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08/04/2004
Hundreds killed as US troops battle with Iraqi militants
More than 35 US soldiers and 450 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in country-wide clashes between rebel militias and Coalition forces since the weekend, according to reports emerging from Iraq today.
Around 300 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in Fallujah where US forces have been attempting to regain control of the city. Reports have indicated that at least 40 were killed yesterday when the USAF bombed a mosque in the western Iraqi city. The US army had said that the strike was pinpoint and designed to cause threat to civilian housing nearby.
A US commander on the ground has been quoted in reports as saying that the Coalition is control of only 24% of Fallujah.
Gun battles have spread across Iraq since the weekend. This latest escalation in fighting was sparked off when protesters loyal to the cleric Moqtada Al Sadr marched on a Coalition base in Fallujah on Sunday. Since then, Najaf, Amarah, Baghdad, Ramadi, Karbala and Kut have all been embroiled in the violence.
It has been estimated that a hardcore of between 3,000 and 6,000 militiamen, loyal to Moqtada Al Sadr, have been responsible for the most serious attacks on Coalition forces.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, the US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that the violence was a "power-play between those who favour terrorism and a return to oppression, and those determined to have freedom and self-government".
Asked if the situation in Iraq had dissolved into a pitch battle between Shia and Sunni rebels and US troops, Mr Rumsfeld said: "You say 'pitched battles'; these are - the number of people that are involved in those battles are relatively small. And there's nothing like an army or a major - large elements of hundreds of people trying to overthrow or to change the situation.
"You have a mixture of a small number of terrorists, a small number of militias, coupled with some demonstrations and some lawlessness. And it's a serious problem, and the problem's being worked, and General Abizaid and General Sanchez and his team have high confidence."
Elsewhere, UK is sending 4,500 soldiers to southern Iraq to relieve troops in the area.
(gmcg)
Around 300 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in Fallujah where US forces have been attempting to regain control of the city. Reports have indicated that at least 40 were killed yesterday when the USAF bombed a mosque in the western Iraqi city. The US army had said that the strike was pinpoint and designed to cause threat to civilian housing nearby.
A US commander on the ground has been quoted in reports as saying that the Coalition is control of only 24% of Fallujah.
Gun battles have spread across Iraq since the weekend. This latest escalation in fighting was sparked off when protesters loyal to the cleric Moqtada Al Sadr marched on a Coalition base in Fallujah on Sunday. Since then, Najaf, Amarah, Baghdad, Ramadi, Karbala and Kut have all been embroiled in the violence.
It has been estimated that a hardcore of between 3,000 and 6,000 militiamen, loyal to Moqtada Al Sadr, have been responsible for the most serious attacks on Coalition forces.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, the US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that the violence was a "power-play between those who favour terrorism and a return to oppression, and those determined to have freedom and self-government".
Asked if the situation in Iraq had dissolved into a pitch battle between Shia and Sunni rebels and US troops, Mr Rumsfeld said: "You say 'pitched battles'; these are - the number of people that are involved in those battles are relatively small. And there's nothing like an army or a major - large elements of hundreds of people trying to overthrow or to change the situation.
"You have a mixture of a small number of terrorists, a small number of militias, coupled with some demonstrations and some lawlessness. And it's a serious problem, and the problem's being worked, and General Abizaid and General Sanchez and his team have high confidence."
Elsewhere, UK is sending 4,500 soldiers to southern Iraq to relieve troops in the area.
(gmcg)
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