Attacks rock Iraqi city hailed as model of order

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-iraq09.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Guerrillas carried out a series of raids in the city of Samarra on Wednesday, stealing weapons from a police station, blowing it up, and exchanging fire with police and U.S. troops. snip

The fighting in Samarra, a city 60 miles from Baghdad, began when gunmen stormed a police station, looted its armory and then blew up the building, police said. A policeman and a child standing nearby were killed in clashes before the insurgents fled.

Samarra was once overrun by militants, but the U.S. military retook it in September and October. Though violence there has persisted, Iraqi officials have said the city has been an example of how the Americans and the interim government can restore order in communities reclaimed from the insurgents.

more

[acmavm]

1. Well if we're told that someplace is a model city, you can bet that

trouble is just around the corner. What is so hard for these people to understand, the aren't any 'model' cities, there are just cities waiting to explode. If a city is quiet, that means that the insurgency is busy elsewhere, but they'll be back.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. Like an active fault, perhaps?

The longer there is no movement, the greater the force that is generated when it does finally move.

[leftchick]

2. good lord...

this reads like an Onion piece. :crazy:

[ze_dscherman]

3. Just like Iraq has become the role model

for democracy (TM) in the ME.

[dave420]

4. They had a rest in November

But just for one month, now they'll have to "retake" it for a third time.

What are they playing at? Absolute madness. I'm so ashamed of this whole situation. bastards.

[izzie]

5. Guess the Israel plans does not work.

They have used this model for 50 years so now we are going to try it. Does anyone ever learn from history?

[UpInArms]

6. related article: Rebels seize 2 police stations in town once pacified

by U.S.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/10374864.htm?1c

(free registration or try www.bugmenot.com)

excerpt:

Meanwhile, Iraqi officials mulled over a suggestion to extend national voting for two or more weeks beyond the established date of Jan. 30 in hopes of allowing people to vote safely.

The strikes in Samarra, about 65 miles north of Baghdad, followed a month of car bombs, ambushes and bloodshed in the Iraqi city that shook residents, shuttered businesses and disrupted voter registration efforts.

In announcing his resignation over a mosque loudspeaker, Maj. Gen. Talib Shamil Samarriee said insurgents had attacked his home and attempted to kidnap his son at school, where teachers hid the boy to save him. Earlier in the day, gunmen attacked the chief's car.

``I came according to the wish of the sons of the city in order to serve this city and to present any assistance I can,'' the police commander said. ``But after what has happened to me within these three days, especially today, when my house and family were attacked and terrified, I decided to quit everything. I have no relationship with any governmental office.''

U.S. military officials said Wednesday evening that they had contacted the police chief, and he was still on the job. It was not immediately clear whether Samarriee had changed his mind.

...more...

[Supersedeas]

8. now back to Peterson Peterson Peterson and the striking parents