Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Western Iraq

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sun, Nov. 30, 2003

Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Western Iraq
Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Guerrillas ambushed a military convoy in western Iraq near the border with Syria, killing two American soldiers, the military said Sunday.

The attackers opened fire on the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment task force with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades near the border town of Husaybah, 180 miles northwest of Baghdad, the statement said.

One soldier was also wounded in the attack. (snip/...)

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/7379695.htm

[bluestateguy]

1. Hope the jingoists and armchair warriors are proud of themselves

I think our troops in Iraq could use some relief now.

When will these armchair warriors and jingoists be enlisting to take their places?

[IndianaGreen]

2. Reuters does not mention Syria at all in their version

Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Ambush West of Baghdad
Sun November 30, 2003 02:34 AM ET

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Guerrillas attacked an American convoy west of Baghdad with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades on Saturday, killing two U.S. soldiers and wounding one, the U.S. Army said on Sunday.

A statement said the convoy was ambushed near Ramadi in the "Sunni triangle" where many of the attacks on U.S. forces have been concentrated.

REUTERS

[IndianaGreen]

3. Map of Iraq showing Ramadi, West of Baghdad

[leftchick]

5. That is curious....

here is latest AP version naming the town.....

<A military statement said the U.S. troops were killed when a task force from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment was hit Saturday by rocket-propelled grenades and automatic fire east of the border town of Husaybah, 180 miles northwest of Baghdad. >

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031130/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq&cid=540&ncid=716

[IndianaGreen]

8. I think there were 4 killed in two separate incidents

I saw the CPA press conference and they were confused too, but they admitted there were two ambushes involving American troops.

There are so many casualties that even the press is confused because they are not going out to the field to chase the stories. Iraq is too dangerous for Bob Arnot's happy news.

[leftchick]

10. that is what I figure to....

I am sure centcom is just as happy that there is confusion, easier to keep those nasty body count facts from getting out....

[Aidoneus]

11. well, these reports are contradictory

either it was in Ramadi, on the Euphrates west of Fallujah, not "on the Syrian border" by any stretch, or Qusaybah/Husaybah, which indeed is in the northwest near the border with Syria. :shrug:

One of the better maps I've found for about 2/3 of Iraq comes from an unlikelyish source, the lower right corner of this--
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/turkey_republic_2002.html

[moderateindependent]

4. That makes 11 dead since Bush's turkey day visit

What affect morale more, I wonder, having the President there for two hours, or losing 11 people within 2 days of his leaving?

I guess it depends whose morale you mean: Bush's campaign team's morale only depends on the first one, the soldiers and their families probably care more about the second.

[Pocho]

6. THE SCORE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST

Before their war was won = 138. After their mission accomplished = 305 more, Total young land of the free and home of the brave heroes just following orders = 443 (not counting dying among 2,444 wounded.). Iraqi men, women, and children evil doers massacred = 9,479. Those seeking vengeance for sake of family and invaded homeland honor = most. Years for Viet Cong to come together = several. Time for Iraqi resistance to build = damned near immediate. Have a nice day.:)

[phirili]

7. Seems like four were killed, the uniformed guy on CNN tried to duck

the questions on the area of the deaths. A clear indication of the lie/deception policy is being used.

[catmandu57]

9. We're getting closer to the wake up point

The numbers and reports are confused right now, but we grow closer to 500 dead every day, sad as it is that is a number that I believe most people will grab ahold of.
When they learn that that many americans have given their lifes in a foreign land, maybe the questions that should have been answered last year will come to the front of peoples minds.
Like, is it really worth it? Is it really worth all of those giving up their lives and bodies when we have found nothing? Wasn't there supposed to be an immediate danger from Iraqi weapons of mass destruction? How many have we found? Where is saddam? For that matter where is Osama?
Next year after the holiday distraction, when the news cycle is slow, when the christmas bills hit the mailboxes, it's going to be a dangerous time. Dangerous for the pretender*, dangerous for all of us, there's got to be something give.
When the toll mounts, and there is nothing to show for it, the moron* and its handlers will get nervous, and may make something happen, beware the ides of March.