9 children killed in U.S. raid in Iraq

[BuyingThyme]

2007-10-11

A U.S. attack killed 19 insurgents and 15 civilians, including nine children, northwest of the capital Thursday -- one of the heaviest civilian death tolls in an American operation in recent months. The military said it was targeting senior leaders of al-Qaida in Iraq.

American forces have applied fierce and determined pressure on militants, especially al-Qaida in Iraq, since the full contingent of additional U.S. troops arrived June 15. But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has recently confronted top American commander Gen. David Petraeus about what he sees as overly aggressive U.S. tactics that harm innocent civilians, according to Iraqi officials.

The military statement detailing Thursday's air and ground assault said soldiers were acting on intelligence reports about an al-Qaida meeting in the Lake Tharthar region. The southern reaches of the big, man-made lake are about 50 miles northwest of the capital.

The American account said U.S. surveillance confirmed "activity consistent with the reports and supporting aircraft engaged the time-sensitive target." The first air attack killed "four terrorists," said the statement.

...

http://dailynews.muzi.com/news/ll/english/10051911.shtml

[scarface2004]

1. our military is pathetic!!!

maybe we should contract the whole clusterfu@k to blackwater!! what kind of 'intelligence' reports are these bastards using!!

[BuyingThyme]

2. I'm always amazed that with such a scant presence, the U.S. is

always able to find out where the al Qaeda boys are meeting.

[patrice]

3. "insurgents" have families. Collateral damage.

Not saying it's right, just that's the "explanation".

[bdamomma]

4. the slaughter goes on and on.................

shameful, to do this to innocent children.