Today in Iraq

War News for October 19, 2004 Bring ‘em on: Over 100 Iraqis killed and wounded in mortar attack on Iraqi National Guard headquarters north of Baghdad Bring ‘em on: Two Iraqis killed, six wounded in fighting in Duluiya Bring ‘em on*: Pipeline ablaze north of Baghdad Negotiator: Fallujah Talks Still Suspended: Fallujah negotiator Sheik Khaled al-Jumeili said peace talks to end the standoff in Iraq's major insurgent bastion will remain suspended as a protest against his detention by U.S. troops, who accused him of representing the militants. "The fact is that I'm negotiating on behalf of Fallujah people — civilians, kids, women — who have no power but through being represented by somebody. Since the situation has got up to this, each can go wherever they want and we don't need to talk about negotiations," he told Al-Arabiya TV. U.S. forces free Iraqi police chief in Falluja*: U.S. forces freed the police chief of Iraq's rebel-held city of Falluja on Tuesday, along with two other police officers, their relatives said. The police chief, Sabar al-Janabi, and his colleagues had been detained on Friday with the city's chief negotiator, Khaled al-Jumaili, who was released early on Monday. Saudi plan for Muslim forces is rejected: Iraqi government officials and commanders of the U.S.-led military coalition killed a proposal by Saudi Arabia for a Muslim peacekeeping force in Iraq, the White House said yesterday, citing concerns over who would be in charge. Britain Considers Spreading Forces Throughout Iraq: Britain is considering moving some of its troops in Iraq outside their normal area of operations in order to help bolster the American antiterrorist offensive, the British defense secretary, Geoff Hoon, said today. Speaking to the House of Commons, Mr. Hoon said that the United States had formally requested such a move on Oct. 10. Hungary to await US election outcome to decide on Iraq troop extension*: The government declined to comment specifically on how the outcome of the US vote on November 2 would influence Hungary's military presence in Iraq, where Budapest currently has 300 troops, mostly logistics experts. Military says it does its best to keep up equipment: In the western town of Qaim, a U.S. Marine complained that his unit lacked vehicles and protection — as well as troops — to replace those killed and destroyed by roadside bombings, ambushes and anti-tank mine blasts. “We need more vehicles, more armor, more bodies,” said Cpl. Cody King, 20, of Phoenix, Ariz., of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. Reservists Who Refused Order Tried to Persuade Superiors: Members of the Army Reserve platoon in Iraq that disobeyed orders to deliver fuel to another base last week had tried to persuade their superiors for hours to cancel the mission, relatives of the soldiers said Monday. That defying an order had become an option for 18 members of the 343rd Quartermaster Company seemed to signal a worsening of the low morale that had plagued the unit. Iraq war increases terrorism risk –report*: "Overall, the risk of terrorism to Westerners and Western assets in Arab countries appeared to increase after the Iraq war began in March 2003," it concluded. "With the military invasion and occupation of Iraq, the United States demonstrated its desire to change the political status quo in the Arab world to advance American strategic and political interests," it said in Tuesday's report. “Accordingly, the Iraq invasion was always likely in the short term to enhance Jihadist recruitment and intensify al Qaeda's motivation to encourage and assist terrorist operations." U.S. Jews turning against war — because of its impact on Israel: “The only nation that seems to have benefited by our invasion of Iraq is Iran, which is a far greater threat to Israel than Iraq was,” said U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, (D-Nev.), a Jew and an outspoken pre-war proponent of invasion who feels President Bush deceived her. Support Our Troops: By the thousands, soldiers 50 and older are being deployed: Of the 160,000 men and women deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, 4,119 are 50 or older. At a time in life when most people are looking forward to retirement or eyeing Florida real estate, these soldiers are leaving behind corporate jobs and grandkids. Some even voluntarily postpone military retirement to go to war. Commentary: Special Report: Tigris Tales*: For a few months after the fall of Saddam's regime, Iraqis became aware that they could actually live without fear. They might even have planned for their and their children's futures, something totally unimagined when war, persecution and execution were the norm. The first couple of car bombs soon shattered that initial relief; that, and when it became obvious that the long-awaited peace and prosperity promised by the Americans was not coming any time soon. Casualty Reports: Local story: Proposal to honor Wisconsin soldier killed in Iraq Local story: Michigan soldier killed in Ramadi honored Local story: Adams County, Ohio, soldier killed in Ramadi Local story: Two New Hampshire soldiers killed in Mosul and Baghdad Local story: Pendleton Marine killed in Al Anbar province Local story: Utica, Michigan soldier killed near Ramadi Local story: Chatham County, NC, soldier killed near Ramadi Local story: Wisconsin soldier killed in Al Anbar province Local story: Oshkosh, WI man’s son killed in Iraq Local story: Paralyzed Wheaton, Illinois soldier honored Thanks and a tip of the black beret to compulsive megaposter Not Anonymous, who must have really sore fingers at the end of the day. All asterisked posts on the main page were taken from his or her posts in previous Comments. NA, do you ever sleep?