Reuters: Car bombs kill 24 in Baghdad ahead of crackdown

[PhilipShore]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L05586874.htm

BAGHDAD, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Three car bombs killed 24 people and wounded scores in Baghdad on Monday, and gunmen attacked two Sunni areas, clashing with residents and setting houses on fire.

The violence came on a day when the military command centre that will oversee a planned offensive by Iraqi and U.S. troops in the city was due to become operational. U.S. officers said on Sunday that the crackdown would begin "soon thereafter".

[pampango]

1. There go those patriotic insurgents targetting the civilians who

occupy Iraq. You have to admire these brave men who go up against those dangerous shoppers and students. :sarcasm:

Someone in their intelligence operation should let them know that the American military and Iraqi soldiers and police would be more logical targets of their attacks. I realize that these guys have got guns and shoot back, but surely that will not cause these brave insurgents to pick easier targets.

[Wednesdays]

2. Insurgents?

I didn't see that mentioned in the article. Seems to me the predominant foreigners in the area are the U.S. military... :shrug:

[pampango]

3. Perhaps I am using my terms incorrectly.

Does the term insurgents apply only to foreign fighters who have come to Iraq? I thought it meant anyone who was using force to oppose the US occupation of Iraq, including, indeed I thought primarily, Iraqis themselves.