U.S. troops, insurgents clash in Mosul

[leftchick]

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/breaking_news/11666108.htm

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. troops and militants clashed in this northern city on Tuesday, with heavy exchanges of machine gun fire being heard, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

U.S. forces were seen advancing into the eastern neighborhood of Dhubbat, a known insurgent stronghold in Mosul, 225 miles northwest of Baghdad.

Heavy machine gun exchanges were taking place in the area between militants and U.S. forces, said the AP reporter who witnessed the clashes from the rooftop of a nearby home. American helicopters were also seen circling overhead.

It was unclear what sparked the clashes or if there were any casualties.

Efforts to contact American forces in Mosul were not immediately successful; the U.S. military in Baghdad said it was not aware of any operation in Mosul.

[ogradda]

1. Shouldn't the U.S. military know what's going on?

What are they doing anyway? Just putting people in over there and telling them to shoot anything that moves?

[llmart]

2. "It was unclear what sparked the clashes".......

Oh, I'll bet it was that Newsweek article - yeah, that's the reason. All of them were just sitting around reading magazines when they decided they would have an uprising over the things printed in it. No, it wasn't because we've invaded a country and devastated it and killed thousands and thousands of innocent people. It was that nasty little article.

[leftchick]

3. Update: US Military statement...

FWIW...

http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/US-troops-and-insurgents-clash-in-Mosuls/2005/05/17/1116095963807.html?oneclick=true

US troops and insurgents clash in Mosul
May 17, 2005 - 9:57PM


US troops backed by attack helicopters and militants clashed in Mosul with heavy exchanges of machine-gun fire being heard, the US military and an Associated Press reporter at the scene said.

US forces were seen advancing into the eastern suburb of Dhubbat, a known insurgent stronghold the northern city, 360km north-west of Baghdad, the AP reporter said.

"Forces were attacked and called in helicopters to support them in the battle with insurgents," said US military spokesman Sgt John Franzen. He did not have further details.

Heavy machine-gun exchanges were taking place in the area between militants and US forces, said the AP reporter who saw the clashes from the rooftop of a nearby home. American helicopters were also seen circling overhead.

A statement released by US and Iraqi forces in Mosul said troops had detained nine suspected terrorists in separate operations conducted Tuesday and Monday.