Americans sow seeds of Hatred

Americans sow seeds of hatred

Patrick Graham in Falluja meets angry Iraqi tribes who say they, not Saddam's forces, are shooting down US helicopters

Sunday November 9, 2003
The Observer

While the US authorities maintain that resistance attacks are carried out by former Baathists and supporters of Saddam, they continue to ignore the tribal nature of the insurgency which has grown steadily over recent months. Deeply conservative clans like the 50,000-strong Albueisi have codes of honour which they complain the American army ignores at checkpoints and during raids on houses.

They also believe that the Koran demands jihad against foreign invaders. Asked how many American lives should be taken if one of their own is killed, the answer is: 'As many as possible.'

Last week an American Chinook helicopter was shot down by a heat-seeking missile a few kilometres from Sarab's house, killing 16 soldiers. It could have been worse, the neighbours say. Resistance fighters were ready to fire another missile at a second Chinook when they were stopped by worried locals...

'The Albueisi have hot blood and will do anything without caring about the results. If something happens to one of them, they will get together and take revenge. More helicopters will go down, definitely.'

According to Khalid, last month a Russian made Sam-7 Strela anti-aircraft missile like the one used against the Chinook could be purchased for $325, mostly from tribes in southern Iraq who collected thousands following the fall of Saddam. He had heard that a new, more compact missile was on the market but did not know the name or the price...

'They do not understand psychology,' said Dr Adnan Chechan, a surgeon at Falluja's main hospital. 'When you are violent, you get a violent reaction.'

:evilfrown:

I'd suggest you edit that unless you want it locked or zapped.

on edit: link
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1081134,00.html

Seems like it should go in Editorials or GD.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Although not entirely unexpected.

I fell terrible for our brave men and women in uniform.

What is going to happen if we actually NEED out military for something other than the fraud and theft and price-gouging of the Busheviks?

Trouble, that's what.

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Additionally, no link to the original article was provided. (It's http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1081134,00.html which was published on the web November 8th.) I'm locking this thread.

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