April 28, 2008
Previous “Deep Thoughts”
2:56 A.M.
BAGHDAD (AP) - American and Iraqi troops killed 38 militants in the fiercest clashes with militants in weeks in Baghdad, including 22 who attacked a military checkpoint in a Shiite militia stronghold, the U.S. military said Monday.
Suspected Shiite extremists, apparently taking advantage of a sandstorm that blanketed the capital, attacked several checkpoints and hammered the U.S.-protected Green Zone in the fiercest salvo in weeks on Sunday. The sandstorm had grounded the American aircraft that normally prowl for launching teams.
Attacks continued Monday morning as insurgents lobbed more rockets or mortar shells toward the Green Zone, which houses the U.S. embassy and much of the Iraqi government on the west side of the Tigris River, benefiting from continued limited visibility that gave cover to the launching teams. Alarms could be heard and the public address system in the area warned residents to take cover and stay away from windows.
The U.S. Embassy on Monday confirmed the area was hit by indirect fire, the military’s term for rocket or mortar attacks, and said there were “no reports of serious injury or deaths at this time.”
The fighting escalated as anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, rejected terms set by the Iraqi government for lifting a crackdown against his Mahdi Army militia.
The clashes Sunday were concentrated in Sadr City, the stronghold of the Mahdi Army, where U.S. soldiers used Abrams main battle tanks to repel the attackers.
4:03 A.M.
If you’ll notice, we’ve expanded the video section on the front page. There are now, I believe 22 vids on front page alone. And more from the same day if you it the “more” link…
5:30 P.M.
Yo! Bash here…
Just received word that Pat’s eye is acting up on him. He’s headed to the ER. He’s tough, he’ll pull through. Meanwhile, I have dispatched my private Nurse Ming Ming to visit Pat and personally take care of him.
 |
|
