Insurgents increase attacks on Green Zone

[NNN0LHI]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003640818_iraqdig29.html

Insurgents increase attacks on Green Zone

BAGHDAD — Iraqi insurgents are increasingly hitting Baghdad's fortress-like Green Zone with rockets and mortar shells, officials said Wednesday.

Insurgents have struck inside the Green Zone, which includes the U.S. Embassy, on six of the past seven days, once with deadly consequences.

A U.S. soldier and a U.S. government contractor died Tuesday night in a rocket attack that also seriously wounded a civilian, military and embassy officials said.

Three rockets crashed down Wednesday, said U.S. Embassy spokesman Lou Fintor.

A week ago, a rocket attack landed about 100 yards from the Green Zone residence of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, jolting the room where he was holding a news conference with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

[NNN0LHI]

1. Body armor and helmets would now be required for all "outdoor activities"

http://freeinternetpress.com/story.php?sid=11090

<snip>"It's clear that there have been increasing targeting attacks against the international zone," Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, said at a news conference. The increased use of mortars and rockets is a "change in tactics," he said, and part of an overall strategy to disrupt the government and incite sectarian violence.

The Green Zone is regularly targeted with airborne weapons. Insurgents can launch rockets and mortars from miles away, using Global Positioning System coordinates to guide the missiles toward their marks. But the attacks have not often caused serious injuries.

Wednesday morning, embassy personnel received a bulletin citing the "recent increase of indirect fire attacks on the embassy compound." It included strict instructions: Body armor and helmets would now be required for all "outdoor activities" within the sprawling embassy complex, even short walks to the cafeteria. There would be no group gatherings outside, including at the famed Palace Pool. No "nonessential" visitors would be allowed in the compound.

A U.S. official in Baghdad characterized embassy personnel as "anxious and alert."

[mediaman007]

5. Calling John McCain, calling John McCain...

Apparently the Green Zone is not the part of Baghdad, where General Patraeus can walk around without a weapon and body armor!

[Junkdrawer]

2. Nah, it's just fireworks to celebrate our presence as liberators...

:sarcasm:

[mrcheerful]

3. And on The Today show John Burns was touting how the surge was working out very well in Bagdad

[NNN0LHI]

4. John Burns is old man Bush's former tennis partner so that makes sense n/t

[Chimichurri]

6. Pardon me but prior to the last few weeks, I've never heard of

an actual attack within the green zone. Unless I've overlooked those stories in the past, shouldn't the title be "Attacks begin within Green Zone"?

[mikeytherat]

7. Mortars have been landing IN the Green Zone for years

My bro-in-law is on the ground in Baghdad, and confirms this. It's not widely reported, but it happens more frequently than you might think.

mikey_the_rat

[Blackhatjack]

8. The Green Zone is a natural target where all the top brass are located...

The insurgents have been 'testing' the defenses around the Green Zone for years. The way it is constructed it cannot be picked up and moved, so it is easy to find and populated with all the people the insurgents would like to hit.

Military strategists know that the Green Zone is a major target, and recent rocket attacks are more evidence that it is not defensible if the insurgents decide to attack it.

[bdamomma]

9. that Green Zone or Emerald City, is not immuned to attacks

even if it has 17 foot walls. They want us out of their country, that is all they want.