NY Times, June 2, 2003 Troops Attacked in Baghdad in Fresh Signs of Resistance By PATRICK E. TYLER BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 1 — Gunmen firing rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles attacked an American military convoy late today in the neighborhood where Saddam Hussein made his last public appearance on April 9, the day the capital fell to allied forces. At least one American soldier was wounded and one Iraqi civilian was killed in the firefight that erupted on the busy square in front of the Abu Hanifa mosque, according to an Iraqi hospital official who treated the wounded. Other medical workers said three Iraqi civilians were also injured. "This is just the beginning!" shouted a woman who identified herself as Shahrezad, a bank manager. "You are our enemy. You entered Iraq searching for weapons, but where are the weapons?" she asked, referring to chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. Some residents cheered the attack, and said they longed for the return of Mr. Hussein. But others in the crowd said they were happy Mr. Hussein was gone, and blamed hard-line supporters of his Baath Party for firing on American forces. The assault followed an early morning mortar attack on an American base on the outskirts of the city that slightly wounded one soldier. Three mortar rounds were fired on the encampment of the Second Battalion, 70th Armor, of the First Armored Division. It was the first mortar attack in Baghdad since the end of the war, according to a military intelligence officer at the scene. The attacks came as the American military was preparing to send significant forces west of Baghdad to quell pockets of resistance in several cities. [Page A10.] The strikes indicate there is still armed resistance to the allied occupation within the capital, especially in the Adhamiya neighborhood where Mr. Hussein had climbed atop a vehicle and exhorted a crowd to resist American forces before he went into hiding. The attacks occurred on the first day of an amnesty period for Iraqis to turn in heavy weapons to allied forces, an offer that few Baghdad residents seemed to have acted on today. full: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/02/international/worldspecial/02IRAQ.html ==== Sacked Iraqi Troops Threaten to Attack U.S. Forces By Huda Majeed Saleh and Michael Georgy Reuters Monday, June 2, 2003; 7:21 AM BAGHDAD-- Thousands of sacked Iraqi soldiers marched on the U.S.-led administration on Monday and threatened to launch suicide attacks on American troops in Baghdad unless they were paid wages and compensation. More than 3,000 angry soldiers from the disbanded Iraqi army massed outside the administration headquarters, in a presidential palace, shouting slogans and vowing a wave of attacks on U.S. troops unless they got their money. "All of us will become suicide bombers," said Khairi Jassim, a former warrant officer. "I will turn my six daughters into bombs to kill the Americans." Paul Bremer, the U.S. civil administrator for Iraq, dissolved Saddam Hussein's armed forces, several security bodies and the defence ministry last month, firing 400,000 people. Many protestors said they could no longer feed their families. "I have only 750 dinars (60 U.S. cents) in my pocket. How can I feed my family? I have a crippled child who needs medicines," said Sabah Abdullah, also a former warrant officer. Many demonstrators demanded that the Americans leave Iraq. Anger towards U.S. troops has boiled over into violence in parts of Iraq, which has descended into anarchy since the war ended with widespread looting and violence as well as power shortages. By early afternoon around 300 angry protesters were still outside the palace, a line of U.S. soldiers blocking their advance. "We will carry out attacks on the Americans and we will declare a jihad if our rights are not respected," said Mohan Qahtan, another former soldier. full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2309-2003Jun2.html ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis
