Today in Iraq

War News for December 9, 2004 Bring ‘em on: Two Iraqis wounded by car bomb in Mosul. Bring ‘em on: Wave of insurgent attacks reported in Samarra. Bring ‘em on: Heavy fighting erupts in Ramadi. Bring ‘em on: Three Iraqis killed, five wounded in Baghdad mortar attack. Bring ‘em on: One US soldier wounded by roadside bomb near Samarra. Bring ‘em on: ING soldier executed near Hilla. Bring ‘em on: Four Iraqis killed in car bomb attack on US convoy near Samarra. Turkish food distributor stops commercial operations in Iraq. Fuel shortages. “Baghdad has been hit by what many residents of the capital say are the worst fuel shortages since the immediate aftermath of the invasion, the result of both insurgent attacks on pipelines and corruption in the distribution of fuel. For the past week, queues for petrol have stretched for kilometres along the capital's main streets, while black market fuel sells at 10 times its pre-crisis price - if it can be found at all.” Factoid. “US troops injured in Iraq have required limb amputations at twice the rate of past wars, and as many as 20 percent have suffered head and neck injuries that may require a lifetime of care, according to new data giving the clearest picture yet of the severity of battlefield wounds.” Commentary Editorial: “Mr. Rumsfeld talks a lot about supporting the troops. We wish that someone powerful would explain to him that doing so includes treating them with respect and telling them the truth.” Opinion: “These young men and women went to Iraq believing the pap they were told: they'd have a brief battle, chocolate, flowers, gratitude. Instead, they were thrust into a prolonged and savage insurgent war without the troop levels or armor they needed because the Pentagon's neocons had made plans based on their spin - that turning Iraq into a democracy would be a cakewalk. And because Rummy wanted to make his mark by experimenting with a lean, slimmed-down force. And because Rummy kept nattering on about a few ‘dead-enders,’ never acknowledging the true force, or true nationalist fervor, of the opposition. The dreams of Rummy and the neocons were bound to collide. But it's immoral to trap our troops in a guerrilla war without essential, lifesaving support and matériel just so a bunch of officials who have never been in a war can test their theories.” Analysis: “Today what is happening in Iraq is more than what is seen. It is not the war against Iraq but an effort to create new generations through election under the umbrella of superpower United States. US is loosing fast its time for diplomatic breakthrough as neither UN/European countries nor Arab world has been brought into confidence. At this stage it seems that the present US government feels that the problems in Iraq could be solved through military might single handedly. There is no sign of prevailing peace in Iraq. Today or tomorrow US troops will have to leave Iraq but it will leave behind the legacy of chaos among Shia, Sunni and Kurdish communities. Leadership to run the Iraqi government cannot easily be established because of heterogeneous groups, clans and religious and ethnic diversity. Instead of bringing peace in the region what America has sown in the Middle East is yet to be seen. One may predict that the anti American sentiments may be exploited by many extremist groups and elements to sabotage the American interest all over the world.” Casualty Reports Local story: Washington State soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Michigan Marine dies in Iraq. Local story: North Carolina soldier wounded in Iraq. Local story: Arkansas Marine wounded in Iraq. Local story: Nebraska Marine wounded in Iraq.