Home » Archives » " Militant Groups Warn Iraqis Not to Vote"

Militant Groups Warn Iraqis Not to Vote

Dec-30-2004 » Filed Under: TF Olympia

More news about today's attack on a U.S. outpost

Link to Full Article
By NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Three militant groups warned Iraqis against voting in Jan. 30 elections, saying Thursday that people participating in the ``dirty farce'' risked attack. All 700 employees of the electoral commission in Mosul reportedly resigned after being threatened.

The warning came a day after insurgents in Mosul, which has seen increased violence in recent weeks, launched a highly coordinated assault on a U.S. military outpost. The United States said 25 insurgents were believed slain and one American soldier was killed in the battle, which involved strafing runs by U.S. warplanes. [...]

Wednesday's attack in the northern city of Mosul exhibited a coordination rarely seen among Iraq's insurgents. The violence began with a massive truck bomb exploding just outside a U.S. checkpoint, followed by attacks by squads of 10-12 insurgents.

A Stryker vehicle reinforcing the Americans was hit by a roadside bomb and a second car bomb. U.S. forces then called in airstrikes by F-18 and F-16 fighter jets, which launched three Maverick missiles and conducted several strafing runs.

U.S. officials called the attack a sign of desperation ahead of the vote.

``The fact of the matter is we're keeping the insurgents off balance and they're reeling backward. They're trying to come at us and we're giving it right back,'' spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Hastings said. [...]


Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by a site administrator before your comment will appear. We appreciate your patience.)

Advertisements