Insurgent offensive on Iraqi city

[bigfootedfred]

Insurgents have attacked US bases and government offices in Ramadi, in central Iraq, and then dispersed throughout the city, residents say.

Scores of heavily-armed insurgents fired mortars and rockets at the buildings and then occupied several main streets.

The attack came as local leaders and US military officials were meeting at the al-Anbar provincial governor's office.

Ramadi has been a rebel stronghold for many months.

Residents told the Reuters news agency that hundreds of heavily armed men in masks were patrolling the main streets of the city and had set up checkpoints.

Leaflets

Residents said leaflets distributed by the men declared that al-Qaeda in Iraq, the group run by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was now in control of the city.

Map showing Ramadi

"Its followers will burn the Americans and will drive them back to their homes by force. Iraq will be a graveyard for the Americans and its allies," one leaflet declared.

Residents said there was no noticeable presence of US or Iraqi forces in the city after the attacks.

It is not known whether there have been any casualties.

The attack came as 2000 US Marines and 500 Iraqi soldiers launched an offensive against insurgents in Hit, east of the River Euphrates, not far from Ramadi.

The US military said the town was "suspected to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq safe area and base of operations for the manufacture of vehicle car bombs."

source

just as we were talking about stuff like this possibly happening in the other thread....it happens..

will update when new information comes in....

[imb39]

The surprise is that it hasn't happened earlier.

[danzig]

source

just as we were talking about stuff like this possibly happening in the other thread....it happens..

will update when new information comes in....

Im not sure what exactly is different with this then usual attack other then perhaps being a bit larger? They have come out of their holes attacked police stations/goverment buildings and ran around the streets like they controlled it then disappeared back into the population in the past as well. Im also not sure how wise it would to claim 'control' of a city in the name of al-Zarqawi given the number of innocents killed in his organized attacks.

[sombralux]

Exactly, this is just one out of many. Not even worth mentioning. Hope they got there asses kicked though, as insurgents/rebels , no matter what there religion is, are very bad people

[bigfootedfred]

Exactly, this is just one out of many. Not even worth mentioning.

hmmm

Residents told the Reuters news agency that hundreds of heavily armed men in masks were patrolling the main streets of the city and had set up checkpoints.

last time i heard somthing like this was fulljah.

and, you should note that this report came in about 3 hours ago.
when i posted it was about 1 hour ago.

so im assuming they are still there, i havent heard anything about the US marching back into the city yet...

Residents said there was no noticeable presence of US or Iraqi forces in the city after the attacks.

again as i said, this was about 3 hours ago.

hope they got there asses kicked though, as insurgents/rebels , no matter what there religion is, are very bad people

American was born froma rebel movement.
French "rebels" fought the germans.

that statement....is kinda silly, i suggest you review it.

[Sidus Preclarum]

Well, I think he meant "rebels fighting in Iraq", and not "rebels" in general. In which case can eb considered as a sustainable, though highly debatable, opinion.
I hope he did...