Iraqis hail 'victory' as US changes tack

[dArKeR]

By Fadel Badran

Falluja - Soldiers of the old Iraqi army led by one of Saddam Hussein's generals patrolled the city of Falluja on Saturday, a year after George W. Bush declared the US "mission accomplished" in ousting the Iraqi regime.

Cries of "victory over the Americans" echoed from minarets and guerrilla gunmen celebrated in the streets under the green banner of Islam and Saddam-era Iraqi flags. Thousands who had fled a month of heavy fighting streamed back to their homes after US Marines pulled back from their siege positions.

Mired in a confrontation that spilled blood on both sides and outraged Iraqi and Arab opinion, US commanders withdrew to more distant positions on Friday. Security was entrusted to local police and a new force of ex-soldiers under General Jasim Mohamed Saleh, formerly of Saddam's feared Republican Guard.

http://iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=3&art_id=qw1083416762688B262&set_id=1

40,000 to 50,000 dead on both sides is no 'victory' for morality. The only sure losers are Bush for being a liar and Wolfowitz for not even knowing how many have died.

[Racenut20]

1. This is really something,huh....

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Happy 'Mission Accomplished Day'!

Glad to see we won.

:Sarcasm off: