U.S. Marines storm al-Dhaloiya; civilians bear the brunt of attack

[Barrett808]

U.S. marines backed by several contingents of Iraqi army have retaken the city of al-Dhaloiya and are conducting house-to-house search amid mounting resentment and fury from the local people.

Some residents have sent emails to Azzaman, urging a halt to the attack and what they describe as “oppressive measures” by the troops. They say scores of people have been arrested and several civilians killed or injured in the attack.

...

But residents say the troops, instead of rounding up the rebels, normally pour their wrath on unarmed civilians. The town has been under siege for nearly three weeks and residents say its nearly 50,000 inhabitants are in dire need of basic humanitarian supplies.

...

The residents say the troops in each attack forbid media representatives from entering the town. As a result, very little leaks out on the large-scale military operations the U.S. marines have been carrying out in these rural areas.

Residents speak of large-scale destruction of orchards and infrastructure and scores of casualties in each attack.

(more)

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\2006-06-07\208.htm

[katinmn]

1. Remember Falujah.

That was mass indescriminate murder, too.

That's what this war is all about. They might kill one true combatant and kill 12 innocents.

Nice way to bring freedom and democracy to a country we have been torturing since 1991.:sarcasm:

[Karenina]

2. DEPOPULATION = PNAC goal

It's called GENOCIDE.

[rodeodance]

3. we just released 500 prisoners--to make room for these people?

[saigon68]

4. I wonder how many civilians they killed?

But according to War Criminal RumDumb we dont' DO Bodycounts anymore.

[plasticsundance]

5. Not again ...

More barbaric gestures to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. I toggle my emotions between anger and saddness. As a nation, what are we becoming?

[brentspeak]

6. Is this a legitimate news source?

"Some residents have sent emails to Azzaman..."

They consider EMAILS to be a reliable source?? They could be from Iraq -- or they could be from South America, as far as anyone knows.

[lumpy]

7. Kick for the truth.

This wouldn't be surprising considering the destruction of Falujah.

[Igel]

11. You're spoiling the buzz.

But you're right.

The standards of evidence have dropped greatly in the last couple of years.

Somebody claiming that he has e-mails that claim atrocities is sufficient, it seems.

[daleo]

13. NYT - Judith Miller - Curveball. n/t

[Tempest]

8. Mission Accomplished!

"Large scale operations are over."
-GWB, 2003

[Roland99]

9. How long before the insurgency size doubles each week?

[dmoded]

10. its over!

nothing like the fresh smell of innocent handcuffed detainee's in the morning, show them who's boss!

[Terran1212]

12. "Liberal media" won't report this

Haditha haditha haditha bad apples bad apples bad apples just a few bad apples...