable majority if that one does well) or a set of four or five small parties, each of which might have special demands and which might threaten to leave the majority coalition if they don't get their way.

 

Daragahi reports that Iraq's atmosphere is fearful and as though it is under siege.

[Highland 0]

Daragahi reports that Iraq's atmosphere is fearful and as though it is under siege.

 

As compared to a year or so under Saddam benevolent reign in which the people of Iraq lived prosperous, peaceful and free lives, not at all living in fear of a ruthless dictator willing to use chemicial weapons on his own citizens, to torture disidents and to bury countless thousands in mass graves.

Edited January 29, 2005 by Highland

[Guest MikeSC]

The Iraqi elections are worthless. Only a small proportion of the people of Iraq are going to be able to vote, the candidates haven't been able to campaign thus meaning that the people who can vote, don't have enough information to make an educated vote. I don't for one minute believe that anyone but the US's handpicked man (AllawI) will win either.

You mean the expected 80% turnout is not good enough for you? Tragic.

 

Hey, you know what American President got re-elected with a huge proportion of the population unable to vote?

 

Abraham Lincoln. In 1864.

 

And, you are aware that these elections are simply to name people who will write the Iraqi Constitution, right?

 

No, didn't think so.

-=Mike

[Vern Gagne 0]

I don't think you can dismisss the terrorists in Iraq as insane, their methods are of course insane to civilized people but their cause isn't insanity. Like every terrorist group fighting for freedom, one can see the reasoning behind their argurments but when they use violence it all goes out of the window. I actually agree with the IRA, or Sin Fein rather's, plight but they can never be forgiven for targetting civilians.

They aren't fighting for freedom. They're fighting for a return to a totalitarian state, or in Islamic Fundamentalist state. Read what Zarqawi in his most recent rant. Than there's the threats to follow people home from polling places, and cutting off their heads. Freedom doesn't register with these animals.

[Guest INXS]

The Iraqi elections are worthless. Only a small proportion of the people of Iraq are going to be able to vote, the candidates haven't been able to campaign thus meaning that the people who can vote, don't have enough information to make an educated vote. I don't for one minute believe that anyone but the US's handpicked man (AllawI) will win either.

You mean the expected 80% turnout is not good enough for you? Tragic.

 

Hey, you know what American President got re-elected with a huge proportion of the population unable to vote?

 

Abraham Lincoln. In 1864.

 

And, you are aware that these elections are simply to name people who will write the Iraqi Constitution, right?

 

No, didn't think so.

-=Mike

80%?! Have you been watching Fox News again?! There isn't a chance in hell that 80% of the country will be able to vote.

 

These elections are to name the people to head each district of the country, and for the overall leader of the country. Yes, those elected get to create the constitution, or at least help to.

[cbacon 0]

80%.

 

Oh, Mike.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Saturday, January 29, 2005

 

Zogby: 9% of Sunnis Will Vote

Stong Majority of Iraqis Wants US Out

 

The Sunni's are the fucking problem in Iraq. Alot of them don't want to vote, because it doesn't benefit them. As for Zogby, he's the idiot who predicted a Kerry win based the phoney exit polls.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Yeah, it was projected that a record percentage of young people would vote in our election. That was real accurate.